A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Darkness (2)

“That’s how it was,” Allen muttered.

Allen fell silent, pressing his lips together before running his tongue over the inside of his cheek, his face unusually blank as he started to move his legs. I took a single step behind him, and in that moment, the world changed.

We had been inside the walls only moments ago, but with the next step, I found ourselves in the middle of a field of snow. Snowflakes settled on my shoulders, and a biting wind stung my cheek. Whether the space folded or the ground drew near, either way, we were pushed beyond the walls.

Clap, clap, clap—

"You are absolutely remarkable, as always," Allen said, clapping his hands, the wrinkles on his face had changed. "Perhaps it was my own greed to think I could remain unnoticed?"

I looked at Allen, so alien to his usual self, but my instincts told me that even this version of him was a mask. It was as if he were an onion, layers upon layers hiding the truth within.

"Yes, that was your greed," I responded.

Shhshh—

Right in that moment, the ground covered in snow flared up, igniting from the energy and ghostly aura that radiated from him, both nothing short of overwhelming. Even with the most conservative assessment, it was clear that his power was far beyond that of an expert.

I instinctively knew that, even if I gave it my all, I wouldn’t be able to put even a single bone back in place against him, for I could feel it—Allen was a person born to kill.

"But you don’t need to worry about me too much," Allen said, his eyes turning black as if stained by darkness. "Because I was planning to—"

Before he could finish, the ground tore open and a pack of monsters emerged, their strange caws echoing through the air.

Grrr, Rrrr— Grrr, Rrrr—

The demonic beasts with piercing blue eyes, known as Frostdarks, resembled hyenas and were as dangerous as they were deadly, making Allen shoot a quick glance toward them.

Crack—!

It was only a single glance, and in that moment, their bodies twisted in anguish.

Cruuuunch—!

The bones and flesh of the Frostdark twisted and shattered with a grotesque, gut-wrenching sound, as if it had been sucked into a black hole, its form dissolving into a shapeless mass.

"... I was planning to leave, pretending to be dead, this week. But it looks like today will be the day. Not that you would have cared when I did, anyway..." Allen muttered, his foot fidgeting in the snow.

Then, with his lips tight, he took one step, then another, closing the distance between us. Each step was heavy, carrying an oppressive weight that transcended anything I had ever felt.

"Professor, the Scarletborn are watching you."

Allen stood on tiptoe right in front of me, his eyes meeting mine just below my lips.

"And I will always watch over you as well. Consider this a warning."

Allen spoke in a detached tone, and I felt the tension in my body slowly begin to dissipate. It was probably due to the resistance from the Iron Man attribute.

"If our clan's patience runs out, I will not hesitate to kill you. So..."

Allen looked me straight in the eye, no longer the shy, innocent person he once was.

"... Please, take care of yourself."

The words he had just spoken didn’t match the tension of the ones before, and I didn’t feel the need to look for a death variable in him.

"Was your only purpose in staying by my side to monitor me?" I asked the question that had long troubled me.

“... Yes, it was. I never thought I could keep it hidden forever. But when did you find out? Was it because of the note?" Allen asked.

The question frustrated me, and I shook my head before replying, "Not from the start, not until the end—you know nothing about me."

“... Not from the start, not until the end?” Allen said, pouting his lips slightly. “Is that really true...? I was hoping to at least learn a thing or two about you. It’s quite disappointing...”

I watched Allen muttering to himself, and as my mind retraced the past, I wondered, When did I first realize his true nature? It had been a while, but the moment I became certain of his difference was clear.

"On the train to Berhert—that’s when it became clear," I said.

Allen’s eyes widened in surprise as he stared at me, unlike the usual look he gave from before.

"Since we were on that... train?"

"Correct."

"But then why didn’t you..."

Perhaps it was much earlier than he had expected. He lowered his eyes, and after a brief silence, he smiled softly and continued, "... I see. But, thanks to you, Professor, I’ve had my fair share of fun. Or I suppose I should say, it’s been an honor working with you, Count Yukline."

The moment Allen smiled, a tiny gap in his distraction appeared, and I took advantage of it and moved my finger.

"It felt as if I were experiencing a part of history that you would be making, Professor. I wonder if that's the right way to put it...?"

Using the momentum from pinching my thumb and index finger together, I flicked at the spot right on his forehead.

Thwack—!

The flick sent Allen stumbling back, his leg wobbling awkwardly as he reached up, flustered, to rub his forehead. A red bump slowly began to swell on the spot where I had hit him.

"Oh...?" Allen muttered, blinking and stunned by the sudden action.

Allen looked at me with a complete look of confusion, as if the world itself had turned against him, having no idea why I’d flicked him and demanding an explanation.

"Let the punishment for deceiving your superior be one that you accept without complaint," I said.

