[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system":3,"chapter-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-156":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System",{"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},560644,810,"Chapter 156: Quiet Steps, Louder Thoughts","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-156",156,"\u003Cp>Quiet Steps, Louder Thoughts\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he asleep?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hush fell from Charlotte’s lips while her fingers eased the fabric open. Toward the mattress her gaze drifted, that sea-colored stare meeting Julian in slumber - quiet, then warmer. She stayed framed in the dimness, watching him breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her chin dipped just a bit, eyes tracing his features like they were reading something written there. Then she moved nearer, slow but sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He looks... calmer,\" she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. \"Not making stupid comments for once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Selene looked her way, pressing one finger against her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shh...\" she whispered, her voice soft but firm. \"He just fell asleep. Let him rest... he needs it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For just a moment, her eyes stayed on Julian before shifting back to Charlotte. That glance held protection - not loud, yet impossible to miss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out came a soft sigh from Charlotte as she dipped her head once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well. Given how things went today, he’s earned it,\" she said, her voice softer than normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up she rose, careful and slow, tucking a loose strand behind her ear just as her toes found the edge of the footwear waiting below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back to the station I’ll go,\" she said quietly, composure returned, yet her gaze paused on Julian before turning away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still have a mess to clean up... reports, statements... and a certain someone to investigate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For just a moment, she stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That guy wasn’t normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes stayed on the woman, steady. A brief dip of the chin followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be careful,\" she said quietly. \"That situation... it wasn’t simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte smirked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When has anything around him ever been simple?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost without noticing, her eyes grew gentle once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Into motion she went, heading for the exit, each step soft yet deliberate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back her gaze went, settling on Julian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, toward where Charlotte was walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small pull built inside her ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she started walking behind him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait - Charlotte.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway there, Charlotte paused, her gaze flicking over one shoulder, eyebrow lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of the silence she came, moving slow, face nearly calm - though something flickered behind her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already heading out?\" Selene said, voice low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For just a second, Charlotte looked at her closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet curve rose on one corner of her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out past curfew?\" she murmured, the words slipping out just beneath a breath so they wouldn’t drift through the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Let him sleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of her mouth slipped just a few quiet words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small shift touched her lips, just a breath wider than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s it?\" she pressed, folding her arms loosely. \"You rushed all the way here... and now you’re just leaving him like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene exhaled quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For just an instant, her eyes looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just meeting him... talking a bit... hearing his thoughts...\" she said, her voice softer now, almost reflective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...that’s enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes stayed away from Charlotte as the words came out. The silence between them held its breath just after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte’s expression shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hazing let up some.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really are something,\" Charlotte muttered, shaking her head lightly. \"He was practically handed to you before... and now you’re chasing him like it’s a funeral.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter colored her voice. A smile slipped into what she said. Her words danced with lightness. Playfulness lived between each phrase. Sound bent upward, bright at the edges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But also confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet breath slipped from Selene, lifting the corners of her mouth just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small curl formed in her fingers by her hip. One hand rested there, quiet, holding its shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know how ridiculous it sounds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes rose, yet a quiet break showed within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just... didn’t understand it before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of doubt crossed Charlotte’s face as her brow lifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Now I’m the one who doesn’t understand myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was barely above a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte stared at her for a second longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then let out a small laugh, shaking her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two are seriously a mess,\" she muttered. \"One talks nonsense all day... the other finally starts feeling something and doesn’t know what to do with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned toward the exit again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever,\" she added casually. \"Just don’t regret it later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene didn’t reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply watched Charlotte walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly followed beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked down the corridor together, their footsteps soft against the polished floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after the two women left, Julian’s eyes slowly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blinked once, then twice, adjusting to the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...They left?\" he muttered, his voice hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted slightly, testing his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soreness was still there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smirk appeared on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad... recovery’s kicking in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stretched his fingers slightly, feeling the returning strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his expression shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyance crept in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shitty System... where’s my reward?\" he grumbled in his mind, his tone sharp and unapologetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I nearly got beaten to death and all I get is silence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t tell me you’re slacking off again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint mechanical pause followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reward: System upgrade, unlocking the plot hint function to ensure that even if the plot deviates, the host can still foresee it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system’s voice echoed calmly in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Huh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s it?\" he muttered. \"No martial technique? No power boost? No secret cheat skill?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I risk my life and you give me... foresight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Though...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...not completely useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the plot could change—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he could still see it coming—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That way... even if things go off-script, I won’t get blindsided,\" he murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint grin slowly formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Now that’s something I can work with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled slowly, then asked in his mind,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will the auction plot proceed as normal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone turned more serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The upcoming auction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The turning point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be clear this time,\" he added coldly. \"No vague answers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system responded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beep, it will proceed as normal. Plot hint completed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information flooded his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian’s eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So it’s him now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The role had shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opportunity remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the original flow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The protagonist would obtain an antique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elixir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And an Old Martial Arts technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shortcut to power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A leap forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That opportunity belonged to someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian let out a quiet laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head slightly, golden eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Top heirs from Valcenza had died trying to seize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood had been spilled for that opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was up for grabs again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This system...\" he muttered. \"Really getting stingy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No techniques. No shortcuts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers curled slowly against the bedsheet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I’ll take it myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, dangerous smile spread across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lucas wants it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let him try.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes closed briefly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then opened again, sharper than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can’t rely on the system...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll rely on myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1225,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","0dc8fedfd9fd05d53c0bbcab2d14d721c857bee496d5dd51d31ce7fb7b8e328a","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-157","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-155",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]