The Novel’s Villain
chapter-55

13. Vengeance is Mine (4)

Jin-woo looked into the hideout room. They spared no expense to make it, but unfortunately, the opponent was too bad. He roughly understood the situation at a glance. They were struggling to make a plan on their own to steal his technology.

Blacksnake and Joon-won broke into a cold sweat when Jin-woo appeared, left frozen and unable to move. Jin-woo turned his gaze to Kim Se-yeon.

‘She’s safe.’

Kim Se-yeon didn’t seem to have been seriously injured. She appeared to be poisoned, but it could be cured as long as she was alive. She trembled and raised her head, her blurry eyes focusing. When they met Jin-woo’s eyes, tears flowed again down her tear-stained face.

She was his employee before being the lady who would become his sister-in-law.

“S-Sir…I’m sorry.”

Jin-woo didn’t want to hear her apology. Kim Se-yeon sobbed even though she was out of her mind. It wasn’t because of the physical pain she suffered, but from the guilt she felt. Kim Chan-young was leaning against the wall, covered in blood.

He no longer breathed. He was simply abandoned, perhaps because he wasn’t worth using. Betrayal didn’t matter. After all, Jin-woo could just give him the punishment he deserved and make him work to death again. But now, he couldn’t even do that.

Jin-woo was furious.

“…”

As Jin-woo took one more step inside, Blacksnake, Joon-won, and the remaining League Guild members took a few steps back in surprise.

“To the hospital.”

A dark being spread out his black clothes and wrapped them around Kim Se-yeon. They disappeared as if seeping into the floor, leaving nothing there. Kim Chan-young’s body also vanished. Now there were only those left for him to deal with.

Jin-woo slowly turned his head to look at Blacksnake and Joon-won. The moment he saw the Blacksnake, he knew at once that he was the one who used the poison.

Blacksnake glared at Jin-woo. When Jin-woo moved his eyes to Joon-won, he glanced toward the laptop. The transmission was almost complete. Jin-woo noticed it but didn’t care. Rather, he hoped that they would take it. It would serve as the ideal justification.

“A-a-about that…”

Joon-won gulped down and glanced back and forth as he said that. None of their excuses would work since they were caught red-handed.

“I-I’m Lee Joon-won, the head of the Golden Breeze Guild. Well…I-I officially asked for protection from the A-Association…”

Joon-won’s mouth shut when he heard laughter from behind Jin-woo. It was from the dark beings that moved like Jin-woo’s shadow. They were the ones who put the head of the security team and all their bodyguards into that state of agony.

As their employer, he wanted to deal with the root of the problem directly.

“I’ll do it myself.”

“I’m worried that the dirty blood of that garbage will get on your body.”

“Step back.”

The General Manager bowed his head politely and stepped back. Then the dark beings retreated behind the General Manager. That alone brightened the room, the light that had been choked out returning.

Blacksnake and Joon-won looked at each other. Lee Jin-woo was conceited. Blacksnake was also a competent person of Rank C, and even Joon-won was famous in the League Guild. Besides, there were also a few other members left around them. His subordinates were strong, but Lee Jin-woo himself wasn’t.

Although he was said to be a genius, he was a rookie who had just awakened. Blacksnake sought that opportunity.

‘If we take Lee Jin-woo as a hostage…!’

Not only would they be able to escape the crisis, but he would also have a chance to kill the bastard painfully. Blacksnake carefully concentrated poison in his fangs and nails. Joon-won also noticed that and twitched his fingers, trying to inch closer to his weapon. It was the same with the rest of the League Guild Members. Everyone was so desperate to live.

Yet Jin-woo was relaxed even in such an atmosphere. He stretched out his hand and opened the subspace. He just thought of something that would be a perfect match. There was nothing like this for catching garbage.

What Jin-woo took out was a long wooden stick, thick and heavy in his hands. It would be more accurate to call it a club. If there was a difference from a normal club, it had been enhanced beforehand. Blacksnake and Joon-won were startled when space suddenly distorted. Then, they looked dumbfounded when he pulled out something that looked like a club.

What was he going to do with that wooden stick? He underestimated them too much. It was when the hands of Blacksnake were dyed green…

Whoosh!

Jin-woo swung the club in his hand. It was so fast that it drew afterimages in the air.

Phsook!

One of the League Guild members next to Blacksnake disappeared in an instant. Blacksnake and Joon-won couldn’t even grasp what had happened. They slowly turned their heads back to see a miserable-looking League Guild member stuck in the wall like a fly battered by a fly swatter.

Drip!

Blood dripped from Blacksnake’s cheeks.

“It’s good.”

There was no problem with durability, and above all, the feel in his hand was good. When Jin-woo nodded, the body that was stuck in the wall fell to the floor. It didn’t end there. The wall cracked and collapsed. It was dusty, but strangely, Jin-woo remained clean without a trace of dirt on him.

It was only then that Blacksnake realized that things were wrong.

“Uh-Huaa!”

The League Guild members who couldn’t overcome their fear rushed in first. However, he stopped that attempt.

Puck!

