A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Return (1)

Boom—!

Right after the earthquake, the entire bookstore plunged underground, its remains collapsing in a cascade of rubble.

“... What just happened?” Epherene muttered, sprawled awkwardly on the ground, staring blankly at the ceiling above.

But something felt off—the angle was strange, and the scene before her was even stranger.

"Why are there shoes stuck to the ceiling?"

A single pair of shoes was stuck to the ceiling above her.

Why is the world upside down? Epherene thought.

“... Oh, it wasn't the ceiling—it’s the floor.”

It was me who was upside down.

Epherene rubbed her head as she regained her balance, but the persistent dizziness suggested she might have suffered a mild concussion from the fall.

“Miss Epherene!”

Pat, pat, pat, pat—

Through the darkness of the underground, the soft patter of hurried footsteps broke the silence—Ria was running toward her.

“Are you okay?” Ria asked.

"I'm fine. What about you?" Epherene replied with a bitter smile.

“Me too.”

"That's a relief, but why did this place suddenly collapse?" Epherene muttered as she drew out her Wood Steel, its mana flowing from it, and a glow spread through the darkness.

“... It’s a quest,” Ria said.

"A quest?" Epherene asked, tilting her head at the unusually serious tone in her voice.

“Yes.”

At that moment, a single line of system notification appeared before Ria’s eyes—a quest.

[Main Quest : God]

The final main quest had begun far too soon—far beyond what Ria was prepared for and an impossible challenge, given her current growth and progress. The situation was critical, but the clock had not yet run out.

“Come this way,” Ria said, grabbing Epherene’s sleeve and pulling her along.

People who were unconscious sprawled across the corridor, their weak groans filling the air, and Epherene’s face tensed as she took in the sight.

Thud, thud—

Ria, however, didn’t spare them a glance. Without hesitation, she descended deeper underground, stepping straight into the crack beneath the bookstore. There was no sign of hesitation—only a calm composure far beyond her years.

"Ria, what exactly is a quest?" Epherene asked cautiously.

“... That,” Ria replied, pointing toward something in the distance.

In the darkness, the faint sound of ripples reached her ears first, and when Epherene finally caught sight of it, her eyes widened in surprise.

“... A lake?”

“Yes.”

At the heart of the underground lay a lake, its clear waters shimmering with soft ripples.

"It’s a passage to the outer edge of the world. The people of the Altar created these lakes all over the underground of the continent," Ria explained.

“... The Altar? Ria, you knew about them as well?” Epherene said, startled as she placed a hand on Ria’s shoulder.

"Yes. Though I'm a little curious about what you mean by 'as well,' I won't ask right now since we don’t have time to—"

— Hmm... I see. There is someone there.

A dignified and imposing voice emerged from the lake, its solemn tone filling the underground. In an instant, Epherene and Ria turned toward the water.

— My apologies. It seems I have disturbed something while casting my line. Have you been harmed greatly?

“... Who’s there?” Epherene asked, gathering mana within her body.

Hummm—

The Wood Steel rang out with a resonant hum.

— Hmm... if you must know, I am God.

“... God?” Ria muttered, her face stiffening.

“God? What kind of nonsense... Oh, so you're the one in charge of the Altar?” Epherene said with a scoff.

— The Altar and its faithful are my followers. I am the one they call God.

“So you are the Altar.”

Epherene pressed a hand to her temple, muttering something under her breath.

“Principality of Yuren, bookstore underground... Principality of Yuren, bookstore underground... Principality of Yuren, bookstore underground—”

Epherene was memorizing the information she needed to deliver to Deculein after the regression.

— Hahaha. You find it difficult to believe, do you not?

At the sound of His laughter, Ria anxiously licked her dry lips.

“Of course not. People who call themselves kind are never kind. They say it because they aren’t. The ones who really are kind don’t see themselves that way. You know why? Because their standards for kindness are far too high.

“To them, they will never be good enough. And that’s exactly why you’re not God. If you were, you wouldn’t need to say you are God,” Epherene replied, shaking her head as she crossed her arms.

After a long string of words and a brief silence, an unexpected response followed.

— Indeed. It is only natural for you to think that way. After all, doubt is in the nature of mankind, and faith is not born from God Himself, but by His followers.

“... Huh?" Epherene murmured, slightly caught off guard.

— I admit it. It has not been long since my awakening, and there is still much I do not know. The fault is mine.

Oh, he’s surprisingly mild-mannered... completely different from the cruelty the Altar has committed, Epherene thought.

— From this moment on, I shall no longer call myself God. Instead, I shall prove that you recognize me as such.

Tap, tap—

"That's the final boss," Ria whispered, tugging at Epherene’s sleeve.

“Final boss?”

"Yes, the enemy of the continent."

— Do not fear.

As if in response to their words, the lake replied.

— For I will bring you no harm. Even the descendants of heretics deserve a fair chance. And you, Epherene of Luna.

“Oh? How did you know my name—”

— He will soon arrive.

For a moment, Epherene was at a loss for words, and almost instinctively, she stepped closer to the lake and peered into its depths.

— I, too, look forward to his arrival.

A form shimmered upon the water's surface—a person with long, crimson hair, and their features made it difficult to tell whether they were a man or a woman, but judging by the voice, they seemed to be a man.

"A-Are you talking about the Professor?" Epherene asked.

— Indeed. A self that transcends humanity, an unshaken man that stands defiant against the very order of the world.

“... W-When?!”

He smiled in silence, and just as Epherene furrowed her brows, ready to question him further, she suddenly sensed the mana rippling through the lake. In that instant, a realization dawned on her.

“Bomb,” Epherene muttered.

The explosion that signaled the start of Epherene’s regression on April 9th—the very detonation Murkan had forewarned.

“... This lake itself was the bomb.”

... No wonder I couldn’t find it.

— Haha.

The lake smiled, and Epherene took a step back.

“A bomb?” Ria asked.

"Yes, there’s a lake in the Imperial Palace too. It’s always mentioned in the biographies of former Emperor Crebaim—he loved fishing..."

At that moment...

Shing—

A metallic scrape rang out behind them, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps. The air grew heavy with murderous intent as Ria and Epherene slowly turned around. Seven knights stood before them, draped in robes, their faces hidden in shadow. However, Epherene had a feeling—she knew who they were.

“The tallest one over there—you’re Knight Jaelon, aren’t you?” Epherene asked.

— That is enough.

— That child is one who has offered me wisdom. Moreover, I have sworn that no harm shall come to her.

“Huh?”

— Now, return from whence you came.

— It will not be long before we meet. Epherene Luna...

— Yoo Ah-Ra.

Yuara? That name sounds familiar, Epherene thought.

— And you, whose soul has become interwoven with another.

Swoooosh—

Chirp— Chirp, chirp—

Chirp, chirp— Chirp, chirp, chirp—

Shhhhhhhh...

The grains of sand slipped through my fingers, sinking smoothly into the earth, blending with the soil and grass of the garden. Then, I manifested Telekinesis.

Whoooosh...

Chirp, chirp—

Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp—