The Novel’s Villain

13. Vengeance Is Mine (2)

The damage had to be checked.

“Is it the third security team?

“Yes, they are now in the hospital.”

“Let’s go there first.”

“I understand.”

Kim Dae-jin, Choi Sung-min, and Kim Se-yeon had separate bodyguards with good skills. It was just in case something happened. It was the third security team that escorted Jin-woo, and Jin-woo knew all their names and faces. It was the team that showed off in a helicopter performance during Yoo-na’s observation class.

Jin-woo went straight to the hospital. There was a Gate medicine ward in the hospital owned by the Frontline Group. They were all receiving the best treatment because they were part of Jin-woo’s security team.

Jin-woo entered the treatment room of the VIP ward of the Gate Medicine Department. No one moved to stop him. When they saw Yoo-na and the strong bodyguards following Jin-woo, the doctors and nurses backed away in surprise.

Many of the bodyguards were seriously injured. Competent people with recovery abilities were treating them, but they could only maintain their lives. The head of the security team was covered in an extensive healing device. He was the one in the most serious condition, with severe mutilations on his torso. The wounds were green, perhaps due to a special poison. Mana water and cures were being poured over it, but it could only maintain the status quo.

He was a bodyguard who talked quite a lot with Jin-woo. He had good abilities and an amiable personality, so Jin-woo entrusted the third security team to him.

‘I took it too lightly.’

He neglected his surroundings by thinking only about the story of the original novel. He thought too lightly of the aftermath of his involvement in the story. The head of the security team hadn’t lost consciousness due to his strong mental power.

“Cough, I-I’m sorry.”

Seeing him apologize while vomiting blood, Jin-woo felt his blood boiling through his veins. As Jin-woo approached him, the therapist tried to stop him. When Jin-woo waved his hand, the therapist flinched and stepped back.

All the bodyguards filed out.

Jin-woo took a deep breath and tried to hide his expression.

“You look terrible.”

“I’m…sorry. T-this…”

The head of the security team clenched his fist. He clenched it so tightly that his knuckles turned white. It was something he kept hold of while keeping his consciousness in case someone would take it.

It was a piece of armor.

“…I-I couldn’t figure it out. Their force…cough, is considerably behind us…”

Jin-woo was handed a piece of armor. The head of the security team took a deep breath and looked at Jin-woo. He tried to laugh, but the blood kept spouting out.

“Cough. Kuugh, kugh…”

He felt like he was about to run out of breath at any moment. It seemed unlikely he would survive unless a Knight-level healer came. Rather, it was still uncertain whether he would recover even if someone at that level came.

He had already accepted his death.

“I c-couldn’t s-serve you until the end…I’m sorry. I-it’s an honor for me…to serve the Young Mas….”

‘That’s enough.’

Jin-woo cut him off. He had no intention of listening to a will.

“Submit the report tomorrow. Retirement is unacceptable.”

Jin-woo took out a potion from the subspace. When the potion was sprayed on the wounded area, the infected area returned to normal with the sound of something sizzling. The wound healed moments rapidly later.

The head of the security team looked at Jin-woo with his eyes nearly jumping out of his skull. Jin-woo handed him half of the potion. The head of the security team stared blankly at Jin-woo and drank the potion slowly. The poisoning and internal wounds that had nearly brought him to the brink of death began to heal in an instant.

“S-Sir…t-this is…”

If he hadn’t stocked up on potions from the Dimensional Store, he might have lost the head of the security team today. All the bodyguards were suffering from poisoning. The culprit must have spared their life on purpose to make them suffer.

It felt like a letter penned solely to him.

Several bodyguards were seriously injured to the point of considering retirement. However, Jin-woo had no intention of letting them retire. They had to work under him for the rest of their lives, so where were they going to run away to?

Jin-woo looked at Yoo-na and handed her several potions.

“Treat them all. And investigate exactly what happened.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Jin-woo left. Bodyguards were blocking access to the ward with grim expressions. They were all like one family.

