Being a Villain is My True Calling

“You’ve come to realize what a fearsome individual the good sir is…”

“You’re only grasping that now?”

Brushing off his arms, Uchi alternated between observing me and the tentacles.

Skritch skritch~

Seeming rather perturbed by the squirming movements, he soon averted his gaze from the tentacles.

“…The good sir possesses many wondrous talents.”

Then, regarding me with sparkling eyes, Uchi commented.

‘I suppose it did look rather peculiar.’

At our first meeting, I had a gun in hand, then used a smoke bomb to escape during our next encounter.

Today, I nonchalantly administered some strange drug, even spontaneously manifesting tentacles from the dealer’s body.

Overall, despite my claims of restraint, I had indeed engaged in quite a few eye-catching actions.

“Just where did you procure such extraordinary potions?”

Uchi eyed me inquisitively as he posed the question.

‘Where indeed. I obtained this knowledge through legitimate means.’

The sensitivity amplifying potion x3000.
It was among the data I had acquired during my prior raid on that research facility.

Any useful knowledge gained from that occasion, I had thoroughly committed to memory, recreating it through my Creation ability as needed.

“You need not know.”

However, there was no need to divulge such intricate details to him.
I brushed off his query dismissively.

“And those tentacles…”

‘He was bound to ask about those too.’

I had employed these tentacles before, during my taunting of Ice Queen.
Since that event was even broadcasted live, if he had seen any related news coverage, he would surely recognize these as belonging to Maker.

Skritch?

‘Preferably, I’d appreciate if he remained unaware that I’m Maker…’

This mission required a more discreet approach compared to my previous operations.
If the slums were to become a focal point drawing the intensive attention of heroes for any reason, those I sought would likely flee long before I could locate them.

That was an outcome I needed to avoid at all costs.

“Well…good sir.”

Uchi’s slightly pensive expression prompted my concern.
Had he truly deduced that I was Maker?

‘Even if he seems foolish, there’s no way he couldn’t realize it.’

“Was it truly as I suspected, then?”

Uchi nodded with seeming conviction.
If it had already been exposed, I supposed I could request he remain discreet about it…

“To think you possess tentacles of such exquisite craftsmanship!”

“Pardon?”

What was he…?
His subsequent words caused all my prior assumptions to evaporate instantly.

“What an extraordinary coincidence, coincidence indeed!”

Seemingly oblivious to my bewilderment, Uchi began patting my back jovially.

“I never imagined the good sir was a fan of Maker’s!”

“I beg your pardon?”

And at his words, I could no longer maintain my poker face.
…Me, a fan of Maker? What nonsense was this?

“Could the good sir be participating in the ‘Maker Challenge’ as well?”

I most certainly am not.

“Creating tentacles with one’s own abilities, just like the good sir has done!”

How would an ordinary person even go about attempting that?! Only an exceedingly limited few could possibly manage such a feat!

“Apparently tentacle usage has become quite prevalent among recent villains.”

“You mean they’re actively engaging in villainy specifically using tentacles…?”

…Just what kind of degenerate human would pursue such pointless depravity?

“Was the good sir not one such individual yourself?”

No, I am not.
Uchi’s increasingly incoherent ramblings left me feeling utterly discombobulated.

‘Just what sorts of debauchery have been unfolding without my knowledge?’

This was a matter I would need to consult Narin about later…

“In any case, good sir.”

As I brooded contemplatively, Uchi patted my shoulder to regain my attention.

“…What is it now?”

“Might we not attend to him any further?”

He indicated the tentacles with a sunny expression.
I followed his gaze to the unmoving drug dealer.

Skritch~ skritch?

An unsettling chill ran down my spine.

‘…Shit.’

Had the sensitivity potion been excessive after all?
I hurried over to check on the drug dealer’s condition.

Meanwhile, not too far from where Gahn Yi-an and Uchi were located within the slums.

“…?”

“What is it, test subject?”

As they walked, a hooded young girl briefly paused mid-stride.
Regarding her with a scrunched expression, a middle-aged man questioned her.

“…Nothing.”

“In any case…”

As the girl turned her head, her hood seemed to faintly twitch.

“Get on with your assigned duties. Or could it be you’re feeling sympathetic toward that…thing?”

“……”

The middle-aged man shot a disdainful glare toward whatever the girl had been dragging behind her.
Then he refocused his gaze back on her once more.

“……”

“Tch.”

WHACK!

Even after scrutinizing her for an extended period, the girl showed no discernible reaction whatsoever.
Irked by her unresponsiveness, the man lashed out with a backhanded strike.

“You’d do well to mind your attitude. No matter how promising an experimental subject you may be, you’re still just a test subject in the end.”

“……”

At those words, the girl gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

“If you understand, then get moving and transport that properly.”

With that, the man strode ahead, leaving the girl behind.

“……”

Briefly watching him depart, the girl gently massaged her throat.

Grrruuumble…

And as her gaze fell upon the man’s frail figure, her expression gradually grew more menacing.

A profound, bloodthirsty aura.
Just as she loosened her hand from her throat, poised to strike at any moment:

‘Gyaaaahh~!!’

Prick.
The girl momentarily froze, her ear catching that distant sound.
She remained still, carefully listening to the faint voices wafting over.

‘G,good sir, h,how do we handle thi…!!’
‘Please try to stay calm…’
‘Dammit all!!! That madman just killed someone!!!’
‘No, I didn’t…’
‘How will you obtain the information you desired then?! Oh god…oh no…aaahh!!!’
‘Quiet down for a mome…!!’

