Being a Villain is My True Calling

The following day.
I gathered Alpha, Narin, Black Wood, and the secretary to outline our forthcoming plans.

“First, Alpha’s role will be drawing attention.”

To ensure the Association maintains keen interest, even heightening their sense of urgency, Alpha would divert their focus his way.
For a month, Alpha intended to garner attention without being overtly recognized by the public as Alpha himself.

“But how exactly do you plan to attract that attention?”

“Merely making appearances without any incidents would severely undermine the tension, would it not?”

“So it would be better to orchestrate some accidents.”

“Did you have something specific in mind, big bro?”

Of course.
Unlike my brazenly terroristic approach, he couldn’t conduct outright acts of terror, so I had devised something on a more modest scale.

Deliberately stalling, I lowered my mask to take a sip of my mixed coffee before speaking.

“The Vigilantes excel at a particular task, don’t they?”

“Something we’re good at?”

It was the very purpose for the Vigilantes’ founding and their foremost area of expertise.
Hunting.

“We’ll be hunting evildoers.”

Not merely villains by definition, but dealing with purely ‘evil’ individuals, regardless of their affiliations.

“Whether heroes, villains, ability users or non-powered – anyone classified as an ‘evildoer’ will be hunted indiscriminately.”

“But how will you indicate it was old man Alpha’s doing, big bro?”

“While they may be evildoers, leaving consistent traces linking the incidents to a single perpetrator would be advisable.”

Narin and the secretary raised their hands inquisitively in response to my statement.
Regarding them, I provided a thorough explanation.

“Signifying Alpha as the culprit isn’t particularly challenging. Merely appearing on CCTV footage should suffice.”

Since he wouldn’t be operating exclusively from obscured corners, if this plan proceeded, Alpha would inevitably be captured on surveillance cameras.
Ultimately, whether directly or indirectly, his involvement in those incidents would be deduced.

“And to signify the same individual committed these crimes, I’ll leave this at the scenes.”

From my jumper’s inner pocket, I retrieved a sheet of paper and placed it on the table.
A bold, ornate character ‘α’ printed prominently on rigid, high-quality paper.

“By leaving these as traces at the sites where we’ve dispatched evildoers, it will naturally signal the perpetrator’s consistent identity.”

The elaborate, distinctive printing would hinder others from easily impersonating us.

“If anyone attempts to frame others by utilizing these papers, we’ll simply administer some discipline accordingly.”

Nevertheless, precautions were necessary in case of such contingencies.
Our intent was to announce our presence, not falsely implicate innocents.

And exclusively targeting evildoers served as a justifying principle.

A form of moral high ground and safety net should circumstances require it. Maintaining this premise would prove advantageous in multiple respects, if possible.

“No need to worry about that! If any ingrates try such tricks, I’ll personally crush their skulls!”

With such fervent determination, we should be covered on that front.

“Surely you don’t expect to be apprehended by mere heroes or the police, do you?”

I playfully addressed Alpha.

“Do you truly envision me allowing such an eventuality?”

In response, Alpha exuded unwavering confidence, his previously impassive demeanor now notably more expressive.
Perhaps his tearful embrace with Black Wood that dawn had facilitated a greater emotional range.

“It’s reassuring to see everyone’s enthusiasm.”

I slowly shifted my gaze, meeting each of their eyes individually.

‘This presents an opportune window to eliminate those I couldn’t handle alone.’

While conducting some long-overdue cleaning, why not simultaneously advance other pending objectives? Achieving multiple goals concurrently would be efficient.

“And regarding the specific plan details…”

With a subtle smile, I proceeded to outline the plan collaboratively with them.

A short while later.
Having completed the departure preparations, I spent some time conversing with Narin.

“Did you successfully return the helicopter to Eclipse?”

“Of course! I remotely piloted it back flawlessly and eliminated all evidence, so no need for concern!”

Narin confidently flashed me a ‘V’ gesture.

Since we couldn’t simply abandon the sizable helicopter in the slums, I had requested Narin to return it to its original location prior to our visit to the Vigilantes’ base.

‘While slightly apprehensive…it couldn’t be helped.’

Returning with a suddenly unaccounted-for helicopter would have been impossible for me, lacking any piloting credentials.

