I Became a Villain’s Hero
Chapter 56: Greedy (4)

TL/Editor: Raei

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I had resolved never to use my powers again.

This was both a penance for the harm I had inflicted on the world before my regression and a promise to Solace, who had shed tears for me as I lay dying, cold and alone.

I didn't want to live as a villain.

If I wasn't going to fight, I didn't need my powers either.

But those words, they slipped out too easily.

".............Should I come and sweep it up for you?"

I was surprised at myself for saying it.

I couldn't understand how I could utter such words so easily, breaking the resolution I had repeated hundreds of times, forgetting the many joys I had obtained by hiding my abilities.

Before I knew it, I was preparing to use my powers again.

“...”

Even though I was startled by my own words, I didn’t take them back.

Being surprised didn't mean it wasn't sincere.

If Solace asked for help, I would rush to her side in an instant.

I didn't understand myself.

Perhaps it was because Solace showed such a vulnerable side to me.

I wanted to protect her, to help her.

I had never expected her to be so scared.

I had never seen her struggle like this before.

She was nothing like the Solace I had always seen.

But that didn't mean I was disappointed.

I knew.

I knew for certain.

She would become stronger.

Solace, who had once defeated me, wouldn't crumble here.

This was just a part of her growing stronger.

And even if she didn't grow, it didn't matter.

It was okay if she crumbled at this moment.

Though it would be regrettable, it wasn't important.

She didn't have to become the strong and shining Solace I had known before my regression.

The fact that Solace changed me remained unchanged.

Because of her, I, who had experienced the miracle of regression, could enjoy this current happiness.

I was still grateful to her.

No matter what anyone says, Solace is very special to me.

My feelings aren't something I can control at will.

Just as I sealed my powers because of her, I could use them again for her sake.

I waited.

Then, Solace burst into laughter.

“......Pfft.”

---

---

".............Should I come and sweep it up for you?"

A long silence followed.

Min-Bom took a moment to digest Jung-gyeom's words.

“......Pfft.”

Eventually, she couldn't help but let out a chuckle at his absurd remark.

The chuckle dragged out hidden laughter, pulling it from Min-Bom's lips.

She began to laugh happily.

Come and sweep it up.

It was such a Jung-gyeom thing to say.

It sounded both sincere and silly at the same time.

It was funny that he, usually devoid of any playfulness, had made such a joke with such a serious tone.

It seemed almost as if he was serious.

His joke couldn’t have lightened the mood any more.

Indeed, being by his side made all worries seem foolish.

She asked, laughing,

“You, oppa?”

“Really.”

Whether it was a joke to lighten the mood or he was serious about confronting the situation, Min-Bom felt grateful for his words.

"Thanks for the thought, oppa."

After laughing, I felt much lighter.

The fear seemed to fade a bit too.

She felt as though Jung-gyeom was with her.

Even though he couldn’t be of any physical help, he was a great mental support.

Min-Bom steeled herself.

She let out a long sigh.

"......I guess I have to handle this myself."

"...."

"I can't make oppa fight Gigant. After all, I'm the hero."

Returning his light-hearted jest, Min-Bom, who had been sitting slumped, slowly stood up.

She didn’t let go of her phone.

She didn't want to hang up yet.

Though she had resolved to face Gigant, her hands still trembled.

Fear wasn’t something that could be easily shaken off.

Min-Bom said,

"Oppa, I’m really scared. This call might be my last. I’ve never faced an opponent this strong before."

"..."

"But I’ll do my best. Thanks, oppa. If something happens to me, please tell my parents-"

"-Bom."

Jung-gyeom interrupted her as she was caught between a pledge and a farewell.

Min-Bom easily fell silent.

She didn’t want to say such things.

He asked,

"Do you trust me?"

An unexpected question.

At that short question, Min-Bom's breath caught.

This question was meant for Min-Bom, not Solace.

There was a clear distinction.

It was addressed to Min-Bom, who was being eaten by Solace.

Min-Bom couldn't give any other answer.

Even if she didn't trust him yet, she wanted to trust him.

She was so tired of not showing any weakness, of not depending on anyone.

She wished someone would lead her.

"...I do."

With her answer, Min-Bom put her entire will into trusting Jung-gyeom.

She shifted the mental burden to him.

It might be irresponsible, but she wanted to do so.

She didn’t want to be responsible for her actions.

She intended to believe whatever he said.

Jung-gyeom spoke,

"Then listen carefully to me, Bom."

Min-Bom, following his words, closed her eyes to focus on his voice.

"This 'Gigant'... is nothing."

His voice resonated in her ears.

"You just don't know it yet."

It warmed her heart.

"You won’t crumble here. I know it."

His words filled her with strength and comforted her weaker self.

"Bom, don’t be afraid. Trust me."

‘Bom’, not ‘Solace’.

She was grateful for that resonance.

