I Woke Up as the Villain

Finally, only Yu-Seong and Woo-Jae were left in the office. At that moment, Yu-Seong posed the most important question. He asked, "Since I joined the game, what's my share?"

"Hmm," Woo-Jae responded, a twisted smile forming on his lips.

After a grunt, he said, "I'm the one who arranged the deal. Just take the broadcasting and competition fees. They should fill your pockets quite nicely."

"But it wouldn't have been easy without my provocation, would it?"

"I'll commend you for shaking the opponent emotionally."

"Give me half."

"No. Where did you learn such a crooked...thief's mindset…?"

"I learned it from you, Father. Didn't you negotiate like that just now?"

"I've never done that."

"Alright. I'll give up on the cash. Instead, allow me to choose three businesses."

"Impossible!"

For some reason, Woo-Jae made that exclamation with a joyous smile on his face.

With a similar smile on his own face, Yu-Seong firmly said, "Then, two businesses and 300 million dollars."

“Do you know the saying, 'six of one, half a dozen of the other’?”

“Alright. One business and 200 million dollars. But, I should have priority when choosing the business. I won't yield on this."

"Hmm..." Woo-Jae let out a short groan, crossed his arms, and showed a contemplative expression.

Finally, showing a grin on his face, he said firmly, "Let's draft a contract. Even in financial transactions between a father and son, clarity is crucial."

"That's exactly what I want as well."

And so, two contracts were quickly signed.

***

Upon returning home, Yu-Seong asked Yu-Ri and the Hidden Team to investigate companies in the US that had been invested in by the Issai Group or under Chairman Takaku's name.

'If my memory serves me correctly...' 

Vision Technology was the place where a brilliant scientist, soon to develop the artificial Awakening Stone and astonish the world, belonged. Among the entities set to gain substantial profits as the primary investor was Issai Group, and this was a detail that Yu-Seong had recalled from the original novel.

'The future has changed a lot, but thankfully, the artificial Awakening Stone has not been developed yet. Thus, the company might not seem valuable at this time...' 

In fact, Vision Technology was a truly promising company with a substantial core. From the beginning, Yu-Seong had this fact in mind when negotiating with Woo-Jae, so he naturally had a clear goal in mind.

Explore the extended edition on pawread dot com.

And the next day, when Yu-Seong learned that the third-largest investor in Vision Technology was currently Chairman Takaku of the Issai Group, he immediately broke into a bright smile.

‘Indeed, while I am currently the third-largest investor, if I generate some profit from my personal assets and take this gamble, there's a chance I could become the largest shareholder, couldn't I?’

This was only possible because no one was valuing the company highly just yet.

'I can't miss this.' 

Finally, an opportunity had come. The more money one had, the better.

'I can track down the Demon King Worshipers, as well as increase my forces.' 

Wasn't this the most significant realization Yu-Seong recently had while living in this society?

As he spent the afternoon seated in a chair on his mansion’s front yard, contemplating Vision Technology, which would soon be under his control, and secretly brimming with anticipation, a guest arrived at his front door.

"Kim Do-Jin?"

As soon as Yu-Seong, who had sensed something, called out his name, Do-Jin responded from the front entrance, "Can I come in?"

"Don't be formal, it is so unlike you. Come in."

Slowly opening the door, Do-Jin walked into the mansion.

"Your expression has changed a lot."

"Has it?"

"Yeah. It's brighter. You look good."

"...Maybe." Do-Jin, who awkwardly acknowledged that change in him, narrowed his eyes. He then commented, "You've changed a lot too."

"Really?" asked Yu-Seong.

"You’re usually immersed in training around this time, or you’d be in a dungeon."

Do-Jin’s observation was not wrong. If it had been Yu-Seong from three years ago, he wouldn't have taken a break even at this very moment, since he would be striving relentlessly for even the slightest growth.

"Now, I'm not at a stage where I can grow from that..."

"How about the Tower of Heaven?"

"It's the same over there. Anyway, this is a good time to take a decent rest, right?"

"I’m finding this change hard to understand. What on earth happened during the past three years?"

Curiosity flared in Do-Jin's eyes, especially since he had directly experienced Yu-Seong's abnormal growth.

"I trained really hard. It's annoying to repeat the story that I've already talked about until my mouth hurts, but since it's you, I'll tell you the story. Sit down first."

As Yu-Seong pointed to a chair on the opposite side, Do-Jin nodded and sat down. Yu-Seong's explanation that followed was quite long, and Do-Jin, maintaining silence, occasionally nodded and listened carefully.

"Your masters..."

"I've had that question many times, but I can't see them now."

"No, I mean, what's their connection with Eveheim?"

"...seems like I’ve misunderstood you."

"I've heard the story several times while I was brainwashed by him. Green, Gabriel, Bak Ok-Rye... The transcendent beings, am I right?" Do-Jin asked.

"Correct," acknowledged Yu-Seong, who did not vehemently deny it.

"He seemed quite scared of the three. But you are saying that you became their disciple."

"Correct."

Do-Jin, who came closer than others to the core of the story, nodded and asked, "I'm going to ask you two things. Can you answer honestly?"

"Sure."

"First, how strong are you now?"

"...That's a tough question to answer honestly. Maybe, incredibly?"

"Weren't you also not at your best when fighting with me?" Do-Jin inquired.

"If I had to give an estimation..." Yu-Seong narrowed his eyes and spread out five fingers. He said, "Half. In other words, about 50 percent."

In reality, it could have been just 30 percent. However, noticing Do-Jin's oddly distressed expression, Yu-Seong deliberately exaggerated the figure.