As such, I had no choice but to entrust her formidable hacking abilities, which would eventually elevate Narin to S-rank villain status.

“Aren’t I amazing? I can remotely operate and reposition even massive helicopters with ease! Is this what it means to be a brain sexxer?”

“Indeed, you remotely decrypted Tartarus’ encryption as well. Our Narin is truly remarkable.”

Hoping the helicopter had been safely returned without major incident, I gently patted her head in appreciation.

“Oh, big bro. Speaking of the helicopter, how will we return then?”

“Huh? What do you mean ‘we’?”

“Shouldn’t we head back to Eclipse?”

“I’ll be going alone.”

“Eh?”

Narin’s expression turned quizzical.

“Didn’t I mention it? You’ll be assisting Alpha while he carries out his operations over the next month.”

As part of the month-long plan, the exceptionally skilled hacker Narin would serve as Alpha’s air traffic controller of sorts.

Detecting potential police or hero interceptions, swiftly plotting escape routes, disrupting CCTV and signal transmissions to hinder their pursuit, and so forth.

“Couldn’t you handle all that remotely? You’d just be stationed indoors anyway, so what difference does it make whether you’re at the Vigilantes’ base or Eclipse?”

“Unforeseen situations could arise.”

For instance, her concentration being disrupted by others entering her room during operations.
Or risking detection from the Eclipse members overhearing her activities.

‘Being compromised by such farcical circumstances would be rather unbecoming.’

“Just consider it a month-long vacation spent here.”

“Hiiing…This isn’t a vacation, it’s an assignment…”

Though Narin briefly protested defiantly, she seemed to realize this decision was non-negotiable, puffing out her lips before nodding reluctantly.

“Do me this favor, Narin.”

“…So I just need to assist old man Alpha for a month?”

Resigning herself, Narin dispelled her sullen demeanor as she regarded me.

“I have some additional matters to handle separately, so lend him a hand in the meantime.”

“Ugh, I was planning to take that vacation time for gaming. But I guess I have no choice.”

After bidding Narin farewell, I approached Black Wood and the secretary to discuss Alpha’s arrangements and additionally request Narin’s supervision.
Then, I departed from the Vigilantes’ base.

Removing my mask, replacing it with my disguise.

It was time to return to Eclipse.

“Oppa. I’m not an easy girl.”

Upon my request for Ga-yeon to retrieve me, she promptly arrived, defiantly uttering those words before turning her head away with a sullen pout.

Just where did she pick up such language…?

“My apologies, Miss Ga-yeon.”

Though slightly bewildered, her furtive glances in my direction prevented any further retort, prompting me to simply apologize obediently.

“Attending that party and infiltrating the prison alone, you must have felt lonely without me.”

“Yes.”

As I gently stroked her head, the corners of Ga-yeon’s lips gradually curved upwards into a smile she struggled to suppress, still maintaining a vexed facade.

“Are you angry with me, Miss Ga-yeon?”

“I was upset.”

At my words, Ga-yeon narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing me briefly.

“…But I missed you.”

She finally relented, her expression softening as she embraced me tightly.

“Shall we return to Eclipse together?”

“Yes…”

After consoling the slightly sullen Ga-yeon from our prolonged separation, we made our way towards Eclipse.

‘I wonder if Narin successfully returned the helicopter?’

The thought occurred to me as we traveled.
While slightly uneasy, I didn’t dwell on it excessively.

‘It should be fine. I’m sure she handled it properly,’ I had reasoned.

Granted, Narin had been rather…aggressive in her operation of the helicopter, but she had emerged unscathed.
More importantly, her self-assurances had convinced me there would be no major issues.

“Uwaaaaaahk!!!”

I had been certain. Yet evidently…

Hwahrrurruk!!

“Oh, there’s a fire.”

“……”

I was rendered speechless by the scene unfolding before me.

“Quickly fetch some water and fire extinguishers!”

“Where are the water-affiliated ability users?!”

Towering flames reached towards the sky as pandemonium erupted among the Eclipse members.
The blaze appeared to have originated from the helicopter parking area.

Uh…Um.

‘Of course! I remotely piloted it back flawlessly and eliminated all evidence, so no need for concern!’

Suddenly, Narin’s earlier assurances overlapped with this image.

…Narin.
Could this be what you meant by ‘eliminating evidence’…?