I Became a Villain's Hero

TL/Editor: raei

Schedule: 5/week, Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Here

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"...What does this mean, Mister?"

Song Soo-yeon asked quietly.

Jung-gyeom, wearing a mask, stopped in his tracks.

"Turning yourself in... what is she talking about?"

Still, Jung-gyeom didn't respond.

Feeling suffocated by the silence, Soo-yeon ran to him and grabbed his hand.

"Please, answer me...okay?"

Seeing the earnestness in her eyes, Jung-gyeom sighed deeply and responded.

"Exactly as she said."

Soo-yeon felt her heart sink.

She knew better than anyone that Jung-gyeom's surrender meant their separation.

She felt her strength drain away.

Deep down, she had already expected reconciliation.

Every time they met, he became gentler, and they had even shared a kiss over the sea.

She had also optimistically hoped that with the Villain Association being taken down one by one, his need for revenge would eventually end.

But all of that was a mirage.

Jung-gyeom had been preparing for their parting all along.

Soo-yeon tried not to believe his words.

His words of dislike toward her, and his words about parting.

Unable to bear it, she had closed her eyes and turned away.

But time flows even when you close your eyes.

Soo-yeon realized that too much had already happened.

A complete separation from Jung-gyeom.

It was suffocatingly painful.

It drove Soo-yeon to the edge of madness.

She muttered.

"Is it because of me...?"

"..."

"Are you turning yourself in...to absolve me, Mister?"

"Don't be mistaken. I've said it several times. I hate being a villain. I can't stand being like this, so I'm turning myself in."

Song Soo-yeon responded almost without thinking.

"Don't lie."

"..."

"You're doing this... for me."

"..."

"Stop bullsh*tting. You love me. F*ck, you're doing this because of me...!"

Jung-gyeom avoided her gaze.

The bridge of his nose wrinkled under his mask, trembling as if about to burst.

Soo-yeon continued to raise her voice.

"Look at me...! Look into my eyes and say it...! I know you were happy with me...! You were happy when you were by my side, with Solace...! Are you saying you're going to throw all that away and go to prison?!"

"Then!!"

Jung-gyeom also raised his voice suddenly, grabbing Soo-yeon's shoulders tightly.

"...Then you shouldn't have become a villain."

Soo-yeon's past mistakes haunted her like a brand.

"Do you think your crimes will just disappear if you stay quiet? Do you have any idea how relentless the Hero Association is?"

"Mister...!"

Soo-yeon called out to him in frustration.

But she couldn't argue back because he was right.

"If it's not me, you'll have to go to jail. Either way... our separation was inevitable. And don't you dare talk about turning yourself in. It would make all my efforts meaningless."

Soo-yeon shook her head in disagreement.

Looking up at him, she pleaded desperately.

"...Let's... let's run away, Mister."

"..."

"I... I just need you...okay? Like... like Riem... let's go to an island and live there, just the two of us...!"

It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, but Soo-yeon clung to it.

There seemed to be no other way.

Jung-gyeom shook his head briefly.

Then he walked past Soo-yeon, heading towards Tryno.

Soo-yeon suddenly yelled out.

"Run away!"

Tryno, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly stood up.

But Jung-gyeom's restraint was quicker.

-Bang!

Tryno's face smashed into the floor.

Her control was lost.

Jung-gyeom skillfully pulled out handcuffs from his back pocket and fastened them on Tryno.

Then, he slung the subdued Tryno over his shoulder.

Jung-gyeom was ready to leave at any moment.

Soo-yeon could only watch the scene helplessly.

There was nothing else she could do.

She couldn't physically overpower Jung-gyeom, nor did she want to.

Nor could she persuade him with words.

"...Ah... Ah...."

Panicking, she could only mutter in a whisper.

And as quickly as he had arrived at the building, Jung-gyeom headed towards the window, ready to leap out without saying a word.

As if his previous words of farewell were his last.

Soo-yeon didn't have the strength or the courage to follow him.

Her mind was too cluttered to know what to do.

She could only mumble.

"...Please don't go...."

"..."

At her words, Jung-gyeom's steps stopped abruptly.

"...Haaah."

He let out a long sigh.

Setting Tryno down, he walked back towards Soo-yeon.

A flicker of hope emerged, only for a moment.

He smiled bitterly.

It was the smile she loved, one she hadn't seen in far too long.

He stared at Soo-yeon for a while.

As if committing her to memory.

He said,

"...I wanted to stay cold until the end."

Then he leaned in and kissed her forehead.

Soo-yeon's breath stopped.

Jung-gyeom said,

"............Goodbye."

"............"

Then Jung-gyeom turned around, slung Tryno over his shoulder again, and jumped out of the window.

-Bang!

Soo-yeon quietly looked at the spot where he had left, then slowly sank to the floor.

---

---

Han Yoo-jung slowly accepted this terrible moment as she watched Jung-gyeom arrive at the hideout.

Time was up.

The sweet days with Jung-gyeom could no longer continue.

Would things have been different if she hadn't been consumed by jealousy and had spoken honestly to Soo-yeon?

No.

It was impossible to even consider telling Soo-yeon about Jung-gyeom's surrender from the start.

