A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 128: Fog (1)

“Leo,” Ria whispered.

“... Yeah, I know,” Leo replied.

Ria’s throat tightened as her nerves spiked. The mid-boss before her—Deculein—was no ordinary professor. He was a demon hunter, the head of an ancient family famed for exterminating demons. Her best option was to flee. With Carlos at her side, there was no way she could defeat a Yukline.

“Run!” Ria yelled, throwing a dagger straight at Deculein.

The attack and impact were nearly simultaneous. The dagger embedded itself in his arm, thanks to her Absolute Hit attribute.

Yet Deculein didn’t so much as flinch. Instead, he commanded the Wood Steel. Dozens of shards responded to his will, swarming like a hive of bees. Ria unleashed a burst of mana to repel them, but the Wood Steel lodged in the floor vibrated under his Telekinesis, ripping up the tiles.

Ruuuuumble—!

The ground shifted beneath her, throwing her into the air, but she didn’t fall. Suspended midair, her arm hung limp as Deculein’s Telekinesis locked onto her artifact bracelet, holding her aloft.

"... I didn’t come for you. Killing children is not something I indulge in," Deculein said, his voice as cold and sharp as a blade.

Ria glanced at Leo, who was dangling upside down like a monkey, groaning and making odd noises as he swung back and forth from the ceiling.

“I only need that one,” Deculein said, pointing at Carlos.

The boy lay crumpled on the ground, tossed aside by the explosion, his small body trembling under the weight of ghostly aura and the fever coursing through his mixed blood—half-human, half-demon.

“No!” Leo shouted.

“Absolutely not!” Ria replied.

The veins in Deculein’s temple throbbed as he spoke, “Do you even understand what it is you're trying to protect?”

“We do. Better than anyone,” Ria responded without hesitation.

Deculein’s expression turned cold, his voice laced with quiet malice as he continued, “Then it’s even more troubling. By defending a demon, you share in its guilt.”

His voice carried a tone of finality, like a judge passing a sentence. Then, once more, the Wood Steel stirred. The metal's resonance burst forth with violent intensity.

Ruuuumble—!

The shards flew forward, cutting through the air. Ria ripped off her bracelet and cast a Defensive Mana Barrier around herself as she sprinted toward Carlos. She leaped in front of him, absorbing the full impact of the attack, using her body as a shield to protect the boy.

“Ugh—!”

Fortunately, her Defensive Mana Barrier held, but barely. Her enchanted robe lay in tatters, blood seeping from the many wounds covering her body.

“... Such useless efforts,” Deculein sneered, gazing down at her with cold contempt.

Gritting her teeth, Ria whirled around, her eyes blazing with defiance as she shouted, “It’s not useless!”

“Foolish. The very thought of protecting a demon’s bloodline is nothing but misguided delusion...”

Deculein's voice faltered, and the thick tension in the air abruptly dissipated. The bloodlust that had filled his eyes faded, replaced by a flicker of confusion.

“... You.”

The resonance of the Wood Steel stopped, and the murderous gleam in Deculein's eyes vanished. Like ripples across water, something unfamiliar stirred within him—a strange emotion he had never felt before.

It was a brief moment of vulnerability, one that wouldn’t come again. Ria seized the chance. She grabbed the bedspread, tossing it over Leo and Carlos, turning the fabric into metal and sealing them inside a closed space. Deculein moved to cast a spell, but he was already too late.

Whooosh—!

When Ria finally removed the bedspread, they were in a completely different room.

“Phew... That was close...” Ria muttered, swaying from dizziness before collapsing to the floor.

“... Whoa! Ria, I couldn’t even move! What just happened?! That was incredible!” Leo exclaimed, bouncing around in excitement.

It must have been Deculein’s telekinesis... or perhaps something else entirely. Telekinesis in this world wasn’t meant to be that strong. Whatever it was, the spell had been devastatingly dangerous.

“Who was that guy?!” Leo asked.

While tending to her wounds, Ria answered quietly, “... Deculein.”

“Deculein?”

“Yeah. He’s a very dangerous noble.”

“Wow! Anyway, that was amazing! There are so many strong people in this world, right? Not only Ganesha!” Leo went on excitedly, but Ria barely heard him.

Ria was lost in thought, reflecting on Deculein and murmured, "Yeah... he's incredibly strong... almost too strong to believe."

The Deculein she had just encountered was nothing like his original character. Even accounting for the fact that Yuklines became stronger when facing demonic opponents, his strength was still overpowering.

“... Is this the butterfly effect?”

“Butter?”

"It's nothing, just something you don't need to worry about."

Ria remembered a small Easter egg she had once added—Deculein’s first fiancée. It was a minor detail that didn’t affect the game’s progression. According to the backstory, she had awakened Deculein’s ability to love, but her death had only made him stronger. It was a plausible theory.

