I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

Gwang Ik Gong was dead.

Therefore, a successor was needed to replace Gwang Ik Gong.

Someone who, just before being killed by a villain, instinctively thought “Save me, OOO” and could think of someone other than Gwang Ik Gong.

However, it was not easy to find such a successor, someone who could replace the position of the ‘untouchable hero’ that was Gwang Ik Gong.

Gwang Ik Gong was not only incredibly strong, but the sense of justice he displayed was more excellent and magnificent than anyone else’s.

But could a figure who had always been a perennial second-in-command replace the position of number one?

This question arose, and one work showed the answer to this question.

The second-in-command was always challenged.

And the second-in-command, who tried to follow in the footsteps of number one, could not maintain the prestige of number one even after becoming number one.

The number one, the world’s strongest hero, must never be defeated.

A hero who was not defeated by anyone, thus giving hope to all humanity.

-Gwang Ik Gong has arrived!

Even if villains rampaged on the other side of the world, the arrival of the world’s strongest hero instilled confidence that the incident will be resolved.

But what if we assessed the current state of the seven S-rank heroes in Korea?

There’s no need to speak of the others; even Snow White - Baek Seol-hee - could potentially replace Gwang Ik Gong.

-If Gwang Ik Gong is dead, then who is the next strongest?

-There are several candidates, but in Korea right now, there’s Snow White.

-Snow White. Indeed, if it’s her, she could aim to be Korea’s strongest hero.

Her abilities were getting stronger every day, and if she focused a bit more on improving her abilities, she could become the guardian of this country in a different sense than Gwang Ik Gong.

-But hasn’t Snow White never won against Goblin?

Here’s where the problem arose.

-Can she definitely win if she fights Goblin?

-Gwang Ik Gong never fought Goblin either, so isn’t it unknown?

-Hey. If Goblin could beat Gwang Ik Gong, he would have fought and won already. And he would have conquered Korea.

That’s not the case.

The reason Goblin spared Gwang Ik Gong was that he was planning to launch bird missiles against the meteor that summoned the meteor.

-Even if they kill Gwang Ik Gong, the Secret Society can conquer the world, so why keep him alive until now?

The reason the Secret Society spared Gwang Ik Gong was to prevent the hassle that could arise from the great chaos in the world if Gwang Ik Gong were eliminated.

The world with Gwang Ik Gong was more peaceful than the world without him.

Gwang Ik Gong, the Secret Society, and Baek Seol-hee all knew that.

-I’m going to get pregnant.

But Baek Seol-hee was different from Gwang Ik Gong.

-While Gwang Ik Gong can serve the country by working hard for about an hour, I have to be a non-combatant for 10 months.

She was a woman, wanted to have children, wanted to be a mother, and chose to love one man.

-Surely you don’t expect me to replace Gwang Ik Gong, right? As an ability user, I might manage somehow, but I’m a woman. I have to give birth. If I end up having a child in my late 20s or even 30s, will you take responsibility?

Strictly speaking, the constant pressure to date, marry, and have children led to the rebellious and illicit pregnancy, but no one could blame Baek Seol-hee.

-You all told me to have children, so I tried, and now you want me to replace Gwang Ik Gong? If I can’t get pregnant or something goes wrong during childbirth, will you take responsibility?

No one could speak harshly to Baek Seol-hee.

-Rather than becoming the world’s strongest and a symbol of peace, I want to be a mother to a child. Oh, no, I’d prefer triplets or maybe three siblings.

If Baek Seol-hee said no, it was no, and the reason was with her.

-Still, as a patriot….

“I’m saying I’ll be patriotic, so why is it a problem? Isn’t childbirth the true way to be a patriot in this low birthrate era?”

“Still….”

“Not even the president can interrupt my maternity leave.”

Such a situation would unfold.

“…This is my opinion on Seol-hee noona’s current state. In other words, Seol-hee noona cannot replace Gwang Ik Gong right now.”

Of course, this was Gwang Ik Gong’s assumption about the future.

Baek Seol-hee might not react like this, but if she had a child, she would change her life for the child.

“Whether it’s the Sephiroth Knights or whatever, it’s good to train Gwang Ik Gong, but at some point, a real next generation who can replace Gwang Ik Gong is needed.”

Therefore, they must be trained.

“Women have the variable of pregnancy, but men don’t.”

Among the ability users, they need to train someone smart and dedicated to the country like Gwang Ik Gong.

“I hope you train a man rather than a woman.”

“…….”

“Brother, it’s not that you prefer women over men, right?”

I failed to manage my expression at Gwang Ik Gong’s suggestion.

“The reason the world’s strongest needs to be a man is not for any other reason, but because they are relatively free from maternity leave. It’s better for the mother to be with the child in the early stages.”

Gwang Ik Gong’s Confucian view seemed somewhat valid.

