[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-30":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},336817,598,"Chapter 30 30: Becoming a killer","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>-Frey Starlight Pov-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was still standing in the same spot when my entire body screamed in warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A primal instinct—an overwhelming sense of danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, I didn't understand what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—suddenly—the world around me twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground, the buildings, the very air itself began to warp in an unnatural way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is happening?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I realized what was going on, I cursed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This pressure… Is this… magic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic-users were terrifying entities in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they were rare, their existence alone could shift the balance of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had seen the tools they crafted—artifacts of immense power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had never met one in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, I was about to—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the worst possible way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the frozen world locked me in place, figures emerged from the distortion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloaked figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I instantly understood the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man at the front removed his hood, revealing a middle-aged face, bald and riddled with scars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a step forward as the others surrounded me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing personal, kid… Business is business.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Couldn't the old man send someone better?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald assassin remained unfazed. Instead, he returned my smirk with a chilling grin of his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least you know why you're about to die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonidas, that senile old bastard…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he's sending assassins after me now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt the assassins unleash a crushing pressure toward me, laced with killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately steeled myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This pressure… D+ rank… No, is it C-?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man chuckled upon hearing my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've got sharp instincts… You're close, but not quite right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the pressure from the squad leader in front of me surged to an even greater level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, he was C-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly assessed my surroundings—ten assassins. Their leader was an entire rank above me, and among them, a mage lurked in hiding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's wrong, little lord? Are you scared?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man was eager to see fear twist my expression, but his grin faltered when I flashed him a chilling smile instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Scared? Quite the opposite… I was just wondering if Leonidas had truly run out of options to send such weaklings after me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big words for a brat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a scowl, the bald assassin stomped the ground, tearing through the terrain as he lunged toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was fast—so fast that tracking him was nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he thought getting close to me was a good idea, he was gravely mistaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he stepped into my range, the serpent on my skin ignited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come forth… Balerion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin flinched as a cursed, pitch-black blade materialized in my left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung down in a vertical slash at blinding speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reacted quickly, crossing two daggers to block my strike—but the force of Balerion's blow sent him skidding back, leaving a deep wound across his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He staggered several steps, his expression darkening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You… that sword…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no turning back now. I had revealed Balerion to them. That meant only one thing…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had to die here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phantom Steps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shot forward, aiming to finish their leader before he could recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before I could close the distance, three assassins attacked from all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spun, sweeping my sword in a wide arc, deflecting their blades simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shockwave sent them flying, but before I could regain my footing, the ground beneath me shattered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger-wielding hand burst from below, striking upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was faster. A single, precise slash from Balerion severed the assassin's arm before he could land his attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm blood splattered across my blade, and for a brief moment, I shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn it… Focus.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More attacks rained down—seven daggers streaking toward my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, I channeled aura into my feet and launched myself upward, barely evading them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now airborne, I gripped my sword tightly and hurled myself toward the ground at breakneck speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow: Black Meteor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A streak of darkness crashed into the earth, blasting several assassins away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the smoke as cover, I lunged at the nearest one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely had time to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dagger rose to block, but I was faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balerion plunged straight through his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A perfect strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, his hood slipped off, revealing his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw everything—the life fading from his eyes, the blood dripping from his lips as he coughed onto my chest before crumpling to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single heartbeat of hesitation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the assassin leader struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dodged—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or so I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp sting flared across my shoulder as a wound appeared out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't even see it coming. But there was no time to dwell on it—another attack followed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised Balerion to parry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Metal clashed against metal, but even as I deflected the blow, another gash appeared on my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling smile crept across the bald assassin's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do you look so surprised?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed forward, unleashing a flurry of wild strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daggers rained from all directions as he moved with inhuman speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met his attacks head-on, our weapons clashing in a storm of steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks flew with every impact, but something was wrong—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when I blocked his attacks, fresh wounds kept appearing on my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the end, your sword is the only impressive thing about you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald assassin sneered, but I wasn't listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because I was finally starting to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hawk's Eye.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With my enhanced vision, I saw it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His weapon wasn't just a dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A transparent, invisible blade extended from its edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment, I reminded myself—my opponent wasn't just some mindless beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a trained killer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin leader's expression darkened as I began blocking his strikes—this time, with precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk's Eye slowed his movements in my vision, allowing me to read his attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within moments, I carved a fresh wound across his torso.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their leader struggle, the remaining assassins charged in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, I was surrounded—multiple unseen blades slashing toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time I struck back, the scent of blood filled my lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Calm down… I've long since grown used to spilling blood.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left afterimages behind, slipping between their attacks with precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of movements are those?