“We have added security personnel around the hospital and in the treatment room. The researchers are all protected at G&P headquarters.”

Another bodyguard reported to Jin-woo. He nodded.

“I want to be alone.”

Jin-woo went up to the roof of the hospital. It was quite well decorated, but only VIPs were allowed in. Jin-woo identified the piece of armor given by the head of the security team with his Magic Eye.

[-F] Armor Fragment

Light armor made of minerals from the Japanese Gate was designed to be worn under clothing. It is mainly used by the Golden Creed Guild to go on stealth missions.

Jin-woo clenched his fist while looking at the piece of armor. The armor piece crumpled and fell to the floor. They moved as secretly as possible, but they couldn’t avoid Jin-woo’s eyes. There was nothing that could avoid the Magic Eye of information.

“It was them.”

Snake Shield Guild Alliance. It was a huge mercenary guild alliance related to various loan business and criminal activities. After getting on Jin-woo’s bad side, moving to Korea was almost impossible for them. Therefore they stopped doing business in Korea and moved to Japan, the United States, and China.

He didn’t care because they were lowering their head. They were garbage that wasn’t even worth paying attention to.

Yoo-na appeared from behind.

“The attackers are at least Rank C or higher. The scene is under investigation, and we are analyzing the pictures of the wound so that it will be revealed sooner or later.”

“Snake Shield Alliance.”

“…I see.”

Yoo-na nodded at Jin-woo’s defined answer. She didn’t ask him how he found out about it. Jin-woo exuded such a hideous vibe that it gave Yoo-na chills. She could sense his rage.

“It won’t be just them. Their abilities will not be able to mobilize Rank C or higher competent people. It’s still being investigated, but there are some suspicious people in this case.”

Jin-woo also had someone suspicious in mind.

‘It’s my fault.’

This happened after just cutting a sprouting bud. He should have uprooted them altogether.

“The Association of Competent People and the Investigation Bureau of the Competent People have promised active cooperation.”

“Tell them not to interfere.”

“I understand.”

If it were only a small loss, it would have been handed over to the Investigation Bureau. But they touched his people. It was the same thing as a declaration of war. Even if the technology was leaked, it was enough to get it back or press and get rid of the other person.

But, it wasn’t a person.

“Young Master, our security team has its limits. It is difficult to track.”

“…”

“I’m sorry. I’m not good enough…”

“It’s okay.”

Competent people with Rank C or higher were at the level of the first division League. If the Snake Shield Guild Alliance and the League Guild were tied to this incident, it would prove difficult to solve it only with the security team. Since they were bodyguards, other than that, they weren’t good enough. Also, if he received help from the Association or brought in another guild, he couldn’t destroy his opponent.

Jin-woo closed his eyes. He was screaming inside his head to handle it cold-mindedly, but he couldn’t think any deeper. Jin-woo wanted to destroy and root them out. Every one of them, even those that were a little bit involved. Whether it was people, companies, or entire countries, they would all pay the price.

‘I’ll show you what the real ‘worst’ is.’

Jin-woo slowly turned his head and looked at Yoo-na. To face them, he had to summon something worse.

“Call the General Manager.”

Yoo-na’s eyes widened and trembled slightly at Jin-woo’s command. She thought it was because of her negligence and arrogance. She believed it was because of her lack of meticulousness that something serious had occurred.

Yoo-na kept silent. Finally, she bowed her head and backed away quickly. JW Gate was home to some of the worst criminals in history.

Now that sealed gate was about to open.

* * *

All operations at the JW Gate were suspended. Recently, a factory extension for the Infinity Project had started, and a large-scale exploration was planned, but all of them were suspended in an instant at Jin-woo’s order. Compared to Jin-woo’s orders, such chores were not even included in the priority axis.

The General Manager’s face was distorted with fury as soon as he received the news. It was anger at himself for not predicting this situation, and it was mixed with murderous intent for the lowly garbage that touched master’s property.

