Chapter 792

〈Chapter 792〉 Part 2, Chapter 7, Section 24 – Basic Qualities of a Villain in Hell Chosun

After pausing the game for a moment…

As a human, I need to eat.

Though I’ve handed over part of my metabolism to Shin-ra, there are still some essential human tasks I must handle myself, like basic nutrition.

And then there’s this thing called mood.

As the head of this household, cooking meals for Shin-ra and Seok Harang is one of my few simple joys.

So when I decided to prepare a grand meal and sit down to eat together…

“Is there anything you want?”

“Um….”

“Let’s see it first.”

Both Shin-ra and Seok Harang looked lost in thought, staring at me with faces full of contemplation.

It seems they want something but feel too embarrassed to ask.

“What is it? Speak up.”

“It’s nothing. I’ll tell you later.”

“Are you keeping secrets from me now?”

“It’s less about secrets and more about being shy. Even if we’ve seen everything there is to see…there’s still such a thing as basic manners.”

Ah, so it’s a woman’s secret.

I wondered what the point was in suddenly caring about these things now, but at the same time, it added an unexpected charm.

‘There has to be some balance.’

They say the most dangerous moment is when your girlfriend becomes your wife and turns into just someone you live with.

If you start thinking of your wife not as the woman you love but as a comrade-in-arms sharing life’s struggles, that’s when love transitions into mere obligation.

That’s the most perilous phase.

A man who loses his love might find himself drawn to another woman, leading to infidelity.

But if Shin-ra and Harang have consciously decided against that path, all I need to do is sit back and enjoy their allure.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Ugh, okay.”

“To the point where you’re making me anticipate something…”

What exactly are they planning to surprise me with?

‘Naked apron cooking? Done. Human gift? Done. Cosplay? That’s old news by now. Oh right, we agreed on the older sister roleplay recently.’

After conquering Hydra, I decided to engage in a three-way with Shin-ra and Harang, both now playing as older sisters.

Though the existence of D-cup Seok Harang paired with Sun Icheol’s alleged 22cm might seem questionable, in a world where interdimensional beings can cross over from games into reality, is anything truly impossible?

Who knows?

In some alternate universe, maybe there really is a world where Sun Icheol, armed with his legendary 22cm, runs rampant among women, performing miracles.

‘Drinking a blueberry latte while receiving D-cups worth of attention.’

…Not bad, actually?

Sitting with Shin-ra on my left sipping strawberry latte, and Harang on my right with her blueberry latte, perhaps even indulging in a playful nip on both bosoms simultaneously.

‘But is this still too tame?’

This level of anticipation from Shin-ra especially—her eyes brimming with excitement—is unprecedented.

What kind of surprise are they planning that leaves me so tantalized?

“Shin-ra, remember that after the Hydra chapter, we move straight to the next one, right?”

“Ah, yes. Definitely…the Hikari Rescue Operation, wasn’t it?”

“Exactly.”

The fifth heroine.

Following Yuna, Raon, Nuri, and Gaon, Hikari would be the fifth character to join our ranks under normal gameplay conditions.

Himeji Hikari: The genius technician, the stereotypical ‘scientist’ archetype found in many subculture works involving superpowers.

Of Japanese descent, originally from an ancient Kyoto royal lineage, she endured bullying and eventually came to Korea, only to be captured by a villainous figure and become an underling to the villains of this world.

Her first appearance in the game involves secretly sending an SOS message to the Commander.

Known as “Hikari’s Chapter,” this story kicks off immediately after the Hydra chapter concludes, depending on how quickly the Commander picks up on Hikari’s signals.

“The successful rescue of Hikari will finally open the way for proper Cube exploration, right?”

“Yeah. With Hikari’s chapter, the true nature of the Cube and Dark Legion will be officially revealed.”

Under normal circumstances, players uncover the hidden truth about the Dark Legion and the Cube through Hikari’s revelations after rescuing her.

Even if Hikari isn’t rescued, her leftover data can still guide the main storyline.

“The Cube hidden beneath the Daedong Science Complex’s secret underground lab will soon come to light.”

There’s a Cube in Daedong.

Buried deep underground, the research facility operates covertly above the Cube, while Hikari endures a life akin to torture within its walls, her identity completely concealed from everyone.

For me, this place holds special significance—it’s where I encountered the Cube for the second time during my twenty years on Earth, a location I’ll never forget.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you fight Dad here?”

“That’s right.”

Here, I faced Heo Yoon-hwan, wielder of Light Blade.

Using the ultimate techniques of Light Blade, I relentlessly pushed him mentally, eventually succeeding in breaking his ironclad spirit.

“Because I’m a monster, that method worked.”

“Seriously… Do you know how he fought? He gave his bones and took his flesh!”

Shin-ra grumbled, voicing her complaints.

“I told you countless times not to push yourself so hard in battle.”

“But I was under the influence of memory suppression back then, so it’s fine, right?”

“Regardless of memory, I warned you about leaving scars on your soul! And yet you ignored me, saying it was fine since your body regenerates!”

