After being convinced that Winterer was a villain.

 

The conclusion reached by the Chairman and I was…

 

[What are you going to do, Chairman?]

 

[What do you think I should do?]

 

[I think we should hand him over to the police. Sending him to the Abyss seems too harsh.]

 

[Agreed. I was thinking the same.]

 

Hand him over to the police.

 

…He wasn’t a villain, just an awakened one.

 

Then he should rightfully face the judgment of the law. Yes.

 

Adhering strictly to the law was our belief.

 

[If I handle it personally… Phew. Just thinking about the villain human rights groups causing a ruckus gives me a headache.]

 

[Ah. Come to think of it, that’s true. It would be big news for them.]

 

Additionally, one more thing.

 

As Winterer said, villains originally had friends, lovers, and families too.

 

But, suddenly being caught as a villain one day.

 

It was inevitable that people would cause a commotion.

 

Anyway, those people gathered to form ‘villain human rights groups’.

 

They constantly protested for re-investigations to determine if someone was truly a villain and would launch national petitions if the diet was even slightly inadequate.

 

And if those people heard about Winterer?

 

They’d practically worship her as a saint.

 

See, a villain might not actually be a villain.

 

They’d want to play this up in the media.

 

Avoiding complications was the answer.

 

[They’d demand another investigation from me too… Sigh. What a headache.]

 

[Sorry. I feel like I unnecessarily made things more complicated.]

 

[What did you do wrong? You prevented an innocent kid from living their whole life as a villain, so you did well.]

 

[If you say so. Then I’ll tell Winterer we’re calling the police?]

 

[Do that.]

 

Anyway. After that brief discussion.

 

It was decided that Winterer would be handed over to the police.

 

Upon hearing this news, Winterer said,

 

“The police? You’re not sending me to the Abyss?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…You think I’ll just let myself be caught without trying to escape?”

 

Really, a dumbfounded reaction.

 

Winterer still believed herself to be a villain.

 

-Fwoosh.

 

“You really need to die ten thousand times to come to your senses….”

 

Emitting mana from her body, she even threatened to detonate the bombs she had set up.

 

It seemed that the hypnosis was broken by the master’s lethal intent attack.

 

But we remained calm.

 

“Ah. We already removed all the bombs.”

 

“…What?”

 

“It’s dangerous for children to play with such things.”

 

As veterans, we wouldn’t be so relaxed without reason.

 

45 minutes ago.

 

When I pushed Haru back and climbed on top of Winterer.

 

Shia had already defused all the bombs and called the Chairman.

 

My shoulders shrugged involuntarily.

 

I was proud of my wives for finishing much faster than expected.

 

“No way. How?”

 

“It’s a photo Cadet Shia sent. Do you want to see?”

 

“…Damn it. What? Those bitches already ratted out? No. Even if they knew everything, it’s just three or four places….”

 

“I read your memories too. Do you think I wouldn’t know that?”

 

“Damn!!”

 

Only then did Winterer’s face show distress.

 

The bombs she had painstakingly set up over ten weeks.

 

Being all defused in just 45 minutes was naturally shocking.

 

Taking advantage of that moment, I hypnotized her.

 

“Then at least you…”

 

“Let’s not use abilities recklessly and behave, okay? You don’t want to stay away from Haru, do you?”

 

“…Hmph.”

 

-Ding!

 

[The target is under ‘Strong’ hypnosis.]

 

‘It’s working very strongly.’

 

It worked quite powerfully.

 

Even though she pretended otherwise, she must have missed Haru deeply.

 

Silently, Winterer suppressed her energy and nestled a bit more into my embrace, as if embarrassed.

 

“…Fine. Do whatever you want. Roast me, eat me, whatever. I came here ready to die anyway.”

 

“Hey. Don’t say such bad things like roast and eat.”

 

“Do you have any right to talk? You’ve done nothing but indecent things with No. 47. Trash. Total scum.”

 

“…?”

 

I didn’t expect her to suddenly start spewing nonsense.

 

What was it? Did she have a perverted brain?

 

“Why would I do such things to Haru? Considering her mental age, and more importantly, we’re family.”

 

“Huh? Earlier you said, fusion or something.”

 

“Fusion play? I gave her a piggyback ride… Surely not?”

 

Belated realization.

 

I hadn’t thought much of it while talking with Haru…

 

But in retrospect, it could have sounded a bit strange.

 

Indeed. No wonder she was hostile.

 

I sighed involuntarily.

 

“Sigh. Common sense says I wouldn’t say such things there. Let’s try to understand the context.”

 

-Trembling.

 

“Damn, damn, damn….”

 

“Yujin. I don’t know what this is about, but my instinct says you were wrong.”

 

“It’s strange. Sometimes the Chairman’s instincts are wrong too.”

 

“….”

 

Both Winterer and the Chairman were looking at me oddly,

 

‘Wait. Did I really mess up? I suppose my words might have been strange….’

 

-Ding!

 

[Skill ‘Perfect Hypnosis’ is activated.]

