Being a Villain is My True Calling

I managed to get in safely.
When the hero at the entrance was staring intently at me, I thought something might be amiss.
But she said it was because I’m handsome…

‘It’s a bit puzzling, but oh well…’

-Big bro! Did you get in okay?

“I’ve made it inside safely.”

In any case, since I’m in, no need to dwell on it further.
I surveyed my surroundings.

Everyone was wearing masks, donning lavish suits and dresses.

‘Quite a crowd too.’

Even without a separate invitation, anyone could enter by paying, which seemed to account for the unexpectedly large turnout.
Well, this sort of situation does make it easier to blend in.

“How’s the hacking?”

-I’ve got control over the hotel lights and CCTV in your hall. Give me 30 minutes for full system control.

“No need to rush, just don’t get caught.”

-Leave it to me!

“I trust you.”

In any case, I don’t plan on procuring the item until later.

‘The auction hasn’t even started yet…it would be too reckless to make a move now.’

The security will be at their most vigilant right when the event kicks off. Their responses and readiness will be at their sharpest then.

So if I’m going to make my move, it should be during the middle or latter part of the event.
If no incidents occur until then, even they’ll inevitably let their guard down a bit, being only human.

‘It’s not for nothing that villains in comics and novels always cause a ruckus toward the end of such events.’

-Beep.

-I could just quickly teleport there, you know.

Ga-yeon’s suggestion came across in her usual blunt tone.
However, her suggestion was promptly rejected.

“Teleportation requires knowing the precise coordinates.”

Without knowing the target’s location, or what kind of security measures might be in place, blindly teleporting into the target area could potentially trigger fatal traps if we’re unlucky.

‘It would be better, even if a bit noisier, to make my appearance when the items are brought out for auction and take them then.’

“I’ll consider Polia’s suggestion as well. For now, Narin, or rather Glitch, let’s wait until she has full system control.”

-…Okay.

While the chances are lower, if possible, I’d prefer retrieving it quietly.
After concluding my conversation with Ga-yeon, I surveyed my surroundings once more.

‘Five, six, seven…there are about seven in this vicinity for now.’

This time focusing on the security personnel rather than ordinary guests.

It would be ideal if I could rest until the operation, but unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.

First, I needed to assess their overall combat strength.
And identify any potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

Step step.

I began wandering around every corner of the party venue.

“Sir, you claim to have seen a villain here?”

“Ah, well, not exactly a, a villain per se…”

In front of a restroom.
A hero-garbed man regarded a trembling man before him.

At the hero’s words, the man’s eyes darted around nervously.
Clenching and unclenching his shaking fists, he was the very picture of abject terror.

‘Geez, what a coward…such a waste of that handsome face.’

“Then what did you see, exactly?”

“A, a scream…! I was about to enter the men’s room when I heard a woman’s scream from inside!”

The hero eyed the man with a pitying expression.

“…Let’s check it out first.”

The hero then entered the men’s restroom.
What he found inside was:

‘What, there’s nothing here?’

An empty restroom devoid of anyone.
Moreover, a peculiar odor lingered around the restroom, immediately tipping him off.

‘Must have been those aristocrats cutting one loose.’

“Haah…”

Heaving a sigh at the pointless tension, the hero turned to leave when suddenly:

Phoosh.

“Huh?”

A stinging sensation in his neck accompanied the abrupt loss of strength throughout his body.
Barely managing to turn his head, he saw the man from earlier.

“You, you filthy…”

“Oh dear.”

Contrary to his earlier trembling demeanor, the man now regarded him with an alarmingly casual expression.

“Was there a villain here after all?”

“Filthy…scum…ack…”

‘Need to…call for backup…’

Thud.

Soon overcome by drowsiness, the hero’s eyes fluttered shut.

“Sleep well.”

Maker approached the fallen hero and removed the communication device from his ear.

-Big bro. Took care of another one?

“Yes, I have a request.”

-Okey~

After speaking those words, Maker washed his hands and exited the restroom.

‘Fifteen so far, I think.’

During his explorations of the venue, the number of personnel was higher than expected.
To make subsequent operations easier, he had been luring heroes one by one and incapacitating them like this.

It was a risky method.

‘As their numbers dwindle, suspicions are bound to arise. And even if I don’t get caught, the remaining heroes will inevitably heighten their vigilance upon realizing they’re under attack.’

However, Maker currently had Glitch on his side.

-Sending fake signals. Unless they confront me directly, they won’t be able to tell they’re fake.

“Well done.”

Glitch.
By leveraging the ability of this future S-rank villain, such tasks were child’s play.

Her power allowed her to perfectly control and mimic any digital communication, network, or radio signal.

“How many hours until the auction?”

-Hmm, about an hour according to the schedule.