After all, this world wasn’t just a game anymore. The characters now lived by their own emotions and memories.

“... Could that be the reason?”

Ironically, the backstory she had added to the game was what had just saved them. Ria recalled the moment Deculein hesitated. His usual bloodthirsty drive to exterminate demons had briefly given way to a surge of pure emotion. It was a moment that would linger in her memory for a long time.

"Because I remind him of his late fiancée..."

Recently, during her stay at Hadecaine Castle, Yeriel had mentioned something about her to Ganesha.

“That girl, Ria, she resembles her. Quite a lot, actually.”

“You mean she reminds you of his first... fiancée?”

“Yes. Even Yulie bears a slight resemblance, but Ria? She’s almost a mirror image. Her eye color and hair may be different, but I have a feeling that as she grows older, she’ll resemble her even more. I’m quite good at recognizing faces.”

Ria pressed her lips together and checked on Carlos. She laid a hand on his forehead. Thankfully, his fever had gone down.

“Alright, Leo!” Ria said, clapping her hands with a cheerful yet firm tone. “We have to keep moving! The next enemy could appear any moment, so let’s not slow down!”

“Okay!”

This time, Ria carried Carlos on her back. They just had to hold on until Ganesha arrived. No matter how much Deculein’s power had increased, he couldn’t possibly defeat Ganesha...

***

... Somewhere in the Ghost Castle, the sizzle of fish filled the air. Yet, a tense silence blanketed the room, like walking on thin ice. Jackal glanced at Carla, who was fixated on Ganesha sitting across from her. Ganesha met Carla's gaze with a calm, unflinching stare.

“Not many make it outta my sis’s hell, ya know?” Jackal said.

Ganesha shrugged and replied, “Hmm~ Yeah, it wasn’t easy. I’ll give you that—respect.”

Carla, known as the Authority, possessed a unique power. Her attribute, Authority, let her trap her targets within her mental landscape—a realm as tormenting and endless as the Avici Hell. Once marked, escape was impossible, unless one could break through the hell itself.

Naturally, such a powerful ability came with a cost—Carla couldn’t use her mana as long as the target was trapped, or until they died. Not that it mattered much; Jackal would protect her during that time. Still, they never imagined that another monster could break free from her hell.

“Well, I’ll be on my way then~ Unless you’re still itching for a fight? I’m up for it if you are,” Ganesha said, her twin tails fluttering as she rose to her feet.

Jackal pursed his lips, then called out to her retreating figure, “But hey, Ganesha, I saw somethin' real interesting, ya know?”

“... Interesting?”

"Yeah, check this out," Jackal said, swinging his sword.

A scene unfolded before them—the last memory of his men, frozen in the seconds before Deculein finished them off.

Carla murmured, “So, it seems like Deculein found the child, didn’t he?”

Ganesha's eyes widened in sudden realization.

Carla continued in her usual tone, “The Yuklines are demon hunters, you know? They won’t accept anyone with demonic blood.”

“... You could’ve mentioned that earlier,” Ganesha muttered, clicking her tongue in annoyance and rushed out at once.

Watching her leave, Jackal murmured with a smirk, “Heh, pretty wild, huh, Carla? You know what they say—money rolls in all at once.”

The Altar wanted Carlos. A bloodline as rare as that of a half-human, half-demon was found only in beings as extraordinary as the giants.

They also sought Deculein’s brain. Filled with runic knowledge, his brain was considered one of the world’s greatest treasures. The price on their heads was so immense that it could nearly fund an entire nation.

“Two grand prizes, right there...” Jackal drawled, flashing a grin as he polished his blade.

The smirk glinted coldly off the crimson edge.

***

On the second floor of the Ghost Castle, Epherene woke up in Deculein’s quarters.

Epherene lay staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open. The bed was soft, the blanket warm, the pillow comfortable, but once again, the eerie sound of footsteps echoed nearby.

Epherene muttered, “Is this just another nightmare...?”

Epherene sighed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. She got up slowly and tiptoed forward, trying to guess which ghost was behind those footsteps this time.

Tap— Tap—

The sound pulled her toward Deculein’s room. Epherene glanced at Allen, still asleep. She thought about waking him, but if this was another nightmare, he could just turn into a ghost. With no other choice, she moved forward alone—like in every horror movie where someone always ends up wandering off by themselves.

Tap—

The footsteps stopped abruptly. Epherene hugged the wall, then slowly peeked around the corner.

“... Huh?”

It wasn’t a ghost; it was Deculein, which meant this was reality.

“What’s going on?” Epherene wondered.

Something about him felt off. Scratches covered his arm, and his eyes had a distant, thoughtful look she’d never noticed before.

