PV Ch.21

#21. The Villain’s Demise

“Lee Bomin!”

Song Jaeho, his normally impeccable hair now a tangled mess of sweat, was the first to reach him. 

His eyes scanned Bomin from head to toe, his gaze lingering on each mark and bruise. 

“I was waiting for you.”

Bomin, letting out a sigh of relief, smiled at Song Jaeho. They had arrived just in time.

If they had been even a few minutes late… he and Jeong Hotae wouldn’t be standing here. 

Whoosh.

“We’ll talk later.”

Han Biseong, his eyes blazing with anger, incinerated another enemy, his gaze fixed on Bomin. 

It was the look of a parent about to discipline their child.

Whirr, whirr.

“It’s good to see you’re okay. You look alright, though a little tired.”

Ice shards, summoned by Yoon Bisam, shot towards the remaining enemies. His gaze, usually soft when looking at Bomin, turned glacial as it landed on Jeong Hotae. 

“Let’s take care of these bastards first.”

Won Seongwoo, his words curt, shifted into his beast form, claws extended, and lunged towards the enemies. 

“…You’re really impossible to please, Bomin-ssi.” 

Seok Changmu’s face was twisted with rage. He remembered why he had killed Bomin in the first place. 

Bomin, like a flower filled with sweet nectar, had attracted countless men. Seok Changmu couldn’t stand the thought of being just another face in the crowd. 

“Maybe… I should erase your reason for living.” 

It was time to put his plan into action.

“What the hell is that bastard talking about?”

Song Jaeho, gritting his teeth, gathered debris, his powers shaping them into weapons.

Seok Changmu, his laughter laced with malice, summoned shadows. He could use Jeong Hotae’s powers as long as he was alive.

The shadows, like smoke, expanded, taking on human forms.

“You’re nothing but a leech, stealing other people’s powers. You’re dead.”

“I should rip your mouth apart.”

Song Jaeho’s hatred for Seok Changmu burned as brightly as his flames. He hadn’t been able to think straight ever since Bomin was taken.

BOOOOM—!

The weapons collided with the shadow soldiers, the explosions deafening, adding to the chaos.

“Give me a potion.”

Bomin, catching his breath, tugged on Yoon Bisam’s arm.

“Here.”

Yoon Bisam, without hesitation, handed him a top-grade recovery potion. It was worth a fortune, but he didn’t even blink.

“Jeong Hotae, come here.” 

Jeong Hotae stood guard over Bomin, his dark eyes watchful, his expression unreadable.

He recognized them—the men who had protected Bomin in his absence. But seeing them, knowing they had been with Bomin… it was unsettling. 

He knelt before Bomin. Bomin, ignoring his reluctance, pressed the potion to his lips. 

“Drink it. And stop worrying about me.” 

Bomin took a small sip, then held the potion to Jeong Hotae’s lips. 

Jeong Hotae drank obediently. Bomin poured the rest onto his wounds.

“Do you know how to remove these?”

Jeong Hotae’s wounds began to close. Bomin, pointing to the restraints on his wrists and ankles, asked Yoon Bisam. 

“You’ll lose a hand or a foot if you try to force them open. They’re custom-made. You’ll need a specialist.”

Yoon Bisam, his hand resting on Bomin’s head, explained. 

“…Just hold on a little longer. I’ll get them off soon.” 

Bomin’s gaze lingered on the restraints. Yoon Bisam, seeing his troubled expression, raised an eyebrow.

“So, he’s the main one, huh.” 

His voice was laced with annoyance. He met Shi Yu-hyeon’s cold gaze and smirked. 

Watching the way Bomin treated Jeong Hotae, he realized that Bomin’s actions towards him had been… a performance. It was an unpleasant realization. 

“Bomin-ssi!” 

The alleyway, previously dark, was suddenly bathed in light. Shi Yu-hyeon had arrived. 

His light was so powerful, it seemed to banish even the shadows. 

“Ugh…” 

The shadow soldiers, previously evenly matched against Song Jaeho and Han Biseong, weakened, their forms flickering. 

Han Biseong seized the opportunity, his flaming sword piercing Seok Changmu’s chest.

Won Seongwoo, now in his full wolf form, lunged towards Seok Changmu. One of Seok Changmu’s men jumped in front of him, taking the blow. He screamed, his body falling to the ground. 

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“As you can see, I’m fine. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Shi Yu-hyeon’s hands gripped Bomin’s shoulders, his eyes scanning him for injuries. He seemed relieved to find none. 

“…I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry. I knew you wouldn’t let me go if I told you…”

Bomin apologized, feeling guilty for having drugged him in order to sneak out.

Crackle.

“We can catch up later.”

