[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-became-the-patron-of-villains":3,"chapter-became-the-patron-of-villains-became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-171":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Became the Patron of Villains",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},759461,1006,"Chapter 171","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>Inside a massive altar that had existed since ancient times, resembling a pyramid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shaman of the great tribe Kalmak, “Marikula,” who had subdued hundreds of tribes by force and brought them under his control, looked up in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A staircase so high that it would take several minutes to climb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the top stood Hazad, the god his tribe had worshipped for generations, the very being who had transformed Kalmak—once merely a small tribe—into the great tribe ruling all of Karamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marikula could not clearly see Hazad’s figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could perceive was a dark form, presumed to belong to the great god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was not unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how great a shaman Marikula was, he was not permitted to gaze upon the god’s form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those who had been engraved with Hazad’s mark—”the Engraved Ones”—were allowed to witness him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Marikula could tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is in a good mood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could hear the voice of the great god clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that voice was filled with undeniable anticipation and excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What on earth was written in that letter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marikula grew curious about the contents of the letter Hazad had received.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely a messenger, a servant of Hazad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he should not be curious about the letter’s contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, ever since he had begun serving Hazad, he had never heard such an expectant and excited tone from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marikula instinctively covered his mouth to keep his question from escaping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a moment later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Interesting. Very interesting.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hazad muttered repeatedly in his neutral voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he casually let go of the letter in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter began to fall down the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it had been dropped carelessly, it naturally glided down the steps, folding itself neatly as if untouched, and landed before Marikula.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Messenger, deliver this to the one engraved with my mark. And tell them to bring me a reply as quickly as possible.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…May I ask if this takes precedence over your previous command?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes, this comes first.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marikula was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he had to send out an Engraved One, this order was to be prioritized over what he had planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had asked just in case, but he never expected such an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though momentarily shaken, he quickly obeyed and rose to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he watched his servant depart, Hazad murmured with a smirk—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If you are truly alive, this will be quite fun.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[-My one and only friend.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Next Day\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As planned, Alon finished his preparations to depart for the location Rine had arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Rine looked more troubled than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Rine, did something happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, no. It’s nothing, Godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t seem like nothing. You don’t look well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm, but there was clear concern in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine gave a faint smile as if his words had lightened her mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry too much. It’s just because of a dream I had last night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A nightmare?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of dream was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine hesitated to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, Alon raised a hand slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s difficult to talk about, you don’t have to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m sorry, Godfather. It just wasn’t a pleasant memory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s understandable. But if you ever have something troubling you, talk to me. I’ll listen as much as I can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, he wanted to ask her right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the others, Rine was usually not prone to emotional fluctuations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time he had seen her like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, since she was unwilling to speak, he could not force her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Alon was about to turn away—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rine stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he turned back to her, Rine seemed to contemplate something for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with an awkward smile, she withdrew her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing. I was going to ask something, but I realized I already had my answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious she was avoiding the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, let’s get going quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, let’s do that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon chose not to press further and turned away once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After traveling east from Lartania with Rine for about an hour, Alon arrived at a cave in a nearby canyon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the place I found. Does it look right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon surveyed the surroundings before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it seems so. Let’s go inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he followed behind Alon, Evan scanned the surroundings of the cave and suddenly asked a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what’s inside this cave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Roughly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan’s expression became slightly strange at Alon’s answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Given who you are, I thought you might have known the exact location as well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he was recalling Alon’s history of utilizing obscure information that others often overlooked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon’s knowledge always had small gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The game never provided exact locations like this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of what he knew came from the game, and while he was aware of what was inside the cave, he didn’t know its precise location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only knew that it was somewhere within the canyon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it’s like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t know the exact location.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s an odd answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meow.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Blackie chimed in, adding to the ambiguous atmosphere for a brief moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s blocked?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, who had reached the cave’s end, looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon stepped forward, touching the obstructing wall while searching his memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A stone at the bottom right corner of the cave’s center.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down, he spotted an ordinary-looking stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he lightly kicked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening noise filled the cave as the blocked wall began to vibrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lines appeared along the surface as though it were constructed of stacked bricks, and soon, a staircase leading underground was revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow. I never would have imagined this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan’s voice echoed through the cave walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Descending the stairs, Alon and his companions discovered a vast underground waterway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, tied to the side, was a boat—one that had clearly been abandoned for a long time, yet showed no signs of decay or wear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They boarded the small boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the softly glowing luminous stones as guide markers, they followed the long, straight waterway forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After quite some time had passed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you probably won’t answer me, but… how exactly do you find places like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of responding, Alon simply looked ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the waterway, a massive passage came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just any passage—one that bore the marks of time yet was still remarkably well-maintained, resembling a grand chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floor was covered in old but intact marble, and the pillars, though covered in dust, were also made of gray marble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After surveying the scene, Alon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped off the boat, recalling the game’s details in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Forgotten Era’s Royal Palace… was that it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the game, not much was detailed about this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among players, it was simply referred to as the “Ancient Palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason players ever came here was to use the “Footsteps of the Past” to encounter celestial beings and enhance their abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In the game, it was simply: Use the Footsteps of the Past, meet a celestial, and receive a stat boost! But in reality, how does it actually work?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they continued walking, an altar gradually came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon set aside his curiosity for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll find out today.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group arrived near the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait here for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Godfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Rine and Evan behind, Alon stepped alone toward the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, it was made of marble and covered in a thick layer of dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the dust, Alon retrieved the “Footsteps of the Past” from his coat and placed it on the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong~!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it was set down, a strange mechanical hum resonated, and candles ignited with flames of magical energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confirming this, Alon reached into his coat once more and pulled out a piece of cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a remnant from the robe that Kylrus had left behind after being dealt with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Placing it on the altar as well, Alon recalled the instructions from the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his left hand above the Footsteps of the Past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooooooong~!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A peculiar resonating sound echoed in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as a blinding light engulfed his vision—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—his sight was completely washed out in white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when his vision returned—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What lay before him was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A world in ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no words to fully describe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just—ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That one word was enough to encapsulate the entire scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earth was parched and cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lone, withered sapling stood on the dead land, its rotting branches swaying pitifully in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was a chaotic blend of gray and black clouds, exuding an eerily apocalyptic atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is this place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, Alon let out a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unbelievable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing a voice behind him, Alon instinctively turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a voice he was all too familiar with—the voice of Kylrus, the opponent he had fought in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t the end of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon’s eyes filled with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing there was not a goblin—but a human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man with long black hair tied in a high ponytail, dressed in Eastern-style robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arms bore strange tattoos, and his expression remained utterly indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kylrus?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Alon muttered the name as if to confirm, the man, who had been frowning as if displeased with the situation, spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mage, was it you who called me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze met Alon’s, calm yet penetrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that very moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant Alon encountered Kylrus—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan, alarmed by Alon’s sudden disappearance, rushed to the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Rine—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, come on. If I had known he was going to vanish like that, I would’ve shown up sooner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—spun around in horror at the voice she should never have heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Rine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, she saw her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…The Apostle of Greed.\u003C\u002Fp>",1675,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","2795483968607415bc79d25f52f58ced569ef7d742b73b249a7448d4660581bd","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-172","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-170",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]