[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie":3,"chapter-rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-chapter-30":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Rise Of The Villain : In a World Ruled By Anomalies",{"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},691525,926,"Chapter 30 : A Gamble","rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>Just as Arthur thought that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if summoned by the thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another arrow came flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one was brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shaft vibrated violently, mana spiraling around its tip like a miniature cyclone. The air ahead of it compressed visibly, creating a distorted ripple that split dust particles apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound it made wasn’t just a whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur felt it before he saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinct moved him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped low, bending at the knees instead of the waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow sliced past his ear—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burning line opened along the outer edge of his ear. A lock of hair was severed cleanly, drifting down in slow motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The projectile detonated against a distant wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fragments rained down like shrapnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shockwave rippled through the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s ears rang faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s deal with him first,\" Arthur murmured under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze locked onto Arlo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The archer’s stance was wide and stable. He had already drawn another arrow. Calm fingers. Efficient motion. No wasted movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the bigger threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a gamble... but I hope it works.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without warning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur dashed straight toward Arlo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t glance back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He committed fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring Marco completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arlo! Be careful! He’s coming for you!\" Marco shouted as he pivoted and gave chase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur accelerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His footwork changed instantly—from defensive retreat to explosive forward pressure. He zigzagged unpredictably, using broken pillars and chunks of fallen masonry as partial cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo began firing rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one glowing faintly green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana howled as the arrows cut through the air in staggered patterns, some aimed at his legs, others at his chest, forcing him to adjust his height and rhythm constantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur weaved between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A graze across his forearm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another arrow skimmed his ribs, slicing fabric and skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third pierced shallowly into his thigh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain flared hot and immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Voidmorph Carapace reacted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black armor surged around the wound like liquid night, hardening just as the arrow penetrated deeper. The shaft snapped under the sudden reinforcement, deflecting away with a metallic crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm blood ran down his leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur knew that if he stopped, only death awaited him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It mixed with sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His boots left faint red prints behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo gritted his teeth and altered his firing angle, aiming not where Arthur was—but where he would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A veteran’s instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger flashed in Arthur’s vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco appeared in front of him in a blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had cut across the battlefield instead of chasing directly, predicting the interception point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smart move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think only you have skills?\" Marco sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t attack wildly this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He attacked precisely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A feint toward the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur raised his sword—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco twisted his wrist mid-motion, converting the strike into a low thrust aimed at the liver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur barely shifted in time, the blade grazing across reinforced black armor that flared and then faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks danced between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco clicked his tongue and pressed in aggressively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Short, lethal thrusts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wasted motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dagger flashing left—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upward—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur blocked two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely deflected a third.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth carved a shallow cut across his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain bloomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped in tighter, reducing space so the sword became cumbersome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close-quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His specialty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s mind raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t outskill Marco with the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the last second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur threw his sword onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade clattered loudly against stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a split second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco’s brain stalled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would he discard his weapon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur stepped inside the dagger’s optimal range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too close for a proper thrust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He twisted his torso sharply, letting the dagger scrape along his side rather than pierce deeply—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And drove his elbow straight into Marco’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BAM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound was sickening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur felt Marco’s nose breaking beneath his elbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bone cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco’s nose shattered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood exploded outward in a red spray, droplets catching the crimson dungeon light like scattered rubies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco staggered back, vision swimming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur didn’t let him breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted his stance fluidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left foot forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hands up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sharp jab to the jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact snapped Marco’s head sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another to the temple—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a brutal uppercut fueled with every ounce of strength he had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur rotated from the ground up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An explosion of kinetic force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco’s head snapped back violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teeth flew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood misted the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dagger slipped from his fingers, clattering uselessly across the stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collapsed to one knee, barely conscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Arthur wasn’t done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed Marco’s collar—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drove a knee into his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the third strike—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco went limp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo froze in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it had happened in just a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He... he beat Marco?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panic overtook him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fired again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rapid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three arrows in quick succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One struck Arthur square in the back—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Voidmorph Carapace erupted again, black plating expanding across his spine in jagged patterns. The arrow splintered on impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pierced into his shoulder before reinforcement hardened around it, preventing deeper penetration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third struck his calf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur felt it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold burn spreading through his veins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poison was spreading. The only thing holding it back from completely overtaking him was the Voidmorph Carapace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heartbeat stuttered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision flickered for half a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artifact responded again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark energy coiling around his bloodstream like a suppressive net, slowing the toxin’s advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t stopping it completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana drained steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breaths grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo stepped backward, trembling, drawing another arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur turned slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood streaked down his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black armor flickered and faded in patches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to finish this fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco, barely conscious, suddenly lunged forward with a final desperate surge of will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed Arthur’s legs tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you waiting for?!\" Marco screamed through blood. \"Shoot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo snapped out of his shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kicked another arrow forward from his quiver, nocked it instantly, and pulled the string back to its limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana condensed violently at the arrowhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"DIE, YOU BASTARD!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow shot forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It screamed through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s voice dropped to a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Blink.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Space distorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His position swapped with Marco.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow pierced straight through Marco’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wet, heavy sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm blood burst outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana dissipated into nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo’s bow slipped from his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marco’s body stood frozen for one second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mouth open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo stared in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impossible... impossible...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We got played... by an F-ranker...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began laughing hollowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur picked up his sword slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each step toward Arlo was steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison still burned faintly inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped from his arms onto the stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the blade gently against Arlo’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The edge pressed just enough to draw a thin red line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give me the antidote now,\" Arthur said calmly. \"Or die, and I’ll take it from your corpse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo collapsed to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I’ll give it to you! Please spare me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled a small vial from his ring with shaking hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I’ll tell you everything! Jordan ordered us to kill you! He’s planning something for Isabella too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur took the vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drank it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The liquid was bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warmth spread through his veins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poison’s burn faded gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow... I really thought I was done for a second.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down at Arlo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks for the confession, Senior.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo pleaded, \"Please... spare me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s eyes turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry. I’m not that nice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One arm fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One leg followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo’s scream tore through the ruined street, raw and broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood poured across the cracked stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you crying?\" Arthur asked calmly. \"You’ve killed before, haven’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Based on blood loss... I’d say you have about five minutes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arlo screamed curses at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur looked bored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or I can speed things up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up a rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Threw it toward the remaining mutated hyena, which was still tearing flesh from Atlas’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rock struck its skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast lifted its blood-covered head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its yellow eyes locked onto Arlo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent of fresh blood filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hyena growled low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then charged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur turned and started walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HELP ME!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wet tearing sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunching bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur did not look back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No hard feelings,\" he muttered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I had lost, it would’ve been me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you would’ve enjoyed watching me get eaten alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued walking toward the large building in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same direction where he had last seen Jordan and Isabella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson sky flickered faintly above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana drifted through the air like embers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur’s footsteps echoed steadily in the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The pieces are in place,\" he murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes sharpened once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now let’s see who comes out on top.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was the Chapter? Tell me in the comments section.\u003C\u002Fp>",1507,"2026-06-02T09:14:48.970Z",1,"novelbin.me","781ad738ea19745bea6c98aad03986ff0ba0d36dead66b5214e7eabe992415c6","rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-chapter-31","rise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-chapter-29",140,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frise-of-the-villain-in-a-world-ruled-by-anomalie-cover.jpg"]