[{"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-62":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},1506465,1956,"Chapter 62: Afraid of bugs","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-62",62,"\u003Cp>The three bug-creatures lunged out of the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clicking mandibles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hairy legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiny carapaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skittering of nightmare fuel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...b...bugs?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She SCREAMED.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire exploded out of her staff in a massive wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOM!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire tunnel lit up like she had detonated a small sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chitin and legs flew in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls scorched black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even dust particles evaporated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Alicia—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in full breakdown mode—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was flailing her staff wildly like a chainsaw made of magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Explosions. Flames. Thunder mana sizzling. Wind pressure surging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ducked behind a rock as molten bug-goo rained around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HEY—! CONTROL YOUR OUTPUT!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I CAN’T!!! I DON’T WANNA SEE THEM!!! I DON’T WANNA TOUCH THEM!!! I DON’T WANNA BE NEAR THEM!!! BURN!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive plume of fire engulfed another section of the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRAAAAASH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon ceiling cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl was who was claiming not to be scared of demons or monsters was afraid of bugs—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—the moment she saw something with six legs and antennae?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned into an apocalyptic disaster-bringer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cautiously peeked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was still shrieking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"DON’T CRAWL ON ME!! DON’T CRAWL ON ME!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blasted a lone bug the size of a pebble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a nuclear-level fireball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It disintegrated with the kind of overkill usually reserved for godslaying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alicia!! Those small ones don’t even attack!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I DON’T CARE!! THEY LOOK LIKE THEYWANTTO!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fire magic didn’t just reach Level 5—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was on the verge of leveling the entire subterranean structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held up my hands, trying to calm her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"ELIMINATE! INCINERATE! VAPORIZE! PURGE!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Okay, let it all out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I take everything back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combat training was unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia didn’t need tolearnto fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just needed to be shown a bug\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and she automatically turned into a weapon of mass destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After enough explosions to make the dungeon’s ecology extinct—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia collapsed to her knees, trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were glossy, voice weak:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... hate bugs...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed and patted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up, still shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master... do... do we have to go deeper...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the tunnel ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More skittering sounds echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead-eyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And whispered like a martyr:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t get paid enough for this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The echoes from Alicia’s magical meltdown had barely faded when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire dungeon floor vibrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia froze mid-whimper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I straightened, grip tightening on my rapier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was no tiny bug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD. THUD. THUD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something massive was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skittering of a thousand legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grinding of a huge carapace scraping against stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slowly exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A mini-boss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia blanched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No... no... please don’t be a giant bug... please don’t be a giant bug—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkness ahead split open—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and out crawled a monster larger than a carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A titanic centipede-like beast with a segmented body, glowing green eyes, dripping mandibles, and dozens upon dozens of slicing legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Dungeon Mini-Boss: Corrupted Broodmother]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rank: E+\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Type: Arthropod \u002F Poison\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Threat: Moderate (except to people with bug phobia — then EXTREME)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia took one look—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—and FLIPPED.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She scrambled behind me, clutching my cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"MASTER KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT—!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought you were supposed to be training—!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I WOULD RATHER FIGHT A DRAGON!!! JUST NOT THAT!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Broodmother emitted a screech—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—vibrating the cave walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia shrieked back—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, I inhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t use my rifle here. Not while Alicia was near meltdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"[Haste].\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana surged through my legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body blurred and accelerated — reactions boosted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My movement doubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Broodmother lunged forward—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I vanished from its sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SHING!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I struck, rapier piercing its lower thorax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It screeched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thrashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alicia!! Fire magic at themiddle segment!Avoid the head!\" I shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She peeked from behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saw 300 legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just collapsed like a dead fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Broodmother reared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at Alicia’s unconscious body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I guess it’s just me then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast charged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I used [Haste] again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>darted under it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>slashed tendon-like legs—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>dodged poison spray—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and drove the rapier into its core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Broodmother let out a final, earth-shaking scream—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRRRRRAAAAKKKKK—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—and collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lowered my blade, panting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well. That was fun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia stirred, bleary-eyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Is it over...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Is it dead...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Did I help...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then shoved her face into my chest and let out a muffled wail:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I HATE DUNGEONS WITH BUGS!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I patted her head gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that is why we train.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sniffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m never going anywhere near dungeons with bugs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Agreed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re going to a worse one next time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Outside the Dungeon – Exit Gate]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia stumbled out of the dungeon like a dying soldier crawling away from the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cloak was scorched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair had blasts of static.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dropped to her knees dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Earth... beautiful earth... solid, blessed, bug-free ground...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She kissed the dirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I eyed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you done?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She kept kissing the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed and dragged her upright by the collar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some hunters nearby had seen her \"grand exit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-Wait... isn’t that Cadet Alicia Flameweaver? The fire genius?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another whispered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She looks... traumatized.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia’s head snapped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I AM NOT TRAUMATIZED!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She screeched at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They recoiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-We’re sorry—!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia then pointed at the dungeon and yelled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"THAT PLACE IS CURSED BY THE GOD OF CRAWLING HORRORS!! I SWEAR I FOUGHT A MONSTER WITH A THOUSAND LEGS AND TEETH AND—AND—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut in smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She got scared by harmless beetles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia turned to me with betrayal in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"MASTER!! DO NOT EMBARRASS ME!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do not traumatizeyourself,\" I corrected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She puffed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I amnottraumatized!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alicia tugged on my sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next time I am not going to accompany you anywhere unless you give all the information about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I knew you were afraid of bugs this much, I would have not considered you bringing here myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1013,"2026-06-06T04:52:02.137Z",1,"novelbin.me","cd59e1139f6ae88821abf3436a78346ebc9e71a79402ec0a5c06b64f2250c87a","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-179","i-am-a-villain-so-what-chapter-61",230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-a-villain-so-what-cover.jpg"]