The Novel’s Villain

4. Talent (4)

Normally, he would have gone by car, but he was supposed to take a helicopter because of the huge crowd. It was fortunate that Daesun University was close. If it had been in another area, even a combat plane might have been flying as an escort. It was scary that it didn’t sound like a joke. The helicopter wasn’t an ordinary one, but as big as a military helicopter. It would be better to call it a transport plane.

Jin-woo shook his head when he saw the huge, armored car, anti-tank missiles, and anti-aircraft defense weapon in the luggage compartment. He tried asking about it, but they said they brought it just in case.

The helicopter flew up quickly, less noisy than expected. The helicopter equipped with the Gates technology of the Frontline Group had a performance and appearance that could only be seen in sci-fi. The stealth feature was the most shocking. It was real stealth. It disappeared not only from human view but also from radars.

It could fly for an absurdly long time as it utilized magic crystals instead of existing fuel. Even the noise was quieter than that of a car. It wasn’t an official product. There were still some parts where the Gates technology was unstable; finding someone to buy it was difficult as the unit price was so high.

Especially in the case of magic crystals. It was almost impossible to process them, so it was difficult to find suitable ones. It was only possible only because of the Frontline group’s backing.

The inside of the helicopter was comfortable. Jin-woo had a private space that wasn’t quite at the level of a hotel room It made him feel that the studio room he used to live in was little more than a trash can. There was also a TV mounted on the wall, so he turned it on.

It was broadcasting on the airwaves for a while, but the scale of the stage was extraordinary. Daesun University’s indoor hall had better facilities than any other concert hall.

‘Jo Woon-il?’

Jo Woon-il, the king of Korean singers, was singing. Despite his old age, his voice reminded him of his heyday, and the song was surprisingly catchy. After singing, Jo Woon-il picked up the microphone. He stood side by side with the national MC, Yoo Joon-sik.

[It seems that you are very excited today. You performed not only on the eve but also on today’s stage. How do you feel?]

[I had the world’s first solo performance in the Great Front Hall of Daesun University before. Numerous singers have visited this place, but I will be the first to stand on this stage twice. Personally, it’s a great honor for me.]

[Ah! Your eyes are red. Yeah! It’s also an honor…]

The camera swept over those sitting in the audience from time to time. Not only the Minister of Culture and Sports but also famous entrepreneurs were also present. Warren Gates was zoomed-in on when he was clapping.

Where there any other festivals at this level? But, even for the King of Singers Jo Woon-il to be moved like that…it wasn’t like the Seoul Arts Center. It was just a university facility, so he doubted it.

“The Great Front Hall? Is that such a great place over there?”

“Yes, it is a place where the latest sound equipment of the former Frontline and veteran competent people with the super-sensory field was set up. It was originally a training ground for talented musicians with sound wave abilities. However, since the university opened, it has become a dream stage that singers want to stand on. There is a saying that if you perform there, you can sing even better.”

He felt strongly that the world in the novel and the real world intersected. Lee Jin-woo took control of Daesun University, which had such a great facility, to his liking. It was right to say that it belonged to him.

The helicopter landed on the runway dedicated to Lee Jin-woo. It was always ridiculously big. Of course, the Chancellor was there to meet him in advance, and there was also a person he hadn’t seen before. He had a good impression, but he seemed to be a soldier.

“How are you? I am Kim Jin-gon, the Commander of the Korean Competent Warriors.”

The Commander of the Korean Competent Warriors was a very high rank. Generally, it was a higher rank than the Chief of Staff. There were four stars on his shoulders, swords drawn inside the star to differentiate him from ordinary officers. Anyway, it was a little confusing to see such a high-ranking person before him. Jin-woo’s expression slightly clouded up, and the Chancellor broke into a cold sweat when he saw it.

“Ah…t-that’s because Commander Kim Jin-gon said it would be polite to greet you in advance…”

“I see.”

It was an unscheduled meeting. Seeing the Chancellor’s face turn pale, the meeting seemed to have been arranged by force. He had a status that was hard to ignore, and the Chancellor was at a loss to refuse.

‘It’s amazing. I was trembling even when I saw one-star when I was in the army, though…’

Jin-woo didn’t feel bad at all. It was just amazing. He was nothing when he was only a civilian, but now a general, who felt as far as the heavens when he was in the army, politely clasped his hands in front of him. And he was even a four-star general. Commander Kim Jin-gon was surprised to see Jin-woo’s expression and politely greeted him.

“I’m sorry if I was rude. After all, I wanted to meet you once…”

“It’s not like that at all.”

“Haha! You have such a big heart. I’m honored to meet you. Looking at Mr. Lee Jin-woo, I think the future of Korea is bright.”

The Commander was in a cold sweat. Jin-woo was making even the commander nervous. He was able to feel Lee Jin-woo’s class once again. Even with such a background, he couldn’t understand why he was being bullied by the protagonist in the original story. If he pressed them with money and power, even a competent person would be crushed. Lee Jin-woo was set to be out-of-the-league, but he didn’t seem to stand out well thanks to his sloppy development.

Let’s think of it as a correction for the protagonist and move on.

