The Novel’s Antagonist: I walk the path of a Villain - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: No… Please

“Haah… haa… haa…” A young man panted heavily, his body twisting and turning as beads of sweat trailed down his forehead. His teeth clenched tightly, and his breaths came in short, ragged gasps. “No… I… no… please… no…” he murmured between gasps, his eyes shut tight as he wrestled with the torment of his dream.

“RYAN! WAKE UP! RYAN!”

“HAAAA!” With a sharp gasp, he bolted upright, his hands instinctively clutching his chest. His wide, disoriented eyes darted around the room until a soft, familiar voice broke through his panic.

“You’re okay. It’s alright,” the voice reassured him. He turned toward it, his gaze landing on a girl with striking blue-green eyes. She cupped his sweat-drenched face gently, her touch grounding him.

“Renay? What—” he began, only to be interrupted as she lunged forward and pulled him into a tight hug.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Wrong?” he echoed, still catching his breath. The hug tightened, pulling him closer.

“Yes,” she replied, finally pulling back enough to meet his gaze. Her expression softened as she brushed her thumbs across his face. “You’re… crying.”

“I… am?” he muttered, lifting a hand to his cheeks. His fingers brushed against the damp trails on his skin.

“What was the nightmare about?” she asked, her gaze steady and searching.

“Right… a nightmare,” he murmured, his mind still clouded. “I… I don’t know,” he admitted after a long pause. “I know I dreamt about something—something awful—but… I can’t remember what it was.” His hand ruffled through his hair, frustration and unease etched on his face.

“It’s okay,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around him again. This time, he allowed himself to sink into her embrace. “I’m here, okay? It was just a nightmare.”

“…Thanks,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. Her gentle fragrance surrounded him, soothing the frayed edges of his mind. Slowly, he felt his body relax, exhaustion pulling him back toward sleep.

But just as his thoughts began to blur, one stark realization jolted him back to full awareness.

“Wait a minute…” He straightened abruptly, gripping her shoulders and pushing her back just enough to look her in the eyes. “This is my apartment,” he said, a flicker of confusion crossing his features. “How the hell did you even get in here?”

Renay’s gaze shifted, avoiding his eyes as a faint blush crept across her cheeks. “I… I… I don’t know?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

…

…

“Damn it, this bastard is just too strong,” I muttered under my breath, glaring at the high-blood vampire we’d been battling since dawn. The fight had dragged on until high noon, and we were utterly exhausted. We’d even tried escaping into the forest, but the thick, oppressive fog made it impossible to find our way. We ran and ran, only to find ourselves back in the same cursed spot.

Right in front of the damn monster.

“Lily?” I heard Lucas’s voice and turned to see him helping Liliana to her feet. Since yesterday, he’d started acting unusually affectionate toward her. Well, that’s none of my business.

“HELP!” Cain’s voice rang out, snapping me back to the present. My eyes darted to where he was struggling, the vampire’s sharp fangs sinking into his neck.

Damn it.

We were too weak. We couldn’t beat this thing.

“You’re all making this far too easy,” the vampire sneered, tossing Cain’s lifeless body aside like a broken doll.

I sighed heavily. It was the last day of the test. At any moment, the simulation would end, and we’d wake up back in the VR lab. We didn’t need to fight this thing. But the vampire had been annoyingly persistent, chasing us through every corner of this cursed forest, and now it had killed Cain.

Damn this annoying vampire!

“Ariana, let’s use our strongest attacks. Only a minute left until the test ends,” Lucas said, his expression hardening as he gripped his massive sword. The blade began to emit a brilliant golden glow, illuminating his determined face.

I still haven’t figured out the specifics of his bloodline ability or why he exudes such confidence. Not that it matters to me—what does matter is making this fool disappear. How dare he challenge El, knowing fully well El isn’t even that strong yet.

I’ll make him pay.

I’ve kept quiet long enough, especially with Selena constantly breathing down my neck, but that doesn’t mean I won’t torture him to death, for even thinking of hurting my Ryan.

Wait. No. I can’t let that show.

“Alright,” I said, nodding as I composed myself. Liliana nodded too, and together we charged toward the vampire. We all knew this effort was likely futile, but testing our abilities against a superior opponent might still prove useful.

“Bloodline ability,” I muttered. Instantly, the ground beneath me turned to ice, surging forward at a speed so fast no human could react in time.

But… this wasn’t a human.

“Is that all you’ve got?” a voice sneered, disturbingly close to my ear.

What? When did it get so close?!

BAM!

A sudden, powerful blow struck me, sending me flying through the air.

“ARIANA!” Lucas’s voice echoed in the distance. Tsk. He’s so annoying.

I crashed into a wall with a sickening thud and crumpled to the ground, dazed. As I looked up, I saw the vampire closing in on Liliana. Lucas let out a guttural scream, his hair glowing golden as he charged at the creature like a madman.

Weird.

But then—

VRRRRRRRRRRM!

A sharp, mechanical sound echoed, and my eyes flew open to see a translucent door rising.

“Huh? Is it over already?” I muttered to myself, sitting up. Around me, others were doing the same.

“GET HIM TO THE INFIRMARY! NOW!” a voice shouted.

What?

I turned and saw teachers rushing toward a student lying dormant in there pod.

Wait. That hair…

No.

It can’t be.

“What happened? Damn it!” one of the lecturers exclaimed, their frustration unmistakable.

I froze.

“No… Please no,”

…

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!