I Became The Villain The Hero Is Obsessed With

381 – Steeling Herself

Lee Seol-a. Current CEO of Yuseong Group and the de facto black hand of Korea, she was extraordinary from childhood.

Born the only daughter of the prestigious Yuseong Group, founded by her grandfather.

Realizing her powers early on, Seol-a was raised as the family face.

Her conservative grandfather had no intention of passing the company to her.

To be precise, he hadn’t even passed it to her father.

Seol-a was only meant to be the family figurehead.

A-rank hero Ice Angel.

But he didn’t know.

Seol-a was a far more extraordinary and dangerous child than he realized.

‘Miss, what do you mean by…’

‘Marry me, and I’ll make your long-held dream of joining the company come true. What do you say?’

Seol-a knew from childhood – she wasn’t chosen.

But that didn’t bother her one bit.

If she couldn’t just receive power, she would take it – that was her thinking.

From young, she began drawing people in the group to her side, gradually expanding her influence.

At that age, her actions were frighteningly merciless.

By the time she became an adult, she had already covertly taken over the company.

When her grandfather realized, it was already too late.

…And so Seol-a became the de facto ruler of Yuseong Group.

But she was never satisfied with just that.

Higher – taking over all of Korea was her goal.

Therefore.

She didn’t hesitate to use any means necessary.

‘Hello, Miss Seol-a. I’m Egostic. Pleased to meet you.’

‘Miss Seol-a. Would you be interested in collaborating?

Even if it means joining hands with the infamous villain.’

‘Well, why not.’

And that choice was successful.

She already knew he was more of an anti-hero to begin with.

…In the process of interacting, she even learned his true nature and grew much closer than she expected.

With Egostic’s suspiciously abundant support, her expansionist actions accelerated.

After completely seizing Yuseong Group, she set her sights on national politics.

While the president was mired in an embarrassing scandal over ‘the government firing nuclear missiles from the capital’, she combined her influence in the already compromised legislature and political circles to become the power behind the new regime.

…Then, after acquiring all major corporations and taking over the media.

Seol-a had become the complete, de facto ruler of Korea.

…Though after taking over, with the world falling into chaos, she was kept busy trying to stabilize the nation rather than enjoy it…but still.

From a chaebol’s mascot to Korea’s black hand – she had climbed here with her own strength.

This Lee Seol-a.

…Was now facing another crisis, the greatest of her life.

“Seol-a. Just what is your relationship with Egostic?”

Emanating a cold aura, steel blue eyes staring straight at her as she flipped her golden hair – Haru.

Feeling the chilling energy permeating her body, Seol-a steeled herself.

…This moment was an expected eventuality.

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She had prepared for this situation from the start.

Ultimately, it was her who brought together Egostic and Stardust, who seemed impossible.

‘…In the end, all this is for Haru.’

With that thought, she prepared to speak.

With her excellent judgement and persuasion skills, she had reached this point.

She was confident.

…Though the atmosphere felt like one wrong word would end her life.

So.

Hiding her pounding heart, putting on an unruffled expression, lightly smiling as if she had done no wrong.

“Haru? I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Listen…”

She began her persuasion in earnest.

***

Haru and Seol-a.

…They had known each other for 10 years now.

Especially for Seol-a, Haru was her only real friend.

Their relationship was special.

As such, Seol-a knew a lot about her.

Her personality, likes, characteristics, thought patterns – everything.

And so.

…After much intricate, calculated speaking and persuading.

“…Fine. I’ll believe and trust you. For now.”

She succeeded in placating Haru.

…She still looked a bit sulky, but this was good enough.

‘…That was close.’

Watching Haru sip her tea, outwardly Seol-a smiled, while inwardly sweating bullets.

Explaining that Egostic came to her only for business reasons, no personal feelings – how long did that take?

Like tightrope walking, barely succeeding in persuading her best friend.

…At least I bought some time.

Just as Seol-a began to relax.

“…So Seol-a. What was that about Egostream targeting Egostic?”

“Hmm? Ah, right.”

At Stardust’s question, Seol-a replied.

To create a common enemy and build things up for the future, she had told her Egostream was plotting together against Egostic.

Hearing that, Haru’s eyes turned cold as she murmured ominously.

“…As expected. We need to deal with those Egostream villains…”

“No, no! That’s not it, Haru.”

She quickly stopped Haru’s emotionless, frightening murmuring.

“…Then what? Just let him be stolen away?”

Looking at Haru’s frigid response.

Seol-a swallowed and thought quietly.

Now’s the time.

The beginning of Seol-a’s grand plan to resolve the love triangle around Egostic she had designed.

Her reason for connecting Stardust and Egostic until now.

‘…Egostream has strong ties within the group.’

Egostream’s solidarity was formidable. No space to penetrate. They had already agreed to connect with each other.

As such, if Egostream connected with Egostic first, it would be very difficult for Seol-a to interfere. Even if she did, she would take a loss.

‘So it’s best if Stardust connects with him first.’

Stardust. The only person Egostic might open his heart to… And her friend.

Connecting with Haru first would give her an advantage to interfere.

Of course it wouldn’t be easy but…

‘Egostream is the real problem.’

If they found out Egostic was involved with Stardust, would they really give up?

No way.

They’d probably kidnap Egostic, or imprison him. Nothing good for her or Egostic.

Especially if a fight broke out between Egostream and Stardust…

‘Ugh…’

…That would truly be the end of Korea.

She had to prevent that at all costs.

So in the end, for everyone to be happy…

‘Egostic has no choice but to accept everyone, led by Stardust.’

That was Seol-a’s conclusion.

If Stardust took the lead, Egostream would be satisfied just connecting…others too probably. Seol-a could position herself as mediator between Stardust and Egostream, naturally integrating herself as well.

‘…And the law, well, I can change that.’

In other words.

All she had to do now was persuade Stardust.

It was the only way for everyone to be happy.

With that heavy mission on her back, Seol-a began solemnly speaking to Stardust.

“But Haru, Egostream probably won’t give up on Egostic.”

“What…?”

“They might kidnap him…or threaten him with their lives or something. Knowing Egostic’s soft heart from living together, he’d be in a difficult spot.”

Seeing Haru’s expression grow darker at her words.

“As expected…they should all be imprisoned…”

“No…Egostic would be sad then, right? He might resent you. Can you imagine Egostic looking at you resentfully? Could you take it?”

Haru flinched slightly at that. She seemed a bit shaken.

‘…I’m disappointed, Miss Stardust.’

Imagining Egostic saying that coldly probably crossed her mind.

Now was her chance.

“Ahem. Haru. …That’s why, I have a good solution. Where you can connect closest with Egostic while keeping Egostream tied down appropriately.”

“…What is it?”

Seeing Haru’s intrigued expression, Seol-a said calmly.

“Haru. Have you heard of a legal wife?”

Seol-a.

With that, she began preparations to speak in earnest, drawing on her business executive experience.

With the firm resolve that the fate of the world rested on her back.