A VILLAIN'S WILL TO SURVIVE

Chapter 176: Darkness (2)

“That’s how it was,” Allen muttered.

Allen fell silent, pressing his lips together before running his tongue over the inside of his cheek, his face unusually blank as he started to move his legs. I took a single step behind him, and in that moment, the world changed.

We had been inside the walls only moments ago, but with the next step, I found ourselves in the middle of a field of snow. Snowflakes settled on my shoulders, and a biting wind stung my cheek. Whether the space folded or the ground drew near, either way, we were pushed beyond the walls.

Clap, clap, clap—

“You are absolutely remarkable, as always,” Allen said, clapping his hands, the wrinkles on his face had changed. “Perhaps it was my own greed to think I could remain unnoticed?”

I looked at Allen, so alien to his usual self, but my instincts told me that even this version of him was a mask. It was as if he were an onion, layers upon layers hiding the truth within.

“Yes, that was your greed,” I responded.

Shhshh—

Right in that moment, the ground covered in snow flared up, igniting from the energy and ghostly aura that radiated from him, both nothing short of overwhelming. Even with the most conservative assessment, it was clear that his power was far beyond that of an expert.

I instinctively knew that, even if I gave it my all, I wouldn’t be able to put even a single bone back in place against him, for I could feel it—Allen was a person born to kill.

“But you don’t need to worry about me too much,” Allen said, his eyes turning black as if stained by darkness. “Because I was planning to—”

Before he could finish, the ground tore open and a pack of monsters emerged, their strange caws echoing through the air.

Grrr, Rrrr— Grrr, Rrrr—

The demonic beasts with piercing blue eyes, known as Frostdarks, resembled hyenas and were as dangerous as they were deadly, making Allen shoot a quick glance toward them.

Crack—!

It was only a single glance, and in that moment, their bodies twisted in anguish.

Cruuuunch—!

The bones and flesh of the Frostdark twisted and shattered with a grotesque, gut-wrenching sound, as if it had been sucked into a black hole, its form dissolving into a shapeless mass.

“… I was planning to leave, pretending to be dead, this week. But it looks like today will be the day. Not that you would have cared when I did, anyway…” Allen muttered, his foot fidgeting in the snow.

Then, with his lips tight, he took one step, then another, closing the distance between us. Each step was heavy, carrying an oppressive weight that transcended anything I had ever felt.

“Professor, the Scarletborn are watching you.”

Allen stood on tiptoe right in front of me, his eyes meeting mine just below my lips.

“And I will always watch over you as well. Consider this a warning.”

Allen spoke in a detached tone, and I felt the tension in my body slowly begin to dissipate. It was probably due to the resistance from the Iron Man attribute.

“If our clan’s patience runs out, I will not hesitate to kill you. So…”

Allen looked me straight in the eye, no longer the shy, innocent person he once was.

“… Please, take care of yourself.”

The words he had just spoken didn’t match the tension of the ones before, and I didn’t feel the need to look for a death variable in him.

“Was your only purpose in staying by my side to monitor me?” I asked the question that had long troubled me.

“… Yes, it was. I never thought I could keep it hidden forever. But when did you find out? Was it because of the note?” Allen asked.

The question frustrated me, and I shook my head before replying, “Not from the start, not until the end—you know nothing about me.”

“… Not from the start, not until the end?” Allen said, pouting his lips slightly. “Is that really true…? I was hoping to at least learn a thing or two about you. It’s quite disappointing…”

I watched Allen muttering to himself, and as my mind retraced the past, I wondered, When did I first realize his true nature? It had been a while, but the moment I became certain of his difference was clear.

“On the train to Berhert—that’s when it became clear,” I said.

Allen’s eyes widened in surprise as he stared at me, unlike the usual look he gave from before.

“Since we were on that… train?”

“Correct.”

“But then why didn’t you…”

Perhaps it was much earlier than he had expected. He lowered his eyes, and after a brief silence, he smiled softly and continued, “… I see. But, thanks to you, Professor, I’ve had my fair share of fun. Or I suppose I should say, it’s been an honor working with you, Count Yukline.”

The moment Allen smiled, a tiny gap in his distraction appeared, and I took advantage of it and moved my finger.

“It felt as if I were experiencing a part of history that you would be making, Professor. I wonder if that’s the right way to put it…?”

