I Became a Villain's Hero

TL/Editor: raei

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For Song Soo-yeon, Stella's words felt like a ray of light.

Blocked by an insurmountable wall, wondering what to do next, Stella appeared as a connection.

All the provocations Stella had made before were forgotten.

Soo-yeon had no intention of upholding petty pride.

She was willing to kneel if asked.

Stella said,

...No, to put it more precisely...please help Gyeom.

Soo-yeon nodded and replied,

Yes...! Of course.

A new path set Soo-yeons mind racing.

What should she do?

She didnt know what Jung-gyeom needed right now.

No, more than that, she wanted to know where Jung-gyeom was.

I'll come to you. Just let me know where.

But Stella responded firmly,

That's not possible.

...Stella...

...Gyeom doesnt want to see you right now.

Soo-yeon clenched her fists.

Hearing those words was always hard.

Even though she already knew from Jung-gyeom himself...it always hurt.

Soo-yeon wiped her eyes again.

Then, she racked her brain for ways to help Jung-gyeom from her position.

...Thinking about it, Jung-gyeom's biggest concern was hunting the Villain Alliance.

As far as she knew, not only Stella but also Stingshot, Liquid, and Riem had been captured by Jung-gyeom.

She didnt know what he planned to do with them...but she wanted to help.

Of course, she didnt want to see Jung-gyeom consumed by anger.

However, if this could somehow earn his forgiveness, she was more than willing to assist.

...Should I help catch Tryno?

Soo-yeon asked.

...What?

...Riem told me a few days ago that Tryno was looking for me. Even though I had my mask off, Riem found me... Tryno probably knows my face too.

-Wait a moment, Luna.

I can be the bait. So you can catch Tryno-

-Leave Tryno alone.

Stella flatly rejected Soo-yeons offer.

...What?

Soo-yeon, puzzled, asked again, but Stella only sighed deeply instead of explaining.

...Haaa... That's not what I was asking for your help with."

...

Soo-yeon couldn't understand the current situation.

Why not accept the help?

Because Jung-gyeom would hate her taking action?

Or because Stella was close to Tryno?

...

Regardless, Soo-yeon had no intention of reversing Stellas refusal.

...Then what...

...

As Soo-yeon struggled for ideas, Stella asked,

"...What would make Gyeom happy...?"

"...What?"

At that question, Song Soo-yeon felt odd.

I could tell Stella, but...it would be her who would do it.

Was it that she could do what I couldn't?

Before the misunderstanding could deepen, Stella added, It has to be related to your memories with him.

"...Ah."

"...Make him remember the moments he was happy with you."

Hearing this, Soo-yeon felt relieved but also had to painfully recall memories that had faded into sorrow.

---

---

Han Yoo-jung left the hideout to meet with Soo-yeon.

There was something she needed to receive from her.

She wasnt sure if it was the right approach, but to change Jung-gyeoms heart, it was necessary.

Jung-gyeom was wrestling with his inner self.

He was giving up his desires to walk the right path.

Han Yoo-jung intended to change his heart.

She already knew well that he had lingering feelings for Soo-yeon, and also for Solace.

These were emotions she couldnt evoke herself.

So, she planned to use those memories to shake Jung-gyeom.

To make him reconsider.

...And she had to act quickly.

Once Tryno was caught, it would be too late.

He would hand over all other villains of the Villain Alliance, including Han Yoo-jung, and turn himself in.

So, she hoped Tryno would not be caught, at least for as long as possible.

In that time, she had to change Jung-gyeoms heart.

She wasn't sure what to do afterwards, but she knew she had to change his heart first.

From afar, she saw Soo-yeon.

Her beauty was obvious even from a distance.

Han Yoo-jung watched Soo-yeon for a moment, then slowly approached her.

"...Stel-"

"-Call me Han Yoo-jung, Soo-yeon."

"......You really can come outside."

"..."

"...You must have become close with him..."

Han Yoo-jung didnt reply but extended her hand to Soo-yeon.

She needed to receive the item she came for.

Jung-gyeom might return to the hideout soon.

He might already be back.

It didn't matter much, but she wanted to be there to prepare his meal.

Soo-yeon hesitated for a while, then, with a worried expression, confirmed again.

"...Its my treasure. You need it for him...?"

There was a hint of distrust in her voice. It couldn't be helped, given her situation.

Han Yoo-jung nodded.

She had no other intentions.

She, too, had Jung-gyeoms interests at heart.

Carefully, Soo-yeon removed the bracelet she was wearing.

Han Yoo-jung looked at the bracelet with curiosity.

It was a cheap, faded, colorful wish bracelet.

"...I used to wear it as a couple with him."

"...Ah."

A sharp pain in the heart hit her, and jealousy bloomed once again.

But she did not show it.

With all her might, she simply nodded as if it was nothing.

"I'll hide it in his clothes."

"...Th..thank you. And..."

