Transformation or Death

Not in My Right Mind

Water was sprayed into the air. Droplets catching sunlight sparkled and gathered, falling downward. Their direction was directly above Han Jae-jung’s face.

Chwaaak.

The cool water stream tapped against tightly closed eyelids. Water entering the respiratory system obstructed breathing, and evaporating water stole body heat. Most of all, the pain of being doused with water was enough to flee from sleep.

With recovered consciousness and a rising headache, he opened his eyes.

“It’s cold, you bastards….”

“Oh, you didn’t die?”

“You’ve awakened.”

The first thing he saw upon waking were hateful faces. The villains’ unique grotesque appearance staring intently was uncomfortable.

“Whew… Wake me up normally, you crazy bastards.”

“No, you should’ve woken up appropriately.”

Archer threw the bucket he was holding. With a clang, the bucket that was just full of water rolled on the floor.

“By the way, I objected.”

“This bastard is betraying me?!”

Hearing loud voices immediately after waking was torture. Han Jae-jung pressed his forehead and let out a painful groan. This headache wasn’t just because of that.

“How many hours was I unconscious?”

“Not very long. About an hour?”

“Really not much sleep….”

Han Jae-jung let out another deep sigh. Water droplets falling from his hair lowered his body temperature, while conversely, his heart began beating quickly to warm his body. He ignited his determination.

“I’ll definitely kill that bastard….”

Killing Paradox who made a fool of me was his only thought.

“Hey, what was that guy? He looked seriously dangerous. Why do you hang out with such dangerous guys?”

“You’re also a dangerous guy.”

“Ah, is that why it’s romantic. The thrill of deliberately breaking through dangerous places….”

“Romance is bullshit. I don’t have that.”

He tried to rise but staggered. Jason grabbed Han Jae-jung’s arm.

“Ick, be careful.”

“Yeah… Thanks.”

“But is it real? That… Your lifespan has been reduced even more….”

Han Jae-jung looked at the belt.

[…It is true. The current guardian’s expected lifespan is exactly 30 days.]

“Ha, this is driving me crazy….”

Since he had already heard the information from the villain, the belt’s confidentiality seemed meaningless and revealed his remaining lifespan. He didn’t want to believe it, but hearing it made it unavoidable.

Remaining lifespan: Thirty days. Exactly one month.

Too short a time to call the life of a twenty-something.

Not enough to master even one thing, too brief to develop a hobby.

My luck is truly messed up.

With a complicated heart, he repeatedly performed a dry face wash.

“From that reaction, it seems true.”

“It’s genuine.”

“Who would’ve thought they’d actually reduce his lifespan. More importantly, how could that Paradox guy even control the beast….”

Jason and Archer also had to acknowledge it seeing his reaction. His remaining lifespan was short. During Han Jae-jung’s dry face wash, silence descended.

Soon, he lowered his palm. Lifting his face heated by friction, Han Jae-jung opened his lips.

“No, this is an opportunity.”

“Are you crazy?”

“No, this guy isn’t in his right mind either.”

The more negatively he thinks, the more disadvantageous it becomes for himself. Rather than being submerged in despair, he’ll go mad with positivity.

“Anyway, I didn’t know the day I’d die. I was thinking I could die tomorrow without recourse, but now I know the exact date. Not only that, but a clear method to extend my lifespan was also presented.”

It was essentially a life he’d already died once before.

‘No, it’s a life I’ve died twice.’

When Virgo formed a group to launch an attack, once, and then when he became a villain and tried suicide, twice. He had already experienced having his breath cut off multiple times as a matter of course. But he’s still standing here, barely alive.

In fact, this life is like a bonus. So even if he dies tomorrow, there’s nothing to regret. It was something he wasn’t supposed to receive in the first place, but he got it additionally.

‘Ah, I’m positive. Yes, this is an attitude towards life.’

[I’m sorry, but can I call you a crazy bastard instead of a Guardian from now on?]

Since I’ve gained this life, I should use it effectively.

“From now on, I’ll focus on killing the Scorpion.”

The Scorpion was already dangerous in the original story. As one of the three beasts using the power of the galaxy, it caused many casualties. It was an enemy that needed to be dealt with anyway.

And on top of that, he can gain additional lifespan? What could be better than this?

Han Jae-jung suddenly jumped to the window and shouted.

“Paradox, you motherfucker, thank you-! Thanks to you, I might extend my lifespan-!”

And then he laughed heartily.

He knew full well that this was Paradox’s purpose – to make him burn with determination. But he couldn’t help but go along with it. Survival instinct comes before disgust.

