Being a Villain is My True Calling

“Kuahahahahahah!!! I had a hunch something was amiss ever since that amusement park incident!!”

Black Wood guffawed heartily as he repeatedly slapped my back.

Whap! Whap! Whap!!

“No, no big deal…kuhuruk.”

“Kuahahahahahahahah!!! You’ve freed big bro!! Our big bro!!”

“……”

With each emphatic slap, it felt like my bones might shatter.

‘Enough, enough…’

“You brazen little rascal! You wonderful rascal!! As charismatic as you are capable!!”

“Ha,hahah…”

Despite my gestures pleading for reprieve, he seemed oblivious as he continued pummeling my back.

“Boss.”

“Huh? What is it.”

“On such a joyous occasion, wouldn’t it be fitting to throw a party instead of merely slapping backs?”

“You make an excellent point! Secretary! We should promptly organize a party!!”

Thankfully, a timely savior intervened.
Owing to this, Black Wood finally ceased his assaultive celebrations.

“Of course! It shall be a meat party!! We must procure meat from the market at once!! Come, intern!!!”

“Huh, huh? Me, me?!! Me?!!”

“There’s no time to waste!!!”

“J,just a moment, slowly now…Kyaaaaahh!!!!”

Before our very eyes, he slung a dazed grunt over his shoulder and dashed out the door.

“…Is he always like this, old man?”

“…He seems even more energetic than I recall.”

So this was a frequent occurrence in the past as well…
Narin and Alpha regarded Black Wood’s exit with utter bemusement.
Meanwhile, I turned to offer a wordless gesture of gratitude towards the secretary.

‘Thank you.’

‘Not at all. I’ve experienced that torment myself, after all.’

No need for pretenses or personas – it was a sincere expression of heartfelt appreciation.

“Well then, I shall head down to prepare the cooking.”

“Eh? The Vice-Boss himself will be cooking directly?”

Narin’s surprise was evident as she regarded the nonchalant secretary.

“To be frank, I’m the only one in our organization capable of decent culinary skills.”

“Don’t you have maids or chefs? It would be far more convenient to have them handle such menial tasks…”

“While efficiency would certainly improve, the Vigilantes’ circumstances don’t permit such luxuries.”

Narin’s mouth opened slightly, taken aback that a high-ranking member would personally cook due to their organization’s financial constraints.

“Then I shall take my leave to begin preparations.”

With a slight bow, the secretary departed for the lower levels.

“That’s rather shocking…”

“What’s so shocking? I frequently cook my own meals too.”

It seemed Narin occasionally forgot that I was an executive myself.
After frequently benefiting from my cooking, why was she so surprised now?

However, Narin shook her head in response.

“It’s not the same thing. You only cook for yourself, or occasionally for Ga-yeon, Ri-ru, Ye-ri sis and me. But for him, aside from the Boss, it’s for his subordinates’ sustenance.”

“…It seems fairly comparable to me.”

When scrutinized, weren’t you, Ga-yeon, and Ri-ru essentially my subordinates as well…?
Yet I understood the essence of her point.

‘While I cook as a hobby, the secretary does so to provide nourishment for everyone.’

The difference between a leisurely pursuit and an inescapable obligation.

“I thought organization life meant living comfortably…”

Perhaps her preconceptions stemmed from frequently receiving lucrative offers as a talented hacker from various major organizations?
Witnessing such modest circumstances seemed to induce culture shock.

“Well, it varies depending on the organization’s nature and finances, I suppose.”

Given the Vigilantes’ quasi-volunteer status, they likely lacked income sources from organizational activities.
Under such circumstances, employing domestic staff or chefs would indeed be an unaffordable luxury.

Leaving the antiquated reception room behind, I turned to regard Narin and Alpha.

“Anyone wish to explore separately?”

“Not really. I’d probably just get in the way if I wandered off.”

“Alpha?”

“……”

Uncharacteristically silent since earlier, Alpha gazed vacantly towards the spot Black Wood had departed from.

“Old man Alpha?”

Perhaps lost in contemplation, Alpha fixated on that vacant space.

“I suppose Alpha has no intention of wandering either.”

