[{"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-61":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},1506464,1956,"Chapter 61: Bug’s Nest","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-61",61,"\u003Cp>Name: Lucien Ashborne\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gender: Male\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Age: 16\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Race: Human\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Affiliation: Imperial Academy \u002F House Ashborne\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stats\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Strength: 21\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Agility: 9 (+50*)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Endurance: 7\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Intelligence: 17\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Mana: 14\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Charm: 63\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skills\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Mana Control Lv. 5 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Horse Riding Lv. 3 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Basic Etiquette Lv. 4\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Intimidation Lv. 6 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Cooking Lv. 8 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Marksmanship Lv. 7 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Detection Lv. 7 ↑\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Movement Arts Lv. 6\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Culinary Creator (Passive)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Points Remaining: 5,200\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Neat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My strength stat had finally passed the 20 mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least now I won’t go numb after firing a couple rounds like some frail scholar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the 5,000 points—my reward for neutralizing Eldric’s incident—that was the real jackpot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All in all, I’d call this a very profitable disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was justoneregret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t able to recruit the third villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I arrived in this world a month earlier than the original timeline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That villain hadn’t been kidnapped by Eldric yet, hadn’t undergone the experiments, and thus... he never awakened his terrifying potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, given Eldric was dead, he neverwould.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lost opportunity, but acceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because I gained far more than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My life was actually trending upward for once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My strength had grown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t going to die as nameless background fodder anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My diner business was booming—two more outlets in the capital, both packed every evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia had broken into the rank of an advanced mage—her fire magic reaching Level 5.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana was no longer the trembling rabbit she once was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d found her strength, her talent, her confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, my public reputation was still buried deep in the mud... but who cared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reputation was for main characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extras didn’t need it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as for the people gossiping?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were just that—extras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not worth even a fraction of my mental energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life was good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost... unnervingly good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the next few days, I could be found in the Imperial Academy’s library—practically living there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by tomes, scrolls, grimoires, and theoretical magic dissertations, I spent my days and nights trying to learn spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since my mana stat had finally risen to something more dignified than \"wet cabbage,\" I decided it was time to actually use it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Mana Control Lv. 5, magic theory and spellcasting refused to cooperate with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again, I was reminded of a very simple, painful truth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My talent in magic was absolute trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mymaidhad become an intermediate-level mage in a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia casually tossed out firebolts like someone flipping pastry dough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And here I was... struggling to learn a single damn Fireball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHY DOES THIS NEED SIX SYLLABLES?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHY DOES IT NEED A PERFECT MANA SPIRAL?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHY DOES THE BOOK SAY ’SIMPLY IMAGINE THE FLAME’?! I AM IMAGINING IT, DAMN IT!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days of frustration and borderline insanity later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in Fireball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I learned my first spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Haste]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A support spell that increases movement speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My very first offensive magic breakthrough...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...was learning how to run away faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. Running away is a tactical technique. Not cowardice. Tactical courage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the weekend arrived, I decided enough was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was dungeon crawling time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t going alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alicia,\" I said casually over breakfast, \"let’s go to a dungeon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A dungeon expedition? With Master?! YES!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nearly dropped her spoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had the raw talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had the magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she lacked one thing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>real combat experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I chose a safe option:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An E-class dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bottom tier. For beginners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Appropriate difficulty:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weak monsters, Mild danger, Low magic concentration, Low reward, Low threat of sudden death\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect for a mage’s first fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also perfect for me to shoot some bullets, look cool, and hopefully avoid being crushed by a surprise troll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we prepared to depart, I took one last look at my status window...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...then at Alicia’s bright, excited face...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>E-Rank Dungeon – \"Bug’s Nest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rank wasn’t high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside were, at best, E–F rank demonic beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frankly, Alicia could have soloed this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her current combat power was enough to make many academy cadets kneel in awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...But still, that’s not it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed, stopping Alicia—who was already trembling and pale—only three minutes after entering the dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We hadn’t even encountered a single monster yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she had seen was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some old bug carapace near the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she saw it, she shrieked like a banshee and tried to tear the return scroll on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN GO IN THERE!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay. Then go in and die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an emotional argument, three threats, one shoulder throw, and some necessary physical restraint—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I successfully dragged Alicia inside by the scruff of her cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the while she muttered like a trauma survivor:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does not kill me makes me stronger... what does not kill me makes me stronger...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incredible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a legendary display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get a grip. You need to learn how to fight under any circumstance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lectured as I dragged her through the tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or do you not want to get stronger and reclaim your kingdom?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia’s eyes snapped into focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breathing steadied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her trembling slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t speak again—but the panic subsided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because we had company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah. They’re coming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wh—who’s coming?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think appears in a dungeon? Demonic Beasts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound began to echo through the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A skittering, scraping noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something crawling across stone walls and ceilings—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multiple legs. Many legs. Too many legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia’s complexion faded from pink to ghostly white in real time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"F-first...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I murmured—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—and drew the rapier from my waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade flashed—silver-white in the dim torchlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something lunged from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SWISH—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rapier cleaved through the creature cleanly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smooth resistance—then a wet cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast fell in two halves, collapsing on either side of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...God, that felt satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t going to use my gun here—this dungeon run was meant to be Alicia’s training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rapier was for emergencies only.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightweight. Agile. Efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much better than lugging around a full sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flicked the blade clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alicia,\" I called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stiffened, snapping her staff to her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Time for your first kill. Aim for the front legs. Focus your mana. And remember—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped aside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As three more shapes skittered forward from the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t panic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1093,"2026-06-06T04:52:02.137Z",1,"novelbin.me","97afc11369165dec23671812ee694f51bd73fa7c90ec1fdd19775d1ef44c9eb5","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-62","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-178",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]