I Woke Up as the Villain

Was he brainwashed or something?' 

If so, the opponent might not be entirely a villain. That was why Seo-Jun was hesitating to kill the opponent.

'If I call Myo, the opponent will die.' 

The woman who wore the rabbit mask was the strongest in the Special Police Force and was famous for her lack of mercy toward those identified as villains.

What if the opponent was an ordinary player whose reasoning had been partially disrupted by a mental type skill?

‘Then it could potentially result in yet another unfortunate sacrifice.’

However, it was difficult to regard the opponent as a mere ordinary player, considering the fact that they had targeted and attacked five members of the Special Police Force: Jung, Chug, Jin, Sa, Yu, and Sul.

Considering the unprecedented situation caused by this individual, it was reasonable to assume they possessed a powerful ability. But even so, Seo-Jun couldn't imagine Myo, better known as Mi-Na, losing.

'She is one of the strongest players I know in South Korea. She’s strong enough to face five others.' 

For that reason, he had requested that she try to restrain the opponent if possible. However, it was uncertain whether Mi-Na would heed his request.

"My head hurts."

Seo-Jun, who had forwarded the last received location of the monster to Mi-Na, held his forehead.

This was a huge incident and couldn’t be determined just based on this. IIf a formidable player like this monster could have their mind controlled, the question arose: how dangerous was the villain responsible for such manipulation?

Frankly, it was a prospect he didn't even want to entertain.

"I hope Choi Mi-Na can really restrain them quietly."

Even when considering the necessity of extracting information from the opponent, taking their life would not be a favorable course of action. Seo-Jun, deciding to emphasize his request once more, was about to pick up his phone when a message arrived.

[Myo has just encountered the monster with the red mask.]

The message was sent by Hae, the pig, who had been watching the situation from the farthest distance.

"...It's already too late," Seo-Jun said.

At this point, it would be unreasonable to hope that Mi-Na would see the message. Seo-Jun's only option was to fervently hope that she had heard his initial request and would not kill the opponent.

***

Along a dark alleyway in Seoul, where the city's bright lights were notably absent, Mi-Na tilted her head as she locked eyes with a man who was glaring at her with a body half-bent like a beast.

"Villain, the Red Mask?" Mi-Na asked.

"Grrrr..."

The response that came back sounded like a wolf's growl.

"Can't you spea…?!"

Before Mi-Na could finish her question, the fist of the monster, the Red Mask, whizzed toward her. A part of the rabbit mask tore, blood spattering into thin air.

'What…?' 

Mi-Na ducked and was barely able to avoid the Red Mask’s attack. She clicked her tongue; it had been much faster than she had excepted. Using the ground for leverage, she spun to create some distance between them. At the same time, she attempted to kick at her opponent’s jaw, but unfortunately missed.

"Tsk."

Mi-Na clicked her tongue, drew the long sword from her back, and struck at the Red Mask who was charging again. The Red Mask, who had been charging like a beast, was hit squarely by Mi-Na's swing, which resembled a baseball bat.

The Red Mask soared high into the air and crashed into a building, causing a cloud of dust.

Thuuud-!

While feeling vibrations akin to an earthquake, a voice came to Mi-Na's ear.

- Myo, you haven't forgotten the commander's request not to kill the opponent, right?

Mid-range communication was an ability truly befitting Hae, who was skilled in information collection and analysis.

"Quiet, Hae," Mi-Na replied coldly, narrowing her eyes to peer into the ruined interior of the first floor of the building.

All she saw was a darkness where nothing could be felt. The tranquil silence might have suggested that the opponent had been subdued, but Mi-Na was certain that the Red Mask was unscathed.

‘I had initially planned to split him into two.’

However, a red aura had surged from the monster’s arm and dulled the sharpness of her sword. Because of that Mi-Na had no choice but to push back with force.

‘He even blocked that.’

In fact, she was aware of the request from Seo-Jun, the leader of the Special Police Force, for her not to kill the Red Mask. It was true that he was a person of uncertain villain status, who had not killed anyone yet.

Indeed, there was only one thing Mi-Na had thought when she first heard that.

'The judgment is ultimately up to me anyways.' 

When had she ever listened to Seo-Jun's instructions? And now, right before her eyes, as the Red Mask, who ran through the darkness like a madman, stretched out his fist once more, Mi-Na was certain.

"I have to kill this one."

Why? Because Seo-Jun, leader of the Special Police Force, had underestimated the opponent. Subduing was only possible when Mi-Na’s skills were overwhelmingly superior. In contrast, right now, she was in a situation where if she didn't kill, she would be the one to die.

The long sword swung roughly, clashing with the fist. It condensed mana in the air and shot up toward the sky.

Baang-! 

To minimize the damage to the city, Mi-Na forcibly redirected the force. Her fingertips tingled and shook.

‘Fighting in this way is dangerous.' 

After becoming an SS-rank player, Mi-Na thought she could count her rivals on one hand even if she searched the entire world. In fact, her assumption wasn't far off.

'I just didn't expect that this bizarre creature in front of me would be one of those few.' 

Mi-Na slapped away the jaw of the Red Mask, who was gaping like a beast and trying to bite her. Then, with a large swing of her long sword, she forcibly created distance.

With a wry smile on her face, she said, "This damned bastard is subtly dodging while pretending to get hit.”

Despite seemingly striking the target, there was no sensation of impact on her hand or sword. This indicated that the opponent was engaging in a back-and-forth exchange of attacks and defenses, almost as if to taunt Mi-Na.

"Hae, it's not a good idea to fight this guy here. Can you tell me the nearest location with no people or buildings around?"

- Pardon?!

Upon understanding the meaning of Mi-Na's words, Hae’s startled voice hurriedly reached her.

