[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-am-i-the-villain-or-not":3,"chapter-am-i-the-villain-or-not-am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-262":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Am I the Villain or Not?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},571637,820,"Chapter 262 - 265: From Now On, There Will Never Be Any Defying-Heaven Titles Again","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-262",262,"\u003Cp>Henny still did not understand what Viktor was talking about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had not done anything at all, so how had she suddenly become the city lord of the Upper City?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor did not explain much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the very center of Sea City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, a stretch of gray mist hung thickly, as if something was being hidden within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That place was Viktor's true destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor turned back again and looked at Henny, calmly instructing her, \"Wait here. I'll be back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny paused slightly, just about to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Viktor's feet, a blue teleportation magic circle instantly rose up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with the blue patterns floating in the air, a violent airflow whipped his black windbreaker into wild motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, Viktor, standing in the teleportation array, turned into scattered starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vanished before Henny's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny was still holding out her hand, watching the faint glowing light drifting around her, her mind feeling a little dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professor… left first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what was she supposed to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Sea Folk surrounded by flowing water came to Henny's side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That person was extremely respectful, even carrying a hint of expectation, as they spoke to Henny, \"City Lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The daily offering time is about to begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny quietly turned her head and looked at that Sea Folk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just him, but the other Sea Folk as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being revived, it was as if they had received some kind of decree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dropped to their knees together and bowed low before Henny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"City Lord!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please lead us to complete the offering!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny felt lost, because she did not know what she was supposed to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, she felt helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything around her felt so unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The torrential rain was still falling, yet Henny had even forgotten to use magic to block it, letting it pound against her body and soak her through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a child who did not know what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at the Sea Folk kneeling before her, unsure how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teleportation ended, and Viktor appeared near this area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air here felt cold and gloomy, whether because of the mist or because this place was naturally like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his head and looked at the white wall before him, wrapped and shrouded in thick white fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fog surged, but nothing inside could be seen clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor stretched out one hand, trying to put it into the white fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the fog was still like a solid wall, airtight, even blocking his hand outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a heavy curtain separating two worlds, mysterious beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Area A7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the name of the central region of Sea City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Viktor knew very well that this fog was absolutely not some simple mist that appeared out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every Sea City had such a place, and in truth, this was one of the abilities of the Water Calamity, Dozale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no living creatures in Area a7, and players could not enter it through normal means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Area a7 had another name, known as the Place of Offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, one could summon the World Boss, the Water Calamity, Dozale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, the conditions to summon Dozale were extremely harsh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You had to find Sea City, gather all of Sea City's Guard Stars, and take control of Sea City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, through offerings, summon the World Boss Dozale from the white fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter where Dozale was in the ocean, it would hear the call of the offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, it would pass through the fissure of the sea and quickly appear in the Sea City that summoned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, it meant the players had to face the boss directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what was the content of the offering?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega grinned and opened its mouth, \"Didn't expect it. Even calamities like eating people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor corrected it, \"Strictly speaking, they're no longer considered human.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sea Folk being able to merge into the ocean and revive endlessly was not some kind of blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was to prevent them from committing suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the meaning of the Sea Folk's existence was to become food for the Water Calamity, Dozale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had to die \"willingly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, the Sea Folk themselves were Dozale's offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the Sea Folk's offerings, Dozale would feed part of its power back into the Lower City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, the Sea Folk who could truly live in the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the ones who truly possessed the 'Blessing of the Sea'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, you need to know that the population of the Upper City of Sea City is dozens, even hundreds of times that of the Lower City,\" Viktor said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, the Lower City is the ocean, and the range of the ocean is likewise dozens of times larger than the surface city of the Upper City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not that the Sea Folk of the Upper City did not want to live in the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply could not do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the Blessing of the Sea, they could not breathe or live beneath the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Sea Folk who lived in the ocean had tasted the beauty of life there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they were even less willing to give up the calamity power granted to them by Dozale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, they completely controlled the Sea Folk of the Upper City, forcing them to accept being raised by the people of the Lower City and become food to feed Dozale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this way, the Sea Folk of the Lower City could always retain the ability to live in the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also why Sea City was divided into two major districts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who lived above the ocean, needing to breathe air to survive, the Upper City people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those who lived comfortably in the ocean, the Lower City people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This iron rule was the same in all Sea Cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Ocean Pact is the foundation of how the Sea Folk are controlled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Sea City, there was a clear hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ocean Pact would gradually assimilate humans into a part of the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those Sea Folk who merged into the ocean would never again be able to escape it, never able to escape Sea City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High-level controllers used the Ocean Pact to control lower-level Sea Folk, and even higher-level controllers used the Ocean Pact to control lower-level controllers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lowest level in Sea City was the Sea Folk of the Upper City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They lived in that area, watched over by the guards of each district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards could control Sea Folk who possessed the Ocean Pact through Guard Stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also why Viktor said that only those who accepted the Ocean Pact would be allowed into Sea City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the controllers could rest assured that outsiders would definitely be under their control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like Viktor, who had no Ocean Pact, would naturally be treated as a heretic the moment he entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately facing resistance and hostility from the Sea Folk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vega tugged at its hoarse throat and spoke, \"So, what are you going to do now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What it meant was, of course, how to summon Dozale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viktor touched the white fog and smiled faintly, \"I didn't bring Henny here just to let her wander around.