Being a Villain is My True Calling

After the introductions, Alpha mentioned wanting to examine the overall exterior of the large military helicopter, venturing outside briefly.

“Got something to check on the helicopter?”

“The old geezer must be in awe of the cutting-edge technology.”

Thus, Narin and I remained inside the helicopter.

“You actually managed to bring this.”

I surveyed the interior of the modified military transport helicopter Narin had procured.
Having undergone customization favored by Eclipse, the interior was far more spacious than a standard helicopter.

“Didn’t Eclipse notice?”

“Heh. Who do you think I am? The beautiful genius hacker, Narin!”

In response to my query, Narin flipped her short hair with an air of smug nonchalance, as if my question were preposterous.

“Eclipse is practically under my thumb already. Manipulating CCTV footage or documents is child’s play!”

“Well done.”

Regarding her demeanor, I couldn’t help but smile warmly as I gently ruffled her hair.

“……”

“? Why the expression?”

“No, it’s just… I’m not used to you speaking informally, big bro.”

“I suppose so.”

Indeed, even when I instructed her to address me casually, she had previously insisted on honorifics.
Resorting to informal speech was a rare occurrence from me, unless I was in my ‘Maker’ persona.

So it was understandable for Narin to find my casual manner somewhat jarring.

“Currently, I’m ‘Akaoni’, not ‘Maker’.”

However, with this different persona, my conduct should adapt accordingly.
Brushing it off with a light chuckle, I swiftly transitioned to the next topic.

“Anyway, have you conducted any investigations yet?”

The three areas I had requested Narin to investigate were:
The Heroes Association’s movements, the overall climate among villains, and information about a particular group.

“Well, I haven’t uncovered any particularly significant information thus far.”

Narin retrieved a beverage labeled ‘Beta-500′ from her pocket, handing it to me.
Then, producing an identical drink from her other pocket, she took a sip.

“First, the Heroes Association. Their external activities seem dormant for now. As for their internal affairs… Well, I’m probing their systems, but their security is rather robust, so it might take some effort to infiltrate.”

“To be expected, since the Cyber Ghost oversees all Heroes Association networks.”

Presumably due to housing not only heroes’ personal data but also records of ability users nationwide, the Heroes Association’s cybersecurity was under the constant vigilance of the Cyber Ghost, their preeminent hacker hero.

“It’s fine. If there’s no external movement, they’re likely still in the deliberation phase.”

For them to actively pursue you, some overt action would be necessary.
Whether scrutinizing CCTV footage or deploying hero patrols.

‘Narin would undoubtedly have detected such maneuvers. Their current inaction implies they’ve yet to issue any directives.’

Barely a day had elapsed since the incident, so it was plausible.
Perhaps they were merely convening to determine their subsequent course of action.

“I’ve got a grasp on the Association’s status, what’s next?”

“Next would be the villains’ movements…”

As Narin elaborated, I opened my beverage and took a sip.

“There’s been an increase in acquisitions of firearms and various weaponry using funds from their operations. Spending on other investments or luxuries has decreased, though.”

“The counsel from Shadow Night seems to have resonated.”

While not encompassing every villain, a sizeable portion of the more prudent and rational ones appeared to be making contingency preparations.

“Good. Then I only need to dismantle around half of those who heeded my advice.”

“…Is that really necessary?”

“Isn’t it better than allowing organizations to nearly self-destruct through sheer disobedience?”

Of course, I wouldn’t be the one administering the dismantling – that would be Alpha’s task.

“By differentiating their treatment, they’ll recognize the benefits of following my guidance and mitigating their losses.”

The more this pattern repeated, the more instinctively they would heed my words in the future.
Ultimately, they would unknowingly don the metaphorical leash themselves.

“While physical discipline remains paramount for the disobedient, those who comply deserve commensurate rewards as part of their training.”

“…Sometimes I think you have a truly wicked personality, big bro.”

Narin regarded me with an expression of utter disapproval.

“But it’s efficient, isn’t it?”

“Well, that may be true…but fine, whatever. I’ll leave such matters to your discretion.”

After briefly scrutinizing me, Narin nodded and proceeded to the next topic.

“And regarding the organization you requested intel on…”

The final investigation I had tasked her with concerned a group that could potentially aid Alpha.

‘Although ‘aid’ would primarily entail providing Alpha with basic necessities for a month while inadvertently shielding him from Association exposure.’

Essentially, an entity harboring goodwill towards Alpha.
From my recollection of the original work, only one such group had been depicted – the very entity I had intended to temporarily entrust Alpha to during my personal endeavors.

Of course, there was a possibility my memory was faulty or their disposition had diverged from the source material.
Cross-verification remained imperative to account for any potential discrepancies.

“So, what did the investigation reveal?”

