I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Test (1)

***

“Moa, good morning! And good morning to you too, Mr. Bread!”

“Yes, Nella. Good morning.”

It’s been about two weeks since we moved to Shells Town.

Becoming neighbors with James, I’ve naturally gotten closer to his daughter, Nella.

No, to be honest, the boundary between neighbors and family has become quite blurred.

With both James and I out working, the two girls often find themselves alone in their respective homes, leading them to spend more time together.

“But where is Mr. James…?”

“He’s focusing on work for the time being.”

That man is still working day and night as always.

It seems they’re working him too hard considering his imminent retirement, but Nella’s face now looks much brighter than before.

“It’s unfortunate he couldn’t come to the entrance ceremony… But it’s okay because Moa is here now!”

“Hehe, I see.”

Perhaps she didn’t mind finding solace in Boss’s presence?

Boss, with a faint smile, closed the distance between her and Nella.

“I am also in a position to receive various forms of help from you in this unfamiliar environment. However, from now on, we are both venturing into the unknown… So rather than receiving one-sided help, I believe it would be better for us to cooperate and overcome challenges together.”

Boss, your way of speaking…

“So Nella, I will rely on you a lot in the future. And you, if you find it difficult, feel free to lean on me as much as you need.”

While I was nervously worried about her authoritative tone, Boss extended her small hand towards Nella.

Nella looked down at Boss’s hand and hesitated.

Though she seemed tense, Nella instead smiled brightly and grasped Boss’s hand with both of hers.

“P-Please take care of me!”

Her eyes sparkled, and her cheeks turned red.

It seemed the authoritative tone didn’t cause suspicion but rather evoked admiration.

Perhaps James and other adults think all kids their age are like this… Well, it should be fine.

“Then let’s be on our way.”

“Yes!”

Boss and Nella started walking ahead.

But they didn’t let go of each other’s hands, continuing to hold them as they walked along the path to school.

That alone showed their bond was strong.

The bond between the Boss of a defeated villain organization and the yet ignorant child of a hero… It would be laughable if it weren’t for Boss.

Villains and heroes are entities that can never associate with each other and shouldn’t.

Of course, I also helped in this affair to save Boss… But to be frank, it was cooperation out of mutual interest, not because I considered them real comrades.

“Well, we’re off.”

“Goodbye, Mr. Bread!”

“Yes, be careful out there.”

After parting ways on the hill leading to school, I turned my back on them and headed to my planned destination.

I was just getting used to life in Shells Town.

Now it was time to focus on earning some money.

***

The place provided by the association is very spacious and comfortable.

Moreover, they offer nearly free rent, so there are no issues living there, but such special treatment is expected to last at most six months.

The association will report the terrorist incident as minimally as possible, and the chaos will subside quickly.

Of course, leaving the association’s protection is necessary to reduce the risk of revealing my identity, but the problem is that I am now at risk of being targeted by villains.

Think about it.

An E-Class ability user who helped an S-Class hero and captured only one A-Class villain. Which one would be a better target for a grudge and as an example?

So, I had to consider leaving the association’s protection and, in turn, finding a safe base first.

A place with stable security and where I could quickly detect any unusual signs…

“It’s money, after all.”

Yes, no matter what, money is necessary.

That’s why I came to the employment agency located in Shells Town.

If you’re wondering why there’s an employment agency in a hero’s residential area… Well, it’s simple. Only those who perform hero-like tasks are B-Class or above.

Those barely scraping by at C-Class mostly take on surveillance or volunteer work. Sometimes, they catch pickpockets or small-time criminals, but it doesn’t pay well.

So, in their spare time, they focus more on side jobs than hero activities.

Of course, they earn more using their C-Class-level Gifts than manual labor, but seeing heroes occasionally working among the public is somewhat bittersweet.

Well, being at the bottom is tough everywhere.

As a fellow bottom feeder, I offer my condolences as I enter the employment agency.

“Ah, you must be Ginger Bread!”

When I finished filling out the paperwork to get a job, the staff member at the desk recognized me.

How does this person know my name?

“Do you know me?”

“Yes, actually, someone asked us to give you a job if a person named Ginger Bread showed up.”

“…What?”

Someone requested that I be given a job if I came here?

I was visiting this employment agency for the first time today, and someone specifically asked for me?

“Is it the Hero Association?”

Damn association bastards.

They work Nella’s dad day and night, and now they’ve crafted a policy to exploit single fathers in Pangea.

It’s my fault for not destroying the association back then. Though, at that time, I didn’t have any power…

“No~ it’s a request from an entertainment agency.”

“An entertainment… What?”

While I was internally grumbling, the staff corrected me and handed me a recommendation letter from under the desk.

“There’s a designated request from Spirit Entertainment. Would you like to go?”

Spirit Entertainment.

A large agency with a significant share in the entertainment industry of Pangea.

***

Entertainment industry.

In this era, it’s an industry inherently linked with heroes.

