Although a Villain, My Wish is World Peace

“Yes, a Gate.”

Our primary objective was to apprehend the nefarious elements within this nation and secure resources to facilitate saving the world.

But to accomplish that, we first needed to enhance our capabilities – and nothing accelerated growth more effectively than undertaking Gate raids.

The system itself sometimes provided ‘raid rewards’ that directly increased one’s mana or similar benefits upon successful gate conquest. 

The issue, however…

“But don’t the Gates usually have designated raid teams already assigned?”

As Han Seo-hyeon pointed out, all domestic Gates had designated claimants.

“True, it’s certainly no simple task for total newcomers like us to attempt Gate raids.”

With detection devices locating over 85% of Gates prior to their emergence, they were subsequently allocated to various guilds and private raid teams according to existing contracts.

Even the remaining undetected Gates were immediately auctioned off upon manifestation, so openly claiming one was problematic for villainous outliers like ourselves lacking official legitimacy.

“Unless you’re considering Gate hijacking?”

The ‘Gate hijacking’ Han Seo-hyeon referred to was a common criminal practice among villains.

Either infiltrating publicly allocated raid teams under false pretenses, or slaughtering the external security forces before ambushing the actual raid squad just prior to entry, seizing the Gate through sheer brutality.

Both methods were, of course, blatantly illegal.

“No, I can’t condone slaughtering innocent raid teams.”

“Phew.”

Despite our villainous proclivities involving murder and grand larceny, we refrained from indiscriminate harm.

We harbored no intentions of inflicting suffering upon those simply striving to live uprightly in this world.

“So what did you have in mind, then?”

“Hmm, you’re right that domestic Gates are virtually unattainable for us. But what about overseas?”

In contrast to our nation’s stringent Gate management bolstered by detection systems and high population density, numerous abandoned Gates languished unattended abroad.

“You want us to go overseas again?”

My suggestion caused Han Seo-hyeon visible trepidation, likely recalling his harrowing seasickness from our previous voyage.

“Don’t worry, I’ve properly acquired new identities for us this time. We’ll be traveling by air.”

Upon hearing that, Han Seo-hyeon’s expression brightened considerably. He must truly loathe seafaring.

“Where did you intend to go?”

“Australia.”

Unfortunately, Australia was among the regions afflicted by critically low population density – an amenity prior to the emergence of Gates, but a dire liability in this current era.

Low population essentially equated to fewer individuals available to detect and respond to newly manifested Gates in the area. Naturally, Australia’s Gates had remained largely unmanaged and neglected.

While Gates appearing in populated city centers could be addressed promptly, those materializing in sparsely inhabited outlying regions frequently went unattended until Breakthrough events occurred.

With an originally modest population, Australia had proven incapable of contending with the overwhelming influx of Gates continuously spawning across its entire territory, compounded by the subsequent monster outpourings from those Breakthroughs.

Consequently, approximately 70% of Australia’s landmass now fell under the dominion of rampant monster hordes from those unchecked Gates.

“There are virtually no restrictions on hunters entering the country.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, their stance actively welcomes anyone – even criminals – entering for Gate raids. Hunters of 6 Circle or higher merely need to submit prior notification, and they’ll likely provide a dedicated transport.”

Which was why Australia had become our intended destination.

* * *

True to my expectations, the immigration process was astoundingly lax – to the point of being practically nonexistent, really. Regardless of our backgrounds, the sole concern seemed to be addressing the monstrosities ravaging their lands and the outstanding Gates.

The Australian airport we disembarked at was eerily silent.

“It’s so quiet…”

“Australia’s current situation isn’t particularly well-regarded internationally.”

With half their territory consumed by Gates, Australia’s plight was undeniably grave – having lost the majority of their national lands.

Any self-respecting hunter would avoid this place if possible, so to speak.

Unless suffering from ‘extenuating circumstances’ that precluded meticulous immigration screening like ourselves, no one would willingly come here.

We had registered ourselves as members of the mercenary group ‘Ark,’ with me designated as the captain and Han Seo-hyeon and Kim Jae-ho listed as subordinates. 

Given the dire situation, despite our paltry three-man unit, the official greeted us with a warm smile.

[Thank you for coming to provide aid in these troubled times.]

Among us, only I possessed English proficiency.

[What is the current situation?]

[Not ideal, I’m afraid. From what I can tell, you all seem to be around 4 Circle – is that correct?]

[Yes.]

[Sector 8 is facing critical circumstances, so you’ll likely be deployed there. You’re free to withdraw at any time, but once a Gate has been allocated, you cannot depart until completing that raid, understand?]

I nodded in acknowledgment.

[One condition regarding the Gate allocation, if I may.]

[What would that be?]

[We would prefer to attempt it just the three of us, unaccompanied – up to a B-rank Gate should be manageable.]

The man’s expression betrayed evident concern.

[Typically, B-rank Gates require a minimum of fifteen 4 Circle hunters for the raid team. And solo operations are strongly inadvisable…]

[I understand. But one of my companions has a rather… volatile disposition. His talent causes him to enter frenzied rages upon witnessing blood, you see.]

At my words, the color drained from the man’s face. Turning to Kim Jae-ho, I instructed:

“Smile widely, baring your teeth.”

[Hiiik!]

Witnessing Kim Jae-ho’s unhinged, murderous grin, the man trembled as he hastily allocated us a C-rank Gate instead.

[A B-rank is out of the question! But, if you accumulate sufficient credentials later on, it may become possible.]

I nodded at the man’s amended decision. This compromise was acceptable enough.