Using the momentum from pinching my thumb and index finger together, I flicked at the spot right on his forehead.

Thwack—!

The flick sent Allen stumbling back, his leg wobbling awkwardly as he reached up, flustered, to rub his forehead. A red bump slowly began to swell on the spot where I had hit him.

“Oh…?” Allen muttered, blinking and stunned by the sudden action.

Allen looked at me with a complete look of confusion, as if the world itself had turned against him, having no idea why I’d flicked him and demanding an explanation.

“Let the punishment for deceiving your superior be one that you accept without complaint,” I said.

Allen stood there, lost in thought, as the winter wind tugged at the hem of his robe.

“Heh,” Allen muttered, twisting his lips into a smile. “… Yes, Professor.”

I nodded and walked toward the wall, since there was no need for more words. If he fully intended to leave, I wouldn’t be able to hold him back.

“Professor,” Allen called from a distance.

I turned around to look at him, and he wore a faint smile.

“Goodbye.”

At that moment, a snowflake landed on my shoulder, its delicate crystal blending with the swirling wind.

“Allen,” I called, a name that was probably not his real one.

“… Yes?”

“You may not know it, but there are a few people on this continent who make me feel like I am really myself.”

If I were the original Deculein, I would have left without a second thought, satisfied to be freed from the death variable.

“And you are one of those few.”

But I was not Deculein; I was still Kim Woo-Jin. And there were certain people in this world who reminded me of who I was.

“It’s not that you were; it’s that you are. Even if you leave, it will remain unchanged, regardless.”

Allen was silent, his eyes wide and round like a deer’s as he looked into mine.

“So, Allen,” I called.

Allen nodded.

“Have you learned much during your time?”

Allen nodded again.

“Was your life as an assistant professor enjoyable?”

Allen nodded once more.

I placed my hand on the top of his head for a moment before pulling it away and saying, “Then, you’ve done well.”

Allen’s eyes flickered, and I finally continued to speak the words I had longed to say.

“It was you, Allen, who helped me when I was up against Veron.”

Allen quickly dropped his head, his face now hidden from view.

“Turning my back on the one who saved my life would not befit the honor of Yukline. Whether you’re a spy sent to watch over me, an assassin waiting for the right moment to strike, or even a Scarletborn—it matters little, Allen. I am genuinely thankful for you.”

Shake, shake— Shake, shake—

“… No,” Allen muttered.

Allen shook his head not once, but several times, as if to deny even his own achievements.

However…

“Ellie.”

At that moment, my expression hardened, and a cold chill spread through my chest. Fortunately, Allen’s eyes were fixed on the ground.

“… My name is Ellie,” Allen muttered.

The name was whispered softly beneath the clear night sky, where the moon and stars remained untouched, like a timid melody.

“Ellie,” I repeated, casually saying the name.

“Yes. It’s Ellie.”

“I’ll remember your name.”

“… Yes. Please, don’t forget.”

With those words, Ellie gave a light push from behind. I could feel the strength in her palm as I was nudged forward a few steps, turning to look back again.

“I should be on my way now,” Ellie added.

As soon as Ellie took a step, she disappeared from sight, likely already far away in the blink of an eye.

“Ellie…” I muttered.

The field he left behind was empty, but I had known all along that he would eventually go, and it didn’t matter much.

Fluff, fluff…

I looked up quietly at the sky, where dark clouds drifted and snow softly settled on my shoulders. My eyes fell to my fingers, still tingling from the flick on Allen’s forehead.

“… Ellie.”

Ellie was a named assassin I knew, carrying a tragic past and an overwhelming reputation. In the world of assassins, she was unmatched on the continent, and even among the Scarletborn, she stood as one of the true monsters in her own right. She was also a character with the most powerful attribute—Space and Perception.

And yet, someone like her was assisting with such minor duties under me as an assistant, I thought.

“I find it hard to believe I flicked her on the forehead,” I murmured.

I was left in a state of utter disbelief.

***

Deep in the forest, a massive tree stump rose from the ground, its rough base worn by time, with Ellie sitting atop it and an egg rolling against her forehead.

Roll, roll— Roll, roll—

“… It hurts,” Ellie muttered.

My head feels like it’s about to shatter, but it’s more than just the pain. Strangely, my heart aches as well. Has the pain spread through my veins and reached my heart?

