Villain wants to live as a commoner chapter 20

“Why is this one out like this? Is something wrong?”

I woke up to someone’s irritated voice. Only then did I realize I had dozed off.

It seemed I had passed out from lack of oxygen in the suitcase.

Had I been too complacent…?

A rough hand slapped my cheek, waking me.

I saw the person who had knocked me out earlier.

As I tried to pull back, I realized my arms and legs were restrained.

My inventory didn’t open, indicating these were restraints specifically for awakened individuals.

“It’s fine, they’re okay.”

A relatively slender kidnapper lifted me effortlessly.

Even with their strength, it shouldn’t be easy to lift a person like paper.

Looking around, I saw all three seemed to be awakened.

I had sent a signal to Kwon Sahyeok, so why wasn’t he here yet?

Well, they did say I was bait.

They’re probably assessing the situation and planning the rescue.

It was uncomfortable, but how long would I have to wait?

I cautiously observed my surroundings.

A mountain villa appeared in the middle of nowhere, where no one would hear me even if I screamed.

Since they left my mouth free, it was likely private property where no one would hear.

The fact that the kidnappers still wore hats and masks was a good sign.

If they intended to kill me, they wouldn’t bother hiding their faces.

I decided to speak instead of struggling.

“Are you guys from Baekmyeon Sect?”

I asked directly. It was obvious.

Kidnapper 1, 2, and 3 remained silent. I continued.

“Did you target something at Somang Guild? Wouldn’t it have been easier to do something other than kidnapping? You’ll definitely get caught this way.”

“Shut up. If you don’t want your mouth ripped.”

Kidnapper 2 snapped.

Seriously, I was just trying to help, and here they were threatening me.

Despite trembling, I stubbornly kept talking.

“What did I say to deserve having my mouth ripped? Feeling guilty?”

“Are you crazy…?”

“An innocent citizen caught by a cult would go crazy, right? Do you know what kind of world we live in now? All crimes get caught. I recently looked into burying someone, and they all get caught.”

“…What did you look into?”

“If you’re a cult, why don’t you spread your doctrine instead of kidnapping people? Did Kyungmin tell you to do this?”

Kyungmin… that is, Kim Kyungmin, was the leader of Baekmyeon Sect.

The reaction was immediate when I mentioned their leader’s name.

“Shut up.”

With a harsh word, kidnapper 2 slapped my cheek.

My delicate cheek didn’t break easily, and the one who hit me clutched their hand in pain.

“What are you doing?”

Kidnapper 1 asked in a scornful tone. Kidnapper 2 glared at me indignantly.

“Damn… Why is this guy’s skin so tough?”

“Can’t you see they have thick skin?”

What’s wrong with my skin?

I’m one of the most delicate-looking people.

It’s just that my S-rank body is a bit sturdy.

Watching kidnapper 2 fuss, kidnapper 3 clicked their tongue.

“Maybe they have some protective skill?”

“Damn it. Damn…”

Kidnapper 2 kept cursing, clutching their hand in pain.

“You’re really pathetic…”

“Shut up!”

The second kidnapper, fuming, raised his hand again, but the third kidnapper stopped him.

I scoffed, mocking him.

The second kidnapper, running out of arguments, just fumed in frustration.

“Can I deal with this bastard?”

“No, you know the rules.”

“What rules? What do you know?”

When I interjected, the first kidnapper gave me an exasperated look.

“I’ve never seen anyone so calm in this situation. Keep your mouth shut while we’re being nice. Unless you want to pass out again.”

“Threatening an innocent citizen, huh?”

Though I wasn’t scared of their threats, I kept quiet for the moment since the kidnappers were leading me into the mansion.

The mansion was damp and dark, giving off an eerie vibe that anyone would find suspicious.

“You should at least turn on the lights. This is why people are prejudiced against cults.”

“……”

“Should I change the lightbulbs as a visiting gift?”

The second kidnapper trembled but didn’t take the bait.

He led me silently down the corridor and stopped midway.

Opening a door, he threw me onto a hard bed.

At least they threw me on a bed, which was relatively humane.

Many would have just thrown me on the floor.

The kidnappers slammed the door shut and left.

I sat up and saw a man around my age huddled in the corner, pale and with red eyes from crying.

“You were kidnapped too?”

“Yes, as you can see.”

When I smiled, the man flinched and then mumbled tearfully.

“These guys are completely insane…”

“They sure seem like it.”

“Why does this keep happening to me…”

“Again?”

I wondered if he had been kidnapped before.

Unlike me, an S-rank with no fear of death, he seemed like a B-rank at best.

I looked at him sympathetically. Embarrassed by his crying, he shrank back and then looked at me, frowning.

“What’s your name?”

“Me? It’s Seo Heewon.”

“Seo Heewon…”

His eyes widened as he repeated my name.

“Wait, did you come from Black Sea Guild?”

I was surprised. How did he know?

“Who are you?”

“I’m… I was from there too…”

Stammering, he looked familiar. I finally remembered his face.

“You’re Lee Doyoon?”

“Choi Dokyum.”

“Oh, Choi Dokyum.”

I got his name wrong, but his real name brought back memories.

We had been trapped in the Black Sea Guild’s lab together.

Seeing a familiar face seemed to brighten Choi Dokyum a little.

“Long time no see. Have you been well?”

“Do either of us look well?”

We both had restraints on our wrists.

Even prison food would be better than this.

Choi Dokyum gave a sheepish smile.

“True…”

“Did they capture you too? When?”

“Four days ago…”

His face darkened.

“Are you okay?”

He nodded, but didn’t look okay at all.

“They seem to be doing some tests… various things…”

His body trembled, finding it hard to speak.

While I had long overcome my lab experiences, Choi Dokyum hadn’t.

Most people wouldn’t.

I had managed my time in the lab and lost all remaining fear after awakening as an S-rank.

“It’ll be okay. We’ll be rescued soon.”

“Yeah…”

Choi Dokyum’s weak response showed he didn’t believe me.

I understood; optimism seemed naive in this situation.

Was Kwon Sahyeok getting my signal?

Even if I’m bait, he should have come by now, seeing me suffer.

I needed to signal him again.

Fumbling with my bound hands, I realized my ring was missing.

Had they taken it?

This was troublesome.

With my inventory sealed by the restraints, there was nothing I could do.

As an F-rank, Seo Heewon couldn’t do anything.

Well… I’ll figure something out.

“Are you okay?” Choi Dokyum asked, having stopped crying.

I shrugged lightly.

“I’m fine. Worrying won’t change anything.”

“True…”

He didn’t seem comforted.

Whether Kwon Sahyeok came or not, I’d have to find a way out myself.

Choi Dokyum looked like he might collapse soon.

Just then, the door clicked open.

A kidnapper in a hat and mask entered. Ignoring the trembling Choi Dokyum, he grabbed me and led me out.

The room we entered was spacious, unlike the stark Black Sea Guild lab.

It was a normal room. The kidnapper threw me onto a saggy sofa.

“Is this him?”

A person lying on a single sofa in the corner sat up and asked.

“Yes, Doctor.”

“Hmm. Seo Heewon…”

The woman, called Doctor, wore large glasses and a mask. Humming, she bent down to meet my eyes.

“You’re Seo Hoon’s adopted son, right?”