[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-150":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","THE VILLAIN'S POV",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},336787,598,"Chapter 150 150: Vengeance Strike","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-150",150,"\u003Cp>Ultras – The Ancient City of Yharnam\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another explosion painted the ground crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman like hell itself, clad in a golden helmet, her fiery red hair flowing behind her, wielded a massive golden claymore over two meters long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cut down everything in her path, unstoppable, no matter how many stood before her. The sheer pressure of an SS-rank warrior radiated from her slender frame like a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the Vice Director of the Temple, the tyrannical wielder of the claymore—Melina of the Golden Order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blade sent heads flying one after another, never distinguishing between the living and the dead, human or demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sword never stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A towering man stepped forward, his massive frame exposed beneath a sleeveless black shirt, revealing bulging muscles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tank, smashing through everything in his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, a short man in his fifties struck with a terrifying spear that extended with each blow, stirring the wind itself with every strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These three alone had annihilated an entire city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The devastation was far worse than what had happened within the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This unit knew no mercy. They had reduced a city to ruin in mere moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the trio, three others followed silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're really loud, aren't they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in his thirties spoke. He was strikingly handsome, with golden eyes and blonde hair, dressed in a traditional sorcerer's robe with an elegant hat that complemented his attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one paid close attention, they would notice he was the one transmitting everything that was happening here back to the Empire for the citizens to witness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This scene is truly grim…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the voice belonged to a man with a snow-white beard, giving him the appearance of an elderly sage. However, his powerful physique, standing firm like a spear, told a different story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay focused. This is only the beginning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, a figure lurked, face hidden behind a mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had even sensed his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had they not seen him with their own eyes, they would never have believed he was standing among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the strongest assassin in the Empire, Mist Umbra—an SS-rank assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the Church, one of the Three High Bishops—SS-rank Ramiel Callistis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside Melina, another SS-rank warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sorcerer, Luc Valerion—strongest mage of the Imperial Palace, SS-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by the tank, Adam Smasher—the leader of the White Dragon Guild, one of the strongest guilds ever, S+ rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally, Isaac Claude—the Spear Saint and leader of the Shield Guild, S+ rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A squad of just six individuals, sent by the Empire to reclaim its honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more, no less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any additional members would only be a hindrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, their presence alone was equivalent to an entire army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was already the third city to fall at their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the destruction of Ancient Yharnam, the six gathered together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broadcast Luc Valerion was transmitting had a five-minute delay, allowing him to say whatever he wanted without fear of being overheard by those in the Empire. He could always delete whatever he wished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is strange…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who spoke was Mist Umbra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he uttered those words, Ramiel Callistis chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, so you've noticed, 'Man of a Hundred Faces'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramiel continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These cities… they feel like ghost towns. I mean, really—have you seen their state? We've killed thousands, but even if we hadn't, they were already doomed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were frail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if they were nothing more than discarded slaves, left to rot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something is definitely wrong here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all agreed on that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal circumstances, they would have already left after razing all these cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more than enough to send a message to the Empire's enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the pride of the elite warriors gathered here wouldn't allow them to withdraw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not before doing something real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what most of them were thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mist, you're the leader here. Make the call.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin was the one leading this insane squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist remained calm, calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he had already accomplished his mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything that happened today was a warning from the Empire—a declaration that they were ready for war at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, he was also aware of the desires of those who stood beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And still, he ignored them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're leaving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a reason why Maekar had appointed Mist as the leader of this squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disregarding everyone's wishes, he issued the order to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramiel Callistis chuckled loudly, while the others remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're really cold, Mist Umbra… At least try to read the atmosphere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My decision is final. We're leaving now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist was utterly ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the sorcerer Luc Valerion prepared himself with his usual gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, I shall set up the warping circle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luc moved swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blinding light enveloped them, signaling their imminent departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But suddenly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like fragile glass shattering, the teleportation circle collapsed, as if it had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Why the rush?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, everyone grew serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down their spines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew where he had come from, but before them sat a strange old man, ragged in appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh dear, oh dear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a weary smile, Mergo took deep gulps from his drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a terrifying group.