I Woke Up as the Villain

In fact, the sudden appearance of Do-Jin was something Yu-Seong had not anticipated at all.

"I thought it would take at least another week," Yu-Seong commented.

"Hele sent a drone into the training center and contacted me. Since the training was over and I was just refining my skills, there was no reason to hesitate," Do-Jin explained.

"Ah...?"

While humans were limited to entering in groups of no more than two, machines were not bound by such restrictions. Yu-Seong had never conceived of such a method and felt depressed as he came to this realization.

"Hmph," Do-Jin scoffed nonchalantly, then glanced at Olivia, who had discarded her sword and was seething with anger.

"Let's put a pause on the conversation for now," Do-Jin proposed.

"Yes, there's a lot to sort out," Yu-Seong agreed. He chuckled and nodded, his Eyes of God radiating a gentle glow as he lowered his spear.

The two men, each holding their weapon, stood back-to-back, presenting an impeccable image from any angle. Yu-Seong couldn't help but admire the resolute energy emanating from Do-Jin.

'This guy...' 

He had grown unimaginably stronger compared to three months ago. It was a remarkable transformation befitting the protagonist of the original novel, a true genius.

Perhaps the unwavering bond between the two men further provoked Olivia's anger. Her face contorted even more as she questioned them. "What's going on with you two? Making me feel jealous... What exactly is your relationship?"

"Do you not see it?" Do-Jin snorted and leaned forward slightly as he spoke. He then declared, "We're friends.”

"Friends," Yu-Seong echoed simultaneously, launching himself toward the other Hexagram Master who displayed a tense expression in mid-air.

Flash-! 

Two beams of light diverged, each moving in opposite directions. From the mirage-like silhouette, a bolt of lightning and a fiery blaze emerged, showcasing their formidable energy. They were poised to incinerate their respective adversaries with unyielding force.

Crash-! 

With a resounding boom, Olivia, who had been forcefully pushed back, swung her dark mana-infused sword fiercely toward Do-Jin, as if intent on cleaving him in two. She yelled in frustration, "So annoying!"

Several gigantic black hands emerged from behind her, relentlessly pounding on Do-Jin's body without discrimination.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM-! 

The air seemed to detonate, with the sound echoing continuously. Do-Jin, maintaining an indifferent expression, was cleaved in half by the force of Olivia's mana sword, dissipating into nothingness.

Even in the face of such a tragic scene, Olivia remained unwavering, swinging her arm harshly as she turned her back.

Thud-! 

Witnessing Do-Jin come to a sudden halt, Olivia wore a smirk on her face. She asked, "Did you think I'd fall for such a clumsy trick?"

This novel is available on bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Do-Jin responded with a mocking laugh. "You don't think I purposely avoided slicing it, do you?"

"What...?"

"I thought dying in flames would be fitting for you."

Subsequently, magic circles composed of pentagrams materialized simultaneously on both of Do-Jin's black eyes.

"What the... How could you use magic like…?"

Olivia's words could not reach their conclusion. From the ends of her short hair to the hem of her clothes, flames erupted and quickly covered her figure.

"Kyaaaa-!" she screamed as she frantically shook her head, trying to shake off the flame with her mana.

Unfortunately, the flame that Do-Jin had ignited was not so easily extinguished.

'Heart Fire.' 

The flame of resentment, once consuming Do-Jin's mind, was now under his control, unfolding as his most potent power. As a result, there were only two ways to extinguish that flame: either shatter Do-Jin's spirit or confront it with a heart stronger and more ruthless than his own.

Unfortunately, Olivia seemed to fit into neither of those positions.

"Ahhhhhhh-!"

Unable to endure, the dying black witch extended her arm toward Do-Jin. Words didn't come out, but the eyes engulfed by the consuming flames conveyed a clear message.

"You want to live?"

Do-Jin was uncertain if his voice was heard, but Olivia's head frantically nodded up and down. Looking at her, he then asked, "Have you ever listened to the plea of someone dying even once?"

At Do-Jin's response, Olivia's violet pupils quivered as she opened her eyes wide.

"If you lived by killing so many people, you should have anticipated your own death," Do-Jin said.

With a brief click of his tongue, Do-Jin's sword left a trail of silver light as it swiftly cleaved through Olivia's neck. Minimizing the time of agony toward death was the greatest act of mercy Do-Jin could offer to Olivia.

"...I've also become much softer, it seems."

Briefly glancing at Olivia's face, who had given up everything and closed her eyes in her last moments, Do-Jin's gaze turned skyward. Up there, Yu-Seong, who had slaughtered all the remaining three Hexagram Masters, was slowly descending to the ground.

"Have you finished here as well?" Yu-Seong queried, swiping the blood smeared on his face away with the back of his hand.

In response, Do-Jin smirked, gave a slight nod, and replied, "...And you have grown cold.”

"What are you talking about?" Yu-Seong retorted.

"Just an observation."

"You know, for some reason, that annoys me."

Despite Yu-Seong's piercing gaze, Do-Jin merely clamped his mouth shut, evading his look.

"Hmm, anyhow. The energy of Eveheim that was obstructing me earlier has dissipated," Yu-Seong continued.

This fact had enabled him to take down three Hexagram Masters more swiftly than he had anticipated.

"I actually thought he had fled, but..."

However, that was not the case. From afar, Yu-Seong could sense the collision of two potent energies. Though lacking when compared to Eveheim, another considerably firm energy had joined this battlefield.

"Bernard Yoo was headed that way. He mentioned he'd buy us some time," Do-Jin explained.

