Transmigrating as an Extra Third-Rate Villain

Taking the painting off the wall, I attempted to hide it beneath my shirt, but... it was far too big as the frame peaked out from below my new cloak. Even if it were smaller, it wouldn't have worked as the guards would have easily spotted it through the abnormal shape of my cloak.

The number of people in the emergency exit area was dwindling, so sooner or later, someone would notice the fact that I was holding a painting and call me out.

Taking out my smartwatch, I immediately sent a message.

[Ren: Outside the museum emergency exit, now.]

Completely covering my face with my new cloak, I activated the dash's usage period before instantly pushing aside everyone with my awakened strength and sprinting through.

Like Moses parted the Red Sea, I created a path through the crowd of civilians by simply pushing them away with my hands.

Nearing the security checkpoint, I slowed to a walking pace and patiently watched.

Dash wasn't teleportation. I could move 10 meters in any direction if and only if there were no obstacles or humans blocking my path.

Honing in on the checkpoint, I saw that there were multiple lines, each consisting of a search of your body and other items. After that, the guards opened a gate, allowing you to exit the building.

Getting into one of the shorter lines, I tapped my right eye, using up the last of my mana, and activated Dragon's Eye, causing my perception of time to slow.

As the guard opened a small gap in the gate, just big enough for the civilian at the front of the line to pass through, I activated dash.

Since Dragon's Eye was still active when I dashed, I saw the guard slowly close the gate more, so I immediately curled myself even more, allowing me to fit through the gate.

Landing on one of the countless staircase steps outside the museum, I lost my balance and began to fall face-first onto the floor, but I stabbed my daggers into the ground, regaining my balance.

Putting my daggers in my new cloak, I walked down the stairs with the painting still in my hands and visible to everyone else before spotting a familiar face.

Leaning against a bicycle, I saw a scrawny teenager with messy black hair and pitch-black eyes that oddly resembled the color of my night-black aura.

Wasting no time with introductions, I got on the bicycle and handed Raven the painting before gesturing for him to get on the seat as well.

Glancing at the painting in his hands and the commotion outside the museum, Raven sighed before speaking.

"Is this painting really worth all of this? Seriously, boss, this might be a new low even for you..."

Earlier, I had been avoiding looking at or examining the painting as it would give me a headache, but giving in to my curiosity, I glanced at the painting for the first time.

...It was... interesting. No...who the hell comes to a museum to see this???

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Making sure that Raven had a tight hold on the painting, I put my legs on the pedal and responded.

"I made a lot of money, alright, don't ask any questions."

"You say that, but then it's my job to clean everything up. Just say you liked the painting and wanted it..."

Recalling the image of the painting in my head, I immediately responded.

"No... just no. I did not want the painting for what was on its canvas!"

"mhm, alright... if that's your story, boss..."

Flying past the museum, I pedaled with all my strength until, finally, the crowd of reporters and civilians surrounding the area was no longer visible.

Stepping off the bicycle, I put away my cloak in the backpack before turning to Raven and carefully handing him back the painting.

"Take this back to the office."

"...you made me take a train all the way here so that I could go right back?"

"This painting is worth more than you; it'll fund our scroll business."

"...Maybe this is worth a lot to you... Most people aren't into this kind of stuff, boss."

"Didn't I already tell yo- Never mind, alright, just take it back."

Nodding his head, Raven carefully concealed the painting using a cover he had brought before. Then, he put the cover on his back like a backpack and got onto the bicycle while staring at me with an expression that said, "Really, you stole this out of all things in a museum?"

As he prepared to leave, I suddenly recalled something, so I called out.

"There's a person still alive inside the painting, so don't go inside it."

Later, I'd check on that guy to see if my corruption truly worked on humans.

Ignoring the fact that Raven almost fell off his bicycle after my last words, I made my way back to the museum's entrance just in time to witness a show.

Three people descended from the sky like angels, each equipped with a cloak plastered with the royal family symbols.

The Heroes had come to save the day!

Of course, the day was already saved by my groupmates, but these officials just had to keep up the stereotype of always showing up after everything was done.

Leaning against the railing of the stairs, I pulled out my smart watch and waited for my groupmates, ignoring the reporters crowding around the heroes.

