I Became a Villain’s Hero

Chapter 119: The Bait (4)

TL/Editor: raei

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".......You, do you know Dice?"

"..."

Song Soo-yeon knew she couldn't deny it.

Tryno's question wasn't a question, but a confirmation.

He had done a lot of thinking during his time in hiding.

"...."

Instead of responding, Song Soo-yeon chose silence.

She didn't feel the need to make excuses anymore... but she also couldn't bring herself to say that she had no connection to Jung-gyeom.

"....I see, so that's how it is."

Tryno burst out laughing.

"It was all because of you, b*tch. We fell into this abyss because of you, the reason our lives are in danger, it's all because of you..."

"..."

"You rat... I should have killed you, and the man you claimed to love... Or was that a lie too?"

Tryno's mention of killing Jung-gyeom ignited Song Soo-yeon's anger, and she didn't hold it back.

This was the second time Tryno had threatened Jung-gyeom's life.

"...The real rat is you, hiding here."

Tryno's fist twitched.

But Song Soo-yeon didn't stop.

"All that tough talk, and look at you now. Hiding away in a deserted building."

For some reason, she wasn't afraid of him.

Was it because all this was for Jung-gyeom?

Or because Tryno had become so pitifully weak, now a shadow of his former self.

Either way, Tryno wasn't as frightening as before, and he couldn't maintain his imposing presence.

He looked like a thug about to crumble any moment.

Song Soo-yeon continued.

"....Yeah, Tryno. You're right. I know Dice."

"...."

"He's been looking for you... Mister has suffered too long. So, I... want to end it today. To ensure Mister doesn't suffer anymore."

"Is that why you accepted my invitation?"

"Of course, idiot. Why else would I come to see you."

".....Hmm."

Contrary to his expected rage, Tryno's reaction was indifferent.

He relaxed his clenched fist and sighed.

For a moment, it seemed like he had given up.

Tryno said,

"Whatever. It's easier for me since you're not denying anything."

Then he stood up, throwing off the coat that had been concealing him.

Song Soo-yeon immediately understood his intentions.

Tryno was getting ready for battle.

He intended to use Song Soo-yeon's life as leverage for negotiation.

At this, Song Soo-yeon couldn't help but laugh.

"...Hah."

It's strange sometimes.

It wasn't that she didn't think it was dangerous, but it felt almost surreal how close she was to the darkness of the world.

When she wasn't by Jung-gyeom's side, the world's misfortunes seemed to pour down on her.

He was like a large umbrella.

She still remembered the time he first appeared and solved her problems.

By his side,she never felt such misfortunes.

So, it was strange.

How can these two vastly different worlds exist?

It felt as though heaven and hell coexist.

"Is it funny?"

Tryno stirred.

It was the first time she heard the voice of his heart.

'Are you, of all people, looking down on me now?'

Hearing that petty, narrow-minded heart of his, even the fear she had was gone.

Song Soo-yeon steeled her resolve.

She remembered why she had walked into this place in the first place.

It was because she wished Jung-gyeom would no longer have to fight.

Since she was the cause, she wanted to be the one to resolve it.

Song Soo-yeon still remembered her dream.

Jung-gyeom, defending her, dying right before her eyes.

She hadn't forgotten the faces of Tryno and Solace, coldly watching over Jung-gyeom's dead body from the other side.

...She wanted to prevent such a future, even if it meant dying.

Capturing Tryno would mean such a dream wouldnt come to pass.

Tryno would disappear, and Jung-gyeom wouldn't have to live as a villain anymore.

She mustered her courage, took a breath, and looked at Tryno.

It was a strange feeling.

She had an inexplicable sense about her powers.

Just as she had instantly known how to use her power when she awakened it.

Sometimes, she can sense who she can and cannot influence with her power.

For example, she felt that she could never control Solace, no matter how hard she tried.

A kind of immense energy surrounded her.

The same for Jung-gyeom.

She didn't feel it when hadn't revealed himself as Dice... but after he revealed his true self, she realized she couldn't control him.

She felt that she could turn anyone, especially those without powers, into puppets, and that it was easier to manipulate unstable people than those who were emotionally stable.

Depending on the time and situation, even those with abilities can be controlled.

Tryno was once one of the villains she thought she could never control.

But for some reason, that was not the case now.

Perhaps because she had decided to fight in place of Jung-gyeom.

Or because Tryno is disturbed.

Or because he lacks his former energy.

It was much easier to face him than she expected.

Thinking of Jung-gyeom, Song Soo-yeon opened her mouth to shake Tryno.

"Laughable."

"....You need to be taught a lesson."

"Tryno, I haven't said it till now... but my ability isn't so much 'control' as it is 'extraction.'"

