I Woke Up as the Villain

“Yu-Seong, you brat. Are you possibly feeling envy and jealousy toward Kim Do-Jin?” Choi Woo-Jae frowned deeply and asked. Considering that Yu-Seong had shown inferiority complexes before, Choi Woo-Jae’s guess was not strange.

“Not at all.”

“…” When Yu-Seong shook his head, Woo-Jae quietly stroked his beard. He didn’t try to hide the small anger in his eyes.

Before Woo-Jae became properly furious, Yu-Seong had to convince him. He spoke up. “Father, there are two problems with having Kim Do-Jin under me.”

Choi Woo-Jae looked piercingly at Yu-Seong, who gulped unintentionally from the tension, before speaking. “Interesting. Fine, I’ll listen, but if you can’t convince me by the end…”

Woo-Jae tapped the end of Yu-Seong’s bed with his index finger, as if he was deep in thought, then nodded. “Yes, yes if you can’t convince me, I will take away one of those kids under you,” said Woo-Jae.

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Woo-Jae had tried to give him a person, but since Yu-Seong refused, he would take away one of his people as a penalty. There were only two of Yu-Seong’s people Woo-Jae could think of.

‘Jin Yu-Ri and Jin Do-Yoon.’ 

The Jin siblings were the ones that Yu-Seong had the most faith in. Thus, as much as the two cared about Yu-Seong, there was a possibility that they would have to follow Woo-Jae’s coercion and make inevitable choices.

“…” Choi Woo-Jae had a calm but heavy look. His eyes were like a tiger’s as he leaned on the chair in silence.

Yu-Seong licked his dry lips with the tip of his tongue and stood more upright.

‘If I can’t give him a satisfactory answer, they’ll be taken away.’ 

It felt as if he were walking a tightrope above a ground full of sharp spears.

‘Although it’s scary to cross…’ 

The way back was already blocked. Yu-Seong cleared his mind, then took the first step on the tightrope.

“First, the time isn’t right yet. I have just become a hunter, finally standing on the starting line to chase after my brothers and sisters. It is too risky for me to embrace a talented person like Kim Do-Jin at this point.”

“You can’t get anything good without a fight. The more precious it is, the more people will want it. That’s why you shouldn’t have it if you don’t have the power and wisdom to protect it. Apparently, you don’t have the courage,” Choi Woo-Jae responded

“Courage and temerity are different, sir. If I get in over my head and just take anything recklessly, I would be no different than a brute. I said I would risk my life, but that doesn’t mean that I want to die meaningless by placing my neck in the path of an approaching knife. I am not capable of embracing Kim Do-Jin at the moment.”

“You mean that you will stay quietly cooped up in your room? Because you know your place? Am I understanding it right?”

“That is not it. That leads me to my second reason—I do not know Kim Do-Jin’s capabilities yet.”

“That’s another interesting thing to hear.”

“Father, I investigated Kim Do-Jin. I know about his birth, his growth, his family relationships. I found something strange after investigating. He is an orphan born in Russia and naturalized in Korea, where he received a new identification card. But there are no acquaintances who knew him well in Korea, Russia, nor anywhere else in the world.”

Truthfully, Yu-Seong had never investigated Kim Do-Jin after he was possessed. After all, why make an extra effort? He already knew of Kim Do-Jin’s complete circumstances through the original novel.

Kim Do-Jin had been sent to another world as he stared blankly at the tide of monsters in the chaotic Dungeon Break, which had been caused by the failure to clear the Boss Monster. Thus, obviously, the first thing that Kim Do-Jin did after returning was to find out what time period he was in and to investigate his family’s whereabouts.

Thirty-one years in another world was the same as eight years in the current reality. In addition, fortunately, or rather unfortunately, his family had survived during the Dungeon Break.

However, his mother fell ill with an unknown disease and now lived in a comatose state. His only younger brother had worked day and night to cover their mother’s hospital bills and had died the day before Kim Do Jin returned from an unavoidable rebar that fell overhead at a construction site.

It was a desperate situation for Kim Do-Jin and it was impossible to dream of a hopeful future with his family. He despaired but did not give up. Instead, he thought of revenge.

When he was a child, the company owned by Kim Do-Jin’s father had been destroyed by the Comet Group’s rampage. Naturally, the family fell into despair. His father could not bear the disappointment and the sense of failure he felt as the head of the family, and had chosen to commit suicide. That would not have happened if there weren’t the aggressive mergers and acquisitions of Comet Group that Choi Woo-Jae had led at the time. In Kim Do-Jin’s memory, that was when everything had started to go wrong.

