I’m Not That Villain

1 – Moving (1)

First, I cleanly withdrew from the site. I regretted the accumulated points, but there was no choice.

Phew. Still, isn’t it fortunate that it’s a site where identity verification isn’t possible, ‘Black Market’? If it were a traceable place, I would have been caught long ago.

Anyway, I decided to wipe my mouth clean. Yeah. Now I can live a bit poorly.

From now on, I’ll live sincerely and work as a true craftsman…!

“Mr. Lee Seo-jun.”

“Eek!”

“…Why are you screaming like a girl?”

An industry senior looked at me with disdain.

“Don’t think about other things during work and do your job properly. Got it?”

“Yes! Senior! Of course!”

“…You seem oddly motivated. What’s going on…?”

Kang Tae-jin handed over today’s to-do list.

The tasks were the same as usual. Processing materials to make it easier for the seniors who arrived before me to use.

Normally, it would have been a somewhat boring task that I would have complained about. But not now.

I was more motivated to work than ever. That way, the anxiety in my heart would go away.

Alright. Let’s work. Let’s work so that no idle thoughts come to mind.

Today, too, diligently! As a law-abiding citizen…!

“Did you hear the news?”

“What news?”

“The one who got caught this time.”

“Who…oh. ‘Bad Sector’?”

“She even made a public confession broadcast to the reporters, can you believe it…did you see it?”

“It was trending number one. They say some crazy person made the weapon she used?”

“Usually, they throw away weapons after using them once, right? Because they handle things roughly. But it seems she used it for a really long time. She must have cherished it quite a bit.”

“I don’t know about anything else, but I heard the enforcement agency is determined this time. You know, right? All workshop weapons must be certified by the enforcement agency. But in reality, illegal weapons are rampant…they say they’re going to use this incident as an opportunity to weed them out all at once.”

“Come on. That’s just talk. How are they going to catch all those people?”

“They say they’re going to start with the black market? There’s even a rumor that they sent an official document…”

Wait a minute.

Why are they targeting that site?

I trembled. No. It can’t be. Absolutely not.

I quit. Since I quit, there shouldn’t be any records left. Right? Besides, isn’t it the top domestic company boasting ironclad security, the black market?

If they handed over customer information to the enforcement agency, there would be a huge backlash. They might have to shut down.

“…Mr. Lee Seo-jun? Why are you trembling like that?”

“I sweat a lot. I’m going out for a smoke.”

“You don’t smoke.”

“I started yesterday.”

I immediately went outside. I took out my phone to check once more.

Black market customer agreement. Yes. That’s it. All personal information is erased upon withdrawal…this clause.

…But. The fact that it’s within 7 days bothers me.

Damn it. This can’t be. Don’t do this. Please. 7 days is too short.

No, no. The enforcement agency wouldn’t start investigating right away. Let’s believe that. Yes. And besides, it’s not that big of a crime, right?

I just made and sold one weapon without a certification mark. And that too, for almost nothing! The money I earned from that side job is barely over 500!

So…right? It should be fine even if I get caught, right?

“Have you ever made illegal weapons?”

“Am I crazy?”

Conversations leaked out from the smoking room.

I found myself listening in without realizing it.

“There’s nothing, right? If there is, we’re screwed. If you even think about making some money, you’re dead.”

“But… honestly, we won’t get caught, right? It’s not like it’s just one or two cases.”

“They say the enforcement agency is sharpening their knives this time. You know, the public confession.”

“The one that was on the news yesterday?”

“Yeah, that one. A villain worth billions openly pointed out the equipment manufacturer. I heard from someone I know in the enforcement agency… Honestly, they said the weapon was more dangerous than they thought. They said there were massive casualties trying to catch them.”

“…Did you hear who made it?”

“No, I didn’t. If they knew, they would have caught them already. Anyway, imagine dangerous equipment like that flooding the underworld. Even if they’re not as crazy as that woman, dangerous people could emerge, right?”

“That’s… true, but… in the end, isn’t the equipment only as good as the user’s skill?”

“I heard it’s quite versatile… Well, the details are known to them. Anyway, it’s certain that the enforcement agency is determined this time. Don’t get involved in that scene and just stay out of it. Trying to make a few bucks could get your head chopped off.”

“Illegal weapon manufacturers only get a year in prison at most, right?”

“This is top-secret information…”

The man lowered his voice.

“With the number of villains increasing, public safety is at an all-time low, right? So, the enforcement agency seems to be using this as an example. Illegal weapon manufacturers won’t be an exception. They say those caught will get at least 10 years in prison.”

What the hell.

What kind of nonsense is that?

10 years?! Is 10 years the name of the neighbor’s dog or something?!

I have to rot for 10 years for making just 5 million won?!

What crime did the person who made the equipment commit?!

The problem is with the person who used it in a weird way!