There was a sound of something being hit, and one of their spines was bent the wrong way. He rolled over the floor and flew through the wall to the other side. The other guy also bounced back and flew towards the General Manager.

The General Manager waved his hand lightly. Then, he turned to mush and fell to the floor.

Clap-clap.

The General Manager smiled brightly and clapped his hands.

“Master, it’s a wonderful piece of work.”

Clap-clap-clap!

[Nice Shot]

[That’s hot!]

[You’re so cool.]

The dark beings put down their weapons and applauded along with the General Manager. Blacksnake clenched his jaw.

Those people were making fun of them. It was just a game to them.

“Eaaaargh! L-Lee Jin-woo…!”

Blacksnake spewed poison, a dense green mist stretching out toward Jin-woo. It was a deadly poison that killed on contact, but it didn’t work on Jin-woo.

“Die!”

The thought of taking him as a hostage was long forgotten. Sharp claws stretched out to kill Jin-woo. It was a surprise attack that would be difficult to avoid, even for a semi-Knight class.

“Huh?”

Pop!

The fingertips of the Blacksnake, which were reaching towards Jin-woo’s neck, were sliced off. Blacksnake stared blankly at his claws that had fallen on the floor.

A shadow fell before him. Blacksnake slowly raised his head.

“W-wait…”

Puck! Puck!

As Blacksnake’s body was floating in the air, the sound of something smashing rang out. His poisonous fangs flew away, and his claws were also shattered.

“Keaaaargh! Kaaargh!”

When he fell to the floor, all his joints were torn through.

“A-Aah….”

Even though he only wielded the crude club, Jin-woo’s movements were so cruelly beautiful that they dazed Joo-won.

Clank!

Joon-won dropped his weapon on the floor. His complexion was suddenly pale and tired.

“I-I’ll admit it all. P-please, let me get a t-trial from the Association…”

Puck!

His head hit the floor. Jin-woo had no mercy.

“S-spare me…”

Joon-won’s teeth were knocked out, and his originally handsome face was nowhere to be seen. The General Manager approached Jin-woo and handed him a white handkerchief. Jin-woo put down the club and wiped his hands with the handkerchief.

Blacksnake’s eyes darted around while wriggling on the floor. He saw the screen of the laptop in the distance.

“I-its done! Hehehehehe!”

There was a change in Blacksnake’s eyes when the transmission was completed. He was smiling as he coughed up blood.

“He-heahahaha! I won! I-I won!”

When Jin-woo nodded, the General Manager bowed and accepted the order. He wheeled over a chair. Jin-woo sat down and watched Blacksnake. He looked up with a grotesque smile. He turned his head and pointed to the laptop.

On the laptop, there was a message that said that the transmission was complete.

“Hehe, how does it feel to be robbed? How does it feel to have lost what you have? Kuehehe! The game of the world will change today! You lost! you….”

“That’s a big deal, huh?”

“K-keaaaagh!”

Blacksnake vomited blood, a fury building inside him. Jin-woo looked like he didn’t care. He wanted Jin-woo to frown at least once because of himself. He wanted him to have his face distorted and get angry!

Please…just once…

“L-Lee Jin-woo…you, you made fun of us first! This is our self-defense! A lot of my colleagues have suffered because of you!”

“Is that so?”

“U-ugh! Cancellation of 176 contracts, 800 billion won in penalty payback! Permanent expulsion from the Mercenary Guild…our company evaporated…this, all of this happened because of one word from you! It’s all your fault!”

“Well, who knows…”

Jin-woo grinned. Blacksnake’s body hardened at Jin-woo’s smile. He felt like a frog in front of a snake.

He became the frog for the first time.

“I don’t remember.”

Jin-woo’s smile vanished.

‘I must die!’

Blacksnake felt it. He had to kill himself quickly. A hell worse than death awaited. But his body did not move, and he couldn’t bite his tongue.

Argh! Argh!

He moved his mouth to bite his tongue, but he couldn’t summon enough force in his injured jaw. There weren’t many teeth left either. It was amazing that he was able to talk at all.

Joon-won trembled beside him.

“I-I don’t know anything. T-that guy threatened me…”

There was no need to listen; the verdict was already over. Jin-woo stood from his chair.

“I will take them to the Chamber of Punishment.”

Jin-woo nodded at the General Manager’s words. When Jin-woo turned his back, the dark beings who were waiting came in like smoke.

[Hehehe, let’s get along. Oh! Your eyeballs are so pretty. You don’t need them anymore, right?]

Those were the torture experts they would become very familiar with in the future.

“Aargh!”

“N-no!”

Their screams were soon buried in the black waves and disappeared. Their suffering had only just begun. Jin-woo sent all those involved with them, and when he left, the building exploded.

Rumbling!

The tall building of the Golden Breeze Guild office collapsed, as was the case for all the Golden Breeze Guild buildings. It was spectacular to see the buildings reduced to rubble in an instant. The rubble caused considerable damage to the surrounding buildings, but it didn’t matter.

They were all owned by Jin-woo.

“Phew…”

Jin-woo took a deep breath. It felt like the reason that had fallen coldly over him was coming up again. It was a bit wild, but he had no regrets. They were the ones who had to regret.

