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I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain-Chapter 454
Chapter 454
Yog's eyes flashed as it turned to look at Ian.
Clicking his tongue briefly, Ian said, "Yes. If possible, someday."
"But... you don't know how, do you?" asked Lucia.
"No. I don't. But..."
"...You haven't given up."
Instead of answering, Ian just nodded.
Staring at him with trembling eyes, Lucia finally let out a low sigh and closed her eyes.
"Now I understand why you wandered instead of settling down and why you accepted any power you could get your hands on. It was all to find a way back..."
Most of it was just to survive.
Even as he thought that, Ian didn't deny it. He had always hoped to find a clue somewhere in this world about how to return.
"If that's the case, then there's even more reason to make me a complete being, Friend," Yog interjected in a suggestive tone.
Yog smiled strangely as Ian glanced back. “I think that might be why my true self attached me to you—to find a way to cross over into your world through me. Avoiding its effects should prevent any future issues, wouldn't you agree?”
"Instead, there's you," Ian said with a quiet scoff.
If it became whole, it'd be no different than a wannabe ancient god.
"As I said, I can't erase the bond I have with you. In the end, it's through you that I become whole. If luck isn't on my side, I might end up bound to you instead. Still, that's better than being devoured by my true self again. And it's entirely possible."
Yog shrugged as if to say 'What can you do?' and smiled wider as it met Ian's gaze.
"But what if you disappear? Then I'd be free, unbound by anything. Finally. Why would I want to follow you then?"
So it was planning some scheme to regain its freedom after becoming complete.
As Ian scoffed again, Yog added, "So don't worry. I'll help you too."
Ian gave a slight nod. He couldn't tell how helpful this snake would actually be, but at least the possibility of it backstabbing him seemed lower now.
Lucia glanced back at Yog with clear disapproval before speaking. “But there are so many people here who care about you, Sir Ian. If you leave… they’ll all be heartbroken.”
"I know. I'd feel the same way," Ian answered calmly.
Lucia bit her lower lip for a moment before adding,
Even knowing that... would you still never give up?
"Well, it's not like the thought of wanting to stay here has never crossed my mind."
Is today confession day or something?
At the words Ian muttered, adding the internal thought, Yog whipped its head around to stare at him this time.
Ian didn't even glance its way and just shrugged. "But that's just as uncertain, Lucy."
“Hmm? Ah…”
Lucia tilted her head for a second, confused, then let out a short sigh of understanding.
"You mean, even if you don't want to go back, Sir Ian, it could happen anyway—just like when you came to our world,"
"Yes. That's right."
It was one reason for Ian's unwillingness to change his mind.
Giving up on returning was something to be considered only after he’d seen that damned ending of this world—and still found himself stuck here.
"Besides that, thinking about it now is pointless anyway, Lucy. If I die, that's the end," Ian added, his voice tinged with a sigh.
He then glanced first at Lucia, then at Yog. "So let's stop the wandering thoughts and do our best to survive. Leaving or staying is the next problem."
"Yes. Understood. I'll only think about all of us getting back alive together. Just like always," Lucia said, biting her lower lip for a moment before nodding firmly.
Almost simultaneously, Yog crossed one leg nonchalantly and smiled. "It sounds like it's about time we head out, then? Looks like you've finished most of your brown water."
Instead of answering, Ian looked at Lucia. She popped the piece of waffle from her waiting fork into her mouth and nodded, chewing firmly.
Ian picked up his cup, downed the rest of his coffee in one go, and said, "Alright. Let's go."
"Want me to help you leave faster?" Yog asked, leaning forward. A purple light flickered in its eyes.
"No."
So impatient, Ian thought.
Putting down his cup, he shrugged one shoulder. "I can do it."
At the same time, a faint tremor rumbled through the room again. He remembered the sensation from when he'd almost woken up earlier.
Bringing it back was easy—just recalling the moment when Lucia saw right through him was more than enough. It was the kind of memory that would probably rise up again whenever he tried to sleep.
Yog leaned back comfortably in its chair, tapping its foot and smiling. "It seems you learn fast."
"I don't think that's something I should hear from you," Ian retorted, standing up.
The view of the cafe came into focus. Customers chatted casually, seemingly oblivious to the growing tremor.
Outside the large picture window, the view of the sea and the coastline sharpened as well, along with darkness approaching from the distance like an oncoming night. However, those on the sandy beach remained carefree, seemingly unaware of the shadows.
Ian's gaze rested for a moment on the back of a figure with fluttering red hair, then he turned sharply away. There was no point in lingering.
"But even if you do leave someday," Lucia's voice followed him as he took a few steps toward the exit door.
Ian stopped and looked back.
"If you ever meet her again, I hope you'll tell her how you feel," Lucia added, sitting calmly in her chair amidst the shaking.
She picked up her nearly empty smoothie cup and smiled. "It's foolish to avoid starting something just because you fear the ending. You have to make the most of every moment. Like you said, Sir Ian, we never know when we might die."
How much wiser was she planning to get?
Ian gave a small, amused exhale and started walking again. “I’ll think about it.”
“Promise me. Even when you wake up from the dream… don’t forget.” Lucia added, sipping from her straw.
Ian couldn’t help but smile a little deeper. “See you outside, Lucy.”
He turned his gaze and walked toward the exit. Moro, seated nearby, lifted its head toward him. Ian gently tapped the bridge of its snout.
“You too, Moro.”
Puff.
Moro snorted softly.
Ian grasped the door handle. The tremor had grown violent enough to threaten the building’s collapse, but he opened the door without the slightest hesitation.
