[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-a-villain-so-what":3,"chapter-i-am-a-villain-so-what-i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-118":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Am a Villain, So What?",{"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},1506393,1956,"Chapter 118: It’s a dogfight","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-118",118,"\u003Cp>\"H-Her Highness... the Princess enters!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orchestral music didn’t just fade; it was strangled into silence. A chill wind seemed to sweep through the warm, magically regulated hall, extinguishing the candles nearest the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Her Highness?\" \"The Princess? She hasn’t appeared in public for seven years...\" \"Good heavens. Is she participating?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles’ astonishment quieted into a fearful silence as a radiant, terrifying figure strode in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First Princess Rumina Aurelian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Valerius was the warm, life-giving Sun, Rumina was a Solar Flare—beautiful, blinding, and utterly destructive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shared the same golden hair as her brother and sister, but hers was styled sharply, cascading down her back like a lion’s mane. Her eyes were not the gentle gold of the Prince, but a piercing, metallic amber that looked ready to draw blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a dress of deep crimson silk that clung to her dangerous curves, slit high up the leg to reveal steel-toed combat boots instead of glass slippers. A black fur cloak hung from her shoulders, fastened with a brooch that looked suspiciously like the preserved eye of a Wyvern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t walk; she marched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack. Clack. Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every step she took on the marble floor echoed like a gunshot. The crowd parted before her instantly, nobles scrambling over each other to avoid blocking her path, terrifyingly aware of the sword hanging at her hip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the Mad Princess. The Empire’s Cleaner. The villain of the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked straight to the dais, ignoring the bows of the terrified Counts and Dukes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valerius, sitting on the throne, narrowed his eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister,\" Valerius greeted, his perfect smile stiffening at the edges. \"We weren’t expecting you. I was under the impression you were... occupied at the border.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumina stopped at the foot of the stairs. She looked up at her brother, a predatory smirk curling her red lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard there was a party,\" Rumina said, her voice raspy and rich, carrying effortlessly to the back of the room. \"And I heard the little ones are playing war. How could I miss it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a formal event, Rumina. Are you participating?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there any reason I shouldn’t?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...None.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valerius and Rumina stared at each other silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their golden eyes clashed—one calm and authoritative, the other wild and chaotic. The air between them crackled with mana, sparking a storm of conflicting charisma that made the air heavy to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet hall brimmed with tense silence. Even the servers froze, terrified that a royal duel might break out right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Enjoy your time, Princess,\" Valerius finally conceded, leaning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May this be an unforgettable day for you too, Prince.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumina turned away, dismissing the future Emperor as if he were a boring statue. She snatched a glass of red wine from a passing waiter’s tray and brought it to her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the far corner, Lucien Ashborne was sipping his own drink, trying to blend into the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a chill shot down his spine. It wasn’t magic. It was instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the vast hall, through the sea of hundreds of nobles, Princess Rumina was looking directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swirled her wine, her metallic amber eyes locking onto his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As their eyes met, she smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a polite smile. It was the smile of a wolf spotting a limping deer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Lucien realized that even a smile could feel like a blade against his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Dungeon Tournament began, tradition dictated that participants conduct final checks in their private waiting rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet was over. The hunt was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood in front of the full-length mirror, examining myself from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone was the Academy uniform. This was a Hunting Tournament. Here, you didn’t just have to look out for monsters; you had to look out for \"accidents\" arranged by rival noble families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, naturally, I had gone shopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[System Item Equipped] [Armor: Shadow-Weave Tactical Suit]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rank: B+\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cost: 5,000 Points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Description: A lightweight combat suit woven from Shadow Silk and reinforced with mana-dampening leather. Designed for mobility and stealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effect: +15 Agility, +10 Stealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Active: Kinetic Dispersal] - Absorbs one heavy impact every 10 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like a formal black military coat, but the material was tougher than steel. It fit perfectly, hugging my frame without restricting movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"5,000 points,\" I muttered, adjusting the high collar. \"It better be worth it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I checked my holsters. The Benelli M4 was strapped to my back, disguised as a long weapon case. The Winchester was at my hip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No issues.