[{"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-97":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},560603,810,"Chapter 97: The Backlash of Arrogance","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-97",97,"\u003Cp>The Backlash of Arrogance\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex Valquin’s brows knit tightly together, the authority of a seasoned patriarch sharpening his gaze. He looked at the two bodyguards who were still pointing toward Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get this man out of here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The command cut through the hall like a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bodyguards stepped forward immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before they could lay a hand on him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen Valquin rose abruptly, the hem of her dress swaying with urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Evan is a highly skilled expert I invited. He is very capable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fingers trembled even though she kept speaking without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shape emerged from her coat when she slid fingers inside. A scrap of old paper came out, creased many times, color faded like sun-bleached leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the talisman he gave me. Ever since I started wearing it, I’ve been sleeping soundly and haven’t had any nightmares.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murmurs moved like water across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still hidden, the truth had not arrived. Nothing showed it clearly. Not one word revealed what was real. Silence held everything back. What actually happened stayed buried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t let Evan leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his chair, Evan rose slow, flicking nothing at all from his cuff. A quiet grin tugged one corner of his mouth, like he saw kids bickering over things too small to matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle Rex,\" he said calmly, \"I’m not being arrogant. I’m just stating the truth. Master Togou cannot solve your family’s problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words struck like sparks on oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I don’t intervene, his actions will backfire—leading to a dead end and bringing harm to the Valquin household.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Togou’s face flushed dark with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arrogant child!\" he barked. \"If I, Master Togou of White Hills, resolve this minor malevolent energy today, will you kneel and apologize to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low hum ran through the blade, matching the heat behind his eyes. It shook - not much - like it knew what he felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frozen still, Evan’s face stayed blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if you can’t solve it?\" he asked lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hush fell across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Togou’s jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I can’t solve it,\" he declared coldly, \"I’ll give you this Justice Sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faint light slid across the steel, tracing old marks cut into the metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That moment, Togou pivoted fast toward his students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring the incense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps quickened as two followers moved ahead, each balancing a carved burner - three in total - etched with protective marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single burner received three heavy rods of incense, one after another. Each stick slid into place with a quiet push. The scent began to rise only once all were set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None were lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air grew heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Togou began chanting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers moved in complex seals, drawing unseen symbols in the air. His voice rose and fell, low and thunderous, ancient syllables echoing against marble walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the final word left his lips—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nine incense sticks ignited at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without spark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke poured upward, swirling violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smoke did not disperse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It condensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until a gray humanoid figure formed in mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its shape was incomplete—like a body made of grief and resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temperature dropped instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several guests shivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Togou turned to Rex Valquin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Rex, this is the malevolent energy condensed by your Valquin household. Once I eliminate it, your family will be safe and sound.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex exhaled deeply, as if years of tension were finally loosening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Master Togou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family had been tormented for too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightmares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange accidents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexplainable illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This nightmare was finally ending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A trivial matter,\" Togou said confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, raising the Justice Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sharp thrust—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stabbed directly into the gray mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the blade pierced it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing scream echoed through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vibration that clawed into skulls and chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several guests covered their ears instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within seconds—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mist dissolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive weight in the hall seemed to lift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Valquin family members straightened unconsciously, shoulders lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief spread across faces like sunrise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Togou turned slowly toward Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold look came from his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that it’s done, what do you have to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head tilted up a small amount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kneel and apologize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single flicker crossed his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don’t you take a closer look,\" he said calmly, \"to see if the malevolent energy is really gone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stillness followed each syllable. A pause settled where speech had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then -\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temperature plummeted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flickering wildly, the chandeliers shook with sudden bursts of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of nowhere, shadows stretched down from above. They crept sideways off the plaster. Then rose up slow from beneath your feet\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fog crept forward once more, slow and steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More violent than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humanoid figure reformed—but larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its head jerked unnaturally as it surged straight toward Togou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Togou’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung the Justice Sword repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade cut through mist—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it did not disperse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray energy burst forward like a tidal wave and crashed into him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Togou screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body convulsed violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face turned ghostly pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed from his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collapsed to the floor, twitching uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disciples rushed forward in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pulled out a small bronze vial and splashed what they called holy water onto his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water hissed upon contact with the lingering mist—but did nothing to drive it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smell of iron filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Valquin family, who had felt relief moments ago—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now felt something far worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unbearable pressure descended upon their shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathing became difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if a thousand-pound stone pressed against their chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several elders staggered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some nearly fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Exorcists exchanged horrified glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This energy...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not ordinary malevolent energy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impossible...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few bold ones stepped forward to assist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They formed seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chanted spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sprinkled holy water in wide arcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another threw protective talismans into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Backfired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mist surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two Exorcists were thrown backward as if struck by invisible hammers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One spat blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall descended into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rex Valquin staggered, clutching his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced toward his daughter instinctively—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen stood upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaffected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single sign of discomfort on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talisman in her hand faintly warmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t glowing dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t flashy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the space around her was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing grew shallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly turned his trembling gaze toward Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man stood there calmly, hands behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if this entire disaster were merely a rehearsal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All replaced Rex’s earlier pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was wrong earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, young friend... save my family!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every eye turned toward Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stage—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had finally shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>",1169,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","9be9ed77fb4d20b4edfe250bc10ba2ce3b9d58e5dad870eb7a2a0b0c03efe452","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-98","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-96",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]