Villain Eaten By The Hero - Chapter 106

106

The conversation remained strange until the end. One minute he’s spouting nonsense, the next he’s saying it’s all a setup.

But with those words, Seo understood the situation roughly.

Questions of when, why, why, and how were scattered throughout, but one thing was certain; all of Seok’s words were lies, but perhaps they could become reality.

If he played along with “such a setup” and maintained “such a setup,” even lies could become the truth.

A well-crafted stage was now set before Seo.

“Will you go?”

“…Belze?”

His usual suspicions played a part, but he couldn’t think of anyone else who would do something like this. It was hard to imagine someone setting up a favorable scenario for Seo and aiding in his escape.

Frankly, Seo couldn’t even believe that Seok would go along with such a bizarre play. He even wondered if Seok was actually being mind-controlled or replaced by a clone, but his subsequent, uncharacteristically cheerful response put his doubts to rest.

“I’ve made a temporary alliance with some people on the grand scheme of things.”

Skillfully avoiding a direct answer was entirely Seok’s trademark.

In other words, it meant that Belze was right. It was quite astonishing.

“Did you join forces with <Cheonha>?”

“Our society needs upright heroes like you, Mr. Seo. Someone who doesn’t compromise convictions despite falling in love with someone so intense that it keeps him awake at night is a testament to your purity of conviction and sense of responsibility.”

It was utterly bizarre that Seok, who seemed to extol discipline, had conspired with <Cheonha> to come to his aid. Seo had known that he had earned Seok’s favor, but he had assumed it was because of his dedication to his duty as a hero.

However, Seok’s face showed no signs of guilt or hesitation in supporting Seo.

“It’s not that I’m superimposing my personal feelings on Mr. Seo, but… It’s also not because I can’t refuse a favor….”

But by the time the sentiment came across, Seok’s expression had noticeably darkened.

After rambling on in a tone that didn’t seem to have much passion or conviction, Seok neatly cut off the tail of his words.

“Anyway, will you go?”

Seo stood up from his seat.

As Seo had already anticipated before hearing Seok’s, leaving the prison without permission would not only jeopardize Belze’s carefully orchestrated plan but could also double his liability. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t go and just stay put.

Even though he couldn’t fully understand Belze’s intentions, it was still the stage she set.

Seok, sensing Seo’s intentions, smashed the reinforced glass and tossed a small bag to him.

The bag contained a key to unlock the handcuffs and a semi-suit specially made for Seo.

* * * 

Before Seo even heard his response, the scene outside the visitation room was already in chaos. Despite being a specialized prison for transporting villains and people with powers, half of the facility was out of commission. Most of the staff had lost consciousness and were restrained.

If Seo refused or if anything went wrong, it would all fall on Seok’s shoulders. Still, Seo was surprised that they had gotten this far.

Outside the detention center, the scene was even worse: white and black smoke billowing from everywhere, a giant curtain partially covering the sky. From the traffic lights visible in front of him to the billboards in the distance, many things were not functioning properly.

It looked like a scene straight out of a disaster movie, with devastation as far as the eye could see.

Seeing this, Seo turned to Seok.

“This is all staged.”

“…….”

“We’ve evacuated all civilians. Anyone left is either disguised actors or holograms.”

“What about the other heroes?”

“The villains have decided this is the time, so they’ve formed a league and are fighting each other in various locations.”

At this point, Seo realized the true danger posed by Belze. This was the danger of a villain. They may be defeated by the authorities, who have invested enormous amounts of capital and manpower, but the damage they do to society until they are subdued is enormous.

Not only the boss of <Cheonha> or Seo, but even just Belze, the danger posed when she starts rampaging, is truly of a weapon-grade level.

The collapse of the city will be instantaneous.

Seo refrained from using his hands to stop the raging spectacle and instead pulled out a lamppost and clutched it like a baseball glove. As soon as he grasped it, he forcefully hurled the lamppost, now crumpled like a tin can, onto the sparsely populated concrete road.

The ground rumbled beneath him with a loud crash, and Belze, who had noticed Seo’s arrival, appeared.

“You were tied up in the prison, how did you manage to appear? But it’s already too late! Meteor City is ours!”

Standing atop a long disc floating in the air, with a cheerful and confident face.

Her clear and cheerful face infuriated Seo.

“What are you doing? Do you even realize what you’re doing? I’ve given you a way to live in peace, and you’re only putting yourself in danger by going on a rampage like this!”

When you’re quiet, you’re just a deterrent, but when you go on a rampage like this, the response will escalate. At this point, with the threat becoming a reality, it was obvious how <Cheonha> would be treated.

“Well, it’s okay. You’ll be my personal hero.”

However, Belze, who knew this well, casually winked and acted mischievously. It was quite audacious.

“It’s not going to work like that…”

“It will, because you’re the only one who can stop me from going on a rampage in the first place, and of course you’re the only hero who can stop our boss.”

“You think that’s going to work?”

“It will because I’m going to go on a rampage whenever you’re not around. Even if others dislike you, are wary of you, and want to drive you away, if you alone effectively block us, then they’ll have no choice but to keep you around, as a totem.”

“You want me to cooperate with such a charade? So, are you suggesting that we collude behind the scenes?”

Belze, who had said that it wouldn’t be collusion if it were done upfront, snorted with amusement, whether or not Seo made a face.

“No, Seo. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just warning you that such things might happen in the future. I don’t like the idea of going on a rampage, either. It’s not because I want to be bound by rules, nor do I have a desire to truly dominate the city. I’m happy to go to cafes and go to the movies and have a date with someone I like in a peaceful city. But…”

Even those without any abilities can go on a rampage. But they don’t because they care about the people around them and want to avoid being sanctioned by strict laws and regulations.

This is no different for villains with shallower morals than others. While they may be a bit out of touch with modern society, they’re not just psychotic individuals who enjoy hurting others.

There are occasional extremists, but most of them form small societies within their own groups. They have their favorite stores, TV shows, and books, and they enjoy peaceful times when they don’t rampage.

“I’m not a fan of societies that persecute you.”

But that’s a story for days when everything is going well.

“My man’s innocent, yet he’s locked up in prison while they live happily? That’s not right. That’s heartless.”

It’s not uncommon to hear stories of people who lose their temper and tear down the towers they’ve worked so hard to build. It’s even more common when love is involved.

The gaze from above, looking down at Seo standing on the ground, was affectionate only to him. In other words, there was a cruel aspect, almost indifferent to others, that was prominently displayed.

When affection wanes and attachment disappears, anything is possible.

If the world mistreats Seo, there’s no need for Belze to stay there. There’s no reason to deal gently with things. While there may be a price to pay for her actions, at that point, it will be a trivial matter.