Kang Bijun slumped into his chair the moment he entered the office.
Nothing was going right. Ever since Hwang Seol-bin’s kidnapping, everything had spiraled out of control—now there was even the matter of a stolen book to deal with.
The Book of Wishes had come to his attention through a secret informant planted inside the government. It was classified intel, rushed to him in a panic. But the documents barely contained anything useful. All they said was that the title Book of Wishes was written on the spine, and that the government itself had no real information about it yet. They planned to conduct further research.
Still, the fact that the government was actively investigating it meant it had to be something serious.
Even the name didn’t make much sense. Book of Wishes? What the hell was that supposed to mean? Did it actually grant wishes or something?
If it really did, then it was only a matter of time before the entire world went to war over it. And if that was the case, the best move would be to claim it before it became public knowledge.
Sure, the name sounded childish—but didn’t it fit the Villains better anyway? At first, he’d only taken an interest out of spite, wanting to keep the government from hoarding another powerful item. But the more he thought about it, the more it felt like the Book belonged with them. It wasn’t like the government had a monopoly on scientific research.
And maybe… maybe he just wanted it for himself. An unknown artifact the government was desperate to hide. He wanted to see what it was, to find out if it really could grant wishes—and if so, how it worked.
But that would have to wait.
There was something else he had to take care of first.
He needed to kidnap Hwang Seol-bin, the D-Rank Guide.
His brother’s condition was rapidly deteriorating, and if things continued at this rate, something terrible was going to happen. They had to move before it was too late.
Knock, knock!
Kang Bijun’s eyes snapped to the door. Who the hell would be knocking right now?
“…Come in.”
The person who stepped inside was dressed in a standard training uniform.
“Hello, sir.”
The voice was unfamiliar.
A masked trainee stood at attention just inside the door. No matter how hard Kang Bijun stared, he couldn’t figure out who it was.
His brother had insisted on this whole “mysterious villain” aesthetic—everyone hiding their faces like it was a uniform requirement. Now, even among allies, no one could recognize each other anymore.
“What is it?”
“I’m here about the D-Rank Guide mentioned in the meeting.”
“Hwang Seol-bin?”
If this had been some meaningless update, he’d have sent them away immediately. But if it had anything to do with Hwang Seol-bin, that was a different story.
It was odd, though—why would a trainee know anything about him? Still, right now, every little scrap of information counted, no matter how small or personal.
“Go ahead.”
“It’s a sensitive matter… Would it be alright if I came a bit closer?”
“…Sigh. Fine, come here.”
Probably just some personal anecdote or trivial background detail, he figured. How confidential could it be? He sighed but gestured for the trainee to approach.
He watched absently as the figure walked forward… only to realize they were coming in way too close.
By the time the masked trainee stood right in front of his desk, a strange sense of discomfort prickled at the back of his neck.
“…Trainee?”
“Yes.”
“What unit are you from?”
“I’m Hwang Seol-bin, D-Rank Guide assigned to the Guide Center.”
The words rolled off so casually that Kang Bijun’s eyes flew wide open. He shot up from his chair—
“Guh!”
Smash!
Hwang Seol-bin’s hand clamped around his hair and slammed his head into the desk.
Pain rang through his skull. Before he could even react, a gleam of metal flashed in his vision—a box cutter, sharp and gleaming, now pressed to his throat.
It had all happened in a blur.
Kang Bijun winced, face twisted in pain, eyes flicking between Hwang Seol-bin and the hand holding the blade to his neck. Sweat gathered in the palm he’d awkwardly planted on the desk.
“W-What the hell… How did you even get in here…?”
“Got lucky.”
Kang Bijun stared in disbelief.
Got lucky? When the hell did this place become the kind of hideout someone could just stroll into with a bit of luck?!
Fine, whatever. Let’s just say that somehow happened. But still—!
“Why the hell would you come back here?”
He’d fled once before—so why was he coming back now?
At the question, Hwang Seol-bin paused, then opened his mouth cautiously.
“I came to ask a favor.”
“…This feels less like a favor and more like a threat.”
“It’s just a little insurance. I mean, I’m a delicate Guide with no combat ability. Don’t you think I need at least some protection?”
“Delicate? You literally just pinned me to the desk, and you’re calling yourself delicate?”
Kang Bijun couldn’t hide his disbelief.
What kind of “frail Guide” waltzes into ZEC’s main hideout and takes down a Deputy Commander like it’s nothing?
“I’ve got some urgent business of my own,” Hwang Seol-bin replied casually, completely unfazed.
“Remember that little bet we made last time?”
“…Yeah. I remember.”
As if he could forget. He’d only made that bet because he was so sure no trainee could beat him.
“Then you haven’t forgotten you owe me a wish, right?”
“……”
“I’d like to cash that in now.”
Ridiculous.
“I made that promise to a trainee—not to Guide Center’s Hwang Seol-bin. I don’t think I’m obligated to honor it.”
“…Is that so?”
At that, the blade pressed even tighter against his throat. Kang Bijun swallowed hard. The silence wrapping around the room felt heavier by the second.