Beside me, Han Seo-hyeon inquired:

“So we’re being assigned a C-rank Gate?”

“Yes, for starters.”

After clearing a few C-ranks to establish a track record, we could attempt challenging higher B-rank Gates. While I had been posturing confidently, truthfully, this would be my first actual Gate raid experience as well.

The shuttle transported us to the designated Sector 8, which could hardly be described as a ‘welcoming’ environment – profanities filled the air, accompanied by distant screams.

“What is this…?”

“It’s always like this. I did mention our nation’s Gate management is exceptionally well-regulated by comparison.”

Considering the circumstances, this gritty atmosphere wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Australia had currently lost the majority of its territory. Their approach involved containing the unabated monster spawns from Breakthrough sites on the opposite ends, preventing further outpourings.

“There are likely hordes of monsters roaming beyond those defensive perimeters, released by Breakthrough phenomena.”

“Ughh!”

Gesturing towards the tents lining the walls, I explained:

“Those stationed there are likely combat units tasked with repelling the monsters that relentlessly assault these barriers dozens of times daily.”

If those walls were breached, every individual here would become immediate monster targets. Naturally, tensions ran extraordinarily high.

This location served as both the final lodging for raid teams before departure and the frontline defensive perimeter preventing further monster incursions.

“Tomorrow, we’ll need to penetrate through those swarming monster hordes to reach our assigned Gate.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“So they’re still conducting Gate raids despite this dire situation.”

“There’s no choice. Neglecting other Gates simply because a Breakthrough has occurred would only exacerbate the strain on defensive efforts.”

“I see…”

Seemingly realizing the gravity of the situation exceeded his initial expectations, Han Seo-hyeon’s expression turned somber.

After hastily settling into our pre-allocated tent, a bespectacled diminutive man poked his head through the entrance.

[You must be the Ark mercenary group, correct?]

[That’s right.]

[Ah, you’ve arrived for the C-rank Gate assignment. The earliest deployment window is tomorrow morning.]

The allocation had already been finalized, sooner than anticipated.

[The shuttle departs at 6 AM tomorrow. Tardiness will result in being left behind, so please be punctual.]

Nodding, I relayed the information:

“We depart at 6 AM tomorrow.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, so everyone should rest adequately while they can. There won’t be any leisure time from tomorrow onward. I’ll provide further explanations then.”

Addressing the restlessly prowling Kim Jae-ho, I cautioned:

“Even if you don’t require sleep, wandering outside would be inadvisable. The individuals out there are rather… unruly.”

While the distant monster sounds might agitate Kim Jae-ho’s heightened senses, it couldn’t be helped.

Closing my eyes, I drifted into slumber almost immediately, exhaustion rapidly claiming me.

At 5 AM the following morning, I awoke. Rousing the still visibly fatigued Han Seo-hyeon for ablutions, we gathered our gear in preparation.

By 6 AM, with all our equipment readied, we exited the tent – only to find someone other than yesterday’s liaison awaiting us.

[Let’s board the shuttle first. You can take any available seat that’s comfortable.]

[Understood.]

At my gesture, the bleary-eyed Han Seo-hyeon and the inscrutable Kim Jae-ho followed.

The ‘shuttle’ we were to embark resembled a tank more than a bus – a prudent design for traversing through monster-infested territory.

Exterior artifact emplacements had even been installed to repel any attacking monsters.

“Whoa…”

Leading Han Seo-hyeon and Kim Jae-ho inside, I noted the complete absence of exterior viewing windows. The cramped interior felt suffocatingly confined, optimized solely for withstanding monstrous assaults.

Settling into the tight seating, Han Seo-hyeon swallowed nervously, his face taut with apprehension. In contrast, Kim Jae-ho had already closed his eyes, occupying the rearmost corner – seemingly asleep, unperturbed by Han Seo-hyeon’s furtive glances of concern.

Once everyone had boarded and the door sealed shut, three rather uncouth-looking men took the seats directly in front of us.

[Well aren’t you a scruffy bunch. Please don’t tell me you’re part of our raid team?]

Wherever they existed, certain individuals always felt compelled to flaunt their perceived masculine prowess unnecessarily. We had likely been targeted due to our outwardly diminutive Asian appearances.

Issuing a firm warning, I addressed the man:

[If you’re so eager to expend your energy prematurely before the Gate, I’d advise finding another outlet to indulge your posturing.]

[Haha, what’s the matter – feeling intimidated already?]

Closing my eyes, I remained unresponsive.

If we refused to engage, they would have no choice but to refrain from provoking any further conflict within these confined shuttle quarters.

[Bunch of cowards.]

As the men continued hurling derisive taunts towards my silent countenance, I paid them no heed.

“I think they were saying something rude like ‘pussies’ or whatnot.”

Despite his limited English proficiency, Han Seo-hyeon had clearly discerned the insults directed at us, his face contorting in displeasure.

“Ignore them. Physical altercations are strictly prohibited within these confines anyway.”

[Hey you monkey bastards, what are you jabbering on about over there?!]

One of the men leaned forward, shouting in our direction – when suddenly:

Wham! The shuttle violently lurched, the jarring impact forceful enough to jostle our bodies.

“Ugh!”

Furrowing my brow, I surveyed our surroundings with concern. Without any exterior windows, discerning the cause of that disturbance from within this sealed compartment was impossible.

Was such turbulence normal?

Being my inaugural experience, I couldn’t ascertain whether this qualified as routine or anomalous. Observing the others’ alarmed expressions as they gripped their weapons told me all I needed to know.

Something serious had transpired.