I Was Mistaken as the Novel’s Hidden Boss

It was a fine day. A beautiful day like the other. 

 

After my spectacular curtain closing show, contrary to my expectation, the life of a fugitive is not that bad. Hell, I even enjoyed it. I dare to say, this is the real freedom. At first, I was met with worries about food. As a true gourmet, my worries span further beyond worrying about my stomach, but also my taste bud. Even if my race is no longer human. But the answer is more simple than I thought. 

 

I just have to cook it myself. 

 

As for the ingredients, well, let's say I do a little villainy. It was a forced decision, okay? Ain't no way I could find a free meal in this capitalistic society. And I was already branded as a level S monster. A little thievery won't do shit to my reputation. 

 

Just unintentionally make a poor guy fired from his job and filed for divorce, but nothing will go your way forever, buddy. This world is harsh, and experience is the best teacher to let you understand its meaning. 

 

Aside from that, my agenda this past four weeks is quite something. 

 

Apart from doing a little mischief, I accidentally become a seasonal vigilante throughout the night. Wiping the gangs and criminals around the neighborhood. Lamentably, my original plan to explore gates had to be postponed since the security was tight around me. Basically, everyone is scouring through every corner to locate me. With the level of my illusion magic, there's a limit of what I can do. 

 

Though I could alter my height and my weight with [Body Morph], my face and other body features can only be concealed by using illusion magic. And the hunters had people who could see-through my second-rate illusion magic mastery. The only people I could fool were those small-time criminals. A middle sized organization who had quite considerable reputation had at least one person skilled in detection. 

 

What is fortunate is their reaction is either paralyzed or falling in despair. Instantly. And their cumulative strength is usually weak as a criminal organization, so wiping them out does not even count as practice. Well, it's just that sometimes there are individuals who are strong enough to be an A-class hunter, or occasionally, an S-rank hunter. 

 

Of course, I killed them all. No survivors left. 

 

It was probably those secret organization people, who, befitting their name, secretly cultivating countless criminal organizations for something shady. I was sure of it. 

 

Either way, I particularly doesn't care about that. Even if they sent more people to kill me, I was already a fugitive. A couple of chasers added does not amount to anything. And I have absolute confidence to deal with everyone who tries me. For example, this rough and muscular man in front of me. 

 

"I admit, you're admirable, to think you could do this much damage within a month. Thanks to you, I got a lot of scolding, you see? So, let's end this and go home— GYAAAAAAAAA!!!" 

 

"I agree."

 

Instantly, I showered him with my generosity, a seventh tier spell. Absolutely burning through him, leaving no bones intact. I should be thanking him, really. By not yapping too much about what organization he belongs to, what ranks he is in that org, and unpolitely asking for this riff raff to be done quickly. That's the kind of man I'd like to befriend. 

 

"So, who are you, lady?" 

 

I set eyes on the right, at the pole, and respectfully asked the identity of this invisible peeping tom. Who has been observing me from, I believe, 10 minutes ago. 

 

"Are you this man's associate?" 

 

Once again, I voiced my question when finally the shy lady showed her figure, revealing her beauty which previously blended with the surrounding bricks and pole. At this point I began to ponder if there's a miracle to change my race to human again. Because lord, how the hell does this make any sense? This world has so many beautiful girls. Perhaps the novel's genre is harem? Damn you, main character. You lucky bastard.  

 

As I internally curse this world's main character, this fine maiden finally graces me with her angelic voice. 

 

"Well, I was." she glanced at the body remains of her former associate. "Not anymore, though."

 

Strangely, even from earlier when she stalked me with invisibility, I could feel no malice or wicked intention from her. Even when I burned her colleague to the dust, I sensed no fluctuation in her emotion. Usually, it's either scared or burning anger. However faint it is, I will sense it. But, now, when we finally talk face to face, she reminds me of a plant. An existence that absent from a sense of self. 

 

And so, unable to contain my curiousity, I asked her. 

 

"What are you?" 

 

"... I should be the one who asked that, monster." 

 

Immediately see-through my fifth tier illusion magic, means she's quite masterful. 

 

"Who would've thought, the monster who caused the buzz in the outskirts of Busan would be here, playing vigilante instead of hiding."

 

"News travels fast, huh?" 

 

If the people of their caliber already knew my location, I suppose I should change my base. Maybe Jeju island would be a great choice. I've been there for my school vacation after all. That fantastic place. I wonder if it's exactly the same or if there are difference between the one in my world and here. But before that, how about plundering these shady organizations one last time? Cuz I mean, what they gonna do? Calling police? A risk-free business like this is the best. 

 

"First, let me tell you I'm not here to fight. I, as the representative of Nightingale, just want to ask you, the disaster of Busan, one thing." 

 

Oh? A joint-business proposal, maybe?

 

"I'm listening." 

 

"Are you affiliated?" 

 

"No."

 

"Then, do you have a goal for coming here?"

 

Why philosopical question all of a sudden? That surprised me. 

 

"No." 

 

Half truth, half lies. 

 

After seeing her impassive reaction and flat tones, my cranky brain finally gave me an answer. It's not that she no longer human. In every sense, she's very human. But how can a human only have indifference yet obediently carrying her mission, given by her superior? So naturally, I thought she's not human. 

 

But if she is, then there's only one possibility remain. 

 

Curse. As in, dark magic. 

 

Now, I believe her superior, the one who sent this woman here, must be hearing my words through her or some other method. Of course, I already deduced their intention ages ago. If not for recruiting me or something similar, what else? I am convinced they would still invite me even if I gave them this half-half answer. The problem is, how can these observer know which is which. 

 

The answer is, they don't. They're just going to invite me because they can't pass on me. Afraid I would get snatched by others. 

 

"Then," after a brief moment of silence, the woman began to talk again. But now, with a more polite mannerism. "Allow me to invite you to our abode." 

 

She bowed, fully embody the aristocratic manners of eastern people, it seems. So I reply, "My pleasure." with western noble etiquette. 

 

But oh boy. 

 

"This is a red gate." I said, in which she replied, "Of course." 

 

Turns out, the secret organization who sent this woman is not a simple one. I guess, I accidentally brought myself in the middle of some kind of world conspiracy? 

 

Hehe. My expectation was low but now I can't help but curious about the president of this secretive organization. As I follow the step of that woman and tapping my feet inside the gates for the first time, I thought; 

 

This is gonna be fun.