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless Sea Folk knelt around Henny, hoping she would lead them to complete the offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Henny's heart was filled only with helplessness. She could not understand what this \"offering\" they spoke of actually was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could only speak up and ask everyone, \"Offering… what exactly is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone raised their head, pointed at the flowing water around Henny's hand, and slowly said, \"City Lord, the offering is for us to merge with the ocean.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny looked at the 'Ocean Pact' wrapped around her hand, feeling even more confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, as if sensing Henny's confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding seawater suddenly surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sea surface rose high, and the water rapidly began to spin and gather in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A door-like stream of water opened from both sides, and from the split water emerged countless cold guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gathered tightly together, holding flowing water spears in their hands, their bodies thick and strong, their eyes extremely sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards stepped aside to both sides and bowed in unison toward the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny curiously looked toward the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she only saw a particularly tiny little fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fish was not even as big as her palm. It blew bubbles on the sea surface and looked especially cute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed to notice Henny as well and forcefully blew out a bubble slightly bigger than its own body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it squeezed its body and entered the bubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wriggling nonstop, it floated in front of Henny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fish noticed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Henny's arm was a new Ocean Pact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lifted its head and looked at Henny again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are a newcomer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Henny could speak, suddenly, it noticed six stars displayed on Henny's chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, the little fish grew a bit flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, it narrowed its eyes and spoke solemnly to Henny, \"So you are the Councilor Cravenna from the Council.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny heard this and immediately panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was just about to explain, but the little fish did not give her any chance to speak at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even though you are a councilor, I still want to say that your actions have violated our Sea City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fish said calmly, \"I believe we signed a non-aggression treaty with the City of Mages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny opened her mouth, \"I…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fish sighed and supported its forehead with a fin, \"I'll be direct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly will it take for you to return control of the Upper City to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny felt extremely confused. Her head, which was already dizzy, became even heavier as she said, \"I'm… I'm very sorry, I can't do that…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as those words were spoken, the cold guards around them immediately raised their spears, their gazes toward Henny filled with a chilling readiness to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water on their arms and spears gradually converged, and the entire spear began to tremble slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fish extended its fin and stopped them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It narrowed its eyes and looked at Henny again, \"Councilor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not wish to go to war with the Mage Council. I only want back what belongs to us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more she listened, the more agitated Henny became. She struggled to find words to explain, but her thoughts were tangled and impossible to sort out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fish's aggressiveness and pressure left Henny at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the little fish erupted. It let out a loud roar and leaped into the ocean in an instant, \"The offering must proceed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, the entire sea surface seemed to be covered by night, plunged into complete darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if responding to a call, countless schools of fish swarmed in from all directions, forming a massive underwater current of fish that twisted upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a sea monster diving through giant waves, revealing a brilliantly colored head from the depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relying on the power of the waves, a sea monster formed from an enormous school of fish leapt out of the sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a beast rising into the sky, countless fish spun and circled through the air, and the sky above the sea surface was instantly covered by silver ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White scales reflected dazzling silver light on the dark sea, like hundreds of silver swords dancing across the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The damp air was thick and heavy, cut apart until only a sharp fishy stench remained, slapping against Henny's delicate face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give me the control!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny stared wide-eyed at the wildly dancing school of fish, tears of grievance sliding down from the corners of her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henny had always been gentle, polite, and approachable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, her anger was completely provoked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why won't you…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just listen to someone explain things properly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Henny's sorrowful and angry voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An even larger shadow slid over their heads from behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red eyes among the fish froze for a moment, as if sensing a wave of darkness completely enveloping them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That clearly defined, blood-red body planted one foot onto the sea surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon's crimson eyelids gleamed as it stared fixedly at the school of fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its breathing was rapid and heavy, blasting over the fish like a gale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school of fish suddenly stopped their agitation. Under that shadow, even their silver scales looked dull and dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could react, a thick blood-red arm carrying crimson claws viciously grabbed the head of the massive fish formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large swathes of fish flopped and fell onto the sea surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it did not care in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crocodile fully emerged its head from the darkness, beneath its rough skin blood seemed to flow, veins bulging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive crimson eyes hung on its head, staring viciously at the fish before it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you fucking don't know how to speak properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It split its mouth open. From between its cold, grim teeth came a foul stench, thick saliva constantly dripping, \"Then shut that mouth of yours tight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And take a beating!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FXenosX\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰\u003C\u002Fp>",2218,"2026-05-30T15:48:18.711Z","2026-06-01T04:31:37.164Z",1,"novelbin.me","a9919be4f2f427ba789f892e0206896bd894a44d4029dbda8576477289d726c9","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-174","am-i-the-villain-or-not-chapter-173",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fam-i-the-villain-or-not-cover.jpg"]