A Villain's Will to Survive

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?”

“Okay~”

There was no doubt that Ganesha would return victorious. Ria had meticulously prepared for this quest. As she grew stronger, she made sure Ganesha was well-equipped, sharing details about hidden treasures and items she already knew about. Now, Ganesha’s gear was stocked with hidden pieces, and she might even be able to face the mighty King of Winter head-on.

“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.

Ria chuckled and said, “You’re yawning while saying that? I don’t think I believe you.”

“Come on~ You haven’t slept much. If you have nightmares again, I’ll wake you up, and...”

But before he could finish, Leo was already fast asleep.

“Haha.”

The children were still so young, driven by their instincts. Yet, she found her own mouth opening wide in a yawn, too.

Ria fought to stay awake, but after nearly 72 hours without sleep, she couldn’t stop yawning. Her thoughts began to blur, and eventually, her mind gave in completely, as if she were slipping into unconsciousness.

“... Snore.”

Soft, peaceful breathing filled the room, like a lullaby drifting over the bed where the three children lay sound asleep.

Whizzzz—

A small piece of metal drifted closer. Gliding through the air like a bird, it scanned the space for mana. Then, it spotted three small lifeforms. The Wood Steel hovered, focusing on one of the children—Carlos.

His neck veins pulsed with blue and purple light, throbbing under his skin. More disturbingly, his breath carried a mix of heat and dark energy. The Wood Steel trembled, sensing the danger, and relayed the information to Deculein.

***

I slowly opened my eyes, feeling the awareness of the Wood Steel flow through my body. I glanced down at my wrist. My veins bulged, blood tinted blue, and my heart pounded fiercely. It was undeniable proof. The bloodline of Yukline was screaming within me.

I let out a hot breath, and as my blood surged, it felt like the whole world grew brighter.

“... A demon,” I murmured.

The Wood Steel informed me of a creature within the castle, radiating such intense demonic energy that it could only be called a demon. My body felt its presence vividly, as if it were burning from the inside. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“If a demon is near...”

The distant window reflected my face. My glowing blue eyes shone like crystals, and my sharp irises, raised like a predator’s, gave me a fierce, savage look.

“... Then I must kill it.”

I moved with purpose. No other thoughts filled my mind. It was my duty, my calling, driven by the blood of Yukline. This instinct went beyond the hunt for demons. It carried one undeniable truth—we could never coexist.

The mana in my blood always sought them out. I had to kill them simply because they were demons. The act of killing held no deeper meaning. It was a calling, nothing more than a task I was bound to complete.

Thud—

Finding it would be simple. I would use the twenty blades of Wood Steel like threads. The castle was vast, so it would take some time, however...

Thud—

I would never let it escape. I would find it, and I would kill it.

Thud—

A demonic creature dared to exist in the same space as me—a cursed being beneath even the effort to destroy.

Thud—

I would tear it limb from limb and crush the life out of it.

Thud—

As I walked down the hallway and climbed the stairs, I spoke the words of the Yukline bloodline—hatred carried through generations.

“... Fear the demon.”

***

“—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...”

The nightmare had been disturbing, but not particularly frightening.

“Leo, wake up!” Ria urged, shaking him gently but quickly.

Leo stirred, unaffected by any dreams, and sleepily said, “... What is it? Is Ganesha here?”

“No, but we’ll need to get going soon.”

They couldn’t stay in one spot for too long before Ganesha arrived, and three hours of sleep would have to be enough.

“Alright...” Leo mumbled, nodding sleepily as he slung Carlos over his back, while Ria packed up their supplies.

Bang—!

Suddenly, the door flew open.

“Who’s there!”

“... Hmm?” a bald, tattooed thug murmured, smirking with an ax slung over his shoulder as he stepped into the room. “Well, well~ what do we got here, bro~?"

It was the thieves again. Ria pulled her hood down and readied her dagger. She could handle one of them without much trouble.

“Yo! Right here, bro!”

“Where, dude? Who’re you talkin’ about?”

“These kids, bro! Aren’t they the ones Jackal was talkin’ ‘bout?” the bald thug shouted.

Their numbers quickly grew—one, two, three... until thirteen men stood before them.

“Dude, for sure, these are totally the brats we’ve been lookin’ for!”

“Yo, we totally got ‘em, bro! Let’s haul ‘em back to the spot.”

“Heh heh, c’mon, come here, little dudes! Come here!”

Ria gritted her teeth. The thugs blocked the only way out, and there were too many of them to handle while protecting Carlos. Her mana was almost gone, and the situation was as bad as it could get.

“Just give up, bro, it’s way easier that way! Hey, hey, drop your weapons,” one of the thieves said, taunting as they closed in, their eyes gleaming with greed.

“... Leo,” Ria whispered. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah, of course!”

“Okay, on three. One, two—”

Just as Ria was about to call out three and move, time seemed to slow as her Instinct attribute kicked in—an intense, almost primal sense of danger.

Boooooooom—!

In an instant, a deafening explosion ripped through the right wall, hurling debris as a shockwave rocked the room. Thick smoke poured in, and the air became filled with the sounds of destruction. The blast was followed by a series of crashes and a deep rumble that shook the ground.

Ria was thrown to the ground by the explosion and groaned as she looked up through the haze.

“Who the—”

The thieves, briefly stunned, raised their weapons in confusion, but they didn’t stand a chance. A flurry of steel fragments tore through the smoke, moving at impossible speed.

Swooooosh—!

Countless blasts ripped through the thick smoke at impossible speed, cleaving straight through the thieves’ bodies. The shards didn’t slow; they drilled deep and spun violently, shredding muscle into ribbons, pulverizing bone, and rupturing organs. Flesh and bone were torn to pieces, spraying through the air like chunks in a meat grinder.

In seconds, the thirteen thieves were reduced to nothing but mangled flesh and scattered remains. Ria turned away from the horrific carnage and fixed her gaze on a figure emerging from the thick fog.

Thud...

Thud...

The sound of steady, deliberate footsteps echoed through the room. A figure emerged from the smoke—a man with a noble stance, hands folded behind his back, leaning lightly on a cane. As the smoke cleared, his full form was revealed—a true aristocrat.

Ria was stunned. Of all people, the man before her was the last she expected to see. To call this encounter a mere coincidence seemed beyond belief. Deculein von Grahan-Yukline. Ria watched him, but his gaze was fixed elsewhere, not on her.

“Ah...”

At first, she thought he had come to help, but the cold, piercing look in his blue eyes held no trace of salvation. There was nothing heroic or noble in his arrival. His regal presence radiated only one thing—bloodlust. Deculein’s aristocratic features twisted into a cold glare, his sharp eyes locked on the child—Carlos.

“Leo,” Ria whispered.

“... Yeah, I know,” Leo replied.

Ria quickly understood the source of the intense hostility. Deculein, as the head of Yukline, had demon extermination ingrained in his very nature. But Carlos... Carlos was of mixed blood—half-human, half-demon.