A Villain's Will to Survive novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Incident (1)

◆ Memorize Status:

Beginner/Intermediate Telekinesis (17% Progress)

┏Beginner Fire Control

┣Beginner Fluid Manipulation

┗Metal Enhancement (67% Progress)

Late at night, I inspected the magic strands of Telekinesis that appeared through my Sharp Eyesight in the annex. Although the quality of my mana had improved, harnessing and controlling the amplified power was still challenging. Closing my eyes gently, I cast Telekinesis, causing a piece of Wood Steel to rise into the air.

Today's goal was to manipulate electromagnetic waves through the resonance of metal using Telekinesis. Previously, my low mana quality had prevented any attempts, but now, at grade 4, it was worth trying.

Zzzzzzzt—

The basic application of this advanced technique was Invisibility—using metal resonance to disperse and refract visible light, making the Wood Steel shuriken's shape almost invisible.

Bang—!

The theory was sound, but the Wood Steel, which was vibrating in place, suddenly shot up, smashed into the ceiling, and then crashed down onto my shoulder. It was my 38th failure.

"Quite challenging," I muttered, rubbing my aching shoulder as I took a seat.

My body was covered in bruises from mastering this mechanism, and my mana was nearly depleted. Despite the improvement in my mana quality, my ordinary talent remained unchanged, so this would take some time.

"Talent..." I murmured, recalling the words I had said to Sylvia yesterday.

"Is a genius's struggle truly greater than that of an ordinary person? That’s incorrect. Those who do not require teaching cannot comprehend the struggles of those who depend on it to grow."

Looking back, it was clear that jealousy and envy were at the root of it all. This feeling of inferiority was a common thread between Deculein and Kim Woo-Jin. Deculein became a villain, consumed by it, while Kim Woo-Jin gave up, accepting his inadequacy. Neither had managed to overcome it.

“What a joke,” I said with a wry smile.

However, what I told Sylvia yesterday was true. Her development would happen on the Floating Island. With countless events and quests awaiting her there, she would surpass Deculein. Meeting Archmage Sylvia in the main quest would be the right choice, and the Floating Island was the ideal place for it.

I packed my things and stepped outside, where Roy, my butler, was waiting. It was precisely 7 a.m.

"Have Ren and Enen already departed?" I inquired.

"Yes, sir," Roy replied.

"Good," I acknowledged with a nod.

The siblings had departed to establish the Information Office and would come back with suitable recruits.

"Furthermore, Lady Yeriel has arrived," Roy informed me.

Yeriel sat in the tea room of the Yukline mansion. The spicy aroma of the two cups of black tea she had brought filled the air.

"Are you coming to the ribbon-cutting ceremony?" Yeriel asked, taking a sip of her tea. "It's for the opening of the underground passage."

Usually, Marik would open the passage, but Yeriel had the idea to expedite the process, reducing the waiting time significantly. As a result, it was being built a year ahead of schedule.

"Do you have the blueprints?" I inquired.

"I have a video," Yeriel replied, pulling out a crystal orb. As she infused it with mana, a projection of the underground passage appeared. "The tunnel stretches from the northern village of Seojakbi in our territory to Marik's entrance, about 80 kilometers. What do you think?"

The projected underground passage was far more than a simple tunnel. It was wide and spacious, lined with modern tiles and walls.

"And it’s not just a passage. Going straight home after work at Marik is too exhausting, right? So, we've built a commercial area for convenience."

The crystal orb projected an image of an underground shopping mall, reminiscent of a modern subway station.

"It's empty now, but it's waiting for tenants—restaurants, shops, hotels. This will bring in additional income beyond toll fees. Adventurers will spend their money freely here," Yeriel said, folding her arms with a confident and satisfied smile.

"You certainly go above and beyond,” I said.

"... Well, that's just how I am," Yeriel replied, stifling a laugh. Her neck stiffened, and her shoulders rose with pride.

"Good. I have recently invested in numerous shops. I will open their branches there."

I had investments in several businesses, including the magic shop Lopopo, the hardware store Lukan's Wharf, and the restaurant Flower of the Pig.

