I Woke Up as the Villain

Choi Mi-Na ran so fast that she might as well have flown over to see Yu-Seong when she heard the news. She blushed after realizing that he was fine and that she had caused a ruckus for nothing. After saying she felt flustered and guilty because she failed to keep her promise to help Yu-Seong to some extent. Then, as if running away, she quickly left her seat.

It was understandable. She had always been uncomfortable in crowded spaces, and today, she had shown an embarrassing side of her so it was only natural for her to run away.

Not long after, the party started and quickly became much more chaotic than Yu-Seong had anticipated. Bernard Yoo enthusiastically showed off his skills, and surprisingly, Jin Yu-Ri and Meghan had a lot of common ground and were constantly chatting. They even exchanged numbers.

The strange thing was that Kim Do-Jin, who had seemed like he would leave as soon as he finished eating, stayed in his seat and drank. His face turned slightly red as he said that he didn’t hate getting drunk and laughed more openly than usual.

However, from Choi Yu-Seong's perspective, it was a situation where his own heart was getting colder. Though, such feelings didn’t last for long. He gradually got drunk and got into a good mood. He was gradually letting go of his inhibitions and was truly taking a leisurely break for the first time in a long time. He truly let loose without a care in the world.

"...I drank a lot," said Yu-Seong as he looked at Jin Yu-Ri sitting next to him. It seemed like he had fallen asleep on the couch in a somewhat disheveled state and was woken up by the morning sun.

"Yes, it was no joke. It's been a while since you drank as much as you wanted. Haha…" Jin Yu-Ri chuckled and nodded.

It must be because Jin Yu-Ri and Meghan had been by Yu-Seong’s side in the comfort of his own home, but he had felt a sense of ease and relaxation wash over him.

'Or maybe I just really wanted to get drunk.' 

The problem was that Yu-Seong had some memory loss because of it.

"What about Bernard Yoo and Meghan?” asked Yu-Seong.

"They left early in the morning. They're on a plane right now.”

"They probably went straight to America. I wonder if Chairman Yoo of Cheon-Ji Group Yoon stayed calm...”

"Meghan also mentioned that. I was worried that he might have imposed restrictions on their departure, but it seems that he simply suspended their card. I think Chairman Yoo of Cheon-Ji Group is so angry that he’s throwing Bernard Yoo out to get a taste of life living on his own.”

"I don't think the older man will be able to bear it for long, considering how much he cares for Bernard," said Yu-Seong.

“Yes, it is a well-known rumor,” replied Yu-Ri.

Furthermore, in the original novel, Bernard would often act against his grandfather’s intentions, and ultimately, Chairman Yoo always ended up on the losing side. Yu-Seong believed this time would be no different.

“What about Kim Do-Jin?" Yu-Seong asked. The memory of Kim Do-Jin and Bernard Yoo fighting suddenly came to his mind. He then asked, "Didn't he fight with Bernard Yoo?"

"They did. But you truly don’t remember it at all?"

"Sorry. I truly don't remember," said Yu-Seong.

Jin Yu-Ri smiled mysteriously before saying, "Well then, it is a secret. You can hear it from the two yourself.”

"You mean, to meet the two of them together again?" Choi Yu-Seong looked at Jin Yu-Ri with a surprised expression.

It was understandable to include Bernard Yoo in the story, but the sudden mention of Kim Do-Jin was too unexpected. After all, Yu-Seong knew that Jin Yu-Ri held a certain level of disdain for him.

“It’s because I have some newfound certainty from the previous day's events. At least I am now convinced that Kim Do-Jin holds no ill will towards you, young master… And most of all, the three of you seem to look better together than I had imagined."

"You talking like that only makes me even more curious. What exactly happened yesterday?"

"Hmm... Why don't you ask Kim Do-Jin directly?" Yu-Ri said.

"Is he still at our house?"

"No, he left for a dungeon when Bernard Yoo was leaving.”

"I guess I'm the only lazy one."

"You must be the weakest drinker."

"Dang..." Choi Yu-Seong chuckled and jumped up from his seat.

The spinning sensation of being hungover made Yu-Seong feel like he couldn't do anything if he didn’t stay on the couch.

However, he couldn't let that happen. He had to move forward just as much as, if not more than, Kim Do-Jin and Bernard Yoo. After all, both of them were working diligently.

Choi Yu-Seong picked up the iron rod on the wall and said to Jin Yu-Ri, "Ahh, the smell of alcohol is still strong in my mouth. I'm going to exercise and freshen up, so tell Jenny to give me a call and come over. I have something to ask her. Also, I'll be leaving for somewhere quite far in the afternoon."

"Where are you going?" asked Yu-Ri.

"Goseong in Gangwon-do."

"Ah… You are finally going to meet him." Jin Yu-Ri's eyes sparkled.

As she was the one who had investigated, Yu-Ri knew very well just who was in Goseong, Gangwon-do.

"Since I shouldn’t leave too late. I’ll leave it to you, Yu-Ri."

It was time for Choi Yu-Seong to meet his last colleague, Yoo Jin-Hyuk.

***

After sweating out in morning training and getting rid of all the alcohol in his body, Choi Yu-Seong took a shower and dressed neatly before leaving his house.

"Oh, boss! Hello!" A cute girl with a plump appearance and bright eyes greeted Choi Yu-Seong by bowing her head.

At first, Choi Yu-Seong couldn't recognize the girl for a moment. He finally realized who she was a moment later. "Oh... Chae Ye-Ryeong? You changed your hair."

Every day, Ye-Ryeong would walk around with her bangs covering more than half of her face. Only when she flipped her long bangs to the side would her childish-looking face be revealed. With slightly squinted eyes, a round face, small dimples, and a delicate body, it was hard to believe that she was the "The Sorceress of the Flood" who had sent many to their deaths in her original story.

