I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Aftermath

The Heroine Contest is an event that captures the interest of Pangea’s residents.

Therefore, the tragedy that occurred there, the truth behind it, and the ensuing chaos could never be easily quelled.

A significant number of top celebrities in the entertainment industry died, many of the heroes who participated turned villain, and leading them was none other than a charismatic mega-star.

[Breaking News: Evidence secured of the mega-star, Femme Fatale Familia, colluding with the newly formed villain organization, Pandemonia.]

But really.

No matter how big a superstar is, they are still just an individual compared to the entire continent.

[Multiple drugs found in her residence. Also, evidence of dealings with the underground…]

[Medical records manipulated by her doctor. Hidden charts reveal she used banned substances for at least 10 years, sharing them within the entertainment industry…]

It’s hard to build up an idol, but easy to tear one down.

In other words, they are perfect scapegoats when something goes wrong, and current Pangea’s government understands this well.

[The worst villain who disappeared three years ago, Seolhwa, has reappeared.]

[What kind of organization is the newly formed villain alliance, Pandemonia?]

Yes, revealing Seolhwa’s presence so prominently is for that very reason.

When a villain who once stood toe-to-toe with the Celestial Demon reappeared in the light,

Naturally, people who don’t know the truth will think of her as the mastermind behind the incident, and their focus on her will make them forget the shock of the recent events.

Of course, the reality might be that Seolhwa infiltrated the contest because she viewed the drugs negatively… but would the public care about such truths?

Regardless of the truth, she is a villain, and under the banner of justice, any treatment of a villain is acceptable.

“Mr. Bread. Are you ready to be discharged?”

“Yes, I’ll just change my clothes and go.”

So, it’s impossible to understand the truth just by looking at the internet.

Any further investigation will have to wait until after discharge.

Acknowledging that, I put down the smartphone in my hand and began preparing to leave the hospital, taking off the patient gown I was wearing.

“Uncle! I came to visit…”

At that moment, the door suddenly opened, and someone quickly rushed into the room.

My body froze involuntarily, and so did that of the unwelcome guest who had just entered.

Though bundled up in a hat, mask, and sunglasses, I could immediately tell who she was.

Suzuki Kana.

She scanned my frozen body and looked down, saying,

“Oh.”

“What do you mean ‘oh,’ you brat?”

I immediately chopped the top of the pervert’s head.

As expected, it was my hand that got hurt.

***

“Are you okay?”

“There are aftereffects, but it’s not dangerous.”

After completing the discharge process, we entered a park. I answered Kana, who sat beside me on a bench, while lifting my left hand.

I had recovered enough to live normally, but my left fingers still didn’t move properly.

Though it would heal on its own if left alone, the lingering aftereffects even after two weeks were not pleasant.

Considering Seolhwa’s power, this was fortunate.

Even a slight exposure to her power could be fatal without removing a body part.

“Idiot uncle.”

Did she find it annoying that I had rushed into such a ridiculous situation?

Kana kicked the dirt with her feet hanging from the bench and began glaring at me with a grumpy voice.

“What’s wrong now?”

“I’m calling you an idiot because you are one. You threw yourself in to save me… If the opponent hadn’t changed her mind, you’d be dead by now.”

Her voice was especially sharp, perhaps because the confrontation had been delayed.

Since that day, she had been roaming hospitals to recover from her injuries.

Only after being treated by various superhuman healers had she recovered.

She surely realized how dangerous Seolhwa’s power was.

“Do you know how worried I was when you were trapped in the ice wall?”

Naturally, she found me reckless for trusting only in my regenerative ability and rushing in.

Though I was aware of it myself, did she think I did it because I wanted to?

“You don’t need to feel guilty. I didn’t jump in just to save you.”

The cornerstone of hope for this era had just been laid.

In such a situation, how could I not be angry when someone, who was once an executive but had forgotten the organization’s philosophy, tried to ruin it?

But it only made me more curious about her.

It was something she would never have done before. What exactly is this Pandemonia organization?

“You said you lost your wife in an accident, right?”

As I pondered my aggravation, I heard a cautious voice.

“Was it caused by…”

“…”

“No, you don’t have to answer. Honestly, I can’t think of any other reason for you to have rushed in.”

No, that’s completely wrong.

But it was simply because she didn’t know we were comrades. From an outsider’s perspective, it’s not strange to misunderstand.

Yeah, it might be easier to accept my actions if they misunderstand that way.