"Didn't we agree not to lie?"

"Did you catch on?"

"I've experienced Eveheim. If he’s worried about them, then I should expect that you are far ahead."

"Haha..."

"Should I consider it about 30 percent?" Do-Jin said.

"Roughly."

"If the three masters are unavailable, wouldn't it be alright if you teach me?" Do-Jin said.

"...What?" Yu-Seong's eyes naturally widened at the unbelievable statement that had come from the prideful Do-Jin.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm not admitting that I’ve lost to you. If we learn the same thing, of course, I would be stronger. For an experiment..."

"You don't need to beat around the bush with your excuses. Anyway, okay."

"...Really?"

"There's nothing so great about it. In fact, Master Green said something about this before."

In fact, there should be a total of seven transcendent beings. Among them, there were currently four vacancies. Yu-Seong thought it wasn't a bad idea for Do-Jin to fill one of those spots.

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks."

"I mean, I'm grateful in many ways. Even about my mother..."

"That is something my father should take credit for.”

"Choi Woo-Jae?"

"Yes. As soon as he found out your identity, he started an investigation. And he also spent a lot of money for her treatment."

"..."

Deep conflict flashed across Do-Jin's eyes. He felt conflicting feelings of hatred and gratitude for Woo-Jae. Yu-Seong patiently waited for him to sort out his emotions. After all, this wasn't something that could be resolved merely by telling him to do so.

"Let me move on to the second question. You once mentioned that this world is a story from a novel."

"Let's get the statement right. I said I have memories of reading a novel with the same settings and characters. And you didn't believe it."

"Can you tell me the details of the story?"

"So you're finally ready to hear the story." Yu-Seong let out a short laugh before beginning to tell the long story again.

The conversation that had started in the afternoon continued without a break until it was already sunset. Like before, Do-Jin, after silently listening to the story, closed his eyes and deeply furrowed his brows.

He muttered, "...Honestly, I don't want to believe your words."

"It isn’t the most pleasant thing to believe, I guess.”

Imagine that someone suddenly approached to reveal that you were actually a character from a novel, and not just any character, but the protagonist. In reality, there would be only a few who would take such news positively. It would feel like you had become a puppet moving on threads, like a Marionette, according to a predetermined destiny. How would Do-Jin accept this fact?

'Helen said that was also fate.' 

After learning some secrets of the universe from Gabriel, Yu-Seong had made the decision to believe in the existence of both worlds as true. Specifically, he had come to believe that the Yu-Seong existing in both worlds had always indeed been himself.

'Should I try to persuade him?' 

Yu-Seong was being cautious in case Do-Jin's mental state could be shaken.

"It doesn't matter. If there's something like fate, all I need to do is overcome it."

At Do-Jin's calm and very characteristic words, Yu-Seong involuntarily burst out laughing. "Puhahaha!"

"Why are you laughing?"

"Well, it's very like you... And you sound like you have Middle School Syndrome[1]."

"...Middle School Syndrome?" Do-Jin's face suddenly turned red as he thought about the meaning of the phrase.

"You've changed many fates with that mindset, haven't you?"

"Rather than that... I just didn't want to be unhappy according to predetermined fate. Most of all, I haven’t said out loud that 'I'll overcome the fate...' with such a strict, solemn, and serious expression like you have."

Do-Jin's face became even redder at Yu-Seong's words, which were delivered in a deliberately lowered voice.

"...I'll kill you. Choi Yu-Seong."

"Unfortunately, that is an impossible task with your current skill."

"I'll assassinate you."

"Oh, I'll cheer for you."

Do-Jin clenched his fist as he was at a loss for words due to Yu-Seong's excessively mischievous attitude. He growled, "Let's see if you can still say that on the day training ends.”

"Try hard. I won't be standing still either."

After shooting another glare at Yu-Seong, who shrugged his shoulders with a laugh, Do-Jin’s gaze finally calmed down. His expression, which had been unknowingly joyful to the point of showing a smile, also returned to a more neutral one.

"So... Was there anything else in the novel you read?"

"What?"

"Perhaps about my real enemy?"

Flames blazed in Do-Jin's eyes, a reflection of the darkness that still lingered within him despite his newfound glimpse of light.

"You've already heard some of the truth from my father, haven't you?"

"...That was true?"

For Do-Jin, it was hard to believe Woo-Jae. However, he could trust Yu-Seong. Considering the father-son relationship between the two, it was rather peculiar for Do-Jin to ask Yu-Seong such a question.

'I understand him. There isn’t the luxury of time for him to be troubled by such thoughts.' 

Therefore, Yu-Seong decided to answer confidently.

"That's right. The one who killed your father is not mine."

In fact, this detail did not appear in the original novel. Therefore, initially, Yu-Seong had also been confused about how to solve this problem. However, now he knew the truth.

‘Since Master Gabriel told me.' 

The excessive intervention of Eveheim in the world had always been a subject that greatly discomforted the transcendent beings. Therefore, they couldn't possibly have been unaware of the truth.

"So really...."

"Yes. Eveheim. He's the one who killed your father. He also killed my mother."

Do-Jin smiled bitterly, then he sighed deeply and nodded his head. He said, "Without knowing the full truth, we’ve been pointing swords at each other. But we actually share a common enemy.”

Finally, the gears that had been twisted began to move in the right direction.

1. ’중2병’ is a term used in Japan and Korea to describe the distinctive behaviors displayed by certain adolescents. It encompasses indulging in grandiose fantasies, believing in possessing special powers, and exhibiting an inflated sense of self-importance ☜