Being a Villain is My True Calling

The Hero Exchange Program.

An exchange event created by the association to foster cooperation among heroes and provide them with experience in engaging in combat across diverse environments.

In simpler terms, it involved being dispatched to other countries.

“Phew… is it my turn this time?”

“Yes, including you, five ranging from A to B+ rank, twenty from B to C+, and sixty C-ranks have been selected to participate.”

“…And the location?”

“You’ll likely be sent to Russia. With the recent surge in flame and explosion-wielding villains, they’ve directly requested your deployment.”

“Understood.”

While somewhat inconvenient… well, what could she do?
Given the exchange program and the specific request for Ice Queen’s involvement, she couldn’t decline.

‘Besides, it has been quite some time since I last participated in an exchange.’

As the program periodically selected participants, she should simply view this as her turn.

“…But what about my designated villain in the meantime?”

“A new designated hero will be assigned for the duration.”

A question that occurred to Ice Queen.
Baek Kang-ho calmly responded.

Typically, if a designated hero became unavailable, a temporary replacement would be assigned.

“Usually, if the villain is exceptionally dangerous or can only be effectively countered by that specific hero, such exchanges might be skipped… but…”

In her case, her designated villain posed no significant threat, and her assignment was merely provisional, so it wasn’t an issue.

“I see.”

Ice Queen concurred with Baek Kang-ho’s explanation.

“Then who will be the replacement hero?”

“Most likely one of the Japanese heroes coming for the exchange.”

“An exchanged hero…?”

“Don’t ask me. It was decided by a very ‘valued’ Support hero with connections to the higher-ups.”

“…That guy?”

Ice Queen grimaced, her expression souring.
If it was a valued hero with high-level connections, she could only think of one individual.

“You dislike him that much?”

“…Yes. Frankly, just hearing that buffoon’s name mentioned in orders leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

“Well, he did throw insults at our precious disciple, so I’m not thrilled about it either, but his ability itself is serviceable.”

“……”

As her mentor stated, that individual’s ability was indeed useful.
While his assignment seemed like a reasonable choice, it still felt unsettling…

“Still, I can’t help but feel uneasy about it.”

“Don’t dwell on it too much, you won’t even have to see him for a while anyway.”

Sighing, Ice Queen nevertheless nodded in agreement with Baek Kang-ho’s words.

Within a dimly lit room.

Creeeeak-

“…Ji-hyeok. I’ve compiled the roster as you requested.”

“Oh~ Good work, geezer chairman.”

Beep- beep. Beep. Beeeeep!

As the chairman opened the door, a man was revealed, engrossed in gaming.

“…But may I inquire as to your reasoning for replacing Ice Queen’s A-rank designated hero with a Japanese B+?”

“Say, geezer. You familiar with my ability?”

The man nonchalantly countered the chairman’s question with his own.
While the chairman was well-acquainted with the man’s ability, he couldn’t shake a lingering unease.

“…Yes, but even so, for a designated hero to be demoted from A to B+ rank… and Maker’s potential reaction concerns me, so we should perhaps exercise more caution…”

“No need to worry, geezer. I can see it all, you know? It’ll definitely benefit her.”

Ending his game, the man flashed a wry smile at the chairman’s apprehensive expression.

“When have you ever suffered any losses by trusting me? Never, right~”

Sauntering over, the man casually draped his arm around the chairman’s shoulders in a friendly manner.

‘…This insolent brat…’

The chairman felt a brief pang of disgust, but the man was a superior’s offspring.
Moreover, the child of someone who provided him financial gains.

“Haha… my apologies for doubting your ability, Ji-hyeok… it seems the older I get, the more concerns accumulate, you see…”

“Geezer. Let’s keep things simple between us.”

‘For I possess the ability to choose the most advantageous path in any situation.’

The ability to invariably select the most beneficial option, regardless of circumstances.

“Just trust me, only me.”

The man chuckled, patting the chairman’s shoulder reassuringly.

Tudadadadadada!!

“Woooooaaaaaahhhh!!!! This is insane!!!”

“……”

Within Eclipse’s headquarters.
Narin’s eyes sparkled as she eagerly explored every nook and cranny.

“Wooooaahh!! The Instructor!!!!”

“…H, hello…”

“I saw you fighting Maker big brother!!”

“Bi, big brother…? U, uh, thank you…”

“And during the research facility raid, big brother hugged you, right? Wow, I’m so jealous! Seeing that, I really wanted to be hugged too, so can I get a hug now? I’m a subordinate too, after all? Can I? I can, right? Pretty please, I…!!!”

“Ju, just a moment…”

“Instructor sis! Ah, can I call you sis? Well, anyway, sis! Ah, but constantly using honorifics is a bit awkward, can I drop them? I can, right? I’ll speak casually, sis! Do you like Maker big brother too? I’m the leader of Maker’s fan gallery and the ‘Maffia’ fan club, so do you want to join? How about it? Huh? What do you think?”

“Uuuhh…”

Narin’s uninterrupted stream of chatter continued.

“Uuuhh… uuhh…”

Rustle!

Gradually becoming exasperated, Ahn Yeri retreated behind me, hiding.