“The mother raises the child at home, and the father works as a hero outside. Naturally, a mother’s heart leans more toward the child in the early stages; it’s only natural.”

“So you’re saying women should stay home and watch the kids?”

“It’s not a sexist remark; I’m saying this considering the future matters with Seol-hee noona.”

Gwang Ik Gong pointed to his large phone in front of him.

“Think about it. If you train an ability user, would it be more convenient for you if it’s a man or a woman?”

“From my perspective….”

“A woman, right?”

“Well.”

To put it bluntly, I found women more comfortable.

“Baek Seol-hee, Yumir, Yoon Iseon. Just with these three, you’ve already proven your skills in nurturing female ability users. Seol-hee noona has adopted Goblin’s combat style and even mastered her cloning technique, and Yumir is learning Gwang Ik Gong’s techniques. Not to mention, you raised Yoon Iseon, who was an A-rank, to S-rank.”

Talking with the women, I made them even stronger.

“Is it just those people? Even the executives of the Secret Society developed new abilities under your influence, and they seem to have learned from each other through skill exchanges. Didn’t Gungi nuna also learn Yumir’s teleportation?”

“Doul learned it too.”

“I thought that noona’s skill was just high-speed movement, but she mastered teleportation as well. Anyway, look at this. You can teach female ability users better than anyone else.”

“Didn’t you want to nurture male ability users?”

It seemed like he wanted me to focus on raising female ability users specifically.

The inconsistency implied that there was a connecting solution.

“So, I want to make a proposal.”

Gwang Ik Gong drew a picture on the table.

“There’s no rule that says only one person should consult under the name of Gwang Ik Gong. You and I can consult together using this app.”

“What is it?”

“[Geumbit Narae].”

An app with Gwang Ik Gong’s golden wings spread out on both sides.

“Regarding the registered ability users here, Gwang Ik Gong will consult on their abilities.”

“…….”

“I’ll mainly handle the consulting for the registered people. You should focus on female ability users, especially those who could become S-rank. I don’t care if it’s a man or a woman, but ideally, care for the male ones too.”

“So.”

Now it was clear.

“While taking care of other people’s abilities through this app, you want me to pick the promising ones and make them S-rank?”

“Yes.”

“And for that, you’ll give me a 200 billion won down payment plus extra allowances?”

“Yes.”

“Do I look that easy?”

“Brother.”

When I sharpened my tone, Gwang Ik Gong lowered his voice and pointed below.

“This proposal is not for you.”

“…What?”

“It’s for the chairman, who will always be watching over you and knows this situation.”

“…….”

“I won’t mind if you recruit the people you make S-rank or S+ into the Secret Society. Just make sure to increase the S-ranks significantly, to the point where Taejo gets pushed down to around 30th place. Or make an S-rank detector as good as Taejo.”

“Huh….”

Half a year.

It had been nearly half a year since Gwang Ik Gong died.

“Why are you doing this now?”

“Because you’ve changed too.”

“What?”

“You were somewhat hell-bent on killing everyone last year. But now, you’re quite different.”

“…Different?”

“Yes. You could say you’ve found a reason to protect the world. And you’ve shown it through your actions.”

Gwang Ik Gong stared at me.

“Even a dark hero is still a hero. Isn’t that right?”

“…I guess. But I’m a villain.”

Not a hero.

A villain.

“Aren’t you someone who speaks pleasantly like this? Are you okay with it?”

“It’s fine. When there’s someone offering a carrot, there should also be someone wielding a stick.”

“Bad cop, good cop strategy, huh.”

Good cop was obviously Gwang Ik Gong.

Bad cop was obviously me.

“If you provide feedback on strengths, I’ll point out the weaknesses.”

“Right. If I’m Gwang Ik Gong, then you become ‘Heuk Ik Gong.’”

“…….”

A chill ran down my spine momentarily.

“Brother. If this works out well, your chairman will be very pleased.”

“Ha… Hey, Kim Jin-ho.”

I picked up Gwang Ik Gong’s smartphone.

“Do you think I’d do such a bothersome thing just because I get paid and the chief likes it? Too bad.”

“……What?”

Gwang Ik Gong’s face turned to confusion.

As if he heard an unexpected answer.

“Are you rejecting it?”

“Listen carefully.”

Holding the smartphone, I aimed it at Gwang Ik Gong.

“I don’t discriminate against men in this matter.”

I didn’t only raise women.

“Who should I start with? Taejo? Cheok Jun-kyeong? Tushin? Or Gwang Ik Gong? Okay, let’s start with you.”

Never.

“Your golden wings don’t swing at all.”

“…Is this the start of the consulting?”

“Yes. First.”

I put down Gwang Ik Gong’s smartphone and pressed my Taeguk Watch.

“Let’s get the dual employment permit first.”

“…….”

“What? Why? I’m an employee. Isn’t it natural to get the chairman’s permission before proceeding with the project?”