[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-180":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},336867,598,"Chapter 180 180: Cold war","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-180",180,"\u003Cp>Earlier… Frey Starlight had seen what happened to Snow and Daemon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk Eyes made spotting things from a distance trivial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite how rough things looked for them, Frey knew his chosen hero would survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow was made to be the perfect version of the writer—of Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Superior in every way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being like that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn't possibly fall to something like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, unlike the rest of the Empire—who watched in fear and uncertainty—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey remained calm, continuing through the trial without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>–Day 17 on the Island–\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>–Ding!–\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ranking Update:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>10 – Ragna Claude (Year One): 2,400 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>9 – Dawn Polaris (Year One): 2,650 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>8 – Danzo Smasher (Year One): 2,680 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>7 – Raegan Zennin (Year Three): 2,800 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>6 – Seris Moonlight (Year One): 2,900 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5 – Ghost Umbra (Year One): 3,000 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4 – Magnus Greil (Year Three): 3,750 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3 – Frey Starlight (Year One): 3,800 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 – Snow Lionheart (Year One): 4,500 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 – Daemon Valerion (Year One): 4,500 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow Lionheart and Daemon Valerion's scores had been frozen for two full days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, the gap between them and the rest of the competition was still massive—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A result of their ferocious rivalry since Day 10.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, earning points had become significantly harder now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady of Eight Legs had plunged the entire island into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued to destroy everything in her path—relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the first day of her appearance, a few fools tried to attack her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even succeeded in severing one of her legs…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they regretted it deeply—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because two legs grew in its place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady of Eight Legs—whenever she lost a limb, two more would grow, almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one stronger than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She now had ten legs—and was actively eliminating students one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the instructors were intervening directly to extract eliminated students, since her venom was instantly lethal—a single touch meant death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of players had dropped at a terrifying pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, everyone avoided her location completely, even if their watches directed them there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite a few deaths, Ivar succeeded in his goal—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing the students to experience the terror of beings far beyond their strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People like Frey never needed that kind of lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With more than half the exam completed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only 80 players remained on the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the exam began, there were over 500 players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying number had already been eliminated…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhere high in the mountains, at one of the checkpoints—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man with blond hair sat calmly, wearing the armor of House Valerion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon gazed at the distant figure with a faint smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that's her… the Lady of Eight Legs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the most ancient Nightmare creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it wasn't the real one—just a newborn child—Aegon still found himself intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord… how strong is that thing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question came from one of Aegon's escorts—a slender young man with black hair and narrow eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raegan Zennin, one of the strongest Awakened of the third year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was now accompanying the prince, ever since Misandei had been eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon spoke to the surrounding third-years like he was their superior—not the other way around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The real Lady of Eight Legs lays countless eggs every few years… but then devours them all to increase her power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the secret behind her terrifying strength—and her continuous evolution. What we're seeing now is a lucky survivor. A child who escaped her mother's fangs. A fascinating creature.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon explained casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the creature before him had caught his interest—it was nothing more than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged, finishing his statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one's a newborn. So she's probably around S+ or SS- class at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't even think about fighting her—death is all that awaits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected of the prince—his knowledge is unmatched.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raegan admired the young prince greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made him hesitant to say what came next…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My apologies, my Lord...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he apologized, Aegon replied with a smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Frey, isn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raegan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We didn't expect him to defeat Missandei and her entire elite squad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed. He did quite well there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raegan was a bit confused by Aegon's praise of Frey…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn't dwell on it for long and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This time, we'll all move together under Magnus' lead. We've got enough points to locate him—it's only a matter of time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only about 30 third-years remained now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decent number—but most of them were average students, as the best of their ranks had fallen alongside Missandei during that ill-fated day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the number was more than enough—especially with both Magnus and Raegan leading the charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were among the top-tier fighters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This would likely be the strongest assault they'd launch on Frey so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon nodded in approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very good. You may go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raegan hesitated slightly before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure, my Lord? About staying here alone while we deal with Frey…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This entire plan had come from Aegon himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had ordered them all to attack—leaving him without any guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Aegon was disgusted by Raegan's words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But didn't let it show on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. That's an order. All of you will attack.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raegan didn't dare press further. He left—reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon remained alone, eyes fixed on the Lady of Eight Legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trash like you, protecting me? Don't make me laugh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the very start, they hadn't been his bodyguards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had simply kept them nearby—pawns for his greater schemes… a way to secure their allegiance in the Throne Succession Race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All political games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for protection—he didn't need any.