Outside, the world lay broken—shattered into pieces and crumbling into darkness. The memory of the barrier's collapse seemed to have carved itself deep into his subconscious.
I really should’ve had another slice of cake.
Despite the thought, Ian leaped into the darkness beyond without a shred of hesitation.
***
In an instant, all his senses came rushing back.
Ian’s eyes snapped open.
A flood of quest completion windows greeted him. The musty air and the gritty feel of soil against his half-buried face sharpened into focus. So did the pressure weighing heavily on him.
Doesn’t feel like I’m buried though.
Closing the windows, Ian lifted his right arm out of the dirt. Dust rose in a soft cloud as he pressed both palms to the ground and pushed himself upright.
The weight pressing on him hadn’t disappeared—it felt as though gravity itself had doubled.
Shhhhhh...
A hazy mist tinged with violet swirled through the settling dust, seeping from him like a rising steam.
Then the world came into view—a realm of black and white, wavering like a mirage. Even the ashen storm clouds rolling across the sky and the distant silhouettes of mountains shimmered like illusions.
Doesn’t look quite like it did before.
Despite the thought, Ian stood up fully on the dirt ground. Ash-like soil, like the aftermath of a landslide, filled his surroundings. It looked as if the fragmented, collapsing world from the dream had fallen right here.
His feet sank into the ashy dirt. Ian drew the scratchy air deep into his lungs and scanned the area—not to take in the flickering scenery, but for something far more important.
Right... not far.
He was searching for the others, wherever they might’ve fallen.
Fortunately, locating them wasn't difficult. A faint divine presence emanated from beyond a nearby mound of dirt. It had to be the Sacred Blood within Lucia.
Crunch, crunch—
Ian marched across the uneven terrain. With each breath, the madness in the air scratched his throat, and the vapor rising from him shimmered in a pale, lingering trail.
Yet, he didn't pause or lose his balance.
The bead of chaos essence, now stronger and more solid than before, pulsed in rhythm with him—awake, and lending him its strength.
Before long, a large, sprawled-out shape came into view. It was Moro. The beast was half-buried in the dirt and unconscious, just as Ian had been.
Shhhhhh...
The sacred radiance was coming from just beyond Moro.
Ian quickened his pace.
—Over here... Friend…
A faint, hushed whisper reached Ian just as he passed Moro. Then, with a puff, black smoke rose and flew toward him.
Ian calmly held out his right hand. Yog seeped into his glove and quickly reformed into its usual shape. A stinging feeling spread between his fingers.
—Ah, much better…Waking up to that disgusting divinity...
With a sigh-tinged murmur, Yog crawled up the back of Ian’s hand.
Ignoring it, Ian hurried forward. Two figures were now visible, half-buried in the ash-like dirt The faint divine glow from Lucia's breastplate shimmered softly around them.
Rustle... Puff...
Ian quickly pulled them both free from the dirt. Ash-like dust scattered off Lucia and Diana's bodies.
—Huh. This place is much more interesting than I expected. Unstable, but stable at the same time...
Yog continued whispering. It had crawled onto Ian's shoulder plate and was looking around.
Ian patted the dust off Lucia and took a good look at her. The mask covering her nose and mouth was still firmly in place. He nodded, satisfied, then turned to Diana, who was sprawled beside Lucia.
He placed a hand on the motionless Diana's neck and let out a small sigh of relief.
Lucy won’t have to grieve, at least.
He had felt a pulse, even though it was very slow and weak. He straightened Diana's slightly crooked mask and moved her closer to Lucia.
—And we're not the only ones here, either.
Yog added casually as Ian stood up again. It must have seen the dark shadows wandering aimlessly in the distance, beyond the eerie, shimmering ash-gray haze.
—It looks like their souls are already empty. Fill them with madness, and they'll be quite a sight.
Getting excited all by itself, Ian thought, clicking his tongue.
He walked over to Moro. The beast's body, lying on its side, was slowly rising and falling as it breathed. Ian placed a hand on its neck, right where the armor fused with its skin. A purple light flickered in Ian's eyes.
Shwaaaaa...
Chaos flowed from his hand into Moro's neck. Instantly, purple light spread through Moro's body like glowing veins, as if blood were pumping again.
Yog's chuckling laughter followed.
—Get up, you lazy beast.
It whispered, almost teasing. A bright purple light shone from between Moro's eyelids.
Puff—
With a burst of movement, Moro scrambled up from the dirt pile. Purple light mixed with the dust swirling around it.
Grrrrowl...
Moro shook its head vigorously from side to side, flinging off the remaining dirt, then looked at Ian and huffed.
"Did you sleep well?" Ian asked.
Moro stepped closer and nudged its head against him. Moro appeared much more fierce now than in the dream.
Well, this form feels a lot more reliable.
He patted its head casually and turned around. Moro followed readily, although it was still a little unsteady on its feet.
Ian easily lifted Diana and draped her over Moro's saddle. Next, he lifted Lucia and carefully placed her on top of Diana. This wouldn't have been so simple if his Strength hadn't increased.
Moro snorted briefly, as if the divine presence nearby bothered it, before turning its head and started trudging forward.
Ian, who had been dusting off his hands, tilted his head as he watched it go.
—Looks like it found something.
Looks like it. Shrugging at Yog's comment, he followed Moro.
It wasn't more than a few minutes before Moro stopped again.
Growling, Moro looked back at Ian, then started scratching at the ground with its front paw, as if digging. Ian walked up next to it and soon raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't think you'd still be alive."
A Black Lion, looking completely battered, was buried in the dirt pile—Seren.
Screech! Screech!
Just then, an eerie shriek rang out in the distance, echoing across the ashen landscape.
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