Although Bomin’s location was slightly away from the heart of the battle, it wasn’t safe.

Yoon Bisam, seeing a chunk of concrete flying towards them, froze it, shattering it into a million pieces.

“Wait here. I’ll be back soon.”

Shi Yu-hyeon, after giving Bomin a reassuring smile, joined the fight. 

He might have been the last to awaken as an S-rank, but his powers were formidable. 

And they were the perfect counter to Seok Changmu’s. He held his sword, which glowed with an intensity rivaling the sun, and approached Seok Changmu. 

Seok Changmu barely managed to deflect the blow, his shadows retreating like mist before the sun.

“You bastards…!” 

Aside from Seok Changmu and his closest subordinate, the others were no match for the S-rank Espers. 

Seok Changmu, his body covered in wounds, snarled, but his attackers were relentless. 

“…Everyone, self-destruct!”

“What…?”

He had finally resorted to his last card. Song Jaeho didn’t even have time to comprehend his words before…

BOOM, BOOM, BOOOM.

It started with those who had already fallen, then spread to those who were still fighting.

Body parts exploded, splattering the alleyway with blood and gore.

It was a gruesome sight. 

“…That madman.”

Bomin, his face buried against Jeong Hotae’s chest, trembled. 

Seok Changmu had killed him in the real world, claiming to love him. And he had seen how he treated Guides at the Non-K base. 

But to use his own men like disposable weapons…

A piece of flesh landed near them. It was still recognizable as a human body part.

“Don’t look.”

Jeong Hotae pulled Bomin closer, shielding him from the gruesome sight. Even he, who had seen countless horrors during his missions, felt sick to his stomach. 

The smell of burning flesh was overpowering, especially for Won Seongwoo, whose sense of smell was heightened. 

“That fucking bastard…!”

Song Jaeho cursed, his hand clutching a wound on his abdomen. He wasn’t the only one.

Everyone, except Bomin, was seriously injured. Dozens of them had exploded.

Shi Yu-hyeon was the first to react, launching himself towards Seok Changmu and the remaining Esper, who were trying to escape. 

“Yoon Bisam, stay here and protect Lee Bomin.” 

Song Jaeho and Won Seongwoo followed close behind. Han Biseong, after asking Yoon Bisam to look after Bomin, joined them. 

“We can’t stay here. We need to move.”

Yoon Bisam nodded towards Jeong Hotae. Jeong Hotae, scooping Bomin into his arms, stood up. 

“I can walk.”

“You can barely stand.” 

Bomin tried to protest, but his body was trembling. 

“…Please.”

He leaned against Jeong Hotae, his body weakened by the shock of what he had witnessed. 

* * *

“What should we do?”

“We need Seok Changmu alive. We need him to prove that the Association President made a deal with him.”

Yoon Bisam, in response to Song Jaeho’s question, gestured towards Jeong Hotae. His situation was precarious. 

The Association President had discarded him like a broken toy. And as someone who had held onto power for so long, his influence was considerable.

The only saving grace was that they were all S-rank Espers. The President was aware of their actions, their blatant disregard for their mission to rush to Bomin’s aid. 

And yesterday’s battle with Non-K had resulted in multiple casualties. They had cleaned up the scene, but it had been too close to the Association headquarters to remain completely hidden. 

“It seems like we’ll have to take down the President.”

As long as the President remained in power, Jeong Hotae would have to remain in hiding.

They were all wary of Jeong Hotae, especially after seeing how Bomin treated him. They didn’t know what his relationship was with the President’s rumored secret weapon, but it was… unsettling. 

Even now, Bomin was glued to Jeong Hotae’s side. He would whine like a puppy if Jeong Hotae moved even a little bit out of his sight.

Truthfully, they didn’t care what happened to Jeong Hotae. They just wanted him away from Bomin. 

But they were afraid that if they tried to separate them, Bomin would disappear with him. And so, they reluctantly accepted his presence.

“I’ve been gathering some information.”

Jeong Hotae shared his findings with them. The list of the President’s wrongdoings was extensive, making Song Jaeho click his tongue in disgust.

“I’m going to go see Seok Changmu.”

Bomin, sensing that the conversation was going to be a long one, stood up. 

“I’ll go with you.”

“O-Okay…”

Shi Yu-hyeon approached him. He gritted his teeth, sensing Bomin’s reluctance. 

He kept a smile plastered on his face, but Bomin was oblivious to his inner turmoil. 

“Don’t be surprised by what you see.” 

“I won’t be.” 

Shi Yu-hyeon, as if to reassure him, gently took his hand. Bomin didn’t pull away. He interlaced his fingers with Shi Yu-hyeon’s, their hands clasped together. 

Creak.