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the weight of the names present, the response was immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam Smasher had already lunged forward, his fist wreathed in the destructive aura of his Earth Affinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mighty strike stopped just centimeters before Mergo's face, colliding against an invisible barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer force of the attack obliterated everything around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a violent man you are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo's eyes narrowed for a mere second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam Smasher saw death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lasted only a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the sound of grinding metal and clashing blades shattered the air, shaking the ground beneath them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam had no idea when it had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But standing before him was Melina, her massive claymore blocking Mergo's sword—a blade that none of them had even seen move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even Melina herself, who had only reacted on instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fall back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam immediately leaped backward, while Melina took a cautious step back as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the entire squad had already surrounded Mergo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the old man merely hugged his sword and continued drinking, utterly unbothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melina was the one to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And likewise, none of them had recognized him until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah… This is our first meeting, isn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo raised his drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am Mergo, Lord of the Dark Hive of the Ultras. Pleased to meet you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Lord!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very spot where Mergo had been sitting moments ago exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melina's claymore had struck deep, aiming right where he had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on now… I really hate fighting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo reappeared in the sky, effortlessly evading the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next strike came from behind him—faster than sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger strike from Mist Umbra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh dear…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo spun, executing a circular slash that deflected Mist's attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a colossal fire dragon erupted before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast opened its jaws wide, swallowing him whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In less than a fraction of a second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo's sword cut through fire itself, shattering Luc Valerion's spell entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're all quite hostile, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Melina slammed her foot against the ground, launching herself like a wild golden star straight at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant their blades clashed, the two were locked in a swordfight on an entirely different level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a storm—an unrelenting tempest of steel colliding without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melina always held the advantage. The sheer length and razor-sharp edge of her legendary claymore, one of the Seven Mythical Blades, gave her the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, Mergo was unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword—a silver katana with black edges—moved with breathtaking speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange kind of aura surrounded it, as if the very air around the blade had become a razor's edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can't we fight a little more gently? I hate extra work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perish!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light-infused claymore flared as Melina lunged forward, unleashing a devastating strike that illuminated the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blade's tip had struck precisely against the tip of Mergo's katana, halted with terrifying accuracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Easy there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're a strange old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind, Ramiel Callistis emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of sacred radiance erupted, purging the area in divine light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That stings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't seen it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ramiel Callistis felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strike—so swift it was nearly imperceptible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Severance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of wounds carved through Ramiel's body in an instant, a gruesome, blood-soaked spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That hurts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the holy light enveloped him, instantly restoring his body as if nothing had happened. His expression was one of sheer irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sword… isn't normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo chuckled, while everything around them spiraled into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single strike carried the force of an SS-ranked Awakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all of them rained down upon Mergo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before they could even touch him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single attack was cut apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melina led the charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist attacked from blind spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramiel and Luc assaulted him from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like a grand display of fireworks—monsters clashing against a single old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the elder was utterly unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword deflected everything they threw at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them knew that this worn-out katana was the seventh of the Seven Mythical Blades—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ushigatana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could cut anything—before it even touched it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the hands of Mergo, the terrifying old man, the result was beyond horrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind, Mist focused an attack of concentrated sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer force distorted the space around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strike was aimed directly at Mergo's head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before it could land—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo pressed his fingers against his ears, shattering his own eardrums.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made himself deaf to evade Mist's assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drunken old man continued fighting without his sense of hearing, completely indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah… now I hear nothing but my own thoughts. What a strange sensation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they hadn't gone all out yet, none of them could break through Mergo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he didn't even seem remotely pressured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of Lord was he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was far stronger than Madam A or Gavid Lindman—the foes they had faced in the last war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, his aura's intensity had never surpassed SS-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing among them, Mergo laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, fellas… but you're not going anywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eardrums healed themselves instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're full of yourself, old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramiel's irritation was clear in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Mergo simply laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. After all…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am the strongest Lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam A.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lindman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Tyrant, Godfrey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Lord of the Dark Hive—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None could reach the pinnacle of that sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo exhaled in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe I've stalled you long enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying pressure crashed down upon them, shaking the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless powerful auras were drawing near.\u003C\u002Fp>",1826,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","e8bc8ca6e161519dc20e46523dcb64a88df7fe131a317309745975d60d27e954","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-1","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-149",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]