The Novel’s Antagonist: I walk the path of a Villain - Chapter 94

Chapter 94: Feelings I can’t lose…

“Haaaah…” A long sigh escaped my lips as I stared at the merchant before me.

“150 points. That’s as much as I can offer,” the merchant said, eyeing the mana core I had handed him. It was the same mana core I’d obtained from that mana beast that attacked me when I was searching for the Trinket of Destiny.

To think I’ve gotten this desperate.

“Fine,” I muttered. He began etching something into the relic before him, working with the practiced ease of a seasoned swindler. After a moment, he asked for my student ID, which I read aloud from my meta-watch.

[Ding!]

[Credit!]

You have just received 200 points.

Total Available Points: 220 points.]

“…Nice doing business with you.” He grinned.

And in that instant, I realized—I’d been scammed.

Nice.

Just what I needed.

I frowned, glaring at the fat bastard who wasn’t even trying to hide his smug satisfaction.

But…

Sigh.

I guess I’ll have to let it go.

Shoving my frustration down, I turned on my heel and walked out of his stall.

Damn it!

I still can’t believe there was a time I could leisurely spend a hundred points without a second thought.

“This is all your fault,” I grumbled, turning to look at Nelia. She had been waiting outside, and the moment I stepped out, she rushed over, hooking her arm through mine.

These days, she preferred being visible rather than lurking unseen.

I think it has something to do with the essence she shared with me.

“Oh, please… Don’t tell me you don’t like having me around. Or could it be… you actually don’t?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. Her grip on my arm tightened slightly.

I sighed. “Of course not.” My fingers trailed along her cheek. “Who else would I want to be with, if not my love?”

Lately, I’d grown smoother with my words.

Well, I had to—Nelia had started acting more like Selena these days.

“…Oh, shut up.” She grabbed my fingers, rolling her eyes, before quickly glancing around. Then, without warning, she pulled me into a nearby alley.

Well, not completely like Selena—if she were, she’d be a blushing mess right now after hearing those words from me.

“Bend down a little,” she ordered, stretching her arms out.

I did as she asked, and instantly, she pulled me into a deep kiss.

But before I could take things further, she pulled away.

“…You know,” she murmured, her forehead resting against mine, “the only reason I let you hang around Ariana is because I know she’s the one who saved your life.” She cupped my face, her gaze darkening. “Don’t think you can fool me. I see what you two do in those private training rooms, and I won’t lie… I’ve had some stray thoughts about just castrating you.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

Alright, a lot has happened these past weeks.

Like a lot.

For some reason, the exams were completely canceled, and everyone was admitted.

I won’t lie—I got a little scared since that was a massive deviation from the main plot.

But a week passed… and nothing happened.

There was also Selena, who, for some reason, had become even more attractive. Her hair was now pink, though whenever I tried to ask why, she would simply ‘distract’ me—with her body.

Like.

We did it a lot.

A lot, to the point where it was probably a daily occurrence.

‘I’m hopeless.’

I can’t explain it.

It’s as though a part of me I never knew existed is surfacing.

After that day with Lucas, something changed within me.

Perhaps it’s the bloodline again, this time affecting my behavior.

But…

… it actually feels good.

The only issue was making sure none of them caught me with the other.

Well, I knew for a fact that Nelia knew, but I chose to turn a blind eye.

“Come on, it’s not like—” I started to say, but she pressed a finger against my lips.

“You’re turning more and more into a playboy… I just hope I won’t have to resort to extreme… measures,” she purred before pulling me into a deep kiss.

“What the fuck?! You kids actually have the gall to—!”

A scream.

I tried to pull back, but she didn’t budge. However, I felt it—mana.

“… Now, that was good~” She grinned.

“… You just… killed him,” I said. But the truth was, I didn’t really care.

Why would I?

It wasn’t me.

It wasn’t someone I cared about.

“… I had to vent somewhere,” she said, grabbing my hand.

I glanced one last time at the corpse lying in the middle of the road.

Tsk.

‘Should I check if he has any points on him?’

That was the only thought in my mind.

“Let’s go.”

“…Alright,” I finally replied, following her.

There was no denying it.

Something had changed within me.

But it felt right.

I felt more complete now than ever.

Perhaps this was the real me.

As for the issue of Ariana—who I now knew was Renay—as much as I knew accepting her was a mistake, and no matter how many times Nelia tried to beat sense into me, telling me to forget about her… I couldn’t.

I still wanted her.

After a while, Nelia finally gave up.

Well, at least, that’s what I thought.

“Don’t try to kill her, Nelia,” I said for what felt like the hundredth time.

“…Why would I ever do that?” she asked, but there was no sincerity in her voice.

I had the same problem with Selena.

I just had this feeling that if I let things be, one of them might actually try to kill her.

I halted my march.

She turned to look at me.

“Then promise me,” I said, holding her hands. Students walked past us, but I paid them no mind.

“Promise you what?” she asked.

“That you won’t harm her.”

She only stared at me, her eyes dark.

“….”

No response.

“I know what I’m doing is wrong. I really do. But… I just have this feeling that one day, I might lose everything. I love her, Nelia. I love you. And I love Selena. Yeah… I’m stupid, selfish—call me whatever you want. But that’s how I feel. I can’t lose any of you.

This world can burn for all I care.

I just want you all to be safe.

So please… don’t do it.”

That was the truth. The most honest thing I had ever said.

But there was something else.

Something I hadn’t told Nelia.

Lately, I had started feeling more… detached.

Detached from everything.

My only anchor, the only thing tethering me to my humanity, was them.

When I am alone—when none of them are with me—I feel this… coldness.

The world becomes colorless.

“…”

She bit her lip, her eyes turning red before she pulled me into a tight hug.

“Why did I fall for an idiot like you?! You’re the biggest idiot in existence… Sometimes, I just hate you,” she whispered.

I said nothing.

I simply hugged her back.

I was changing.

I just hoped I wouldn’t change so much that one day…

I’d forget who they were to me.

….

The update schedule just changed.

1 chap in two days.

Got an exam coming up