[{"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-258":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},759548,1006,"Chapter 258","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-258",258,"\u003Cp>Alon walked, blankly staring at the city before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ruins remained unchanged from 700 years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why hadn’t he realized this sooner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was lost in thought for only a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he emerged from the long tunnel and arrived at the ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Alon became even more certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That this had once been the capital of the other races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several questions arose in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is it underground?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as Alon remembered, though it had been gray, the sky had definitely been visible in the capital of the other races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the sky might be seen if one broke through the wall here, this place was clearly underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another question soon arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And the name of this ruin is the City of the Old God, Kahara… Ah.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Alon realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no real reason to dwell on that point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The City of the Old God, Kahara’ wasn’t a name given because something was found here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was likely a name given by the first explorer who discovered the ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some questions remained unanswered, while others were unexpectedly easy to resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having sorted through his thoughts to a degree, Alon said, “I'll get going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll wait here, Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have a safe trip.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving farewells from Seolrang and Evan, he walked toward the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the person who could answer his unresolved questions was here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whew—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the tower in the center of the ruins, Alon began ascending without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the top of the tower, which he hadn’t visited in a very long time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s been a while.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the figure of a god, now different from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Oh?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps noticing Alon’s reaction, the god looked down at him with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon gazed up at the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing he saw was long blue hair that reached the waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next were eyes so blue they bordered on icy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And lastly, a long, elegant blue tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm? Did you fall for me after seeing my true form?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragonkin chuckled as if she had found a fun new toy in Alon’s reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alon wasn’t staring at the dragonkin because he had fallen for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because a certain connection had just sparked in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A connection that allowed him to guess the name of the god before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Alon, silent for a moment, said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Yongrin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He uttered the name as if to confirm it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, her previously smiling face subtly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...I never told you my name.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She questioned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if realizing something, Yongrin’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...How did you meet Dowon?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She immediately figured out what Alon had not said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongrin’s expression grew complicated and mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, Alon said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...It may be hard to believe, but I traveled to the past.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly began recounting what he had experienced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s true?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike before, when she always stayed perched on a bookshelf so Alon had to look up at her, Yongrin had now come down to his level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing everything, she showed clear disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Well… I suppose it would be stranger not to believe, since Dowon’s traces still remain.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, she nodded as if she understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Then, you really are Yongrin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if I remember correctly, didn’t you say you sealed yourself away because you were afraid to fight the Black Ones?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the dragonkin—or rather, Yongrin—nodded, Alon asked what had been bothering him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one Alon fought had been Baarma, not the Black Ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To that, Yongrin rolled her eyes and looked at Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon tilted his head in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of evading the question, Yongrin finally said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Don’t people often tell you that you’re slow to catch on?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Slow to catch on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Haa—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a long sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Yeah, you’re right. I did say that when I met you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then was I mistaken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course not.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Alon’s follow-up question, Yongrin sighed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Th—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blushed slightly and shouted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I just said it like that, okay!?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Why, you ask—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongrin fiddled with her bangs for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers twisted and untwisted strands of her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to meet Alon’s eyes directly, she turned her head to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Well, wouldn’t it sound pathetic? The other gods fought the Black Ones and vanished in a grand epic, but I… I survived, only to run away during the Baarma incident, using sacrifice as a pretext.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She mumbled with a slightly gloomy look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...But didn’t you actually buy time with your sacrifice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon asked, but Yongrin shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No, it was running away. Back then, I was the one leading them. I should have taken responsibility to the end. But in the end—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gazed into the air, as if recalling the past, then murmured,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I passed the responsibility onto them instead of bearing it myself.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But still, didn’t you buy them time with your sacrifice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That doesn’t matter. What matters is that, despite exercising authority over those who worshipped me, I failed to fulfill my duty.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was about to say something but closed his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was he someone who couldn’t fully understand the burden Yongrin bore, but he also didn’t want to trample on values she held dear under the guise of comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Values could vary greatly in importance depending on the person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Alon understood that very well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So instead of offering comfort, he said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, there was no one who resented you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...What?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The soldiers, the king, all of them. They may have grieved your sacrifice, but none of them resented you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stated the fact plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Thank you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s sudden...