‘Maybe I should incapacitate a few more.’

It would be best to eliminate any potential variables while I could.

As he walked down the corridor, suddenly:

Thud!

“Kyaah!”

He collided with a woman.

“Oh, are you alri…”

“Owww…”

Upon colliding with Maker, the woman collapsed limply to the floor.
Seeing her, Maker momentarily froze.

‘What, she’s here too?’

The fluttering green frilly dress and butterfly mask.
The woman’s identity was none other than the hero Phantom Luna.

“My apologies, I should have been watching where I was going.”

Maker extended his hand toward her without betraying any reaction.
Taking his offered hand, Phantom Luna rose to her feet.

“No, no, it’s fine! I’m totally fine! Tough as nails!”

She flashed him a vibrant smile as she regarded him.

“You must be a guest? What brings you to such a secluded area?”

“Ah, I got lost after visiting the restroom, haha…”

Maker let out an awkward chuckle.
In response, Phantom Luna puffed out her chest and struck a confident pose.

“If that’s the case, just leave it to me, the B+ rank hero Phantom Luna! I’ll guide you back.”

“That’s quite a relief, then.”

‘Just like when we first met, getting lost and crying.’

While not particularly reassuring, Maker silently followed as she led the way.

“This way, this way!”

Taking the lead, Phantom Luna seemed to find the silence boring as she began conversing with him.

‘So, what should I do…’

While politely responding to her chatter, Maker was deep in contemplation.

‘Should I put her to sleep? Or paralyze her? Or knock her out?’

With her high rank, Phantom Luna would only prove a nuisance in this operation.
Moreover, Maker’s sole objective here was to obtain the ingredients for the Elixir.

It would be easier to simply restrain any obstructive heroes.

‘Rendering her immobile would be best, then.’

Maker slowly approached Phantom Luna, step by step.
Activating his ability, he created a potent tranquilizer dart.

‘A sedative dart set to dissipate in 10 minutes.’

There was no one else around.
And even if there were CCTV cameras, they were already under Glitch’s control.

Not to mention the dart itself would vanish completely in 10 minutes, leaving no evidence.

Just as the prepared Maker was about to strike Phantom Luna with the dart, she suddenly turned around.

“…Come to think of it, have we met before somewhere?”

“…Pardon?”

Facing Maker, Phantom Luna tilted her head inquisitively.
Instinctively, Maker let the dart slip back into his sleeve.

“You seem kind of familiar, you see.”

‘Fortunately, the dart didn’t hit her.’

While that was a relief, her question itself posed a problem.

‘Is she just making casual conversation? Or did she actually sense something?’

The similarity in their attire could be the reason.
While their masks and suits differed, masked suits were indeed Maker’s signature look.

So how should he handle this?

‘I can’t show any flustered or suspicious behavior here.’

This wasn’t one of those stories where the villain needlessly panics and arouses suspicion, leading to their unmasking.

In this situation, he needed to project confidence instead.

“Oh, is this flirting?”

As if nothing was amiss, Maker chuckled and playfully teased her.

“Huh? What do you…”

“Isn’t that sort of line people often use when flirting? Trying to find an excuse to talk to someone they’re interested in.”

“I, I really wasn’t…?!”

“You really weren’t.”

As he spoke, Phantom Luna’s face gradually flushed crimson.
Flustered, she hurriedly tried to explain herself.

“Ah…ahh…t,that’s not flirting! I just felt like we’d met before, that’s all…”

“I’m just joking. A hero wouldn’t flirt with someone like me, of course.”

Observing her reaction, Maker let out another laugh and patted her shoulder.

‘Got it. I’ve shifted her focus elsewhere.’

Phantom Luna could only bow her head with reddened cheeks, no matter what Maker said.
He quickly surveyed their surroundings.

‘No one else around.’

While they had ventured rather close to the central hall, it still seemed worth a try.

‘My apologies, this might sting a bit. Have a nice rest?’

He would just have to make it up to her later, maybe by enhancing her powers like Ice Queen’s!

With his preparations complete, Maker retrieved the dart from his sleeve.

And without the slightest hesitation, he moved to strike her when:

-Alright, we’ll now begin the auction!!!

The booming announcement over the speakers, coupled with Phantom Luna’s reactive startle, caused his plan to fall apart.

“…Eek! The auction’s starting already?! Don’t you need to head over??”

“…I do need to attend, but…”

“Then hurry up and go! Come on, come on!”

“……”

Tugging insistently on his arm, Phantom Luna left Maker struggling to suppress an exasperated sigh.

‘What’s going on here, Narin…’

Didn’t you say the auction was supposed to be in an hour…?

With no choice, he discarded the dart and allowed Phantom Luna to lead him away.