[{"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-172":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},560660,810,"Chapter 172: Marrow Cleansing at Midnight","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-172",172,"\u003Cp>Marrow Cleansing at Midnight\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the hotel room, Julian D’Aurelius sat on the sofa, silently chanting in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suite was quiet now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too quiet compared to the chaos from earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distant city lights of Woodland shimmered beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, painting gold across the carpet. Somewhere far below, traffic murmured like a river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Julian sat there, black-haired, golden-eyed, looking far too serious for a man mentally arguing with a system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside his heart he called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shitty System, where’s my reward?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the familiar mechanical tone rang in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beep, reward: physical enhancement, and a significant boost to the weakling host’s strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Weakling host?\" Julian muttered aloud. \"You give rewards and still insult people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment the system’s cold voice faded, his expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something moved inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like invisible rivers were tearing through his muscles and bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat rose from his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skin prickled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pulse hammered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>thick black foul-smelling liquid began oozing out of his pores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then recoiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn, which author came up with this marrow cleansing setting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smell hit him a heartbeat later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fermented death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like old sewers, rotten herbs, and a battlefield latrine had been blended together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Julian, who usually handled absurdity well, nearly gagged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s like I got thrown into a cesspool and told to swim laps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaped off the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ran straight for the bathroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suite’s bathroom was almost decadent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Polished black stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam rising in silver threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beyond the marble partition—an indoor hot spring pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now this...\" Julian muttered approvingly, stripping and stepping under the shower, \"this is what rich villains should have.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water thundered over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black impurities washed away in dark streaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skin seemed clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every muscle felt rewoven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After cleaning off the filth, he eased into the hot spring pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sigh escaped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water wrapped around him with healing warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body hummed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Tyrant System, after this round of marrow cleansing, he now possessed a top-notch martial arts physique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more importantly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his strength had directly advanced into the Iron Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ordinary man...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>no longer ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Old Martial Arts practitioner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian flexed a hand underwater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power gathered differently now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this level was still too low to slap Evan or Lucas to death...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it greatly increased Young Master Julian’s capacity for bullying the weak and fearing the strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grinned to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excellent. Growth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then added solemnly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I shall now oppress small fry with my fists.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He imagined some arrogant rich fool stepping up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And him dropping the man with one punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the future when clueless fools come knocking...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised a fist from the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...wouldn’t I be able to take them down with a single punch?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He admired the idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This shitty system finally decided to give me something good...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers rubbed his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...but something feels off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because truly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he hadn’t gone all out against Lucas tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had mostly let chaos do the work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why such a high reward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had to be hidden contribution points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...did the system count psychological damage too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If humiliating Lucas counted as combat output—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then perhaps the reward made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then his phone vibrated beside the spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Checked the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Scythe Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hemil and his brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then read it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning that the four of them had given Lucas a beating—because he disguised himself as Julian and got mistaken for Julian—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn... is this even a thing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pretending to be him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>just to get beaten up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of tragic comedy was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected,\" he muttered reverently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The snitches are very dedicated to their work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was almost emotion in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loyal traitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rare species.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such service deserved reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So to thank them for boosting his performance and increasing his system rewards—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian sent each of the four a high-end club membership card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each loaded with one million Euro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough for a year’s indulgence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And because it was a nationwide chain—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they could use it anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later the replies came flooding in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hemil:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Young Master Julian is divine.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second member:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Club people, club soul, clubs are for the elite!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(I’ll die for you after tonight’s massage package.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Long live Young Master Julian!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian laughed so hard water nearly splashed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madmen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four collectively left the hotel soon after to have fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Lucas’s arrangements—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>sorry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were all Young Master Julian’s tasks now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After contacting the Scythe Division, Julian soaked comfortably in the hot spring a while longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam curled around his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thoughts drifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Bianca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To how she had clung to his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To bunny-girl jokes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the way her eyes sparkled when teasing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he abruptly submerged his face in water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No dirty thoughts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He resurfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Maybe a few.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually he rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dried off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prepared to head back to bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>knock knock knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp against the quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman’s voice came through the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julian, open up, I need to talk to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianca De Dominicis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this hour?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looking for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something felt strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could she want so late?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing outside, Bianca looked... distressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long red hair was loose over her shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red eyes slightly watery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hand held her stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was even a faint vulnerable softness to her expression rarely shown in daylight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian’s teasing mood vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bianca?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped inside slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And walked straight to his bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then lay down on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like she belonged there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clutching her stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julian...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My stomach hurts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Concern rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because he was Julian—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his mouth betrayed him before compassion did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you here to take a dump?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1031,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","30ac68ea56f3bb3be41b489a0c7933dc5a8851d94606e992323edfd8358ba97a","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-173","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-171",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]