[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-villain-s-path-system":3,"chapter-villain-s-path-system-villain-s-path-system-chapter-20":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Villain's Path 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},1138425,1475,"Chapter 20: Pathetic, Yet Defiant","villain-s-path-system-chapter-20",20,"\u003Cp>\"Who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A warning.\" The figure didn’t move, but Lucian felt pressure building in the air. \"Stay away from Seraphina Ashenblade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rage flared hot in his chest. \"Yeah, no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heard me. Distance yourself. Now. Before you get her killed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like hell I will. Who sent you? What do you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossibly fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade of shadow slashed toward Lucian’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dodged—barely—and countered with Mana Threading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His practice sword glowed faintly as he channeled energy into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struck at the figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passed through empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow reformed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kicked him hard in the ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian flew, hit the ground, rolled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain exploded through his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too strong. Way too strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scrambled to his feet, breathing hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure advanced slowly. Toying with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re weak. Pathetic. And yet you cling to things beyond your reach.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian blocked—his sword shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wood exploded into splinters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow’s blade came for his chest—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ICE.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wall of crystalline ice erupted between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow’s attack shattered against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elira Frostveil stood at the arena entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver-white hair gleaming in the moonlight. Ice-blue eyes cold as winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand was raised, frost spiraling around her fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s enough,\" she said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow turned toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Frostveil heir.\" The distorted voice held... respect? Fear? \"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave. Now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This doesn’t concern you, ice princess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s under my protection.\" Elira’s voice was calm. Absolute. \"That makes it my concern.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More ice formed around her. Deadly. Beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Touch him again, and I’ll freeze you solid. Then shatter you into dust.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow seemed to consider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low. Mocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well. But the warning stands, Valemont. Stay away from her. Or next time, the Frostveil won’t be here to save you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presence vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone as suddenly as it appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian stood there, ribs aching, mind racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elira lowered her hand. The ice dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked toward him, studying him with those analytical eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you hurt?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll live.\" He straightened carefully. \"Why did you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was watching.\" She said it like it was obvious. \"I’ve been watching you for a while now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s... not creepy at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of amusement crossed her face. \"You’re interesting, Lucian Valemont. And someone clearly wants you dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, I’m getting that impression.\" He looked at where the shadow had vanished. \"Any idea who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. But I’ll find out.\" She examined the area, frost forming briefly on the ground where the entity had stood. \"Dark magic. Old. Forbidden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Great. Just great.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elira looked back at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long moment, neither spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why help me?\" Lucian asked finally. \"You don’t know me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know enough.\" She turned to leave, then paused. \"You’re not what people say you are. And I’m... curious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[AFFECTION INCREASED]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New Status: \"He interests me. And I protect what interests me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Lucian alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bruised. Confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with even more questions than before.\u003C\u002Fp>",497,"2026-06-03T12:08:46.595Z","2026-06-03T12:08:55.308Z",1,"novelbin.me","b972bf79302fcffc69747975aa02e02723eeda7c82be8d32f536e7269bb8812d","villain-s-path-system-chapter-21","villain-s-path-system-chapter-19",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-s-path-system-cover.jpg"]