Having completed his training, Bernard Yoo also appeared noticeably stronger, unexpectedly able to hold his ground against Eveheim.

"Both of you must have put in a lot of effort," Yu-Seong said.

"I had a hard time leading him," Do-Jin said.

Displaying his usual arrogance, Do-Jin took a moment to steady his breathing before stepping forward. He suggested, "We should go and assist him. Things could become dangerous if any more time elapses.”

"Oh, hold on a moment." Yu-Seong halted Do-Jin and quickly shook his head. "There's still something I need to do."

"But didn't all the Hexagram Masters perish?"

"It's that important of a matter."

Responding briefly to Do-Jin's question, Yu-Seong stared into the distance. As Do-Jin had stated, Bernard Yoo's situation was precarious, hanging by a thread. However, he could still hold on. It appeared as though Bernard Yoo's robust energy signaled as such.

'I believe in you.' 

Internally replying, Yu-Seong began to tell Do-Jin what needed to be done.

Having heard everything, Do-Jin was visibly taken aback and nodded in understanding. "We'll need to move quickly then.”

"Otherwise, our friend might be in danger," Yu-Seong remarked.

Naturally, their pace accelerated.

***

Eveheim, who had believed he could finally seize Yu-Seong this time around, despite the somewhat shaky circumstances, was left with no choice but to rage at the abrupt appearance of multiple variables.

"Olivia, that girl, acted on her own, and now she has caused a mess!"

Due to the slight delay, significant variables named Do-Jin and Bernard had entered the battlefield, throwing a wrench in Eveheim's plans. Moreover, Bernard, who had previously seemed weak enough to be squashed by a finger at any moment, was now skillfully blocking Eveheim's attacks.

"Is that the best you can do? Can't you give it more effort?" smirked Bernard, his face pale but determined.

Eveheim's attacks were thwarted by two colossal arms, which radiated a faint orange glow, crossed in the shape of an X right in front of Bernard. Despite Eveheim's attempts to distort various senses and manipulate space, his efforts were in vain.

Bernard poured all his power into defending, unwavering in his resolve to obstruct Eveheim's path. Even when occasionally struck by an attack, he stood his ground, bleeding but undeterred.

It felt like facing an impenetrable wall. Impatience began to creep onto Eveheim's face, who had initially thought that he could easily overpower Bernard and return to assisting the Hexagram Masters once he appeared.

"Give up, damn it!" shouted Eveheim in frustration.

A mana cannon, embodying both fury and desperation, appeared to envelop Bernard's body.

"Aaaarghhh-!"

Despite Eveheim's heavy blow tearing through his skin, causing blood to flow and leaving his body in a ragged state, Bernard endured with a loud scream.

Just as Eveheim involuntarily sighed at the frustrating resilience of his opponent, a massive herd of buffalo sprang out and charged forward.

"Super-! Buffalo Rush!" yelled Bernard, his voice filled with determination.

Bang-!

Eveheim's casual gesture could have effortlessly neutralized the attack, but Bernard, who had finally managed to counter it, chuckled as he raised his severely injured hand.

"Hey, are you really the leader of the Demon King Worshipers?" Bernard taunted, employing a clear strategy to divert Eveheim's attention from Yu-Seong and Do-Jin.

Despite being aware of the tactic, Eveheim, already caught in a distorted state where half of his sanity had slipped away, couldn't resist falling for the provocation.

"How dare a brat that came out of nowhere..." Eveheim muttered through clenched teeth. He reached out into the air, and space unfolded, revealing a fluttering purple cloak that wrapped around his body.

'I didn't intend to use my transcendence against such a brat, but...' 

As mentioned before, relinquishing his transcendence had placed a burden on Eveheim, making it challenging to reactivate it. His original plan had been to reserve it for the ultimate enemies, Yu-Seong and Do-Jin, when they stood before him.

However, with no other viable options left, he had to unleash his full power for a brief period. Eveheim, now adorned in a purple cloak and a helmet with demonic horns, extended his palm.

"Yes, I see that you're desperate for death," he sneered.

Sizzle, sizzzzle-! 

The mana light sphere taking shape in front of Eveheim's palm crackled with electric sparks. When confronted with a formidable barrier, it was only natural that breaking through it would take time.

"I will pierce through you with a single strike," Eveheim proclaimed.

With a cluster of mana resembling a colossal missile formed, a twisted smile played on Eveheim's lips. Bernard, too, felt the imminent danger creeping in.

'This might be too much for me...'

Bernard's thoughts raced as he realized he was about to be impaled.

'My friends, why are you guys so slow…?' 

Despite the fear of death gripping a piece of his heart, Bernard refused to step back. He challenged, "Come... I will block you once more."

In truth, Bernard felt a sense of achievement. His talent was exceptional, but he recognized his shortcomings compared to his two friends. Having spent countless hours in the training room with Do-Jin only intensified this realization.

A massive wall loomed before Bernard, a barrier that his friends did not encounter. The moment he laid eyes on it, Bernard understood what he needed to do.

‘If I cannot break through, then I will become the wall myself.’

This unwavering determination was the best contribution he could make for his two friends.

As he strengthened his resolve, a colossal purple mana cannon was launched toward Bernard. In a single breath, it pierced through the mana barrier he had erected, engulfed his entire body, and carried him away.

The pain was excruciating; it was as if every bone and inch of flesh was being torn apart. However, even amidst such agony, Bernard maintained a bright smile and inwardly cried out, "I will never yield!"

He refused to give in. Though he may fracture, he would not be broken.

Bolstering his fiery determination, two robust hands came to support him from behind.