I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

Sniping, as the term suggested, involved shooting from a distance.

Attacking the target from so far away that they could not recognize you, incapacitating them without warning.

In this context, a “headshot” is the most effective way to neutralize an ability user.

“Did… did I kill them?”

[No, you didn’t.]

Desmond Fayegreen collapsed onto the sandy beach, letting out a deep sigh of relief.

“Phew, that’s a relief. For a moment, I thought I’d become someone who killed an S-rank ability user.”

Even though the attack was targeted at him, if an S-rank ability user had been killed because of him, Desmond would undoubtedly have borne the blame.

‘That would be a no-win scenario.’

But no one knew who killed them?

-Desmond Fayegreen! Identify the beast responsible for killing the Grand Canyon!!

-How can you harbor the ability user who killed America’s S-rank ability user?! Who are they?! Report this S-rank killer to the authorities immediately!

If that were the case, the FBI would raid Fayegreen Corporation.

But what if the Goblin killed them?

-Desmond Fayegreen! Reveal your relationship with the beast, the Goblin, who killed the Grand Canyon!

-First, you took help from the Secret Society during Juliana Fayegreen’s time, and now you’re receiving aid from the Goblin? Did you hand over the Phoenix Feather to the Goblin?! Answer us!

Then the CIA would storm Fayegreen’s mansion.

And more importantly:

-Desmond Fayegreen! Why didn’t you use the Phoenix Feather when the Grand Canyon was dying?

-A mere feather, no matter how expensive it is, could have saved an S-rank hero! Surely you could’ve saved the Grand Canyon in those 10 seconds! Couldn’t you? No excuses!!

The International Hero Alliance—commonly called “the Association”—would grab Desmond by the collar.

“I, I…”

[The Grand Canyon fell to a flying citrus fruit. That’s all.]

“Bu-but…”

[It was a thick-skinned Hallabong, not a small tangerine like a tennis ball, but a Hallabong bigger than a baseball and packed with juice.]

I picked up a Hallabong that had rolled onto the ground, imbuing it with mana. Its skin, as hard as a coconut shell, became a weapon.

[Defeated by the guardian spirit of Jeju Island. Truly, an embarrassment to America.]

Whack.

I hurled the Hallabong toward the Grand Canyon’s head, precisely at the spot I had sniped earlier.

Splatter.

The Hallabong exploded, and its juice flowed down the Grand Canyon’s head like blood.

Luckily, the color was orange.

If it had been red, it would’ve been horrifying, and if it were some semi-transparent grayish liquid, it would’ve been even worse.

[Scene secured.]

“Phew… it’s a relief that Ji Chun-hyang turned out to be an ally.”

[For now, it’s fine, but don’t say such things lightly as a non-ability user. You never know who’s listening.]

“Oh, y-you’re right. This is Korea, after all. Ahem.”

After warning Desmond to watch his words, I checked the Grand Canyon’s condition.

[Mission clear.]

The back of their head had been struck three times with mana-infused objects.

First, a snipe. Second, a point-blank snipe. And third, a strike using a mana-infused object.

Even for an S-rank, a concussion from such hits would take time to recover.

‘The problem is, this damned thief is an S-rank hero.’

The fact that they were from another country or even America didn’t matter.

Because…

-This is Doul. A Chinese S-rank has secretly infiltrated Jeju’s western coast.

Other countries were also attempting to smuggle, or rather sneak, their S-rank ability users into Jeju.

-The Chinese S-rank villain is “Plum Blossom Swordmaster.”

[This one’s from America.]

-Who is it?

[The Grand Canyon.]

-They came? Wow, they’re one hell of a troublemaker. We at least sent back someone who lost in a sword duel, but this one won’t budge.

[To ensure they can’t throw tantrums or resist, I knocked them out. Even if sent to Busan, they’ll likely escape detention within a week or simply break out of jail on their own.]

Some heroes, especially among the S-ranks, were notorious troublemakers.

Like Susanoo from Japan, this one was also an uncontrollable wild card their country couldn’t rein in.

[I’ll ask for Chaos’s help here. Let me know if restraint is necessary.]

-Got it.

After ending the call, I turned to see Desmond nervously conversing with something resembling a pillar.

“A-are you sure this is all right?”

[…Yes. Fine. Secret Society… protects you.]

[…]

Look at that.

Earlier, they told me to call them “noona,” but now, they seemed unwilling to reveal their true identity to Desmond, covering themselves entirely.