The sin of hurting the Master’s feelings was the heaviest of all.

‘I will make them cry forever in pain.’

Death? Death was just a luxury.

The General Manager stood in front of the Gate leading to Earth. The crowded square was as quiet as death. Only a piercing murderous spirit flowed freely. The General Manager looked to his back, watching the high-ranking judges and maids line up.

The atmosphere itself was different from usual. The high-ranking judges weren’t dressed in flashy robes like the Pope but bore pitch-black outfits covering everything from head to toe. Only their faces were different, instead of bearing faceless silver masks. They each held a mace in one hand and a golden dagger in the other.

The maids were similarly clad. The difference was that they were holding scythes instead of maces.

The only person who showed his face was the General Manager. He took out his white gloves and put them on.

“Release the restraints.”

It could never have happened without the master’s permission.

Thud! Thud!

At the General Manager’s words, the restraints attached to the bodies of the high-ranking judges and the maids fell off. It was a weight that even a competent person couldn’t bear. It was a restraint device for criminals capable of limiting emotions and bodies. They were no longer high-ranking judges and maids.

They were nothing but bloodthirsty demons, dark beings freed from all restraint.

Clash-clash!

There was the sound of chains clashing. Everyone remained silent, but the concentrated murderous spirit cracked, and a sound like scratching a blackboard spread out like an ominous bell ringing. It was a clear sound to signal the start of the ravaging.

Following the General Manager, the dark beings crossed the Gate.

The modern air was terrible. Without master’s orders, they wouldn’t have come out to such a rubbish place. Was it because it was so cloudy? It was dark around, even in broad daylight. Their figures faded and disappeared in an instant. It was as if they were shadows moving independently of the human form.

They arrived at the scene of the accident without any disturbance. It was dark all around as the nearby buildings loomed overhead. People from the Investigation Bureau and the Association of Competent People were controlling the scene of the incident. When the General Manager and his dark beings appeared, the investigators froze in surprise.

The General Manager beckoned lightly. Then, the dark beings lay flat on the ground.

“W-what are you doing there…?”

“Shh! I-it’s okay. Let’s get out of here.”

“Senior, why…? But this is a controlled area…! Ugh!”

“Shut up! If you don’t want to die, be quiet.”

The investigators quietly retreated. The members of the Association also noticed it and went out of the police line. They knew who those people were deep in their guts. The dark beings sniffed the ground like dogs, even going so far as to lick the blood that had been splattered on the floor.

Squeak! Squeak!

The bizarre mask twisted with a strange sound. As the dark beings stopped tracking and headed somewhere else, the General Manager and the others disappeared from the spot. After passing through several alleys in an instant, they stopped in front of a dilapidated building. The dark beings climbed up the building walls like spiders.

Shrieek!

Dozens of eyes peered into the building through the windows.

“W-what is it?!”

As it suddenly grew dark, the men looking out the window fell back in surprise. They were left behind to secretly watch the investigation site.

[We found you. We found you.]

[Heeheeheehee.]

[You have fair skin.]

The silver mask reflected red eyes and black hem, giving off a bizarre light. Those men were also competent people. Although still in training, those competent people still had a promising future as members of a first division guild.

They calmly prepared their weapons.

“Huh?”

The first man slowly turned his head and looked at his arm: it was gone.

“Keaaaaaargh!”

“Kuugh!”

The others found themselves in similar states. Surprisingly, there was no bleeding or anything. Before they knew it, the dark creatures appeared in front of them. Even indoors, the fluttering black hem felt like living tentacles.

The men were trembling.

[Shall we cut them? Shall we peel it off?]

[Should we rip them apart, or shall we pull their limbs out one by one?]

“What, what, what…”

They didn’t understand what the hell they were talking about.

“Well, do whatever you want as long as we have their heads left.”

An old man appeared from behind. Even though the door didn’t open, even though there was no sound, he stood there as if he had been there all this time.

