Chapter 35: Choi Min-seo, who came to me on her own feet

“Drink up, drink up! Let’s drink and die today!”

“Hey, this guy’s down too! Who can outdrink Emma, the manager!”

“The leader is coming down! Everyone, stand up!”

As I went down alone, the subordinates who were drinking heavily saluted me. I lightly acknowledged them and ordered them to rest.

“Boss, it’s about to start. ‘Nameless’ Hero & Villain Rankings for the Year-End!”

A sharp subordinate reported.

Ah, there was such a program.

Nameless was a mysterious, independent ability user who broadcasted an award-like program at the end of every month.

It was broadcast on an untraceable frequency every year, but the information was so accurate that it was considered credible.

The ranking was based purely on the results from the year, not on data.

In fact, it was an event where GMs announced the players’ rankings, but somewhere out there, the real Nameless ability user might exist.

The broadcast began, and when the large screen in the hall displayed the image, my subordinates cheered.

[Hero Section. Rank 1, Red Dragon. S-Class. Affiliated with Seoul Hero Association. Ability: Red Dragon. Level: Unmeasurable. Affiliation: Dragon King Squad]

“Of course!”

“Hurry, show the villains!”

“Call out Vengeance’s name!”

“Vengeance!”

“Vengeance!”

The subordinates shouted Vengeance’s name in excitement.

[Rank 2. Pink Wings.]

[Rank 3. Silver Mirror.]

[Rank 4. Blue Sable.]

[Rank 5. Yellow Cloaker.]

[Rank 6. Absolute Seven.]

[Rank 7. Exile.]

[Rank 8. Green Nature.]

After the hero rankings, the screen switched to a black background.

[Villain Organization Section Ranking.]

“Ooooh!”

“Here it comes!!”

[Rank 1. Shin Seong-su. Level 9 Villain Organization. Leader: CEO Elena. SSS-Class Villain. Second-in-command: Finisher. SS-Class Villain. 1,129 members. Social Risk Impact Index: 972.]

“Tch. As expected, Shin Seong-su is number one.”

“You can’t get full on the first bite.”

“Honestly, just making it into the top 10 is impressive. We’re total newbies.”

“Shinzwork had a social impact index of 25 last year.”

My subordinates’ shoulders sagged as they deflated.

But the next moment,

[Rank 2. Vengeance. Level 3 Villain Organization. Leader: Zeo Georgius. B-Class Villain. Second-in-command: Dark Matter. SS-Class Villain. 86 members. Social Risk Impact Index: 924.]

“What!!”

“Second place?!”

“Let’s go!!!”

The subordinates screamed and danced, raising their glasses. The DJ started the music, and the hall began to turn into a frenzy. Emma, Illusion, Deep Dive, Count, Hans, and others were seen enjoying the party.

A satisfying result.

In just a few months, not even a year, this was the outcome.

It seemed that the actions that had dismantled the Dragon King Squad, which was deemed to have contributed most

to the peace of this society, had earned the high score. This ranking didn’t directly affect growth, but it was proof that

my direction wasn’t wrong.

The current number of members was 86.

Including the 12 actors, including Kim Deok-bae, the number of useful A-Class or higher villains was steadily growing.

“Everyone! I have something to say!”

The voice of a man echoed from the speaker. It was Kim Deok-bae, who had played Dr. Hyun.

“Until just recently, I was nothing but an old man with no family, no friends, and no money to pay rent. But then, I

was discovered, and my talent was recognized by Zeo Georgius, who wrote the incredible play Red Dragon’s Revival.

He is a great prophet and will become the king of this world! Let’s all applaud his vision and achievements!”

The subordinates erupted into applause. I lightly raised my hand in acknowledgment.

“Deok-bae, act for us!”

“Yeah! You did well! The whole world has been deceived!”

The atmosphere at the party was heating up. Kim Deok-bae immediately immersed himself in the emotions.

“Oh, my lord. Be careful of envy. It is a monster with green eyes that mocks the human heart and feeds on it.”

“5 seconds until the New Year!”

“4! 3! 2! 1!”

“Happy New Year!!”

The subordinates screamed as if the building was going to collapse. I stepped out onto the balcony and even though the window was closed, I could feel the vibrations of their voices.

This place was provided after forming a significant cooperative relationship, albeit mixed with considerable competition, with Elena.

The damp underground fighting arena was left only for minimal operations, and now I was using the entire building, which had a penthouse.

The morale of the subordinates was sky-high after moving to the new hideout.

Although we had entered Elena’s surveillance zone, the fact that we could now avoid the eyes of the Hero Association made it more advantageous.

The association president and the Dragon King Squad would be burning with passion trying to find Red Dragon.

“Zeo, Happy New Year.”

Next to me stood Irua. We leaned on the railing, gazing at the sparkling city.

“I look forward to this year as well.”

