Real Villainy

A man exited the room which was located underground. He was in deep thought while walking.

In the end, I failed.

I didn’t expect those on the island to successfully ward off the Maroon Five.

The island was designed to be a research center and not a military outpost. There was no way they could have warded them off with the equipment they had for the compet.i.tion.

My objective was to destroy the research facility and the island.

Having Anice Jairus dying would be a setback, but considering that if my plan succeeded, then she would be a worthwhile sacrifice. Either way, I still plan on crus.h.i.+ng Crimson.

(TLN: Crimson – An Evil Organization that has the same nature as Metallica. They also operate globally.)

The two ideas for the compet.i.tion, [Chevalier] and [Spiritual Silhouette] couldn’t have posed a threat. [Chevalier] took too long to produce and [Spiritual Silhouette]’s fighting capabilities were too low.

Or at least that was the plan.

After walking through the long corridor, the man pa.s.sed through a certain gate and waited for the elevator.

Despite that, they were still able to chase off the Maroon Five. They had the resourcefulness and the manpower to lead their group to victory.

Which meant that this [Ikeno] and this [Komori] weren’t against each other.

Furthermore, according to the report, the first section, which was headed by Ikeno, won the compet.i.tion. Could it be possible that Komori withdrew from the compet.i.tion? Why? I thought I knew everything about the man.

The elevator arrived at its destination. His destination was the surface.

Well, that’s that. Failing doesn’t expose me to any danger, it just means that my plan would be delayed, that’s all. With my capability, I could find a new opportunity to execute my plan, no, I’ll create one.

Thinking so, the man, Professor H, entered the elevator.

[h.e.l.lo there Professor H.]

He was shaken for a moment, the man; the cause of his plan’s failure, Komori Neito was standing beside him.

Professor H was a modern inventor and a scientist. Despite working for an evil organization, he had never heard of a technique which could mask your presence. But somehow he didn’t notice Komori Neito’s presence in the elevator.

[W-Why are you here?]

[No reason at all, in fact, I just want to talk to you.]

The elevator was a closed room. Neito was standing near the b.u.t.tons which prevented him from stopping on a floor and getting out.

Komori Neito was the man he failed to kill and now, was a modified human.

You’re different from the last time I met you. You’re now more cold and merciless looking.

Is this even his real face?

Professor H noticed that he was s.p.a.cing out,

[T-Talk?… Komori-kun, you do know that I’m an e-executive right? You need to schedule an appointment and…]

There’s no need to be afraid. There’s no proof that I tried to destroy the research facility and the island.

[Don’t worry, this will be over soon. I don’t think it will be a bad thing to hear what I have to say professor.]

Komori pushed the [close] b.u.t.ton. Since they didn’t press the b.u.t.ton to which floor they were going, the elevator completely stopped.

[Please be brief.]

I can’t show any form of weakness to this brat. I’m Professor H, the one who gave birth to countless beasts.

Professor H glared down Neito.

But Neito continued facing the door, not minding him, and said;

[You were that one that leaked information about the research facility… am I wrong?]

What the h.e.l.l did this guy say?!

[…… Don’t be stupid… why would I do such a thing? Do you know that I can issue a punishment for these wild accusations?]

Stand firm and don’t falter. it doesn’t matter how this frail Komori Neito changed to seem like a beast, I can’t give myself up.

It must be an illusion. The black embodiment of his ferocity standing out from his back. There’s no other explanation than it’s an illusion.

Komori continued in a cold tone;

[‘Why do it” huh? I think you know the answer yourself.]

[…… I don’t understand what you might mean by that.]

Komori continued on. He spoke softly yet in a ferocious tone.

(TLN: The following are Neito’s narrative of what Professor H’s thoughts were)

“The research facility was a big data bulk of my research. In order for them to produce modified humans, the facility was indispensable.

Since I was the first researcher, there is no other in the world that could match up with my techniques and capability. After I left, Metallica got over their heads and tried to use my data for their own benefit. That’s right, everybody’s an imbecile leeching off my life’s work.

The compet.i.tion was also designed to work against me and escalate the development and production of armed modified humans. It was just a pretense so that they could use my data, they seized every bit of data and files from me before sending it off to Purgatory Island to be used by the compet.i.tors.”

[If that was the case, what would happen if the research facility was destroyed?]

[W-Well…]

“Do you understand?” Neito laughed as he easily saw through him.

“All of Professor H’s research would be lost. And those who partic.i.p.ated in the compet.i.tion would also get killed.” That was the answer.

