[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-381":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},336940,598,"Chapter 381: Witch’s Homunculus","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-381",381,"\u003Cp>Every passing second in the western region of the Ultras Continent carried enormous weight...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultras forces had been strategically deployed throughout the western zone—chosen to host the final phase of the Witch’s Game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Players had taken their positions, awaiting the signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the east, Godfrey’s army was slowly advancing toward their objective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But strangely enough, neither Godfrey himself nor his Empyrean, Gvardiol, were seen among the troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the south, a different army marched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying force of a thousand elite warriors from the High Blood—many of them Rank S, armed to the teeth with deadly gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the Southern hammer of Ultras, commanded by none other than Mergo’s closest follower...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lawrence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wild beast in the body of a manchild .. hardly suitable for command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one in the Ultras army knew how to deal with him. So, they chose to follow from a distance, careful not to provoke him. After all, the only one who ever tamed that monster... was Mergo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lawrence didn’t understand the complex strategies his master used to discuss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only knew one thing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>March to the marked destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultras had gathered enough force to spark a full-scale war against the Empire itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet their target was not a rival army...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The direction they were marching toward...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the very location of Phoenix Sunlight’s group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that fact was all too clear to Ghost Umbra, who had been slipping through the shadows for days now .. searching for Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead of finding his friend...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silent killer had stumbled upon something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lethal armies. Terrifying warriors gathered for one purpose ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the ones they were meant to annihilate... were none other than the Elite Class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Phoenix and his group were to face an army like that head-on, not even their strength would be enough to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between finding his missing friend—whose fate remained uncertain, dead or alive—and returning to warn the others...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost Umbra stood at a crossroads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen with his own eyes what the enemy had prepared for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still have Selina’s Mark... I can catch up to them if I move at full speed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he carried that mark, he could always track the others .. unlike Frey, who had no way to find his team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, Ghost made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Return. Warn them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blending into the shadows once more, the silent killer dashed off, retracing his path toward the group he had left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to reach them quickly—only then could he resume his search for Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, dark thoughts clouded his mind. Why would the Ultras deploy such a powerful army just to wipe out a class of students?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t have long to dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His instincts flared .. danger was incoming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately leapt to the side, barely avoiding a massive sword that had pierced through his shadow without resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost tumbled back, colliding with a giant boulder. As he scanned his surroundings for the attacker ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, the man made no effort to hide himself to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing atop the hilt of his greatsword—planted deep in the ground—was a man Ghost had never seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orange hair. Gold teeth. A lightning-charged aura dancing around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draxler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled down at Ghost as he gripped the sword and pulled it free from the earth, crackling sparks following his every move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There you are, you little runaway rat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloaked in his deadly aura, Draxler walked toward Ghost, who now held his daggers—ready for combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really should’ve stayed put and played your role in the Witch’s Game.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Witch’s Game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost asked, unsure of what he was talking about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draxler chuckled mockingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your little detour nearly messed up the entire game. So we had to... improvise. Looks like your fight starts earlier than the rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke casually, as if talking to a friend—not an enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That carelessness gave Ghost the opening he needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a flash, he lunged forward—his daggers just inches away from Draxler’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draxler caught both blades with his bare hands and flashed his golden grin once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In such a hurry to die, assassin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in less than a second, Ghost felt his chest collapse under the weight of a devastating kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was sent flying—again crashing into a boulder and coughing up blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to rise ..but his body barely responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one hand on his chest, Ghost quickly estimated the damage—at least three to four broken ribs. The power difference was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahaha... Beatrice is the worst, man. Always making me clean up the mess her little game leaves behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a casual swing, Draxler unleashed a massive wave of lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It obliterated the ground Ghost had stood on just moments before—leaving behind a smoking crater of utter destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost barely dodged it ..but he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draxler wasn’t even trying yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You keep ranting about this dumb game... what the hell are you even talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost asked, drawing a pair of violet-glowing daggers from his shadow—SS-ranked weapons he had retrieved from Londor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he couldn’t win unless he gave everything he had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Draxler didn’t seem concerned. It was as if he had already accepted the outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to know what the Witch’s Game is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draxler vanished .. reappearing to Ghost’s right mid-swing, lightning surging along his blade. But Ghost narrowly dodged and retreated back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s the game that will decide your friends’ fate, assassin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it’s already begun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground around them exploded in a storm of electricity as Draxler unleashed serpents of lightning, hissing and crashing toward Ghost—who dodged every strike with expert precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look forward to it, boy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draxler laughed as more of his deadly aura flared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’ll be one hell of a game.