“Serves you right.”

“Mmm…!”

Seok Changmu was tied up, a gag in his mouth, a blindfold covering his eyes. The small room stank of blood and filth. 

The restraints that had once bound Jeong Hotae were now being used on Seok Changmu. 

He struggled against his bonds as he heard Bomin’s voice.

Bomin approached him without hesitation. Shi Yu-hyeon, worried that Seok Changmu might still be dangerous, stayed close. 

“Mmm…!”

“Bomin-ssi…?” 

“I’m going to… crush you.” 

Shi Yu-hyeon finally understood why Bomin had looked troubled when he had offered to accompany him.

Bomin was focused solely on Seok Changmu’s groin, his foot repeatedly stomping on it. Even an S-rank Esper’s body had weaknesses. Drool dripped from the corners of Seok Changmu’s mouth as he struggled against the gag.

Shi Yu-hyeon, despite not being the one being targeted, instinctively took a step back. 

“I’ve… never… seen anyone… like you.”

He punctuated each word with a vicious kick. He would stomp on Seok Changmu’s groin, then grind his heel into it, his movements fueled by rage. 

Seok Changmu’s body twitched like a squid on a hot grill. 

“You should have… worked on… fixing your own personality… instead of… taking it out on others.” 

His words were filled with venom. 

“Don’t even think… about dying peacefully… I’m going to… make you pay… for everything…” 

Blood pooled around Seok Changmu’s groin. Bomin, after turning his lower body into a pulpy mess, finally stopped, running a hand through his hair. He looked refreshed, as if he had just taken a shower. 

“Let’s go, Yu-hyeon-ssi.”

Shi Yu-hyeon looked down at Seok Changmu, who was no longer able to even scream, his body wracked with pain. 

“Yu-hyeon-ssi?” 

“…Yes.” 

He quickly concealed the fear in his eyes and closed the door. 

‘Never make Bomin angry.’

He made a mental note to himself.

* * * 

“You want me to stay… here?”

“Yes. Until things are settled. We don’t know what might happen.” 

Bomin looked around the small, windowless room. Song Jaeho had told him it was a safe house, a secure location with limited access from the outside.

“But you said you wanted to be with Jeong Hotae.” 

“I do.” 

“Then just stay put. We’re doing all this to save him.” 

“But I don’t want you all to be in danger because of me. I’m the only one in a safe place.”

“You staying safe is helping us.”

Song Jaeho cupped Bomin’s face in his hands. They could only focus on the fight if they knew Bomin was safe. 

He closed his eyes, his lips gently pressing against Bomin’s. Bomin kissed him back, his tongue darting out to lick his lips.

“I want to have sex…”

“We can do that later.”

Song Jaeho grinned, his desire for Bomin evident. 

“Okay. I’ll be good. Come back soon.” 

Bomin nodded, waving goodbye. Song Jaeho gave him one last kiss on the cheek before closing the door. 

“So this is what being a pampered prisoner feels like.” 

Bomin looked around the room. It was small, but it had everything he needed—a comfortable bed, a fridge stocked with food, even a separate bathroom.

But he was bored. He had no phone, no one to talk to. 

“I need to see Seohun soon.”

Kim Seohun had wanted to come, but he was being kept in a safe location, away from the fighting.

Bomin, grabbing a pen and paper, sat down on the bed.

“Time to design my mansion.”

It was the only thing he could do, other than pray for their safety. He began sketching, his hand moving effortlessly across the paper. 

“I want a big front gate. And every room needs a window. The garden needs a bridge… and a swing.”

He decided to reinforce the swing. It had to be strong enough to accommodate two, maybe even three, adults.

“I want a rooftop garden. Outdoor sex is always fun.” 

He talked to himself, his voice filling the silence. 

“Maybe I should build the mansion near the beach…”

Oceanfront properties were the most expensive in his original world. But here, the sea was a dangerous place, filled with monsters. The safest, and therefore most expensive, places were those that were protected by Espers. 

“With all the S-rank Espers around, it shouldn’t be too dangerous. And I could wake up to a view of the ocean every day. And… the land will be cheaper.”

The more he thought about it, the more appealing it sounded. The white paper was soon filled with his messy sketches. 

“Perfect.” 

He smiled, looking at his work. 

He had been lonely since childhood. He had been loved, cherished, by his parents, but their sudden death had left him alone, unprepared for the harsh realities of the world. 

“I think I can finally be happy now.”

He looked up, picturing his parents. He used to only remember their sad faces, but now… he could see them smiling.

His thoughts drifted to those who weren’t here. 

“…Please come back safely.”

He looked at the door, his eyes filled with concern. His hands, without his realizing, were clasped together, as if in prayer.