Into the Apocalypse: Saving My Favorite Villain-Chapter 94: Cassel’s Rage

Cassel — POV

When I used my power, I felt it instantly.

The difference was unmistakable—sharp, overwhelming, almost frightening in its clarity.

This wasn’t like before.

It had grown stronger.

No... not just stronger.

It felt denser, heavier, as though the power itself had matured—compressed and refined through something far more brutal than ordinary growth. When it surged through my veins, it no longer felt wild or unstable. It answered me with frightening obedience, roaring beneath my skin like a beast that had finally learned who its master was.

Stronger than ever.

Of course, it would become stronger.

Not only my power—but everyone else’s as well. Several times over. Our growth far exceeded that of ordinary Espers, leaving others behind at an alarming pace. And yet, this had nothing to do with luck alone, nor was it simply the result of good discipline or relentless training.

There was another reason.

A secret.

One that no one in this world knew yet.

In my previous life—after the end of the world—humanity had stumbled upon several methods to increase abilities and levels by the second year. They had learned through blood, through endless deaths, through sacrifices so vast they became statistics rather than tragedies.

But now?

Now, humanity hadn’t even reached that point.

There were no levels yet. No classifications. No structured understanding of strength.

People were still struggling just to survive. Food shortages, collapsing shelters, constant monster attacks—no one had the luxury to sit down and define power systems when death hovered inches from their throats every day.

So naturally, no one knew.

No one—except me.

One of those methods involved the crystals hidden inside the skulls of evolved zombies.

Crystals soaked in condensed energy. Crystals that could forcibly expand the limits of an Esper’s core—if used correctly. If mishandled, they could shatter a person from the inside.

In my previous life, my team and I had discovered this by accident.

This time, I found them deliberately.

We collected those crystals in silence, with bloody hands and weary bodies. I taught my team how to absorb them safely—how to refine the energy, how to endure the pain, how to survive the process without losing themselves.

Because of that, our strength had risen to an entirely different tier.

Compared to other Espers, we might as well have belonged to another world.

And I had no intention of sharing this secret.

I wasn’t stupid.

Even General Zan didn’t know.

At least not yet.

Power was the only true law left in this world. Compassion without strength was suicide, and generosity without control was stupidity. Until I could ensure that my own power remained absolute—something unreachable, something untouchable—I would not help anyone climb higher.

Not until no one could threaten me.

Not until no one could take what mattered to me.

"Wow, Boss, you’re strong as always!"

Robin’s voice broke through my thoughts, bright and carefree as ever. He clapped enthusiastically, his eyes shining with admiration and trust.

I didn’t respond.

As for Frederick, he muttered under his breath, loud enough for everyone to hear,

"The boss is stronger than anything, but he always makes us work until our backs are about to break before stepping in."

There was mild dissatisfaction in his tone, but no resentment.

I understood him well enough to know that he didn’t mean anything by it. Frederick complained constantly—but when it came to orders, he was the most reliable among us. He followed instructions precisely, never cutting corners, never questioning commands in critical moments.

Henry, however, was different.

He sat a short distance away, his body drenched in sweat, chest rising and falling heavily as he struggled to catch his breath. His green eyes were lowered, darkened by intense thought, his brows drawn together as if he were wrestling with something invisible.

I knew exactly what he was thinking.

Power.

More power.

Out of everyone here, Henry understood its importance the most. He had seen what weakness led to. He had experienced firsthand how quickly the world devoured those who couldn’t keep up.

In this world—filled with evolving monsters and relentless threats—strength wasn’t a choice.

It was survival.

I turned away, allowing the group to rest.

Originally, I had planned to ask Rosalia whether she had felt the surge in my power—whether my presence had affected her ability. Perhaps I would ask her to help restrain it slightly.

But before I could take more than a step, something caught my eye.

And in that instant, all calm was shattered.

Where was she?

My gaze snapped to the side.

Rosalia was kneeling beside the corpse of the man I had saved earlier.

My heart dropped.

This reckless girl...

We didn’t even know whether that man was dangerous or not. We didn’t know if he carried infection, hidden mutations, or abilities that could explode without warning.

And yet she had approached him alone.

Unprotected.

My eyebrow twitched sharply, irritation flaring into something far darker.

It seemed I had been far too lenient with her.

I walked toward Rosalia, my steps heavy, my presence oppressive. As I got closer, I saw her pressing her hand firmly against the man’s bare chest.

Her hand—

That hand that was always clean, always gentle—

He was now smeared with vivid red blood, mixed with grime and dirt that clung stubbornly to his skin.

My anger surged violently.

Then I saw it.

A faint white glow bloomed beneath her palm.

"Ro... sa... lia."

Her name tore out of my throat through clenched teeth, each syllable weighted with fury. My breathing grew heavy, my chest burning as rage flooded my veins.

The fire inside me raged wildly—so intense that, for a moment, I wanted nothing more than to burn everything around us to ash.

Rosalia.

Hadn’t I told her?

Hadn’t I warned her never to use that power again without my knowledge?

That ability—the very one that had put her in a coma for several days before. The one that nearly killed her.

Does she never think about herself?

No—

Does she not think about me at all?

About my feelings?

I had told her clearly.

I would give her whatever she wanted.

I would save whoever she wanted to save.

So why?

Why did she have to do this—right in front of me?

Why does she always throw herself into danger for strangers?

What about me?

Didn’t she consider what I would feel watching this?

What would happen to me if something went wrong again?

If I lost her—

Rosalia... ah, Rosalia.

You are truly driving me insane.