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If what you say is true, then had you not defeated Baarma, those who worshipped me wouldn’t have survived.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongrin sincerely expressed her gratitude to Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right after that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...You can't hear anything?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, I couldn’t hear anything at all even after holding onto it for a few months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon took out the jewel and handed it to Yongrin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he had intended to visit her in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm~]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongrin furrowed her brow as she examined the jewel intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if she had realized something, she let out a quiet exclamation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It looks like it suffered a shock.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A shock?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes, this jewel was originally reconstructed using the divine power I had left, but it seems like some other divine force seeped into it and caused some misalignment.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wasn’t just an ordinary gem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It contains the soul of a mage. Of course, it’s not a regular jewel.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongrin levitated the red gem into the air and began forming geometric patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patterns were different—somewhat foreign compared to the divine power and magic that Alon used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short while—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[All done.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is it over now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes. You should be able to communicate again in about a day.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongrin returned the ring to Alon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[By the way, did you finally manage to acquire your own spell technique?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So, what law did you distort?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you already knew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I do know it’s something about reversing the heavens, but I’m not exactly sure what kind of law it is.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yongrin asked, Alon thought for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a power that overturns the laws of magic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongrin’s relaxed eyes widened once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A visibly shocked expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alon was confused by her reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>####\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apostle of Purity wore a deeply displeased expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was only walking toward the communal cavern entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why did he look so annoyed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because someone had disrespected him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the cave too dark?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it the tension of meeting the one who waited at the end of this cave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Certainly, the being at the end of this path—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very thing he had come to see, this vessel of Purity—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was a being even the Apostle of Purity had to feel wary of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t the reason for his displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly irritated him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Why is the lighting only on one side?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the fact that the cave was lit only on one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to smooth out his frown, the Apostle of Purity clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He snapped his fingers sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bzzzzzt—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lights that had gently illuminated the cave a moment before were all cleanly severed and dropped to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sliced in a single stroke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With lighter steps, he soon arrived at a massive cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the cavern, he saw a man and a woman standing behind his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two individuals with chillingly unnatural auras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apostle focused his gaze on the man among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile twisted onto his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had reviewed him several times for investigation, but the reality surpassed all expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost to the point where he could summon that one right now without any further preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But of course, the Apostle had no intention of doing so yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vessel offered to that great being must be endlessly perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he had come here—to ensure that perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apostle greeted with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seated man looked at him expressionlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You're the merchant, then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rather than a merchant, I see myself as someone who shares hope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of hope, the Apostle pulled out a cube.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man glanced at the cube.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hope? That’s hope?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To those without power, it certainly is. Just absorbing it gives one strength. Wasn’t that why you asked to meet me—because you were interested in this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke confidently, as if he already knew everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment of silence passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what’s the price?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Nangwon’s follow-up, the Apostle’s lips curled into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vessel, who was said to be obsessed with power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he’d heard, the man clearly showed strong interest in the essence of the abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the events played out just as he had predicted, the Apostle felt pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then he spoke of the price he had in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Money isn’t necessary. I just want you to take care of someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To easily remove a troublesome nuisance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alon Palatio—the marquis of the Kingdom of Asteria.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apostle uttered the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a satisfied smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Alon Palatio?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apostle replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want me to take care of him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when something felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The King of Curses still sat in his place, looking down at the Apostle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman behind him remained the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiver—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body... wouldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he had been struck by something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“....”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apostle realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why his body wouldn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A viscous, suffocating intent to kill, so strong that even his instincts had failed to sense it, had wrapped around his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the next moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want me to... take care of my brother...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apostle saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re running your mouth just to piss me off—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From deep within the abyss, it began to stretch—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let me say this sincerely... Good job.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many that they couldn’t be counted.\u003C\u002Fp>",1884,"2026-06-02T12:43:45.412Z",1,"novelbin.me","05a0126d98f5fa3e3dc2046c04cee40038f448d7437f3f16e219fb468887f3ff","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-259","became-the-patron-of-villains-chapter-257",479,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecame-the-patron-of-villains-cover.jpg"]