Min-Bom bit her lip slightly.

She couldn’t understand why, at this moment, her eyes were welling up at his words.

She was thankful to him for embracing even this unsightly side of herself.

And then she smiled slowly.

With Jung-gyeom saying so, courage sprang up as if by magic.

How did he always manage to say exactly what she needed to hear?

How could he make his words sound like the truth?

Even if one didn't want to believe, when he spoke like that, belief was inevitable.

"...Thanks, oppa."

She didn't continue her last words.

She only expressed her gratitude.

And then she ended the call.

That was enough for now.

She turned on the walkie-talkie she had switched off earlier.

"Sorry, I needed some time to gather strength. Solace, deploying now."

The trembling in her hands stopped.

The fear disappeared.

Confidence surged within her.

Her mood lightened incredibly.

She opened her eyes.

Her pupils were already shining brightly.

Even her hair began to brighten.

Then, she flew towards Gigant, leaving a trail of light behind her.

There was no more hesitation in her movements.

---

---

The next day, the internet was filled with news about Solace.

Having subdued and captured the villain Gigant, Solace had jumped to the 5th rank among heroes in one leap.

It made sense since she had subdued a villain who hadn't been caught in 5 years in their first encounter.

Her phone kept ringing with congratulatory messages from fellow heroes.

But Min-Bom didn't care about the news or the messages.

There was something more important.

She visited Jung-gyeom's restaurant for the first time in a while.

As she entered, she saw Jung-gyeom smiling brightly and Song Soo-yeon avoiding eye contact.

Min-Bom looked at Song Soo-yeon for a moment before smiling at Jung-gyeom.

"Oppa, I'm here."

"Bom."

‘Bom.’

She liked the way he called her name.

Not Solace, but Bom.

She found herself liking her own name anew.

Jung-gyeom licked his lips for a while before slowly saying,

"...You did well."

"Hehe, it’s all thanks to you, oppa."

A soft, natural smile flowed from Min-Bom’s lips.

She took her time observing Jung-gyeom.

And too easily, she noticed a change in him.

There was a new bracelet on his arm.

Min-Bom glanced and realized that Song Soo-yeon was also wearing the same bracelet.

"..."

Min-Bom silently looked at Song Soo-yeon.

Song Soo-yeon didn’t hide the new bracelet.

Instead, she seemed to display it somewhat ostentatiously.

"..."

Eventually, Min-Bom turned her gaze away.

She didn’t want to bother with trivial things.

"Bom, come in. Let’s have some tea. Are you taking the day off today?"

So, Min-Bom looked at Jung-gyeom and spoke.

She inhaled deeply, mustering up courage.

Considering the moment she had faced the villain, this amount of courage was easy to muster.

"Actually, oppa. I have a question."

"...."

Jung-gyeom's movements paused momentarily.

He looked disappointed that he couldn't continue with the praise he had wanted to give.

But eventually, he smiled his usual smile and said,

"Yeah, ask away."

"..."

Min-Bom had always been greedy.

She hated losing what was hers.

Once something was in her hands, she didn't want to let it go.

Until now, her greed had been hidden because it had been directed towards people's love and fame.

But now, it might become noticeable.

She desired something new.

Unlike before, her new desire was material in nature.

It was something she could physically touch.

She herself had not anticipated this kind of greed.

Initially, she didn't feel the need for it.

Believing herself to be a superior being, she never thought she would be so interested in someone else.

...But this newly awakened desire was now unstoppable.

It felt necessary to possess it.

She couldn't bear the thought of someone else touching it.

She said,

“...Oppa, do you like movies?”

Min-Bom wasn't in a hurry.

Just because she wanted something, she didn't let her emotions lead.

Like a fisherman waiting for the right moment, she knew when to act.

It was the same now.

She was taking steps.

“Huh?”

“...What?”

Song Soo-yeon turned her head.

Min-Bom didn't care about her.

Song Soo-yeon had said she wasn't interested in such things.

So, it didn't matter if Min-Bom, who had developed an interest, made a move.

Just proceed slowly.

“I got movie tickets, let's go see it together.”

Jung-gyeom briefly glanced at Song Soo-yeon.

"...Maybe Soo-yeon could come too-"

But Min-Bom quickly interrupted him.

“-Just the two of us, oppa.”

Min-Bom tempted Jung-gyeom with a cunning, fox-like, adorable smile.

"Just the two of us."

She, once again, liked the fact that Jung-gyeom was a loner.

---

*So normally, I switch all narrative references of 'Min-Bom' to 'Solace' since the constant switch from one sentence to the next didn't really make sense, but it was 'Min-Bom' for the entirety of her scene(I think) and I think it added to the scene so I kept it that way.

I think I might just keep as it is from now. In the next chapters it sometimes makes sense and sometimes it really doesn't. I don't think it detracts from the reading experience so... yuh

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