A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Ghost Island (3)

Carla and Jackal were troublesome named enemies, not just for their strength but for their unique attributes. Carla, at least, wasn’t much of a threat. Her attribute, Authority, worked like a cage, but I could break through it with my mental strength.

Jackal, on the other hand, was a much bigger problem. No one on our team could handle his combat skills, at least not on the surface. I glanced over at Allen, who was focused as Hetrog went on with the briefing.

"The investigation confirmed that the mana stone mine is the castle itself. However, there are several complications with the mining. Besides the mana that causes drowsiness and nightmares, we also have to deal with thieves like Carla and Jackal..." Hetrog spoke with calm composure.

West, Ruhan, Seleni, and the other team members provided support as he delivered his report.

“To prevent any potential mass drowsiness, please wear these bracelets. Occasionally, a sleep-inducing fog blankets the castle,” Hetrog continued, handing out the bracelets—simple devices that administered an electric shock every three hours. “The next exploration will commence at 18 o’clock 6 minutes tomorrow.”

“Is there a particular reason for setting such a precise time?” Ihelm asked.

Hetrog replied, “It’s because of the passage we found. The most stable one opens precisely at 18 o’clock 6 minutes on the 6th, 16th, 26th, and 36th days.”

“And that small door is the entrance?”

"Yes, in addition—"

“Before we proceed,” I interrupted them.

It was time to act. I used Telekinesis to lift the Wood Steel. After testing it firsthand, I was ready to put the tools to proper use.

"I will deploy this steel throughout the castle."

Whirrr—!

With a sharp whir, the Wood Steel flew in every direction—up the stairs, down the corridors, and even diagonally through the air.

Hetrog watched their movement closely before turning to me and asked, "Would you explain it to us, Professor Deculein?"

"These steels are in tune with me," I replied.

At this level of resonance, my twenty blades of Wood Steel felt more like extensions of my body than just metal. They were no longer simple objects, but something closer to living beings—responsive to my thoughts, instincts, and intentions, capable of making decisions on their own.

“The steels emit waves to gauge the size of the space and the density of mana, all of which is relayed back to me. If spatial discontinuity also affects objects, I’ll be able to map the entire area without moving an inch.”

“Wow~ Outstanding as always, Professor Deculein!” Allen said with a wide grin, giving me an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Ihelm, meanwhile, let out a grunt and leaned back in his chair, his expression as uninterested as ever.

Hetrog nodded and replied, “Yes, that’s an excellent plan. We’ll await your results, Professor.”

***

Morning on Goreth Island seemed to last only a few hours. The clear midday sky was brief, and before long, darkness crept in. Thick storm clouds rolled in, turning the sky pitch-black as they unleashed relentless rain and wind.

“All four elements are actively engaged...”

Ruuumble—!

The sudden thunder made Epherene jump, muttering, “Ah... that scared me.”

In the eerie landscape, briefly lit by flashes of lightning, Epherene focused on studying the thesis paper.

“A new pure element, formed through the harmonious integration of all four fundamental elements...”

Luna and Deculein’s thesis was packed with complex spells and original concepts. It required not just deep understanding, but also extraordinary magical talent and skill beyond that of ordinary mages. To truly master it, one needed both full comprehension and the caster’s own natural abilities for practical use.

"... Carbon imparts near-limitless flexibility to any magic, a trait defined as its primary property."

As Epherene continued analyzing the thesis, a sudden chill ran down her spine. Without turning her head, she glanced toward the window. In the glass, the reflection behind her revealed a grotesque figure, its unnaturally long limbs swaying as if caught in a strange dance.

Epherene snapped her head around, glaring at the creature. Its body was stretched and human-like, but dangling from its neck was the face of Mr. West, grinning widely. Its elongated arms and legs continued their bizarre dance.

“WELL MISS EPHERENE, DID YOU ENJOY THE FISH?!”

“Ah! Mother of God! ... Why are you suddenly talking?!”

“BUT MISS EPHERENE, YOU DON’T HAVE A MOTHER. SO WHY ARE YOU CALLING FOR HER?”

“Huh? What? Wow. Seriously? That’s... just plain rude.”

“HEHEHEHEHEHE, CRY ALL YOU WANT. BUT IT’S TRUE, ISN’T IT? YOU DON’T HAVE A MOTHER.”

