I Woke Up as the Villain

"Keog...!"

Purplish energy swirled in Eveheim's eyes as he pushed Do-Jin toward the warehouse’s closed iron doors with determination. Do-Jin groaned in pain.

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"Kim Do-Jin, how do you think you could figure out where I was? Do you believe it's merely a simple coincidence? Like some astonishing stroke of luck... Oh, I see."

Eveheim nodded as he gazed into Do-Jin's fiery eyes. Sensing the man was overwhelmed with emotions, he commented, “It’s your unwavering self-confidence. You appear to believe that you've reached here solely through your own abilities.”

"Shut...up!" Do-Jin shouted, his voice echoing within the warehouse.

In response, two magic circles simultaneously formed around Eveheim, unleashing flames and lightning bolts.

Eveheim released Do-Jin's throat and took a couple of steps back. A glimmer of curiosity flickered in his eyes.

'Silent Incantation?' 

Eveheim knew Do-Jin to be an excellent swordsman.

‘I did expect him to have some level of knowledge in using magic, but…’

However, he had never expected that Do-Jin would be a wizard capable of using magic without any sound or movement. Moreover, the man wasn't triggering just one, but two spells simultaneously.

‘Beyond being a wizard, he has reached the realm of a sorcerer.’

Moreover, the sword swinging at him exuded a formidable aura that was akin to a surging light.

'An Aura Master and a sorcerer... Isn't that a typical example of a hero?’

In truth, Eveheim's interest in Do-Jin had waned somewhat since discovering Yu-Seong. There were many reasons for that.

‘Yu-Seong’s the son of Baek Yu-Ri. He also possesses remarkable talents and exudes an aura of mystery, appearing to conceal something…’

There were numerous factors that made Yu-Seong appear considerably more intriguing. However, now that Eveheim was face to face with Do-Jin, he knew that underestimating him was out of the question. Particularly when it came to talents, Do-Jin undeniably surpassed Yu-Seong. Above all, the waning emotions that had previously caused Eveheim to lose interest in Do-Jin appeared to have resurfaced.

Seeing the emotions reflected in Do-Jin’s eyes, Eveheim murmured, "Anger, resentment, hatred."

As he evaded the pouring magic and the precise and elegant sword strike, Eveheim's lips curled into a smile. Do-Jin's gaze was the only thing he focused on.

Gradually, dozens of magic circles unfolded around Do-Jin.

‘Even as he strikes with his sword, he seems to still be chanting. Is he planning to unleash this spell?’

Eveheim felt a sense of anticipation. He hoped that Do-Jin wouldn't disappoint him, if possible.

As if in response to his wish, Do-Jin’s eyes widened in determination.

"Antareus-!"

A black dragon suddenly appeared from behind him. It leapt into the magic circle. Human and dragon then merged together, becoming one.

"Oooh...!"

A brilliant white light flashed before Eveheim's eyes as he witnessed the astonishing appearance of a dragonkin.

‘Blood?’

Immediately after, blood trickled from Do-Jin's chest.

A smile crept upon Eveheim's lips as he commented, "Isn’t this quite something?"

Although engulfed by the surrounding black flames that pursued him as if to devour him, he felt no fear. In fact, even though he had relinquished his transcendent status, he had once been the owner of the purple door, a being at the pinnacle of this world.

Once again, a bright smile formed on Eveheim's lips as he tightly grasped Do-Jin's sword, which was enveloped in swirling black flames, with his bare hand. He said, "I've made up my mind, Kim Do-Jin.”

"Shut...up!" yelled Do-Jin.

"For now, let's first calm your mind a little."

As a momentary purple light flashed in Eveheim's eyes, Do-Jin floated helplessly in the air. He hadn’t caught sight of that at all.

‘What the...?’

Without even realizing what attack had hit him, Do-Jin fell to the ground and lost consciousness.

