I Woke Up as the Villain

After the call with Bernard was finished and his work was done, Yu-Seong grabbed his phone once again in the evening.

‘Since Kim Do-Jin is in the dungeon for most of the time during the day…’

It was difficult to reach him by phone, but Do-Jin would typically emerge from the dungeon around 9 pm at night. After all, if he didn't take a break, he would be exhausted for the next day's dungeon run.

‘In the end, even that steel-like Kim Do-Jin has his limits.’

The problem was that Do-Jin, the protagonist of the original novel, easily overcame those limits in most battles and dangerous situations. And now, to some extent, he and Yu-Seong shared some kind of relationship.

‘It kinda…feels like we're friends now.’

This was not a joke but a sincere thought. When he had first been sucked into the novel, Yu-Seong never thought that this would have happened.

Yu-Seong lightly slapped himself.

‘I can’t be certain yet. First of all, he's trying to kill my father…’

Yu-Seong started to hope more and more that Woo-Jae wouldn't die. But could Do-Jin give up on that goal? The relationship between Do-Jin and himself would most likely be considered a separate issue from the one between Woo-Jae and Do-Jin.

‘He's a guy with clear principles.’

While Yu-Seong was lost in thought for a moment, Do-Jin answered the phone.

- It's rare for you to call me first.

"Do-Jin," said Yu-Seong calmly as he responded to Do-Jin’s somewhat bitter tone.

He immediately explained the main point of the call.

After listening to everything, Do-Jin's conclusion was simple.

- An attack team for a Rank 7 dungeon... Not bad.

"I knew you would say that."

- It's a great chance to promote Eclipse Guild's name since we'll be doing a joint attack.

In fact, the current Eclipse Guild had a high potential to become a Top 10 guild in one to two years. This was as long as its members continued to grow steadily.

‘If I had to point out a flaw, it would be the lack of reputation...’

Of course, Do-Jin and Ah-Rin were both rising stars in South Korea, and they were impressive rookies. However, they needed to be more than mere rookies to propel their guild to the Top 10.

"It's time to drop the 'rookie' nickname."

Do-Jin was in B-rank and on his way to A-rank soon.

‘In fact, if he really wanted to, he could take the promotion test and move up immediately.’

However, Do-Jin had stopped at A-rank for a similar reason to Yu-Seong's.

‘He hasn't grown to the maximum potential within B-rank yet.’

This situation was slightly different from the original novel’s events. It was highly likely that Do-Jin had also realized something during his trip to Pyongyang with Yu-Seong.

‘Still, the rank itself is progressing faster than the original novel…’

There seemed to be no problem. In fact, as mentioned before, regarding the timeline itself, Do-Jin was stronger now than in the original novel. Having been to the Tower of Heaven, he now had the ability to use the special move he couldn't at that time, and he could do so without any restrictions.

- Okay, there's no reason to miss out on this opportunity. And of course…

"I'll be the attack team leader," said Yu-Seong. When there was a brief silence over the phone, he added, "As you said, this is truly an opportunity for the Eclipse guild. It's not a loss for Comet Guild."

- But from the Comet Guild's perspective, it's also a chance to properly promote your name.

"Kim Do-Jin."

- I've never given up the position of leader to anyone.

This was expected.

In fact, the reason why Do-Jin had become the guild leader and surpassed Ah-Rin, who had proposed the idea of creating the guild in the original novel in the first place, was due to Do-Jin's own pride. It might seem childish and stupid, but the foundation was his own firm sense of confidence.

‘It’s confidence that he can do better than anyone else.’ 

It was also due to the betrayal and frustration Do-Jin had experienced after trusting someone else in the otherworld he had traveled to.

In reality, Do-Jin, who had a lot of war experience, could possibly show better skills than Yu-Seong if he became the attack team leader.

'Of course, that’s only if he formed a team with the members he chose.' 

However, when it came to the current composition of the attack team, Yu-Seong was confident that he could do better than anyone else.

"You won't be disappointed. Trust me."

- If that's what you're saying, there's no need to hear more. Negotiation is impossible.