That was why, at the beginning of the novel, Kim Do-Jin had made a new identity by pouring out all the money earned from selling some of the treasures he had brought from another world. He also became an anonymous donor for his mother, who had no one to pay for her hospital bills due to his brother’s absence. He then hid himself as much as possible to deal with the monster Choi Woo-Jae.

Choi Yu-Seong knew this situation and rooted for Kim Do-Jin’s revenge when he had read the novel. Of course, it was different now. Now that his life was at stake, he could not root for Kim Do-Jin’s revenge anymore.

Yu-Seong took a deep breath before continuing on, “So, going back to the first reason, I think it is not the right time. Yes, I agree that a talented person should be valued. It is a waste to give him to others, so I should make him my person. But I still know very little about Kim Do-Jin. I cannot let him in without knowing whether he is a coyote or a wolf, right?”

Suddenly, Choi Woo-Jae’s calm but dull gaze changed. He pointed out, “I thought you had him by your side without knowing anything.”

Choi Yu-Seong gulped.

‘As expected, he knew it already.’ 

Choi Woo-Jae was greedy for talented people, just as he always said. Wouldn’t he already have paid great attention to Kim Do-Jin, who the entire world was paying attention to? Perhaps he had investigated Kim Do-Jin immediately after Kim Do-Jin had appeared as a super rookie, like a comet.

“Kim Do-Jin’s records could be called clean. There’s not even a speck of dust or a single blemish to be seen. That’s why it’s suspicious. That means there’s definitely something he is hiding, and naturally, those who have a lot to hide are dark inside.” Choi Woo-Jae’s lips twisted scornfully.

At that moment, Choi Yu-Seong felt goosebumps all over his body.

‘So that’s why he wanted to keep Kim Do-Jin near me!’

It was hard to see what Kim Do-Jin was hiding if he was kept an arm’s length away. By keeping him close, it would be possible to find a weak spot or two. That was why Woo-Jae was trying to keep Kim Do-Jin near Choi Yu-Seong and keep his eyes on him.

That could put Choi Yu-Seong in trouble, but it was obvious that Choi Woo-Jae would simply think that was Yu-Seong’s limit if he couldn’t handle the task.

Woo-Jae would have such thoughts because he did not know that Kim Do-Jin was a returnee from another world. If Choi Yu-Seong was sacrificed in this way, chances were high that he would end up in the same state as the original novel.

“It seemed like you were trying to get closer to him anyway, so I’m just trying to help you.”

“…I am not disappointed by that.”

If Choi Yu-Seong had not read the original novel, or if he was not quick-witted, he would have faced a terrible situation. But so what? As mentioned, the Comet Group was originally like this, and Choi Woo-Jae did have as many as ten children.

“If you know the situation, you must have your own thoughts.” It was clear what Choi Woo-Jae’s words meant. “I won’t ask more since it already sounds interesting. I will leave the matter regarding Kim Do-Jin to you..”

“Phew… Thank you.” Choi Yu-Seong felt he had barely come down from the tightrope. He let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.

Meanwhile, Choi Woo-Jae was in another dilemma.

‘Shall I give a big gift or a small gift for my quick-witted Ninth child?’ 

He had originally come to give a gift to Yu-Seong. However, the answer that his son had given was remarkably praiseworthy that he found it hard to make a decision. But, he also felt it was a bit excessive to give the big gift that just came to his mind.

‘The small gift is not enough, but the big gift is too much… I’d better do this then.’ 

Choi Woo-Jae made a choice after much consideration and spoke again. “Do you know where the guys who attacked you came from?”

Yu-Seong looked at Woo-Jae when he heard the sudden question.

‘It’s different from the sloppy novel with a lot of plot holes.’ 

Choi Woo-Jae—the meticulous chairman of a large corporation—was alive and breathing in front of Yu-Seong’s eyes. So why was someone like Woo-Jae suddenly asking such a question?

“Father, I guess you already know who they are.”

“Indeed, I do know. If you want, I’ll call that wicked guy to this place right now. And I’ll make him bow and apologize to you. Think of it as a special gift for what you’ve done recently.”

A gift. Choi Yu-Seong did not act rashly, although Choi Woo-Jae once again said something that he found difficult to hear. He felt a rather strange vibe in the conversation, but he was unsure as to why. Strictly speaking, it was a feeling. However, Choi Yu-Seong did not want to ignore his feelings.

