I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

Although it was termed a drive, we weren’t actually heading to any clothing stores or outlets.

There were several reasons for this.

First, the Goblin did not remove his mask in front of Yoon Iseon.

Second, it must remain a secret that the Goblin was accompanying Yoon Iseon.

Third, Yoon Iseon’s Taeguk Watch was back in her room on Sejong Island.

Fourth, revealing Yoon Iseon’s transformed appearance to the public would cause a commotion.

So, in such circumstances, where could we ensure Yoon Iseon has the liberty to choose her own clothes?

A place that’s open around the clock, where the Goblin could roam freely even with his mask on, and where Yoon Iseon could select attire that suited her.

[We’ve arrived.]

[At one of the Secret Society’s branches, masquerading as a no-staff motel.]

“Ah.”

I took Yoon Iseon to a motel located in the mountainous region of Gangwon Province.

[Normally, it functions just like any no-staff motel, but when a member of the Secret Society arrives, it transforms like this.]

Clink, clink.

As soon as the car entered and the garage door opened, the vehicle began moving forward.

“Oh, what’s happening?”

[We’re descending to the basement. Don’t worry. I’m pressing the brake.]

As the car and the ground lowered, a space opened up below us.

Whir.

We spiraled down to a narrow underground parking lot, and I immediately got out of the car and opened the passenger door.

[Can you come out?]

“Do I look like a child?”

Yoon Iseon cautiously stepped out.

She moved somewhat slowly when getting into the car, still seemingly unaccustomed to her elongated limbs.

“But this place is…”

“It’s an honor to serve you, Mr. Goblin.”

A foreigner in a black suit tinged with red approached and bowed to us.

“I’ll take care of the car. Please proceed inside. Thank you for visiting our branch. But who might this be with you…”

[I vouch for her. I take full responsibility.]

“Understood.”

The employee - ‘Brewer’ - climbed into the car I had arrived in, and I extended my hand to Yoon Iseon.

[I’ll escort you.]

“It’s not like we’re entering a party. What really is this place?”

[A motel.]

“……?”

Yoon Iseon was confused.

Given that it had seemed like an underground secret base so far, my mentioning it was a motel likely made her think of its above-ground appearance.

[We build a plausible building above ground and create facilities like this underground. Think of it as an underground hotel.]

“Isn’t this an apartment?”

[It’s a hotel styled like an apartment.]

Passing through a dark corridor and entering through a door, the place was comparable to a suite room in a five-star hotel in Gangwon Province or Busan.

That’s because, according to the Chief, these underground shelters were initially designed with suite rooms in mind.

[In case of a zombie apocalypse or something, this is one of the shelters designed to last for decades underground. You could also call it a bunker.]

“To have something like this under Gangwon Province… It’s unbelievable. How could this be?”

[Nothing is impossible with the power of abilities and capital.]

Whirring.

Upon entering through the front door, removing shoes, and opening the inner door, air rushed out from the sealed narrow space.

“Kyaa?!”

[It’s a sterilization facility. It’s designed to wash away contaminants, including radioactive contamination. The whole system runs on magic power.]

“What, why such a facility…!”

[The Secret Society is thoroughly prepared.]

Because you never knew when something might happen, bunkers had been built underground across the nation - no, around the world.

[Further down underground, there are seed vaults, cultivation rooms, external surveillance cameras, and a lot more. There are also clothes available for changing.]

“Isn’t that clothing meant for future use?”

[It’s for the future, yes, but these bunkers aren’t just for nuclear explosions or zombie apocalypses. They are also refuges where the core members of the Secret Society can take shelter at any time.]

I pointed in the direction where a balcony and windows would be, had this been a hotel.

[How about it?]

“…The entire wall is a display?”

[Yes. It’s set up to simulate the outside environment.]

Even underground, the wall wasn’t just a wall but was designed to display the outside scenery for mental stability, allowing one to view the landscape outside.

[Even if the Earth were to be destroyed, this place is designed to survive until the Earth’s environment is restored, or civilization could start anew from here.]

Aside from being located deep underground, it’s a space sufficiently suitable for human habitation.

Of course, it’s far less ideal than breathing fresh air above ground.

[It’s all a precaution for any eventual situation. But let’s not dwell on that for now. Currently, think of this place as somewhere to choose new clothing, to create a costume.]

“Costume…?”

[You’re not planning to claim you’re an S-class in that outfit, are you?]

“…….”

Yoon Iseon looked at herself with a somewhat vacant expression.

The activity uniform of Sejong Academy.

The color was white with black stripes, and the sleeves were adorned with patterns in red and blue.

Yes, reminiscent of the Taegukgi (Korean national flag).

