[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-852":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},337039,598,"Chapter 849  Dark Devotion","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-852",852,"\u003Cp>Wesker was the first to respond ... summoning a massive surge of shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gathered, swelling into a colossal tide—an ocean of darkness meant to swallow Alexander whole in a single strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alexander answered with a single punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tide of shadows vanished .. erased as though it had never existed .. leaving Vayne's body completely exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impossible… he dispelled the King's Shadow with one blow…?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wesker's expression darkened as he attempted to summon the shadows again...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alexander was already in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too slow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wesker's world flipped upside down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood burst from his mouth, eyes, and nose as Alexander's fist drove into his abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact exploded out through his back—everything behind him shattered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Wesker—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His torso was completely destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lower half of his body fell one way… the upper half flew in another, torn apart before the furious Alexander, whose metallic body steamed with intense heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to strike again—to finish Wesker completely ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Vex moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking advantage of the brief opening, the assassin struck ... delivering a killing blow meant to end Alexander instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vex was an assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing blows were his specialty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shadow carried explosive force—enough to kill any being in a single strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when his attack landed ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him, sparks erupted—dark, burning friction as his strike collided with the black metal of Rybak's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attack rebounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could not pierce him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It barely left a scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something that had never happened to Vex before ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though he had not struck a living being at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing the danger, Vex dissolved into shadows—attempting to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a single swing of Rybak's arm erased the darkness itself ... And with it… half of Vex's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Vex was not bound to flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He escaped through the shadows ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alexander understood instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A filthy trick… and a pathetic one at that! It only proves your cowardice!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexander clenched his teeth .. then punched the very space around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive sonic explosion erupted, its pressure spreading in every direction ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erasing all shadows and darkness beneath a blinding light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vex's true body was revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frail, white-haired, dark-skinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes sagged… filled with terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His concealment—completely destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His terror only worsened when he found Alexander Rybak already standing before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perish, you filthy rat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura erupted once more ... another nuclear strike of a punch and one of the deadliest assassins to ever exist was erased from existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rybak's figure stood tall within the void, unshaken, while Maskith hovered high above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wesker had retreated far into the distance, concealing himself after barely managing to reattach his shattered body… and in that moment, he realized something crucial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That man… he's strong. Incredibly strong.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strong to a terrifying degree—so much so that only a handful could even hope to rival him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And perhaps the only one capable of standing against him now… was Maskith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexander slowly raised his head toward the old man, a deep, cold blue aura enveloping him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come forth… servant of the Demon King.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alexander Rybak stood ready for battle, and even Maskith showed a flicker of unease upon witnessing the power of this raging beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This monster… how long? How many years did he spend training his fist to unleash this level of destructive force with a single strike?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing was certain—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no longer the same Alexander Rybak who fought in the ancient war between the Shadow Sect and the demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had become something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maskith's body began to glow, and the clash between him and the ancient warrior of the Shadow Sect loomed on the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the ancient mausoleum…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gehrman had finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He staggered forward through a long, dark corridor, holding Frey's body close—forcing himself to endure until the very end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint chuckle escaped him as he let out a breath of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alexander… you damned monster. At this rate… heh… it won't be long before the day comes when you surpass me…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gehrman laughed weakly, continuing forward as he staggered along the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step after step, he moved ... carefully cradling Frey's broken body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All this suffering… all this fighting… just for this day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the final stretch, Gehrman's chest tightened, and a dim light flickered in his eyes—betraying immense exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though all those years had come crashing down upon him at the most critical moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the engineer pressed on regardless… until he reached a vast chamber, shaped like an ancient arena buried deep within the structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within that old and sacred place, another set of footsteps echoed—different from his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gehrman turned toward the sound—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And found a woman standing before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair was a deep violet, her features aged, bearing the weight of countless years. She wore worn, tattered black robes that spoke of a long, forgotten past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at him… then at Frey in his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorrow and fear filled her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gehrman met her gaze for a moment… before breaking the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's alive, Shiva… he's alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke while stepping forward unsteadily, prompting the woman—Shiva—to rush toward him, supporting his weakened body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've done well, Gehrman… truly well. You've done well to make it this far.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears welled in Shiva's eyes as Gehrman offered a strained smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's too early for hollow praise… we're not finished yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, Gehrman lowered Frey's body to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still in a dreadful state—his chest torn open, his limbs severed, half his mask shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sight of him, Shiva nearly erupted in fury… but she restrained herself, following Gehrman's command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring out the final pieces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising both hands high ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful aura gathered around her, and within seconds… relics from a distant past were summoned—artifacts preserved through countless ages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiva had safeguarded them all this time, maintaining them in their finest condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Armor of Zenith Night… and the Sword of Sovereign Shadows. The weapons of my king, entrusted to me for thousands of years… I now return them to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between Shiva's arms appeared a terrifying dark armor—overflowing with ominous power that caused the surrounding space to tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a complete set ... covering the entire body except for the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An armor unlike any ever forged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its gauntlets held a massive sword nearly two meters long, radiating overwhelming power that Shiva could barely contain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With utmost care ...and the highest reverence ... she equipped the armor onto Frey's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each piece was placed perfectly, precisely where it belonged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the sword… she left within his grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey lay at the center of the grand chamber, clad in a magnificent black armor, holding a colossal blade of destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiva stepped back slowly, standing behind Gehrman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Gehrman… please, begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing his eyes… then opening them once more, he raised his hand high—forming a majestic blue rune upon his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire chamber trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passageways opened, and from within them flowed a dark, metallic liquid—like something born of shadows themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The substance spread across the floor… engulfing the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It swallowed Frey's body whole—consuming him entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gehrman stood there, arm extended toward his king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are the one I chose to follow… until my final breath.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even speaking had become a burden—his voice strained, his strength fading—as the rune in his hand shone ever brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I gave you my power. I gave you my loyalty. And I gave you my dream.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, Gehrman dropped to one knee, no longer able to remain standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body gave out at last, and a tear slipped from Shiva's eye—she stifled her voice as she watched that great man break before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike her, who wept… Gehrman smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wide smile .... one that reflected… relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I gave you everything I had. I offered you the years of my life, striving to carry out the ancient plan you entrusted to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did it, my lord… I truly did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But, my lord… in the end, I realized something…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had not given you everything. Not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gehrman slowly closed his eyes, his expression settling into calm dignity and quiet reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And so… I now offer you the last thing I have left in this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I offer you… my life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The life I devoted to you… until the very end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his final words echoed ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gehrman's vessel shattered completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body broke apart into countless fragments, scattering across the chamber, while a sphere of light rose from the remnants of his form ... piercing straight into the chest of Frey, who lay submerged in darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And thus…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Engineer fulfilled his mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, he found rest—after wandering alone for thousands of years…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alone, striving to fulfill his lord's will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A will he remained faithful to… until the very end.\u003C\u002Fp>",1489,"2026-05-30T03:41:46.111Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","f5344f4ff784b801373f9ba4e00ff53792bd9ad92f1e1c66d54706be87aa420c","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-853","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-851",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]