[{"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-37":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},1506362,1956,"Chapter 37: Unconventional tricks","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-37",37,"\u003Cp>Both teams were attacking desperately — swinging swords, firing spells, scrambling to dodge — but the Silverfang Wolf showed no sign of slowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked almost bored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestia had already collapsed on one knee — panting, mana completely dried up. Sweat soaked her hair, clinging to her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bordon wasn’t getting up at all. He was slumped against the cavern wall — unconscious, blood trailing from his lips. His shield lay on the ground with a deep claw mark carved straight across the metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mariella’s incantations were shaky, half–formed runes flickering and collapsing before they even stabilized. Every time she fired a spell, the trajectory warped — missing the wolf by meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisha’s arrows no longer traveled straight. Her fingers trembled every time she nocked one, and her shots hit nothing but stone — the vibrations of the cavern echoing like cruel laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael still held his sword — but that was all he could manage now. His stance was broken, and every step he took forward was met with the wolf casually batting him away like an insect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every breath burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every heartbeat screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Silverfang Wolf?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its breathing was steady — calm — almost lazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single predator vs eight so–called \"elites.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the difference was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Awoooooooooooooooooooooo—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Silverfang Wolf tilted its head toward the ceiling and released a long, bone–deep howl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Howl of Terror ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sound waves rippled across the cavern like a living force. The moment they hit the cadets — every single one of them froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their muscles locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their lungs constricted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their vision shook at the edges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their minds filled with primal fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisha’s legs buckled — she collapsed to her knees, bow dropping from her fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mariella’s hands shook uncontrollably — she couldn’t even breathe properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestia curled into herself — as if her body instinctively tried to protect her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael — the so–called protagonist — bit his lip until blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he tried to fight the terror... but even he couldn’t move an arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W–We’re... we’re going to die...\" someone whispered, voice shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...no... not like this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—tap...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slow. Calm. Steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small sound — but to the trembling cadets, it hit their ears like a thunderclap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their stiff necks jerked slightly, eyes widening as they forced themselves to look toward the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucien Ashborne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing casually at the mouth of the boss chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy who they despised from their core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment — shame flickered in their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because they were seen weak — but because they had no room to evenfeelembarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Death was in front of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the devil from their classroom had just walked into hell with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is he here!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has he come to mock us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can’t he see the monster!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Run away, idiot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted to shout — but their bodies wouldn’t obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towering death was just ten meters away — and this lunatic stepped in like he was strolling through a garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wave of fear washed across the cavern — but it might as well have been wind brushing past my hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system’s mental–resistance protection ignored it entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cracked my neck lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the perfect moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I walked in earlier — before they’d hit rock bottom — they’d have still had pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I waited too long — the knights would arrive when their vitality dipped too low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now was the golden window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I step in right now — and kill this thing — then in their eyes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wouldn’t just be the villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would be the one who saved their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One giant step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the leverage over every future protagonist event would be mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward into the chamber — feeling their wide, terrified eyes fix on my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>******\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward with my shotgun slung across my shoulder — loaded with the most expensive ammo I had: Crimson Pierce Shells, an advanced attribute round I’d bought last night. Even stronger than mana bullets. Even one shell had cost twenty-five points each.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was trembling. Even Kael — the so-called protagonist — teeth chattering like a frightened child. First time seeing death. First time hearing bones break in front of you. Good experience, really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low growl vibrated through the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Silverfang Wolf turned toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And leaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely dodged — rolled — fired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fired again — grazed its flank — barely a scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fired a third, fourth, fifth shot — and one of the Crimson Pierce pellets finally dug in a deeper wound along its rib — but even that was superficial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>C-class monster hide wasn’t a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I retreated a few meters — chest rising and falling rapidly. Sweat soaked my shirt. My left arm was cut open from a glancing claw swipe earlier — blood trickled warm down my wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast regarded me — not cautious... amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scanned the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every one of them — the righteous, the noble, the elite — slowly sliding away toward the walls, trying to sneak out while the monster’s focus was on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" ... unbelievable,\" I exhaled — low, bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much for noble pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh... looks like I’ll have to use my last resort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf cocked its head. Its steel-colored fur rippled as it lowered its stance — curious — waiting to see what this human insect would do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached into my storage bag and pulled out something that made the onlookers blink in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small jars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vinegar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chili oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fermented pepper slurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he going to season the monster...?\" someone whispered faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Idiots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let this genius educate their tiny brains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feline-type beasts like wolves possess an absurdly developed olfactory system. Their noses are their greatest strength — they smell prey from kilometers away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what happens if you weaponize smell against them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans gag at vinegar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dogs? Cats? Wolves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I popped a jar open and hurled it straight at the wolf’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glass shattered — vinegar and chili paste splattered across its fur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent exploded across the cavern like a chemical bomb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I winced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I had human tolerance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Silverfang Wolf howled — not to intimidate — but in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It rolled. It thrashed — trying to wipe the corrosive scent off its nose and eyes. Its claws raked the stone floor desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This—\" I grinned darkly, taking out another jar, \"—is the power of human civilization, you dumb mutt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another throw — another shatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf spasmed, eyes bloodshot, drool foaming — the scent ate into its senses like molten acid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast tried to stand — staggered — collapsed — writhed — slammed its head on the ground to clear the scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t even fighting anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was panicking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you think I brought just one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached into my storage pouch — pulled out five more jars. Vinegar was cheap — I’d stocked enough to drown a cow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I threw them one after another — rapid fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire cavern smelled like a nuclear vinegar plant exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael gagged from twenty meters away. The noble princess was vomiting, showing her unsightly side to the masses. Mariella and Elisha were not much better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s not mention the extras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They now envied Bordon who was unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wolf was drowning in that smell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was my chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it choked and writhed, blinded by scent, I quickly loaded three Crimson Pierce shells back to back — jammed them into the breach — snapped the shotgun shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fixed my aim on the same wounded depression along its rib.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exhale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"—Die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three shots — boom, boom, boom — fired in the exact same spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the pellets tore through skin — through bone — and buried into the brainstem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Silverfang Wolf spasmed violently once more — then fell limp — its muzzle slamming the ground with a heavy thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boss was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the strongest cadets of the academy... had just watched the \"scum\" do what they couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rested the shotgun against my shoulder — breath still heavy — and glanced sideways at the trembling kids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now then—\" I smirked quietly, voice steady despite the blood on my arm, \"shall we talk about ranks...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1431,"2026-06-06T04:52:01.856Z",1,"novelbin.me","357b8ab7c525f89fff1b3e81556869df596452e8afa64e99994443858eaf3810","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-38","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-36",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]