The Villain’s Reputation and the Repairman’s Deeds

“……”

‘Villain Su Mo, guilty of heinous crimes!!!’

Su Mu’s lips twitched. ‘Are you serious with that bold, capitalized headline?’

He scrolled down on his phone, tapping to view the full details.

Saint Lily, captain of the super-powered team ‘Lucky Garden’, stated directly that a powerful force had suddenly surged, shattering the barrier established to contain the disaster.

By the time Saint Lily arrived on the scene with the supporting super-powered team ‘Brilliant Spark’.

Only three petrified members of ‘Lucky Garden’ remained: White Rose, Hyacinth, and the newest recruit, Redbud.

Undoubtedly, they were all heroes.

“The disaster was averted, the calamity beast vanquished. These young women fought with all their might, using their delicate bodies and their very lives to hold the line until the last moment. Even Miss Redbud, on her very first day on the battlefield, never flinched, never begged for mercy, for behind us stand the people, and where else could we retreat?”

“Let us remember these heroes.”

“From their expressions, it is clear this attack was sudden, a despicable and shameless sneak assault. Someone launched this strike precisely when they had exerted themselves to eliminate the calamity beast, just as their spirits began to ease.”

“She destroyed the barrier, preventing Miss Saint Lily from discovering it, ensuring she couldn’t react in time within the barrier or warn her comrades.”

“Her sole aim was to create an opportunity for a sneak attack, cruelly plunging these three heroes into despair at the very moment of their victory.”

“What a terrifying, malicious tactic!”

“Now, for the one capable of such an act, this shadowy figure lurking in the background. Perhaps you didn’t notice the previously aired footage, but Villain List No. 1 has finally made their appearance.”

“It is well known that those who make it onto the villain list are utterly depraved, guilty of heinous crimes. Even if they possess the appearance of a cute girl, that is merely a devil cloaked in an angel’s skin.”

“The previously broadcast footage showed that demon is currently in this very city, even very close to the location of the disaster.”

“Su Mo, you demon! If you possess even an ounce of shame, kneel and apologize! Face justice and the law, and receive your due punishment!!!”

“……”

Amused.

Su Mu slurped his instant noodles, his expression indifferent.

What could he say? He was used to it.

“How can they say such things? While Host hasn’t done anything particularly good, Host hasn’t done anything bad either! This is defamation! This is slander!!!” The little sprite stomped their foot in the air, seething with indignation.

“……” Su Mu glanced at them. “This report isn’t entirely wrong. I was also going there for revenge. I was just too slow. If I had been quicker, this might very well be the truth.”

“But… but they harmed Host first!”

“You weren’t saying that last night~”

“I… I…”

“Anyway, Host was chosen by me! Host is someone who will save the world with me, not a bad person!”

Su Mu smiled. Perhaps it was the first time they had been so openly defended, so the little one’s slight fussiness wasn’t quite so annoying.

He reached out and gently patted their small head.

“Hehe~ Host, this is motivation! Let’s hurry and save the world, and use facts to slap those rumor-mongers right in the face!” The little sprite made a few punching gestures in the air, full of ambition.

“……”

“No.”

“Eh~ Why not? Don’t you want to prove your innocence, Host?”

“They’re talking about Su Mo. What does that have to do with me, Su Mu, the repairman?”

“Uh, aren’t they the same person?”

“→_→”

“You know too much!”

“Eh? Eh!”

Watching the little sprite freeze in fright, Su Mu continued slurping his noodles, even finishing the broth.

He simply didn’t have the leisure for such things.

Nor did he harbor the naive belief that the innocent could easily clear their own names. Purity was hard to prove; a drop of ink in clear water only seemed to darken the more one tried to wash it out. Besides, he wasn’t exactly pure to begin with, so why bother with a single drop of ink?

……

****

“By the way, can others not see you?”

“Hmph hmph! Aren’t I amazing~” The little sprite put their hands on their hips, finally praised and utterly delighted.

“Oh, well, don’t talk to me when we’re outside then. You’ll make me look like an idiot~” Su Mu waved his hand dismissively.

“Mm~ Host~~”

“But Host, this means you’re willing to let me follow you! Hooray!”

‘Their self-healing attribute is way too high~’

Su Mu subconsciously grumbled, watching the little sprite who had been dejected for less than a second before bouncing back to happiness.

