I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

Gwang Ik Gong threw a punch, and drained of magic power, Yumir boarded Taejo’s golden train.

“It’s incredible.”

Everything was golden.

Although camouflaged with iron on the outside, the interior cabins were all gold.

The chairs were gold, the windows were gold, even the hallways connected to the cabins were gold.

[It must not have been easy to forge all this.]

“This compartment is specially prepared for the two of you. The rest are just empty spaces; this is the only cabin.”

[…….]

Taejo made a separate cabin just for us.

Turning a lump of gold into a train and even coating it with iron to disguise it must have been headache-inducing, not to mention crafting an interior compartment.

[There was no need to go this far.]

“This seat is specially arranged for you to rest comfortably all the way to Gaeseong. It would be concerning to travel in the cargo train with others.”

That made sense.

The people up front would certainly be very attentive to our identities, and misunderstandings would make it anything but restful.

“They might mistake you for Gwang Ik Gong, brother.”

[It’s not unknown to them; they’re certain. They think the person brought by Taejo is not just endorsed by Gwang Ik Gong but is Gwang Ik Gong himself. Yumir is his aide.]

We pretended to be a couple and Taejo treated us with extreme honor. At the same time we also subdued Cheonma and Rasputin, who were at an S-level.

Although the members of Giparang and Ssangeogung might be confused by information only known to them, what’s important was the figure who had boldly appeared in this region called Sinuiju.

The underground fight with Hesed and Solar Platina?

Only those who were underground knew of it.

But the entity that showed overwhelming power against Cheonma on the surface was now known worldwide.

Thick golden streaks visible in satellite photos, as if someone had scribbled on Earth.

[The whole world has been turned upside down.]

-Gwang Ik Gong has appeared!

-Gwang Ik Gong is alive!

-Is Gwang Ik Gong a god? Stronger than before, with overwhelming power!

-All the conspiracy theorists who said Gwang Ik Gong was dead or too injured to appear outside should hang their heads!

It didn’t matter why he appeared in Sinuiju or against whom he used his abilities.

Just the fact that Gwang Ik Gong had shown himself meant world crime would decrease for about a month, and ability users wouldn’t dare turn into devils.

The fear that Goblin would appear and execute them if they became devils was less than the fear that Gwang Ik Gong would come and wield his golden wings.

A symbol of peace.

That’s the power of being Gwang Ik Gong.

Just appearing once sparked a glimmer of hope and bestowed despair upon villains and devils.

‘That’s why we must be more cautious.’

The moment it’s known that Gwang Ik Gong was dead.

Many would lose hope.

World stock markets would crash instantly, the Kospi will collapse, the Nakdong River’s water level would rise, and everyone would flaunt their power in disputes.

Villains and devils would run more rampant.

Therefore.

[Someone else stepping in for Gwang Ik Gong must never be disclosed to anyone.]

I threatened Taejo.

[Very few know this. Not to your family, not even to those you trust more than yourself. Not even to your other side, the armored Emperor.]

“…….”

[I don’t know about Cheonma, but I’ve placed a prohibition on him. The moment he tries to disclose it, the society will execute him. And the same goes for you.]

I casually placed the Goblin bat to the side.

[Even if it means the Goblin has to kill Taejo.]

“That’s fair. Protecting the secret about Gwang Ik Gong is more important than silencing Taejo.”

Even Taejo himself acknowledged how crucial Gwang Ik Gong was.

“Did you target this?”

Taejo fiddled with his hair.

“Knowing this makes it impossible for me to pass my consciousness to a madman.”

[I didn’t specifically target it, but if it makes you anxious, you naturally have to keep quiet.]

“Isn’t this a threat?”

[I am a villain.]

“Ha.”

Taejo chuckled emptily.

“How do you plan to swiftly resolve everything like this?”

[Handling multiple things in one go is my specialty.]

I threw a punch towards Taejo.

[Live. Cheonma is laundering herself to live again as a patriot, and you don’t need to bear the burden yourself. I can get the washing machine running for you too if you want.]

“What?”

[Isn’t this the perfect time? The reckless Armored Taejo suddenly comes to his senses one day. You have a just cause.]