‘You’re the bastard I’m going to crush half and half.’

The Archer and Jason stepped back looking at him.

His rough breathing under the moonlight was no different from a wild beast.

“There’s a beast bastard here….”

“How about you just call yourself a villain from now on?”

Han Jae-jung immediately turned and stared at them.

“You’ll help me too, right? Of course you should. Otherwise, I’ll start by destroying you with my own hands.”

“If I had 30 days left in my lifespan, I’d be crazy too. You must be desperate.”

“Hmm, I suppose that’s true. A human-like sharp remark.”

Han Jae-jung nodded, interpreting this as a sign of acknowledgment.

“You made a good choice.”

“What the fuck, I didn’t say anything.”

“Of course I’ll help. After all, it’s a crisis for our comrade!”

The Archer frowned unhappily, while Jason confidently struck his chest.

“Huh? Not helping? Then I won’t help you either.”

“What help can I get from a mayfly?”

“You know what?”

Can’t receive help? What nonsense. Even if he’s become a one-month human, he’s not dead yet. Han Jae-jung immediately cut off his words.

“The fact that a villain’s ability is related not just to their constellation but also to their purpose. Instead of wasting time, why don’t you find out what your ability is? It might be somewhat helpful.”

His tone was dry, but the content was far from light.

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

It’s not exactly a proven theory, but it’s still credible information. In the original story, there wasn’t a single villain who didn’t fall under this interpretation.

“You’re bullshitting!”

“Wait, so my power to make people lose their way might also be related to my purpose… Could it be! My purpose might be to make someone wander….”

“That’s probably not it.”

It’s too intuitive an interpretation.

“Jason, does your ability have a name?”

“…I don’t know.”

“There are still many mysteries about your ability. Is it just that one ability? During the flood last time, you never got lost while moving between places.”

Instead, he consistently found the right people.

“There are more than one or two strange things. Sometimes it was day before moving and night after moving… Well, this could also be interpreted as losing time while losing your way.”

Moreover, he had experienced moving twice before. This was also during the flood.

Before going to the rooftop where Odette was, Han Jae-jung had moved alone next to Blue Sirius. And when he moved, he was suddenly on the rooftop with the other group. Jason himself seemed unaware of or didn’t induce this.

“Think carefully. Only people who have a path can get lost.”

From the beginning, a person without a predetermined path could not even be called wandering.

“Well, certainly my power has no name. Perhaps I mistook it as an ability that makes me lose my way alone… Ah, no, not just the power to make me lose my way, but other powers… Ah, could I possibly be the strongest….”

Jason lowered his head and began to ponder deeply after hearing Han Jae-jung’s words.

“You talk well. But hey, whatever information you heard, it’s 100% bullshit. A villain ability matching a goal? That can’t be real.”

“Why are you like this?”

“Is that even possible? My only ability is shooting a bow. How can I interpret that? An ability to aim precisely? That’s absurd….”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

He was not understanding more than I could have imagined. I already had a headache, and now it was getting worse.

“Why is your ability archery?”

“No, you’re the one talking nonsense. If this isn’t an ability, then what is….”

“Do you see me wielding an axe as a villain’s ability?”

The Archer stopped talking.

“A villain’s ability is a miracle. A miracle that only that existence can do. Earlier, Paradox could transform a shield into a spear. This is a weapon and technique, not a miracle. I also have an axe. Jason next to you has a dagger similar to a compass point.”

“….”

“Since when did technique become a miracle?”

Whew, Han Jae-jung sighed repeatedly.

“You idiot. Think a little. Archery might be like your identity, but it’s not an ability. A skill honed to the extreme might look like a miracle, but it doesn’t become one.”

“Ah, but this….”

“Your miracle is not archery.”

Han Jae-jung touched the corner of his eye with his finger. Using his middle finger was never intentional.

“Vision, your eyes. Paradox already mentioned it. He said he copied your eyes to find this place.”

The Archer was instantly stunned. Until now, he had thought his ability was archery. No matter how far the target, being able to hit with certainty. Various arrows. He thought this would be enough to be called a miracle.

“From your expression, you thought these eyes were just a physical ability?”

“Then… Aren’t they?”

“No. No matter how special a villain’s body is, it can’t have that level of function. This is an ability that only you possess, a miracle.”

“These eyes?”

“Hmm, yes… Now you think about it.”

Han Jae-jung pointed his finger, which was previously pointing at his own eye area, to the Archer’s eyes.

“What did you want to see with these eyes?”

Eyes that see what others cannot, penetrating and capturing everything. The most important bodily organ supporting the Archer’s archery. That strange archery technique where arrows reach their target even in the opposite direction was possible because of these eyes.