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of these thoughts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon's right hand trembled suddenly, black lightning crackling faintly around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately grabbed it—grinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha… Ah, how I long for it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, the hand settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon rose to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with those words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prince vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>–Day 18 of the Island Trial–\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empire breathed a collective sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple—Snow Lionheart and Daemon Valerion had finally dug their way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Covered in layers of dust and grime, the two finally emerged into the open, gasping for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Badly injured, exhausted…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the light in their eyes never faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's finally over…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow exhaled, greedily inhaling the fresh air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Daemon turned away and began walking off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember this, Snow Lionheart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our fight… isn't over yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow stared at his back for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're welcome to come at me whenever you want.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon smirked—then disappeared in a flash of lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow, too, went his own way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they both opened their maps, the same thought crossed their minds:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Get supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then return to the battlefield—ASAP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were machines—relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow now had another reason to push harder—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That armor Daemon had used…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they fought again and Daemon used that armor—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow knew he'd lose. And badly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wouldn't accept that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if his opponent was using an external weapon or tool like that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the battlefield, life can be taken in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's no room to cry about unfairness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stronger…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow clenched his fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to become strong enough to crush his opponents—and everything they brought with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V and that strange sword he'd fought with…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon and that monstrous armor…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to become strong enough to break them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those thoughts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow dashed toward the nearest supply ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trial wasn't over yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>–Frey Starlight's Perspective–\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting atop a massive rock…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gazed out across the forest in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady of Eight Legs was roaming through the tall trees, wailing softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than 12 days remained until the exam ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with the end drawing near…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their move was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The group that's trying to kill me… will strike soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That, I didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could no longer afford to handle the third-years like I had during the earlier days of the trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know when the Moonlight extremists would come for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to make a move of my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't keep playing along to Aegon's tune forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already had a plan in mind…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before I could put it into motion, I opened my system panel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking over my stats, achievement points, and the empty quest list,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt something strange stir within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Host Name: Frey Starlight (Dual Soul)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class: Swordsman\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talent Grade: S\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Current Rank: C+\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength: C−\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speed: B−\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agility: C+\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endurance: C\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura: SSS\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic: –\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Swordsmanship Lv. 4] (Limit broken – user can now reach Level 7)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inherent Talents:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>{Swordsmanship}, {Aura Manipulation}, {Poison Resistance}\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combat Style: Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skills:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk Eyes (A class)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phantom Steps (A class)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seduction (D class)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ascension (S class)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignition (SS class )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abilities:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow Adaptation : 0\u002F7\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anti-Magic: Level One\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Current Achievement Points: 5,000\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had some achievement points saved up…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to gather more—to shatter the next talent barrier and push it up to SS.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take 8,000 points to make that happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't stop myself from trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Direct Advice (500 Achievement Points)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Random Advice (250 Achievement Points)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cost for advice had skyrocketed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This system was total garbage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately used the Direct Advice option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>–How can I win the Victoriad?–\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's how I phrased the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Victoriad… it's all I'd been thinking about, day in and day out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I didn't ask now, the thoughts might actually kill me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unexpectedly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"Look at yourself in the mirror… and understand the reflection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reread the advice—over and over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't make sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did I really use the direct advice? Why does it sound like a random fortune cookie?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just to be sure, I tried the same question with the Random Advice option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the result?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"Look at yourself in the mirror… and understand the reflection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same garbage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did the system finally break?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe the idiot behind the screen got hacked…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are you throwing nonsense at me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look in the mirror? What am I supposed to see?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My miserable face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My cursed system… was utterly useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Shadow Adaptation hadn't budged in two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow Adaptation : 0\u002F7\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a worthless system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tossed my device into Valerion's tattoo storage and turned back to my original plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fiddled with my smartwatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed a way to fend off the third-years—and Aegon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the solution… was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>–Ding!–\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> Are you sure you want to spend 500 points to locate a player?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't hesitate—I confirmed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> Points deducted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey Starlight: 3,300 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rank: 4\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dropped one rank…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the search bar, I typed her name—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sansa Valerion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time to play this your way, Aegon.\u003C\u002Fp>",1831,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","d008b075c080cbffd4ca96e6a0eb8df71f799ff79647c3c31bd89efa86c90f52","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-181","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-179",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]