I displayed a photo of someone on my Taeguk Watch.

[After being defeated by Firefox Yoon Iseon, the former madman Taejo will become a diligent one.]

“…….”

[Returning from being dyed blonde to natural black hair signifies the commitment of a wayward being to follow the correct path.]

Like a blonde gal suddenly washing out her dye and letting down her hair to appear like a pure black-haired girl, Taejo can certainly change too.

[The world is going to change, drastically and soon. And so will the political situation in Korea.]

“That is….”

[Korea’s S-rankers, too, will see a drastic change in their lineup.]

“……!”

Taejo’s expression hardened.

“Is that a hint…?”

[You can take it that way. Until now, there have been seven in the system. With Yoon Iseon added, it became eight. But how long will this eight-person system last?]

Gwang Ik Gong had already disappeared, leaving only his chair behind.

Snow White planned to retire due to pregnancy, and other S-rankers were also expected to change for various reasons.

…If things went as originally planned, at least one of them was certainly destined to die.

[Taejo. You are still young. You have limitless potential and talent.]

From the original context, from what I had observed, and even Goblin’s intuition clearly stated it.

[You’re not just another S-rank reader; you’re meant to be at the pinnacle of S-rank.]

“…….”

[As a man, shouldn’t you aim to be the strongest?]

No matter how much he decided to shoulder the burden, he wouldn’t want to live as a lifelong S-rank sensor labeled as naive.

[If you choose that path, I’ll help you. I may be too busy to assist actively, but at least when you’re stuck, I can offer a word of advice.]

“That one word, in terms of a game, would it be like a hint you check when you’re stuck?”

[That’s one way to think about it.]

“Alright.”

Taejo straightened his posture and bowed his head.

“After I return to Busan, I’ll think more deeply about it. And after making a decision, you’ll naturally learn what it is.”

That’s a relief.

After all, deciding one’s life course based on a few words here is too difficult a matter.

After returning to Busan, he would contemplate on his own, consult with his grandfather, and perhaps even discuss with his sister, pondering repeatedly until he reached a conclusion.

Whether the naive Taejo continued to live as he was now.

Or lived as his true self.

[If you, as a man, make a decision after careful consideration, I welcome whatever decision that may be.]

“Thank you for saying that. …Dawn is approaching.”

Outside the window.

Darkness was fading, and dawn was beginning to break.

“As soon as we arrive in Gaeseong, I’ll head straight to Busan with the idol team. There’s still some time until then, so you two can rest properly until….”

“We’ll rest somewhere else, not here.”

Yumir drew a circle in the air, and Taejo nodded understandingly.

“Understood. One last thing before we go.”

Taejo clenched his fist.

“Regardless of what decision I make, or what being I become, if it results in my disappearance from this world.”

Taejo looked at me and bowed his head solemnly once more.

“Please take good care of my sister.”

[Ah.]

I extended a fist towards Taejo.

[I promise.]

---

At that moment, in a pension on Ulleungdo.

“Is Gwang Ik Gong resurrecting?”

Soaking in an outdoor hot spring, Gunggi chuckled while checking the internet reactions on her tablet.

“Gwang Ik Gong here, Gwang Ik Gong there. It’s all about Gwang Ik Gong.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Next to Gunggi, Doul flicked water at her and grinned.

“Even you and I ultimately couldn’t defeat the strongest in the world who has now reappeared. Though, not in person.”

“Stronger than himself. …Serin.”

Gunggi locked eyes with Doul, her expression serious.

“Gwang Ik Gong has now become a being beyond our reach forever.”

“No, not really. There’s one way.”

Doul leaned close to Gunggi, whispering in her ear.

“How about it?”

“……Hmm. Indeed. That way exists. Ah, but I am….”

“What are you two whispering about?”

Flash.

Through a golden dimensional gate, two men and women appeared.

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Hello, sisters.”

The two executives, holding Yumir and the Goblin, smiled slyly.

“A way to defeat Gwang Ik Gong.”

“How are you planning to win?”

“We’ll win with a contest that every Korean acknowledges.”

The two women grabbed the Goblin’s ankle and pulled him into the water.

““A child’s victory.””