“A resemblance... whoever you are... next time, I won’t lose you.”

A broken whisper slipped from his lips, his words fading into the air like shattered thoughts. He sighed, a quiet wave of sorrow filling the room. This wasn’t the Deculein she knew. Epherene stood there, frozen in disbelief.

“Cough.”

Just then, Deculein gave a faint cough.

Black blood seeped from the corners of his mouth, the result of pushing his mana too far—though Epherene couldn’t have known that.

Her eyes widened, like a startled rabbit. Deculein was spitting up blood. It was a stark, undeniable sight that reminded her of something Louina had once said, almost as a joke—that sudden changes in someone could mean they were close to death...

Thud!

Epherene stumbled, her big toe catching on the doorframe.

“Ow!”

Pain surged through her toe, forcing a small yelp from her lips. Deculein turned to face her, and an uneasy silence filled the space. Epherene gripped her toe, swallowing hard.

“Another dream?” Deculein inquired, his blue eyes regaining their usual, composed gaze. Once again, he stood as the untouchable noble, the flawless professor.

Epherene rubbed her cheek, hesitating before saying, “... No.”

She studied his face intently, but there was no hint of concern. With little interest, he simply took a seat and pulled out a book—The Case Files of Goreth Island.

"Professor, I... have a question," Epherene began, her voice faltering as she searched for the right words.

Deculein listened, absentmindedly turning the pages.

"... Do you remember what went on in Lokralen?"

Rustle— Rustle— n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The gentle rustling of pages filled the room as a cool breeze swept in through the open window. Still, Deculein gave no reply.

Epherene quickly added, "Because I don’t. Not even one bit—really, not a single thing."

Finally, Deculein looked at her. Epherene shifted her gaze and mumbled, “It’s nothing... I was just wondering, that’s all.”

If you were to die someday, maybe soon... I don’t know where or how, but if it isn’t peaceful... What would you do, Professor? If I told you, would you try to change it? Would you even believe me? Or... do you already know your fate? Epherene thought.

“I do remember,” Deculein replied.

And with that, the conversation ended.

~

Tick-tock— Tick-tock—

The clock ticked steadily, each second dragging on.

Rustle— Rustle—

The soft rustling of pages filled the quiet room. Epherene stood in the center, the night breeze wafting in through the open window. She shifted uneasily, her fingers tapping and toes curling.

“... Um,” Epherene began, recalling a line from a letter Deculein had once written when he chose to sponsor her. It simply read, I support you.

Gaining courage from that simple phrase, she went on, “Professor, you knew, didn’t you? That I overheard you back then.”

Deculein’s hand paused, the pages left mid-turn.

“You said it would be my responsibility to finish your research.”

His eyes, cold and indifferent, settled on her.

“I just wonder... why did you say that?” Epherene asked, holding his gaze. She hated the way her voice trembled, almost like she was talking to herself.

Deculein stayed silent, his eyes locked on her for what felt like ages. At last, as starlight spilled through the window, he spoke a single sentence.

"Because it is not something I can do."

In that moment, Epherene felt her breath hitch, as though struck by a heavy blow. Her head throbbed. Deculein's words weighed on her—complex yet painfully clear, like the last piece of a puzzle clicking into place.

“... I understand,” Epherene muttered, clenching her fists. She bit her lip. “Then, I’ll make sure to complete it. For you, Professor. And for my father.”

Her voice trembled, but her resolve remained firm. She stood tall, like a knight bracing for battle.

Deculein let out a hollow laugh, his tone indifferent as he replied, “Do as you wish.”

“Yes. So, with that said...” Epherene said, drawing a stack of papers from her robe pocket. It was the thesis she had kept close, day and night—her summary of everything she had learned so far.

“I’ve put together my thoughts here. Could you review it for me?”

Epherene questioned whether her thesis was on the right track, so she turned to Deculein for his guidance.

"... Very well," Deculein replied with a faint nod. The unusual gesture left her feeling uneasy.

“Hmm.”

Deculein put his book aside and picked up her thesis. Epherene watched quietly as he read each line. This was the man who had wronged her father—the annoying professor. The peculiar mage who had almost lost his family's title to the Luna family, yet still decided to take her on as his protégé.

“So, it’s a full moon tonight. Have you ever heard the legend about it?” Epherene rambled, trying to fill the silence.

The moonlight poured in, casting a gentle glow on Deculein's face. Epherene rested her chin in her hand, studying his stern features. Then, his eyes began to slowly close. Panic surged through her, and she sprang to her feet, worried that his condition was worsening.

But before she could react, a wave of drowsiness swept over her, forcing her to collapse back into her chair. It was the Drowsing Fog that Hetrog had warned her about.