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins were bewildered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they had never seen anything like this before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me show you the true power of the shadows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle had been four against one. But the balance shifted when ten copies of me materialized around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten Thousand Steps of Shadow: Mirage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a single instant, I struck ten times—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slashing deep wounds across my foes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them wasn't lucky enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His throat burst open in a crimson fountain, and he collapsed, lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, I hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, I found myself staring at a lifeless body—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in battles like this, even a second of hesitation could mean death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins seized the opening, launching a counterattack, forcing me back into defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, damn it, damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was wrong with me? Hadn't I prepared for this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my fingers tighter around Balerion, forcing my focus back onto my enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're just empty figures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My strikes grew sharper, deadlier, as I poured an overwhelming surge of aura into my blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the battle became even fiercer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was locked in relentless, close-quarters combat, attacked from all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't stop—not even for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For every wound I inflicted, I received one in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, I wasn't fighting just one battle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was fighting two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was physical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other… was within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought I was ready… I thought this would be easy…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why the hell am I hesitating now?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With every strike, every slash that cut through their flesh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An inexplicable disgust twisted inside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm down… Remember…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just Characters in a Story…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I plunged my sword into another assassin's heart, yanked it free, and pressed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A story of my own creation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balerion trembled violently as it drank fresh blood, growing even more savage with each kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hand moved at blinding speed, unleashing a storm of black arcs that sliced through the very air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins darted away, narrowly dodging the relentless barrage—most of them, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One wasn't so lucky. A single arc struck true, cleaving him cleanly in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body crumpled to the ground, his entrails scattering in a grotesque display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in my turbulent thoughts, I kept fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I created this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin leader's furious roar echoed as he lunged, trying to pin me down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But facing me head-on while I wielded Balerion? A grave mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I gave you life, you sons of whores!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood painted the battlefield as the slaughter reached its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I'll be the one to end it if I must!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six assassins remained, struggling against the storm of shadows ripping through them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just empty characters…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut another one down and advanced toward my next target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Erase unnecessary thoughts. Just fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin leader's transparent blade expanded, flashing toward my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reacted instantly, evading with a seamless fusion of Hawk's Eye and Phantom Steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I surged toward the remaining assassins, every stray thought vanishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slaughter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, I held nothing back. I had become an unrelenting force of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill, slaughter, kill, slaughter!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mirage activated once more, and another body was torn to shreds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by a relentless storm of blood and scattered remains, I continued my ruthless carnage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, I flicked the blood from my blade and turned to face the final two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the assassin leader remained standing, his body riddled with wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood a silent figure, motionless since the battle began—the mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was still whispering those same trembling words under my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slaughter… Kill… Bury.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over and over, I repeated them, forcing myself to believe—convincing myself that I had only killed empty characters from a story. Not real people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never imagined killing humans would feel so different from slaying monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step by step, I closed in on my last opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted this to end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a voice shattered the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's done!!.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin leader smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too late, bastard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single word that changed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Obscuration.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A void swallowed my vision in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confusion hit first. Then, the mage, ever so smug, decided to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were close, boy, but it's over now. From this moment on, you'll lose one of your senses every ten minutes—starting with your sight. Let's see how you fight now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed, assured of his victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin leader wasted no time. He struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His transparent blade streaked toward my face at terrifying speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought it was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought he had won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the last moment, I dodged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely, but I did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hidden blade had nearly split my skull—nearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You stole my senses?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the very beginning, my combat style had relied on—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Darkness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin's guard dropped for an instant—convinced I was helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all I needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using Mirage, I struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fought desperately, blocking most of my ten consecutive slashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his luck ran out when Balerion carved deep into his chest, sending him straight to the abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin leader collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, I turned to the mage, who stared in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-How?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice quivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How?\" I echoed, a smirk creeping onto my lips. \"Because you're an idiot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had tried to create an opening for his ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he had sealed his fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness was my domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing his blunder, the mage panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground trembled as he desperately reshaped it to create distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of his clones materialized, surrounding me in the pitch-black void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to flee among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in an instant, a black shadow tore through his illusions, shredding them to nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's finish this quickly. I'd rather not lose another sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mage collapsed as I appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been over the moment he crossed my path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mages were never built for close combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my sword, ignoring his pitiful cries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh… and thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single stroke, his head soared through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks to you, I didn't have to watch myself kill you two in the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the mage died, the suffocating darkness lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were back in front of the exam center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And my vision returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at my hands—stained with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood that wasn't mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This… feels too real.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much I tried to deceive myself…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't deny the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they were only characters in my story…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if their existence was meaningless…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I killed humans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my fists, fighting the nausea rising in my gut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have to kill these emotions… if I want to survive in this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I became a killer.\u003C\u002Fp>",2190,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.067Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","94ebf7f50a87584ec7dfaaa8124a728a17c0751d01c4bfc386f384c33bf6a0e2","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-31","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-29",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]