 

‘…Eh. Winterer must just be twisted. Living with villains could do that. Yeah.’

 

It was just a misunderstanding, as always.

 

* * *

 

After Winterer gave up resisting.

 

Seol Ha-yeon immediately called the police.

 

“Chief. We captured Winterer, but she’s not a villain. Quickly arrest her and start the investigation. Also, notify the Ministry of Defense.”

 

“….”

 

‘Wow, she directly called the Police Commissioner.’

 

It seemed a bit too much to reach such a big shot, but anyway.

 

Yujin also prepared something to greet the police who would arrive soon.

 

“No orders or anything like that to Haru?”

 

-Ding!

 

[The target is under ‘Strong’ hypnosis.]

 

“You said you wouldn’t resist… But I’m not listening to you. What can I do….”

 

“Good. Haru~!! Come here for a moment!!”

 

-Thud, thud, thud.

 

“Yes. I’m here.”

 

As soon as I called out loudly, Haru came running.

 

Even with her ears covered, she had an uncanny sense of knowing when she was being called.

 

Winterer, who had been hiding while clinging to me, peeked out her face.

 

“…Number 47.”

 

“Dad, why are you hugging sister tightly? I want a hug too.”

 

“…”

 

-Slip.

 

Seeing that she was paying more attention to Yujin than herself, Winterer looked a bit dejected, a clear sign of a villain.

 

However, it wasn’t long before a smile slowly formed on her face.

 

A confident smile she often showed in front of No. 47, her self-proclaimed villainous grin.

 

“Hey, aren’t you lucky? You got rid of your brainwashing, and this daddy’s little candy is taking care of you. Your life is made.”

 

“Yes. I’m happy every day with Dad.”

 

“Great. Ha, if I’d known it would turn out like this, I would have toyed with you more. Beaten you, shaved your head. Fed you food waste.”

 

What she said was pure villainy.

 

She must have thought she’d spend the rest of her life rotting in prison.

 

So, meeting No. 47 now would be the last time.

 

She wanted to remain the villain in No. 47’s memory until the end.

 

She hoped to be remembered as the evil ‘Winterer’ who treated her like a slave.

 

‘This should be enough. The first-class villain Winterer, being villainous till the end….’

 

“Liar. Sister, you didn’t do those things to me.”

 

“…?”

 

Haru couldn’t read her intentions.

 

No, there was no need to.

 

Though the brainwashed heart couldn’t be opened, Winterer’s clumsy knock resonated with her soul.

 

Haru knew that her sister was a good person.

 

“My sister and I get along great.”

 

“…Ha. 47 times. You don’t even know the topic.”

 

“We’re the best sisters ever.”

 

“…….”

 

Haru’s big, sparkling eyes. Winterer’s hazy, cloudy eyes.

 

Both a beautiful blood color.

 

They weren’t related by blood, but they were sisters nonetheless.

 

“…And you, too, asshole. You’re the one who never listens to people. You’re like parents and children.”

 

“Dad and I are sisters too. Together, we’re a tri-colored rice cake family.”

 

“Pahhhh. Don’t count me in, you doll bitch, I’m past the age of playdates.”

 

The corner of Winterer’s mouth twitched upward.

 

Unlike earlier, when he’d forced it up.

 

A smile that came naturally, without realizing it.

 

A stubby arm turned toward Haru.

 

-Tsudam-tsudam.

 

“But what the fuck. This is the last time I’ll see you, so from now on, you’re on your own, or you’re a slave to this Winterer, rotten as hell, so don’t go stumbling down the street in shame.”

 

“Last time?”

 

“Yes. The last. Thanks to the great Awakened, you’re going to rot in a cell for the rest of your life, so I’m done seeing your fucking face.”

 

He ruffles his hair.

 

And just like that, Winterer’s relationship with Haru came to an end…

 

“—What are you talking about? Why would you go to jail?”

 

“…What?”

 

It was a bit much for the end.

 

Winterer stiffened in surprise.

 

Eugene patted her on the back and continued to explain.

 

“Oh, you didn’t know because you’ve only been around villains? Non-villain Awakened rarely go to jail.”

 

Eugene explained.

 

Awakened. With powers and mysterious abilities that transcend humanity, they are indispensable to modern society.

 

However, only five to sixty Awakened are born in Korea every year.

 

They were an extremely valuable human resource.

 

Therefore, there were many places where Awakeners were needed but not used.

 

The military alone begged and pleaded to have one Awakened assigned to the special forces.

 

But Awakened don’t respond to such demands.

 

They’re paid hundreds of millions of dollars to join a clan and work on the gate, and they’re hailed as heroes.

 

Why would anyone want to serve for pennies on the dollar?

 

“So, there’s this bill, a law that will punish them with forced labor until they’re abandoned.”

 

An extraordinary measure by the government.

 

I don’t think any of them are committing crimes.

 

Let’s use them in the country instead of locking them up!

 

That’s how the Awakeners Only Act came about.

 

Winterer opened his mouth in disbelief.