I made eye contact with the people coming out of the smoking room. I awkwardly nodded in greeting.

But even as I greeted them, my mind was elsewhere. I returned to my seat, but I couldn’t focus on work.

A senior colleague asked quietly.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“…A, a little…?”

“Why don’t you go home early today? Don’t push yourself.”

“Thank you…!”

I immediately packed my things and left the workshop. I ran home in a hurry.

What the hell. What the hell.

Cursing, I entered the small room. I accessed the black market site once more.

I searched the notices for any possible information. Unlike before, the situation on the site remained unchanged.

But then, an email arrived in my inbox.

[Dear Customer.]

The content, starting with a formal address, was horrifying.

[The black market always prioritizes the security of our customers, but today we have detected several security breach attempts.]

“……”

With trembling hands, I scrolled down.

After the horrifying story, an even more horrifying story was written.

[It has been confirmed that your information prior to withdrawal has been exposed, and an employee dispatched by the black market is on their way to your current address for your safety. We apologize once again for the great inconvenience and urge you not to leave your current address.]

An employee?

An employee from the black market is on their way here?

No. That’s not the urgent issue, you b*stards! What good is sending an employee after being hacked?!

You’re saying my identity information has been completely exposed to the enforcement agency?! If they mark me…

Where is a safe place in this country?!

Knock, knock.

I heard a knock. I unconsciously held my breath.

Who is the person outside? Is it someone from the enforcement agency, or an employee from the black market?

Unable to make a decision, I remained still.

Someone knocked on the door again.

“Is Mr. Lee Seo-jun here? We are from the enforcement agency. Please open the door.”

Life.

Damn it, I’m screwed.

The official group of superhumans responsible for maintaining public order by capturing villains.

How can an ordinary civilian like me win against someone from the enforcement agency?!

I took a step back. The door started to rattle.

“Mr. Lee Seo-jun. We know you’re inside. If you do not open the door, we will enforce entry.”

“……”

“A warrant for your arrest related to illegal weapon manufacturing has been issued. Please open the door.”

No way.

If I get caught, I’m totally screwed. There’s no way out, I’ll be completely ruined!

I immediately looked back. What floor is this? 5th floor. Yeah, 5th floor.

What happens if I fall?

…Of course, I’ll die! Damn it!

“Mr. Lee Seo-jun. If you do not open by the count of three, we will proceed with forced execution.”

First, I grab my wallet. I place one foot on the railing.

I look at the balcony next door. Ah. No, it’s too far. It’s ridiculously far, I can’t jump that distance.

“Three.”

How about climbing down?

…No, damn it. Why did they build the building so narrow, why is the gap between floors so huge?!

“Two.”

If they came from the enforcement agency, they must be enforcers.

Even without an arrest warrant, they have the right to immediate execution. With the current state of law enforcement, they are essentially a bunch of thugs…

The chances of a civilian winning are close to zero. How can I beat these bio-weapons trained to capture people!

“One.”

Still, I grab a tool.

You know what happens if you get caught by the enforcement agency.

My ten years.

I can’t spend my ten years in that kind of prison.

“We will proceed with forced execution.”

Crack.

The doorknob is ripped off. Not just that, the entire iron door is forcibly torn from the wall.

What kind of monstrous strength is that?

My will to fight is instantly crushed. Two uniformed men enter the house.

They are unarmed, but even that seems enough as they coldly mutter while looking at me.

“Please put down the weapon you are holding. If you wish to accompany us in one piece…”

Crack!

Suddenly, the enforcer’s neck is snapped. The woman standing next to him reacts immediately, but her head is slammed into the wall.

Bang!

The impact is so strong, it seems like her head might be crushed. Debris falls from the cracked wall. The assailant, who executed the series of movements as smoothly as flowing water, lightly dusts off his hands.

The long black hair swayed slightly. The figure walking briskly was very tall. A slender, tall figure. The trained body was visible through the clothes.

It was a feeling of coolness, far from cuteness. Although the face was hidden by a mask, you could tell just by looking at the visible eyes.

A woman born naturally beautiful. But her somewhat hardened gaze was stiff, as if drawing a line before speaking.

“Mr. Lee Seo-jun.”

“…Yes?”

“I’m from the Black Market.”

The woman, who had effortlessly taken down two enforcers, nodded her head.

“I’ll give you 10 minutes. Gather what you need. Your current location has been compromised, so I’ll take you to a safe place.”

“…Where is this safe place?”

“A place beyond the reach of the enforcement agency.”

The woman leaned against the wall.

“I plan to move to the old capital, Seoul.”

…Seoul?

No way.

After the ‘Night of Seoul’ incident, it became an anarchic zone, the city with the lowest security rate. Are you saying we have to go there?!

This is just…

Escaping one tiger’s jaws only to enter another’s…?!