[Why would I want to do that? I’m the vice-president of Metallica!]

The professor’s voice was swelling.

I can’t be taken down here

[You didn’t like it right? Always being the [Vice] president. After all, you’re equally matched with General Raz. Losing the facility could pose a threat to Metallica. Now who could save them and benefit from that threat?]

Komori faced away from the door and looked at Professor h.

[Only you would benefit from it]

[! ……]

[If it were you, losing the facility would mean nothing. There is somebody else who knew the data needed to create modified humans besides the data bulk in the research facility. You, the genius scientist who came up with the idea still would know.]

He had nothing to respond with. It wasn’t because of some rational explanation, but the man in front of him had been emitting a dangerous and dark aura since they started talking. He may be equal to Raz, no, it may be in a different form, but he was far beyond him.

[After repairing the damage, no doubt you would be promoted for doing so. It’s because some people would lose power over the company… As for the other reason, perhaps you wanted a raise? Or you wanted to overcome General Raz? I don’t know.]

Who is this man? What is he?

He’s completely different from the last time I saw him. I heard the rumors and read the reports, but he’s different from what they portrayed.

[…… I see. That’s a fun theory you’ve got there. But that’s no more than a figment of your imagination. Do you have any definitive proof?]

There’s no way he could have one. No matter how atrocious this man may be, he wouldn’t have any evidence.

[Definitive proof? There’s no such thing. There’s isn’t one even if I look. If “I” look, that is.]

Komori answered in a calm manner.

[It’s important to have evidence to support your claims.  First of all, when the Maroon Five appeared, they said that they heard about the Purgatory Island from their leader. Their leader said that “there was a leak inside Metallica”. Of course, I have a recording to prove my claims. If you say so, I could give them to you.]

(TLN: Below are Neito’s thoughts and not the professor’s)

That’s right, there was someone who informed them. He was a well-known scientist but he deviated from the path of justice.

There was actually no evidence linking him and the leak. At the very least, only a section manager could pull this off.

[So what of it? It is no more than a baseless claim that I’m the traitor.]

[It won’t be “me” that finds the evidence. What do you think would happen if General Raz happened to hear my theory?]

[… What are you…]

[I believe he would happily drive you into a corner. Even if it’s not definitive, there is still some worth in investigating it… after all you are against each other aren’t you? You may be an executive of Metallica, but he can suppress your influence, funds and fighting capabilities any way he wants. Or are you confident enough that he’ll never catch your trail?]

Professor H wasn’t able to respond. There was also the possibility of it occurring.  He was supposed to have destroyed the island inside and out…  Leaving no one alive, but a survivor returned with some proof.

(TLN: Back to the professor’s thoughts)

Would silencing him be enough? No, his subordinates will surely tell General Raz the theory, and I still would end up with Raz cornering me.

[And if they ever found proof that it was your doing, do you know what would happen? Metallica is not kind to its traitors. I don’t doubt that dying would be a better option than their methods. Now, do you understand? If I tell General Raz, it would mean your end.]

[Impossible! I am Professor H! There’s no way they would do that! I was one of its founders! And I still will…!]

Professor H noticed that he was yelling.

[No, there’s no such thing. Your achievements are impressive, but you haven’t been producing modified humans for countless years now. You have only been fighting for influence and power within the company. That’s why they shut down your research facility. Metallica is catching up to the modern age and tried to revive the project by establis.h.i.+ng some compet.i.tion…]

And the compet.i.tion succeeded. Even without him, Metallica could still advance their research to the next stage.

He was sure of it.

[Do you understand? Metallica no longer needs you.]

[Y-You-!! You don’t have proof, and yet you plan on threatening me!]

It was an outrageous claim, but Komori’s a.n.a.lysis was correct. Blinded by the cruel aftermath of failure and the possibility of death, he didn’t even consider that there may be another possibility.

[Yes, I’m threatening you.]

Komori didn’t show any sign of ill-will.

[Truth be told, I don’t care if someone from my side betrayed me or not. I’ll still threaten you. I won’t pick and choose which method I use to reach my goals, even if it means framing someone who is innocent. I’ll have you serve a use in this path I tread. Well, I already confirmed that you betrayed us beforehand.]

This man is scary. No doubt he’ll do it without hesitation. He’ll never regret his decision, no, he seems to be enjoying it.

Who is this guy? Was that weak face of his just a show?

What should I do? Should I kill him? Even if he’s a modified human, there are many who support me. I could even employ modified humans to take him out.

