The Crazy Villain Regains His Sanity

The Berserker opened the door of the dilapidated warehouse that wouldn’t be strange even if it collapsed right away. The interior reeked of blood and musty odors that assaulted his sense of smell, but it was something that he had already gotten used to.

His steps halted in front of a corpse whose head and limbs had been torn off and whose chest had been blown open. It had been artistically torn apart.

“A foolish death befitting a fool.”

That was the blunt comment that came out of his mouth.

The other had acted so superior, but now he faced such a ridiculous death.

“No, it might be a testament to how formidable the Head Breaker is.”

The fame of the Puppeteer, known as the immortal, was not fake, so it would be right to say that the Head Breaker, who found and killed him, was remarkable.

“......”

Standing in the room, Berserker closed his eyes and let the residual Force flow through the room. He could see the scene in the room hours ago. He could see the Puppeteer controlling the puppets, the blue eyes piercing through the room, the lightning bolts piercing through the signals the Puppeteer had created.

It was an unimaginable amount of murderous intent.

A madness that could drive someone insane just looking at it.

“Kukuku!”

Berserker laughed, shaking off the madness that threatened to consume him.

“I don’t know how much of what I’ve seen is real.”

Everything was pure chaos.

The Puppeteer wasn’t foolishly caught and killed. What were the eyes that appeared in the room, and what was the lightning bolt that penetrated the flow of Force?

No matter how many times he read it, he couldn’t understand everything.

In the end, he gave up and left the abandoned house, arriving at a place about 5 kilometers away.

In the wake of an intense battle, Berserker tried to sense the flow of the battle between the Puppeteer and Head Breaker.

However, this time, it went awry. The Head Breaker fought with lightning that destroyed everything it touched. But there was no sign of it here.

Instead...

“...Why do I smell the scent of the Eraser?”

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand. He couldn’t sense the Head Breaker’s combat style, and it was only the presence of the Eraser that filled the air.

“Are the Eraser and Head Breaker the same person? How could that be possible?”

Did a government hunter have a reason to impersonate a villain? He tried to piece together the puzzle with various clues, but the pieces didn’t fit, so he gave up.

Instead, he assumed the opponent to be the Eraser and accepted the flow of Force.

...!!!

Berserker’s eyes widened as he felt a dull slap to his chest. A massive, incomparable surge of killing intent and madness swept through him.

Was this truly something a person could have? All Berserker could do was take a deep breath as the creature’s mere presence threatened to consume him.

“...All the more reason to see the Head Breaker.”

He couldn’t wait to see who the hell this guy was.

Pushing his thoughts aside, Berserker shouted toward the dense forest.

“Come out.”

“...”

“How long do you plan on watching?”

“...It’s just a contact liaison.”

What appeared was a man dressed as an ordinary office worker with an ordinary face. However, what he sensed from the other was a level of skill that could be active in a top-tier guild, reaching Level 5.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t come across someone like this.

Smiling, Berserker thought that something interesting was about to happen.

“Where are you from?”

“I’m from the General Operations Team of the Sacred Guild. I am Assistant Team Leader Lee Young-tan.”

“Did they send you to monitor me?”

“I’m only instructed to directly deliver a message to you.”

“Speak.”

“It’s a message from Head Breaker. He said Berserker will be here, and that I should contact him once I meet you.”

As they spoke, he took out his smartphone and extended it towards the Berserker.

“...”

Berserker looked at the phone and reached for it. A moment later, the phone rang. He didn’t know how to connect the call, so Lee Young-tan told him to swipe to the side. A voice came from the other side of the phone.

-Berserker.

“Is this the Head Breaker? Do you have something to say to me?”

-I will kill you soon, so don’t make any arrangements and stay put.

“What?”

-Set a date and time of your choosing, and I’ll make it worth your while. Lastly, have a quiet meal and contact me again. You can use text if you prefer. You know how to use it, right?

The call was then disconnected. The Berserker, who had been blankly staring at the smartphone, burst into laughter.

“Heh, hahaha! He’s insane!”

Crack!

The smartphone shattered into pieces.

“......”

Berserker stared at the shattered phone. Lee Young-tan, unfazed, pulled out another smartphone and held it out. Berserker looked at it wordlessly and accepted it.

To prevent it from breaking and losing a means of communication, he put it in his pocket.

He regained his composure and laughed again.

“Hehehe, it’ll be fun.”

Crazy bastards.

Whether it’s the guy who’s trying to attack Berserker, believing that he wouldn’t get killed.

Or the guy who’s laughing at the idea of him being killed.

Both of them were the same.

Only Lee Young-tan, caught in the middle of the crazies, tasted death.

***

After dealing with the Puppeteer, I headed to the Sacred Hospital where Yoon-hee was hospitalized. Choi Yoon-hee, single room. Even if it’s not a major injury, it’s a prioritized benefit. I guess this is why people want to join the Sacred Guild.

When I walked in, I saw her dressed in patient clothes and blushing bright red.

