"It’s not difficult. They act out, flaunting their supposed power and connections. Let’s show them how fleeting that power truly is."

What I needed from Choi Kang-in wasn’t complicated.

"I want the entire nation—no, the whole world—to see that their claims are lies and that there are consequences for hurting others with such fabrications."

"And beyond that?"

"Even if it becomes widely known that the Baekho Guild orchestrated this, they won’t collapse. They’re one of the top 10 guilds, after all. For now, damaging their image significantly will suffice."

Seomun Ye-jin didn’t want the Baekho Guild to fall just yet.

She wanted them to rise higher, only to be crushed entirely later.

If they were destroyed too quickly, it wouldn’t satisfy her sense of justice—or my thirst for revenge.

They had thrown me into hell and dared to harm someone as precious as Ye-jin. They would pay the price, miserably.

As for the women’s organizations and corrupt journalists reveling in their current freedom, I’d ensure they tasted the depths of hell step by step.

"However, I want the crimes of these women’s groups and journalists thoroughly exposed to the public, punished for all to see."

"Punishment, huh? There’s bound to be plenty to uncover if we dig."

Women’s organizations notorious for embezzling donations wouldn’t be difficult to expose.

Even in this world, they were infamous for treating fraud and embezzlement as a norm.

"And the fact that they targeted a 15-year-old girl in an organized lynching makes their guilt even more severe. Especially since the victim is a mana awakener."

If their actions were revealed to be driven by petty jealousy, public outrage would skyrocket.

"Still, they won’t die. At most, they’ll end up in prison. Do you want me to extend their sentences?"

Choi Kang-in spoke as though it were a simple matter.

His tone reflected the sheer scope of his influence. Changing or enforcing laws in South Korea was a trivial matter for him if he chose to act.

"With such state-like authority, it’s no wonder people call him state-level power."

Choi Kang-in wasn’t merely compared to state authority—he effectively was the state.

"Beyond that, I can handle them myself. Once they’re dealt with, they’ll have no place left in this country."

Even if they weren’t mana awakeners, those people were no different from villains.

If they disappeared suddenly, the public wouldn’t care.

In fact, those who once championed villain rights had mostly perished at the hands of villains themselves long before my time.

And the man who had built his reputation by eradicating villains was none other than Choi Kang-in.

"Is that all you ask of me?"

"For now, yes."

To him, it must have seemed absurd that someone of my caliber had come to him over such a seemingly trivial matter.

"And what’s your relationship with Seomun Ye-jin?"

As an SSS-class mana awakener, my alias Kim Ho-jun had already been vetted. He likely knew about our cohabitation but wanted confirmation directly from me.

"Today marks Day 1."

"...I see. Hah, are you really only fifteen?"

"Yes."

He seemed skeptical of my age.

Despite my memories from a past life, my current self was undeniably fifteen.

"It’s hard to believe. I’d like to know your true identity and purpose."

Though less wary than before, he still had doubts.

Even though my request was simple for him to fulfill, his cautious nature led him to suspect my motives.

Given his objectives, it was only natural.

"Your goal is likely to protect the world. Specifically, to defend it from the terrifying entities threatening it from beyond."

"?!"

Choi Kang-in’s expression shifted to shock.

Few knew his true purpose, but I had learned it from the original story.

The reason he had built the Kangin Guild, expanded its power and influence, and sought an heir was to raise a hero capable of preventing the world’s destruction.

The Kangin Academy was a part of that mission, designed to identify and nurture suitable candidates for such a role.

In the original story, Baek Seo-jin had been chosen as his successor. But with me here, that would change.

"How do you know this?"

"Because my goal is the same."

I played a video for him, showing what had nearly occurred in Somalia due to So Kang-seok, who had been under the control of the Fox That Devours Worlds.

"This happened recently."

I showed him what would have transpired if I hadn’t intervened.

After watching, Choi Kang-in let out a dry laugh.

"Hah... After all my preparations to save the world, something like this almost unfolded without me realizing."

While he knew about the entities threatening the world, he was unaware that the Fox That Devours Worlds had replaced Ramisa as the primary danger.

If he found out that the former threat—the Black Serpent—was now draped around my shoulders, it could lead to unnecessary complications.

• That man is strong. Strong for a human, that is.

Ramisa’s evaluation of Choi Kang-in was dismissive. To her, he was formidable by human standards but unremarkable otherwise.

"It might seem like a harsh judgment, but it’s the truth."

Choi Kang-in was already feeling regret for failing to detect So Kang-seok’s actions in Somalia.

But there was nothing he could have done.

Even I hadn’t known about So Kang-seok’s plans until I stumbled upon them by chance.

Had Choi Kang-in been able to detect the Fox’s concealment, it would have meant his abilities surpassed mine. If that were the case, I would have hesitated to approach him.

"There’s no need to blame yourself. I only found out by coincidence."

"Coincidence?"

"Yes. I had a personal grudge against So Kang-seok and was searching for something. That’s when I stumbled upon the situation and stopped it."

After explaining, I removed the disguise of my alias, Kim Ho-jun, revealing my true appearance.

"Hm?"

Choi Kang-in’s eyes narrowed as he seemed to recognize something.

My appearance—unfortunately—bore a resemblance to both Baek Hyung-won and Kim Yoo-jung, as well as Baek Seo-jin, aside from my crimson eyes contrasting his green ones.

"If I don’t reveal my true identity... you’ll continue to doubt me, won’t you? My real name is Baek Seo-jun. I was sold as an experimental subject to the villain So Kang-seok five years ago by my own parents, Baek Hyung-won and Kim Yoo-jung."

"Baek Seo-jun... I see. So that’s the source of your grudge against So Kang-seok?"

Understanding dawned in his eyes as he nodded, though his sharp gaze remained fixed on me.

He was likely pondering whether I would become the hope to save the world—or another looming threat.

But in the end, he had only one choice.

"Could I show you one more video?"

"Go ahead. You can connect it here."

Even his private room had a wall-mounted TV.

I connected my device and played a video showing the truth from five years ago: my parents, Baek Hyung-won and Kim Yoo-jung, forcing their eldest son—me—to die for Baek Seo-jin, their favored child.

The footage included clips of their discriminatory treatment, my screams during horrific experiments, and my eventual abandonment in a dimensional rift.

Choi Kang-in’s expression hardened as he watched.

"I see. You gained your strength by surviving in the rift?"

"That’s correct."

It wasn’t a lie. The rift was an unknown realm, and all he could do was infer that I had gained power through some means within it.

"But are you really okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"After experiencing such things at such a young age... do you not hate the world? The Baekho Guild sacrificed you and pretended to grieve while reaping undue benefits. Do you not resent this world?"

His concern was that my hatred might drive me to become a villain.

"I hate Baek Hyung-won, Kim Yoo-jung, Baek Seo-jin, and the villains. That’s enough."

My targets for revenge were already clear.

I had no intention of harming unrelated people—neither before nor in the future.

Hearing my response, Choi Kang-in’s gaze softened. The wariness in his eyes gave way to something resembling hope.