“It would seem so.”

Then I might as well catch a nap on the sofa.
Thus, we settled onto the sofas to rest and recover from our accumulated fatigue.

A few hours later, voices drifted up from below.
Deducing they were summoning us, Narin, Alpha, and I rose from the sofas, straightened our attire, and descended to the lower level.

“Wow…”

“You prepared all this yourself?”

“It’s been a while since I flexed those muscles.”

Awaiting us below was a lavish feast adorning the entire table.
The cuisine boasted a quality befitting a high-end hotel.

“Your culinary skills are impressive.”

“With so many discerning palates to cater to, developing my skills was a necessity.”

The secretary turned to regard his compatriots.
Around a dozen or so individuals, each exuding distinct personalities.

“…Ah.”

Among them was the very grunt who had confronted us earlier that day.
Upon our eyes meeting, she offered an awkward bow in greeting.

‘Still rather abashed, it seems.’

Which was understandable – learning the life-or-death struggle she had endured was merely a staged performance would undoubtedly induce profound embarrassment.
Yet her lack of resentment towards us hinted at an inherently gentle nature.

Gukduk.
We exchanged those awkward greetings momentarily.

“I may not have set the table, but eat your fill!”

Black Wood strode over, resting his massive hand on my shoulder as he offered me a dish from his own plate.

“Typically, the chef handles such duties, you ill-mannered Boss.”

“Kuahahahahahah!!”

Undeterred by the secretary’s admonishment, Black Wood let out a hearty guffaw.
Retrieving his wine glass, he raised it towards the ceiling before slowly surveying the partygoers in attendance.

“Today, we feast until we burst!! Our organization’s finest chef has lavished their utmost efforts, so leave no scraps behind!! Let’s eat!!”

“”Waaaahh!!””

And so, the party commenced.

“Thank you for the delicious food, Vice-Boss!!”

“I don’t like garlic, did you exclude it?”

“Ah, the calorie count seems a bit excessive…”

“Is there no dessert?”

“…Just eat whatever is served, you ingrates!!”

Ahahahahahah!!!
Uproarious laughter resounded amidst the clamorous festivities.

It exuded a distinct atmosphere from the ‘Shadow Night’ gathering we had previously attended.

‘While that was lively, it still felt like a formal social event. But this has more of a casual birthday party vibe.’

Perhaps the Vigilantes’ residential base contributed to that informal ambiance.

“Puhahahahah!!”

As I savored the food, I leisurely surveyed our surroundings.

“Chef! We’ve run out here, any chance of a refill?”

“Just help yourselves from the kitchen.”

While unfamiliar with their specific names and faces, the Vigilante members jovially interacted amongst themselves.

“Sis! I’m so grateful you tried to save me!”

“Oh,ohh…? Heheh…”

Narin had already struck up friendly banter with the former grunt.

“……”

And Alpha sat alone, his cloak pulled over his head as he sipped wine while leaning against the wall.

Tup.

As I observed the merry festivities, Black Wood suddenly reappeared, draping an arm around my shoulders as he offered me a wine glass.

His flushed complexion and the distinct aroma hinted that he had pre-gamed elsewhere beforehand.

“Akaoni! No, I should call you benefactor! I can’t neglect to extend proper hospitality to such a benefactor!! Here, I’ve procured one of my finest vintages, let’s share a glass!”

“…No, that’s quite alright. It seems like a precious bottle, better saved for a more auspicious occasion.”

“Pshh! You’re still young, so you wouldn’t understand, but when an elder offers, you simply accept with gratitude~!”

Well, he certainly had the condescending ‘elderly’ demeanor down pat.
I attempted to tactfully extricate myself, but Black Wood firmly gripped my arm, leaving no room for refusal.

“And what could be more joyous than confirming our big bro’s alive and well with our own eyes?!!”

“If he’s your ‘big bro’, does that make you and old man Alpha blood brothers?”

“No! Though unrelated by blood, our bond surpasses mere brotherhood!!”

Black Wood then erupted into raucous laughter, his entire frame quivering with mirth.

Ahahahahahahah!