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Busy fighting for his life, Ghost could no longer warn the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were now walking blind into the unknown...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far from where Ghost and Frey struggled alone in the western reaches of the Ultras Continent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phoenix and his team had finally reached the gate marked on their map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After traveling over a hundred kilometers while avoiding enemy patrols, they had made it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That colossal gate ..their only way back home stood before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scarite Sunlight collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by the realization that they were actually about to leave this cursed land behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t lower your guard. We’re not home yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phoenix’s voice was firm as he motioned to Selina to inspect the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The map had been accurate—too accurate to be a trap—but the risk of being attacked before activating the teleportation remained high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selina, without delay, began casting a spell to modify the gate and accelerate the transfer process, aiming to return them to the Empire as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole operation would only take a few minutes, allowing everyone to breathe a little easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once the gate is activated, all of you will leave as agreed .. while I go back and retrieve Ghost Umbra. Is that clear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were directed at Snow and the others, who had previously insisted on staying behind to wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Phoenix had convinced them otherwise. He promised to bring Ghost back himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they were gone, he could use the Witch’s Mark in his possession to instantly locate Ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With only one person to worry about, Phoenix believed he could rescue him swiftly .. fly him home, if need be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, the young lord of House Sunlight had managed to persuade them all—Danzo, Sansa, and even Snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them were truly convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they could do nothing except follow the plan they had all agreed to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, they stood before the gate—their only path home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t like this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo muttered with a scowl, folding his arms as he stared at the gate, now glowing with Selina’s magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Returning while others are left behind... walking through this gate and leaving so easily... it’s all just too simple. Too convenient for a land as brutal as this one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt wrong. Too easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could they really escape this continent so effortlessly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo was uneasy. Deeply so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow Lionheart, gripping his sword tightly, didn’t disagree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have no other choice. This is the only path forward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the map they had previously found, there was no clue where else to go. Following it was their only option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow hadn’t wanted to leave in the first place, but he suppressed his emotions for the sake of the group, not wanting to cause unnecessary trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, one by one...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They found themselves standing before the gate, glowing with a swirling white light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It worked, everyone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selina shouted joyfully as she completed the activation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once this gate links to its counterpart in the Empire, the imperial mages will recognize my magic and open the way. We can finally go home!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hope surged through the group, who had spent what felt like an eternity in the hellscape of the Ultras Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can finally go back...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the gate, Sansa Valerion froze—lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong, Sansa?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriana stepped up beside her, a warm smile on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re finally going home. Why the long face?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Adriana...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sansa sighed, trying to convince herself that everything was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the second time I’ve run away from this place since I was first kidnapped. I just... can’t shake this strange feeling growing in my chest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like all roads are somehow leading me back here... back to the Ultras Continent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Sansa spoke her thoughts aloud, Phoenix began ordering the group to pass through the gate. One by one, they began stepping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Adriana and Sansa remained behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriana smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re right... Sansa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sansa turned to her, puzzled, as Adriana’s gaze remained fixed on the glowing gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All roads do lead back here. To the Ultras Continent .. including this one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a trap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t you hear me? It’s a trap. One that will take us all into the final stage of the game.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriana’s warm smile twisted into something else .. something sinister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gate’s white glow suddenly turned blood-red and pulled everyone inside without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the Witch’s Game, after all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the red light consumed them like a black hole, Adriana’s body glowed as well—revealing a violet dress and a refined hat atop her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her once gentle smile transformed into something far more terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only she and Sansa remained outside the gate, which had just swallowed everyone else whole—triggering the magical trap Beatrice had prepared from the very beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong, Sansa? Kihihihi~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriana laughed wickedly as Sansa stood frozen in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before the crimson vortex...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look like you’ve seen a ghost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with those words ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had been teleported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each person, alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each sent to a different place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each facing a chosen opponent waiting just for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phoenix Sunlight stood before Godfrey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris Moonlight came face to face with a man she hadn’t seen in a long time ..Baylor Moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow Lionheart faced the masked figure V, his old nemesis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ragna Claude stood opposite Lorance, the man who murdered his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn Polaris found himself confronting a strange woman he had never seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon Valerion encountered two S-class warriors of the High Blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each had met their destined enemy ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final round officially began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elite Class’s last struggle... had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>",1935,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.347Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","d70d7e76c1176d0883758684cb775332de4693b499a25c87721bbc31f332bb75","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-73","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-72",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]