I’m Not That Villain

95 – Transformation (5)

Everyone was sent back, save for those who’d passed the selection.

I stood before the remaining individuals, issuing brief instructions.

“Let’s begin with the contracts. I must reiterate, the moment you sign, it’s as good as contracting directly with Hundred Eyes. There will be no turning back.”

One of the recipients let out a gasp of admiration as they took the prepared documents.

“The terms themselves are truly… impeccable?”

“They’re even meticulously compensating for overtime…”

“And the benefits are decent, too? Individual residences provided?”

“W-well, it’s certainly starting to feel real…”

“…Right? Nothing untoward is going to happen, is it…?”

I waited until they had all signed the contracts. Soon, the pens were in motion, until the last name was committed to paper.

The preparations are now complete. From this point forward, I was in charge of their overall management.

“Alright.”

I discarded the rigid facade.

From now on, it was time to operate as ‘Black Mirror’.

“We’ll divide into teams. Two teams. Ms. Seo Jisoo will lead Team 1, and Mr. Kim Hansoo will lead Team 2.”

“M-me?”

“M-me as well?”

“I won’t entertain objections. There isn’t time. You’ll both receive additional compensation, so I’d appreciate it if you’d take responsibility and act as my messengers to keep your teams in line.”

The artisans immediately protested.

“I, I can do just as well!”

“In terms of skill alone, I’m superior…!”

“No, isn’t this too much of an arbitrary decision?!”

I responded tersely.

“This was spoken judging by skill alone.”

“No, but at best, there’s only a subtle difference…!”

“Isn’t this a bit much! You should at least consult with us!”

“When you get down to it, you’re just partner artisans for Hundred Eyes. The difference in skill isn’t even that significant! Field experience is more important for this sort of work!”

Trouble arises from the start, huh?

I sighed inwardly.

“No need to consult, no need to hear your opinions. Why? Because I’m the chief supervisor.”

“…Still, this isn’t right!”

“And what makes you so special that you can act like that…?”

“Aren’t we all from the same Underground?! We’re fellow artisans, can’t you at least listen to us…!”

Though he let everything else slide, there was this one thing he couldn’t ignore.

“Fellow artisans?”

It seemed there was something he needed to demonstrate before proceeding with any of this.

“I’ll show you what sets me apart from you lot.”

He lifted his work clothes.

“Follow me. All of you.”

. . .

Seo Ji-soo’s gaze met the familiar workshop facilities.

Countless facilities expanded beneath the ground. One of them held this makeshift workshop.

The equipment installed wasn’t impressive.

Each and every piece was nothing more than a used item, barely maintaining its most basic function.

Lee Seo-joon, standing before them, casually loosened his hands.

“Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t throw these away.”

Seo Ji-soo cautiously interjected.

“What… is this?”

“Production equipment. The stuff I used when I first established my workshop.”

“…Excuse me? You made specialized equipment with these old models?”

What utter nonsense was this?

Seo Ji-soo couldn’t help but chuckle incredulously. There was a reason old models were old.

Modern models now automatically handle the minor details, subtly adjusting aspects based on the vast data accumulated over the years.

Using old models would naturally lead to a lower synchronization rate with specialized equipment, that was common knowledge. The fact that technological advancements had increased synchronization rates was widely known.

And now he was saying he’d make something…decent, with this barely functioning equipment?

That meant he’d have to handle everything from the smallest details to the overall form by hand, didn’t it?

“Are you kidding me…”

“Just watch.”

And so, Seo Ji-soo watched.

The sight of common sense crumbling into dust.

“…Uh.”

Flames dance before us. What began as the simple crafting of basic supplies explodes into a frenzy.

So fast. And each individual movement of their hands, almost a form of art. No, more like they’re grasping a concept, a fundamental principle…

Far beyond the capacity of mere machines.

Imperceptible flaws, invisible to the naked eye, caught and corrected in an instant?

And on top of that, they’re modifying the ability factor cells they supposedly just brought as a temporary measure.

Cells infamous for their impossibility of modification, requiring a focus on increasing the assimilation rate. A veritable enigma.

Yet here, before our eyes, with makeshift, ultra-fine modification equipment, they’re reshaping its very form, arbitrarily mixing its inherent properties.

And… it’s…

It’s working again.

As if reversing the original process entirely.

“Wh-what…? They’re changing the ability factor’s form and purpose…?”

“I-is that even possible…?”

This, all of this…

An impossible feat with mere dexterity alone. Modifying an ability factor demands the real-time interpretation of countless variables, deriving a solution almost instantaneously to suit the specific circumstances.

And they’re doing it without any mechanical assistance… No, even with machines, it’s virtually impossible, a realm unexplored by anyone.

They’re just…doing it, with their bare hands?

What’s their internal processing power, anyway? It’s far more precise than any machine, isn’t it?

“I-is…are they human?”

“They’re human.”

The modified ability factor sits plainly before us.

