Being a Villain is My True Calling - Chapter 74

Jjeobak, jjeobak.

To proceed with my plan, I couldn’t maintain my current identity.

‘The scale of my intended actions is too massive.’

First, Eclipse itself would gain no benefits from this endeavor.
If mishandled, Eclipse itself could potentially suffer repercussions.

‘In other words, informing Astra would likely result in outright rejection.’

Even explaining my plan, the best outcome would be avoiding accusations of insanity.
Hence, I required a new identity.

A scapegoat was necessary.

‘One that can deflect responsibility away from me while simultaneously reaping maximum benefits.’

An identity distinct from Maker was needed, which is where the ‘Akka Oni’ persona from the previous terror attack would come into play.
While 2-3 months had already passed, projecting an elusive, enigmatic aura should suffice for public perception.

‘Once I secure capable colleagues, the preparations will truly be complete.’

Naturally, given the immense scale of this upcoming terror, I couldn’t undertake it alone.
My skillset was limited to glib rhetoric, some marksmanship, and rousing speeches.

To orchestrate the illusory shadow ‘Akka Oni’ while simultaneously unveiling ‘that individual’, I required assistance.

‘Since Eclipse is my sole remaining connection…’

Someone from Eclipse who commanded more trust from me than the current administrator Astra.
And someone unlikely to divulge details to Astra, even upon learning of the plan.

Additionally, competence was essential.

Quite the tall order, it would seem at first glance.

‘You might wonder where and when I could possibly find such colleagues.’

Kkiik-

“Oh, Big Bro?”
“Narin.”

Fortunately, I had subordinates who fit that criteria.

“Shall we indulge in some amusement together?”

“What?! You want us to secretly change identities behind the organization’s back and commit acts of terror?”
“Precisely.”

Hmm, she responded while slouching in her chair, resting her chin on her hand.

“Let me be blunt.”
“Yes, go ahead.”

Narin took a sip from the cola can beside her computer before setting it down.

‘I suppose it does seem rather outlandish from an outside perspective.’

Hmm.
I reconsidered the plan I had outlined to her.

“…Admittedly, I may have presumed an overly favorable sequence of events.”
“Exactly.”

Narin propped one leg up on her chair, regarding me with an amused smile.

“Which is why I’m telling you this, Big Bro. What if I refuse? Will you snitch to Auntie?”
“I don’t believe you would do such a thing, Narin.”

“Oh? And where does that confidence stem from? How can you trust me? Ah, is it that charming person’s intrinsic self-assurance that I won’t betray you?”

It seemed my actions, guided by my prior knowledge, came across as excessively contrived from her perspective.

‘Well, it’s understandable without that context.’

However, I had no reason to provide an explanation.
Rather than seeking clarification, her tone suggested casual banter.

“So, you won’t be participating then?”

I regarded Narin with an amused smile.
My words prompted her momentary contemplation.

Narin let out a mocking laugh while fiddling with the empty can beside her.

“…Honestly, it’s an insane idea. A truly insane idea…”

Then, with a tuk sound as she tossed the can into the trash, she turned her gaze back towards me.

“Which is why we should do it right away.”

Beneath her solemn expression, her eyes gleamed with barely contained excitement – an unmistakable look of exhilaration.

‘I had a feeling you’d react that way.’

With an amused chuckle, I gently stroked her head.

“I’ll be the Hacker Punch!”

Yes, become my accomplice in this messy affair.

After securing Narin’s cooperation, I proceeded down the corridor.

‘The most crucial element, Narin, is now on board.’

Not that much persuasion was required for someone so purely driven by amusement, but still – I had done the convincing, nonetheless.

‘In any case, who else could I potentially recruit next?’

Gah-yeon would undoubtedly join if I asked, naturally.
Besides, since she already knew about my Akka Oni persona, excluding her wasn’t an option.

Riru…was simply too young, honestly.
Not to mention she had yet to properly engage Z-Biotech.
If an Eclipse-level organization became embroiled in this situation while I had Riru accompanying me, and they somehow captured her…things could escalate uncontrollably.
A pass.

‘What about Anriri, 42, or the Doctor?’

Anriri was a total burnout, but still a drill instructor – a core Eclipse staff member. It was unlikely she’d lend her efforts to such endeavors.
Pass.

42 was capable, but her willingness to assist in non-Eclipse matters remained uncertain.
Another pass.

The Doctor was a non-combatant to begin with, highly devoted to the organization.
While her healing abilities could prove useful, they weren’t necessities for my plan.

‘I might as well commission the Professor for equipment instead.’

…Hold on, the Professor?

As these thoughts crossed my mind while traversing the corridor…

“Oh, M,Maker…!!”

A voice suddenly called out from ahead.

“Anriri?”

Looking up, I saw Anriri approaching.

“What seems to be the matter, Riri?”

“J,just a moment please…!!”

As I drew near, she flinched back a step in apparent surprise.

‘? What’s her deal?’

Perplexed by her sudden demeanor, her subsequent words provided an explanation.

“I’m, uh, really sweaty…”

Offering an awkward chuckle, I finally took note of Anriri’s attire.

A sports bra top gently conforming to her voluptuous frame, coupled with tight black leggings accentuating her toned legs.

An outfit that already left little to the imagination had become downright provocative, drenched in perspiration.

“…Do you typically wear such outfits for exercise?”
“Y,yes…why?”

