I Became The Villain The Hero Is Obsessed With

Chapter 366

366 – Partner

The phenomenon of all ability users’ powers going out of control, Inflation.

Among the situations, the one that dealt with it best was none other than South Korea.

And of course, the reason was because I had forewarned them that this event would happen.

“Dain. You should also stand in the front now.”

“…What are you talking about?”

One day before Inflation happened.

Lee Seol-ah had said that to me.

“No, honestly, rather than always whispering behind me… Isn’t it better for you to stand in front with the name Dain? I’ll give you a title.”

While reading documents lying half-dressed in a suit on the sofa, she looked up at me and smiled as she said that.

Standing by the side of the sofa, reviewing documents, I was flabbergasted at her and said.

“…Me? Really?”

“Hey. Rather than making all decisions through me, wouldn’t it be nice to have a formal route to give direct orders?”

That’s what Lee Seol-ah said.

The policies I had been discussing with Lee Seol-ah so far. For example, expanding the underground bunker bases of the association, caring for meteor squad, etc., she suggested doing it openly instead of secretly.

She offered to give me the title of Special Inspector and Cooperation TF Team Leader of the Hero Association.

The reason was that it might be bothersome for me to do it through her, and she might not have time.

“And honestly, you’ve done a lot so far, you should wear a cloak.”

That meant she would give me the opportunity to hire and boss around some underlings. There were also things that could only be done on the surface…

“…But in fact, more than that, it helps me.”

After explaining all that, Lee Seol-ah confessed her true feelings, blushing slightly after a fake cough.

In fact, now that it was practically clear that Lee Seol-ah was the real power of South Korea, she had more and more occasions to attend international organizations here and there… she wanted me to be with her at those times.

Because she had to make immediate decisions there, and she had to consult with me on important matters. She said it could be problematic if she decided on her own.

…It felt a bit like I had become a shadow ruler, but anyway, I was a bit negative.

Because.

“What… what if the association finds out?”

That was it.

Even if that position was not known to the public, what if the association found out that I was Egoistic while being involved with the association…! That was the point.

And to my worry, Lee Seol-ah.

“Huh..?”

Rather, she seemed absurd, and counter-questioned me with a puzzled expression.

“Dain. Are there any A-Class heroes who are not on Egoistic’s side now? I’m on your side, and so is ShadowWalker, and now even Haru is. What side? They’re even dating.”

“…”

“Plus, you’ve already cooperated as Egoistic with the association president, and didn’t you say all the first-generation Meteor Squad members know you’re Egoistic? Honestly, it seems like all the people in the association who should know, know that you’re on our side.”

“Hmm…”

…Is that so?

Hearing her words, my mind was momentarily confused.

No, I thought I had lived well hiding it tightly. It was a surprising event. Me, did I live too recklessly without knowing it..?

“Okay. Let’s do it this way.”

So, my entrance into public authority was decided.

…I’m not sure if this is right, but I guess it will work out somehow.

“hehehe… Now I can legally stick with Dain.”

Lee Seol-ah, who was quietly lying on the sofa, flipping through the pad by herself.

As she was writing something, she suddenly seemed to remember something, raised her head, and asked me.

“Oh, but Dain. What’s your surname?”

“Surname? I don’t have one?”

“…Huh?”

At Lee Seol-ah’s bewildered response, I scratched my cheek.

Years ago, when I first fell into this world, I decided to abandon my family name.

Frustration at my family name being useless, having fallen into a world where I had neither parents nor roots. The resolve to survive afresh in this world. And the anger towards the god who put me in this situation.

…It’s funny thinking about it now, but back then, I was a little crazy. I was a man who was left only with poison.

It was after I met Stardust and precious people like Seo-eun that I improved a lot… back then, I was genuinely dangerous.

Of course, there’s not much difference in my thoughts even now, which is much better.

“Just register it under Dai-in. It doesn’t matter, right?”

