[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-236":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},336673,598,"Chapter 236 236: To Wake a Nightmare","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-236",236,"\u003Cp>The falling leaves told a tale ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tale of a young man who struggled within a cruel world, unaware of the terrifying truth waiting ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world was shifting. A war loomed on the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A war crueler and darker than any that had come before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empire was preparing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so were the Ultras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those extreme factions ... mysterious and unknown to the rest of humanity... inhabited an entire continent of enigma. No one knew how life there truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that land obeyed laws far different from those of the civilized world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The continent of the Ultras was split into two parts:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One made up 90% of the land .. barren and dead. A never-ending desert, known as the Desolate Lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining 10% was called the Bloodlands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scattered cities, ruled under the tyranny of Higher Blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contrast between the two regions was so stark, they might as well have belonged to different worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the shifting sands of the Desolate Lands ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man and a young figure walked side by side, cloaked in a fierce sandstorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first wore a regal black suit beneath a long overcoat and covered his face with a scarf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was none other than Lord Gavid Lindman of the Ultras, and beside him strode his empyrean—his masked subordinate known only as V.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging from their state, they had been traveling on foot for quite some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Lord Gavid, do we really have to get involved in this nonsense?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V's displeasure was obvious in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gavid Lindman replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a direct order from High Demon Astaroth. We don't have a choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled the mission handed to them by Astaroth himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We've been tasked with gathering all the Hollows. They're essential for the war to come. The Higher Blood plan to end the conflict with the Empire once and for all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he listened, V grumbled under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hollows… I've heard all the stories, but are they really as strong as they say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They are,\" Gavid affirmed. \"You saw firsthand what one of them did that day… Ludwig, the Cursed One.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V remembered that mad beast who dared to attack Astaroth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ludwig is the weakest of the five Hollows. The other four? They're far worse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were five in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all of them were monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they pressed deeper into the storm, V voiced another question that had been on his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If a battle broke out between the Lords and the Hollows… who would win?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gavid didn't hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Except for the old man Mergo, whom I know little about... they'd most likely wipe us out completely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it really that bad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the two stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something ahead had made their blood run cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gavid frowned in disgust, and V swore aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What the hell is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before them stood dozens of wooden stakes, each impaled with human bodies ... still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn't just that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was what had been done to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies had been twisted into grotesque forms ...some had extra arms sewn onto their backs or limbs attached in bizarre places. Their real limbs had been severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes and mouths were expertly stitched shut, making them unable to scream or beg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some men had their genitals mutilated and grotesquely stitched to their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were mangled beyond recognition, then sewn back together like mockeries of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all of them were silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever tortured them had left them alive ... but destroyed their souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's near. This is one of her signatures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gavid muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a swift movement, he raised his sword and sent a wave of power that ended all their suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, they moved on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Who exactly is the Hollow we're after?\" V asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gavid's voice turned grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are five Hollows, like I said. Two of them are rumored to be mindless beasts. The first is Ludwig, the one you saw that day… and the second…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, gaze narrowing against the sandstorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…is the worst of them all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one known as Pontiff Sulyvahn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For Pontiff, Lord Godfray was dispatched. He volunteered to confront the strongest of the Hollows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are two other Hollows ...more rational than the rest .. which makes them easier to recruit: the Puppet Master, Simon Manus, and Father Smog. That sly old bastard Mergo said he'd handle them himself, claiming they're the easiest targets…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gavid Lindman grumbled bitterly, especially when it came to the last Hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which leaves us with the final one… a woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two continued onward, they encountered more mutilated bodies, twisted and warped in grotesque ways. Some had been horrifically fused together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It got worse with every step ... disfigured, naked figures staggered through the sand, unable to scream, their mouths stitched shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be surprised by what you see,\" Gavid muttered. \"The one we're looking for is the most deranged of all the Hollows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman described as being closer to demons than humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Blood Queen… Evelyn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had taken them months of searching, wandering what felt like eternity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Gavid Lindman and the masked V reached one of the desolate cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A battered sign marked its name:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Black Flag.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked through its streetsc..ccompletely deserted. Most of its residents were holed up inside tents resembling a freak show circus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, some desperate fool tried to approach, only to be cut down by Gavid's sword before they got within five meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes now glowed red ... he could feel it. The presence was close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's nearby…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pressed on, eventually stepping into one of the massive tents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stench of blood and filth overwhelmed their senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A filthy, middle-aged man with a bloodstained apron glared at them from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell do you want?