Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 205: Dreaming Of Blood

He exhaled, casting his eyes out toward the horizon. "I was born in a small village called Brenmar. Quiet place. The kind of village you'd never hear about unless it burned. And it almost did."

"What happened?"

"Our village head was a tyrant. Not the loud kind. The quiet, smiling kind. He'd smile as he taxed widows for breathing, smile while stealing the harvest from the mouths of children. He ruled with a kind of cruelty that didn't leave bruises. Just hunger. And silence."

Ren's hands tightened around his reins, listening closely. This somehow reminded him of Bram Rosefield, Vesper's father.

"Then one day, a pair of Chosen passed through. They weren't planning to stay, but they saw it. Saw him. And in a single night, he was gone. No trial. No speeches. Just judgment."

Halwen's voice held no malice. Only reverence.

"I was a boy. I watched those two walk away the next morning, leaving behind a village finally free. And I swore— I swore that if I couldn't be Chosen, I would at least live by their example."

"So you joined the army."

Halwen nodded. "I was too old to be considered for the Church's programs. So I picked up a spear. Fought in the border wars. Spent half my life pushing back threats Elnoria didn't even know it had. Then I retired. Returned to Brenmar."

His expression darkened.

"And that's when the Plague came."

Ren exhaled slowly. "You rallied the survivors."

"Led them out myself. Maybe I wasn't a soldier anymore, but I hadn't forgotten how to lead. We wandered until we found the valley. And now…" He shrugged. "Now I do what I've always done. Serve and protect. Until the last breath."

Ren studied him for a moment. "That's more than most would do."

Halwen chuckled, the warmth returning to his voice. "I'm just doing my best, Chosen. Just like everyone else."

The conversation faded as the town finally came into view.

The first glimpse of the village hit them like a quiet curse. The walls were still intact, and the gates wide open. No guards. No sounds. No birds.

Just the hush of wind blowing through.

They dismounted near the outer fence, tying their horses to a cracked wooden post. Weapons were drawn. Shields slung. Every man and woman in the group moved with care.

Halwen and Ren took the lead, swords drawn and eyes sharp as they ventured into the town. Valen and Lilith held the rear, silently scanning rooftops and alleyways. The others moved between them in a tight formation.

The town was eerily silent.

Shutters swayed in the breeze, creaking like whispers. A few barrels were overturned, and empty baskets rolled gently in the breeze, along the road. Nothing moved. Not even a rat.

Ren's skin prickled.

The last time he'd walked into a village like this, a little girl had exploded.

Behind him, one of the warriors whispered a prayer to the Creator.

Another joined him.

Soon, a dozen soft voices murmured sacred verses, like the last rites before battle.

Ren said nothing as the sense of deja vu faded away.

Halwen's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. "Keep moving." He whispered.

They passed through the town's main road. Every shadow, every alley, felt like something was hiding in it. But nothing attacked. Not yet.

Then, one of the warriors at the rear hissed. "Commander. Chosen. Over here."

They veered off the road toward a side building, a large hall, once used for gatherings or town councils. Its windows were wide open and the warrior pointed through.

Ren stepped forward, peering inside.

And his breath caught in his throat.

Inside, dozens of infected lay sprawled across the wooden floor. Men, women, children, all twisted with the telltale marks. Bulging veins, blackened limbs, and red eyes faintly glowing. But they weren't moving.

They were… asleep.

Halwen stepped up beside him, cursing under his breath. "I've never seen them rest like this."

Ren backed away from the window. "They're changing. Adapting. With this ability, they can save their strength. Less movement. Less noise. Harder to track."

"More dangerous." Valen murmured from behind.

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Lilith moved to Ren's side. "They're not dormant. I can feel them." Ren knew she must be speaking of their soul. "Twitching. Dreaming of something."

"Dreaming?" Ren asked.

She nodded. "Or listening."

Silence fell over the group.

"Then we don't wake them." Halwen said, looking up at everyone. "Not yet. We scout the rest of the town. Secure the granaries. Take what we can without drawing attention. If they stir…"

"We kill fast." Ren finished.

Halwen nodded. "We kill fast."