A sudden chill ran through her, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she knew there was no reason to panic. Epherene quickly scanned the room for someone—Deculein. The chair where he had been sitting just moments ago was now empty.

That meant this was only a dream.

“A dream!” Epherene shouted, snapping her eyes open.

“Ugh— Mrr— Mmmrrrmm—! Mmmrrrmmvrrvrr—!”

A strange groaning filled the room. Epherene, who had dozed off at some point, was now sprawled toward the ceiling, her limbs outstretched as her body shook violently, as if caught in a seizure.

“Ugh— Mmrrg— Mmmrghk—!”

“Ohh, Miss Epherene!” Allen exclaimed, startled as he turned to look at her.

“Brrrr—”

“Wake up!” Allen called out, rushing over to shake her.

“Ughh—!” Epherene gasped, jolting awake, her body soaked in cold sweat.

I said calmly, “You’re back in reality now.”

“... Ah,” Epherene muttered, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Are you alright?” Allen asked, gently patting her back, his concern clear.

Epherene sat there, dazed for a moment, and mumbled, “Yes... Yes, I’m fine. But why do I keep having so many nightmares—”

“It’s a sign that your mana sensitivity is far greater. You’re more in tune with the castle’s mana than the others, but your mental strength is lacking,” I said, casting a glance around the room.

Something about the first floor felt off. The rest of the team, including Hetrog, seemed to have adapted, but for someone like Epherene, with her heightened magical sensitivity, it was likely unbearable.

“There’s no other choice. You two should stay on the second floor as well,” I added.

“... Eh?”

“Sorry?”

Epherene and Allen both tilted their heads, confused.

Suppressing the irritation rising within me, I said, “I’ll give up one of the beds. The two of you can share it.”

Living with twenty people in communal quarters was nearly unbearable—no, it was completely unbearable. Just thinking about it made my skin crawl, as if I were having an allergic reaction. But making enough room in my space for two more people—that, I could probably tolerate...

***

“... Does it taste good?”

“Yeah! You should try some too, Ria!” Leo said.

Meanwhile, Ria, after managing to escape, had set up a small base camp in one of the castle’s tiny bedrooms. She made soup from the fish they had caught the night before and gave it to Leo first.

“How are you feeling? Are you feeling a bit better now?”

“Yeah, but...” Leo murmured, his eyes shifting to Carlos, who still hadn’t woken up.

Carlos’s veins pulsed blue, his small body reacting to the ghostly aura of the castle.

Ria gently placed a magically chilled towel on the boy’s forehead and said, “Don’t worry. We’ll make sure he’s okay, won’t we?”

“Yeah, of course~ But, Ria, who was that earlier? We made it because he opened the door for us.”

Ria went quiet.

The sudden attack from Carla and Jackal had taken them all by surprise. Ganesha was trapped by Carla’s Authority, and Jackal’s sword was moments away from striking when, almost by coincidence, a figure appeared. But Ria knew exactly who it was—Professor Deculein, the key villain at a crucial turning point in the story.

“... You don’t need to worry about that,” Ria said softly, glancing at her hands. Her fingers were stiff and swollen.

She had completed countless side quests so far, and her growth had been almost ridiculously fast, as if she were a blessed character. Yet, even with all that progress, blocking a single strike from Jackal had left her hand shattered.

“Ria, that guy was really strong. Was that Jackal?” Leo asked, looking up at her.

Ria gave a gentle smile and said, “Yeah, he really was.”

What happened next, however, was unexpectedly shocking.

“I really want to fight him again. I know I won’t win, but I still want to try,” Leo said.

Ria stared at him for a moment before letting out a small, disbelieving laugh. Then again, she knew Leo came from a bloodline of martial artists. He wasn’t an ordinary named character either.

“Don’t worry about that right now. Just rest until Ganesha gets back, okay?”

“Yawn~ Ria, you go ahead and sleep first. I’m not tired—I already slept a lot earlier,” Leo said, his eyes heavy with drowsiness.

“Haha.”

“... Snore.”

Whizzzz—

Thud—

Thud—

Thud—

Thud—

Thud—

“—Argh!” Ria screamed, jolting awake with a sharp breath as the electric shock from her bracelet pulsed through her wrist. She quickly glanced around, her eyes still heavy with sleep, relieved to see the protective spell on her robe had activated.

“Phew...”