[{"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-133":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},1506408,1956,"Chapter 133: Transcended..?","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-133",133,"\u003Cp>\"You think I’ll let you touch him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. My cute children are about to catch the maid anyway,\" Elena said dismissively. \"You have no cards left, old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merle reached into his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve got one card left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merle’s voice was calm, contrasting with the chaotic screeching of the Shadow Stalkers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one way to help Alicia escape from the clutches of a monster like Elena. Summons typically stopped, or at least faltered, if their summoner was critically harmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merle walked toward the girl with the ivory hair, ignoring the black spike of mana hovering inches from his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his trembling hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A card inspired by the Lumeveil Dimension Research Institute’s final experiment,\" Merle rasped, his eyes burning with a suicidal resolve. \"Be honored, child. You are the first to witness the end of an era. Above all, it’s not my work—it’s my mentor’s relic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena’s smile faltered for the first time. The mana gathering in that small piece of paper wasn’t normal. It felt like a collapsing star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Merle had already flicked his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The card fluttered through the air, landing softly between Elena and himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merle whispered the activation word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Bang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The Capital - Outer District]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Aurelian Empire’s capital was a fortress, the center of the continent, and home to the world’s largest population. It was a symbol of unshakeable stability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on a clear blue afternoon, that stability was shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KAAAA-BOOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening roar erased all sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the slums, a mushroom cloud of pure white mana rose into the sky, tearing through the clouds. A massive shockwave rippled outward, shattering windows for miles and shaking the ground like a magnitude-7 earthquake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bloomed like a beautiful, terrifying flower of destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The Slums - Alleyway]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia turned and witnessed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shockwave hit her a second later, a fierce heatwave that pushed her forward, nearly knocking her off her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow monsters chasing her like rats froze, their connection to the summoner momentarily disrupted by the cataclysmic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Manager.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pause was brief. She didn’t cry. She didn’t look back. She turned and sprinted toward the main road with renewed desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He bought me time. I cannot waste it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached the edge of the abandoned district and entered the gang territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, what the hell was that explosion?\" \"Look! A maid?\" \"Alone in the slums? That’s a signal to get grabbed, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three gang members, recovering from the shock of the blast, saw the disheveled woman running toward them. They grinned, blocking her path with rusted knives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, little lady—urgh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia didn’t even slow down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the gang member reached out, she drew a hidden dagger from her garter. With a fluid motion, she slit his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bitch—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped inside the second man’s guard and drove the blade up under his chin, piercing his brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two kills in two seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt no torment, no guilt. These were not people; they were obstacles between her and her master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Master.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia ran past the collapsing bodies, heading for the main road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creakkkkk...!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cursed sound resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia’s heart sank. The disruption from the explosion had been temporary. Elena had survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SCREEE!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The haunting shrieks chased her. Black, hideous Wraiths crawled on the walls and leaped over rooftops, closing the distance with terrifying speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia sprinted faster. But her legs felt like lead. The[Haste]magic Merle had cast was fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak!Kiaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were right behind her. She could feel their cold breath on her neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Master Lucien!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia ran desperately. She wished fervently. If she turned that alley corner, would Master Lucien be there, like a miracle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew it was impossible. He was at the Academy. He didn’t know she was here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead Shadow Stalker lunged. Its cold, shadowy claws grazed the back of her maid outfit, tearing the fabric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Ah...!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Master... I’m sorry...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous sound tore through the alley. Not a scream. Not a roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An explosion of gunpowder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SPLAT.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow Stalker that had touched her exploded into black mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia’s eyes snapped open. Even muddled by exhaustion, she recognized that sound. It was the sound of safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A gunshot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the mouth of the alley, silhouetted against the smoke of the distant explosion, was a man in a black coat. He held a rifle that smoked with holy light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia shouted, her voice thick with emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien lowered theWinchester. He glanced at the disheveled Alicia—her torn uniform, the blood on her hands, the terror in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he turned his gaze to the Shadow Monsters that had tormented her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were cold. Blue. Merciless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[System Notification][Condition Met.][By eradicating high-tier evil with a weapon of judgment, a locked potential is awakened.