After returning the greeting, I took out the gift I had prepared and handed it over.

“Happy birthday.”

Irua opened her eyes like a goldfish, sucked in her lips, and smiled sweetly as she accepted the gift with both hands. She observed the wrapping paper under the dim light for a while. Then, satisfied, she hugged it to her chest.

“I like it.”

“You didn’t even check what it is.”

“Still, I like it.”

“Open it.”

Irua carefully untied the ribbon, peeling off the layers to check the contents.

“A hair tie… Is this…?”

“You’ve got long hair. Use it during missions if it’s inconvenient. I matched it with the product and price you gave me.”

“Two of them.”

“They’re easy to lose.”

“I won’t lose them.”

Irua lovingly gazed at the two hair ties and replied.

“Or should I tie them both at once? What do you think, Zeo?”

“Well, I…”

Two strands.

“There’s no right or wrong. It’s more comfortable to tie them together, isn’t it?”

“Okay, I got it.”

“Emma has prepared a cake too. Since the weather is chilly, let’s go inside and eat.”

“Hey, Zeo.”

Irua turned to look at me.

It was midnight. Even with the looming threat to humanity overhead, the city’s lights, celebrating the New Year without a care, brightly illuminated her.

She looked directly at me and calmly conveyed the fact.

“I’m an adult now.”

“Uhuhu, uhuhuhu.”

Choi Min-seo stood in front of the mirror, smiling as she tried on different clothes, picking the one that suited her best.

She received a message from Jeong Se-seok.

It was just for her, in complete secrecy.

Just the fact that he kept his promise made Choi Min-seo feel like she could fly.

In a light dress with an elegant coat and a luxury bag, she was about to leave her private room when she came face-to-face with someone she didn’t like.

It was Ji Se-hwa.

“What’s with you? That outfit?”

Ji Se-hwa frowned.

“You know it’s almost training time, right? Where are you going?”

Choi Min-seo, who had been in a good mood, suddenly felt her spirits drop.

“Unnie, this isn’t something you should be meddling in. I told you already. I’m not training with you guys anymore.”

“You b*tch. Didn’t you feel it during the Pegasus battle? I’m finally trying to show some strength, and you go and throw cold water on it.”

“When did you ever try hard? Why didn’t you do that when Oppa Eu-seok was around?”

“Ugh! That’s exactly why I’m doing this! If I defeat the Galactic Empire from now on, maybe Jeong Se-seok will reconsider me…!”

Ji Se-hwa shouted loudly.

I knew it would come out like this.

This is why Oppa Eu-seok dislikes her.

I’m different from you.

I’m going to meet Oppa Eu-seok now.

If I train with Oppa Eu-seok, I’ll get much stronger than you guys in no time!

Hehe, just kidding.

Actually, I’m not interested in that at all.

I just need to be recognized.

I just need my efforts and my talent to be acknowledged and watched over.

You guys have never even looked at me.

From the start, you’re too weak to even have the right to acknowledge me.

“I’m not just going out to play either. I’ll train and come back, so you don’t need to worry.”

“Hey. Do you want to get beaten by me like the association president? Will that make you snap out of it?”

“Is there anything you’re proud of other than violence?”

“You remember when Jeong Se-seok told me to cut my arm and you rushed to protect me, right? Did you forget?”

“Well, you should be thankful. I threw myself in front of you to block you from cutting your arm.”

“What…?”

It was enough to say it like that.

At that time, Ji Se-hwa was not in her right mind and didn’t grasp the situation. In the end, the four of us got tangled together, so she probably couldn’t even tell who was who.

“I’m busy for now, so don’t call me unless it’s time to go out. Goodbye.”

Choi Min-seo shot a cold look at Ji Se-hwa and left the association.

Choi Min-seo arrived at the meeting spot with Jeong Se-seok: an abandoned factory. Upon entering, a training facility had been set up inside.

“Oppa Eu-seok!”

“Oh, Min-seo.”

Noise began to fill Choi Min-seo’s head as she ran to Jeong Se-seok and immediately embraced him.

“Oppa, it’s been a while! I hope you had a good trip to the U.S.! How were the villains over there?”

“They were nothing special. Were you taking good care of the house?”

Jeong Se-seok patted Choi Min-seo’s head.

“Hehe. Oh, by the way, why are we meeting here…?”

Choi Min-seo looked around. When Jeong Se-seok clapped his hands, a woman walked in.

She had long black hair tied to the side and wore a mask.

“She’s a new hero. We agreed to let her be your training partner.”

“Training partner? Did we? Well, if it’s Oppa Eu-seok’s suggestion, I guess it’s fine! I’ll do my best!”

Choi Min-seo smiled brightly and approached the new hero to shake her hand.

“Hello, junior!”

“Green Nature, nice to meet you. I’m Irua.”

Choi Min-seo tilted her head.

She thought the voice sounded familiar from somewhere.