“Hmph hmph, I’m super amazing!”

“Oh, please~”

It was hard for Su Mu to ignore the reason they couldn’t talk to him outside.

“Host, what work are we doing today? Saving the world?”

“Yes, indeed! We’re laying bricks and tiles for society, and filling our stomachs in the process.”

“That’s amazing! Go, Host, go ٩(๑^o^๑)۶!”

“……”

Su Mu shook his head. “Don’t talk to me when we’re outside.”

“Ah~ Actually, since I’m bound to Host, we’re connected by mind. It’s like in novels, we can communicate by talking in our minds.”

“So Host, there’s absolutely no problem! Feel free to talk to me as much as you want, and you won’t look like a weirdo!”

“……”

Su Mu carried his repair bag.

‘Is there a possibility that I still find you annoying?’

“ヘ(>_<ヘ)｡°(°¯᷄◠¯᷅°)°｡”

'Just a hypothesis.'

“(￣∀￣), I knew it! Host wouldn't hate me!”

'Indeed! Who could hate emergency rations?'

“◑.◑”

'One day, if I can't find food, be prepared!'

“You're… you're joking, right?”

'(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧'

……

The Xinyuan residential area had been severely affected yesterday, but it had little to do with Su Mu. Any damages would be reimbursed by the government, leaving no room for an ordinary repairman like him.

His luck was better today. While Xinyuan was out, he had just entered a nearby neighborhood when someone called out to him.

“Little Su, you've come at just the right time! I was looking for you! Come over! Come over!”

Business was good, with quite a few customers.

After a busy morning, he had already earned several hundred, enough to cover several days' worth of his usual income.

“Eh~ Wasn't that from yesterday's calamity beast? It was quite close, and the disaster affected this area. I was watching TV just fine at home, then suddenly it flickered and went out!”

“Mine too! Everything was working perfectly, and then many appliances just suddenly broke!”

“Aren't losses due to the disaster reimbursed by the government?” Su Mu paused, surprised.

“They only care about the severely affected areas. I asked the property management this morning, and they said our area isn't covered for reimbursement. Isn't that infuriating? Because it 'looks like nothing happened,' they claim they can't confirm it, accusing people of intentionally submitting broken items for reimbursement and trying to take advantage.”

“Are we those kinds of people?”

“Little Su, just repair as much as you can. Whatever we can save, we save!”

“Alright, Uncle, consider it handled.”

A harmonious atmosphere filled the air.

“Good Deed Points +1 +1 +1 +2 +1…”

'What is this?'

Su Mu watched helplessly as the little sprite pulled out a small booklet and began their announcement.

“Our world-saving system emphasizes 'do not neglect a good deed, however small.' Only by starting with small acts can we gradually save the world, so any good deed can accumulate Good Deed Points.”

“And these Good Deed Points can be exchanged for various super amazing items in the shop.”

'……'

'Getting paid for work counts as a good deed?'

“As long as the other party feels gratitude.”

Su Mu paused. So, even though he was brazenly taking on work, there were still people who genuinely appreciated him?

He suspected this was merely an exception. After all, with damages and no government reimbursement, any reduction in loss was welcome. Later, if the government expanded the reimbursement zone, these very people would likely start complaining that he had profited from their misfortune.

Once this job was done, he wouldn't come back here.

“Host, isn't your… perspective a bit too negative? You're getting along so well…” The little sprite floated down to Su Mu's shoulder, their expression one of speechless concern.

'You're still too young~'

'Humans are creatures who find reasons for their own actions in others.'

'However, since this is a one-time deal, today I'm going to earn every last penny I can!'

“My dear uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters! Since you've all shown me such kindness, I can't take too much advantage. For every five items I repair, I'll fix one extra for free! Group purchases and specific requests are welcome! For the greater good, I'll be staying in this neighborhood all day. I won't leave until every repair is done!”

Su Mu clasped his hands together in a gesture of martial respect, exuding the heroic spirit of a wandering chivalrous warrior.

“Good! Good lad!”

“Little Su, I knew I hadn't misjudged you!”

“Good Deed Points +2 +3 +5 +4 +2 +1…”

“Host, you're so cool!”

Su Mu shrugged. 'Won't these people regret it later?'