The Novel’s Antagonist: I walk the path of a Villain - Chapter 89

Chapter 89: That Girl…

Ryan’s POV:

“Huh?” I muttered, walking back to my dorm.

Wait.

‘Nelia…’

‘…What?’ Her voice crackled, ragged and breathless.

Was she running?

‘Something… something feels off. I feel strange,’ I admitted, feeling a deep unease.

‘PLEASE! JUST… JUST GO BACK TO THE STADIUM! I’LL COME TO YOU!’

Fuck.

“Argh,” I groaned, stumbling against the wall of the building beside me. My head spun, a disorienting haze clouding my senses.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I felt lightheaded. No—worse than that. It was as though… as though—

“Haah… Haaa… Haa…” I panted, clutching my chest. My breath came shallow, erratic.

Something was definitely wrong.

‘N-Nelia,’ I reached out mentally, but there was no response.

Fuck.

A wave of nausea hit me, and I staggered, groaning as my shoulder slammed against the rough stone wall of the building beside me. My breath came in short gasps, my chest rising and falling in erratic rhythms.

What the hell is happening to me?

The world tilted, a disorienting swirl of light and shadows. It was as though… it was as though…

… I was going to lose consciousness.

Something was definitely wrong.

‘N-Nelia…’ I tried reaching out again, but as it seemed… The connection was broken.

Damn it.

I forced myself to look around, blinking rapidly to clear my blurred sight. I was alone.

I was on my way to the dorms.

But….

… I wasn’t going to make it.

It was quiet.

Empty.

Too empty.

I sighed, pressing my fingers against my forehead, willing the dizziness away. I needed to go back.

Turning, I spotted the corner I had just walked through. I was in an alleyway—narrow, dimly lit, the space wedged between some unknown facility and the main lecture building.

Fuck.

My legs buckled.

I collapsed onto my knees, gasping for breath.

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING TO ME?!

WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS?!

“Haah… Haah…”

Step…

Step…

Step…

The measured sound of approaching footsteps sent a shiver down my spine.

Who…?

I forced my head up, vision swimming. A silhouette loomed ahead—a girl.

I could make out green hair, though the shade was too bright to be Nelia’s.

“…Nelia?” I rasped, struggling to focus.

A low chuckle.

“Sorry, that’s not my name.”

Then—

A sharp crack.

A knee slammed into my chin.

And just like that—

Darkness swallowed me whole.

…

…

Nelia’s POV:

“Huh?” I looked around.

What happened?!

Before the connection between the trinket and me was severed, I had sensed him here.

“RYAN!” I yelled, but…

…no reply.

I had just come from the stadium itself. With my stealth skill, I managed to slip in undetected and check, but…

…he wasn’t there.

Now, I’m back at the spot where I last sensed him before our connection was lost.

This alleyway.

“…Argh!” I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. “Where did he go?! I hope nothing happened….” I bit my nails, scanning my surroundings with a frown.

What do I do?

What do I do now?

“If you die, I swear I will kill you!” I rubbed my forehead in anger.

I could try to forcefully reestablish our connection, but given how unstable our bond already is, it might lead to complications.

It might even trigger the merging process.

I can’t risk it.

Sigh.

I guess I’ll have to find him myself.

“…Ryan,” I muttered, my hands clenching at my sides.

I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.

Perhaps it’s the lingering influence of the seal placed on me with the Trinket of Destiny.

Perhaps it’s just my fear of being alone.

I don’t know which it is.

All I know is—I can’t lose him.

I just can’t.

I feel this intimate bond, this connection.

It’s not from the ritual I performed.

Maybe it’s because I saw his memories.

I experienced his pain.

He’s like me.

No.

He’s endured even more than I have.

Isolated from the world by a fate he never chose.

I feel this instinctive need to protect him.

To make him feel safe.

To make him feel loved.

And in such a short span of time…

I fell completely.

“…Where are you, Master?”

….

….

Ryan’s POV:

“HAAAH!” I gasped, my lungs burning as I jolted awake.

“Haa… haaa… hah…” My breath came in ragged bursts, my eyes snapping open.

What… happened?

“—!”

I remember.

That girl.

Who was she?

I glanced around.

Dark.

Where… is this place? It was dark. Too dark.

Whoosh!

“HAAAH!” A sharp cry tore from my throat as something ice-cold crashed over me, shocking my senses.

Water.

A soft, lilting voice followed. “Wakey wakey.”

That voice—again.

I knew that voice.

My head jerked up, and there she was.

A girl stood before me, but in the suffocating darkness, I couldn’t make out her features. Her hair, her eyes—everything was swallowed by the darkness around us.

It’s just too fucking DARK in here!

“WHO THE… WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!” I roared, thrashing to get up—only to freeze as realization struck.

I couldn’t move.

No.

I was tied up.

Literally.

I WAS TIED TO A FUCKING CHAIR!

A wave of fury surged through me. “WHO ARE YOU? WHERE DID YOU BRING ME?!” My voice thundered, the words drenched in anger.

But all I got in response…

… was a giggle.

A sickeningly familiar giggle.

“Oh, El. How low you’ve fallen.”

My stomach twisted. That name…

… again.

That voice.

No. No, no, no.

At this point, I just wanted to bash my head against the nearest wall and end it all.

Another enemy from my past.

Just great.

Just fucking great.

My throat felt dry as I forced out the words, quieter this time. “Who… are you?”

She hummed, a smile laced in her tone. “Since you asked so politely… I’ll tell you.”

And then—

A soft glow flickered to life.

A mana bulb, illuminating the darkness.

I saw her face.

My breath caught.

Oh, God.

“Long time no see, dearest.”

“M-Miranda…?”

…

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

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