Thus, he asked Woo-Jae a question. “Perhaps… Is it one of my older brothers or sisters?”

Choi Woo-Jae did not answer, offering a silent affirmation.

It was silent, but it was an affirmation after all.

‘It’s not Choi Min-Seok since it wasn’t an unfledged attempt. If one of my older brothers or sisters apologizes to me…’ 

It would be an apology right in front of Choi Woo-Jae. As a result, one of his siblings would lose their rights to Choi Yu-Seong.

Considering how important such rights would be in the upcoming succession fight, it would be no exaggeration to call it a gift as Woo-Jae had said.

Yu-Seong could feel his heart beating. Rights could be a debt. He could think of countless ways to use this. He was happy with the pleasant choices he could make for a while.

However, he shook his head. “It…it’s okay.”

“Why?”

“Because it is my problem. If I cannot get through it myself and just lean on you, then I will remain as a spoiled child in the family.”

“Huh…?”

“I’ll go find them myself and make them pay for what they have done to me. This is what a member of the Choi family should do.”

In an instant, a scene from the distant past unfolded in front of Yu-Seong’s eyes. There was a middle-aged man talking to a small child sitting on his lap.

‘This is…?’ 

It was not a memory from the original novel. More vivid than that, it felt like an old memory that he had experienced in person.

‘Is this the real Choi Yu-Seong’s memory?’ 

As if it was a memory from a long time ago, it was as blurry as a channel on the wrong frequency of a black and white TV.

Having questions and feeling confused, Choi Woo-Jae suddenly stood up from his seat and turned his back. “If that's your intention, then I’ll respect it.”

“Are you leaving, Father?”

“I have to go. I’m busy, but this took more time than I thought.” Although Choi Yu-Seong could not see it, Woo-Jae’s lips were twisted into what seemed like a pleasant smile.

“Ah, then…”

“Don’t get up and just sit down! It’s cumbersome.” Choi Woo-Jae shook his hands as if annoyed, and strode out of the hospital room before Yu-Seong could do anything.

“Father.”

“As I said, I’ll be watching you.”

Yu-Seong urgently called out to him while trying to leave the bed. However, Choi Woo-Jae gave an answer and left the hospital room. Yu-Seong was left alone in the room once more.

‘He really just left. I refused because I thought it would be a test.… Was it a mistake?’

Yu-Seong smacked his lips with a strange expression as he looked at the closed door.

***

Choi Woo-Jae couldn’t stop his lips from twitching up into a smile while he leaned comfortably in the back seat of the Maybach sedan, often called one of the world’s top three luxury cars. He left behind several officials from the prestigious university hospital rushing out and bowing their heads.

Kim Pil-Doo was sitting in the passenger seat right in front of him. He looked at Woo-Jae and asked, “The Ninth Young Master must have made you feel happy again, master.”

“Can you tell?”

“The corners of your lips are constantly twisting up like this. How about just laughing aloud? There’s no one watching.”

“What do you mean there’s no one? You’re here, and the driver is here.” Choi Woo-Jae spoke bluntly and leaned his arm against the window frame. He felt awkward, looking at his face reflected through the splendid cityscape of downtown Seoul, so he slightly pulled his cheek with his index finger. “It’s awkward.”

“…”

“I’m not used to smiling and it doesn't look good if I force myself to. Anyways, when will Yu-Seong be discharged?” asked Woo-Jae.

“December 13th…. I have confirmed that there’s about a week left,” answered Pil-Doo.

“Then around that time…” Choi Woo-Jae’s voice became softer. To be exact, the voice was sent only to Kim Pil-Doo’s ears by skipping the space inside the vehicle.

The driver was quite used to this. Choi Woo-Jae’s voice always got softer like this when the two people spoke about secrets. As both of them were high-ranking hunters, the driver could tell by the fact that they were communicating in a special way.

‘It’s always amazing when I see it,’ thought the driver.

And today, the driver had another mysterious experience.

“…Pardon?” Kim Pil-Doo was known for his cool-headedness as he resembled Choi Woo-Jae. However, he raised a rather foolish question.

“What do you mean ‘pardon?’ Did you not hear me?” said Woo-Jae.

“But…”

“Stop!” Choi Woo-Jae raised his voice.

Kim Pil-Doo quickly bowed his head with trembling eyes. “As you wish, sir.”

Kim Pil-Doo thought it was a rather exaggerated gift, but what could he do? It was Choi Woo-Jae’s order after all.