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[New Passive Skill Unlocked: Blessing of the Divine (E-Rank)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effect:Your attacks deal 200% Critical Damage to enemies with Chaos, Evil, or Demonic attributes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien sighed, seeing the notification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Great. Now I amdefinitelygoing to be misunderstood as the Executioner.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t time to ponder on that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over to Alicia, pulling a blue vial from his inventory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drink.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia grabbed theHigh-Grade Mana Potionand downed it in one gulp. Color returned to her pale face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien looked at the horde of monsters hesitating at the sight of his Divine Bullets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want them to pay back, don’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia wiped her mouth. A dark, vicious smirk spread across her face—a mirror of Lucien’s own cruelty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just what I needed, Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt her mana recovering. The fire in her core roared back to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien tossed two more potions—Healing and Stamina—to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep these. Don’t die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia caught them. Her arms ignited with crimson flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, Manager Merle is in danger! You should go to the explosion site!\" Alicia shouted, her eyes fixed on the monsters. \"I will take care of these bitches.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien nodded. He looked at the mushroom cloud rising in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave no crumbs, Alicia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien turned and sprinted toward the smoke, disappearing into the maze of the slums.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia turned back to the Shadow Stalkers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fear was gone. The desperation was gone. All that remained was the Frenzied Maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cracked her knuckles, the fire intensifying until the alley glowed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled, and it was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which one of you touched my dress?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ROAR!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She jumped into the horde, tearing the first Stalker apart with her bare, flaming hands. The tables had turned. The prey had become the predator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The Crater - Slums Sector 7]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground glowed a dull, angry red, radiating heat that distorted the air. A thick, white haze rose from the melted cobblestones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the aftermath of[Big Bang], the forbidden alchemical card created by the Lumeveil Empire’s greatest minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh... cough! Cough, cough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merle lay in the center of the devastation. He spat a mouthful of black blood, slowly raising his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first concern wasn’t his broken ribs or the shrapnel in his leg. It was the formal suit he wore so proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The clothes... are ruined.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suit, woven with high-grade defensive enchantments passed down to the Lumeveil Empire’s Chief Researchers, was torn to rags. Without it, he would have been vaporized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Where did that girl go?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With hands trembling from mana exhaustion, he pressed against the scorching earth. As he tried to stand—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, burnt shoe stomped onto his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face slammed back into the hot ash. The pain of burning flesh made his vision swim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I didn’t kill her...!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without looking up, he knew who it was. The Mastermind controlling the Shadow Stalkers. The gentle, ivory-haired cadet,Elena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You survived... that...!\" Merle wheezed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How dare... how dare... HOW DARE YOU!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shoe mercilessly ground his head into the dirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merle forced his eyes open, looking up at his tormentor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could hardly be called a woman anymore. Her gender was indistinguishable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beautiful ivory hair was gone, replaced by a charred, smoking scalp. Her skin had melted and reformed into a hardened, black carapace. Her voice was no longer soft; it was a horrific rasp, like iron grinding against bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From head to toe, she was a ruin of burns and regenerating monster flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She survived... but not as a human.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merle harbored strong doubts. A human mage, no matter how strong, should have died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His doubts led to a hypothesis, then a chilling conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You didn’t summon a demon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at the black claws sprouting from her melted fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You grafted it... into your body...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A story Kael told him came to mind. In the Fern Kingdom, Dr. Eldri had created monstrous creatures using children as ’living vessels.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You turned yourself... into aChimera...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chimera?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena shrieked, the sound vibrating with mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am nothing like those lowly lab rats! I have...Transcended.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Transcended...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1493,"2026-06-06T04:52:02.137Z",1,"novelbin.me","61c904f9ce33788a469ec3b036c55e6f2d5a2ea7382293371b8b9196d83cd3b9","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-134","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-132",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]