She told me not to call our parents, and I listened because her injuries weren’t serious. It wasn’t like her intestines had ruptured or her stomach had split open and spilled out.

I heard from the nurse that she ate three full bowls of rice. One bowl alone was impressive. Even the meals and side dishes I cooked at home would run out quickly. When I asked if she had eaten them all, she would make a fuss, as if she was being accused unfairly. It’s like the culprit’s habit of loudly protesting. I put down the fruit basket.

“Are you okay?”

“Huh? Why are you here? I’m getting discharged tomorrow, anyway.”

“My little sister got hospitalized, so I came to see if she’s breathing.”

“Should you say that to your injured little sister? But thanks for coming. If it weren’t for you, I would have almost died.”

I shook my head at the awkward way she said it.

“No, you did great. You held out really well.”

“Still, I feel how useless my abilities are. Should I have worked harder? No, cancel what I just said!”

Yoon-hee tried to take back her slip of the tongue, but I heard everything.

“When you get discharged, I’ll train you even harder.”

“No, I misspoke. It’s already enough.”

“I don’t think so.”

“The training is already enough. I was talking about Gifts.”

“Gifts?”

“I’m just ranting because I think it would be different if I had a Gift. Not everyone has them.”

The percentage of hunters with Gifts was very low. However, most top-tier hunters possess Gifts.

Gifts could grant special strength to hunters.

In the early days of the Awakening, some nations resorted to human experimentation to unlock Gifts, but the results were unsuccessful. I was probably the only one who could determine an Awakened’s type of Gift through blood consumption.

I watched Yoon-hee and threw out a bait.

“What would you do if there was a way to have Gifts?”

“Is there really such a way? Seriously?”

I pretended to ponder for a moment before nodding my head.

“There is.”

“Then tell me! I want to have a Gift too. I want to become stronger.”

“It’s a somewhat dangerous method.”

“It’s okay.”

Perhaps it’s because of her desire for strength. It slightly bothered me, making me remember of the time I yearned for power before becoming the Blood Master in my past life.

No, that desire would disappear if I kept on training her. When she let go of power, other desires would also fade away. I should use the pretext of Gift awakening to do that.

“For now, focus on getting proper treatment and improving your condition. Let’s talk about it again later.”

“Okay. I remember everything you said, so don’t say you don’t remember later.”

“Sure.”

When Yoon-hee had a Gift, she would be an even better Hunter.

But I have to draw blood from near her heart. Wouldn’t she freak out?

I decided to think about the aftermath later.

“Oh! By the way, did you really watch it?”

“Huh?”

“Were you watching me fight with the puppet?”

I thought she was half-unconscious, but she remembered the situation accurately at that moment.

“No.”

“It seemed like you were watching.”

“......”

Her narrowed eyes relentlessly pursued me. I could try to do this a few more times in the future, so there’s no reason to reveal it so soon.

“Well, there’s no evidence. Are you sure you didn’t imagine it?”

“No, it was real! And take that.”

Yoon-hee pointed at the large pot on the table.

“What is it?”

“Open it.”

I took the lid off and checked the contents.

Greeting me with a delicious smell was an Aul Boar’s head. Its pupils followed my gaze.

It was a miso hot pot made with the head of an Aul Boar. How was this here?

“Sister Dahyun brought to improve my health. Didn’t Brother recommend it? Are you crazy? Are you insane? Are you out of your mind?”

“This is a nourishing dish.”

“Although I’ve had rice soaked in broth before, I can’t stand the eyeballs that follow along. Sister Dahyun said that the eyeballs are the most delicious, but how can I eat those? Brother, you eat them.”

“Sure.”

I went home with a bowl of Aul Boar head miso hotpot at Yoon-hee’s insistence.

It was an unexpected significant gain.

***

As I returned to the National Security Agency, news broke out about Kim Yong-hwan’s death, causing the overall atmosphere in South Korea to become somber.

It was the death of a Level 8, none other than Kim Yong-hwan. Although he had weakened with age, his shadow loomed large, causing significant repercussions.

Consequently, stories about Jung Ju-ho’s responsibility emerged, but it subsided when it became known that I had captured the Puppeteer. However, within the demoralized government organizations, it was lamented that control had completely shifted from the government to the large-scale guilds.

According to their opinions, it had become practically impossible to capture the Berserker without the cooperation of the large-scale guilds. Although the government promised to allocate funds for the cultivation of Level 8 Superhumans, the money would merely end up in someone else’s pockets.

Once I obtained the non-arrest privilege, I would crush them.

Anyway, the situation was moving as Lee Se-hee said. At this rate, I would have a lot to demand when the negotiating table was set.

“Come in.”

In the brief interval, Jung Ju-ho’s face had somehow become thinner. The only reason his expression wasn’t completely dark was that the puppeteer had been eliminated, preserving his dignity. My only fault was that I didn’t bring the body.

Should I go and get it now? It had been a few days, and it’s too late. Next time, I would remove the head beforehand.

