Chapter 650

〈Chapter 650〉 Part 2, Chapter 3, Section 15

The Commander orchestrates Villains to disrupt the Seoul Recovery Operation.

In essence, this means using Villains to attack Heroes who have come to Seoul to deal with Monsters. The Heroes are suddenly caught in ambushes by both Supervillains and mysterious figures.

“Seoul Recovery Operations have always been like this. Officially, it’s about defeating Monsters, but some Heroes descending underground face the harsh truth of Seoul.”

And those who uncover the truth meet one of two fates: either they return to New Seoul and remain silent, or they try to expose the reality of Seoul.

“In Sun Icheol’s ‘Hell-Korea,’ who knows how many whistleblowers have the guts to reveal such truths?”

In the first case, most Heroes ignore or stay silent about Seoul’s situation, while in the second case, there’s a 99% chance they’re assassinated. They socially vanish, reappearing as names like “Patriotic Youth Squad No. 192.”

“With Light Blade hunting down anyone revealing Seoul’s truth, Sun Icheol has become quite arrogant. Only 1% manage to escape New Seoul and join Seoul’s Villains… Living in Hell-Korea is tough, folks.”

The dystopian world of Hell-Korea might as well be considered a dictatorship. The game developers’ cruelty in making the national system itself a trial for the Protagonist left me speechless multiple times.

“Let’s talk about the Heaven-Korea or God-Hanmin later… For now, let’s answer your concerns. Is the Hero Association just sitting idly by while the Commander trolls them?”

Indeed, not only does the Hero Association sit idle, but they’re eager to fight the Commander.

“Young Cheongnyeon made it happen. Nightmare and Snow Princess worked hard to set up the perfect stage for Commander Baek Cheonghwa.”

“The betrayal of the Commander isn’t really betrayal—it’s merely a test to gauge the full power of Korea’s Heroes through an alliance with Seoul’s Villains. That’s what Seol Ji-young was told.”

This is a mock battle staged by the Commander to test how Heroes respond during crises when faced with Villains.

“Of course, the Commander has no intention of revealing themselves or sparing the Villains. It’s all about showcasing their immense capability.”

The target is the AAA trio: Yun Yuhwa, Baek Hee-a, and Seok Harang. The goal is to impress them with the Commander’s prowess and gain their favor. Now, even Sun Gyeoul and other heroines can be added to this list.

“If we consider all battles across regions as real combat, then Guro is nothing more than a staged high-stakes poker game.”

Cheongnyeon had already informed his comrades, including Yuna, about the plan before being kidnapped. They didn’t object because they trusted the S-Rank Bodyguard always near Cheongnyeon.

“Kim Penril is away in America, though. If I’d mentioned that, she would’ve definitely opposed the plan.”

To prevent opposition, Kim Penril’s absence wasn’t disclosed. Thus, Cheongnyeon infiltrated enemy lines alone to unveil their grand scheme.

“I shall command the Villain Alliance!”

Not out of goodwill, but purely to use them as pawns, Cheongnyeon sees the Villains as expendable pieces. There’s no intention to save Seoul from Sun Icheol’s ambitions.

– Wouldn’t maintaining the Seoul front with reverse-carry tactics get you some QT with Sun Gyeoul?

With pure(?) intentions, Cheongnyeon decided to aid the Villains. Calling it a refreshing twist compared to Gaeul, Cheongnyeon seemed rather pleased with their quasi-sexual encounter with Sun Gyeoul.

‘This guy indirectly lets me experience it, then apologizes afterward by mimicking the same moves.’

Through devices, only Cheongnyeon feels the sensations. While I merely watch via camera, Cheongnyeon always seduces me afterward in the same positions they’ve ‘consumed.’

– “I’ll take care of Sun Gyeoul. In exchange, you play her role.” *snicker*

Cheongnyeon’s subtle jealousy and charm shine through these moments. Hence, even when trolling about wanting to devour Sun Gyeoul, it feels endearing and adorable.

“Hmm. The Villain Alliance under the Commander won’t harm us. Only one person will suffer.”

Sun Icheol.

“The Protagonist, Heroine, Association, and Villains—all will be satisfied with the outcome. Except for one person.”

Sun Icheol.

“Heroes and Villains across all regions will be locked in a stalemate. In Guro, the Protagonist and Heroines will uniquely secure a record of capturing Seoul’s supervillains, increasing their likability, providing the Association with Villain intelligence, and offering refugees a golden opportunity to suppress radicals. And ultimately, the failure of the Seoul Recovery Operation will harm only one person.”

Sun Icheol.

Calling Sun Icheol three times, I’m confident Cheongnyeon’s plan will succeed. This doesn’t defy the original story flow; instead, it preserves the predetermined future.

“The Seoul Recovery Operation fails. Everyone knows why, right?”

At 12:34:56 AM on March 2nd, the S+ Grade Monster <City Hall Serpent> will awaken and wreak havoc in Jongno.

“Though this game offers great freedom, deviating from the path can lead to instant Game Over. But avoiding two specific flags ensures a smooth experience.”

Breaking these rules guarantees Game Over.

“The Protagonist group must not overperform beyond Guro.”

Excessive activity by the Protagonist leads directly to Game Over.

“There are countless scenarios, but simply put—if Sun Icheol never gets the Cube, everything’s fine.”

Sun Icheol obtaining the Cube is impossible.

“Sun Kko-sam remains Yeong Kko-sam. Defying this destiny triggers Game Over.”