For the first time, her thoughts about her ability.

Perhaps being able to hear inner thoughts was a result of forcibly extracting them.

"Control isn't the end of my ability. In fact, I can look into your innermost thoughts."

This was a lie.

Inner thoughts weren't always audible to her.

But that wasn't important.

What mattered more was shaking Tryno.

From what she had seen, Tryno's obsession with his power was unmatched.

It was enough to make an assumption.

Song Soo-yeon herself couldnt let go of the happiness Jung-gyeom provided.

Perhaps Tryno's manic obsession with power stemmed from something similar as well.

She provoked Tryno even more.

"You act tough in every fight... but in reality, you were always scared. Its laughable how you pretended otherwise.

".....You....."

This too was a lie, but it was a statement that cunningly fit the situation.

Before a fight, it's natural for humans to feel nervous.

And nervousness and fear are two emotions hard to distinguish.

Song Soo-yeon could tell that Tryno, like any ordinary human, felt emotions.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be hiding in such a corner, avoiding Jung-gyeom.

She chuckled.

"Do you know why you're still alive?"

"..."

"Because when I mentioned this to Dice... he said its fine to catch you last.

At her words, Tryno raised his arm.

She matched the action and used her power.

Her eyes and hands began to glow purple.

Like with Riem, as her power took effect, Tryno staggered, clutching his head.

There was no explosion.

She hadn't completely controlled him yet, but it wasn't far off.

She might be able to capture Tryno in place of Jung-gyeom.

"Ugh...eugh..."

"Kneel, Tryno."

"Ugh...guuh..."

Tryno continued to shake his head, blinking rapidly, trying with all his might to stay conscious.

In that state, he stared back at Song Soo-yeon.

His hand moved slowly, lighting up and then extinguishing repeatedly.

At times like this...side effects...

Song Soo-yeon knew he had been regularly taking drugs to enhance his power, especially more so after being severely beaten by Solace.

Severe side effects, huh?

Song Soo-yeon immediately used the information, giving the impression that Tryno was completely in her hands.

Tryno gritted his teeth.

But closing his mouth didn't stop his inner thoughts from being heard, especially now, as he struggled and resisted.

"Tryno, do you know this?"

Song Soo-yeon took out a tracker from her pocket and threw it at him.

-Thud.

"You have less time left than you think."

Fear crept into his blinking eyes.

It was evident even without listening to his heart.

Song Soo-yeon said,

"Dice is coming."

Tryno's inner thoughts churned.

'...Dice...?'

Song Soo-yeon responded to that thought.

"Yes, Dice."

'Is this the end?'

"It is."

-Bang!!

An explosion erupted from Trynos hand as his power surged uncontrollably.

Windows shattered, and the table beside him broke into pieces.

Then Tryno staggered to his feet. His final resistance began.

Song Soo-yeon realized she was gradually being pushed back.

Tryno's desperation in his cornered state was fierce.

He shook his head vigorously, realizing it was a battle of wills.

He said,

"I've changed my mind... I'll kill you... and then run away again."

But his words had no effect on Song Soo-yeon.

His feeble threats only served to dissolve any tension.

Song Soo-yeon's priority wasn't her own life like Tryno's.

It was Jung-gyeom's life.

She had come here risking her own life from the start.

She had never been afraid of death.

If there was one reason she could think of for fearing death... it would be parting with Jung-gyeom.

In his final moments, Tryno blurted out the wrong things.

Song Soo-yeon opened her eyes again, which now glowed a deeper shade of purple.

"Shut up and kneel."

Imagining her reunion with Jung-gyeom, she commanded.

---

---

Han Yoo-jung and Jung-gyeom were finishing their meal.

Her mind was filled with the text Luna had sent earlier.

Tryno is approaching.

What did that mean?

If she cared about Luna's well-being, shouldn't she tell Jung-gyeom?

But what if Luna is safe?

What if Tryno was only proposing they join forces?

There might still be some time left.

She needed time to change Jung-gyeom's mind.

He was still intent on turning himself in, that hadn't changed.

In truth, considering Jung-gyeom, she had to talk about Luna.

He was doing all this for Luna; Luna's safety was paramount.

If Luna got hurt, all of this would be meaningless.

But Han Yoo-jung, couldnt bring herself to speak.

She realized she had been acting selfishly under the guise of caring for Jung-gyeom.

For the past few weeks, she had been acting solely for her own benefit.

She had behaved this way to create memories with him.

But now, she needed to make the right choice.

Han Yoo-jung moistened her lips and began to speak.

"...Gyeom-"

-Vrrr...Vrrr...

At that moment, her phone rang.