Which proved infectious, prompting others to join in the mirthful chorus.

‘…Well, I suppose this isn’t so bad once in a while.’

After the party concluded, I found myself rousing from slumber in the early morning hours while most others remained asleep.

‘Perhaps I should get some fresh air.’

Having only napped earlier, sleep eluded me now.
Feeling restless lying idle, I rose and donned my coat before carefully opening the door.

‘Come to think of it, Alpha’s nowhere to be seen. With his insomnia, he must have wandered off elsewhere.’

“…To think I’d live to witness such a day.”

At that moment, Black Wood’s voice drifted through from another room.
Curious, I headed towards the source of the sound.

“I had wholeheartedly believed you perished back then, only to learn you spent four decades imprisoned instead…”

“……”

“While your dashing looks may have taken a hit, not a single wrinkle mars your visage. At this rate, I’d sooner believe you were hospitalized rather than incarcerated all this time! Kukuk!!”

“…Black Wood.”

“None of those stiff aliases, call me Hwang-chil like old times, big bro! It’s been ages, is that any way to greet me?”

Within the room, Alpha and Black Wood conversed intimately.
For ten, twenty minutes…

The typically reticent Alpha engaged far more actively than usual in their exchange.

“So those shitstains at the Association imprisoned you? Damned reprobates…”

As the topic turned to the Association, Black Wood’s expression soured with contempt.
Regarding Alpha with utmost seriousness, he inquired:

“Shall we storm the Association’s gates and set the place ablaze? Or cripple those higher-ups, break every last one of their limbs?”

Clenching and unclenching his fists, as if poised to charge forth at a mere command.
In response, Alpha –

“Restrain…”

“..?”

“Restrain yourself, fool.”

Bbahk!!

“Kuhehk!!”

…promptly struck Black Wood’s head with a precise blow.

Clutching his cranium in baffled disbelief, Black Wood gazed up at Alpha.

“……”

A brief silence ensued…

“…Huh, huhuhuhuh! Huhuhuh!!”

Before Black Wood ultimately burst into laughter.

“Kuahahahahahah!!! Ah, it’s been ages since you’ve disciplined me like that! Unchanged, that signature kick of yours is as spicy as ever…!”

Recounting cherished memories with fond nostalgia, his tone grew increasingly affectionate.
His eyes gradually reddened with welling tears.

“So spicy…it’s bringing tears to my eyes? Only you could inflict such delightful agony upon me, big bro…”

Alpha regarded Black Wood wordlessly.

In stark contrast to his bright, joyous expression at the party, he now scrutinized Alpha with an air of disbelief.

“…Is it truly you, big bro? You’re really him?”

“…Yes.”

“Might this little brother embrace you, just once?”

“…Don’t get weird between two men.”

Despite his gruff deflection, Alpha ultimately relented, allowing the embrace.

“It really is you, the living, breathing big bro.”

“Could there be a fake version?”

“…Back then, I truly believed you had perished without a doubt.”

With trembling hands, Black Wood clutched Alpha tightly.

“Our mother had passed, and you were my sole remaining kin…my very last family, gone forever as far as I knew…”

As if fearing Alpha might vanish if he relinquished his grasp, Black Wood refused to let go.

“…Hwang-chil, don’t you resent me? Had I persevered a little longer, you wouldn’t be dwelling in such squalid confines now.”

“What sort of imbecile abandons their own wellbeing, forcing their family to suffer in their stead?!!”

Yet paradoxically, his demeanor resembled that of a child clinging to a beloved relative.

“…I harbor no resentment, big bro. I would make the same choice again without hesitation.”

“……”

“Railing against those deranged ingrates who besmirched your honor, subjecting me to scorn and false accusations, until the very end.”

In silence, Alpha gently stroked his brother’s graying head.
Once youthful, Black Wood now bore numerous scars and wrinkles, appearing far older than Alpha himself.

“Thank you for returning to me, big bro.”

“…And I’m grateful to you as well, Hwang-chil.”

Concealing his moistened eyes, a faint smile graced Alpha’s features.

“……”

Indeed, even such moments weren’t so bad after all.