“Oh, that! I was going to mention it. Why do you force investments on them?” Yeriel said, suddenly frowning, a curious reaction from her.

"Force?"

"Yes! I heard you visited shops that didn't need investment and forced them to sell shares!"

I remembered those moments clearly. Some shops were indeed hesitant to sell their shares, but I had targeted them with my Wealthy Magnate attribute.

"If they had made their refusal clear..."

I stopped mid-sentence. It was true; any company or shop that dared to refuse my offer had been visited by me personally for persuasion.

From their perspective, it must have been quite intimidating—an unexpected noble entourage demanding the sale of shares, which was essentially a form of coercion, especially considering that the one behind it all was a powerful figure in the Empire, a Yukline.

"... I paid them fairly."

"Anyway! Are you planning to keep doing this?" Yeriel asked.

I considered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, I will continue."

There’s no reason to stop. Even if they’re hesitant initially, they’ll benefit in the long run. As long as the outcome is positive, the process is irrelevant. With limited time, I can’t afford to be selective.

"Oh, god..."

“It’s their fault for refusing my investment,” I stated firmly.

Yeriel sighed in exasperation. "Whatever. Will you attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony?"

"If my schedule permits."

"Schedule? It's likely next week. What do you have planned for today?"

"After instructing Her Majesty, I will visit the auction house."

"Again with the auctions?! Oh, come on! God damn it! We're out of funds after building the tunnel!" Yeriel was shocked again.

I shook my head and replied, "I'll be selling, not buying."

"... Oh, I almost got mad again. And take this," Yeriel said, handing me a box that had been sitting on the table. It was elegantly wrapped. "It's a gift from the construction company of the Yukline underground passage. Open it."

Using Telekinesis, I lifted the lid and found an unexpected, yet familiar item inside.

“You know what it is, right? It might seem a bit unfamiliar,” Yeriel asked.

It was a revolver, adorned with gold patterns on a black background—the symbol of Yukline.

"They say it’s a trend among the kingdom’s nobles. I heard it’s more effective than a sword in close combat, making it good for self-defense against bandits."

Guns exist in this world, powered by ordinary gunpowder, but they are not widespread. The details were handled by the game design team, likely because they can't penetrate mana shields and knights' reflexes are faster than bullets.

"What do you think? Pretty, isn't it...?"

The revolver was aesthetically pleasing, even with my Aesthetic Sense attribute. It felt more like a piece of art than a weapon, satisfying my sense of beauty. This must be why people give gifts—just one item could improve my entire perception of the construction company.

"Well crafted. Tell them I accept it," I said.

"Oh, you're... going to keep it? Not throwing it away?" Yeriel asked in a subtle tone.

"Yes."

"... What will you use it for? Don’t mages usually dislike these? I thought you'd throw it away, so I just showed it to you..."

Her eyes flickered with a blend of desire and disappointment as she stared at the revolver in my hand. I waved it back and forth, and she couldn't help but track its movement.

"Yeriel, will you be departing immediately?" I inquired, placing the revolver in my inner pocket.

Yeriel sighed and responded, "I'll rest for a bit~ I've been overwhelmed with work lately~ I was hoping to find a gift for myself~"

"Take your time," I said.

"God dang it, so frustrating. I feel like a pest," Yeriel muttered in annoyance.

Ignoring Yeriel, I turned and called for Roy, "Let's depart."

"Yes, sir. The car is ready," Roy replied.

It was time to leave for the Imperial Palace.

***

Yeriel stormed into her room, collapsed onto her bed, and kicked her legs in frustration. Her whole body quivered with regret.

“I should have kept it for myself. Why did I show it to him? Why? Ugh, you idiot! Why did you show it, you moron?”

Clack—

Bang—!

"I’ve read your entire textbook," Sophien declared, waving my revised edition of Understanding Pure Elements as I stood in the Imperial Palace.

"Hmph. I've mastered it all. Watch." Her tone was formal and authoritative as she demonstrated every spell in the revised edition simultaneously, filling the room with Pure Elements in less than a minute. "It's rather lousy."