Jin-woo moved to the examination center with them. He was going to take a physical examination, but it didn’t feel like it as the Chief of Staff directly met him and took him to the physical examination center. At this rate, it seemed that the President would come by as well.

The atmosphere was the same as always. Burdensome flattery lingered in Jin-woo’s ears.

“If you qualify to be a competent person, you will receive basic training, so there is nothing to worry about! I will take great care of you so that you can go as comfortably as if you were at home.”

“Haha, Commander Kim Jin-gon. It is a big deal to say that.”

“Pardon? Chancellor, did I by any chance make a mistake…?”

“How come you said, ‘if you qualify to be a competent person,’ huh? Of course, Mr. Jin-woo is qualified; you can’t make such a mistake!”

Commander Kim Jin-gon looked as if he had realized something greatly.

“I see! Oh, my, I made a big mistake. Haha! Mr. Jin-woo, I apologize. Haha, the older I get, the more I talk nonsense. Hahaha!”

“Yeah.”

The Chancellor and Commander Kim Jin-gon got along very well. It was the peak of flattery. As he kept listening, he didn’t feel repulsed at all. Now that he was used to it, he just listened. Humanity was also an adaptable animal. It did make him feel better on its own.

‘Still, is it okay for the four-star to do this?’

There was no reason to stop him from doing so voluntarily. To do this to Jin-woo wasn’t a humiliation but an opportunity. They slowly moved to where the competence measurement test was conducted. Originally, there was a separate competence measurement test center, but it was moved to a larger place for inspection. There were reporters gathered outside. The students who were being examined went inside in amazement.

Fortunately, there was no audience, only a few reporters, guests, and officials. Jin-woo wasn’t going to be examined with the students but would take the examination in a separate venue. Still, even that would be a huge inconvenience to the students being examined. He felt sorry for them.

Apart from that, there were those holding placards and cheering for students being examined. It was a great honor to have a competent person come out of their departments. There were also the parents of the students. It was reminiscent of the scene of taking the national college entrance exam. No, they were even more passionate than at the national college entrance exam.

“Is that…the promoters of the academy?”

“I see. They seem to have taken advantage of the festival.”

They were quickly taken away by the officials. It was said that there are quite a few academies that train competent people. Of course, it wasn’t known whether it was effective or not. Most of the content was groundless, but there were enough people to outnumber those who would take the civil service exam. Noryangjin is said to be the most popular academy for competent people.

‘Is it possible to turn your life around at once without studying…?’

It was said to teach training methods such as diet and meditation. It was also famous for its high tuition. The top-tier instructors at the academy were low-ranked competent people. However, there was a groundless rumor that they would emit a wave that awakened the ability, so they were rolling in money.

It avoided eradication because famous professors took their money and made personal defense statements. It was vague to even call it illegal. Fortunately, Daesun University had its elite consciousness, so no one there was involved. And when the Chancellor knew that Jin-woo hated it, he got rid of all the corruption scandals.

Trang-trang-trang! Trang-trang-trang!

As the car in which Jin-woo was riding approached the measurement center, a magnificent music blare sounded from somewhere. It was the sound of music that could often be heard in the military, but when he looked out the window, he saw people in uniforms playing. It was a military band.

‘Congratulations on Lee Jin-woo’s first measurement.’

-All Korean Competent Warriors –

There was a placard with a huge hibiscus flower and the Korean Peninsula, underneath. It wasn’t alone.

‘Congratulations from the bottom of my heart.’

-Blue House Secretariat-

‘I always support Lee Jin-woo’s dedication to the country.’

– National Uri Party Leader Kim Min-soo-

‘Great Korea! Great Lee Jin-woo!’

-U.S. Senator Richard F. McCain-

‘I wish you all the best.’

-Korea Association of Competent People-

It was a series of surprises. The names on the wreaths were also not normal. None of them were jokes. That was the Secretariat of Blue House, and there was even a U.S. Senator. Yoo-na and the bodyguards took it for granted, but Jin-woo still felt strange about it.

“Are you tired? I will take you to the waiting room.”

Commander Kim Jin-gon spoke.

There was a separate entrance for Jin-woo. As they drove past the military band to the doorway, Competent Warriors were standing by in uniform. It was nothing compared to the Knight’s uniform, but it was still pretty cool. The silver sword decorated with a hibiscus flower was impressive.

“Present!! Sword!”

“Arms!”

They pulled out their swords and saluted towards the car. To be precise, they saluted Lee Jin-woo. Given that the subject was omitted to avoid controversy, it was clear that the Commander intentionally aimed at it. The Commander didn’t forget to take a salute and glanced at Jin-woo to look at his expression. He had more meticulous flattering skills than even the Chancellor.

Jin-woo was a little impressed. He didn’t just rise to the top for nothing.

“…”

Okay, let’s give him credit.

Lee Jin-woo died like an ordinary villain, but he wasn’t an ordinary villain. He was a villain in such a setting that no matter how many times he was fucked up in this strangely insane world, he didn’t lack a thing. This was enough for him to live his daily life quietly.

But what if he made up his mind to do something crazy?

‘It would be nothing other than a disaster.’

Lee Jin-woo’s overuse of power would be a problem because it wasn’t simply overuse of power. It was a matter of survival itself.