[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-174":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},336861,598,"Chapter 174 174: Clash of the Elite (3)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-174",174,"\u003Cp>4 days had passed since the Island Trial began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rain hadn't stopped for a moment, and the faces of the surviving students had started to change, little by little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could no longer function on aura circulation alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no clean water, no proper meals, and barely any sleep… many Temple students were starting to break down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, scattered across the island, red-marked zones began to appear—temporary missions with strict time limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These missions didn't grant points, but instead provided supplies to those who managed to complete them—dimensional rings stocked with up to three days' worth of rations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, those zones became a top priority for many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one such mission zone, a group of students rushed toward a lone instructor standing calmly with both hands behind his back. Upon reaching him, he issued the challenge:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Land a single hit on the instructor—and you pass.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the missions weren't meant to be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hitting an S-rank instructor was no small feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the upperclassmen tried, but none of them even touched the instructor's shadow, let alone his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other mission sites were equally difficult. The Temple had no intention of handing out supplies without a test of worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the instructors? They didn't go easy—on anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, a heavy silence fell. You could see the hopelessness etched into the students' faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four days. Just four days had brought them to this broken state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me try.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice rang out after everyone else had given up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange boy stepped forward, black hair and crimson-red eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor welcomed all challengers without discrimination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a middle-aged man with a rugged face and thick beard—his movements razor-sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy slowly drew his sword, locking eyes with the instructor as he advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without warning, he lunged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword swung with a rhythm that felt oddly familiar—aiming straight for the instructor's neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor, unimpressed, tilted his body lazily to dodge. For a brief moment, he couldn't hide the disappointment in his eyes…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until, at the last second, the sword's path shifted—and ignited in flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strike aimed straight for the instructor's head, forcing him to leap back, just barely dodging it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy was already in pursuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword moved like an extension of his limbs—a terrifyingly fluid style. Even the instructor's expression shifted into subtle admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Name yourself, boy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor asked as he continued evading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dawn Polaris. Elite Class, First Year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor nodded while dodging expertly. It was worth noting—he never counterattacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, even Dawn's overwhelming swordsmanship—the best in his entire year—failed to touch the instructor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man began to lose interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Dawn made an odd move. He threw his sword at the instructor—an amateur's mistake, it seemed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Abandoning your weapon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foolish move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor dodged easily—only to feel a stony hand rise from the ground behind him, grabbing the airborne sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that's what you were planning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a clever trick. But S-rank eyes could read through something like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor braced to dodge the incoming strike from the stone hand—but it didn't swing. Instead, it tossed the sword high into the air, directly above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he realized it, Dawn was already in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With acrobatic precision, he flipped through the air—then kicked the sword out of its hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade shot downward like a meteor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor dodged—barely. The sword nicked his cheek before slamming into the ground with incredible force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stunned, the instructor reached for his cheek. A thin line of blood greeted his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn landed gracefully in front of him, then pointed toward the dimensional ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've got something that belongs to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor smiled and nodded in approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good job… take it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn grabbed the ring and wore it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, the instructor chuckled with a menacing grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suggest you run, kid… the hungry dogs are already circling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn immediately unsheathed his sword, turning toward the students behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He won…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ring… give me the ring…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stealing it from a first-year is much easier than facing the instructor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hungry students had their eyes set on Dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He twirled his sword, fully aware of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like the job's not done yet…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of students launched themselves at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dawn didn't falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His extraordinary talent—Weapon Master—was overwhelmingly effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to swordsmanship, even Snow wasn't on his level. Unless his opponent had something truly unique up their sleeve… they wouldn't pose much of a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the pouring rain…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn wiped out a wave of students ranging from the first to the third years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a sigh and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least now you won't go hungry…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn marched off with a weary expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had another gift… a talent that always helped him survive, no matter the odds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That instinct… that sixth sense he was born with…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been warning him constantly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something is coming…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point in the exam… he was the only one who could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elites were performing astonishingly well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An exceptional swordsman was monopolizing every challenge and mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fierce spearman from the first year had been on a nonstop rampage since day one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Wave Controller wielded ice so fiercely, it was said she altered the island's very environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trio leading the scoreboard…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just… what's going on with the first-years?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were monsters in every sense of the word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As days passed, the conflict only intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— One week since the Island Trial began —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of participants had dropped to less than half…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the most brutal remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful explosion shook the massive island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above a mountainous region, Daemon Valerion ascended with terrifying speed—followed closely by several students and Nightmare Beasts alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were winged creatures with massive crow heads and thick black feathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightmare Beast: Crawler\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class: C\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Points: 3\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon slammed into the wall as violent winds spiraled around him, forming a raging cyclone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storm winds swept away everyone following him, hurling them off the mountain as he continued his climb unhindered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the summit, Daemon leapt forward, lightning crackling between his arms, fusing with razor-sharp wind blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then opened his palm toward the massive Crawlers, as if inviting a lady to dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From that hand… arcs of lightning sliced through the air, striking the flying creatures' heads with surgical precision, turning them into decapitated birds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the grim island sky…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tainted blood fell and mixed with the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have reached your destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rank: 1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Points: +5 base | +20 bonus\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bounty on your head: 230 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon didn't flinch and charged forward once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been on the move for days, searching for him… searching for Snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter hadn't rested either, not since day one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow's blade cleaved through Ganados one after another as he stormed through their ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waves of blue fire erupted endlessly—his presence was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His watch had directed him to target point B5…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was on his way now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Points on your head: 220\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow had been hunted relentlessly due to the massive bounty on him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had slaughtered every single pursuer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes still gleamed as brightly as they had on his first day on the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly… Snow leapt high, dodging a stone spear that exploded where he had just stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a quick glance, he spotted a girl with blazing red hair charging toward the same point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Jessica Thivenin—the strongest among the second-years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Void Step…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a single move, Snow appeared in front of Jessica like a phantom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where do you think you're going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conjuring a storm of blue fire around his blade, Snow slashed downward at Jessica, who blocked the attack with a crescent-shaped curved sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She staggered a step back—but moved her fingers in a strange pattern. In the blink of an eye, an invisible force struck Snow, hurling him backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This… gravity?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jessica smiled as she kept pressing Snow back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now… I'll be taking this point from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the gravitational pressure restraining him… had vanished—leaving Jessica stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why the surprise?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow pointed his hand toward Jessica, and the gravity reversed—slamming down on her, catching her completely off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're not the only one who can manipulate gravity…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn't done yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Void Step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instantly appeared in front of his opponent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time… he unleashed Starforce, his strongest weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jessica responded immediately, raising her guard—but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow moved with such speed that afterimages trailed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword carved brilliant arcs through the air as he exploded into her defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And like shattering glass…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cracks began forming, one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jessica felt dread creeping into her bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she could do… was defend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after dozens—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of exchanges—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jessica collapsed to the ground, her sword flying from her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow drove his blade into the ground beside her face as she gasped for air, her body soaked in sweat and rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks for the duel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his golden eyes, he looked down at her from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jessica didn't know what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was completely unscathed… even his breathing was calm, like he'd just been out for a stroll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn't simply lost… she hadn't even stood a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow didn't eliminate her—since she hadn't tried to kill him during the battle. So he simply turned away and continued toward the next checkpoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That white-haired monster…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't holding back anymore. The fact that he no longer wore his ring was proof enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he were declaring his presence to the world—uncaring of what might come for him in return.\u003C\u002Fp>",1637,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","7451453d7551b4547dd5ffd80526c2be4c6dd5152dc8e78c713e6a1e8e346e41","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-175","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-173",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]