Soo-yeon then took out a notebook and handed it to Han Yoo-jung.

"...This... is things he likes."

Han Yoo-jung opened the notebook.

It was densely written with information, filled in a short time.

"...We usually have black bean noodles today... Just him and me..."

Tears suddenly filled the eyes of Soo-yeon, who was looking down as she spoke.

Han Yoo-jung was flustered, but Soo-yeon, accustomed to it, wiped her eyes.

-Swish swish.

And then, as if nothing had happened, she continued.

"...It's a dish we ate a lot together. He likes it with a bit of vinegar...please pass that on too."

Indeed, there was a lot of information that Han Yoo-jung wouldn't have known.

Not only information that could evoke memories but also Jung-gyeom's preferences that Soo-yeon was well aware of.

This too was another item that sparked jealousy.

How many happy moments must Soo-yeon have had with him to know all these things?

Despite having watched over him for much longer.

Yet, Han Yoo-jung hid her feelings.

It might not be for long, but...surely, she was now closer to Jung-gyeom than anyone else.

Using the notebook Soo-yeon had given her, she could create fleeting memories with Jung-gyeom.

In the meantime, she could only hope that he would have a change of heart.

She put the notebook and bracelet she received from Soo-yeon into her possession.

Then, she took out a tracker she had brought and handed it to Soo-yeon.

"...This is..."

"There's no guarantee that something like what happened with Riem won't happen again."

"....Ah."

"...And, I need to make sure I'm not being followed. You might try to find Gyeom by following me."

"...."

Having finished her business, an Yoo-jung bowed her head briefly, then turned to leave.

"...Wait a moment, please."

But Soo-yeon stopped her.

"...Yes?"

"...Could you...take a few photos of him and send them to me?"

"..."

"...That bracelet...is really precious to me... I just want to be able to breathe..."

She understood.

Soo-yeon must be feeling anxious.

She was entrusting it all to her.

Soo-yeon must also be worried that she might misuse it.

But the biggest beneficiary of her actions would be Soo-yeon herself.

If all goes well, Jung-gyeom would return to Soo-yeon's side.

And Han Yoo-jung herself...would end up in prison.

It was displeasing. It made her spiteful.

She knew that the upper hand she currently held was like a mirage.

"..."

Han Yoo-jung didn't respond and turned to walk away.

But Soo-yeon stubbornly followed her.

"...If not now, then just in dreams, please, Han Yoo-jung...I just want to see his face...okay?"

"...Haaaa."

Han Yoo-jung let out a long sigh.

Then she stopped in her tracks and bit her lip.

She didn't want to. She didn't want to do it.

But on a whim, she reached into Soo-yeon's clothes.

"Ah...!"

Her cold hand touched her soft skin.

Han Yoo-jung's hand began to glow. The light did not leak out from under the clothes.

-Woong...

...This was a thanks for the notebook.

But it didn't grant Soo-yeon the long dream she wanted.

Just a brief one...just as she asked, a dream where she could see his face.

After all, if the plan worked out, she'd see his face more than enough.

To the surprised and frozen Soo-yeon, Han Yoo-jung advised,

"...I did not give you a long dream."

"..."

"So, it's better if you wake up early. I've given you my advice."

"...What?"

In Soo-yeon's current emotional state, prone to sudden tears, there's no telling how the dream might twist.

Especially outside the range of Han Yoo-jung's control.

Leaving the frozen Soo-yeon behind, she headed towards the hideout.

---

---

After handing Liquid over to the association, I had a fierce battle with the pursuing Solace.

She was gradually returning to her form before regression.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to face her.

She was getting stronger at a rapid pace.

The fact that I was the reason gave me complex feelings.

Should I be happy, or should I be sad?

"..."

One thing was certain.

Every time I saw her hate-filled eyes, my heart broke.

To the point it was hard to move.

If there was a silver lining, it's that the other heroes aren't attacking me.

They're all scared, not daring to confront me like Solace does.

This too resembles the situation before the regression.

Except for the end, where six heroes attacked me at once; usually, it was only Solace who faced me.

It feels like the more things progress, the more they resemble the situation before my regression.

It might be just a matter of time before everything went back to how it was.

...Could my end be similar?

I suddenly wondered.

"..."

But I shake my head, erasing those unnecessary thoughts.

I open the door to the hideout and step inside.

-Thud.

"Gyeom, you're here?"

Han Yoo-jung greets me as usual.

Every time I see her, my heart fluttered.

I had to admit that Han Yoo-jung had become a new concern for me.

Have I foolishly given my heart away again?

I sighed and moved further inside.

"...?"

And then, stopped dead in my tracks at a familiar smell.

Han Yoo-jung passed by me, saying,

"Sit for a while. Just need to boil the noodles."

At her natural attitude, a chuckle escaped me.

Tonight's dinner was black bean noodles.

My favorite dish and one filled with memories.

I asked,

"...Did you meet Soo-yeon?"

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