Allen stood there, lost in thought, as the winter wind tugged at the hem of his robe.

"Heh," Allen muttered, twisting his lips into a smile. "... Yes, Professor."

I nodded and walked toward the wall, since there was no need for more words. If he fully intended to leave, I wouldn't be able to hold him back.

"Professor," Allen called from a distance.

I turned around to look at him, and he wore a faint smile.

"Goodbye."

At that moment, a snowflake landed on my shoulder, its delicate crystal blending with the swirling wind.

"Allen," I called, a name that was probably not his real one.

"... Yes?"

"You may not know it, but there are a few people on this continent who make me feel like I am really myself."

If I were the original Deculein, I would have left without a second thought, satisfied to be freed from the death variable.

"And you are one of those few."

But I was not Deculein; I was still Kim Woo-Jin. And there were certain people in this world who reminded me of who I was.

"It’s not that you were; it’s that you are. Even if you leave, it will remain unchanged, regardless."

Allen was silent, his eyes wide and round like a deer's as he looked into mine.

"So, Allen," I called.

Allen nodded.

"Have you learned much during your time?"

Allen nodded again.

"Was your life as an assistant professor enjoyable?"

Allen nodded once more.

I placed my hand on the top of his head for a moment before pulling it away and saying, "Then, you've done well."

Allen's eyes flickered, and I finally continued to speak the words I had longed to say.

"It was you, Allen, who helped me when I was up against Veron."

Allen quickly dropped his head, his face now hidden from view.

"Turning my back on the one who saved my life would not befit the honor of Yukline. Whether you’re a spy sent to watch over me, an assassin waiting for the right moment to strike, or even a Scarletborn—it matters little, Allen. I am genuinely thankful for you."

Shake, shake— Shake, shake—

"... No," Allen muttered.

Allen shook his head not once, but several times, as if to deny even his own achievements.

However...

"Ellie."

At that moment, my expression hardened, and a cold chill spread through my chest. Fortunately, Allen's eyes were fixed on the ground.

"... My name is Ellie," Allen muttered.

The name was whispered softly beneath the clear night sky, where the moon and stars remained untouched, like a timid melody.

"Ellie," I repeated, casually saying the name.

"Yes. It’s Ellie."

"I’ll remember your name."

"... Yes. Please, don’t forget."

With those words, Ellie gave a light push from behind. I could feel the strength in her palm as I was nudged forward a few steps, turning to look back again.

"I should be on my way now," Ellie added.

As soon as Ellie took a step, she disappeared from sight, likely already far away in the blink of an eye.

"Ellie..." I muttered.

The field he left behind was empty, but I had known all along that he would eventually go, and it didn’t matter much. _{freewebnoveℓ.com}

Fluff, fluff...

I looked up quietly at the sky, where dark clouds drifted and snow softly settled on my shoulders. My eyes fell to my fingers, still tingling from the flick on Allen's forehead.

Ellie was a named assassin I knew, carrying a tragic past and an overwhelming reputation. In the world of assassins, she was unmatched on the continent, and even among the Scarletborn, she stood as one of the true monsters in her own right. She was also a character with the most powerful attribute—Space and Perception.

And yet, someone like her was assisting with such minor duties under me as an assistant, I thought.

"I find it hard to believe I flicked her on the forehead," I murmured.

Roll, roll— Roll, roll—

My head feels like it's about to shatter, but it's more than just the pain. Strangely, my heart aches as well. Has the pain spread through my veins and reached my heart?

"... Sorry? No, of course not. What are you talking about? Ha!" Ellie said, quickly shaking her head and letting out a nervous laugh. "I don’t think I’m even capable of crying..."

"It feels like the previous one was my real face... Ugh, please give it back to meee," Ellie whined.

"Hmm," Primien muttered, looking up at the sky as the moon, once hidden by clouds, peeked through and cast its pale light onto the forest below. "... How interesting."

Roharlak isn’t as bad as you might think. Professor Deculein is keeping all the promises he made to me. There probably won’t be any gas chambers set up here, and we’re preparing for winter with Hadecaine’s forces.

There are a lot of people here who enjoy joking around with each other. Of course, they still know how to keep things respectful and formal, and I feel like I’m starting to fit in with them. I’m even getting a little emotional as I write this, but I swear, it’s not a lie. I’m really happy here.

So Yurine—no, Lillia Primien—please stop Elesol. If the Professor is gone, there will be no turning back. It will be completely irreversible for our people.

The Professor is like a candle, someone who will light the darkness of the future yet to come..

There isn’t much space left on the paper, so I’ll end it here.

P.S. Please burn this letter immediately after reading it. Don’t share any of this with anyone, not even with members of our clan. You know we have spies from the Altar among us.