Ahh, so Eclipse also conducts excessive bloodletting training, I see.

“?”

Seemingly detecting my puzzled expression, Anriri glanced down to inspect her own outfit.

“…!!!”

It didn’t take long before her face gradually flushed crimson.

“Oh, no, no…! I, I don’t wear th,this in front of the kids…!!”

Trembling as if overwhelmed with embarrassment, she stammered:

“Th,this is just…! For, for when I exercise alone…!”

“I see.”

I nodded, her explanation seeming plausible enough – and ultimately irrelevant to my purposes.

“So, what brings you here?”
“Oh, r,right, the Professor…asked me to come…”

Finally recalling her reason for being there, Anriri addressed me.
Most likely due to traces of the Enigma, but fortuitously timed nonetheless.

“…Do executives typically run such errands, though?”

While the Professor commanded everyone’s respect, his rank was undeniably subordinate to the executives.
Yet they were employing executives as errand runners?

Or rather, why had she even agreed to such a request?

“…W,well, I, I didn’t have anything else to do anyway…”
“……”

An executive subjugated into servitude by subordinates due to sheer idleness…
…Well, it was her life, her choice.

“I understand, thank you for informing me, Riri.”

“Y,yes, please go ahead, M,Maker…! Hihihi…”

Her gratuitous giggling was rather bewildering, but I offered a polite thanks before heading to the research lab.

“…With that, I shall conclude this Enigma Trace briefing.”
“Quite the progress report.”

Upon arriving at the research department, I promptly received a briefing from the Professor regarding the latest Enigma Trace developments.

Ttak.

“You may clean up now, everyone.”

“…Dddeu,ddeuddadda…!”
“…Ddeuddai…!”

At the Professor’s instruction, the researchers wore expressions of utter dejection as they began tidying the scattered materials and holographic displays.

‘What’s their deal this time?’

The researchers seemed to grow increasingly eccentric with each encounter.

“Professor.”

Nevermind them, they weren’t the priority here.

“Please, speak your mind.”

Pausing from organizing the materials, the Professor turned his attention towards me.
I briefly surveyed our surroundings.

‘No one else is present.’

“Could you summon Joy for me?”

“Ah, you must require something to be fabricated.”

At my words, the Professor seemed briefly pensive before activating his ability, his eyes rolling back.

And then…

“Yo! Maker! Whassup mah bro!!”

Suddenly breaking into rhythmic body movements, the Professor slapped my shoulder amicably with a grin.

“Long time no see, Joy.”
“Bro, you need my services again, don’t you?”
“Indeed.”

“Yeeeeah!! Got damn!!”

Joy – one of the Professor’s auxiliary personas specialized in manufacturing and crafting.
An identity I had become acquainted with not long after his promotion to executive status.

Perhaps due to my creation-based ability, he addressed me as “bro” in a friendly manner.

“So whatcha need me to make today, bro?”
“Today…”

I intended to have him craft the weapons and supplementary costume I would require for operating under my new identity.
I began outlining the specifics – desired materials, aesthetic preferences for the weapons, and so on.

“Okie dokie! Never tried my hand at bludgeoning weapons before! Should be hella fun!”

While he fabricated the initial prototypes, I planned to utilize my abilities to replicate them as needed.

“But who’re these for, bro? Doesn’t seem like your usual style?”
“Ah, they’re actually for my own use.”

Offering Joy an amused smile at his quizzical expression, I provided a detailed explanation.

“What?? You serious, bro? Makin’ a whole new identity and everything?”
“All I ask is that you keep this confidential while fulfilling the request, Joy.”
“You ain’t plottin’ nothin’ shady like betrayin’ the org, are ya bro?”

“Do I seem the type to betray others?”
“Well, no, but…!”

Joy folded his arms, his expression torn.

‘As expected, a purely verbal approach breeds skepticism.’

It couldn’t be helped.
It seemed the time had come to reveal one of the reasons the Professor indulged me so readily.

Tik. Tiktik.

I casually retrieved my phone and tapped out a sequence on the keypad.

Ddiring-!

Promptly, a crisp notification sounded from the Professor’s phone.

“Will that suffice?”

“…Bro, you tryna bribe me with cash now?”

Checking his phone, Joy regarded me with newfound sobriety.

“Was it insufficient?”

Ddiringg-!
How about this amount, then?

“Hey bro! You really tryna buy me out with money?! I’m a scientist, ya disrespectin’ me?!”

Ddiringg-!

“……”

Ddiringg-! Ddiringg-!

“Still not enough?”

“…Nah, our bromance too strong for that, bro! H,how ’bout I lick dem shoes instead?”

Despite addressing me as “bro”, Joy had already dropped to his knees, bowing his head subserviently.
His abrupt shift in demeanor was so absurdly comical that I couldn’t stifle my amusement.

“All you need do is maintain confidentiality and craft the items diligently.”

“Okie dokie, bro! I’ll make ya the dopest weapons and costume! And ya know I’ll keep my lips zipped tight!”

Knocking his forehead against the floor with a thunk, Joy gazed up at me with a sly grin.

“…Haha.”
“…Puheh.”

Our shared laughter filled the air.

“Hahahahahahaha!!!!”
“Puheh! Puheheheheh!! Puheheheheheheh!!”
“Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!”
“Puheheheheheheheheh!! Puhihihih!!”
“Hahahaha!…Haah…”

The organization was running smoothly as always, I mused with a sudden pang of disillusionment.