Chapter 13: Not A Villain

“Reveal yourself.”

I’ve been sensing a presence since earlier. From leaving Ion’s house to leaving the restaurant, someone has been continuously following us.

It seems they used some ability to erase their presence, but it won’t work on me.

“If you don’t come out…”

If not.

“I’ll assume you’re a stalker following me because you’re captivated by my looks.”

“Well, the General’s looks aren’t exactly ordinary.”

Must be a stalker smitten by my appearance.

Of course, I’m joking.

To follow someone while concealing their presence, they must either hold a grudge against me or have something to gain.

Of course, it could be surveillance arranged by someone, but how long has it even been since I returned home?

“Ha, I thought you were just vicious, but you’re utterly shameless too.”

“Vicious? Me? I’m not sure who you’re talking about.”

Someone reveals themselves as they speak.

“Huh? Hero?”

Hero? Who’s that? A celebrity?

“Yes, I am the Hero of justice who eradicates evil.”

Ugh, what a chuunibyou-like self-introduction.

Ion explained beside me that the man stalking me is a famous vigilante known as ‘Hero’. A Returnee, and supposedly one of the top five strongest Powered Individuals.

“So, what business does the esteemed Hero of justice have with a law-abiding citizen like me? Haha.”

“Law-abiding citizen? Can you still say that after seeing the thick Killing Karma coiled around you?”

He seems to know something about me.

“My Status Window says you’re an atrocious mass murderer? Well, you certainly look the part.”

“What?! Mass murderer? The General is not a mass murderer!!”

“Come to think of it, the one next to you isn’t much different, huh? Are you a mass murderer couple?”

Hmm, this is starting to get annoying. I heard the term ‘mass murderer’ until my ears bled in court, but hearing Ion called that somehow irritates me.

“Ha, what kind of madman am I seeing right from the first meeting? So why were you following us? You should reveal that first.”

“You are clearly evil. And getting rid of evil is my job. I just came to do my job.”

“I suppose so. But what can you do about this? I’m an official citizen of this country with a registration card and everything? Even squeaky clean with no criminal record.”

“…Right, that’s the reason I can’t cut you down instantly.”

“So, the reason the great Hero stalked two elves is just that? Because of a ‘hunch’ that I’m evil? Haha, aren’t you the Hero of Stalking rather than the Hero of Justice?”

Ah, did that sound too much like a villain?

“I’ve met many Returnees or Otherworlders like you. Living normally after erasing their past traces and records.”

So?

“But habits, and nature, never change. You will become a villain someday.”

“There’s an error there, I haven’t erased or hidden my past. Rather, I’m proud of it. If a soldier is ashamed of their past, isn’t that itself grounds for execution?”

Though I was executed. I muttered to myself.

“Execution? Did you commit war crimes or something?”

“War crimes… Isn’t there a saying that history is written by the victors? I simply did what I had to do.”

“Shameless self-justification, the Nazi war criminals probably thought the same.”

It seems further conversation is pointless. He’s unilaterally labeled me as evil and is only pushing his own arguments, what does he expect me to do?

“So what do you want me to do? Should I atone for the past? Should I offer a moment of silence for the necks I hanged? Or would performing ancestral rites suffice?”

“Crazy bi*ch…”

The Hero draws his sword. Did I provoke him too much?

“Are you suggesting we have a go? Of course, I’m always confident.”

Tch, it’s been too long since I fought person-to-person.

The Hero takes a stance. Looking ready to charge any second.

“Ah, there’s one thing I haven’t mentioned. My primary magic involves area-of-effect techniques through explosions.

If I use it here, well… I can’t guarantee the safety of the surrounding civilians, can I? Not that it matters to me, of course.”

Hearing that, the Hero seems to realize his mistake and sheathes his sword again. Then he walks past me…

“I’ll keep watching you. Pre-villain.”

“Do as you please.”

Seeing the unbelievable Killing Karma value, I knew she wasn’t normal.

From her rude way of speaking, her confidence in her own power, and the utter lack of guilt or ethical awareness visible even if you searched hard.

Hidden behind the beautiful appearance and eye-catching long ears was a cruel, merciless mass murderer with abnormal beliefs.

She even went so far as to threaten me by holding the surrounding civilians hostage. A typical villain.

I hate this country’s government for accepting such a walking time bomb, who could go off at any moment, as a citizen.

Even the small elf beside her had a significant amount of Killing Karma.

Yes, there might be circumstances. But if you’ve killed people, isn’t it normal to feel at least guilt or remorse?

She said she was a soldier… I think I need to check.

That elf’s past, her past actions, and… her danger level.

-Sound of dialing a cell phone

“Yes, Director. This is Hero Kim Minsu.”

“Minsu? Long time no see, what prompted this call?”

I called the Vigilante Corps Director. That elf probably registered with the Vigilantes.

Why do I think so?

There’s a limited number of things a Returnee – though she might not be one – can do upon returning. Of course, most go back to their previous jobs.

Many Returnees register with the Vigilantes. It’s common for them to work two jobs, their original profession and vigilantism.

The reason is obvious. Money.

“By any chance, has an elf registered with the Vigilantes recently? Blonde hair, green eyes.”

“Hmm, this is normally personal information, but I’ll tell just you, Minsu. Wait a moment. I’ll call you back.”

“Thank you.”

The call ended with those words.

