I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Aftermath (1)

B District Attack Incident.

The incident, which concluded with numerous casualties and property damage, brought the greatest despair to the public since the Great War three years ago.

Even though the situation was managed, trust in the government significantly diminished from the moment it allowed the invasion.

If the death of the main perpetrator hadn’t been confirmed, the situation wouldn’t have calmed down this quickly.

-Many lives were sacrificed.

The reconstruction of the city took about three months.

It wasn’t until then that B District finally regained stability, and at the center of it, under the leadership of the Association, a grand memorial service was held.

A funeral for the innocent victims and the heroes who were caught up in this incident and lost their lives.

-They will never return, but they will live on in the hearts of all the living, reminding us of this moment every time. The memories will be painful and agonizing, but we will never forget them. No, we must not forget them.

Representing the memorial service was the S-Class hero, Spiritas.

The unique pink dress that symbolized her was replaced with a black robe for this solemn occasion.

The solemn and grave atmosphere was something one could never imagine from someone who once radiated hope like a star.

But because of this disparity, everyone present could truly feel it.

The weight of this moment and the tragedy that had occurred then, even if only indirectly.

-But this battle wasn’t meaningless.

Yet, there was strength in her voice.

Despite witnessing that tragic scene up close, she spoke as if to encourage those who looked up to her.

-There were many sacrifices, but this battle was undoubtedly our victory. Gigantes and Chronos… and other great evils will never again extend their claws toward you. The forces that gathered around them have scattered and will not easily surface again.

Though an indelible scar was left on this land, the forces led by them would no longer appear.

Instead, this victory would bring hope to all who live on.

-Villain Seolhwa… Though her body was unrecognizable after the fierce battle and the hero who fought her couldn’t survive his injuries, the danger of another force rising around her is now gone from this continent.

Spiritas continued, closing her eyes as if recalling Seolhwa’s face. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was directed at the large memorial stone before her.

-Unbreakable Vanguard. We must not forget that name.

In the name of the noble heroes who breathed their last on this land.

Moreover, all those whose names were engraved on this tombstone… And the heroes who will continue to protect this continent by inheriting their will.

Engraving the names on the memorial, Spiritas raised her fist towards the countless people behind her and shouted.

-Everyone, do not lose hope. Evil will come again someday, but we are ready to fight them. We will not fall. Justice… will always be by your side.

The solemn applause that followed her dignified and strict declaration.

Though the grandeur stemmed from the stage and script prepared by the Association, it wouldn’t have stood out if not for Spiritas’s spirit.

Yes, she would certainly grow into the hope that leads this world in the near future.

If only I hadn’t encountered the hidden truths behind this incident…

I might have sincerely rejoiced at the growth of such a junior.

-Knock, knock.

As I felt unease watching the TV, a sudden knock echoed.

Ceras turned off the TV with the remote and looked towards the office door.

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

Creak, the door opened, and a man in a business suit with a pleasant demeanor entered. It was Mars Ector, Ceras’s personal secretary.

What he handed her was surely the documents she had requested.

“…Thank you. That was a difficult favor.”

[Not at all.]

Mars handed over the documents and showed her a notebook with some writing.

As Ceras looked over the documents with a faint smile, Mars tapped the office desk and showed her another note.

[How is your health?]

Worried about her well-being?

Ceras smiled wryly and lifted her left arm.

An arm that was heavily bandaged the last time they met.

“It’s nothing to worry about. Being an executive doesn’t involve much physical activity, so focusing on recovery isn’t difficult.”

Given the severity of her injuries back then, it was natural for him to worry.

Having retired from the frontlines for three years, the enemy was so formidable that she had to brace for death.

If the landslide caused by the ground collapse hadn’t occurred, it would have continued as a slaughter until one side was truly dead.

‘Ultimately, the disaster response committee took over the issue rather than the Association, deciding to bury it for safety through additional construction.’

What she held were the documents dealing with that matter.

It detailed the aftermath of the collapse in the abandoned city of E District during her recovery.

Given the mountain location, everyone accepted the landslide as natural, concluding that it was caused by the aging underground facility.

And for safety, they decided to cover it with new soil, completely burying it.

There was no mention of Edmund McCoy or the villains involved in the documents.

Even if an investigation might uncover something, it seemed deliberately excluded.

[Should I go to the site and investigate?]

Although just burying it, investing time and budget in excavation might uncover something.

The note Mars handed her considered that possibility.

“…No, there’s no need.”

But Ceras dismissed Mars without hesitation.

She had already thought it over during her three-month recovery.

She had decided to lose interest in what happened there.

‘Not only other executives of the Association but also high-ranking government officials probably guessed what happened underneath. If they decided to bury it, they would likely react sensitively to anyone approaching it.’

Trying to investigate would draw excessive attention.

As someone already considered a thorn in the side within the Association, moving carelessly could risk losing even her authority.

Even if what happened below was more dangerous and frightening than she imagined.

“It’s not time yet. Not yet…”

As long as the Association wanted to keep it hidden, there was nothing she could do.

Though she still held a sense of justice as a hero, ironically, she didn’t have the power to expose the corruption of justice’s followers.

“…Mars.”

So she had to endure until she gained that power.

Enduring and enduring, she sent a precarious look towards the only secretary she trusted and relied on.

“I know it’s a shameless request, but…”

Could he accompany her through this perilous journey?

Before she could finish asking, her mouth closed as he handed her a note.

[If you show me the end of your path, I will gladly follow.]

That was all it said.

Ceras was about to say something in surprise, but Mars was already heading towards the office exit.

-Click.

The door closed, isolating the space.

Mars stared at the door for a moment, then turned away and walked down the facility’s corridor.

Eventually, he reached a secluded storage area.

-Maestro.

As soon as he stepped into the storage, shadows began to writhe in the thick darkness, as if waiting.

The elusive Shadow. His former subordinate and comrade.

-Would you like a drink together?

In his black hand, which absorbed even the faint light due to the space distortion, was a crinkled black bag.

***

Before Ouroboros was formed.

Only two villains attended to the ignorant transcendent who descended from space.

Beings born as evil, with no place to belong in this world.

“Here, take this.”

Those two found themselves drinking together on the Association building’s rooftop, right in the center of Pangea.

With the Association’s facilities at the center, surrounded by residential areas, and the distant sight of each District’s hazy scenery drawing curves along the horizon.

Maestro looked down at the bottle in his hand, taking in the view.

A liquid so cloudy it was almost white, more than just a drink.

“Oh, you don’t know this?”

Shadow gave a faint smile despite his haggard appearance.

“It’s called makgeolli. It’s a rice wine… Well, it might not be the best choice for rooftop drinking.”

“….”

“If you don’t like makgeolli, I can offer something else. I just happened to snatch up a new product this time. It’s a beer made with mint chocolate…”

Swiftly, Maestro reached out and grabbed the makgeolli.

After watching him take a sip, Shadow chuckled softly and brought the beer can to his lips.

“How many years has it been since we drank together? About 20 years?”

“….”

“…Well, I guess it wouldn’t be surprising. Neither of us is particularly fond of alcohol.”

Even now, drinking was just a way to set the mood.

The beer he drank had a fizzy feel, but there was no taste.

His senses, worn down by spatial distortions, left him unable to feel much like a human.

At most, he retained a human shape and consciousness.

“…Maestro, do you remember?”

Even if his form was abnormal, the memories of what he saw and experienced were still vivid.

Whenever no one sought him out, he always revisited his old memories alone.

“Before we formed the organization.”

Drinking alone on the rooftop.

Though there was no response, Shadow continued, unconcerned by his silence, taking another sip of beer.

End of Chapter