Heroes are the most watched figures of this era, and wealthy corporations or the government wouldn’t let such individuals go unchecked.

Some people find it distasteful for heroes to perform like clowns in front of people… but doesn’t a capitalist society naturally intertwine with money?

It’s inevitable for the main characters of this era to be involved with money.

“But no matter how much, isn’t this a bit too much?”

I briefly looked up at the towering building in front of me.

Located on the outskirts of Shells Town, it was the headquarters of the newly established agency ‘Entertainment Spirit,’ founded only five years ago.

Even though I have no interest in the entertainment world, just looking at the building made me realize the grandeur of Spirit Entertainment.

It’s hard to believe they built such a massive building in a core area of Pangea within just five years, even with investor backing. It means they also have a keen eye for talent.

“Why would such a prestigious place send a recommendation to me?”

Although the agency is related to heroes, it focuses more on using recognition than eradicating villains.

It’s not something the association would come to oversee, but still, it was suspicious to receive a recommendation letter without any specific request details.

Of course, a prominent agency wouldn’t likely backstab me.

What’s worrying is who sent this recommendation and why they specifically chose me.

Considering they recruit heroes, it seems like the association knows something… Damn, are they trying to put me on stage to gain some recognition?

“…Let’s just go in.”

Regardless, I came here because I needed money.

Thinking too much about it would be a waste of time, so I decided to make the final decision after entering. As I stepped inside, the staff at the lobby exclaimed upon seeing me.

“Oh, you’re here!”

“Yes, I received a recommendation letter…”

“You arrived just in time.”

“What? Wait a minute.”

“Here, I’ll guide you. This way~”

The staff grabbed my hand and led me along.

Feeling puzzled by the unknown situation, I followed the staff without getting any answers.

“Good luck!”

Then, the staff left me alone at the destination and disappeared.

I stared blankly at the spot where she left and then looked at the sign on the door before me.

[Entertainment Spirit – Bodyguard Recruitment Interview Room.]

“…What is this?”

Bodyguard.

A profession involving protecting someone, which seems unnecessary for heroes who already protect others.

But it’s different if they’re facing not just one villain but thousands of civilians at events and on stage.

Wherever people gather, various issues arise, including direct threats to personal safety.

Having heroes directly handle such situations can cause many problems.

So, hiring trustworthy people as bodyguards, though less capable than heroes, is a way to preemptively address those issues.

I understand why a hero agency would hire bodyguards, but…

Why is this agency specifically asking me for this job?

“Oh, are you here for the bodyguard test too?”

While I was still trying to make sense of it in the waiting room, someone approached me.

A man with slicked-back blond hair and a fake-looking smile. He had his shirt unbuttoned, looking like a typical playboy.

“Yes, well. It seems so.”

“Hmm…”

The man hummed with a smirk, sizing me up and down before bursting into a laugh.

“Well, well, I didn’t expect someone who looks so unimpressive to apply… Even with the relaxed recruitment criteria, this is a bit much.”

What? What did this bastard just say?

Saying I look unimpressive?

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Hehe, know your place… Uh, compliment?”

“Wasn’t that a compliment?”

The man looked at me as if I were an idiot.

But from my perspective, his reaction was a relief.

Think about it, I’m a villain hiding in society.

If someone suddenly says, ‘This guy seems suspicious, like he’s hiding some power!’ it would cause problems for me.

“Oh, haha. Right. If you take it that way, I have nothing more to say.”

The man laughed it off, seemingly thinking I was just playing it cool.

As long as he doesn’t bother me, it’s fine. I turned my attention away from him and glanced around the waiting room.

“Hehe.”

Then, the man who had picked a fight with me took a seat beside me.

What does this guy want now?

“Do you need something?”

“No, I just thought you looked unfamiliar with this place. You might need someone to explain things, so I’m offering my help out of kindness…”

So, he’s just being nosy because he loves himself.

But I did just come here with a recommendation letter, knowing nothing about the agency.

I needed someone to explain a bit.

“…Well, if you’re offering, I’d appreciate it.”

“Hehe, fine. I’ll graciously extend my help to someone as unimpressive as you.”

Yes, yes, this humble one will gratefully accept your explanation.

“Before I start explaining, I’ll ask you first. What do you think are the essential qualities of a bodyguard?”

The essential qualities of a bodyguard.

Well, for a light question, a textbook answer should be fine.

“Everything necessary to ensure the safety of the client.”

“Hehe, that’s half correct.”

“…Half?”

“Yes. If this weren’t Entertainment Spirit, that would be a perfect answer.”

The man gestured towards the waiting room I had glanced at earlier.

In the room were several people, presumably here for the bodyguard test, including the man and me.

“How do you see the people here?”

Another obvious question…

No, this one’s different.

The people here weren’t just well-trained or highly skilled.

“There are some superhumans mixed in.”

Superhumans usually aspire to be heroes.

Isn’t it odd for them to apply for bodyguard jobs typically taken by non-superhumans?

End of Chapter