[I’ll say it beforehand, but in case I die, the same information gets pa.s.sed to General Raz. If I die during an operation, accident or disease, it would all still be the same. It would be in your best interests to pray for my health.]

It was impossible. This guy is evil. He already read my thought patterns.

There’s no way to escape his clutches.

Professor H replied after Neito’s narrative;

[…… What do you want?]

[It’s really simple. I want you to convince the people above to re-evaluate my salary and performance. It is through that I can measure how allied you are to me. Ah, you can still remain as vice-president if you don’t mind.]

The words he spoke sounded cold and dark to the professor.

[And one other thing… I want you to suppress those who hate me within the company. You can do it? Can you not? After all, you did say something similar before I left for Purgatory Island.]

[…… It is within the realm of possibilities…]

I can do it. I can do it effortlessly. There’s no way I can’t easily suppress those who are below me. So this is how he does things…

Forget seeking protecting from me, He plans to let me carry his weight all along.

[Good, good. Hmm… what else… I’ll have you speak highly of me in the personnel affairs office.]

[Personnel… affairs? It’s unusual for you to boast about your success… If you didn’t withdraw from the compet.i.tion, you could’ve become section director you know?]

The professor breathe in relief. He can somehow manage if it was just personnel affairs.

[Section Director? You’ve got to be kidding. I plan on becoming the company director.]

[Wha–!]

[Thinking about it, we’re still having a joint personnel cooperation with Crimson right? I’ll have them send for me next. Maybe I can be the vice president for Crimson.]

Komori’s tone change. Maybe it was a sign that he was serious on what he’s talking about. Even so, what he was saying was just insane.

[Why would you want to do such a thing…]

[I have no intention of telling the likes of you… and my conditions are just temporary. I’ll leave you as is for now, but you’re my pet dog. The world’s most influential man is going work under me as a pet.]

Komori thought of him as no more than a bug, that was what he felt after seeing his eyes.

I won’t forgive you. You dare order me around with those eyes?

You’ve got to be kidding me.

[I’ll never let it come to that! Don’t you dare get ahead of yourself! Komori!]

[Hmm… is that so… I don’t mind exposing you now. There’s no harm to it. No doubt you’ll be killed without mercy.]

The professor was vigorous, but Komori didn’t stir.

Looking at the elevator b.u.t.tons, Komori released the “close” b.u.t.ton, and pressed the “first floor – lobby” b.u.t.ton.

[Your time limit to decide is until this elevator reaches its designated floor… think wisely… Field-head]

[……!]

The elevator kept ascending. They’ll arrive at their destination in a few seconds.

[Wait a moment Komori-kun! Let’s calm down and…!]

[I am calm. It is you who should calm down.]

What should I do, what should I do?

If I don’t obey this man, I die.

We’re already at the twelfth level in the bas.e.m.e.nt.

[Wait! Wait I tell you!]

[No way. Even if you’re a first cla.s.s scientist, you’re no more than a second rate villain. Know your place, you puny villain.]

Fifth level. It’s no use, there’s no time to think. But I don’t want to work under him.

He may change his outlook on me, but I won’t yield to him. But;

[I’m kidding professor. All you need to do is just the personnel affairs thing and suppressing those who hate me. As long as you acknowledge me then…]

Komori is laughing like it was nothing. It’s a kind smile.

This may be my chance. This is a tricky situation I’m in. There’s no other choice…

[…… I understand…]

Professor H fell to his knees. He answered crossed legged and his body was relaxed.

Ting.

They were now on the first floor.

[…… Well, then, I’ll let you go Field-head]

Without even looking at the professor, Komori exited the elevator.

The professor found himself staring at the back of a person who walked out so casually.

[A-Ahh….]

He approved of him. Attacking him so fiercely, cornering him and then expressing kindness in the last moment. He was defeated spiritually.

Defeated, me, Professor H, who gave birth to countless creatures and beasts. He defeated me.

I never liked Raz in the first place. I wanted to stand on top of him. Wielding the strongest power, I wanted everything according to my plan. But my plan backfired on me. The plan I thought to be “evil” was easily broken through. I was cornered by a stronger “evil force” and fell into despair.

Professor H continued to look at Komori’s back. He was scary.

Komori stood still, and without turning, said to him;

[Professor H, I know that you hate General Raz, and I know that feeling… There’s someone I hate too… but,]

Komori continued. Simply yet firmly;

[Real villainy, won’t go with what you like or dislike.]

The outline when Komori told me that, was much more atrocious than any other beast I have ever created. It is as if I’m staring at the back of the devil.