I abruptly sat upright.
My eyes immediately took in the sight of a neatly arranged hospital room.
The bright midday sun streamed in through the window.
“…A dream.”
I muttered a low curse and let out a sigh.
It was nothing short of a terrible nightmare, especially one where I was Marionette’s puppet.
It seemed that memory was deeply etched into my mind.
After being dragged around as a puppet for years, it would probably be stranger if it weren’t.
Yet, I didn’t want to encounter that woman even in my dreams.
A single meeting in this lifetime was more than enough.
Not only did I spare her life, but I also freed her from the fate of becoming a great evil, which was already an overflowing act of mercy.
She was probably living well as an ordinary person, taking care of herself. I had no curiosity about what she was doing.
Calming my mind, I belatedly examined my body.
My head felt clear, and there wasn’t even a small scratch on my skin. Despite having just risen from a sickbed, my body felt light, as if I could take flight at any moment.
It felt as though something beyond mere treatment had swept through my body.
Judging by the surroundings, it appeared to be the Cradle’s infirmary… Was I brought here unconscious?
If so, it was clear whose touch had reached me.
There was only one person in South Korea capable of such perfect recovery.
The Saintess, Snow White.
-Ding!
[Message]
[Thirst: 44%(+1%)]
-Warning level reached
[Body Collapse Rate: 15%(-15%)]
-Follow-up action recommended.
As soon as I regained my senses, the familiar notifications immediately appeared.
What immediately caught my eye was the dramatically decreased Body Collapse Rate.
The value, which had soared, had instantly stabilized.
As expected, the Saintess’s divine power had been effective.
She probably just used her power on a new patient who came in.
As long as I established a connection with the Saintess, it seemed I wouldn’t die in vain from my body collapsing.
Did she visit while I was unconscious? I had hoped to see her in person at least once, so it was a bit disappointing.
“But…”
Conversely, my Thirst had not decreased at all since then.
In fact, perhaps because I had been killing time doing nothing in the hospital room, it had even increased by 1%.
If the physical side effect of the artificial superhuman surgery was Body Collapse, then Thirst was the mental side effect.
In short, it was the same type of affliction as Marionette’s memory loss.
I remembered that even The Doctor, before the regression, had only managed to prevent the body’s collapse, failing to find a way to alleviate the mental side effects.
If he had, Marionette wouldn’t have ended up completely insane.
I had wondered if the Saintess’s divine power might make a difference, but it seemed to have no particular effect on the mental aspect either.
“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped.”
It probably wouldn’t matter much. My activities would continue, and there were more than enough villains in the world to kill and sate my Thirst.
Though, after they all disappeared, who knew…
“What can’t be helped?”
“Huh?”
I was about to dismiss the notification as insignificant.
At the sudden sound of a sulky voice, I turned my gaze toward the doorway.
[Important Person Notification]
[Psyche]
[Cradle, Special Training Institute for Superhumans, Hero Department, 1st Year]
[Lady of Hwaryeon Group]
[C-Class Hero]
[Real Name: Han Sua]
Her long black hair fluttered lightly in the gentle breeze.
Her pair of red eyes still overflowed with an arrogance bordering on dignity.
Han Sua leaned casually against the wall, glaring in my direction.
“Han Sua.”
“…Why are you so weak for a man?”
Was that her idea of a greeting? Her personality hadn’t changed at all.
“Well, I suppose someone hit me too hard to end up like this.”
“Ugh.”
Han Sua made a sound as if she’d bitten her tongue, clearly hit where it hurt.
In truth, it was less her fault and more my own recklessness with my body… but should I tease her a little anyway?
“B-But you told me to hit you with all my might…!”
“I don’t recall telling you to hit me until I was on the verge of death, though? Is it really okay for a hero to do that to an innocent citizen?”
“Innocent citizen, my foot…! Do you seriously have no conscience? How can you say such things so shamelessly…!”
Watching Han Sua stomp her feet in frustration made me feel good. It seemed I truly was a villain, given how much I enjoyed her distress.
Well, enough with the teasing.
“How long was I out?”
“…Two days.”
“Huh?”
My eyes widened. I had thought it would be a day at most.
…This was a problem. What was I going to tell Yuha? She had cried and fussed so much over a mere hairline fracture in my leg. If I had been unconscious for two days…
I found myself facing a new predicament. As I groaned in thought, Han Sua added, almost as if making an excuse:
“J-Just so you know, I kept trying to visit you. But I was blocked every single time…”
“…What are you talking about? Blocked? The door isn’t even locked here. If you’re going to make an excuse, at least make a proper one…”
“…It’s true.”
Han Sua retorted huffily. What a ridiculous excuse. Not that I had asked her to visit in the first place.
A brief, awkward silence settled between us. I picked up the remote and turned up the TV volume.
Even after two days, every media outlet was still preoccupied with discussing the details of the attack.
–The Hero Management Bureau has significantly upgraded Marionette’s villain rank from F-class to A-class. This is an unprecedented measure, and there are also voices criticizing the Bureau’s complacent handling of affairs…
At the sound of the anchor’s voice, I instinctively clenched my fist.
‘Good…!’
The cost-effectiveness of this was unparalleled. How many ranks had he jumped with a single attack? It only underscored the gravity of the incident.
I flipped through channels, summarizing the public perception of the incident.
The attack was carried out by the villain Stingray, who harbored a grudge against Fearless, and his organization, Vandal.
However, they were merely the perpetrators.
Based on combined testimonies, the true mastermind behind this incident was likely the newly emerged villain, Marionette.
The motive behind the plot remained unknown, but suspicions regarding Marionette and his organization, Vengeance, were growing by the day.
So, that was roughly it.