But the technique was merely a secondary power. What was truly important was these eyes. Visualizing sound, smell, touch, everything. Its original purpose was, of course, seeing.

‘What did I want to see?’

Was it the romantic era he had always dreamed of? No. It seemed fundamentally slightly different. The Archer traced back his memories.

What did he feel in the era when he met Sky Polaris as a boy?

The answer still did not emerge.

It was quiet. Han Jae-jung was satisfied that no one was shouting like before. From his expression, he knew this advice was sufficient.

“This should be helpful enough?”

“Ah.”

“This is prepaid. Of course, I’ll help you more later. But now you need to help me.”

I’ll be more helpful. So save me. Han Jae-jung seemed to be saying this.

“Even a messenger can be a bit overwhelming alone.”

There was no hint of a draw in his eyes. They were burning only with victory.

He genuinely intended to kill one of the three beasts.

Han Jae-jung turned his steps away, leaving them still lost in anguish.

“Where are you going?”

The Archer, still looking troubled, asked.

“To the person who is my greatest support.”

Towards his only colleague, Han Jae-jung moved his steps.

***

Ippotranslation 

***

“You… Know?”

Joo Ah-yoon  asked, completely bewildered. Since when? How could you know something I didn’t? A slight jealousy arose. Then she felt disillusioned with herself for feeling jealousy in a matter of life and death.

“Ah, haha… Just, just a rumor. Well~ I overheard a conversation among villains. That Watcher, my rival, is somewhat, well, how should I say, not having much life left….”

Baek Ah-hee  emphasized the word ‘rival’ as if definitively describing her relationship with him.

“I really, really! Just happened to hear it by chance. I don’t know much, but… Ah, why did this topic come up while talking about Jae-jung? I’m not sure either, hahaha….”

Laughing bitterly, she waved both hands. Behind Baek Ah-hee ‘s actions was not so much a request to ‘not press me’ as a consideration of ‘I don’t want to make you uncomfortable’.

She was internally sorry for knowing this fact before Joo Ah-yoon , who was closest to Han Jae-jung. However, she couldn’t carelessly share this information with others. Baek Ah-hee  was also quite uncomfortable.

“I see… Yes… Indeed….”

Joo Ah-yoon  nodded, agreeing. Seeing Baek Ah-hee  claim it was a coincidence, it was certainly a coincidence. She knew at least that she wasn’t someone who would lie about such things.

‘…She must have suffered a lot too.’

Though trying to deny the truth about Han Jae-jung and Watcher, it was all too apparent. She used to hang out with Han Jae-jung frequently. She seemed to find vicarious satisfaction, pouring affection as if replacing a lost father or a non-existent brother.

‘She must have been brooding over her pain alone all this time.’

How much her heart must have ached when she heard the news of Han Jae-jung’s impending death.

‘Though not as much as I feel, she would have suffered in her own way.’

She was certain of her affection. Joo Ah-yoon  was clear about this part.

“So, Ah-hee ….”

Joo Ah-yoon  began to feel empathy and fondness for her. A colleague who knew the same truth. Someone with whom she could share secrets without any problem. How reassuring such a person was.

She smiled and subtly asked Baek Ah-hee ,

“Do you have any intention of helping that villain Watcher…? Since he’s your rival, you wouldn’t want such a futile end, right? So….”

“No.”

The response was a firm rejection.

“I won’t help.”

Joo Ah-yoon ‘s smile distorted. Her pupils trembled. The hand she had extended also shook.

She wanted to ask why, but her lips wouldn’t open. To have been so close and then leave him to die? It felt like a question had hammered her head.

‘Are all kids these days so two-faced…?!’

She had no time to feel disappointment, disillusionment, or betrayal. It was shocking. Other emotions were swept away by the shock, and she couldn’t feel anything else right now. Even if she saw Baek Ah-hee  wandering in and out of a man’s house, living wildly at night, it wouldn’t be as shocking as this.

“He and I are clearly enemies. It would be rude to easily extend a sympathetic hand.”

The following content was even more shocking.

“Isn’t he a villain in the first place? Helping him would be nothing short of betrayal. Moreover, as rivals, we’ll eventually have to fight to the death….”

Baek Ah-hee  smiled sweetly.

“If he dies alone, that would be great for me.”

Would this be the feeling of seeing a girl with an innocent smile in front of a corpse? Joo Ah-yoon  felt horror looking at Baek Ah-hee .

‘Oh brother, this girl is crazy… Run away….’

She’s not in her right mind.

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