Villain Professor of Heroes

“Ah, yes. This is the lobby. There’s a visitor here. They’re a professor from Graford and have come to look over some past activity records. However, no matter how I search, the name isn’t on the list. Yes, yes.”

The security guard conversed with someone on the other end of the phone for a while.

During that time, I looked around the lobby.

The lobby, tiled with immaculate, glossy tiles free from even a speck of dust, was enormous.

The incredibly tall ceiling, approximately five stories high typical of regular buildings, the all-glass walls, and the deliberately exposed steel beams all gave an appearance of extreme sophistication.

Security guards with sharp gazes watched over the people passing through the metal detectors, and patrol teams with detection dogs and rifles occasionally marched through the lobby.

Then, I saw a hero.

A young man sitting in the café on the first floor, engrossed in a mobile game.

The pretty female receptionist sitting next to the security guard currently on the phone was also a hero.

They were there, disguised like this, to respond in case there was an emergency that couldn’t be handled by the conventional firearms held by the security personnel.

Of course, thus far, no deranged villain has directly attacked the Management Bureau.

There were always plenty of heroes working at the Management Bureau, and former and current heroes regularly came by on business.

Even if a villain abruptly decided to attack this place, they’d most likely vanish without a trace within seconds—highly probable outcome.

And there were no villains who attacked in such an open manner either.

“Yes, understood. We’ll let you in.”

The security guard, having ended the phone call, looked up at me.

“Please go in first and check. The Record Reading Room will be your destination.”

“Thank you.”

I slightly bowed my head in gratitude and made my way toward the checkpoint.

The checkpoint was similar to those found at airports. I placed all my belongings on the conveyor belt before stepping through the detector.

Beeeep!! -!!

Suddenly, a red siren went off, emitting an ominous buzzing sound.

That’s strange. I don’t have anything suspicious on me that should trigger this.

“Sir, excuse me, this way, please.”

The security guard behind me called me over and began running a handheld metal detector over my body.

The detector reacted as it passed over my left shoulder.

The security guard’s expression grew tense as he looked at me.

The surrounding security guards subtly placed their fingers on the triggers of the rifles slung across their chests, turning their bodies in my direction.

“Excuse me.”

The guard put down the metal detector and began patting my left shoulder with his hand.

“Is there something?”

When another guard approached, the first shook his head.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything…? Let me check again.”

The detector beeped again as it scanned my left shoulder.

“Sir, could you explain this?”

“I’m not sure why this is happening either.”

I don’t know why my shoulder is reacting to the metal detector.

It’s not as if my bones have been replaced with metal, right?

“We’ll need to take an X-ray. Sir, this way, please.”

The guard guided me to the X-ray checkpoint set up against the wall.

“Take a shot of this person’s shoulder. There’s a metal reaction, but there’s nothing visible.”

“Did you ever have a metal plate or something like that inserted?”

When asked by the checkpoint staff, I shook my head.

“No, nothing like that.”

“Just stand there.”

As I stood on the X-ray platform, the staff member, with an indifferent expression at first, scanned the screen but then squinted, leaning closer.

“What is this…?”

“What? What is it?”

“This person… from here to here, it’s all metal… Hmm… It seems to be some kind of artificial joint.”

“Ahh, is that it? Then there’s no issue, right? Let him in?”

After confirming it’s not something serious, the guard visibly relaxed, removing his finger from the rifle’s trigger.

“If you knew about this, you should have mentioned it sooner, sir. This way, please.”

“Ah, yes, sorry.”

While passing through the checkpoint under the guard’s guidance, I quickly reviewed the original storyline in my head.

Did the character I portray have a metallic artificial joint in their shoulder?

I don’t think that was ever mentioned…

I gently touched my left shoulder, but I couldn’t feel anything unusual.

What could it be?

* * * * *

Anyway, I safely passed through the checkpoint and reached the elevator.

The Management Bureau was vast, with four central elevators alone.

I stood near the one that seemed like it would reach the first floor the fastest, waiting for it to descend.

Soon, the elevator door opened on the first floor, and the people inside stepped out.

They were Management Bureau employees in suits with staff badges hanging around their necks.

As I moved aside to let them pass, one of them stared at me intently.

When our eyes met, they casually turned away and headed toward the checkpoint.

Do they know me?

The Record Reading Room is on the fourth floor.

There, after verifying identities, certain reading rooms are used where one searches for personal records displayed on the screen.

Despite being told there were no records at the entrance, perhaps there would be once I actually arrive.

If not, at this point, I’ll really have to file a formal information disclosure petition.