Jung-gyeom and Han Yoo-jung exchanged glances.

This was the second call during their mealtime.

Jung-gyeom had ignored the first as if nothing had happened, but with the second, he finally spoke up.

"...Check your phone."

Han Yoo-jung hesitated for a moment, then took her phone out of her pocket.

"......"

And then her heart sank.

The caller was Tryno.

Seeing Han Yoo-jung's crumpled expression, Jung-gyeom also frowned and urged her.

"Let me see the phone."

"...Gyeom... This is... I mean..."

Han Yoo-jung reluctantly turned the phone to show Jung-gyeom.

A momentary sharpness appeared on Jung-gyeoms face.

"Answer it. Switch it to speakerphone."

Han Yoo-jung didn't want to answer the call at all.

She still had a week left to spend with Jung-gyeom...

She didn't want it to end like this.

She had a feeling that today, everything would come to a conclusion.

"Answer it, quickly."

Despite Jung-gyeom's urging, Han Yoo-jung had no choice but to press the call button.

She switched to speakerphone and placed the phone on the table.

"....Hello?"

Then, a woman's voice came through.

Both of them immediately knew who it was.

Jung-gyeom's fist clenched tightly. Fear appeared on his face.

It the first time she saw fear on his face.

"......Luna?"

Han Yoo-jung cautiously responded.

Song Soo-yeon's voice followed.

"....Stella, is Mister there?"

"......."

"Tell Mister not to fight anymore..."

".....Yes?"

"I've captured Tryno."

Han Yoo-jung's heart sank, and Jung-gyeom abruptly stood up.

He snatched the phone and immediately asked,

"Soo-yeon, where are you now?"

"....Mister. I miss you."

"Just answer me. Where are you?"

"...You didn't get my text, I guess. Stella has my tracker."

Han Yoo-jung wanted to silence Song Soo-yeon.

Jung-gyeom must not meet Tryno.

Not yet.

But in front of Jung-gyeom, she couldn't say such things.

Jung-gyeom turned to Han Yoo-jung and said,

"Give me the tracker."

"...Gye...Gyeom."

"Hurry up and give it to me."

"...In my room... second drawer..."

Jung-gyeom then put the phone down and dashed to Han Yoo-jung's room.

And just as quickly, he left the hideout.

---

---

Song Soo-yeon focused on the commotion coming through the phone.

Han Yoo-jung was fidgeting restlessly, and Jung-gyeom was in a hurry.

-Bang!

The sound of a gate closing somewhere.

Jung-gyeom would be arriving soon.

"I told you not to go after Tryno!!"

But Song Soo-yeon was startled by the sudden shout coming through the phone.

"....What?"

"I...! I told you... to stop worrying about Tryno....!"

Song Soo-yeon couldn't understand why Han Yoo-jung was reacting this way.

However, Han Yoo-jung continued,

"...It's okay, even now, let Tryno go. Before Gyeom arrives...quickly, release him...!"

"...What are you saying?"

Song Soo-yeon wondered if Han Yoo-jung had developed some affection for Tryno.

Why would she be angry about capturing a villain Jung-gyeom was after?

Song Soo-yeon wasn't persuaded at all.

"...Whatever, I don't like it. I did this for Mister-"

Han Yoo-jung, trembling, interrupted Song Soo-yeon.

"If it's for Gyeom... release him now...!"

"....What?"

"You don't know what Gyeom's plan is, do you...? You don't know why I said I was envious of you, do you...?"

"..........."

"Gyeom negotiated with the Hero Association for you"

Song Soo-yeon's expression gradually turned into a frown.

She couldn't understand what Han Yoo-jung was talking about.

"What are you talking about...?"

-Swoosh...Thud!

A sound that split the sky followed by something heavy shook the building.

Jung-gyeom had arrived.

Song Soo-yeon focused on the sound and Han Yoo-jung's voice.

Han Yoo-jung said,

"If he hands over the entire Villain Alliance, they've agreed to pardon you."

"...."

It was astonishing news, but Song Soo-yeon still couldn't understand why releasing Tryno was necessary or how it was for Jung-gyeom's benefit.

"...Then all the more reason to keep Tryno captured-"

"But Gyeom has to turn himself in too."

"......What?"

A wind seemed to escape her chest, leaving a feeble response.

-Crash!

A window somewhere broke, and someone entered.

Song Soo-yeon's eyes dully move to Tryno, who was kneeling on the ground.

Han Yoo-jung repeated her statement.

"...Gyeom... has to turn himself in too...."

Song Soo-yeon dropped the phone.

-Clop...Clop...

Her head creaked as it turned.

Jung-gyeom was walking in.