“Uh… yes. I understand.”

As she replied and quietly nodded, Lee Seol-ah began to write something on her pad.

Watching her, a curious point occurred to me, and I asked her.

“But is that okay? I mean, I’m essentially a person without any identity, not even registered as a resident.”

“Oh. That’s okay. I mean, who am I?”

At my question, she grinned and replied as if it was nothing.

“That’s a simple problem that can be solved with some tweaking. Who’s going to say anything when I’m the one ordering it?”

“…You’re right.”

I nodded at the confident Lee Seol-ah.

Even in the original story, and now, she had deep control over South Korea, almost like it was the Republic of Lee Seol-ah.

Despite exerting her influence to control South Korea, she never crossed the line in the original story and strove to save the collapsing country until the end.

No matter what anyone says, she’s a hero at heart.

“…Now, that’s it! Now, Mr. Dai-in, you’re an official member of the Government Hero Association cooperation TF team. Specifically, I’ve set you up as one of my direct staff.”

“Good job.”

As I praised her for completing the paperwork and gave a light laugh,

Lee Seol-ah, who had been sprawled on the sofa with her sky-blue hair spread out, suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me onto the sofa.

In a situation where I barely managed to balance myself over the lying Lee Seol-ah, we ended up facing each other very closely.

In that state, looking closely into each other’s eyes,

Lee Seol-ah smiled sweetly, looked at me with her deep sky-blue eyes, and then touched my forehead with hers and said,

“You know, right? Now you and I are in the same boat. You can say we’re soul partners.”

“…Is there no exit?”

“Of course not. You’re the only person I can keep by my side now.”

As she said that with another playful smile,

She turned her head towards my ear and whispered,

“Let’s lead South Korea well, together. Okay?”

Feeling her cool breath tickle my ear, I let out a bitter laugh.

Despite her playful tone, I could feel her sincerity.

…The sincerity that she would never allow me to leave.

***

‘Don’t worry about Stardust. I’ll try to persuade him.’

‘…What are you talking about?’

After the brief encounter with Lee Seol-ah,

After the beginning of the 4th phase, I started planning the terror that would signal the start of the final chapter.

In the original story and now, the core of the 4th chapter is the villain’s counterattack in the center of the cathedral.

All the named villains in the work become part of the cathedral, and the villains who had been scattered and defeated individually all come together.

Therefore, the characteristic from this point is that the terror takes the form of a large-scale battle.

Naturally, it’s not just talk that the world-class villains of the cathedral join together, they do support each other. That’s what’s scary.

Especially the ‘Armies of Heaven’ supported by Celeste.

These guys standing right in front of me.

“Do as I command. Got it?”

“———– Understood. ——— Will proceed.”

The celestial soldiers, as white as an egg with no facial features and dressed in a white robe or armor. These were the clone soldiers provided by Celeste, and they greatly helped in combating the villains’ tactics.

I had no idea how they were created, but they were endlessly given staves that could summon an infinite number of them upon request. This was an added bonus.

These soldiers, who could compete with B~C class heroes, had considerable power in their numbers, even if a single individual wasn’t all that powerful.

That’s why they’ve become a critical part of the Cathedral’s terror strategy, commonly referred to as the celestial army. They summon large numbers of these clone soldiers to engage in battle… it was because of these guys that we needed so many heroes.

…And I was thinking of using this to set up a game of Go-Stop.

A stage just for Stardust and me.

[Yes, Master Dain. I will do as you say.]

“Thanks, Number 1… no, Saegum.”

So, I synchronized with my faithful disciple, Ego Squad… that is, the current association-affiliated heroes.

Soon after donning a mask, I was floating in the sky, fully clad.

To announce my glamorous return.

“Let’s start the terror, it’s been a while.”

There were two objectives for this terror.

One was to announce my return to activity as a member of the Cathedral.

The other was to meet Stardust legally…

So after setting all the dozens of cameras floating around me,