It’s somewhat fortunate that there wasn’t a huge Taeguk symbol on the back, but the current outfit certainly didn’t suit Yoon Iseon as a costume.

[If that’s your taste, I won’t argue, but you should at least be able to create something suitable for after transforming. Like this.]

Transformation.

Pshhh.

“Ah, Dodjirider?”

[It’s not exactly a form I want to transform into again, but clothing can indeed be created with magic power like this. Essentially, this.]

I transformed the giant display, which had been showing the outside scenery, into a blank canvas and sketched Yoon Iseon’s figure with magic power.

[You are the entity in the center, the elongated limbs are extensions shaped by magic power, and clothing is a protective layer added on top.]

It’s Baek Seol-hee’s method of safely enveloping clothing with mana.

Nana and Yumir’s methods result in a transformation that’s quicker than 1 second, but it caused the clothes to explode.

“I understand. So, it’s akin to wearing a shield as clothing, like a raincoat?”

[Good, you’re quick to grasp concepts. Now, here comes an important question.]

I drew six symbols around Yoon Iseon.

[How will you fight? We need to tailor a costume that complements your combat style.]

“Uh, you’re taking this more seriously than I expected?”

[I have no intention of merely making you a simple S-class.]

“It’s all for your benefit, Mr. Goblin, isn’t it?”

[Of course.]

Elevating Yoon Iseon to an S-class.

If it weren’t advantageous for my, the Goblin’s, endeavors, I wouldn’t have offered assistance, even to a student I was somewhat fond of.

Even if I were aware of Yumir’s true identity.

[The more S-classes, the better, especially if those S-classes choose to be heroes rather than villains.]

“I’m confused about something.”

[What is it?]

“Wouldn’t the Secret Society be at a disadvantage if there are more S-class heroes? Hypothetically, if I become an S-class, I might end up interfering with your operations, Mr. Goblin.”

[That’s correct.]

From the Secret Society’s standpoint, what I was doing could be perceived as increasing their hurdles.

Just as Nadeshiko obstructed me, S-class heroes, who act in the interest of their nation’s justice, are compelled to thwart some of the Secret Society’s endeavors.

[At first glance, it might seem counterproductive to empower those who stand in my way, but from a broader perspective, it ultimately serves the Secret Society’s ultimate goal.]

“And what is that?”

[World peace through world domination.]

I alternated pointing between Yoon Iseon and myself.

[Heroes with a sense of justice uphold peace and order in the light, and where dirty work is necessary, executioners duly step in to handle it. Thus, maintaining a balance between light and darkness and, consequently, peace.]

“…….”

[And if that hero sympathizes with the Secret Society’s ideology or joins hands with the Secret Society, it’s even better.]

“Perhaps there are heroes who became S-class while belonging to, or as members of, the Secret Society?”

[You’re smart. That’s why I enjoy discussing this with you.]

I sat down opposite Yoon Iseon on the sofa.

[I hope that as an S-class hero, you’ll eventually join our Secret Society. That’s ultimately what I wish for you.]

“By ‘ultimately’, you mean there’s something you expect from me in the short term?”

[As you learned and practiced on Sejong Island, to walk the path of a hero who realizes social justice and protects civilians. As an S-class.]

“Do you believe that can lead to world domination?”

[Of course. The process may be difficult, but if the result is world peace, it’s worth risking one’s life for.]

For a world where no wars or demons existed, or if they did cause harm, an organization stepped in immediately to minimize the damage.

[The reason I’m discussing this with you and specifically invited you here is nothing else. This place has not even been shown to Solar Platina.]

Gulp.

[I formally propose. Join the Secret Society, Yoon Iseon.]

Yoon Iseon swallowed and looked at me seriously.

[You just need to walk the path of a hero. If you think someone deserves execution, I’ll take care of it.]

The reason she became a fan of the Goblin.

[I won’t stop you if you decide to take action yourself, but if you’d rather not dirty your hands, I’ll step in.]

At its core, she followed the ideology of the Secret Society deep down.

“If I join the Secret Society.”

Yoon Iseon’s eyes, tinged with pink, stared straight at me.

“Will I be able to see Goblin’s bare face?”

[Of course.]

“……In that case.”

Yoon Iseon closed her eyes.

“You don’t have to show me Goblin’s bare face.”

[……?]

“I became a fan not because of Goblin’s appearance, but because of his actions. Instead.”

Yoon Iseon smiled broadly at me.

“…I want to design a costume that suits the Goblin’s true form.”

[My true form?]

“Yes. One that suits ‘how you truly fight.’”

Yoon Iseon.

“I want to create my S-class costume to match the one you wore when you fought Duoexini. Will you help me? Then, I’ll cooperate.”

She was sincere.