HPDBC Chapter 55
Chapter 55
“...Aaah, what should we do?”
[About what?]
“You know, Author-nim. Übermensch.”
[Aah... Right. You said we need to reduce their numbers...]
“Sigh.”
I had no idea what to do.
I have to cut them down to just four.
...How am I supposed to do that?
There’s not much time left. The end-of-term ceremony is coming up soon.
Just four.
Four should be enough.
Dorothy, Siwoo, Amelia, and me.
It would be best if each of us handled one.
“...No matter what happens, there will be an attack during the end-of-term ceremony, right?”
[Yes! That’s the plan! Mmm, but I haven’t decided how strong to make the villains yet.]
“Hmm...”
How should I go about this?
...No, should I just kill them all before the ceremony in the first place?
“Author-nim, do you have any other villains in mind besides those guys?”
[Why would I?]
“...”
I shouldn’t have asked.
I knew very well that the Author didn’t think much about these things.
Even if the Author says this, more villains are bound to be added.
We had no choice but to prune the villain groups because there were too many, but we’ve barely gotten through half of the 1st year.
To move the plot forward, new obstacles need to be created.
As I mentioned, the academy novel genre is about presenting trials, overcoming them, and feeling catharsis from seeing the protagonist’s growth.
Of course, we could keep those guys alive and use them somehow, but then the Author’s readers would make a fuss.
They would ask why we didn’t kill the enemies and let them live.
If they complained like that, would the Author be able to handle it mentally?
...I was doubtful. The Author I’ve seen so far doesn’t seem like she could endure something like that.
[Why don’t we kill them all like last time without overthinking it?]
“If it were that easy, I would have done it already.”
The Author’s stance was that there would be no problem if I killed them all and returned like before.
But it wasn’t such a simple issue.
People’s eyes and ears were already focused on the villain group called Arachne.
“Can I kill the detective, Lee Ha-Yul?”
[Ugh, it would be such a waste... A detective chasing villains, that’s so cool... D-do we really have to kill him?]
See?
The Author didn’t want to kill off the detective. It probably fits her tastes or something.
Well, I can understand. There’s always something that catches your fancy.
...The problem is, I feel like Detective Lee Ha-Yul will get in the way.
Killing him would be the quickest solution. He’s a supporting character who won’t appear in the main story.
I don’t need to concern myself with those who can’t even make it onto the main stage, but...
It’s a different story if it’s someone the Author cherishes. There’s no point in me insisting that I should kill him.
Even if I somehow get rid of him, it will severely strain my relationship with the Author.
...If that happens, what will become of me?
A chill suddenly ran down my spine, and I stopped thinking.
Don’t think about it.
Don’t think...
Before I knew it, I had dialed a number saved on my phone.
[The call is being recorded.]
“It’s me.”
[Arte-nim...! Please wait a moment!]
Clatter clatter.
Such noises could be heard from the other end of the phone.
But there’s nothing to worry about. This world is the Author’s puppet show. I just need to ask her.
If too many props are behind the puppet show, it’s only right to remove unnecessary pieces.
“Their objective is to steal something hidden within the academy.”
[Then that means...]
“They’ll attack the academy at some point, right? Since that’s their goal...”
[...We will strengthen security.]
“That’s not the right way. Do you know when they’ll attack? If you raise your guard too much, it will be harder to grasp the situation.”
That’s a lie.
In fact, I know exactly when they will attack and how many of them there will be.
No matter what happens, they will attempt an attack on the day of the end-of-term ceremony.
...But I have no obligation to tell them that. Because it’s an event that Siwoo needs to experience and grow from.
Simply watching is enough for the puppets that can’t even make it onto the stage.
“Just reduce the numbers to the point where they feel uneasy but still think it’s possible. As for the rest...”
[...I understand. It’s a necessary sacrifice.]
“That’s the idea.”
[We will take care of what you mentioned right away.]
“I’m counting on you.”
I hung up the phone unilaterally.
There was nothing more to discuss.
“Aah, this is so... tiring!”
[Th-that was so cool! A cool villain sweeping away an evil organization from behind the scenes!]
“What’s so cool about it... I’m not a villain, and I’m not an evil organization, you know?”
I brushed off the Author’s nonsense.
Me, an evil organization?
A secret society, maybe.
...Anyway, I’m looking forward to it.
The longer someone is in the Association, the deeper their hatred for villains becomes.
I wonder what the Ha-Yul thinks about villains.
He has seen more directly than anyone else what villains do and how they act.
Perhaps, as the Author said, there’s no need to kill him.
I felt good.
***
“...Crazy.”
“Hic, hic... It’s a good thing I got down on my knees and begged...!”
Lyla and Spira were terrified.
They couldn’t believe what they had heard was true.
“...You, you heard the same thing as me, right?”
“The Master is connected to the Association...?”
“Crazy... We heard it loud and clear.”
They didn’t hear everything.
But they clearly heard Arte giving orders to the high-ranking members of the Association.
Moreover, what did they discuss?
“Half of Übermensch will disappear...”
“...”
Lyla let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, they left the rotten lifeline that would snap soon.
If they had kept climbing, who knows what would have happened to them.
They almost became cube steak.
_______________________________
Author’s notes
Ah, right. There’s one thing I wanted to tell you about yesterday but forgot!
The emoticon rough sketch has arrived! Wow!
The Author(not me) had glasses on... I immediately requested them to remove it...
Off with the glasses!
Also, the emoticon of the Author giving a flick has been replaced with one showing her receiving it and crying.
After already getting hit...!@@@@