……

The girl’s murderous expression faded, returning to her usual vacant demeanor.
She then retrieved her cargo and resumed following the man once more.

“Did he…die?”

“……”

Uchi shot me a sidelong glance as he cautiously inquired.

“…Fortunately, he still lives.”

Seeing the man was indeed still breathing, I let out a relieved sigh.
…At least the suppression potion proved effective in this instance.

I examined the vial in my hand.
It contained a completely different concoction from the previous sensitivity amplifier.

‘An ability suppression agent. I’m glad it worked…’

This was a potion I had confiscated from that research facility raid, the very one I had advised Astra to dispose of back then.
While I hadn’t anticipated needing to utilize it like this, it was fortunate I had secretly pocketed and memorized it regardless.

‘I had worried it might not work on creations produced by my own ability.’

This paradoxical situation had fortunately resolved in my favor.

“Mmnn…”

At that moment, the drug dealer began stirring awake, his eyes fluttering open.

“Wh,where is this…?”

“Have you regained your senses, drug dealer?”

As he gradually took in his surroundings, the dealer then touched his cheek with an unsettling smirk.
…For some reason, his demeanor seemed rather off now.

“Such pleasure was utterly unprecedented…”

“……”

“Like I had brushed the very threshold of heaven, only to return…”

…He likely did come dangerously close to actual death, hence his disconcerting shift in demeanor compared to before.

“To be so forcefully…with that firm yet pliant thing…aaahh…”

Dammit.
This bastard had definitely lost his mind!

Glancing toward Uchi, he too seemed utterly perplexed by the dealer’s disturbing behavior.

“Just the thought of it makes me burn with desire…uuhhnngghh!! Aahhihi…!!”

Please, not you too, you sick freak…
Uchi and I exchanged uneasy looks, breaking out in cold sweat.

“P,please allow me to experience that rapture once more…! Use me as your plaything if you must, I don’t care…!!”

“That won’t be necessary…”

Just shut up already, you’re utterly disgusting…
No, just tell me the information first, then get lost…

“Uuuhhnngghh…! Master!”

“Why the fuck would I be your ‘master’…?”

The unfolding real-time mental breakdown before me left me no choice but to curse exasperatedly.
Fuck.
I was tempted to simply abandon this whole ordeal.

Then, as I happened to glance toward Uchi, a devious idea struck me.
Shifting from my prior icy demeanor, I regarded him with a warm, affable smile.

“…Uchi.”

“?”

“It seems this one requires protection. How about you take him under your care, Uchi?”

You want him? All yours.
Uchi swiftly grasped the implication, shaking his head adamantly.

“Wh,what?! Good sir! Was this not the very man you required…! As your comrade, I cannot possibly commit such an act…!”

No thanks.

“His condition still seems rather unstable, you see…I’m asking this as your comrade, so why not?”

Take him, please.

“B,but why the sudden warmth, when earlier you…n,no! Unstable condition?! To me he appears perfectly fi…!”

I refuse!

As we engaged in this passive-aggressive game of hot potato, Uchi realized he was being outmaneuvered through wordplay alone.
He promptly dragged the drug dealer himself into the exchange.

“Y,you there! What is your own assessment? Hmm? Do you seem stable?”

“Umm…”

“If you provide a satisfactory response to the good sir’s offer, he may grant you that pleasure once more.”

“Really?!”

This bastard.
The dealer’s eyes lit up as he turned toward me with rapt anticipation.

“Now just a minute, Uchi…!”

“Ahem, ahemm!! Feel free to converse at your lei~sure, I shall untie that other addict over there in the meantime…”

Dismissively humming a mocking tune, Uchi disregarded me completely.

‘Just you wait…’

I fixed Uchi with a piercing, murderous glare.

After that entire sordid affair concluded, I returned to the cafe to sort out my thoughts.

‘At the very least, I managed to obtain a general outline of information.’

Primarily how the ability enhancer is being sold, key distribution locations, and an approximate headcount of those involved.

While rather distasteful, the drug dealer had divulged everything he knew in pursuit of experiencing that pleasure once more.

‘It represents solid progress, at any rate. And as for that Uchi fellow…’

Recalling his battered state from the previous night, I let out an amused snort.

‘He got what was coming to him.’

The very fool who enabled that depraved drug dealer to latch onto me so persistently.
After abandoning me to that fate, he had attempted to untie the other addicted customer instead.

‘There, I’ve set you free.’
‘……’
‘We mean you no harm, so feel at ea…’
‘…Drugs.’
‘Hmm?’
‘Druuugs!! My druuugs!!! Aaaaahhhh!!!!’

The problem was that the addict, enraged at having the opportunity for drugs snatched away right before his eyes, had lashed out violently in response.
Ultimately, Uchi’s attempt to defuse the situation had ended with him being assaulted by the rampaging addict.

‘He reaped his just deserts.’

A fitting punishment for impeding my ability to promptly resolve matters.
I chuckled to myself as I tidied up the cafe for a while.

Jingle-

The ringing of the entrance bell announced a new customer’s arrival.

“Hey Boss~!”

“So you’re here.”

Han-mir had already situated himself before the counter, grinning cheerfully.
As I looked up at him, my eyes widened slightly.

“…What happened to your face?”

“Ah, this? Haha, I got into a little scuffle at school…”

A large bandage was plastered prominently across his cheek.
I couldn’t help but be taken aback by its precise location.

‘That’s the exact same spot where Uchi got hit.’

The placement of that injury perfectly matched where Uchi had been struck the previous night.

…Surely my suspicion couldn’t be correct, could it?
Regarding his casual smile, I let out an amused snort of my own.