They looked like the Egyptian god Medjed depicted in ancient murals—draped in fabric that reached down to their ankles, resembling a cloth ghost with big eyes.

Outwardly, they seemed like a monster concealing their form.

But to anyone capable of sensing mana, seeing Chaos in this peculiar guise would be enough to leave them speechless with awe.

‘Diamond Barrier.’

Surrounding her body with a cylindrical barrier, she covered it with diamond crystals gathered from the ground, concealing herself entirely.

Considering her bodysuit as well, it was effectively a triple-layered defense.

From the outside, it merely appeared as white diamond crystals infused with mana, but even a nuclear bomb wouldn’t leave a scratch.

I referred to her as the “6-rank-up Tank,” but unfortunately, she didn’t understand the reference.

At least Docheol, who was familiar with such terms, burst out laughing.

“Are you truly protecting me? Of course, I barely survived just now, but if that person had truly intended to kill me…”

[Contract.]

“Ah, yes. I understand. As long as I fulfill the terms of the contract… Phew, you promised to correct my granddaughter’s insolence. I’ll cooperate. But I don’t wish for a bodyguard, nor do I want actual ability users like these S-ranks attacking me with their powers.”

[You don’t need to worry about that.]

I stepped in front of Chaos, who was attempting to wrap up the conversation with her introverted appearance, and transformed into the Goblin—a figure familiar to Desmond. Then, I changed my oversized sniper rifle into the Goblin Bat.

[When that man returns, you’ll be in the safest place on Jeju Island. Safe from ability users, though I can’t stop journalists or curious people from asking questions.]

“That’s fine. My concern is being sniped or assassinated from afar, like you, Goblin. Phew…”

[No need to worry at all. Did you forget the contract? If you die, I’ll immediately come to you and use the Phoenix Feather.]

“…….”

[Let me say it again, directly, under the mask of the Goblin. There will be no death for you in this mission. If you die, I’ll use the Phoenix Feather on you immediately, as per the contract.]

The ultimate reason Desmond agreed to this mission.

It was because we promised to revive him, even if he died.

[Don’t forget the reward upon success. Not only will you gain the proceeds from selling the Phoenix Feather, but we’ll also use those funds to get your granddaughter out of the ability-user prison and have the Secret Society “reform” her.]

“……Understood. I apologize for my momentary lapse of judgment.”

[It’s natural. Anyone would get upset when their life is threatened, or they come close to death. I understand.]

I didn’t apologize.

An S-rank ability user’s attack was akin to a natural disaster—it could happen anytime, anywhere.

[Instead, if you need to vent your anger, take this.]

“…What?”

Desmond stared in surprise at the Goblin Bat I handed him.

“Isn’t this your weapon?”

[It is. But its effect is the same either way. In fact, it’ll be more effective if you wield it instead of me.]

Planting the Goblin Bat upside-down into the ground, I nudged the unconscious Grand Canyon with my foot.

[Watch carefully. This is what happens when you attack an unconscious ability user.]

Whack.

As soon as I delivered a powerful kick to their side, a faint spark of flame appeared where I struck.

“Th-that’s…?”

[Though unconscious, their instincts remain. When attacked with mana, their body instinctively creates a protective barrier.]

Thud, whack.

I imbued my kicks with mana, repeatedly stomping on the Grand Canyon.

Each time, their flame-like barrier activated, preventing any real damage.

[By doing this, you can drain an unconscious ability user’s mana.]

“…….”

[This is the ability user who attacked you. Frankly, if you want to beat them up, now’s your chance. They won’t die, won’t get injured, and they won’t even remember you hitting them. I guarantee it.]

“So, if I strike the Grand Canyon with this Goblin Bat, they’ll become incapacitated and won’t be able to attack again…?”

[Exactly. Once their mana is depleted, it’ll take at least four weeks to fully recover.]

This wasn’t about physical injuries.

It was about their mana reserves.

For an ability user, being unable to use mana was akin to being a patient in critical condition in an ICU.

[Would you like to hit them until their mana runs out? Or should I roll out a mat for you?]

“…In that case.”

Desmond loosened the cufflinks on his sleeves, pointing at the Goblin Bat.

“Let’s go with a 7-iron.”

Afterward:

Whack. Whack. Smack!!

[Nice shot.]

[A hole-in-one.]

Watching the corporate chairman take a full swing, I stood beside Chaos, observing live how golf should be played.

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