"Kim Do-Jin."

- I’m hanging upl.

Yu-Seong looked at his phone with a slightly annoyed smile. He muttered, "This stupid guy… Does he really have to be like this?"

Yu-Seong knew that Do-Jin would be stubborn, but he thought there would be some room for negotiation.

'In the original novel, I’m sure he had a somewhat flexible personality...' 

But why was he reacting so sensitively to Yu-Seong's proposal? It felt like there was no mutual respect even though they had reached similar levels in their skills.

“Answer the phone, Kim Do-Jin, answer it."

Furious, Yu-Seong made several calls, but he received no response.

- The customer is not answering the call…

Finally, he received a concise text message on his phone.

- If you want to negotiate, give up your position as the leader.

After checking the text message, Yu-Seong sat on the bed and held his forehead. "...That’s something I can’t give in to."

In fact, it was not just a matter of pride for Yu-Seong.

"Actually, now that it's gotten to this point, there are a lot of things that make me feel bad too…”

However, there was only one thing that mattered most.

‘If I don't become the leader of the attack team, Father won't allow it.’

Fundamentally, this attack should be led by the Comet Guild.

Having Bernard, the grandson of the Cheon-Ji Group’s Chairman, as a supporter or even having the Eclipse Guild join the team wouldn't be a big problem. As Jin-Hwan had said, while this might make Woo-Jae a little uncomfortable, it could be offset by showing him how Yu-Seong embraced them all.

It would put the Comet Guild in quite a favorable position, which would please Woo-Jae.

But what if Do-Jin became the lead of the attack team and took control?

‘This will make Comet Guild a sidekick… He will never allow it.’

Thus, Yu-Seong would have to persuade Do-Jin somehow.

‘Anyway, to conquer the Rank 7 raid dungeon in this situation, Kim Do-Jin's help is essential.’

Of course, if Do-Jin continued to avoid calls until the date of the dungeon raid, it would be difficult. It wouldn’t be easy to meet in person either.

"If you’re going to be this stubborn, there is a way to persuade you," muttered Yu-Seong with an evil smile.

***

The next morning, before heading to the dungeon as usual, Do-Jin received a call from the Vice President, Baek Ah-Rin, asking him to come to the company’s office.

"I heard it’s something important..."

As soon as he saw Yu-Seong and Do-Yoon sitting next to each other in the conference room, Do-Jin's gaze hardened.

"Since the Comet Guild has asked for cooperation… We should at least listen to what they have to say from our guild’s perspective, right?" said Ah-Rin calmy.

After glaring at Ah-Rin, Do-Jin let out a short sigh.

"Are you not going to sit?" Yu-Seong asked from his seat and raised his hand in greeting with a smile on his face.

"Annoying guy."

Do-Jin eventually took a seat without leaving the conference room. No matter how much he asserted his pride, he wasn't a fool.

Yu-Seong had come here not as an individual but on behalf of the Comet Guild. Considering that the Eclipse Guild was already in a difficult position due to the pressure from the Top 10 guilds, they should welcome Yu-Seong’s visit with open arms.

"I heard a bit about it before you arrived. I think the offer is positive regardless, so why did you say no?" Ah-Rin asked.

Do-Jin sat down and looked at Yu-Seong. "Did he not say it himself?"

"I did, that you begged me to give you the position of the attack team leader."

"So you heard," said Do-Jin to Ah-Rin.

"Hey, do you think this situation is the same as when you asked me to give you the position of the guild master?"

Ah-Rin, who had become somewhat close to Do-Jin now, looked at him with a bewildered expression. She wanted to expand the guild's size, so she saw the current situation as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Understandably, she found Do-Jin’s reason for refusing the offer ridiculous.

"But..."

"Think about it seriously. This is..." Ah-Rin started to speak as she turned to look at Yu-Seong.

‘The rascal of a big and powerful family.’

Yu-Seong used to be known as the rascal of the Choi family, but nobody addressed him as such anymore. Thus, Ah-Rin felt uncomfortable, unnecessary chattering in front of him.