After a couple of minutes, I suddenly heard a thunderous applause, so I turned my head towards the emergency exit area and saw my 3 groupmates leaving while waving to the admiring members of the audience.

They do know that 2 of the 3 people they're waving at will become humanity's greatest enemy, right?

As the 3 descended down the staircase, I casually joined them, acting as if nothing had happened.

After a minute of silence, I turned to Zach and nonchalantly asked.

"How was it?"

Jumping back in shock, Zach almost tripped and fell down the stairs before responding.

"REN, w-when did you g-get here?"

Not giving me any time to respond, Irene immediately spoke up as if she had been waiting for this opportunity.

"Oh, while we were out saving people, you wanna guess what he was doing? Helping evacuate the people? Calling for help? Nope, he was on his smartwatch! What an outstanding student! Truly representing Celestial Academy perfectly!"

Shrugging my shoulders, I matched her overly cheerful tone as I replied.

"you know, I really do try my best. Your recognition really goes a long way, Irene!"

Interrupting our words of sarcasm, Ruby asked.

"Aren't you guys hungry? Let's get something to eat."

"Good idea, Scarlett; the school recommended a place nearby!"

Following Zach, the four of us headed into the hot-pot restaurant that the school had recommended.

The restaurant was completely empty beside us, so as we entered, the television immediately entered our ears.

"In the recent attack on the HMAM by djinns, brave students from Celestial Academy, alongside heroes from the Central Dominion, stepped up to protect, ensuring that everyone was safe. The museum has yet to make a statement, but from our reporters on the scene can estimate that about 10 people were injured in the attack."

So, they still haven't found out about the missing subspace? Shouldn't that be the first place they look after a robbery, considering it contains the highest-value items?

After ordering and eating the food, the 4 of us explored all the monuments and historical sites mentioned by the school.

After one hour had passed since we ate, the mood of the group became eerily silent as we all waited for our first task to be assigned.

However, as time passed and the clock eventually reached 6, no task was assigned to us. Weird, isn't Liam's group doing a task right now?

As we entered the hotel dining hall for dinner, we heard various rumors already spreading around.

"Didn't you hear group 6 already got sent home for failing their task!"

"Already? How is that even possible? The task was so easy!"

"Idiot, we all have different tasks assigned to us."

Sitting down at the same spot as breakfast, Zach was the first to break the awkward silence as he asked.

"Why didn't we get any task?"

Putting down my fork, I replied.

"Why are you complaining about not getting a task? Shouldn't we be happy?"

Taking my smartwatch, I continued to refresh the latest news websites, but there was no news of any museum items being stolen.

In the statement made by the museum, they didn't even mention anything about stolen artifacts or paintings; they just addressed the safety concerns.

In the book, it wasn't mentioned if the museum released the news of the stolen artifacts, so maybe things are still going according to the plot?

But then again, why wouldn't the museum mention the stolen items? Having the support of the public in finding lost artifacts would be a great help.

Finishing up the last of the food, I was about to get up and head back to the hotel room when Professor Zia suddenly appeared in front of our table.

"The news of the recent museum attack and your involvement had already spread to almost everywhere in this city."

"First, I want to thank you four for upholding the values of Celestial Academy by standing your ground and protecting the citizens from the djinns instead of running away to save yourself."

"To honor you for saving and protecting the museum, the academy and museum will be holding an award ceremony tomorrow. More details will be sent to your phone later, but as your teacher, I just wanted to mention how proud I am of you. Your heroic actions will not go unnoticed as long as I am around!"

After hearing those words come out of the professor's mouth, grins spread on everyone's face for a moment, but when Professor Zia left, everyone's glaze slowly wandered over to me.

...There is a fake among us.

With a cold and deep voice, Irene said.

"She said 4, didn't she? Don't tell me I'm hearing things."

Afraid to talk due to the coldness in Irene's voice, Zach silently nodded his head while Ruby simply continued staring at me.

Why are you staring at me? We are both villains; why would we help the heroes by attacking our own kind instead of just walking away!?

With a grin, I broke the tension by cheerfully exclaiming.

"It truly was a team effort!"