- You have to move at least 30 km southeast. The exact coordinates are…

Listening to Hae's voice, Mi-Na, who had parried the charging Red Mask's attack several times, nodded and then launched high into the air.

"Hey, Red Mask. Try following me if you dare," she said as she started to run at high speed along the outer wall of the building.

'That beast-like creature is driven by instinct. If I run away like this, he certainly will...' 

Mi-Na expected him to chase after her, but the beast-like figure, who was still half-bent over, just stared blankly at her. Noticing that strange reaction, she eventually stopped running and asked, "...What are you doing?"

"Grrrrr..."

A low growling sound followed before the Red Mask jumped high into the sky. The direction was the exact opposite of the southeast path Mi-Na had been taking—it was to the northwest.

"...What the?!" cried Mi-Na.

Involuntarily swearing, she pulled her rabbit mask tighter and began chasing after him.

"Hey, stop there!"

It was the start of a tag game, contrary to what she had wanted.

***

In the tag game that lasted all night, the Special Police Force ultimately lost track of the Red Mask.

"Is this even possible?! Can no one find any trace of him?"

As Mi-Na yelled and pulled off her rabbit mask, Seo-Jun, a man wearing a rat mask seated across from her, nodded. He said, "Not only the Special Police Force but also all from the Korea Player Association are moving. Despite this, there's no sign of him anywhere. He either has an accomplice or is using an exceptional ability to hide his presence.”

"Could it be that some sort of magic-like power has been activated?"

"Barrier masters and wizards are already on a manhunt."

"When will they be available?" Mi-Na asked.

"By dawn tomorrow, at the earliest..." said Seo-Jun.

"That’s ridiculous. Who knows what kind of accident he might cause in the meantime?"

At her words, Seo-Jun pursed his lips and nodded. Although the Red Mask hadn't killed anyone yet, he had seriously injured too many people. And considering his beast-like demeanor, it wouldn't be strange for his sanity to collapse at any moment.

'I didn't expect that he would be a strong enough opponent for Choi Mi-Na to fail to stop....' 

What would happen if such a powerful individual lost his mind in the middle of Seoul? It would be a relief if the death toll ended in the tens.

'I should expect at least three figures.'

In an instant, Seoul would become a city of death. Even the thought was already making Seo-Jun’s head spin.

"Find him. We must find him, understand?" Mi-Na insisted.

Seo-Jun nodded. "I know. That's precisely why we've involved the public authorities."

"But if we still haven't found any traces after two hours..." Mi-Na said in frustration.

After some deep thought, she bit her lower lip and said, "Contact my father."

"What?"

"If we inform him of the danger of the current situation and ask for help, he'll intervene."

"Do you really think the Chairman of the Comet Group would personally....?"

"If Seoul collapses, it means that the reputation of Comet is also threatened. Trust me and give it a try. We've got nothing to lose, right?"

Mi-Na was indeed right that there was nothing to lose.

'And the payoff would be huge if we succeed.'

With the approval of Woo-Jae, if Mi-Na—once Comet Guild’s President—started moving, it would provide a justification for the other top ten guilds in South Korea to also participate. With potentially hundreds of lives at stake, there was no room for being selective.

At Mi-Na's astonishing calculation, Seo-Jun's eyes widened. He nodded as he thought, 'I’ve always felt it, but she truly is amazing.' 

Although she seemed to act without thinking, her actions were often underpinned by very sound judgment. That was an accurate description of the majority of Mi-Na’s actions.

A quick look at bit.ly/3iBfjkV will leave you more fulfilled.

"Thanks," Seo-Jun responded briefly as he was inwardly filled with admiration.

"When we report this to the higher-ups, there will certainly be some fellows opposing and worrying about the aftermath."

From the politics that Mi-Na and Seo-Jun had experienced, there were always those types among businessmen and politicians.

"I know. Let's proceed discreetly."

"Good. I trust you, Leader."

With those words, Mi-Na left the room. She wasn't simply going to back off after discussing it; she had intentions to personally pursue and search for any traces of the Red Mask. Having informed Seo-Jun, she was not too concerned about any aftermath that might occur.

Indeed, Seo-Jun wasn't exactly a player of extraordinary ability. However, he had more than enough qualifications to be the leader of the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Special Police Force.

'At least he's a man of unyielding righteousness who acts in consideration of the country and its people.' 

After making her decision, Mi-Na suddenly recalled the Red Mask she had seen last night.

'Red mask, red eyes, black uniform, sword at his waist... Why does this story sound familiar?' 

Mi-Na, who was clicking her tongue inwardly, narrowed her eyes. She muttered, "No way… Could it be Kim Do-Jin?"

And Ji-Ho saw the fate of Mi-Na dying at the hands of Do-Jin. In fact, it wasn't an impossible story. Despite the somewhat evenly matched fight, the Red Mask didn't even draw his sword against her. Thinking up to this point, Mi-Na once again chuckled in disbelief and clicked her tongue.

"Come to think of it; he didn't use his sword when fighting with others either."

Unlike a fist, a sword had the potential to deliver a deadly blow with a single misguided thrust. What if the individual who restrained themselves from wielding their weapon, even in moments of lost rationality, was truly Do-Jin?

'...It's tricky. I don't have the confidence to suppress him without killing him.' 

Mi-Na, who had stopped moving for a moment, raised her cell phone and opened the message window. Her quite handsome younger brother Yu-Seong's face appeared on the screen. The message from Yu-Seong, who was desperately looking for Do-Jin, was the first thing that caught her eye.

'How should I tell him?' 

After much contemplation, Mi-Na, who scratched the back of her head, decided to keep things simple.

'I can just send him a message that I might have found Kim Do-Jin, or something.' 

With this, her responsibility would be fulfilled.