The Novel’s Antagonist: I walk the path of a Villain - Chapter 62

Chapter 62: I Hate Manipulation… I think

“So… do you have any ideas?” After two hours of fruitless brainstorming with the others, Elena finally turned to me.

The situation was dire—there was no denying that. Though this rooftop was currently the safest place we could be, it was also a trap. A trap in the sense that we were cornered. We couldn’t go down, couldn’t escape, and if we stayed here for too long, the third day would arrive. By then, more vampires would emerge, including the higher-class ones, and our chances of survival would plummet.

The sun was at its peak now, keeping most of the vampires at bay. But that didn’t guarantee safety. We had no way of knowing if the vampires inside the building had already left. That uncertainty was the crux of our problem. If we gambled on heading down and they were still there, we’d be blindsided. On the other hand, staying here until nightfall wasn’t an option either—when darkness fell, the vampires would spread out in full force, possibly even making their way to the rooftop.

“Well,” I said, glancing at the three of them, “I have two ideas. But before I share them, I need to know that everyone here will follow my plan to the letter.”

Leon scoffed, his teeth gritted in irritation. “Why the hell are we asking this loser for advice? The scummy bastard always acts like he’s above everyone else.”

I ignored him, meeting his attempt at provocation with the best response possible: silence.

“Just say it first,” Elena interjected, her tone firm, “and then we’ll decide whether to go with it.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “No. That’s not how this works. You either agree to follow the plan without question, or we stay here and wait.” Without waiting for a response, I lay back on the ground, staring up at the blazing sun.

The fog was growing denser. Time was slipping away.

“Fuck you,” Elena spat after a tense silence. When I tilted my head toward her, her glare could’ve burned holes in my skull.

“Come on, Riley. Just tell us,” a softer, pleading voice cut in. Shelly. Her tone carried a gentleness that almost swayed me, but I shook it off.

“No,” I said firmly. “I’ll tell you once you all agree to my terms.” My eyes locked with Shelly’s, who was now pouting like a child denied her favorite toy.

I couldn’t afford to have anyone poking holes in my carefully laid-out plan. If everything went right, we might even meet the requirements for the exam today. That had been my goal from the moment we entered this supermarket. Every step had been calculated. Though I wasn’t deluded enough to think things would go perfectly, I knew the plan would work if executed properly.

If they wanted to pass this test, they’d have to trust me.

“Just say it—for my sake,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

I blinked, wondering if I had suddenly developed hearing problems.

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

I tilted my head, only to notice a faint blush dusting her cheeks, though she was trying her hardest to maintain a stoic expression.

‘Wait… don’t tell me she thinks I have a crush on her?’ My eyes widened in realization.

‘Well, your actions scream it, don’t they?’ Nelia, my ever-annoying inner voice, chimed in. ‘You’ve been hovering around her since the beginning, trying to get her attention. Even when those vampires showed up, you immediately moved to protect her, despite your original plan being the exact opposite.’

Ah…. I see.

‘Alright, but don’t make it sound like I’m some kind of desperate simp,’ I shot back, irritated.

“No!” Elena’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned to look at her and froze. Her expression wasn’t annoyed or dismissive. No, it was something far worse—anger.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. What is wrong with this woman? I swear, I don’t get her.

“What do you mean?” I asked, sitting up, my tone sharper than intended.

“FUCK YOU AND FUCK YOUR PLANS!” she snapped, her voice filled with venom.

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “No thanks. I have standards. Not just anyone gets the privilege.” My gaze shifted back to the horizon. The sun was dipping lower They’d get desperate soon enough, and then the real fun would begin.

…

…

“Damn it!” Ken cursed, his voice echoing in the abandoned hallway. He’d been separated from his teammates after a vampire ambushed them out of nowhere.

“What do we do now?” the girl with pale green hair and striking crimson eyes asked.

Ken exhaled sharply, clenching his fists as he glanced at the door they’d barricaded. “We wait. They might come back for us.” His tone was firm, though his unease was evident.

The girl sighed and walked to a battered table in the center of the room. With an air of indifference, she perched on its edge, crossing her legs effortlessly. Her smooth, alabaster skin glinted in the dim light.

“Miranda,” Ken called, his tone softer this time.

Her eyes met his, cold and calculating. “What is it?”

“It’s about that bastard, El.” The name barely left his lips before her demeanor shifted entirely. Her indifferent mask shattered, replaced by an icy rage that froze him in place.

“What about him?” she asked, her voice tight as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with an almost eerie elegance.

Ken hesitated. “Maybe… let things go. At least for now—for this semester.”

Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second before narrowing dangerously. Fury burned within her, unrestrained and palpable.

“No,” she hissed. “I won’t let it go. I can’t. He has to pay for what he did to my family.” Her voice cracked with raw emotion before settling into a low, menacing tone. “I’ll make him suffer so much, he’ll beg for death.”

“Sister,” Ken began, but she cut him off with a glare that silenced him.

“Nothing you say will change my mind, Ken,” she said firmly. “Once this test is over, I’ll make him feel everything I felt. Every. Last. Ounce.” Her lips twisted into a manic grin, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous resolve that sent a shiver down his spine.

…

Alright, i think it’s time we start adding personalities to our characters. Wait, before anyone curses Ariana to death, at least wait for her back story. Then, you can curse her to death.