[Hee, heehee…]

[It’s been a while since I’ve peeled it off, right?]

[Well, that’s romantic.]

“Uh, huh, what-what the hell…! What are you p-peeling off…?”

The dark being’s head turned to them.

[Hair.]

[Skin.]

[Muscle.]

Their vision became obscured, and something fell off.

“Keaaaaaaarrrrgh!”

The pain lasted an eternity. The investigators gulped down at the screams they heard in the distance. The problem was that they had keen ears as high-ranked competent people in their way.

“I didn’t expect that the culprits were watching from nearby….”

“S-shouldn’t we stop it?”

“It’s a JW Gate’s thing, so it’s not against the law even if JW solves it on its own according to the law of competent people. It’s a little, no, a lot under compulsion, though…anyway, since it is a serious matter, the superiors must cooperate unconditionally…”

Thud!

“E-eagh! That surprised me!”

“Ugh!”

Someone came falling from above. The investigators were startled and almost fell back, their expressions blank. She was a very beautiful woman. It was the complete opposite of those terrifying ones a while ago. Behind her, soldiers in neat uniforms appeared. The woman looked at the scratches on the walls and the floors. Then she nodded and disappeared as she followed the trail. The soldiers also bowed their heads politely toward the investigators and disappeared suddenly.

“Well, there are many people who appeared here. They look like Choi Family’s Sword School…? They’re not JWs, right? There seems to be a problem…”

“Hey, just close your eyes and pretend you didn’t see anything.”

“Still…”

The senior investigator shook his head as he looked at his junior.

“The world is crazier than you thought. You have to crawl on your own to live a long life.”

“I-I understand.”

The senior and junior looked at each other and nodded. It was time to enter the police line to see if it was over.

“Excuse me.”

“Eaaarg!”

“Ugh!”

Someone else appeared from behind.

“I am a Wizard specializing in scene investigations of the British Investigation Bureau of Competent People. I came here to help the Korean investigation team.”

“Oh! Yes! I have been contacted. I-it seems you came right away.”

“Haha, I was looking around for a candidate site for a Magic Tower in Korea.”

“I see. Oh! Come this way. How about coffee?”

“Do you have green tea?”

“Haha! Yes!”

Wizards known for their high prices came in. They normally wore wide-brimmed hats, but they weren’t now. Their luxurious hair fluttered in the wind. Even though the hair was tangled and it looked uncomfortable, he only smiled softly. The only wizards who didn’t wear hats were from the Golden Wizard School, which was rapidly emerging.

‘What brings these wizards of England here?’

The junior investigator thought it was a really strange day. He had a strange thought and turned his head.

“Phew.”

Fortunately, no one was there.

* * *

Jin-woo was standing on the roof. The General Manager appeared behind him, a strong smell of blood wafting off him, but his clothes were neat without a single wrinkle or stain.

“Did you find them out?”

“Yes, Master.”

“How?”

“At first, we gave them pain enough to die lightly. After that, we made sure they were little more than breathing heads. A sin against Master is heavier than death. They will have to live in pain for the rest of their lives.”

The personal information of all competent people who joined the Snake Shield Alliance was in Jin-woo’s hands. It wasn’t even a matter of catching one or two and digging for further information. The General Manager had mobilized all available methods to extract the information Jin-woo wanted.

“The Golden Breeze Guild, which grew based on Chinese capital, is also involved.”

“The location?”

“The people involved are currently in the Golden Breeze Guild office. Kim Se-yeon and Kim Chan-young are also likely to be there. However, the garbage in China is in a different place. It looked like they have used their brains.”

Jin-woo nodded. The guild office of the Golden Breeze Guild was a fairly large building.

“Master, we are expecting civilian damage because of us, though…”

Jin-woo bought all the buildings around it with a single phone call. He also didn’t forget to pay consolation money as compensation for damages. The surrounding properties and buildings were quickly emptied.

“There’s no problem now.”