‘She still has baby fat on her face. She is certainly still a child. Haha…’

Even though Choi Yu-Seong and Ye-Ryeong were only a year apart, because of Yu-Seong’s memories of his past life, he felt that Ye-Ryeong was way younger. Choi Yu-Seong smiled like an old uncle.

"Well, it’s quite cumbersome when hunting, and I don’t feel the need to cover it, so... What do you think? Is it strange?” asked Ye-Ryeong.

"Not at all. You look good. By the way, what's going on? I thought you were focusing on hunting for your promotion examination?"

"Oh, that's why I came to see you." Ye-Ryeong laughed and made a peace sign. "I am D-rank, sir."

"...What?"

"I got promoted yesterday! So, I cut my hair to celebrate my achievement," Ye-Ryeong said.

That was fast. He had expected it, but Yu-Seong was still surprised by Ye-Ryeong's rapid growth.

‘Maybe it's because it's not my own progress. It feels even faster.’

Before Yu-Seong knew it, the cold weather was getting warmer and spring was approaching. If he thought about it, Ye-Ryeong's rate of growth was enough for her to have been promoted. However, something still felt quite strange for Yu-Seong.

Anyways, apart from that, Yu-Seong felt good about the news. A natural smile soon appeared on his face.

Jin Yu-Ri, who also looked surprised, was the first to speak. "Congratulations, Ye-Ryeong. You're growing really fast."

"Thank you, unni. I still can’t believe it yet...but everyone says it's a big thing. I even got my new D-rank certification. Hehe."

"That's good news."

"Yeah! So now I can go to the same dungeon as the boss.”

"Hmm... That's also good news. But I regret to inform you that I have to go somewhere else today," said Yu-Seong.

"Oh, if you're busy, then it can't be helped. I'll just do some personal hunting then. Anyway, since the boss is on a higher level than me, I'll try my best to catch up." Ye-Ryeong clenched her fists and looked determined.

Yu-Seong watched the girl and smiled. Then, he looked at her as if something had suddenly occurred to him. He asked, "Or how about you consider today a day off and come with us?"

"A day off?"

"We're planning to go to Goseong in Gangwon-do. It's right next to Sokcho, so we can see the beach too. It'll be nice."

"If the boss says so, then I'll do that," said Ye-Ryeong.

"No, I'm not forcing you... " said Yu-Seong as he scratched his head.

"I'm just joking. I was excited about taking the day off. I also want to see the sea! But can I really follow along?" With her tongue sticking out, Ye-Ryeong grinned and looked back and forth between Choi Yu-Seong and Jin Yu-Ri.

"Of course," replied Yu-Seong.

"If Yu-Seong oppa is okay with it, then I'm good with it too," said Yu-Ri.

And so, the three of them became a group and got into the car.

***

Since Yu-Seong had requested to visit Jin Do-Yoon at the hospital first, Jin Yu-Ri's car did not head directly towards Gangwon-do, Goseong. Despite losing one foot, Do-Yoon was undergoing consistent rehabilitation treatment and was expected to be able to be discharged soon.

There would be inconveniences such as using a wheelchair and living with crutches, but if there was no need to stay in the hospital, it was better for Do-Yoon to be discharged. Choi Yu-Seong eagerly awaited the day Jin Do-Yoon would return home as he left the hospital.

Only after the hospital visit did the car head toward Goseong. As it would take about three hours from Seoul, it was not a short journey. During that time, Choi Yu-Seong sat in the back seat and checked his social media and NewTube channel. When a popular video appeared on his feed, his attention was soon drawn to it.

Search tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w for the original.

- Promising D-rank tanker, Park Hyuk-Jin, leads the charge in challenging the Goblin Fortress dungeon racing as a tanker.

In fact, since records were important in dungeon racing, it was not something that a tanker, who mainly focused on defensive abilities, would often challenge. As Choi Yu-Seong had experienced, even the Goblin Fortress dungeon was a dungeon with many challenges.

‘Even if he is D-rank, it won't be easy as a tanker…’

Since Park Hyuk-Jin was described as a promising player, he was a pretty well-known player. Based on the fact that he had made this difficult decision, it was an event that would raise his reputation. It was not just a simple challenge announcement that made the video popular.

‘Anyway, Park Hyuk-Jin...looks familiar. I wonder who he is.’

Choi Yu-Seong scratched his cheek and opened the notepad to check the contents of the original novel. He had a thought that Hyuk-Jin might be an important character. He checked to see if there was anyone with the same name, but soon turned off his phone when he found no matching name.

The brief encounter during his E-rank days, when he had first entered the dungeon, had made a small impression on Choi Yu-Seong. However, it had been forgotten.

Afterward, Choi Yu-Seong looked at his own system interface.

‘Wow, I have over 5,000 karma points.’ 

Due to his great performance in the battle with Bernard Yoo, Yu-Seong had received more attention from the gods than he thought. Many of the gods' names were related to thunder, including Odin and Thor.

Because of this, Loki, who seemed somehow jealous, had suddenly given away 3,000 karma points. This resulted in the current huge numbers being recorded on the interface window. It was a source of satisfaction for Choi Yu-Seong to see the number, but it was time to put it to use instead of saving it all up.

Yu-Seong thought about which skill to raise. He also thought about the fusion of Insight and Eye of the Beast, which only had one use left.

It would take about three hours to go to Goseong, so the journey wouldn’t be as long as he thought.

‘It's skill enhancement time.’

In that way, Choi Yu-Seong began the work he had been putting off for several days.