I’m Not That Villain

48 – Artificial Superpower Factor (2)

Change.

That was the first thing I felt.

“Scarlett.”

“Yes.”

She, who was in the orb instead of the cat’s prosthetic body, floated beside me.

“Shall I check if there’s anything wrong with your body?”

“Yes. Monitor my body in real-time and keep an eye on my condition. If there are any abnormal signals, let me know immediately.”

“Yes, Master.”

To prepare for any potential danger, I came out to the yard with Lily.

First, I lightly loosened up my body. By exercising consistently without skipping a day, my body had become more solid…

Now, I am very accustomed to using my body. That’s right.

My main job is weapon manufacturing. But that doesn’t mean I neglected other things.

Moving my body was more fun than I thought, and now it was like my hobby.

But now, the story has changed a bit. I felt a presence flowing through my body like blood.

A slight sense of alienation.

A strange feeling as if medicine was spreading throughout my body.

After catching my breath, I raised my hand. After hearing the sound of the wind brushing by, I opened my eyes slightly.

Tap.

I lightly grasped.

The air.

Bang!!

There was a sound of wind. It felt like the air was bursting out of my tightly clenched hand.

Lily opened her eyes wide.

“Just now…?”

“The ability factor basically strengthens the body, right? It’s a similar chain reaction.”

“…Really…the ability factor is activated?”

“If the target value is 100, it’s about 10 now? It’s not that strong.”

I picked up a stone from the ground.

I clenched it in my hand, turning it into powder.

Crackle.

The increase in strength is certain. Now, let’s see.

How about durability?

I caught my breath. I lifted the kitchen knife I had prepared in advance.

Don’t ability holders often say this?

Depending on the perceived danger level, the body reacts on its own. Normally, it’s soft, but in dangerous moments, the body strengthens itself, and the skin becomes as hard as steel.

Then what about artificial ability holders?

Kaaang!!

Hah.

Just as expected.

The blade I struck down was instead split in half and bounced back. I casually raised my hand to check my intact hand.

Durability and strength.

The agility that follows the light steps.

All calculated exactly. The body itself is light. Ridiculously so.

“How is this… even possible…?”

The main stage hasn’t even started yet, and you’re already making a fuss.

It’s called an artificial ability factor. After all, it’s called an ability factor because it can use abilities.

Then, in my case, which side is it?

I confirmed the possibility I had myself.

And Lily, who saw it…

“…What is this?”

She had a question mark on her face.

“What do you mean, what is it? It’s my ability.”

“…….?”

. . .

A stable job.

Guaranteed success.

Both flew away at once.

“…Damn it…”

No matter how much of an ability holder you are, it’s the same starting from the bottom in any group.

It’s something you can easily understand if you think about it simply. If you join a group full of ability holders, of course, you have to start as the youngest.

Rank is money and honor.

The higher you go, the more you can get.

It was certainly the case at the previous security company. He had steadily risen through the ranks and had even made quite a name for himself.

The guaranteed salary had steadily piled up, and at the security company, he had been entrusted with an important position, which made it easy to charm the women around him…

So what the hell is this?

Because of some damn b*stard, his life got all messed up.

Seo Ji-Soo’s former bodyguard, ‘Lee Min-Ho,’ bit down on the end of his cigarette in frustration.

After meeting that suspicious b*stard, what happened?

An abrupt contract termination. He was kicked out of the company, and as a result, his job opportunities had shrunk.

This was the fate of someone who couldn’t secure a proper job as an ability user. It was mostly split into two types.

Either you worked part-time to earn whatever little income you could, or you joined an illegal organization, using your abilities to enjoy wealth and power.

He himself had tried to choose the latter. But even in that case, being the youngest wasn’t something you could avoid.

Ability users were rare. Rare, but…

Not in Seoul. There were countless guys eager to take on all sorts of illegal work, and, of course, ability-wielding criminals who had been kicked out of foreign countries or all over the nation were gathering here.

And that meant one thing. No matter where you went, you’d have to endure that damn ‘youngest’ treatment once again.

Unable to bear it, Lee Min-Ho had eventually made a choice. An overpriced foreign car. A building with rent that didn’t suit his status, and gifts for a woman he was seeing, all to make ends meet…

Even if it meant giving up his reputation, he needed quick cash.

And the result of that decision was this.

Becoming a hitman.

“…….”

He raised his head and looked at the people gathered before him.

Altogether, they were there for just one target. The number of them, including him, was eight.

Eight hitmen.

Who the hell was this ‘Heuk-Gyeong’ guy to gather so many people?

“Hyung, can I borrow a light?”

“Fuck off.”

He ignored the person speaking to him. After finishing the cigarette, he stepped away.