“Mak, Maker…”

“…My apologies.”

“”……””

“I should apologize to all of you as well.”

“”Oh, no, it’s quite alright…!!””

After apologizing to the Instructor and organization members, I led Narin away.

“Big brother! Where are we going next?”

Subsequently, Narin continued her whirlwind tour of Eclipse’s facilities.
And then…

“Oh my goooodddd…!!!!”

“……”

“She’s just too cuuuuteee!!!! Kyaaaaaaaahh!!!!!”

“……”

Upon encountering the impassive Ga-yeon, Narin let out an ecstatic shriek of delight.

“Is this the one called Polia? She’s adorable!! Hi there, sweetie? Ah, we met yesterday when I came to fetch big brother, right? Can I just pinch your cheeks a bit? No, not for any weird reason, you’re just too cute!! Can I? No? Aww!! You look like a living doll!! What do I do!!”

“…Brother. This person is annoying.”

My apologies…

“You call Maker big brother ‘brother’? Your voice is so pretty too!! Sis, don’t you want one too? Preferably a younger sister… ah, just kidding! Sorry! Anyway, can I call you sis? By the way, is your ability spatial translocation? I’m jealous~ I wish I had an ability like that. Oh, do you like candy? Want some candy? But if you take it, you have to let me call you sis, okay? No? But I’ll be so sad if you say no? Your chubby appearance is just too adorable!”

“Too noisy…”

Scowling, Ga-yeon covered her ears with both hands.
She then scampered over and nestled into my embrace.

“Narin, I understand your enthusiasm, but perhaps you could tone it down a bit? Ga-yeon is quite shy, you see…”

“I’m not that shy. She’s just too loud.”

…Oh my.

“Sorry! When I get excited, I sort of lose awareness of my surroundings! I got a bit carried away after coming here. And you’re just so pretty, so I got even more excited… I’ll be careful!”

“I’m kind and pretty, so I’ll forgive you.”

“Thank you! Then can you let me call you sis just once…”

“Forcing someone after they’ve refused is wrong, you know.”

‘……’

I simply gave up trying to comprehend the situation.

“I’m giving Ga-yeon a tour of the facilities right now, would you like to join us?”

“Okay.”

With Ga-yeon in tow, we continued our tour of Eclipse’s headquarters.

“Hello, chicken coop.”

“Hi there, auntie!”

Thwack

‘This repertoire again, is it?’

Sighing, I seized Astra – her hair disheveled from Narin’s telekinesis – by the scruff.

“Let me go, Maker.”

“I fear releasing you might lead to undesirable consequences.”

“My, just listening to you, one might assume you intend to commit murder~”

“……”

“I’m simply providing some ‘discipline,’ albeit a bit stern?”

It seemed her notion of ‘discipline’ would be rather excessive.

“Are you angry, chicken coop?”

“Are you mad because I mentioned your age?”

“…Ah, just let me go for a moment, will you? I said let go?”

…I’m going to lose my mind here.

After the brief commotion within Astra’s office…

“…You’ve brought another peculiar child, I see.”

“…Haha.”

I hadn’t anticipated she would be quite like that.

“Nevertheless, she is undoubtedly skilled.”

I provided Astra with a condensed and embellished account of how I had located Narin and her capabilities.

“Hmm… if her skills are sufficient to counter the association’s hackers, her prowess must indeed be formidable.”

“With Narin bolstering our defenses, information leaks will be a non-issue.”

My words elicited an intrigued expression from her.
So, let’s get over this tantrum, shall we…?

“Ahem.”

I cleared my throat, a prelude to some light flattery.

“Astra, please do not take the childish remarks too personally.”

“…I wasn’t offended or anything.”

“I’m relieved to hear that. I merely worried that your gentle heart might have been hurt, which would be truly lamentable.”

Glance

Astra furtively glanced at me.
After fidgeting briefly, she posed a question.

“…Do you also think I’m getting old, Maker?”

“You’re still in your late twenties, are you not?”

“Or perhaps my appearance is a bit…”

She trailed off, idly twisting a strand of her blonde hair.

I slowly approached her desk, observing her closely.

“Hmm.”

“Wh, why…?”

Then, as if scrutinizing her features, I bent down, rested my arms on her desk, and gazed intently at her.

A momentary silence fell between us.

“I suppose beauty is all I can discern.”

“…Pardon?”

Flashing a bright smile, I looked up at her.
In response, she swiftly averted her gaze.

“Do, don’t tease me like that…!”

Despite her curt tone, her reddened cheeks and elevated voice betrayed her flustered state.

“Well, I…”

She seemed to have regained her composure after that brief exchange.

‘This should suffice.’

“Then I shall take my leave…”

Having successfully defused Astra’s temper, I turned to depart and rest when she called out to me.

“Maker, one moment.”

“Is there something else?”

“I nearly forgot to deliver this to you.”

She handed me a letter.

“Just come find me after you’ve had a chance to rest, that will be enough.”

“What is this…”

Puzzled by her words, I opened the letter.

“…Heh.”

Upon reading its contents, I couldn’t help but be taken aback.