“What about Liu Wei?”

“Currently, he’s being tracked by the Choi Family’s Sword School. It will be difficult for him to leave Korea.”

Just in time, China expelled Liu Wei from the Knights and removed his Chinese nationality. It was erasing everything related to this incident. It was a typical tail cut.

‘It’s fun.’

Things were going very well.

Jin-woo got back into the car. The General Manager and dark beings were busy moving to capture all involved. A guild was created to request protection from the Association, but the Association responded lukewarmly.

Jin-woo received the report and headed to the hospital room where Se-yeon was located. Bodyguards were blocking anyone from approaching because Blacksnake’s poison was infectious like a virus. Of course, Se-yeon had already recovered with potions, so it was a mere formality.

He saw Se-yeon when he entered the hospital room, her expression stained with guilt as he approached. Her face was very haggard, and she trembled as soon as she saw Jin-woo. Her hands were shaking.

“I-I’m sorry. Because of me…I’ll take all responsibility…”

Jin-woo shook his head.

“It’s okay. Never mind. It’s not a big deal anyway.”

Se-yeon thought that Jin-woo would be angry, but he calmed her with a soft smile. Then her tears fell.

“Sob, e-even so…I…”

“It’s my responsibility because I gave you the permission.”

“But…”

It was nonsense for Jin-woo to say that the technology wasn’t a big deal, so he changed the subject.

“Are you okay?”

“…I-I’m okay…the potion is…”

Se-yeon couldn’t forget; it was a beautiful potion that saved her from dying. Seeing that her body recovered instantly and her scars were gone, it was clear that it was a treasure that money could not buy. He used such a potion on her, who caused the technology leak.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re alright.”

Jin-woo’s soft voice cut through.

‘Ah….’

Se-yeon stared blankly at Jin-woo. She could read the sincerity in his expression. He wasn’t just saying so. He was really glad that she was safe.

‘Why…’

It was a situation where great technology was leaked. Leaking out core technology could be severely punished according to the Law of the Competent People, so she was prepared for it. It wasn’t intentional, but it was a big issue. She wanted Jin-woo to condemn her. She wanted to be punished. But it was only her selfish thoughts.

‘I…I’m still thinking of myself…it’s just that I want to be comfortable…’

Jin-woo said that technology wasn’t important. Even in this situation, he cared for her.

Why? How could he smile like that and accept this situation like it was nothing?

‘Oh…’

She heard the story before Jin-woo came. He generously used an astronomical amount of potions to heal the head of the security team and bodyguards. He was angry that his people were injured rather than a technology leak, so he went so far as to ignore all procedures and systems. The incident that destroyed a League Guild without legal process, according to the Association’s approval, deserved a lot of controversy.

Se-yeon remembered the contents of the book the General Manager gave her.

‘Master will not abandon you. We are his limbs, his servants, and his family.’

He valued his people more than anyone else. He never gave up on adversity and pain, not even if he was betrayed. She thought the content was a little exaggerated, but only now she realized it was the truth.

Was he bold? Was he broad-minded? Or was he just used to it? Perhaps the pain of betrayal was nothing to him but everyday life.

‘If I don’t change…’

She wiped away the flowing tears, her eyes becoming clear. Jin-woo was startled at her sudden change in mood. He wondered if she would cry and was deeply troubled, but then she opened her eyes scarily. Jin-woo had no choice but to think that she was strange.

‘Is she not completely cured?’

There was no way the potion didn’t work. She was cured, but it was clear that it was mentally difficult. Jin-woo was worried about her condition.

“Well…I will give you some vacation time, so please rest well.”

“It’s fine. I’ll make up for it no matter what.”

“It’s okay. This happens in life.”

“No. I can’t do that. No matter what happens…I will never…”

Jin-woo had no choice but to nod at her words. Looking back, she seemed a bit timid, but she was quite strong-willed. It should have come out while she was with Lee Min-woo, but there seemed to have been a change of heart due to this incident.

‘Well, she has been through something like that…hmm?’

He could see something swaying around Se-yeon. Jin-woo looked at it with the Magic Eye of information.

[Kim Se-yeon, a capable researcher, has been awakened by the Emperor of Gold.]

[A] Researcher of Ferocious Pure Love (Awakening)

Kim Se-yeon, who has Rank A potential, has awakened by breaking her mold. She will grow day by day with a beautiful heart and a fierce spirit. This appearance of her may affect her real life.

*Research speed increased by 200%

*Research success rate increased by 200% with Awakening technology.

[A] Pure love

Constantly working for someone, she can overcome her limitations.

*She can break through the limit with Rank A+

[A] High-Speed Analysis

Analyze through high-speed thinking. Artifacts of Rank D or lower can be identified just by looking at them.

[A] Circuit Creation

She can create circuits by analyzing artifacts and relics. It can be freely applied.

Was the psychological impact that great?

‘Hmm…’

Although she appeared competent in the original, now there was a sufficient possibility to surpass the original entirely.

‘It seems like a good change…’

Jin-woo nodded. But for some reason, he felt anxious.