How to Survive as a Villain in a Novel

11 – Trade Secret

What’s the most essential part of becoming a top-tier villain?

Hmm. This is something of a trade secret.

But I’ll tell you anyway.

Direction.

Personally, I consider ‘direction’ to be the most important virtue of a top-tier villain.

Let’s think about this.

Most villainous acts have a very sleazy aspect.

– Threatening someone while holding a knife in one hand and licking it with your tongue

– Tying up a child haphazardly on top of a building and slowly cutting the rope

These acts of villainy, they are all the worst mistakes that only the third-rate villains commit.

Who enjoys such things these days?

They are simply there to set up the perfect timing for the heroes’ entrance.

Show up like a comet, cut down villains, and rescue victims — they only serve the heroes well.

If you keep doing this, you’ll lose all your fans, for real.

Therefore, the most important thing to pay attention to in becoming a top-tier villain, is precisely ‘direction’.

Somehow, through a dramatic setup, you must make the act of villainy look cool.

That can be considered the biggest dilemma for a top-tier villain.

* * *

“Ah…no, I didn’t do this on purpose…”

Professor Lee Man-Eok spouted an excuse from his mouth. But it wasn’t a calculated excuse. Just seeing Lee Han stuck at the wall, his lips moved reflexively.

– Whirr! Whirr!

– Click! Click!

Considering his original character, he should’ve been kicking out the journalists first and regaining control of the situation. But seeing Lee Han spewing out blood, he couldn’t make that decision. The shocking scenario caused his brain to freeze.

“Call for medical attention! First, we need to identify the injuries!”

As Professor Elphear, who had a lot of field experiences, took the lead to deal with Lee Han’s condition, Professor Lee Man-Eok walked towards Lee Han as if in a trance. There was no intention behind it, he just felt like he had to do something — a sort of self-protective compulsion.

“Don’t come closer!”

“No… I…”

Interrupted by Professor Elphear, Professor Lee Man-Eok froze. He began to understand his position. All of Professor Lee Man-Eok’s supporters gathered around him.

“What on earth are you doing, Professor Lee Man-Eok!”

“Punching a student out of nowhere… With magical power, at that! What do you intend to do, seriously!”

…Oh.

Professor Lee Man-Eok looked around with an unfocused gaze. Some were holding their breaths in, and others were shaking their heads.

His mind seemed completely lost.

The professors turned their eyes towards Lee Han.

Just then, Professor Elphear opened his mouth.

“First aid has been administered. The rest we’ll have to wait for emergency medical services.”

At least some positive news.

At the words of Professor Elphear, the professors exhaled deeply.

At least the student had managed not to get beaten to death in front of the Orbis Disciplinary Committee.

But let’s be real…

From “[Breaking News] First coverage. Student death mid-Orbis discipline. Perpetrator is a professor.”

To,

“[Exclusive] ‘I couldn’t stand it so I hit him.’ Prestigious ‘ㅇ’ Academy, the true nature of the responsible professor.”

It had descended to that level.

Suddenly, a professor raised a question. Where did the reporter who was taking pictures earlier go?

“Damn it!”

One professor kicked the committee door open hastily, as if chasing after the journalist.

Slam!

The door closed, leaving a short moment of silence.

Only the occasional growls of stomachs could be heard.

Someone broke the silence by muttering.

“What should we do now?”

Naturally, their gazes focused on Im Man-bok.

And then, Im Man-Bok gradually starts to regain consciousness.

Im Man-bok instinctively realized he was screwed.

Should he resign as the ‘responsible’ professor?

Or should he give up his professorship entirely?

Neither option was pleasant to him.

Im Man-bok’s mind starts to spin.

He pointed his finger straight at Lee Han.

“Th…that. It’s all an act.”

Any word that popped into his mind was useful. Then, it seemed plausible. That’s right. This is it. Oh, the Lee Han guy, I heard he was great in the field practice at Dalian, dodging every spell, wasn’t he? But he can’t dodge a simple punch imbued with some magic? Does that even make sense?

“El, Elphia professor. Let’s be objective… Are you saying that he wouldn’t be able to dodge a single punch I threw? What about that training day at Dalian? Wasn’t he great there? This! Look! This is clearly him staging!”

Suddenly picked out, Professor Elphia had a confused expression for a moment, but soon furrowed her eyebrows.

“It was you, Professor Im Man-bok, who insisted that we should take everything at face value during this disciplinary committee.”

“Wh…when did I say that!”

“Lee Han was holding a camera, standing in the bathroom. We have to interpret what we actually see. Didn’t you say that during our preliminary review? We should judge based on what is seen. Expulsion is appropriate.”

“What…what does that have to do with this? Everyone can see that the boy did it…!”

At his words, a sneer slipped from Professor Elphia without her realizing.

“Pfft.”

“La…laughing?”

“Yes. Look at your present state, Professor Im Man-bok. Your fist dripping with blood, the student you hit spilling blood while pinned to the wall.”

“….!”

“To anyone looking, you are the perpetrator.”

“No…this…”

“I hope you, as a responsible professor, are not going to contradict the reasoning you put forth?”

“……”

The color drained from Im Man-bok’s face.

There seemed to be no possible way out of this.

His face hardened.

This can’t be.

He can’t crumble like this.

He had worked so hard to become a full professor at Orvis.