“Well, it’s quite an unusual group. They’ve been established for longer than expected, and despite not being heroes, they style themselves as a vigilante group. They’re rather extreme but still assist civilians, and also…”

Based on her overall description, it didn’t seem to deviate significantly from my prior knowledge.

‘This should suffice.’

It appeared entrusting Alpha to them wouldn’t present any major issues.

“Ah, and there was one other peculiar detail.”

“What peculiarity?”

As I mentally deliberated, Narin’s voice interjected.
When I expressed my puzzlement, she pointed a finger directly at me.

“Apparently, they’re searching for Akaoni over there.”

“What? The ‘Vigilantes’ are?”

“So it would seem.”

The Vigilantes, an illegal hero organization.
A third faction of ability users, separate from heroes and villains.

‘A self-proclaimed vigilante group exhibiting greater ruthlessness than heroes, yet still ostensibly championing the civilian populace…’

And they were searching for me? Maker, nor Akaoni?

“Did they detect my information gathering?”

“No, they were already investigating you even before I accessed their data!”

What’s this about?
As Akaoni, I had barely any connections, having only engaged in a single villainous operation thus far as a fledgling persona.

There should have been no prior intersection with the Vigilantes.
If pressed, the only conceivable link was their mistaken assumption that I had originated from the Vigilantes during that villain’s appearance at the amusement park.

“Could you elaborate further?”

“Sheesh, listen closely then…”

Hmm.
After attentively considering Narin’s explanation, I stroked my chin in contemplation.

‘This situation appears to be unfolding rather interestingly.’

If handled adroitly, it could potentially prove advantageous.
I should commit this to memory.

“So where to next?”

Lost in my musings, I was addressed by Alpha, who had finished examining the helicopter’s exterior and re-entered.
Regarding him, I offered a warm smile.

“We’ll be seeking out individuals who might lend you aid.”

“They’ll provide assistance?”

His deadpan visage and quizzical blinking elicited an amused chuckle from me.

“Yeah, you’ll likely be delighted to meet them as well.”

For the Vigilantes’ leader had previously served as Alpha’s sidekick in the past.

“Then rather than belaboring the matter further, let’s depart.”

“Okeyyy~”

After briefly requesting Narin to initiate our departure…

Dultuk. Dultukdultuk.

Pwushuuuuuu…

‘…?’

A single question emerged in my mind.

“…By the way Narin, how did you even arrive here?”

“Huh? Obviously by helicopter.”

“No, I mean… How did you get here all by yourself?”

Without any assistance from a pilot, how had she…?
The helicopter’s unsettling lurching amplified my growing sense of unease.

“I piloted it here myself, duh!”

Flashing me a proud smile, she formed a ‘V’ sign with her fingers.
Unease. Profound, gut-wrenching unease.

“…Do you have a license?”

“Don’t worry! It was my first time flying, but it’s no different from a game.”

“……”

Suddenly, several vivid recollections surfaced in my mind.
The eerie static from our earlier phone call. The erratic wobbling as the helicopter descended.

“Narin, wait a sec-”

As the overwhelming sense of dread intensified, I rushed to stop her, but the moment those words left my lips –

“Let’s go!!”

Wooooooooooong–!!!!

Before I could intervene, Narin donned a chunky headset and initiated liftoff.

“This madness…!”

Unable to properly secure myself, I desperately grasped onto anything within reach.

“Uwaaaaaahh!!”

Bungbungbungbung–!!

No helicopter on earth should be rotating 360 degrees while ascending.

Dultukkuk! Dulkukudungk!!

Nor should any functional aircraft lurch so violently from side to side.

Chijik. Chijijijik–!

And no sane pilot would continue operating amid such copious sparking from the instrumentation.

“Uhahahahaha!!”

Consumed by apparent delirium, Narin cackled maniacally as she erratically maneuvered the controls.

‘At this rate, we’re going to crash!’

Gripped by mounting trepidation, I desperately scanned our surroundings, grasping at straws.

“Alpha!”

Wasn’t there anything he could do?

“Hmm.”

Perhaps discerning my intent through my frantic gaze, Alpha nodded solemnly.

“Shall I blast it?”

“Have you lost your mind?!!”

He wasn’t suggesting preemptively destroying the craft before it malfunctioned!

‘How am I the only sane person here?!!’

Bungbungbungbung–!!

Even as I agonized, the perilously wobbling helicopter continued forging ahead.
Realizing there was no recourse, I could only resort to desperate pleas.

Hopefully, we would reach our destination without incident…

‘Damn it. Save us…’

I fervently prayed, again and again.

“Wooogh…”

“……”

“Weuuuehhck…!”

“…Are you alright, big bro?”

Like you’d be okay in my position…!!
Nevertheless, grateful for my continued existence, I proceeded to empty the contents of my stomach.