Chapter 64: Sweet Reward (2)

Chapter 64: Sweet Reward (2)

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: 5/week, Mon-Fri

Illustrations: Here

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Song Soo-yeon stood in front of an old door in a corner with Stella.

Once through this door, she would meet the other villains.

Who might she meet?

Song Soo-yeon started feeling a bit nervous.

"Alright, let's go."

At Stella's prompt, Song Soo-yeon nodded.

Stella turned the doorknob, and as the door opened, a bright light spilled out.

Song Soo-yeon squinted inside her costume.

The brightness momentarily blinded her.

"Hello everyone?"

During this, Stella entered the room with a cheerful greeting.

Song Soo-yeon quietly followed.

"You are late."

A deep voice expressed dissatisfaction.

Song Soo-yeon blinked, adjusting to the light, and the room slowly came into view.

"..."

She was speechless at the room's splendid magnificence, feeling like she had stepped into another world.

Marble floors, ornate wall materials, a spacious room with a high ceiling, and a chandelier hanging above.

Below it was a round table surrounded by chairs.

Song Soo-yeon turned around, struck by the stark contrast to the previous room.

"Is that the person?"

Another voice asked.

Stella replied on her behalf.

"Yes. Our new colleague. Now, introduce yourself."

Stella guided Song Soo-yeon.

Only then did Song Soo-yeon look at the other villains.

But she froze again at the sight of their faces.

The villains she had only seen on TV were sitting quietly.

Villain ranking 1: Tryno.

Villain ranking 3: Liquid.

Villain ranking 22: Stingshot.

And a female villain wearing a costume.

Song Soo-yeon was speechless.

She hadn't expected such infamous villains as colleagues.

Being among them, she was beginning to feel like a villain herself.

"...Is the new recruit mute, Stella?"

Tryno mocked her in his deep voice, scratching his nose.

Ironically, his malice snapped Song Soo-yeon back to reality.

She knew from past experiences that she must not show weakness.

Song Soo-yeon spoke as calmly as possible.

"...My villain name is Luna. My power is control."

"...Control?"

Liquid, previously silent, reacted.

Stella guided Song Soo-yeon to a seat next to her at the round table.

"Amazing, right?"

She remarked with a smile.

"I witnessed her controlling up to 100 people. There's no better ability for creating chaos."

The other villains, now intrigued, nodded, expressed quiet admiration, and scrutinized Luna closely.

Song Soo-yeon remained silent.

Then Liquid turned to her.

"So, what's your goal?"

"..Goal?"

"Yes. You must have had some kind of wish when you joined us."

"..."

Song Soo-yeon sat at the round table, her gaze drifting over everyone.

She was still adjusting.

She hadn't expected to meet these villains.

But more than that, she was quietly surprised to learn that all these villains have their own dreams.

Stella chimed in from beside her.

"Let's not pressure Luna too much today. We're mainly here to get acquainted, right?"

Liquid seemed skeptical of her words.

"Pressure? We need to know her goal so we can be prepared. She might want something we can't provide."

"...I thought anything was possible?"

Song Soo-yeon sharply responded to Liquid's words, contradicting what Stella had told her.

A sense of betrayal momentarily overcame her nervousness and fear.

Song Soo-yeon didn't want to stay if her goal was unattainable.

Liquid tilted his head and replied.

"...So, tell us. We'll try to help if possible."

A hush fell over the room.

All the villains looked at her intently.

Finally, Song Soo-yeon sighed deeply and confessed.

"...Money."

"...That's simple. What else?"

"...Destroy Solace."

Liquid and Tryno chuckled at the same time.

Tryno's voice was low.

"...Solace? That Solace?"

Song Soo-yeon challenged him.

After all, he was the top-ranked villain.

"..."

"...Really-"

"-You think I can't?"

Song Soo-yeon's eyes and hands glowed purple.

Stella's eyes also lit up, and then she looked dazed.

Song Soo-yeon had thought controlling someone with powers would be hard, but it was surprisingly easy, either because she let her guard down or she allowed it.

"What did you do to me?"

Song Soo-yeon demanded.

Trusting Stella wasn't easy for her, even if Tryno had accepted the same treatment.

"...I used my ability to give you a pleasant dream."

The answer confirmed her suspicion.

"...Cancel-"

She almost told her to cancel it, but curiosity stopped Song Soo-yeon.

What counts as a pleasant dream?

Why did Tryno agree to it?

Controlling Stella meant she could ask without hesitation.

"...What is a pleasant dream?"

---

---

Late at night.

Back in her apartment, Song Soo-yeon hesitated before lying down.

Ultimately, she didn't ask Stella to remove her ability.

It would only last a day, after all.

There was no reason to be concerned.

The dream wouldn't be Stella's creation but her own desire.

Still, she had no clue what she would dream about or what she truly wanted.

Was it influenced by her power?

Sleep came swiftly.

"...Huh?"

Waking up, she found myself in a dream.

It was unmistakably a dream, yet incredibly vivid.

She was on a beach at sunset.

Sitting on a wooden bench, feeling the cool breeze, it was confusing.

...Was this what she longed for? This peaceful scene?

Despite her initial confusion, she quickly got lost in the moment.

The beautiful sunset.

The shimmering sea.

The scent of saltwater.

The cries of seagulls.

The soft sand.

...She felt truly at peace.

"...It's beautiful."

In the freedom of the dream, she spoke the truth.

Maybe, without knowing, she had wanted this tranquility.

Her life had always been tumultuous.

"...Soo-yeon."

Suddenly, arms wrapped gently around her from behind.

Song Soo-yeon shivered, her breath catching at the familiar voice.

She didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"It's beautiful here, isn't it?"

"....."

Song Soo-yeon struggled to find her voice.

They had hugged before, but this was the first time he initiated it.

How long had it been?

Jung-gyeom moved to sit beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and gently guiding her head to rest against him.

She didn't resist.

The sunset seemed more radiant, the sea sparkled brighter, the sea air fresher, and the seagulls' cries more melodious.

In this idyllic beach scene, they were the only two present.

...She felt tears welling up.

This beautiful world did exist.

She was grateful she hadn't given up on life.

Jung-gyeom, who had supported her in her darkest hour, was even more precious now.

Song Soo-yeon turned her head to look at Jung-gyeom, smiling his familiar smile.

"Let's come back here, okay?"

He kissed her forehead.

Song Soo-yeon's eyes flew open.

"Haah....! Haah....!"

She was back in her dark room.

The dream of the sea, sunset, and Jung-gyeom vanished.

Her heart raced, her breathing heavy as if she'd just awoken.

Her body was tense with emotion.

"Mister...?"

She searched the room.

"...Mister?"

But he wasn't there.

Reality had returned.

And with reality, the memory of seeing Min-bom and him together.

The contrast with her dream was heart-wrenching.

"......"

Song Soo-yeon curled up on her bed.

Hands over her chest, she endured the pain.

And when it subsided, her eyes blazed with renewed determination.

...She must make her dream a reality.