Lack of time, lack of funds. It might be understandable that a famous vigilante, a so-called hero, lacks time, but lacking funds might be harder to grasp.

The money earned working as a vigilante isn’t that much to begin with. Not only is the income inconsistent, but villains and monsters don’t just pop up every day either.

And I also donate a large portion of my income. The donations mostly go to helping people harmed by villains or monsters.

The ones making big money are the pseudo-vigilantes who act like entertainers, shooting commercials and appearing on variety shows due to their fame. I don’t want to make money playing that role.

The reason I do this job is to pursue justice, not to play some wannabe celebrity.

“That’ll be 3,500 won~”

During my college days, meaning before I went to the other world. I often had lunch at the convenience store.

The overpriced and low-quality school cafeteria food, and other restaurants that were even more expensive. Eating at the convenience store was the best choice for me, who had no money and no time.

Ha, it’s the same now as it was then. No money, no time. Of course, I have more money than back then. At least I don’t have to skimp on food.

I pour hot water into the usual cup noodles. For dessert, chestnut-flavored ice cream. It was a flavor my mom really liked.

“…I miss mom.”

What’s dripping down now must be sweat from the noodles, nothing else.

My phone vibrates and rings.

“Minsu, I just sent you brief information on the Powered Individual you were looking for and a video demonstrating their abilities. Check it out.”

“Thank you very much, Director.”

“Indeed, I understand why you made such a request. From her past to her abilities, she seems to need observation. I should report this to the higher-ups as well.”

“I’ll check it immediately.”

The email the Director sent contained brief information about that elf.

Name Yakovlena El Fride, Returnee, worked as a soldier in another world. Participated in wars for hundreds of years, creating countless casualties…

War for hundreds of years, certainly enough to drive one mad. Of course, that doesn’t justify her actions.

The ability demonstration video was shocking. An explosion that devastated a wide airfield area. The area became a wasteland, as if carpet-bombed. And apparently, that wasn’t even her using her full power.

If she used her full power, couldn’t she wipe out a whole city?

If we had fought back there… a chill runs down my spine. Of course, I’m confident I wouldn’t die. However, countless people would die. By the magic that elf cast.

Annoyed by the words of that ‘Hero’ guy insulting Ion, I ended up speaking too aggressively.

Well… he started talking like that first, so it’s not my fault.

Didn’t I sound just like a villain from some fictional story?

I should buy some beer on the way and drink it with Ion.

On the way home, a tall figure rises above the buildings. The World Tree. A mother-like existence to elves and an object of faith.

It’s been quite a while since I last heard the World Tree’s voice. Then again, they said there are many elves here, so the World Tree must be busy.

She can’t possibly counsel everyone individually, right? Or maybe she’s just resting.

[Resting, child? Do you know how busy I become every time you use magic?]

“I’m the one using magic, why are you busy, World Tree?”

[Because your mana pool is so large, refilling it is quite troublesome.]

“Mana pool…?”

Did Ion hear the World Tree too…

She repeats ‘mana pool’ and stares at my chest.

No… Ion…

“My mana pool is bigger…”

?

-Thwack!

“Aak! Hiiing… Why did you hit me…”

“You shouldn’t tell lies.”

[Anyway, child. Try to use magic moderately.]

Because it’s annoying to refill my mana?

[That’s part of it… but this isn’t a battlefield, is it? I hope you live a different life than your previous one.]

I’ll try. Though I don’t know if it’s possible.

[You really don’t listen, do you…]

With those last words, the World Tree fell silent again. More importantly, that last remark sounded like the sigh of a mother with an unruly son… no, daughter.

Tomorrow, I should visit my family home. Spending time with family after so long wouldn’t be bad.

-Pssht—!

The cheerful sound of a can opening.

-Gulp gulp gulp

The sound of swallowing without breathing.

The sharp carbonation hits my throat.

-Khaaah

Nice.

“So Ion, what exactly do you like about me?”

Of course, I am rather pretty. Most elves tend to be handsome or beautiful, but I am exceptionally so among them.

“Umm… First, you’re pretty! And powerful! Also…”

“From the moment you pinned the medal on me, my heart has belonged only to the General…”

Is that so. Doesn’t that mean you’ve had a crush for nearly ten years? That’s rather pitiful.

“But you succeeded in the end, didn’t you?”

“That’s right!!! I’m so happy!!!”

She covers her blushing face, overjoyed.

“Being alone with the General like this, honestly, it still feels like a dream.”

“So, General, do you have a reason for accepting my confession?”

“Seeing my photos and drawings plastering your walls…”

“You were disgusted after all, weren’t you…”

“If I were, I wouldn’t be here. Well, my pictures being plastered everywhere is the same back in Albheim too. And how could I not fall for a small, cute, young elf like you wooing me so earnestly?”

“Small and cute..!”

Her face looks like it might burst from blushing so hard.

“Shall we tidy up and get ready for bed?”

“Um… where should I sleep…”

“If you’re okay with it, I was thinking we could sleep together in the bed. If you don’t want to, I can sleep on the sofa.”

“No, no!! I’d absolutely love that!!”

“Heh heh, alright, go take a shower then.”

“Okay~”

Ion scurries off. Cute.

“General… I can’t sleep.”

“Hmm… Me neither.”

“I love you, General.”

“I love you, Ion.”

Neither of us could fall asleep, and the night was long.

It was a truly long and deep night.