As a former hero, rather than a professor from the Academy, I aim to legitimately review my past deeds.

Even if I’m refused, I intend to exhaust all methods.

In front of the record reading room, several individuals were undergoing identity verification at the registration desk.

Most were elderly and a few were impeccably dressed in suits.

They seemed to be retired heroes who wished to reminisce about their old glories, or human resources managers checking credentials related to special recruitment of former heroes.

When my turn came, I handed over my ID and stated my name.

“Professor Hyun, GraceSteel.”

After typing on the keyboard, the staff member, like the security guard on the first floor, tilted their head in confusion while examining my ID.

“Um… Is your callsign ‘GraceSteel’ correct?”

“Yes. Please try typing it in English just in case.”

“Yes… E… There’s nothing. Hmm…”

“If so, are there no records under Han Tae-woo or Seo Ji-a, some of my former colleagues?”

“I’m afraid I cannot access other people’s records without an official request.”

“Ah, I see.”

Then… I have no choice but to file a petition.

If that doesn’t work, I might even have to contact Yu Hye-won’s father.

Since he’s from Sikrito as well, he must surely know about me.

Well… let’s call it a day for today.

Just then, the staff member suddenly stood up and bowed to me.

“Hello.”

Confused, I stood still when a low, resonant voice emerged from behind.

“Professor Hyun.”

Turning around, I was surprised to see none other than Yu Hye-won’s father, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, standing there.

“Hello, Chairman.”

“Do you remember me?”

“Of course. I saw you from a distance during the graduation ceremony, and also, you’re the parent of my guidance student.”

At my reply, the Chairman briefly showed a hint of disappointment.

There must be something wrong with my answer.

“What brings you here?”

“I’ve come to review some records from my time when I was active as a hero. However, my name isn’t on file, so I was going to file a formal request.”

“Then let’s talk a bit. About our daughter.”

I thought for a moment and then responded.

“Alright.”

It was my vacation, but since the Chairman was both a parent of one of my students and a highly influential figure within the Management Bureau, I judged that a chat wouldn’t hurt.

And perhaps…

I could learn something about my past.

“Then let’s head to my office.”

Together, we boarded the elevator, and the Chairman pressed the button for the fortieth floor.

Given the general rule that office floors are proportional to the extent of one’s power, the Chairman’s position seemed to rank just after the Director and Deputy Director.

There were probably bureau directors in between, but the Chairman held a special role.

Strictly speaking, he’s neither formally affiliated with the Management Bureau nor an outsider.

The entire ride in the elevator, the Chairman remained mostly quiet.

He appeared to be a taciturn person by nature.

“This way.”

At the fortieth floor, the Chairman briskly walked down the hallway and into his office.

As befits the office of a high-ranking official, the place was spacious, clean, and offered a clear view of the city skyline through large windows.

“Please take a seat.”

As I sat on the sofa, the Chairman pressed the intercom on his desk to order tea and then seated himself opposite me.

“How is Hye-won?”

“In terms of academic performance, she’s impeccable. She consistently excels in all her subjects. Honestly, I sometimes feel inadequate being her academic advisor compared to other excellent professors.”

“Not something to be overly burdened by. Just continue as usual.”

“Thank you.”

After observing me for a while, the Chairman asked.

“Why are you suddenly looking into your past activity records?”

Indeed, although he mentioned a conversation about Hye-won, he quickly moved on to a different topic after that brief inquiry.

So, that was the real purpose of summoning me.

“I have a few things I need to verify.”

“Verify what?”

The Chairman nodded slowly after hearing my response.

Just then, the tea arrived, and we sipped it in silence for a moment.

Why is the Chairman, a former Sikrito operative, curious about why I, also a former Sikrito agent, am searching for my past records?

And what’s his underlying purpose?

Is he warning me not to meddle?

Or does he simply wish to reminisce about old times?

Certainly, the latter is unlikely.

Is it a warning, then?

As in, all Sikrito matters are confidential, so you shouldn’t pry.

However, if that was the case, the Chairman wouldn’t have to personally intervene.

They could stop me at the initial stages or, like in movies, mysterious agents could show up to issue a subtle threat.

Or perhaps there’s some entirely unpredictable third intention?

I have no clue.

However, I can’t simply retreat.

There’s the matter of Han Min-ha, and I’m genuinely curious about my own past, specifically the backstory of the character ‘Professor Hyun.’

If necessary, I was even prepared to ask the Chairman directly, and so I decided not to miss this opportunity.

“From the past…”

Just as I was about to speak, the Chairman cut in.

“How much do you remember?”

How much do I remember?

The question seemed a little odd.

…

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