He had never refused even the most dreadful tasks and researches assigned to him.

He was just one step away from becoming a head professor; hailed as a ‘star’ of the academy, receiving treatment equivalent to a congressman.

No. No. No. No.

“Ah… No! This is a farce! That bastard is acting! E Han! Hey, you bastard! aaa!”

E Man Eok, who was screaming out loud, no longer had the authority of a full professor.

He was always overbearing, relying on his own background. Some sighed at his endlessly ugly state, while others sneered.

* * *

“Bururu.”

Beyond the blanket that Professor Elpia covered for me, I was occasionally spitting up blood clots.

Every time this happened, I could hear the sound of Professor E Man Eok running around.

【 You have collected ‘Hostile’ Malice. 】

Hmm. This is too good.

This is the aesthetic of stage management.

Director, A-list villain.

Producer, A-list villain.

Sponsors by Han Chae Yun and Heuk Myo Dan.

‘hehehehe.’

Well then, with this situation, shall we sneakily get through this disciplinary committee? Even if I can’t cover up the crime they are accusing me of, I can prevent dropout with this much going on. That means I can avoid the Academy Scenario Penalty.

While I was thinking about this…

.

.

[E Han Student.]

.

.

‘…!’

A sudden voice buries into my head.

What is this?

Could it…

‘… Telepathy?’

No. Wouldn’t auditory hallucination be more realistic?

.

.

[I know you’re acting.]

.

.

Goosebumps surfaced all over my body at the sound of the voice echoing once again.

“Kkureuk!”

I swallowed the blood that I didn’t realize I had been spewing out.

I had to hold it in to prevent myself from throwing up bile.

It’s an ability known as telepathy or link, which involves directly inserting a voice into the opponent’s head.

It’s a skill that can only be used by at least rank one mages or those with equivalent abilities.

Who the hell is it?

Cold sweat streamed down my back.

But the opponent’s voice was eerily calm.

[If you have anything to say to me, think about it with the intent to convey it. Then, your intent will be conveyed.]

‘What is your business with me?’

[What business? It’s about your loose handling of the Disciplinary Committee.]

‘The Disciplinary Committee?’

I felt a sense of incongruity.

But, as if refusing to give me time to think, the voice poured directly into my head.

[Even if you admit your faults, it doesn’t mean your sins are cleared. No matter how you look at it, the situation was your fault.]

[No one can even prove that you were brainwashed. There were even no witnesses.]

I figured out the cause of my discomfort.

If they were going to corner me like this now, there was no need to secretly link. They could just speak openly.

Therefore, this must be a test for something.

What is this person’s purpose?

Why are they hiding and talking?

Taking a moment to think, I responded.

‘You wouldn’t go as far as linking to make generalizations, right? If someone isn’t supposed to hear our conversation… You must want to make a deal?’

There was a brief silence.

A slight surprise was evident in the opponent’s voice.

[…Smarter than I thought.]

‘I admit it.’

[…Not very modest. Alright, what’s your trump card?]

My trump card to effectively counter this person.

Remembering our conversation, I found a suitable card.

‘I didn’t call the reporter for no reason.’

[Reporter? Could you be the one who called that reporter, Director Seo Yukyeong?]

‘Yes.’

Technically, it was part of my contract with Han Chaeyoon, but there was no need to mention that.

[Huh!]

The interrogative voice uttered an exclamation as if surprised.

Followed by a moment of silence.

Seems like I made a pretty good move in this negotiation.

Could it be because we’re linked?

It’s as if I can hear the sound of the other person’s head rolling around. Soon after, a more cautious voice fills my ears.

[Once the committee convenes, punishment is inevitable.]

‘I am aware.’

[Even if it’s unreasonable. Can you understand that this path is for the betterment of the organization?]

‘If it’s within a reasonable extent?’

To be precise, I must be able to gain something out of this deal.

[Suspension for 12 months.]

That’s too long.

Being away from the academy for a year can drastically change the course of events.

After a moment of thought, I put forward my original proposal.

‘Please consider re-admission.’

Maintaining my student status is easier.

Additionally, I need to see the freshmen who will soon be enrolled.

The other party seems to contemplate for a moment, then gives me a straight answer.

[… You must have an idea, good. Now, it’s your turn. Tell me what you want.]

From the start of this, I had already decided what to ask for.

Information about this person’s identity.

At the same time, a reward that can benefit me.

I answered promptly.

‘I want to be exempted from the Disciplinary Committee.’

[… I can guarantee up to three cases.]

‘That’d be fine.’

If I step down this time, I will be exempt from three disciplinary committees in the future. Quite a gain considering my controversial position. Besides, technically, I am not stepping down.

The mysterious voice also finished speaking in a satisfied tone.

[Anyway, what’s your plan for all this mess now?]

‘What do you mean?’

[A medical team will be arriving soon.]

‘……’

Hmm. This is a problem. It’s a secret project.

[… Surely you didn’t bribe the medical team?]

Quite a sharp one.

‘Let’s label it as casting.’

[Ha! Interesting! Absolutely entertaining! Well, it’s time. I can hear the sound of the medical team coming.]

‘Our deal…’

[I’ll make sure to keep it.]

With that, my mind became eerily silent as though the conversation had been a lie.

Immediately after, the medical team arrives, causing an uproar.

I closed my eyes comfortably.