Maybe it was just a bitter pill she had to swallow.

Objectively, it was her greed wanting just one more week, but that time wouldn't have changed anything.

"Are you back, Gyeom?"

Han Yoo-jung's gaze shifted to Tryno, the giant figure Jung-gyeom had slung over his shoulder.

Without a word, Jung-gyeom passed by Han Yoo-jung and headed to the underground prison.

"..."

Han Yoo-jung stared at his back, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Opening her eyes, she steeled her resolve.

It was time to enact her plan.

---

---

Knock knock.

Han Yoo-jung knocked on the door of Jung-gyeom's room, which he had retreated into.

No response came from him.

Perhaps his mind was also in turmoil.

After all, he had to turn himself in and say goodbye to everyone he loved.

Han Yoo-jung, not waiting for an answer to return, said.

"Gyeom, I'm coming in."

The door creaked open...

Jung-gyeom was lying on the sofa, as always.

In his hand, he held Soo-yeon's wish bracelet, again.

Han Yoo-jung hoped this represented the lingering attachment inside Jung-gyeom.

She approached him with a cup of warm tea.

She slowly placed the cup on the table next to him and sat beside him.

"..."

Jung-gyeom didn't show his usual prickly response.

Knowing the goodness inside him, Han Yoo-jung wasn't surprised.

Since it might be their last night, she knew he wouldn't push her away.

"...Will it all end tomorrow?"

Jung-gyeom nodded slightly.

"It's a farewell then?"

Han Yoo-jung said.

Jung-gyeom didn't respond.

She looked intently at his face. How long had she loved this man?

If only she could return once more.

Then, she become someone precious to him, like Song Soo-yeon.

"...Gyeom, do you really have to turn yourself in?"

Han Yoo-jung asked carefully.

Jung-gyeom nodded again.

Han Yoo-jung decided not to push this topic further.

"...For both of us, it ends tonight."

"..."

".......Should we have a drink?"

"What?"

"We won't be able to drink once we're in."

"..."

"...Let's have a drink, Gyeom. It's my last request."

At the mention of a last request, Jung-gyeom looked at Han Yoo-jung with a sympathetic gaze.

Blinking, he pondered for a moment and, once again, nodded.

---

---

A few hours later, in the quiet room, Han Yoo-jung stood up alone.

She silently watched Jung-gyeom, who was sound asleep.

In Han Yoo-jung's hand was a packet of sleeping pills, prescribed for insomnia.

Even the formidable Jung-gyeom couldn't resist the drugs mixed with alcohol.

She then searched for paper within the hideout, knelt down, and began to write him a letter.

--------------------

Gyeom, I'm sorry.

But by the time you're reading this letter, everything will be over.

Tryno and I will be in prison.

I'll tell Solace that 'Dice' is dead.

It doesn't matter if she doesn't believe it.

After all, her target is 'Jung-gyeom,' right?

Just appear before Solace as if nothing ever happened.

Then she won't chase after 'Dice' anymore.

Don't worry.

I'll make sure Luna's pardon is handled properly.

You just... be with Luna again.

I know from watching you.

You're happiest when you're with Luna.

And suffer the most when fighting with Solace.

So, go back to finding your happiness as you used to.

This is the only way I can apologize for ruining your life.

--------------------

Han Yoo-jung frowned as she wrote the letter.

Her hands were trembling.

Was it because it was truly the last time? Emotions dripped.

-Drip... Drop...

Tears stained the paper.

Han Yoo-jung quickly wiped her eyes, then took a deep breath.

Calming herself, she wrote down her last words to him.

--------------------

I know it feels forced, but I don't want you to turn yourself in.

I want to see you live happily.

You, who was having a harder, lonelier time than anyone else, so much so that you gave up on life.

I sincerely wish for your happiness now.

Gyeom.

I'm sorry. I was truly grateful. I really loved you.

-Han Yoo-jung.

--------------------

"...Haaah."

Han Yoo-jung calmed her emotions and carefully folded the letter, placing it under Jung-gyeom's hand.

Then she gently placed her hand on the sleeping Jung-gyeom's cheek.

Her hand began to glow brightly.

Not at ease with just the sleeping pills, she gifted him with sweet dreams.

Dreams so sweet he wouldn't want to wake up from them.

Hoping that when he awoke, those dreams would become reality, allowing him to put aside the thoughts of turning himself in.

As the dream-giving ended, Han Yoo-jung's hand lost its light.

But she did not remove her hand from his cheek.

This was the last time.

Really the last time.

With that thought, she couldn't hold back her greed.

-Drip... Drop...

Slowly, she leaned her face towards him.

While he was asleep, she secretly stole a kiss.

Han Yoo-jung kissed him like that for a while.

She didn't want to pull away.

But now, she had to.

For Jung-gyeom's sake, it was time to move on.

Han Yoo-jung pulled her lips away.

Then she spoke to the person who was both her benefactor and love.

"Dice. No... Gyeom."

Jung-gyeom's eyelids fluttered briefly, then stilled again.

"...I'll miss you."

With that, Han Yoo-jung left Jung-gyeom's room.

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