 

“…A law like that? What the hell. A law that says normal people are insane.”

 

“The money that comes in from forced labor goes half to taxes and half to compensation for victims, if there are any.”

 

“…….”

 

“So there used to be a lot of people trying to scam the Awakened, but the Association caught them with a light in their eyes, so it’s quieter these days.”

 

But Eugene was nonchalant.

 

He’d wondered if it was true when he’d first heard of it, but after fifteen years of living with it, it was actually quite useful.

 

Winterer was reluctantly convinced.

 

“Isn’t that some kind of… No, wait, that’s what furlough is… You’re not in a cell for the rest of your life.”

 

“That’s right.As opposed to life imprisonment.”

 

“Ha, ha, ha. What am I? I’m all for life imprisonment.”

 

Winterer didn’t give up. Second argument.

 

I’m going to rot in a cell for the rest of my life anyway. I haven’t committed enough crimes to deserve that-“.

 

“Do you know how many people I’ve killed?”

 

“When you escaped from the lab?”

 

“Yeah. I’m such a dangerous villain. Of course, it’s life imprisonment.”

 

“You weren’t even ten years old back then. You can’t be punished under the juvenile law.”

 

“…….”

 

Her rebuttal was mercilessly crushed.

 

Winterer clamped her mouth shut.

 

She wondered if Korea could really be like this.

 

‘Well, the recent terrorism I committed could warrant a life sentence… but with a good lawyer, it could be argued as property damage.’

 

Even in Korea, it wasn’t that extreme.

 

With the chairman and Yu-jin’s support, that was.

 

But Winterer hadn’t caught on to that yet.

 

Her trembling eyes cautiously looked up.

 

“Then, what happens to me now…?”

 

“First, you’ll go to the detention center and see how your sentence turns out. Once it’s confirmed, you’ll do forced labor for that period.”

 

“Forced labor? What, will they put me on a shrimp boat or something?”

 

“Do you think they would use Awakeners for something like that? The Ministry of National Defense will decide.”

 

“……?”

 

Winterer’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

 

There was a word she couldn’t just ignore.

 

“Wait. Ministry of National Defense? Isn’t that where soldiers work?”

 

“Yes. Since Awakeners are dangerous, the forced labor is managed by the Ministry of National Defense. You’ll basically become a soldier.”

 

“A soldier? Me?”

 

“You won’t live in a military base, so you’ll be able to sleep with Haru after work. Think of it as something like a reserve soldier.”

 

“What kind of bullshit is that….”

 

So that’s what forced labor meant.

 

Winterer’s expression crumpled miserably.

 

Yu-jin frowned slightly.

 

“…Want to hear something funny? Male Awakeners do the same thing. They have to work for the country for a year and a half instead of military service. Like a grade 4 public service worker.”

 

“…….”

 

“So, we’re in a similar situation. I’m a public service worker, and you’re a reserve soldier. But yours is just a bit longer.”

 

Both of us are the same.

 

Well, mine is for a year and a half. Yours might be for several years.

 

“So… Haru? Let’s congratulate your sister together. Congratulations on fulfilling your national defense duty~.”

 

“Sis, congratulations.”

 

-Clap. Clap. Clap.

 

“……Damn it.”

 

The punishment given to the villain was forced enlistment.

 

* * *

 

Winterer was quietly taken away by the police.

 

“My becoming a soldier… damn, damn….”

 

“…….”

 

‘Why does this feel so bittersweet?’

 

It was a bittersweet ending.

 

Of course, it was much better than being thrown into a bottomless pit or rotting in prison for life…

 

No matter how much we covered for her, she would still get at least ten years.

 

Living as a soldier for ten years. Ugh.

 

‘Still, well. We’ve safely gotten through the first crisis.’

 

“Then Haru, shall we go home with Grandma now?”

 

“Okay.”

 

It was unfortunate, but with the crimes committed, there was no choice.

 

Thinking this, I stood up.

 

To enjoy some chicken with my hardworking wives.

 

“By the way, Dad.”

 

“Yes? What is it, Haru?”

 

“Earlier, something strange popped up in front of me. It said something about weakening….”

 

-Murmur, murmur.

 

“Oh. A lot of people.”

 

“Oh, they must have gathered to interview Dad. It’s nothing.”

 

‘Yu-jin captured Winterer. Are they going to publish such an article?’

 

And we returned triumphantly.

 

Towards those eagerly awaiting the heroic tale.

 

“Oh. Saying it’s nothing, I feel reassured. I’ll leave it to you, Yu-jin.”

 

“Huh? What…?”

 

-Thud, thud, thud.

 

“Seo Yu-jin! Is it true that you learned swordsmanship from Ninomiya Aika!!?”

 

“Why is Prime Minister Nakanowatari here!!?”

 

“Is it true that you are preparing to emigrate to Japan!!!?”

 

“Does using a katana signify that…?”

 

“…….”

 

‘Ah. So Winterer wasn’t the problem.’

 

For the first time in the second round.

 

The media came at me, determined to tear me apart.