"Shall I step aside for a moment?" Yu-Seong asked with a shrug.

In fact, he had already made some progress regarding negotiations anyway.

‘Although, I haven't completely dismissed the possibility of a worst-case scenario yet…’

If the emotional struggle with Ah-Rin intensified, Do-Jin could leave the Eclipse Guild. However, the likelihood of that happening was low.

'Kim Do-Jin, once he sinks his teeth into something, he won’t let go.’

This time, his pride would once again get in the way.

Just as Yu-Seong was about to get up from his seat after nodding at Ah-Rin, Do-Jin grabbed him and said, "Stay seated."

Do-Jin let out a deep sigh as his gaze revealed complex emotions. In fact, he already knew that his decision had been a childish one. He didn't necessarily have to take on the role of the attack team leader. It was a job he could do once the Eclipse Guild had grown even more and he could form his own team.

Although he was very proud, he had the patience to take a step back for the future. Or at least, that would usually be the case.

However, Do-Jin had a simple reason to insist on becoming the attack team leader.

"You have to take on the role of attack team leader because it's the will of the Comet Group’s Chairman, your father, right?"

Yu-Seong finally understood why Do-Jin was so insistent on his choice.

‘This guy... He didn't want to follow Father's orders, that's why.’

As Yu-Seong expected, Do-Jin's resentment toward Woo-Jae had not diminished at all.

In fact, if Woo-Jae had been right in front of the man, Do-Jin might have suppressed most of his emotions. However, with Yu-Seong standing before him on Woo-Jae’s behalf, following Woo-Jae's orders just went against all of his instincts.

Do-Jin knew that this was a foolish decision, but he had his reasons.

‘Is he saying he trust me?’

Yu-Seong wanted to express what a stupid question that was to Do-Jin. Was Do-Jin asking him to ignore his resentment toward Woo-Jae, after showing it all so plainly in front of him?

Despite not being raised with much care, Yu-Seong was still Woo-Jae’s son. And Do-Jin was making such an unreasonable request to him, Woo-Jae's child.

‘The original Choi Yu-Seong would have definitely taken the bait.’ 

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With just a little instigation from Do-Jin, the original Yu-Seong might have been burning with fear and resentment toward his father, Woo-Jae. But how about the Yu-Seong standing in front of Do-Jin now?

‘I feel a bit upset, but...’ 

This fact came as no surprise, but Yu-Seong found it a little difficult to accept it. Above all, he had to correct a part of Do-Jin's misconception.

"Of course, if I'm not the attack team leader, my father might be upset. But the role was not decided by my father's orders. It's my choice."

This was enough to slightly alleviate Do-Jin's resentment. His eyes, which had been burning with resentment and mixed feelings, slowly returned to their usual state. He was calming down.

‘He’s still not fully accepting it, but…’

This was unsurprising. Do-Jin would be aware that Yu-Seong’s will was likely reflected by Woo-Jae.

“...let's have a match."

"What?" Yu-Seong said with his brows furrowed deeply.

He was suddenly reminded of the nightmare on the 9th floor of the Tower of Heaven.

"Not a life-or-death battle, but a duel."

"Really? Just a duel?"

"Of course, we might end up with a broken bone or two." With a cool laugh, Do-Jin added, "If you're not confident, you can give up. What will you do?"

"Kim Do-Jin, you really…!" exclaimed Ah-Rin as she stood up with a bewildered expression.

"...Alright." Yu-Seong, who had been lost in thought, gave a firm nod.

Not only Do-Yoon and Ah-Rin were surprised, but Do-Jin himself. His eyes widened as he thought he had just made an unreasonable request.

"Let's do it. A duel. With all our strength this time," replied Yu-Seong.

This time, it would be a head-on battle without any interference. As long as they weren't aiming to kill each other, it was actually something that Yu-Seong had always wanted to do—to fight with all his strength in the current world, not inside the Tower of Heaven.

‘If that happens, I can find out where I stand right now…’

Yu-Seong's eyes glittered with excitement.