Chapter 88

### Chapter 87, Part 4: How to Conquer a Hero (7)

* * *

"Kill me if I become a villain."

Those words made me feel an inexplicable bitterness and distance.

'So, you're determined to walk the path of a hero, no matter how difficult and painful it may be.'

Physically, we were very close, but there was a definite distance between us.

I am a villain.

Yumir wants to be a hero.

[Don't you want to become a villain?]

"Yes. I don't want to kill people. Even if people who lost their abilities due to me end up choosing death or suffering worse than death, I don't want to kill anyone by my own will."

She's acting like a protagonist.

"Now, I may be lacking in many ways, but I will definitely grow stronger. That's why I came to Korea."

[What about joining the Covenant?]

"The Covenant... "

She has the most upright heart, which is why she is the protagonist, and that's why I want to draw her deeper into the Covenant.

[Even if you become a villain by joining the Covenant, you don't necessarily have to kill anyone. Just being part of the Covenant is enough.]

"But there will come a day when I have to kill someone, or at least watch and let it happen."

[That's true.]

The Covenant is an organization that eliminates anything that hinders our goal of world domination.

And 'killing' is one of our means.

"The Covenant is not a place I can belong to. I want to help people, not rule them by force."

[You say that even though you have the power to dominate.]

"I have the power, but how I use it is different for everyone. Maybe this power was given to me not to dominate people, but to purify those who have become demons and return them to human life. It could be a gift from God."

[A gift from God, huh?]

In other words, it's the author's setting, the protagonist's destiny.

"Yes. Even if the root is taking something from others, if it's taking from those who have become demons... it can be seen in a better light, right?"

The author created this world, and Yumir is the protagonist of this world.

[It must be tough.]

"It is tough, but I have to try. It's just the beginning, and I can't give up just because it's tough from the start. I'm not that weak-willed."

[Your thoughts might change after a year of seeing things you don't want to see.]

For example, if a meteor is about to fall from the sky and destroy the Earth.

"I'm fine. If I work hard, someone will help me. They might not be here now, but they will appear."

[It's a shame that God didn't give you a sidekick. A hero should have a sidekick.]

"I have someone who can help me, even without a sidekick, so it's okay."

[Who is it? Someone who helped you come to Korea?]

"......Who do you think?"

Yumir just smiled at me.

[I don't plan to help you.]

"Oh. I wasn't thinking of a goblin? Did you think I was talking about you?"

[Then who?]

"I don't plan to tell the goblin."

Yumir stuck her tongue out at me.

It was a classic but amusing gesture, making me feel quite ridiculous.

[You must trust this person a lot, to defend them so much.]

"Yes. He's incredibly handsome, has great manners, and gives me insights every time he speaks to me. He's the only person in this stifling island who I can breathe and talk to."

It felt good, but I tried to hide my identity as much as possible.

[Is that so? Since he's handsome, he must be a man. Be careful.]

"Be careful of what?"

[All men are wolves.]

"Huh? Haha!"

I was being serious, but Yumir laughed, holding her stomach.

[If you want to befriend a C-rank ability user like Yumir, there's a possibility they have ulterior motives. Are you really sure there's no chance of that?]

I'm undermining myself, but I have to do this to clear any suspicions about me.

"Is that so? I don't really care."

[What? You don't care if that man does something to you?]

"Well... Yes. If he does something inappropriate, if he goes all the way, he'll have to live with me for the rest of his life..."

Yumir leaned in closer to me.

"If it were you, let's talk as a woman to a man, not as a hero to a villain. How would you feel? What would you want to do to me?"

[What inappropriate talk.]

"Hehe. It's a joke. I know you wouldn't do that."

[......]

This woman.

Could it be?

[Then, what do you think that man will do? How do you feel he will treat you?]

"Well... I hope he'll be nice to me."

[You seem quite smitten with him.]

"Yes. He's been kind to me since I came here, helped me a lot, and is still helping me. And..."

Yumir raised one hand toward the sky.

"He reminded me of my goal."

[To turn demons back into humans?]

"Yes. To use my abilities to the fullest in any way I can. Not to take abilities from others, but to help those who have fallen into demons regain their human form. And to help them live a better life. That's what I want to do."

[The Covenant can help you with that.]

"Wow, you're persistent. Do you really want me on your side that much?"

[Of course. Now that I know the nature of your ability, why would I give up?]

I stood up from the bench and stood next to Yumir.

[Do you know how many children are abandoned in this country each year?]

"...Why are you suddenly asking that?"

[To show you that there's a world you haven't seen yet. I've seen it. I've seen a couple who, after having a child as their last lottery in life, abandoned their child on the street because the child wasn't an ability user.]

"......"

Yumir's face turned pale instantly.

[The Covenant protects and cares for such children. We ensure they don't starve to death, don't get sent to brainwashing education under the guise of national service, and don't become subjects for human experiments on ability users. We create an environment where they can grow up well.]

"That's..."

[Yes. It's a completely different field from what you think. But consider this: The Covenant can help you achieve your goal. We can create facilities to care for those who have been purified from demons. We can prevent them from committing suicide or causing chaos, and create a social safety net for them to live as humans even after losing their abilities.]

"That's a tempting offer."

Yumir smiled but shook her head firmly.

"But I respectfully decline. Whether others recognize it or not, I will walk the path of a hero as I see it."

[...I understand. But I will continue to make recruitment offers. Whenever you feel shaken or need strength, I will encourage you to join the Covenant.]

"You're persistent. Do you sell insurance?"

[I'm more desperate than an insurance salesman. Yes, that's... probably for the best.]

I extended my hand to Yumir.

[Whenever you have time, I'll check on you. And if there's a demon nearby, I'll give you enough time to purify it.]

"Aren't villains supposed to be executed immediately? Grand Cross?"

[...Immediate execution is my principle, but to recruit a magical girl, I can make some adjustments.]

"What about not killing them?"

[That's a principle.]

A demon left unchecked will create more demons.

The same goes for villains, which is why they are killed.

It's better to kill them cleanly than to have a saved villain become a demon in prison or be used as an experimental subject in demonization research.

[I promise. If there's someone near you who creates demons, I will deal with that person.]

"Um... what was it?"

[Oni.]

"Oh, right. ...Wasn't it a different name?"

[Oni is Oni.]

Self-proclaimed demon.

[You walk the path of a hero who purifies demons. I will continue to walk the path of a villain who kills those who turn people into demons. And if you ever get tired and feel weak, come to the Covenant. The Covenant will do everything for you.]

"Hmm... How about you walk the path of a hero with me? Partner up with me."

[I'm sorry, but I can't. I've sworn loyalty to the Covenant and am bound to it.]

"...Does the Covenant have your heart or something?"

[You could say that.]

The leader has it.

[Anyway, I look forward to it. If you join the Covenant, I will reveal myself and formally introduce myself to you.]

"...I look forward to it. Hehe."

Yumir just smiled meaningfully.

What is it?

Does she know who I am...?

* * *

As the goblin walked toward his bike, Yumir made a camera shape with her fingers.

She gazed at the goblin's back, recalling her memories.

"Hmm...."

Yumir couldn't help but laugh.

"That guy, he doesn't even realize he's talking about himself."

She had hinted at it a bit, and the goblin seemed to have noticed a little, but he didn't seem sure.