[{"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-34":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},1506359,1956,"Chapter 34: Practical Assessment [1]","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>Instructor Samantha’s voice carried clearly through the briefing chamber — firm, crisp, no nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, everyone. I trust you all used the last three days to prepare properly for today’s practical assessment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\" The class answered in a unified tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded, arms crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Remember — once you enter the dungeon, you will not be directly supervised by faculty. Your decisions, your teamwork, and your survival instincts will determine your results. Do not treat this lightly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes swept across the room — lingering on several students who probably spent more time partying than preparing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she motioned toward the box at her side — filled with thin dark–metal bracelets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come forward one by one. Take these bracelets. They’re artifacts — not accessories. They will automatically record your monster kills. They also track your vitality. If your life force dips below a certain threshold, the emergency signal will trigger and the knights stationed outside will force a rescue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She narrowed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So don’t even think about taking them off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cadets formed a neat line — orderly for the most part — and began collecting bracelets, fastening them to their wrists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once everyone was equipped, Samantha spoke again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gather with your assigned groups. Last chance to reorganize your formation before departure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our \"group\" gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like the other day — the air was instantly sour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two subgroups within the group:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Ariana and me\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Ren and Livia\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physical distance, emotional distance — everything about them screamed:we only teamed because we were forced to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Samantha clapped once, signaling movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s all. Start moving. Group 1 — teleportation hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Groups began marching out. We were tenth — last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teleportation facility was a massive circular chamber of etched stone — dozens of glowing runes carved into the floor — mana circulation winding like threads of silver through the walls. Knights and staff walked back and forth carrying mana cores and ledgers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t \"some school laboratory.\" This was high-level infrastructure. Each teleport activation cost a small fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the academy used it like pocket change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Group 10 — step forward,\" a staff knight called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren was fidgeting — pretending to be confident but unable to hide the tremor in his fingers. Livia clung too close to him — almost bumping shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana walked calmly beside me — composed, steady, no stutter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stepped into the teleport circle, and blue light swallowed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon entrance was nothing like the academy’s polished floors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment we stepped out, rugged stone ground replaced marble. Tall stalactites hung from the ceiling. A faint metallic smell filled the air — minerals and magic combined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dungeon Knights saluted Samantha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good morning, Instructor. These cadets are entering today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll verify their IDs first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We handed our academy cards in sequence — each confirmation rune lighting up green — and then we were led to the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The portal itself was eerie — swirling like an endless vertical whirlpool of deep blue and pitch black. The sensation of standing in front of it was like observing a living beast breathing gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had only seen this in the game...\" I murmured internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing it in person was a different thing entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to my group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The moment we step in — prepare for battle immediately. Don’t let the scenery distract you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They strapped in gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana adjusted her wand, focusing her breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren slammed his shield down once as if declaring pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Livia gripped her staff nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ready?\" I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren scoffed. \"Instead of asking useless questions, move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward — and walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed — and Ariana and Livia behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark stone cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moist walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint dim light — like fireflies floating in stagnant air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our footsteps echoed sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the awkward silence between members made that echo even more irritating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their formation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren and Livia walked side–by–side like a couple on a date — leaving gaps everywhere. Ariana instinctively stayed near me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let it slide for twenty meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then — enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cadet Livia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She jolted like someone stabbed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y–Yes...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The formation is garbage. Even goblins could flank us like this. Hate me or don’t — I couldn’t care less — but if you want to avoid failing, then stand where you’re supposed to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren spun around immediately, annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you say—?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lucien is right.\" Ariana cut in quietly — but the authority in her voice made his mouth clamp shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swallowed his retort instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how \"influential\" Ren thought he was — in front of Duke Solmere’s daughter, he had no qualifications to bark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We adjusted properly this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren in front — shield raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked diagonally behind, providing angle for ranged offense. Ariana mirrored opposite, wand ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Livia — support — finally positioned at the rear with line of sight to all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now we were a functioning party instead of four strangers walking in a cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren inhaled sharply — and raised his shield slightly higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We didn’t have to walk far before the dungeon finally greeted us properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low, guttural growl rippled out of the darkness ahead — and a figure padded into view, teeth bared, eyes glowing ember-red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Red Wolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the weakest F-rank beasts, yet still a genuine monster — nothing like the rabbits and wildlife outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its crimson fur bristled as it lowered its body, circling our front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren stepped up immediately, shield raised, his voice steadying despite his nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll draw it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He activated his defensive skill — Aegis Pulse — a faint ripple of mana coating his shield like a transparent membrane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf took the provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lunged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shield met the claws with a metallic ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Claws scraped violently across the barrier, sparks skittering off the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf snapped viciously — ignoring the rest of us completely — all its hatred locked on Ren due to his aggro skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren opened a narrow window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my shotgun, trigger already half-pulled mid-move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first shot fired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It grazed the wolf’s thigh — not lethal, but enough to jolt its movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second shot nearly caught its ribs — the beast twisted sharply, surviving by instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana didn’t hesitate — flame flared in her hand, forming a small, bright ember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ignis-Dot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple spell — a searing ball of flame — streaked forward, but the wolf darted aside with surprising speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast little bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled and shut out the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Detection] flared — my senses sharpened — mana threads mapping the wolf’s motion in subtle arcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trajectory locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three shots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different angles — yet converging on the same future point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf leaped to avoid the first bullet — only to jump directly into the second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third sealed its fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strangled, pathetic cry echoed through the stone walls—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KIII-ek!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—then the beast crumpled, blood darkening the cave floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...then the rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrenaline surged through me — sharp, electric, almost addictive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My palms tingled from the recoil, chest tight with exhilaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thrill of the hunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason ranged DPS mains in every game refused to roll anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guns really are a man’s romance...\" I muttered under my breath, unable to stop the small grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally lowered my weapon and glanced back at the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren exhaled, shaking out his shield arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah... we’re fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana nodded quietly — cheeks slightly flushed, excitement in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Livia — who had been frightened stiff earlier — looked stunned rather than scared now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clean kill.\u003C\u002Fp>",1287,"2026-06-06T04:52:01.856Z",1,"novelbin.me","18fa87a9f7df91908bca7baff8ad3f38c5c317e241d06772ebca39680734185f","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-35","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-33",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]