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep breath and opened the door to the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to meet up with Alicia and Ariana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned the corner—and froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning against the wall, twirling a dagger between her fingers, was a woman in a crimson dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My breath hitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I finally got to meet you, Lucien Ashborne,\" Princess Rumina spoke, her voice low and vibrating with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stiffened. My heart hammered against my ribs, but I forced my face to remain impassive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I greet Her Highness,\" I said, intentionally letting a slight stutter slip through. Playing the nervous student was the safest bet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Why are you being so nervous?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumina pushed herself off the wall. She was tall. Taller than she looked from a distance. She loomed over me, smelling of wine and blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am just here to say hello,\" she purred, circling me like a shark. \"You have been in quite the limelight these days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped in front of me, her face inches from mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see if you are really worthy of what the rumors say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the air vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a sound. It was raw, unfiltered Killing Intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[WARNING!] [External Pressure Detected!] [User’s Mental Resistance is insufficient!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like gravity had increased tenfold. My knees buckled. It was the pressure of a person who had slaughtered thousands—a Platinum-Rank aura focused entirely on one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t using magic. She was just exerting her will to crush me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Crazy bitch!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoh?\" Rumina’s eyes gleamed as I struggled to stay standing. \"You’re shaking. Is that it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure increased. My bones creaked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[System Defense Activated.] [Armor Effect: Kinetic Dispersal engaged.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hummmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden magic runes stitched into the lining of my Shadow-Weave Suit flared to life. The muted black fabric glowed with a geometric web of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suffocating pressure was instantly dispersed, vented harmlessly into the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gasped, sucking in air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I straightened my back, the fear in my eyes vanishing, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. The act was over. I couldn’t pretend to be weak when I was relying on high-grade artifacts to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Should I just flip everything?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Part of me wanted to draw the shotgun and blast my way out. But having come this far, I couldn’t back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumina stared at the glowing runes on my coat. She looked at my eyes, which were no longer averting hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the pressure disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumina threw her head back and laughed. It was a loud, genuine sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you are not all talk. And you have expensive toys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached out and patted my shoulder. Her grip was heavy, strong enough to crush bone if she wanted to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Very good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned in, her lips brushing my ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Survive the first round, Lucien. If you die to some trash mob, I’ll be very disappointed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled back, winked, and turned on her heel, marching away down the corridor without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood there alone, the glow on my armor fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hands were trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That woman,\" I whispered, wiping sweat from my forehead. \"She’s a monster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I checked my status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Mental Stability: Unstable]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vast hall, paved with black marble and etched with intricate, glowing magic circles, stretched out beneath the banquet hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight hundred and forty-eight participants stood upon the glowing runes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overhead, hundreds of magical recording orbs floated like silent eyes, broadcasting every movement to the nobles sipping wine in the banquet hall above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Dungeon Tournament will now begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Head Butler stood at the podium, his voice amplified by magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Artificial Dungeon you are about to enter is a Level 4 construct, depicting the Empire’s Founding War.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke as if it were a grand, patriotic history lesson, but for those in the know, it was the same recycled map used every year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you know, the purpose of this event is for each family’s promising talents to experience the hardships of our ancestors, achieving mental growth. It is a meaningful opportunity to see how you will lead the Empire in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I adjusted the collar of my Shadow-Weave Suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Mental growth, my ass,’I thought.’It’s a dogfight.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a noble Patriarch had no children suited for combat, they were allowed to send a proxy—a young, promising knight or a mercenary to fight in their name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for the Four Great Ducal Families and the ambitious heirs like me, participation was mandatory. We had to bleed for our reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May fortune and glory be with all participants.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1533,"2026-06-06T04:52:02.137Z",1,"novelbin.me","f0820a83d898d93219531a00c50cebaab79d3a709474149a64373c6526cbb8f5","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-119","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-117",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]