[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-21":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},336808,598,"Chapter 21 21: Hatching of the Goat’s Egg (1)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>Shadow Sect – Eastern Nightmare Lands\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Frey starlight POV -\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's time to return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rose from where I sat, stepping into the vast arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I reached its center, I stopped, running a hand through my now-long hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But… where exactly am I supposed to return to?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmmm…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I started pacing in circles, only to stop again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Help me out here, Balerion… where should we go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking to the sword bound to my hand, I stood there like a madman, talking to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still as shy as ever, huh? Refusing to answer me, as usual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmmmm ♪ Hmm hmm hmm ♪ Hmmm ♪\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hummed, trying to recall a tune I used to love, struggling not to lose the melody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay quiet, Balerion. I'm trying to focus here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped right, then left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we dance? Yes, let's!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With sudden enthusiasm, I moved wildly, my body swaying as I tapped my feet against the cold ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dance with me, Balerion! Let's dance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cradled my sword gently as if it were a beautiful woman, twirling and spinning with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, yes! Just like that… That's why I love you, Balerion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each swing of my sword unleashed waves of dark energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had anyone been watching, they would have been left speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, my movements were swift—too swift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One second, I was here; the next, I was over there. Dark aura surged around me as I danced, my form weaving in and out like a living shadow celebrating its existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, I stopped at the center, leaving fresh scars on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was amazing! Well done, Balerion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I patted my beloved sword, savoring its cold touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a figure emerged at the other end of the arena—a towering statue wielding a massive sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clad in pitch-black armor, its face was hidden behind a grinning mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stood motionless, staring at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grin spread across my own face in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Smaaaailey! You're here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached him in an exaggerated, playful manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it time already, Smiley?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I called him that because of the permanent smile on his mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My steps quickened, leaving only afterimages behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, I materialized before Smiley like a phantom, swinging Balerion with relentless force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intercepted the strike with his colossal sword, sending shockwaves rippling through the arena\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still airborne, descending slowly, I struck once, twice—dozens of times. Each slash carved arcs of black energy into the air, carrying an overwhelming force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time our swords met, violent gusts erupted around us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When my feet finally touched the ground, Smiley and I were caught in a whirlwind of clashing steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I attacked, and he parried—his speed matching mine with terrifying precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiley countered, but my enhanced Falcon Eye saw everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black clashed against black, darkness against darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in a single instant, the battle was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiley's final strike sent me hurtling across the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of exchanges—within just one minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh… That hurt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed myself up, brushing the dust off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're still absurdly strong, Smiley.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Smiley didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he stepped back as another figure emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ooooh, you want a turn too, Sad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another armored statue—similar to Smiley, but his mask bore a sorrowful expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why I called him Sad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He approached, wielding a massive spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold on a second, let me match your expression.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exaggerated a sorrowful face, twisting my features in mock despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had anyone been watching, they would have laughed at how ridiculous I looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, wearing a perfectly melancholic expression, I stood before Sad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we begin? I feel like crying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sad lunged forward, thrusting his colossal spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a single attack—yet, for some reason, I saw dozens of spears descending toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phantom Steps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using my improved Phantom Steps, I moved like a specter, weaving between the strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balerion became enshrouded in dark energy, forming a blazing black aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single swing, I unleashed a wave of darkness toward Sad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he spun his spear like a fan, dispersing my attack effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anticipating this, I appeared behind him, striking with a barrage of rapid blows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like falling meteors, my slashes rained down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a split second, Sad thrust his spear backward with inhuman speed, deflecting every single attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have eyes in the back of your head or something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shrouding myself in darkness, I launched forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow: Black Meteor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sad lifted his head to see a streak of black light plummeting toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a powerful stomp, he cracked the earth beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard the shriek of metal as his spear shot toward me at an impossible speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our weapons clashed, sending tremors through the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within moments, his overwhelming strength broke through, sending me flying into a distant wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, Sad left the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I groaned as I got back up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Already? But the fun was just getting started~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey! Smiley! Sad! Come back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite my calls, the statues ignored me, vanishing into the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch, and here I thought we were getting closer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh, I left the arena as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wandered the vast sect, sometimes humming, sometimes singing… sometimes walking in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, I arrived at the building I had claimed as my home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, it was empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a tattered cloth in the corner that served as my bed, and a single laptop resting atop a massive rock I used as a desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I booted up the laptop, now containing a third folder—titled My Memoirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting down, I began reading through my past entries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day One\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight is my first night in the sect. I've found both the Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow and Balerion, the Black dread, but mastering them will take time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day Two\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I've earned a ton of achievement points—can you believe it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, quests were being issued constantly as I wandered through the Nightmare Lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I completed most of them without even realizing it, earning myself a small fortune. Pretty great, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day Ten\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I've memorized most of Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow and have begun practicing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's even harder than I thought…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day Fifteen\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father, Mother… I still think of you every second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You are the fire that keeps me going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you ever read this one day, just know—I love you both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 20\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spent some of my hard-earned Achievement Points from missions to upgrade my skills to Rank A.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Hawk's Eye grants me perfect night vision and even slows down time slightly when I'm under attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Ghost Steps has turned me into a literal phantom—my speed more than doubles, making me vanish the moment I move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm getting stronger… but it cost me 2,000 damn points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 40\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper I immerse myself in Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow, the more strange visions plague me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something new has also appeared in my status:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow Adaptation: 0\u002F7\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 60\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statues have returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They come once a day, beat me senseless, then leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell do they want?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 80\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I've barely been able to keep track of time… If it weren't for Ada's supplies, I might've starved to death by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried leaving, but the statues blocked my way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I guess I'm not ready yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally uncovered the secret behind SSS-Rank Aura, and it was no joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 100\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balerion and I have become the best of friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He's always by my side, clinging to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn't that wonderful?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 120\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, I wonder…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which son of a bitch threw me into this world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swear, I want to shove Balerion up his ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 140\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 300\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I've fully mastered Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow, but I still can't unleash its full potential—because I'm still too weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 365\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh… so it's been a year, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed a finger to my temple, tapping my skull lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wild gleam in my eyes gradually faded into something calmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And just like that… I'm back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, I realized that if I kept living like this, I'd lose my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So before that could happen… I made myself crazy on purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the only way to survive. And it worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I created a mental switch in my head—one that lets me revert to my normal self whenever I \"press\" it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though, considering all of this is happening in my mind, I have to question my sanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I've already lost it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the Status Window on my laptop.\u003C\u002Fp>",1456,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.067Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","f8262bf1b4d404ecd19b1b3fedba473f8cfa216d82bcf19d063a10457cc313cb","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-22","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-20",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]