Though it felt wrong to falsely accuse her, I decided to let it slide considering her past sins.

“…Uncle.”

How long did we sit side by side?

Kana seemed to have made up her mind about something, standing up and facing me.

Her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses to disguise her identity as a star.

But I knew from her firm lips that she wasn’t speaking lightly.

“Could you be my si…”

She paused mid-sentence.

After a moment of silence, she resumed with a serene smile.

“Could you be my sidekick?”

Sidekick.

An assistant or supporter of a hero, someone who helps in various ways while standing by their side.

It was clear she had fumbled her initial words, but I decided to humor her.

“…You know I’m an E-rank, right?”

“Ah, even if you’re a sidekick, I won’t make you do anything too strenuous. It’s just a formality. You’ll continue as my manager, supporting me as you have.”

She simply wanted me by her side as before.

Until she could sort out her feelings and say what she wanted to say…

“Honestly, I’m still very inexperienced as a hero. It would be nice to have an adult guiding me.”

Seeing her hesitant looks, I felt my breath catch.

I could almost sense the weight of her feelings toward me.

“I’m sorry, but I…”

But the reality of my situation made it impossible to accept.

“Shh.”

Before I could fully voice my refusal, she placed her finger to my lips, silencing me.

With a smile, she said,

“Postponing is fine, but I won’t accept rejection. After all, you were my first.”

“Hey.”

“What, did I say something wrong?”

It wasn’t wrong but misleading.

Words can be interpreted in different ways, but I had never actually touched anything important to her.

“Seolhwa.”

But one thing was clear.

Her words weren’t just bluster.

“When I become strong enough to defeat her, I’ll say it properly.”

No further words were needed.

No matter why I intervened, no matter how she feels now, no matter what our relationship becomes.

Everything will be put on hold until she achieves her goal. At least until these turbulent feelings calm down.

“Do as you wish.”

“Yes, I will~. No matter what you say, I never give up once I set my mind on something.”

Well, it’s convenient for me too. The delay suits me fine.

Wrapping up our conversation, Kana smiled and turned her back to me.

As she walked away,

“I’ll definitely win next time.”

Not a farewell but a promise, she left the park and disappeared from sight.

Watching her leave, I chuckled.

“At least she hasn’t lost her spirit.”

Heroes vowing revenge on the villains who defeated them is a common trope.

But that’s only against mediocre villains.

Ouroboros executives were almost unprecedented in Pangea’s history, and even S-class heroes despaired against them when the organization was intact.

Her determination to seek revenge is impressive. It’s driven by her own will, unlike before.

It’s disappointing that her target isn’t me, but that can’t be helped. I don’t have the luxury to reveal my identity like Seolhwa.

But wasn’t this journey meant to be long-term from the start?

Achieving ideals is a distant goal. So, these feelings will have to be buried for now.

“…Time to head back.”

With that conclusion, I turned in the opposite direction from where Kana had left.

Realizing it was time to return to his side.

***

…And then.

“Welcome back, Bread.”

The Boss’s voice greeted me the moment I stepped into the house.

From working as a manager to being hospitalized, it was something I had longed to hear, but I couldn’t express my joy.

His voice was heavier and more serious than ever.

“Nella is out on an errand, so you don’t need to worry about her.”

It didn’t take long to understand why.

I noticed the woman sitting quietly on the opposite side of the sofa.

“The person I encountered that time.”

Yes, she was someone I couldn’t overlook.

Snow-white hair, equally pale skin. Her cold eyes, beneath the icy blue irises, sent a chill down anyone who met her gaze.

The Ice Empress, Seolhwa…

No, she was without her mask and attire now.

She came here as a person, not a villain.

“Lee Yunseol, why are you here…”

Reflexively calling her by her real name.

“Indeed.”

Realizing something, she narrowed her eyes and stood up from the sofa.

“No one would remember my name unless they received the Boss’s blessing.”

Yes, as an executive, she must have figured it out.

Those who reached the executive rank in the organization were granted the “power to twist fate” by the Boss once.

And typically, they used that power to erase themselves from society.

“The only ones who remember my real name are my family and the comrades I entered the organization with.”

The woman who received such protection approached me, someone who shared the same grace.

“Ginger Bread.”

Gazing directly at me, she asked,

“What was your relationship with my past self?”

About my identity, which had vanished from her memory.

Arc 2 END

End of Chapter