BJ Villainess

Ozworld returned to the Pantheon after a long time. Once he left <God’s Play>, he transformed into his well-known appearance, donning a bright red suit adorned with flashy silver accessories.

The disciplinary committee room was already filled with seven channel management chairmen and managers involved in the case. As Ozworld took his seat at the conference table, Chairman Epsilon began to speak.

“Have you heard about the discovery of Channel Manager Chehope’s body?”

“I haven’t been following the news from the Pantheon due to recent content development.”

“Then, you must have just found out that your secretary, David, has disappeared.”

“That’s correct.”

Epsilon displayed a screen. “This is the entry record for the top floor of the Channel Management Bureau. Do you see how the entry times of David and Chehope are almost identical?”

Ozworld looked at the screen intently. David must have gone to see Alpha. Their entry times might have coincidentally overlapped.

“This alone cannot prove David is the suspect in Chehope’s murder.”

As Ozworld finished speaking, Chairman Beta, who had been silent, stepped forward. “Chehope is not the only channel manager who was murdered.”

Ozworld raised an eyebrow, surprised by the statement. He had thought Chehope, having earned enmity from many, could be murdered at any time. But now, it seemed there was a series of channel manager murders.

A channel manager allied with Chehope sneered, suggesting the murders were obvious. “The murdered channel managers were all owners of channels ranked from first to fifth in the current broadcasting rankings. I own the sixth-ranked channel.”

The sixth-ranked channel manager glared at Ozworld. “If I die, the [BJ Villainess] channel will smoothly rise to first place. It’s currently ranked seventh!”

Chairman Gamma, known for his gentle disposition, calmed the heated atmosphere. Yet, the sixth-ranked channel manager, convinced he was the next target, couldn’t stay calm.

“We must take Channel Manager Ozworld to the confession room immediately.”

The confession room was a place where even the most powerful could not help but confess everything. Such measures were not taken lightly and were reserved only for those who committed serious crimes. This seemed excessive for Ozworld, given the circumstantial evidence. The proposal should have been dismissed as nonsense, but the chairmen’s reactions were unusual.

“In an emergency, with the chairmen’s consent, a suspect can be sent directly to the confession room,” Epsilon explained, causing Ozworld to smirk.

“Even in such cases, the consent of all chairmen is required.”

“Of course, we will seek approval from everyone before proceeding,” said Chairman Beta, looking at Alpha.

“Do you agree?”

Ozworld realized the discussion about the confession room wasn’t really about wanting his confession. They were trying to expose a secret cooperation between him and Alpha through drastic measures.

As expected, Beta pressed Alpha. “If you do not agree, we will assume there has been an improper collusion between Chairman Alpha and Channel Manager Ozworld.”

Alpha looked at Ozworld calmly. “What shall we do?”

Ozworld stood up, attracting everyone’s attention. He approached Alpha, thanking him for his efforts. Alpha stood, bowing politely as Ozworld extended his hand, a gesture of great honor. Then, they switched places. Everyone gasped in shock as Ozworld took Alpha’s seat.

“It’s my first time I greet you directly without a representative.”

“What do you mean…”

Ozworld spoke with a face devoid of smiles. “I am Channel Chairman Alpha.”

Perfect silence fell.

* * *

Chairman Alpha was always shrouded in mystery, often represented by a delegate. The sudden revelation prompted a break for everyone to process the situation. The remaining six chairmen moved to a side room, their faces grave.

“What does everyone think about this?”

Epsilon answered Beta’s question, “Using a delegate to hide his identity is morally questionable but legally difficult to punish.”

Sighs of frustration filled the room.

Epsilon continued, “Reviewing the actions of Chairman Alpha, or rather, the representative, there’s been no evidence of favoritism towards Ozworld. Even if there’s one, the fine will cover it up.”

They suspected Ozworld of committing countless undetectable illegal actions not unique to him alone.

“Is the death of Chehope really unrelated to Ozworld?”

“The other side claims David was kidnapped by the same perpetrator. It’s a plausible argument.”

The chairmen suddenly checked the broadcasting rankings on a giant screen outside.

[BJ Villainess 6th

▲

]

“It’s risen again.”

No one bothered to mention it was breaking records.

The death of Chehope and the other top-ranked channel managers didn’t necessarily mean a fall in their channels’ rankings. New managers could simply take over. That’s why the rapid rise of [BJ Villainess] was remarkable.

“Since when did he become Alpha?”

Chairmen are replaced over unimaginably long periods, with Alpha being the oldest.

It was when they grappled with the situation:

A secretary announced, “Chairman… Alpha is here.”

The chairmen looked at each other, unprepared for how to handle the situation. They couldn’t refuse Alpha, especially after his identity had been verified through the system.

Beta instructed the secretary to let him in. As Ozworld entered, the chairmen watched him warily. Despite their gaze, he was not intimidated, instead exuding an air that made them feel pressured. Without seeking permission, Ozworld found an empty seat and sat down smoothly.

“Shall we have an honest conversation now?”

Caught off guard by his every move, the chairmen shifted their attention, puzzled by his suggestion.

“…An honest conversation, what do you mean?”

“Let’s just talk without beating around the bush. I’m not in the best mood right now.”

His arrogance and rudeness were evident, but the chairmen couldn’t confront him. The mere fact of his displeasure was threatening.

As the atmosphere tensed, Beta spoke up directly. “Alright, let’s get straight to the point. Ozworld, what are you planning to do?”

“Chairman Beta?”

“Are you inciting discord within the Pantheon, aiming for the top spot with your broadcast, or just enjoying destroying BJs for fun? What’s the reason behind you being both a channel manager and a chairman?”

The chairmen were startled by Beta’s blunt questioning, typically expected to demand evidence of innocence or inquire about David’s whereabouts. But Beta’s question hit the core, raising doubts about whether Ozworld would even answer.

In a tense silence, Ozworld responded. “Yes, I am instigating discord within the Pantheon.”

“!”

“I aim to make my broadcast number one and enjoy playing with BJs.”

“Do you realize what you’re saying, Ozworld?”

Ozworld shrugged, seemingly unaware of their discomfort. “This is what this place is about, isn’t it?”

The chairmen were enraged, feeling their domain was being belittled. Before their anger could ignite, Beta calmly reminded everyone of the Pantheon’s true nature.

“Yes, the Pantheon was created with that purpose in mind.”

No matter the justification, the fundamental reason for its existence was indelibly vulgar.  With Beta’s straightforward acknowledgment, the other chairmen reluctantly remained silent.

Beta, wielding significant power as one of the longest-serving chairmen next to Alpha, pressed Ozworld further. “Are you still operating [BJ Villainess] with that objective?”

It was when Ozworld was about to answer.

“Chairmen! Channel Manager Oscar has been murdered!”

The news of the death of the sixth-ranked channel manager was delivered.