“That’s true… Sorry.”

I sincerely apologized to Shin-ra.

“Thinking about it now, I intended to only injure the monster form, but I ended up hurting the human form too. I should’ve made sure the human form never got hurt.”

“…You were really out of your mind back then.”

“Yeah, I was crazy. All for saving someone.”

Being a monster made it possible.

“Still, because of those hardships, we’re able to share meals and moments like this now. Everyone’s ready to eat. It’s rare for us to prepare something like this…um…”

“What’s wrong? Is something amiss? If any food got cold, let me know. I’ll reheat it right away.”

“…Seeing this reminded me. We need to hurry and rescue Hikari in-game.”

“Huh?”

Seok Harang tilted her head in confusion.

“Isn’t Hikari living somewhat comfortably?”

“That’s Hikari from 20 years ago. Hikari from 25 years ago is in a completely different situation. We managed to save her right after she arrived in Korea, but in-game, Hikari is undergoing severe torture.”

Shin-ra’s voice grew increasingly passionate.

“Day after day, sleepless nights filled with research. She can’t go outside, only ever touching oil, cores, and steel plates! It’s not a life befitting a woman; it’s merely the life of a researcher forced upon her.”

“So this is the ideal life Hikari dreams of?”

“Of course not! But she is currently enduring brutal torture! The villain is Korean, Hikari is Japanese! What do you think happens?”

“…No way.”

Seok Harang’s expression turned icy.

“When I watched the original playthrough, it didn’t seem this serious. Maybe they hit her in unseen places? Bruises healed and regenerated, right?”

“It’s not that…she was injected with something.”

“What…?”

The temperature around us dropped.

“Surely not…drugs…?”

“National pride drugs.”

“What…?”

“Hikari is forcibly injected with national pride every morning. From 8 AM to 10 AM, she has a specific task with the villain who kidnapped her. Can you guess what it might be?”

“Eh…maybe some history education?”

“That’d be lucky.”

Everyone who had taken the Hikari route gasped in shock.

Whether playing the game or watching subtitled walkthroughs, they were all struck with horror.

Hikari’s daily dose of national pride involved…

“Hikari is forced to watch morning dramas every day. Only the soapiest ones, naturally.”

“……”

Seok Harang covered her face with both hands.

* * *

In-game.

Daedong Research Complex, Basement Level 8.

In the unknown eighth basement level, a dignified woman with long black hair sat haggard before a monitor.

Crack!

“How could this happen?!”

On the screen, a woman slapped a man holding something in her hand.

The man, sporting a bruised cheek, touched it gingerly and laughed bitterly.

“Ki…Kimchi?! And…chicken too…?!”

“Yes! Kimchi-marinated chicken from an esteemed family!”

“Sponsorship deal. Selling kimchi-marinated chicken, huh? Guess this country isn’t going under anytime soon.”

The woman muttered wearily.

“Co ju ol ma i gel…”

“Ahh, it’s over.”

She quietly lowered the monitor.

Just past 10 AM, she pulled out a virtual keyboard and began rapidly typing.

“Today’s review… The drama was really entertaining, wasn’t it? Wow, I really want some chicken… But did you know the truth about kimchi-marinated chicken…?”

She typed furiously, occasionally inserting emoticons of a bald character looking surprised, completing a lengthy review of “kimchi-marinated chicken.”

“There are two things that shouldn’t exist in this world: mint chocolate and this.”

The woman sighed deeply, covering her face with her hands.

“If only all the broadcasting stations would collapse…”

Her voice carried deep despair.

On another monitor reflected on the wall, while monsters attacked and people died, citizens of New Seoul were laughing happily while watching reviews of kimchi-marinated chicken.

Yet, she could do nothing.

She was being “controlled” by someone, and even this fleeting freedom was the result of years of manipulation.

[Hikari.]

“Hiiik?!”

At the voice from behind, Hikari screamed.

Behind her stood a cloaked figure who suddenly appeared, handing her something.

[VVIP client request. Can you make it?]

“Uh, wha…?”

Moments ago listless, Hikari now trembled in fear.

Terrified that the cloaked figure might harm her, she accepted the data hesitantly.

“This…?”

[From soft to hardcore, they want tools for SM play. Something powered by core magic.]

“SM play…?”

[Yes. The client suggests tentacle play would be good. Mechanical tentacles…hehe, we’ll make a killing. Can you do it?]

“If you give me more time and budget…”

[What?]

The shadowy figure approached Hikari, stroking her cheek.

[Do you want to dip your kimchi-marinated chicken in mint chocolate?]

“No, no! I’ll make it fast, very fast!!”

[I trust you, Hikari.]

With a swish, the figure disappeared into the shadows.

Panting heavily, Hikari clutched the request sheet, her face pale.

“SM play…VVVIP… Ah, surely not…?”

Slowly, life returned to Hikari’s eyes.

“If my suspicion is correct…”

Gaaaah.

“…this is my hope.”

Hikari’s eyes sparkled with newfound determination.