That is, if Sun Icheol’s size ever grows beyond 3 cm, fate intervenes.

Leading to Game Over and world destruction.

***

<3:29 PM, Guro Oracle Studio Base>

“…that’s the boss’s plan,” explained Yuna. Everyone fell silent. Though Laon, Nuri, Gaon, and Xroid Yuha Baek Cheonghwa had outlined the basics, the horrifying details were revealed now through Yuna.

“The boss casually joked about it, but if the operation succeeds, it could eradicate all evil in this country.”

“Wow…is Oppa insane?”

Nuri inspected the ‘Villains’ faces’ sent earlier via Magical Gear. The captured Villains fell into three categories.

“Strawberry-marked Villains aren’t actual criminals—they’re wrongly registered in government databases due to Sun Icheol’s actions. They escaped New Seoul to Seoul.”

“Those marked with Mint Chocolate aren’t hardcore Villains. They’re victims of Seoul’s harsh environment.”

Mint Chocolate-marked Villains represent minor offenders or those forced into villainy by Seoul’s conditions—about 60% of the total.

“And the remaining 30%?”

“Green Wind Mark. Boss called it <Wind Shear>.”

“Murderers, rapists, and other heinous criminals. They’re labeled kill-on-sight targets.”

Finally, the <Wind Shear> mark—an ominous green blade symbolizing death.

“Our mission? Capture Villains with the Wind Shear mark.”

“Guro’s full of monsters to hunt and Villains to arrest? Sounds sweet.”

“Nuri, this is a battlefield. Focus.”

“With you guys around, what’s to fear? Hehehe.”

Team members checked the marks on Villains in their area, Guro. How Baek Cheonghwa obtained this info wasn’t questioned—wasn’t it Oracle’s doing?

Because the Commander said so.

Two sentences confirmed the team accepted this god-tier move.

“Two key targets in Guro.”

“<Lighthouse>. A perverted voyeur monitoring Guro in real-time… Isn’t that crazy?!”

“Marked with Wind Shear. Must capture.”

First target, <Lighthouse>, gifted with千里眼 (far-sightedness), was described as a peeping tom spying on women showering.

“When using the restroom, always hold hands with Gaon—Lighthouse can’t spy on stronger beings.”

“So, am I babysitting everyone?”

Kim Gaon realized why Baek Cheonghwa placed him here.

“Sis, do you know how much I love you?”

“Don’t go crazy. Discuss beforehand. Don’t inconvenience others by returning late.”

The team resolved their primary concern. Deciding to capture Lighthouse, they began examining others.

“Strange. The file mentions a C-Rank Villain…”

“Is he the leader?”

“Maybe the filter’s set to Wind Shear? Let’s adjust it to Mint Chocolate.”

Adjusting the filter didn’t reveal the C-Rank Villain. Curious, they reset it to Strawberry.

“Damn!”

Estimated C-Rank Villain, <Masquerade>.

Suspected Special Ability: Transformation.

The Strawberry-marked Villain’s data clearly stated Sex: Female.

“Could it be…?”

The team fell silent.

* * *

<4:04 PM, Guro Underground Lighthouse Keeper's Den>

“Yes, yes… Seems like I’ve been caught. What should we do?”

[…VVVIP treatment. Humanity’s sole beacon of hope.]

“What?”

[Stop joking around. Since it’s you, I’ll tell you. We received the operation outline. You guard it well. Got it? <Masquerade>?]

“Yes, yes!”

Masquerade shivered hearing news from their master.

“Shit… Am I screwed?”

There was reason for Masquerade to infiltrate this den of Villains alone. Fear gripped them, imagining someone nearby ready to strike.

“Ugh… Pretending not to notice should work, right? Yeah, that’ll do. Hey, what do you think?”

“Groan…”

Masquerade stomped on the man beneath them with sharp heels. The heel sank deep into his buttocks, causing him immense pain.

“Not answering? Hmm, hurting this much? Your fault my ass is sore.”

“You…Bitch! I saved your life, yet you betray me?!”

“Hmph. Who do you think you’re calling a bitch, asshole?”

Thud, thud. Masquerade yanked the heel free, flipped the man over, and smirked while crushing his erect member.

“How dare you steal someone else’s virginity through rape?”

“Shut up!”

“Thanks to your power, you survived. And thanks to your power, you’re still alive. Tsk, clean up your mess yourself.”

Kick. Masquerade discarded their shoe—a designer pair worth millions from a department store—but incinerated it effortlessly with magic.

“Damn. Worthless. Guess I’ll handle it myself.”

Tapping their mask, Masquerade exited the room. With VVVIP status confirmed by their master, tension gnawed at them.

“Still, don’t lose heart… This is my territory.”

Even a fox is king in its own den. Opening the door to the VVVIP’s room, Masquerade declared,

“Congratulations. Your proposal has been accepted…”

“Ah, you came?”

The man stood shirtless, sweat glistening off his muscular chest and abs.

“So, how did it go? Did other district Villains agree to follow you?”

“Are you the <Commander>?”

“Huh? Wh-what are you saying?”

“Heh… Shit. You’re screwed. Villains raping Commanders is basic protocol.”

Masquerade locked the door, wrapping a whip around the man’s neck.

“Lucky you. I was planning to eat you anyway. Perfect timing. Stick it in. Let’s see what S-Rank feels like.”

CRACK!!

Masquerade tore Baek Cheonghwa’s pants apart.