The SSS Ranked Villain's Return - Chapter 296

Chapter 296: An Acquaintance
Even though he couldn’t truly see this Neraxis’s past, he decided to explore the world for the time being.

If everyone hated him, then there had to be some sort of reason… aside from the fact that he killed William, Aurelia, and her mother.

And then there was one very serious kill—her dog. Even if he was evil, he would never directly kill a dog.

That was just cruel.

Still… this really is a clusterfuck. I don’t know how to clear this trial either.

The objective said he just had to face the shadows of his past and survive them. So far, he was doing a good job, or so he thought.

However, as he glanced around the crowd of people, he realized that they shared the same fear that the person back in Argon did.

—I-It’s him!

—Call the authorities!

—Fucking devil…

“Calm the fuck down, all of you,” Neraxis said coldly, infusing his voice with the Frost affinity and making each person slow down greatly.

Since no one could run away, he decided to ask some questions.

He approached a random old man and nodded at him.

“Hey there. Could you tell me why you’re afraid of me?” Neraxis asked expectantly.

Instead of answering, the man spat right in Neraxis’s face.

Before the spit could land, he used Destruction, but even then, he was confused why everyone was reluctant to tell him.

Did the Astral Tower mess with their brains or something…? Neraxis pondered.

It seemed like he didn’t need to wonder for long, as in the distance, he felt a certain presence approach.

They were strong, likely one of the strongest he’d met on the planet.

But whoever it was, they didn’t seem friendly. Their mana was chaotic, and he could clearly feel the bloodlust radiating straight at him.

And soon, he noticed the figure, which was none other than the red-haired, green-tattooed Kael.

He was different. But Neraxis simply assumed it was due to the bloodline he had mentioned back in the wilds.

Maybe he went through it in this timeline? Neraxis thought with a raised brow.

Yet in the very next moment, the ground shook, and out of it came a large pike. It was made out of wind, but its destruction was evident.

Even if he could regenerate incredibly fast, it was just wiser for him to dodge, and that was exactly what he did.

But Kael didn’t give up, as he followed up the attack by reappearing in front of Neraxis and bringing down his gauntlets.

Neraxis redirected the gauntlets downward, locking eyes with the rage-filled Kael. “Really, man? That’s how you greet me?”

Kael’s brow twitched. “You don’t even deserve the air you breathe, you fucking bastard.”

With those words, all the air in Neraxis’s lungs seemed to escape, making it difficult for him to breathe.

But not like it mattered. He was a vampire, and so he merely stared back into Kael’s eyes.

He couldn’t exactly speak, but the fact that it wasn’t affecting him was clear, so Kael stopped using his mana.

“Did you finally accept their heretical powers?” Kael asked with a scoff, readying himself to strike again.

“On the contrary, I don’t even know what you mean,” Neraxis replied with a sigh. “Could you at least be the only person who listens to me?”

“Eternal Night has been treating you pretty well after the shit you pulled at the academy,” Kael said, narrowing his eyes. “Why did they let you out?”

Eternal Night, Academy, and capture? Neraxis pondered. “They didn’t let me out. I escaped.”

Kael chuckled. “Yeah? Did you finally come to your senses after all? Though I doubt it, you’ve always been pretty manipulative. For all I know, you’re simply trying to gain empathy and then stab me in the back again.”

Neraxis tilted his head. “Or maybe I just want to have a calm conversation.”

“Nah.” Kael grinned, and in the very next moment, he compressed the air around Neraxis.

At the same time, Neraxis felt the gravity around him increase by a dozen times to the point where he found it difficult to stand.

But that only lasted for a few seconds, since after he used his Destruction affinity, all that pressure disappeared.

Instead of waiting for Kael to do it again, Neraxis simply threw a full-powered fist right at Kael’s jaw.

To his surprise, the fist actually connected, and he practically heard Kael’s spine snap as he flew into the sky, blood dripping from his mouth.

But there was one thing that threw Neraxis off.

Why isn’t he regenerating…?

Kael was strong, sure. But Neraxis didn’t remember him being a total glass cannon.

Yet as Kael’s body slowly fell to the ground, all Neraxis saw was Kael lying on the ground with a blank expression, his fingers twitching.

Just what is wrong with this fucking timeline? Neraxis thought, and just as he was about to go and heal Kael, he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder.

Turning around, he was greeted face to face with Valthor, one of the main leaders of the Eternal Night.

“You’ve missed your curfew, Neraxis,” Valthor said, glancing past him toward Kael. “I see you’ve met your previous acquaintance. I take it you’re satisfied?”

As much as Neraxis wanted to go and kill Valthor right here and now, he couldn’t exactly feel any vulnerabilities.

Valthor was just someone who was portrayed as a perfect being, even in the past. He was strong—he was basically an urban legend.

And what Neraxis could assume, this right here was Valthor’s actual body.

Black hair and eyes. A thin scar across his pristine nose.

A very punchable face.

“I’m done here, I suppose. Where to?” Neraxis decided to play along.

“Headquarters. We’ve got an assignment for you—similar to the one you went on last time.,” Valthor replied plainly. “This time, you’ll be going after a group that’s been bothering us for a while.”

Evangelists? Neraxis thought, but it seemed like he couldn’t be more wrong.

“We will be launching a full-on attack against the Obscura. You will be the one in charge.”

“…”

Oh.