“You should have listened to what I said. I told you there was no need to get so close.”

Ellie turned toward the sudden voice from behind the tree stump, and as expected, it was Primien.

“Anyway, it’s for the best. If this had gone on any longer, you’d have been dragged off by Elesol without a doubt. Take this,” Primien said, tossing the bundle.

Ellie casually caught the bundle and checked its contents, finding an identification card and a set of clothes inside. She adjusted her appearance to match the photo on the ID card, slightly changing her hair color, the bridge of her nose, and the size of her eyes, while keeping her overall features the same.

“What did Professor Deculein say?” Primien asked.

“… It’s a secret,” Ellie replied.

“Well, I’ll ask Elesol later and find out, anyway.”

Ellie snapped her eyes open and shot a glare at Primien.

“Are you crying?” Primien asked, watching her closely.

“… Sorry? No, of course not. What are you talking about? Ha!” Ellie said, quickly shaking her head and letting out a nervous laugh. “I don’t think I’m even capable of crying…”

Though her eyes were already moist, she knew that Ellie had never shed a tear in her life—not even once, no matter the circumstances. Therefore, Primien simply nodded, as there was no need for her to shock herself with that.

“Alright, go on and meet Elesol then. I have business to attend to here.”

Ellie couldn’t shake the feeling of envy and irritation, her eyes fixed on Primien with visible displeasure.

“The professor has known for much longer than I ever imagined… far longer than I ever thought…” Ellie mumbled, her words barely escaping her lips.

“I know.”

As Ellie appeared unharmed and saw that neither of them had been hurt, Primien began to understand why Deculein had said those strange words that day during their meal with Bethan.

“Damn mushroom soup,” Primien muttered, shaking her head as if trying to shake off a memory.

Ellie tilted her head, unsure of the reason, let out a soft sigh, and said, “… I think this face mask you gave me has been used for too long.”

Ellie lifted the mirror and checked her reflection; once again, it was a man staring back at her.

“It feels like the previous one was my real face… Ugh, please give it back to meee,” Ellie whined.

“… Of course, it was your face, just slightly different. Stop making weird noises and go already,” Primien replied.

Primien gently pushed Ellie, who was pouting, and with that light shove, Ellie took a few steps forward, as if distance meant nothing to her.

“Okay… I’ll get going now,” Ellie replied, waving her hand from a distance, making her seem no more than a tiny speck.

“… That’s ridiculous,” Primien muttered.

Ellie was a walking miracle—capable of teleportation, blending into any environment, and specializing in lethal efficiency. The more she was observed, the more unbelievable her talents became.

She effortlessly controlled the concept of space, a power so dangerous and lethal that by simply shifting the positions of a person’s eyes and nose, she could easily kill. For those with low mana resistance, it was even deadlier, and if she chose to, she could erase 98% of the continent on her own.

“Hmm,” Primien muttered, looking up at the sky as the moon, once hidden by clouds, peeked through and cast its pale light onto the forest below. “… How interesting.”

In the Empire, Deculein was the most feared, the coldest, and the most ruthless hunter of the Scarletborn—a shadow upon the land, known only as the Demon of the Scarletborn.

Once, in Berhert, he was the only mage to stand in defense of the Scarletborn. Even in life-or-death moments—when their very identities were on the brink of exposure—he was the one who shielded them, despite being fully aware that they were Scarletborn.

“… I don’t quite understand.”

Primien couldn’t make sense of what was going on in Deculein’s mind, nor could she understand what kind of person he was—whether his actions stemmed from the nobility’s inherent generosity or from some fleeting impulse.

Primien turned away, her mind clouded with confusion as she pulled a nearly shredded parchment from her pocket—a letter that had barely survived its journey from the distant concentration camp. It was from Karixel, the leader of Roharlak, and written in a code known only to the high-ranking members of the clan.

Roharlak isn’t as bad as you might think. Professor Deculein is keeping all the promises he made to me. There probably won’t be any gas chambers set up here, and we’re preparing for winter with Hadecaine’s forces.

There are a lot of people here who enjoy joking around with each other. Of course, they still know how to keep things respectful and formal, and I feel like I’m starting to fit in with them. I’m even getting a little emotional as I write this, but I swear, it’s not a lie. I’m really happy here.