If Hwang Seol-bin had raised his voice, if he’d gotten angry, he could’ve just scoffed and brushed it off. But instead, the man said nothing. He just stood there, staring at him in silence.
That blank, unblinking expression told him everything he needed to know. If he refused—if he said even one wrong word—Hwang Seol-bin would slit his throat without the slightest hesitation.
His eyes were ice cold. Steady. Unshaken. No doubt. No fear.
Shit…
The pressure was unbearable. Eyes shut tight for a second, Kang Bijun finally gave in and opened his mouth with a defeated sigh.
“…Fine. A promise is a promise. If it’s something I can actually do, I’ll make it happen.”
The tension in the air eased immediately, the pressure on his neck disappearing.
“So? What’s the big wish that was worth all this drama?”
“I’m in a bit of a bind,” Hwang Seol-bin said calmly.
“A bind?”
“I’ve got a re-evaluation for my Guiding rank in three days.”
“…Why would you be getting re-evaluated?”
“It just happened. I don’t know what rank they’ll give me, but if it’s anything higher than D-Rank, I want you to have it adjusted back.”
“Back to D-Rank?”
“Yeah. I like being D-Rank.”
Why the hell would he want that? So the rank really was fake? But then… why would he be the one faking it instead of the Center?
The questions piled up, but Kang Bijun didn’t press. Not when the guy still had his life in his hands.
Well, if he could dig deeper while manipulating the rank, it wasn’t a total loss.
He gave a slight nod.
“Alright… now how about putting that knife away?”
When he glanced down, the blade finally withdrew. Kang Bijun exhaled, rising to his feet and flopping back into his chair with a tired sigh.
“…By the way, mind if I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“How long have you been sneaking around in here? Were you actually in the meeting earlier?”
“…I only heard a bit about the kidnapping. Didn’t catch the rest.”
“Wait, so—”
“My business here is done. I’ll be going now. I’m counting on you for that wish.”
Hwang Seol-bin gave him a small nod, clearly not planning to stick around for more questions, and turned away.
Kang Bijun watched him go, expression dazed. When the man finally disappeared from sight, he leaned all the way back in his chair and let out a long groan.
“…We’re so screwed. Fuck.”
If he’d even heard part of the meeting, that basically meant he’d heard everything.
What the hell is wrong with our security?!
Fury bubbled up inside him, and his hands curled into tight fists. Okay, fine. Maybe the guy escaping was inevitable. It was a sudden order, and they hadn’t realized Esper powers didn’t work on him.
But this? This was a whole different level. He didn’t just escape—he walked right back in and sat in on a strategy meeting. And even now, no one besides him knew there had been an intruder in the base.
“Haaah…”
And the guy was a Guide, for god’s sake. If he could come and go like this, it was a miracle the government hadn’t found them yet.
Security needed a full reset. ZEC was supposed to be the premier Villain organization. This kind of vulnerability was unacceptable.
He’d check every single piece of equipment. And those stupid masks? Gone. He was going to make everyone burn theirs, just to get some satisfaction.
Still… that guy’s a Guide?
The way Hwang Seol-bin had held a blade to his throat… there was no way to call that frail. He was fast. Strong. Controlled.
And those eyes— That cold, dead gaze like killing someone wouldn’t even faze him. Just remembering it made his skin crawl.
He still couldn’t believe that guy was a Guide. But if someone that dangerous was on their side… it’d be a huge asset. Especially for his brother.
The original kidnapping plan was shot. Time to come up with something new.
Something better. Something airtight.
Kang Bijun got up and started pacing around the room in circles—a habit of his when he needed to think.
“…Ah. The Guiding evaluation.”
He suddenly remembered Hwang Seol-bin’s request. That test— Maybe that was the key.
If he helped him with that, earned a little trust… It might take time, but getting him to join ZEC willingly could be way more effective than forcing him.
Kang Bijun stopped pacing and started plotting.
He needed intel on the testing equipment, someone to forge documents, and a skilled infiltrator to plant in the Center. If he wanted to grant that wish, he had to start moving now.
***
I left Kang Bijun’s room with a spring in my step.
Honestly, I’d been worried. What if he said no? What if he tried to stop me from leaving? But nothing happened.
The plan worked. All I had to do now was make it out of the hideout.
Luckily, no one paid me any mind. I picked up my pace, silently hoping I’d never have to come back here again.
When I finally made it outside, I couldn’t help but smile. Just needed to get back to the hotel, and I’d be in the clear.
“Hey. Where do you think you’re going?”
I froze.
My relief at getting out must’ve dulled my senses—I hadn’t noticed the presence behind me until it was too late. Slowly, I turned around—and locked eyes with the last person I wanted to see.
Leaning against the wall, cigarette in hand, was Kang Biso.
And beside him… the Villain Esper I’d stuffed in a trash bin.
Kang Biso’s gaze was fixed on me—on my masked face.
Everything had been going too well.
Looks like I just hit a dead end.