Every single one of these was a satisfactory outcome. All my predetermined objectives had been achieved and then some.
“…You know, you’re more famous than you think?”
Han Sua spoke with her usual sulky tone. I nodded as if it were obvious.
“I know. I just saw it.”
“No, not that.”
“?”
Han Sua pointed at the TV. Turning my head back, my eyes widened in surprise.
–The aftermath of the devastating incident continues to linger. However, on another note, the heroic tale of an ordinary student is also being brought to light. Let’s take a look.
“…Huh?”
As the anchor’s voice narrated, the scenes rapidly changed.
Those who were interviewed continuously showered someone with praise.
–He worked so hard throughout the practical training…
–He was polite and always smiled kindly…
–He worried the villain would hurt others, so he alone…
–Everyone else was scared and fleeing, but he bravely stepped forward alone! I just hope he wakes up safely…
I gaped slightly. The subject of all this embarrassing praise was none other than myself.
–Cradle has announced that it will award a commendation to the student who personally demonstrated the belief that the presence or absence of power is not important for heroic actions. The individual is currently focusing on treatment, and there is no danger to their life…
I wore a bewildered expression. Heroic action, my foot. It was just something I did to create an opportunity to escape and act.
This was how it was being reported?
“…You’re annoying.”
“What is?”
“Just… everything. All of it.”
Han Sua merely continued to glare at me, her criticism unspoken. What exactly did she dislike so much?
I casually brushed off her gaze and changed the subject.
Besides, I had something to discuss.
“More importantly, nothing happened with Hwaryeon?”
Now that Han Sua had chosen the path of a hero, it was highly unlikely that Hwaryeon would let her live.
Hwaryeon was a villainous corporation plotting to overturn the world.
Yet, it was also true that they didn’t want to reveal their true identity beneath the surface just yet. Though they were gradually decaying, the power of heroes and their watchful eyes remained strong.
That’s why, even before the regression, they had shifted all the blame onto the deceased Han Sua.
But this time, my intervention had changed the situation.
Marionette would be an unexpected impurity from their perspective.
Han Sua shook her head as she replied.
“…Nothing happened.”
“So, they must have shifted all the blame onto Marionette. For killing the villains, and for ruining their plans. Right?”
“…”
Han Sua’s uncomfortable silence served as her answer. I had no intention of pressing her further.
If she wasn’t suspected by the Hwaryeon Group, she could remain an insider.
From my perspective, it was almost as if she had done me a great favor.
“…Why did you do it?”
Han Sua spoke, her voice tinged with a complex emotion. I answered calmly.
“Do what?”
“You’re… a villain.”
Han Sua hesitated, yet continued speaking.
“Didn’t you follow me to plot something? So why did you kill Vandal’s members? Why did you save my life? And even that act at the very end…”
“I didn’t help you; I used you. Let’s get our facts straight.”
I cut her off. Han Sua closed her mouth tightly again, her face somehow reflecting her characteristic sense of hurt.
‘…Did I speak too harshly? Habits are truly frightening. I was inadvertently treating her as if I still believed her to be a villain…’
“Anyway, about everything that happened… I’m sorry. I genuinely thought you were a complete villain.”
I offered Han Sua an apology. In response, her eyes widened like a rabbit’s, as if she had never expected it.
However, the main point was about to begin.
“But I can’t undo the hypnosis.”
“Huh…?”
At the mention of hypnosis, Han Sua involuntarily flinched.
“Because right now, I truly need you.”
Regardless, I smiled and nodded.
“Therefore, I won’t let you go.”
****
Baek Yuha shuffled along, her steps devoid of strength.
After taking a brief rest, she was now returning to Kim Woojin’s hospital room.
Having nursed him tirelessly for two days without sleep, her face was entirely shadowed with exhaustion.
The nurses had tried to dissuade her, saying he would wake up soon and there was no need, but she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
Even the agency where she was interning had faced an all-out attack by villains, but Baek Yuha had repelled them with surprising ease.
Initially, she had dismissed it as the impulsive actions of some ignorant villains.
However, upon hearing the subsequent news of the attack on Fearless’s agency, Baek Yuha’s face turned stark white.
And the news that Kim Woojin was the only hostage injured and taken to the hospital truly made her feel as if the sky had fallen.
Her undirected resentment then turned toward Han Sua.
“…Han Sua.”
Baek Yuha involuntarily murmured a name. It was extremely rare for her to express anger toward anyone who wasn’t a villain.
Han Sua.
The woman who had constantly annoyed her throughout the practical training, only to leave Kim Woojin injured at the crucial moment.
And on top of that, she had the audacity to shamelessly show her face, claiming to be visiting him.
As Kim Woojin’s one and only childhood friend, it was only natural and right for her to drive Han Sua away.
Lost in these thoughts, she soon arrived in front of the hospital room.
And at the clear sound of someone inside, she smiled brightly, as if her previous mood had vanished.
‘Woojin…! He’s awake…!’
Her two days of hardship melted away like snow.
Baek Yuha firmly believed that Kim Woojin had recovered and gotten up thanks to her devoted care.
However, just as she was about to open the door and rush to Kim Woojin,
she suddenly detected another voice, and Baek Yuha’s expression instantly turned cold again.
It was clearly Han Sua’s.
“…Hmph.”
She spat out coldly. It seemed Han Sua had indeed seized the opportunity to visit when she wasn’t around.
In terms of sheer detestability, she was worse than any villain.
Just as she resolved that this time, she would give Han Sua a piece of her mind the moment she entered—
“…Therefore, I won’t let you go.”
“…Huh?”
At Kim Woojin’s clear voice, Baek Yuha froze in place like a statue.