So Yurine—no, Lillia Primien—please stop Elesol. If the Professor is gone, there will be no turning back. It will be completely irreversible for our people.

The Professor is like a candle, someone who will light the darkness of the future yet to come..

There isn’t much space left on the paper, so I’ll end it here.

P.S. Please burn this letter immediately after reading it. Don’t share any of this with anyone, not even with members of our clan. You know we have spies from the Altar among us.

“… Hmm.”

As Primien read about the reality of Roharlak, so different from what many had expected, a sense of peace settled within her.

***

To hunt a tiger, I needed special metals and ammunition. The metal was Black Iron, and the ammunition required Unicorn Horn Powder, the Venom of Queen Bee Blowa, and a few other rare ingredients.

Even at a glance, these materials were difficult to obtain. The recipe might have been shared, but mass production was out of reach. Even if I gathered all the ingredients, there was still a high risk of failure if the mixture wasn’t perfect.

Even in the actual game, this held true. Therefore, I planned to fully utilize my ductility-category magic, along with my Comprehension and Aesthetic Sense. First, I would melt the Black Iron using Hyperheat, and instead of a casting mold, I’d use Telekinesis. Once the metal was fully liquefied, I could begin crafting the bullets for the revolver’s cylinder and…

“… Won’t that tiny thing be a bit too small?”

As the sudden, chirpy voice reached my ears, I lifted my head calmly, accustomed to situations like this. But when I saw the stranger at the window of the mansion, my teeth instinctively clenched.

“Professor, I was thinking that instead of that revolver…”

A face that reminded me of an old connection from Earth. It was striking how much the child, named Ria, resembled Yoo Ah-Ra as I approached her, with Wood Steel blades around me.

“Oh, wait! Wait a minute! Just let me explain—”

Whooooosh—!

“Ahhh!”

Blades of Wood Steel halted inches from her face, forming a continuous ring around her.

“Oh…?”

Ria trembled like a frightened penguin, her whole body shaking. As she noticed that nothing had happened, she opened her eyes—only to scream again at the sight of the Wood Steel, halted just inches from her nose.

“Ahh!” Ria screamed, curling up into herself.

“Do you have a death wish?” I said, staring down at her.

“… N-no! I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just…” Ria stammered, pointing hesitantly at something behind her.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a long rifle tied to a rope and paused to read its description.

───────

[Tiger Bind Rifle]

◆ Description

: A special rifle made in the Archipelago specifically for hunting tigers.

: Its power is particularly destructive against tigers.

◆ Category

: Treasure ⊃ Special Affinity

◆ Special Effect

: Bullets fired from this rifle gradually tear through a tiger’s hide and muscle tissue.

───────

The Tiger Bind Rifle was a masterpiece of design, crafted for hunting tigers—a treasure no adventurer could claim, no matter how many were sent, nor one that could be found in the backrooms of any auction house.

“This will make tiger hunting so much easier. So, why don’t you join us…? Oh, but not Carlos—just Ganesha, me, and Leo. … What do you think?”

“This is far too dangerous for a little kid like you to handle,” I said, staring directly at her.

With a sweep of Telekinesis, I claimed the Tiger Bind Rifle, which sliced through the air in a swift arc before settling firmly into my hand.

“… Huh? A little… kid?”

“I will handle this fine tool,” I said, snapping open the chamber to inspect its interior as my eyes traced the space within and measured its ammunition capacity.

“No, I came to fight too! We want to help with the tiger hunt, and… Ahh—!”

Bang—!

Before she could say more, I slammed the window shut.

“The Tiger Bind Rifle…” I murmured, running my fingers along its gleaming barrel as I applied the fourth level of Midas Touch, observing the newly added special effect and nodding in quiet satisfaction. “… This should be enough.”

If I could perfect the ammunition, even the mighty Daeho would pose no threat.

Tap, tap— Tap, tap—

“Excuse me~! Excuse me~! That’s a treasure we barely managed to get our hands on~!”

Tap, tap— Tap, tap—

“If you’re not going to let us join you with the hunt, give it back~! Or I’ll report you to the police~!”

From outside the window, Ria kept pounding with a look as if she had been scammed, but her face made me uncomfortable to stare at for too long; therefore, I closed the curtains and turned away.

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