Talking to these punks only gave him a headache.

Seo Ji-Soo, the woman he couldn’t have, kept circling around in his mind. That b*tch. He should have sent her to heaven once and for all.

But now he couldn’t even do that. Damn b*tch. Acting all high and mighty.

But still…

Once this job is done, let’s make a new plan.

A picky woman needs to be crushed to be tasty. If we contact her again, we might get an estimate.

“Let’s get the tools ready!”

“It’s time!”

The start of the job itself was simple. One of the people here inquired about making special equipment from ‘Black Mirror’.

Black Mirror replied directly. He said he would decide the time and place.

But what can we do?

We’re already fully prepared.

The hitmen moved together in a black van. Of course, there was no conversation inside the car.

Everyone was a stranger. They were just people gathered for a simple job.

The black van finally arrived at the destination. The hitman who inquired about the equipment stood up.

“I’ll send a text when the situation is confirmed. You can come up then.”

It was a peaceful day. Lee Minho leaned against the window, fiddling with the special equipment on his waist.

Normally, this would be impossible. The large organization had a tight grip on security, so hitmen rarely operated during the day…

But Seoul’s Jung-gu is different. Because Hundred Eye hasn’t established a proper foothold yet, this kind of thing is possible. That’s why they tried to set the meeting place here.

Those guys are more obsessed with violence than management, and they haven’t established a proper management system yet.

A large organization, but with little actual control. Thanks to the holes everywhere, it’s possible to act like this, unlike other districts.

…Come to think of it, maybe I should save some money and make a connection there. You know, that Black Mamba.

She’s notoriously beautiful…

Crash!!

Suddenly, something fell onto the car. The hitmen cursed as the car shook with a dull sound.

“Damn it?!”

“What the hell!”

The men who rushed out grabbed their tools. Various special equipment.

What fell onto the car was none other than a person. Lee Minho confirmed that the face was that of the hitman who had just gone outside.

Something…

Something went wrong.

A foreboding feeling rising from deep within.

“I thought it was strange to set the meeting place in this neighborhood where you can act during the day… As expected.”

Amidst the screams and gasps of people, Lee Minho turned his head.

Thud.

Two footsteps descend the stairs.

The first man to catch the eye was tall. But his face was not clearly visible. He was dressed in a way that covered his face with a mask and a hat.

And that outfit…

It resembled a man from his memory.

“What are you going to do?”

“I was going to do it later, but now there’s no reason to hold back. In fact, I’m grateful you came just as I finished preparing.”

The moment he saw the child next to him, his suspicion turned into certainty.

A girl. Platinum blonde hair peeking out from under a hood. Small but definitely…

Her appearance was strikingly similar to the kid who had flicked his hand away.

“…Lee Seo-jun? Is that you, Lee Seo-jun?”

“Hmm?”

The masked man stopped.

“…Lee Min-ho? What are you doing here?”

“You, what are you… Could it be that you…?”

A sweeping glance. The man who had been quietly scrutinizing him soon chuckled.

“Judging by your appearance… You got kicked out of the company, didn’t you?”

“…You b*stard…!”

“And after getting fired, you became a hitman? You really haven’t changed. Why do you live like that?”

Lee Min-ho glared.

“You b*stard… Are you acting tough because of that kid?”

“Huh? I used to, but not anymore. You all gathered here because you wanted to end my life, right? I heard everything from the person who came down first. Even the mastermind behind it. So this is self-defense, right?”

The smile behind the mask disappeared.

“I’ve never killed anyone before. But today, I can’t help it. If you want to survive in Seoul, you have to take care of your own safety, don’t you think?”

“…What?”

“I can’t let someone else dirty their hands. I made a promise to myself when I came to Seoul.”

Crack.

Lee Seo-jun.

The man who had briefly worked at Seo Ji-soo’s workshop loosened his hands.

“One is to establish a workshop in my name. I’ll hang an amazing nameplate later. Once I have a foundation where I don’t have to be conscious of others’ eyes, I plan to work confidently.”

“…What kind of nonsense…?”

“The second thing is this. I always thought about getting back at those b*stards who harmed me whenever I had the chance. It’s the same on this side. If I had a foundation… that was the condition. Power is important, isn’t it? If you don’t have it, you can’t do anything in the end.”

A finger pointing up.

A cocky attitude.

The veins on Lee Minho’s forehead bulged.

“But now I can achieve both things at once. And the first stage is you guys.”

“…You ordinary b*stard…!”

“Ordinary my ass.”

He raised his middle finger.

“It’s Black Whale, you son of a b*tch. What are you doing? Come at me. I’ll stomp you to pieces.”