Eveheim leisurely approached the unconscious Do-Jin and grabbed his limp head with one hand. He said calmly, “Within a span of five years, I will bestow transcendence upon you as a gift.”

Slowly lifting Do-Jin up, Eveheim looked at the stubborn face in his grip as a bright smile slowly bloomed on his face.

***

The ones who had conveyed the news of Yu-Seong being sealed with the Demon King in Pyongyang were none other than Helen and Bernard. Upon their return to Korea, the two of them had been summoned to the Special Police Force for questioning. This had caused a further delay of two days before they had finally been able to meet Yu-Ri and Do-Yoon.

During that period of time, it seemed like the Jin siblings had already received some information and organized their thoughts.

Yu-Ri was trying to restrain her emotions, but her expression was still visibly tense. She turned to Helen. "...Was there truly no alternative?"

"To be honest, it was an unexpected turn of events," said Helen.

“I heard it was a sealing. In that case, the young master's life is…”

"That is something I am not sure about/cannot confirm. I am…deeply sorry," Helen replied as she shook her head lightly and lowered her gaze.

Yu-Ri's gaze then shifted toward Bernard, who stood beside Helen, and noticed his unusual silence.

"...I am sorry,” Bernard said.

"It was Yu-Seong oppa who suggested going to Pyongyang. You two don't need to apologize. But what I'm curious about is...where is Kim Do-Jin?" Yu-Ri asked.

As far as Yu-Ri knew, there were only two individuals who had gone to Pyongyang with Yu-Seong: Do-Jin and Bernard. However, one of them had returned with him, while the other was nowhere in sight. Moreover, it was mentioned that the missing person hadn't even attended the investigation, which naturally raised concerns.

"I don't know. As soon as we got off the plane, he said he had something to take care of and disappeared. Now, even the Special Police Force can't find him." Bernard let out a sigh and began explaining the situation.

Yu-Ri's sharp gaze intensified. Gritting her teeth in frustration, she murmured, "Why does it seem to me as if he has run away?"

"He didn't give off that impression. Rather, it was more like he was chasing after something..." said Helen.

When Helen's perplexing words trailed off, Bernard took over.

"In my opinion, it seemed more like he was being pursued. It was as if he couldn’t afford to just do nothing…”

"It's a confusing statement."

"I agree."

Bernard forced a smile and nodded in response to Yu-Ri's comment. With his fist clenched, he reassured her, "However, my gut feeling tells me that Choi Yu-Seong will be safe. He said it himself: without a doubt, he will survive.”

"It's something that the young master has said himself?" Do-Yoon inquired. When Bernard nodded in reply with a firm and resolute gaze, Do-Yoon said, "Then I suppose we have to believe it.”

In fact, there was no other choice. However, the path they had to tread had become clear. Do-Yoon turned away, as if to indicate that further conversation was unnecessary.

“Oppa?" Yu-Ri called out.

Do-Yoon slightly turned his head and said, "I'm going to enter the Tower of Heaven. After that, I'll continue exploring dungeons.”

With those words, he left without glancing back.

Yu-Ri could empathize with Do-Yoon's emotions, as she also felt the anguish at losing Yu-Seong and being unable to protect him. She clenched her fist and lowered her head, walking toward the opposite direction of Do-Yoon.

In her heart, she yearned to immediately chase after Do-Yoon. However, that was not a viable option for her right now.

‘There are many things I need to sort out.’

First and foremost, she had to notify certain individuals about what had transpired—Jin-Hyuk and Ye-Ryeong, in particular. It was possible that they too would then feel the urge to rush to Pyongyang immediately, and she would have to…

‘I should talk them out of it.’

In that case, there was a strong likelihood of them following in Do-Yoon's footsteps. They would most likely train so that, once Yu-Seong returned, they wouldn't lose him like this again.

‘I’ll also have to inform the Chairman and the First Young Lady as well…’

Additionally, she would need to inform Ji-Ho, as well as Jin-Woo, who was currently handling the company affairs in Yu-Seong's absence.