The original owner of this ability factor possessed the power of “Shadow Infiltration.” The ability to literally merge with shadows.

The drawback was the agonizingly slow time it took to enter and exit those shadows. But this modified ability factor has completely eradicated that flaw.

The results of the testing are earth-shattering.

“…No way in hell…”

“Is something like this actually possible…?”

“I-isn’t this practically a revolution?”

“It’s like challenging the domain of the gods…!”

The time to merge and emerge has become drastically faster. Furthermore, the ability, which had previously only allowed a simple exit from the entry point, has transformed into a shocking form capable of slow, but deliberate, movement from shadow to shadow.

Innovation, plain and simple.

No, it was a miraculous ability enhancement, no different from a miracle.

Not creation, per se. Simply a drastic alteration of what already existed.

But still. How many had managed such a feat until now?

Not a single one.

An attempt that no one had ever achieved.

One who couldn’t contain himself stepped forward.

“Um, if we learn…can we achieve something like this?”

He glanced back.

He seemed to ponder, then shrugged his shoulders.

“If you can follow along just by watching, then be my guest. I can’t guarantee anything when it comes to ability factor enhancement, though. That’s a matter of intuition.”

“……”

“……”

Everyone present felt it instinctively.

This was something impossible to emulate.

Seo Jisu felt a throbbing so intense it felt like her heart was being squeezed.

Yes. Let’s skip over that ability factor enhancement. It’s the realm of gods, so coveting it would be strange in itself.

But the outer shell, the work of creating the framework, is a matter of technique. Creating a vessel with a more perfect assimilation rate.

“The process of crafting the objects…that’s something we can learn, right?”

Lee Seojun’s eyes narrowed slightly.

His voice softened just a touch.

“At least there’s one here who sees the essence of things.”

“…….!”

He praised me! Eee! He praised me!

“As Seo Jisu-ssi said, from now on, I will teach you and simultaneously assign you the task of building the framework for specialized equipment – vessels to contain the ability factors. And it will be different from the usual process.”

“In that case…”

“Take a look at this.”

-Swoosh.

A large proposal was placed on the table. The gathered people murmured amongst themselves.

“…What is this?”

The question applied to Seo Jisoo herself as well. Complex blueprints and designs were neatly organized beside her, it was true…

But looking at them, she couldn’t understand. What on earth was this supposed to mean?

“From now on, what you will be creating is ‘exclusive equipment for assembly’.”

“Huh?”

“To be more precise, you could say it’s closer to a mass-production type. It’s still in the early stages of development, but we plan to realize the minimum assembly material capable of becoming the vessel for any exclusive equipment. It’s an idea I’ve pondered before, so I was able to establish a direction without much difficulty.”

“…What does that…?”

The man continued.

Seo Jisoo could only blink, the words were so unbelievable.

“We plan to ‘assemble’ exclusive equipment using mass-produced exclusive equipment minimum assembly material, otherwise known as ‘Hector.’ However, the reason we abandoned this idea before was because its limitations were clear. Because it’s not a naturally occurring substance, its maximum assimilation rate was only 130 to 140% at best. And its durability was also extremely low. It’s a substance that will break down unless it undergoes regular repairs once a month.”

“W-wait a moment. Maximum assimilation rate of over a hundred percent…? Is that…is that even possible?”

Lee Seojun clicked his tongue.

“I never even considered creating a tool that would eat away at the user’s own power. A tool beyond a tool. Only then can it be expressed as exclusive equipment. Anyway, what we’re aiming for now is exclusive equipment that draws out 140% of the user’s ability. And I will decide the direction of that 140%. What you will do is use this substance called Hector to assemble it into the most suitable form for the user. The important thing is that this is not just simple assembly.”

“……. “

“It’s more difficult than handling simple metal. The material itself is fickle and difficult to handle, requiring high levels of judgment and dexterity suitable for each situation. There are many variables. It is so erratic that it is impossible to control with machines. You can think of it as a living, breathing metal creature. Only the autonomous judgment of a skilled artisan can make the best decision according to the changing circumstances. Humans are best at adapting their posture to living things.”

“…Good heavens.”

“What have I just heard…?”

“A, a new substance…? What is this…”

“You will need to quickly become familiar with this assembly material. Ten days. I’ll give you exactly ten days. I’ll be right there to personally look after your shortcomings, so you’ll have to learn quickly. Rest is forbidden. While you have your eyes open and are awake, you must only touch this substance. Even if you don’t want to, the surveillance personnel of Hundred Eyes will make sure of it…”

Lee Seojun said sternly.

“Think of yourselves as dead and learn. Then you can get everything you want. Not only instantaneous judgment, dexterity, and technique…but also wealth. However, giving up in the process is not allowed. Remember that divulging this technology to the outside is also prohibited. Anyone who divulges it…well…I believe you understand without me having to say it.”

“……. “

“……. “

“Let’s start right away without dragging things out.”

Lee Seojun clapped his hands lightly to draw attention.

“Time is money, after all.”