[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-25":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},336812,598,"Chapter 25 25: Wild Card (1)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>It's really you…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After messing with my face for a while, Carmen finally confirmed my identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spare me this nonsense… That strike of yours could've killed me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a smile, Carmen supported my exhausted body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah… Even though I wasn't serious back there, a blow like that should've been enough to finish you off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She fell silent for a moment before continuing with a chilling expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you survived… and with minimal injuries.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'd been caught red-handed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned my head away from Carmen, avoiding her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guess I just got lucky.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, I had only revealed a fraction of Balerion in that moment. He was the one who blocked Carmen's attack. I prayed she hadn't noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Luck, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah… she wasn't buying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to think fast—either come up with a convincing excuse or do something reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know since when luck can block an S-Class strike, but you were right about one thing—you were lucky to run into me before the others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded silently. She was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I escaped Byron, my entire body screamed at me, warning of the storm headed my way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several overwhelming auras were closing in fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, Carmen was the fastest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had one of the Elders who wanted me dead reached me first, I wouldn't be standing here right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of Byron…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spotted the giant charging toward us in the distance, his entire body ablaze with a destructive aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His furious roar echoed across the entire area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bastard! Do you really think you can escape from me?! I AM BYRON!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His massive fist hurtled toward me at terrifying speed, growing larger and larger as it neared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wasn't afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason stood right beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Byron's attack, she raised a single finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all it took to stop the giant's devastating punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn't stop there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a blink, her finger pierced his fist—then his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With my enhanced Hawk Eye, I caught sixty-one precise strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I was certain she had landed far more than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrifying part?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single strike had targeted a vital point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byron collapsed, his limbs twitching, completely helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no idea what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmen stood over him, a wicked grin curling her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, well… Aren't you General Byron or whatever your name is? Tell me—was my presence so insignificant to you? Or… have you become someone important without realizing it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byron's eyes widened in sheer horror when he saw who was standing before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately attempted to kneel, but his broken body refused to obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do was slam his head against the ground in a pitiful attempt to bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"M-My deepest apologies, Elder Carmen… I was blinded by my pursuit of the intruder. Please allow me to—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmen's voice boomed across the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely held back a chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Byron… you just signed your death warrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You shouldn't have called her that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beads of sweat rolled down the giant's face as he realized his mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A-Ah… I-I mean, Miss Carmen… My apologies…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, his massive body was sent flying by a single, missile-like kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smashed into the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the ceiling again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally, he crashed down, unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worst mistake you could ever make was reminding Carmen of her age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That, and the fact that she wasn't married.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, she was probably more upset about the way he addressed her than the fact that he had ignored her earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down, Miss Carmen. Giants like him tend to have small brains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch… If he weren't family, I would've crushed that thick skull of his.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regaining her composure, Carmen turned back to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, not only did you survive me, but you also managed to slip past Byron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In truth, several guards attacked me on the way here… I just don't get why no one recognized me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmen tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Recognize you? Of course they wouldn't. Have you even looked at yourself in a mirror?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My… appearance?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I thought about it—I hadn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'd been imprisoned in the Shadow Sect for an entire year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look like a noble disguised as a vagabond. That wild hair covering your face? It only made things worse. And let's not even talk about your stench.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…My stench?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my hand and took a sniff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I could smell was… me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did this really count as horrible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What the hell are you doing now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trying to figure out what you're talking about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmen let out a frustrated sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spending a whole year locked up turned you into a damn idiot… Come on, let's fix this mess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could protest, she grabbed my arm and dragged my exhausted body along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew better than to resist her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't want to end up like Byron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking a few steps, Carmen slowed down slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to me with a smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're officially a dead man right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at her, expression blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Dead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Capital – Belgrade\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada let out a deep sigh as she scanned the mountain of work waiting for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Documents were stacked high on her massive desk, all demanding her attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since she had assumed the position of Lord, her workload had doubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always been a busy woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she had managed a large portion of the family's affairs from a young age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was nothing compared to what she had to deal with now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada threw the papers aside and leaned back in her chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She muttered to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I fulfilled my dream.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had officially become the Lord of the Starlight Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the greatest desire she had ever held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since her late father, Abraham Starlight, had left behind a will naming her brother, Frey, as the rightful heir, Ada had felt…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neglected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a mere shadow in the corner, disregarded by the very person closest to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, she worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sacrificed her childhood, a portion of her youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She honed her skills, expanded her knowledge, and built a name for herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She accomplished what no one else her age had ever done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't just want the title of Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted the recognition that came with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the words she had longed to hear… never came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man she had wanted to hear them from… died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never resented her father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was her family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just wanted to hear…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did a great job, Ada.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past year, she hadn't smiled even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey's death had struck her like a bolt of lightning in broad daylight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had hated him, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had wished death upon him more times than she could count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had deserved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as they say…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You only realize the value of something once you've lost it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been corrupt, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had been the last piece of her family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And towards the end…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guilt consumed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took full responsibility for his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I should've never let him enter the Nightmare Lands. I should've never left him alone. I should've never wished death upon him…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It became an obsession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She now visited the church—a place she had never set foot in before—begging for forgiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite Not Being the Primary Reason...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada let out a sigh as she stretched out in the chair of her office, her gaze empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did you leave... and abandon me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took off her shoes, pulled herself up onto the chair, and buried her face between her knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What am I supposed to do now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a loud, frantic knock echoed through the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elderly maid hurried into the room, her expression filled with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Frederica? What's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada now resided in the estate that had once been granted to Frey, while she had made the old maid her assistant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frederica took a deep breath, struggling to get her words out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Ada... Frey... Lord Frey...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, Ada's expression completely shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>",1379,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.067Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","44794547e3386d6965e77e91752d267d4833a38b95d51c3c65501cec570da4e0","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-26","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-24",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]