‘And...I have to inform Jenny and the Hidden Team too.’

Lost in her thoughts, Yu-Ri walked on while contemplating each task she had to fulfill. Before she realized it, her legs gave in, and she dropped to the ground on the side of the road. She exclaimed, “How come…!"

Why hadn't they been brought along? Was it because they were considered unnecessary? Were they deemed not strong enough? As Yu-Seong kept growing stronger, Yu-Ri had at some point found herself looking up to him.

As she was overwhelmed by self-contempt and anger, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. She cried, "Yu-Seong oppa..."

If Yu-Seong were to return, she would never let him go like this again. Determined, Yu-Ri mustered strength in her knees and rose from the ground. She moved forward, her gaze fixed on a distant place, filled with unwavering determination.

***

"Now, what are you going to do?" Helen asked Bernard, who stood next to her, as they watched the backs of the departing Yu-Ri and Do-Yoon.

"I am going to visit my grandfather," Bernard said.

"Come to think of it, you mentioned being Chairman Yoo's grandson. What do you intend to do when you meet him?" Helen asked.

"With my current abilities, there are limitations. I plan to ask my grandfather for help and grow as quickly as possible. Enough to be able to personally strike down the Demon King," said Bernard.

"But didn't you say that your grandfather dislikes you? That's what I recall hearing."

"Well, he was certainly angry. It's because I didn't listen to him," said Bernard with a wry smile. Scratching his cheek sheepishly, he added, "But it is what it is. I still need assistance... The one who requires help should give in.”

"You don't necessarily have to do that," Helen said.

"What do you mean?"

"You may not know this, but I actually have more money than your grandfather."

"Ah...?"

It was widely known that Helen, also known as the Miracle Alchemist, received support from the wealthiest individuals in the world. Therefore, her confidence was understandable.

"But even for you, Helen, it could be a burden. I require a significant amount of money..."

"It's not a burden. I have far more money than you can imagine. To put it on a global scale... I would definitely be within the top 100."

At that level, Helen clearly didn't need to rely on support from the wealthiest individuals; instead, she had attained the status of a wealthy individual herself.

"My goodness, how did you...?"

"I made various investments with the money I received and managed a few companies. That's how things turned out. If we consider just personal funds, then not even your grandfather could compare. By the way, this is a secret that no one else in the world knows."

"Ah, yes... But why would you tell me such a thing?" asked Bernard.

"Choi Yu-Seong sacrificed himself for all of us. If someone can help save his life, then it's worth the investment. And we must also retrieve the Philosopher's Stone." After mentioning their first goal, Helen grumbled slightly and furrowed her brow. "By the way, I wonder what we should do about Rachel.”

Rachel was currently a globally wanted criminal. As a result, upon her return to Korea, she had immediately been apprehended by the Special Police Force for investigation. If the legal process followed its course, there was a strong likelihood that she would be sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison after her abilities were sealed.

"Come to think of it, it was quite surprising how she cooperated without much resistance. I thought she would put up more of a fight..." said Bernard.

"Well, she knows there's no escape from that predicament. She's a cunning woman, and as Choi Yu-Seong said, she was also destined to slay the Demon King..."

In other words, in terms of raw power, Rachel was undeniably formidable. However, her personality and the current circumstances were the key concerns.

"In my opinion, it might be best to give up on Rachel..."

Bernard believed that aligning with a notorious criminal would yield no benefits. At that very moment, before he could express his honest thoughts, a voice rang out.

"Oh, my, look at you. Did you think you could just abandon me and leave? Do you want me to break your head?"

"Eekkk-!" shouted Bernard.

Suddenly, Rachel materialized behind them, delivering a forceful slap on Bernard's shoulder and causing him to jump back in alarm. Twirling an ax in her hand, she wore a disturbingly bright smile that radiated unwavering madness.

As he observed Rachel, Bernard stood frozen like a mouse caught before a cat. His lips trembled.