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him were scattered corpses, one of them lying sprawled on a table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a large man ... dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old butcher snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here to rob me?! These bodies are mine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The state of the place was abominable .. human flesh was treated as food, and body parts served all sorts of functions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V gripped his sword, bloodlust radiating from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I kill him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gavid shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the filthy man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're not here to rob you. But take my advice ... get out while you still can. You'll die if you keep this up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah?! You bastards gonna preach at me now?! Get lost before I shove this blade up your ass!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man raised his bloody knife threateningly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V moved again, but Gavid stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said don't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to the butcher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don't you keep working? We won't bother you. We're just watching.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep my ass! I told you to leave!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was about to lash out, but he froze the moment he sensed Gavid Lindman's patience wearing thin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was late, but he finally realized ... these two men weren't ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly, he turned around, sweating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it! Fine! You can watch this old man work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grumbling, the butcher turned to the corpse on his table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a steady hand honed by years of grim practice, he sliced open the man's stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cut was precise and deep ... blood spilled across the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly, he screamed and stumbled back, terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V stepped forward, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The butcher shrieked from the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Inside his stomach—!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within the dead man's abdomen, two blood-soaked, slender arms slowly emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bit by bit, the woman curled up inside began to emerge, hugging her bare legs, her body completely drenched in blood as she slowly crawled out from within the corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment her face came into view…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evelyn opened her wide black eyes and cast a sleepy glance at those who had disturbed her rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh… you found me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, she pulled herself out of the dead man's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Always so annoying... to the very end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She muttered, then pointed at the old man who had dissected the corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of her finger, the blood soaking the terrified old man's clothes began to ripple… then suddenly exploded ... reducing him to nothing but scattered flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>V froze for a moment as the scent of blood tickled his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when his eyes met that strange woman's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled at him, and a bizarre aura began to radiate throughout the tent .. an aura that was instantly shattered by Gavid Lindman's swift strike through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't look at her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, what a killjoy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evelyn laughed as she tossed aside the corpse she had emerged from and sat naked atop the bloodied table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Evelyn… the High Demon summons you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm. Let me put something on first… Gosh, you're such a nuisance. Lindman, didn't I tell you last time that if we ever met again, I'd kill you? didn't I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tapped her finger against her lips as she stared at Gavid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wonder what kind of face one of the Lords of the Ultras would make… when being tortured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the blatant provocation, Gavid didn't attack. He remained composed and patient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are direct orders from a High Demon, Blood Queen… Evelyn. Refusing them now—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you threatening me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evelyn's expression darkened, but Gavid continued calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interpret it however you wish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand moved to his blade, waiting for her reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Evelyn simply waved him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave already. You're such an eyesore right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood and walked away without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to win the upcoming war, don't you? To fulfill your pathetic ambitions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked up a short coat that barely covered her rear as she walked off, still soaked in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll come when the time is right… But if anyone bothers me now, I'll kill them. So leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gavid hesitated as he watched her turn her back on them completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah… I want a new man to play with. But they all rust too quickly. They're all so hideous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evelyn kept mumbling madly to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need someone beautiful… dripping in blood, used to pain… someone whose body has endured every type of torment ... someone I can truly create with!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hugged herself, shivering with twisted delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With someone like that… I could live happily for years… for a very long time~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did V finally begin to grasp what Lindman had meant earlier…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About the Hollows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood how truly deranged and monstrous they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time was moving forward. And war was drawing near.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evelyn, the Blood Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simon Manus, the Puppetmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Father Smog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ludwig, the Cursed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the strongest Hollow of them all .. Pontiff Sulyivahn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ultras were assembling at full power for the war to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And elsewhere, deep inside Alcatraz Prison…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey Starlight was enduring his sentence ... awaiting the next chapter of his suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>",1815,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:12.387Z",1,"novelbin.me","f7bb2d47dbe184542b7cc0f46759a91cae4c09a30e965ade8570b99d56f556e0","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-237","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-235",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]