No one would recognize the Puppeteer’s face even if I brought it back, anyway.

“So, it’s true that you eliminated the Puppeteer?”

“Yes.”

“No, I mean... He’s called the Immortal, so how did you defeat him?”

“The Puppeteer used the wavelengths of the Force to manipulate puppets. I found the source of those wavelengths and he was there. The physical strength of the Puppeteer was insignificant.”

“Did you bring the corpse?”

“I smashed its head. If necessary, Lee Se-hee can testify.”

“Was it necessary to go that far? It’s regrettable, but I suppose I have to accept it.”

Jung Ju-ho, who was scratching his head, said,

“Still, I’m alive thanks to you. It was chaos when Minister Kim Yong-hwan died. That person too. When you get older and your skills decline, you should retire gracefully instead of being greedy, tsk tsk!”

“It’s fortunate that it was handled well.”

Jung Ju-ho was officially my backup, so I hoped he would stay motivated and help me for a long time.

“Anyway, I owe my life to you. I wonder how it would have turned out if you’re not there.”

“The atmosphere seems serious.”

“The government side wanted me dead. It’s true that Kim Yong-wan’s character was not the best, but he was still reliable in a way. If he’s going to die so hopelessly, he should at least solidly groom a successor. Tsk tsk! From my perspective, it will be hard to find someone else from elsewhere.”

“......”

“On the other hand, if you reach Level 8 now, your value will increase. It’s not bad for you. It’s funny that someone’s death can benefit someone else, but that’s how it goes.”

He smiled bitterly. While he was relieved that the annoying human was gone, he knew that he would be at a disadvantage in any future battles for dominance with the larger guilds.

“Chief.”

“Yeah, what?”

“If I reach Level 8, can you help me with negotiations?”

The probability of refusal was high. Jung Ju-ho had lived his entire life as a public servant and remained loyal to the country, so he might think that my actions infringed the national interest.

However, to my surprise, Jung Ju-ho raised the corner of his mouth.

“Jun-ho, honestly, I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”

“What?”

“Honestly, where can you find someone as knowledgeable about the government as me? I’ve been a government hunter my whole life, and there’s nobody above me that I don’t know. Those elites, where did they come from and what have they been up to? They’re all hiding something.”

“Please share that information later.”

I already found potential targets to eliminate.

“...I take back what I just said about knowing what they're hiding. I now can’t remember it. As one grew older, they not only lose their hair but also their memory. Anyway, since you asked for my help, I’ll support you wholeheartedly. Aren’t you from the National Security Agency? I’ll take the lead.”

I could have obtained that information. It’s a shame.

But if I provoke a few more times, the necessary information would probably pour out.

“I thought you were going to say it was against the national interest.”

“Never mind. If you don’t get it, the others will. Did you see the money we’ve allocated for Level 8 training this time? It’s all blind money, and I’d much rather spend it on wooing you than going into those assholes. I’ll make sure the government gets it right this time. Just trust me.”

“I trust you.”

This guy had a lot on his plate.

“By the way.”

“Yes?”

“I’m planning to capture the Berserker.”

“You haven’t given up yet?”

Jung Ju-ho, who was laughing cheerfully, was shocked and grabbed his head.

Did he think it couldn’t be done?

***

The connection between Berserker and I went back to my previous life.

He was a lunatic who wanted to create his own world based on different criteria from others.

He did not reveal that he was Level 8, nor did he reveal his Gift until right before his death.

This time, the fact that he was Level 8 was revealed, although the information about his Gift did not.

However, I remembered the words he said to me, which made me think he was an unusual guy.

“He called it a moment of the stars.”

Berserker chased after talents that could inspire him.

Perhaps it was because of that he chased after the traces of the Eraser. He said to face something more terrifying than death itself and even dared to embrace death in order to catch a glimpse of that ‘moment of the stars’.

I didn’t know if he saw it until the moment of his death. However, his obsession with power was real. He was 60 years old when he died. He had hidden various tricks to become stronger instead of deteriorating in skill.

Berserker - When will you come?

Berserker - I’ve already arrived.

Berserker - Waiting is boring. Perhaps this is also a seasoning for enjoyment. Hehe!

Berserker - [Attached photo]

Berserker - If you have time, you can come early.

I wonder if it bothered him that I asked if he knew how to send a text.

He had been sending me texts for the past three hours.

Why did he send a selfie of himself? The photo size was ridiculously large.

I departed exactly on time.

When I arrived at the designated location, I saw Berserker sitting on a tree stump, just like in the attached photo.

“You’re on time. I was getting tired of waiting.”

“Why did you come early?”

“I couldn’t contain my excitement.”

“Crazy bastard.”

“Hehehe!”

He laughed even when insulted. Maybe Jung Ju-ho’s words were right. This guy was truly insane. If I spent time with him, I might become tainted as well.

“Did you fill your stomach with enough food?”

“Plenty. I also have something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Are you the Eraser?”