Reincarnated as a Novel's Villain: Creator of Curses and Blessings-Chapter 37: Now we’re the same

Hector glanced up at the sky, turning his attention to the energy pillar that pierced through the night, radiating from the enemy’s energy tower.

Based on that light, he could locate the enemy’s lair. But they would be able to find him as well.

Therefore, he had to act as quickly as possible.

He sprinted through the forest. After around thirty minutes, Hector finally saw the enemy’s lair.

"Indeed, they only left one behind to protect the tower." Hector wasn’t surprised, as their plan was just as he had expected.

Their force was too strong to need a complex plan.

However... they shouldn’t have judged the enemy’s strength based on mana cores. Because Hector was a misfit in common four–mana-core individuals.

Hector smirked before sliding down the mountain slope to the base.

Five minutes later, Hector slowly stepped out from the bushes, approaching the enemy’s territory.

Then, the enemy began to sense Hector’s presence.

Verda, a muscular man with six mana cores, frowned when he saw Hector, who only had four. More importantly, Hector had a ninety-five percent accumulated damage rate, which meant that with just one solid hit, he would fall.

All of these factors made Verda lower his guard considerably, as if he were watching some wretched fool walking straight toward his own death.

Verda grinned in amusement while shouldering his battle axe, slowly approaching Hector in a good mood.

"Are you lost, trash?" Verda asked. His voice sounded more pitiful than mocking Hector.

Hector rubbed his chin and looked up at the muscular student. Verda puffed out his chest, staring down at Hector.

Meanwhile, Hector appeared tiny and weak in front of him.

Hector sighed and scratched his head.

"Well, actually, I came here to destroy your tower. So, could you step aside for a moment?"

Verda blinked a few times, then burst out laughing. Hector laughed as well.

After a short while, the laughter died down, and Hector spoke in amusement.

"What made you laugh?"

Verda clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Empty vessels make the most noise."

The next moment, he smirked and swung his battle axe downward at Hector’s head, as casually as swatting an annoying fly.

However, right after that blow, his mood shifted completely—no amusement, no thrill.

He swiftly stepped back, staring at Hector with full caution. His eyes were tense, and every muscle in his body screamed in fear.

Ting!

[0/100%]->[95/100%]

His face distorted in confusion and panic as he looked up at the runes above his head.

"Now we’re the same." Hector nodded in satisfaction.

Verda gritted his teeth in anger and quickly summoned his shield in his left hand. He no longer looked at Hector as prey, but as a sly, vicious beast concealed in the shell of a weak turtle.

He had made the worst mistake by judging Hector only by his appearance. He still remembered the chill that ran to his core when Hector deflected his assault.

It was like chopping at a slippery metal ball without thinking it through. Even his wrist had been dislocated by that thoughtless strike.

And more than that, Hector had even fought back and deflected it at the same time.

Hector could have finished him off at that moment, but for some reason, he had only landed a single strike.

But the next moment, he understood why.

"The empty vessel makes the most noise." Hector tilted his head slightly and chuckled.

Well, Hector wanted to toy with Verda before finishing him off.

Veins bulged across Verda’s face as he tightened his grip on his weapons, yelling in fury.

"YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"

Just like that, the first clash began.

***

"Damn it!" Tammy shouted in anger. "Why don’t we see any golden coins in the announcement?"

Half an hour had passed, yet they still hadn’t seen anything from the announcement. His discomfort was understandable.

Roy frowned and rubbed his chin for a moment before answering.

"Maybe... Hector died? He only has four mana cores. He could run into trouble if he faces a beast with higher strength."

Tammy scratched his head in anger and screamed.

"Fuck! That useless trash. I should’ve done it myself."

While Tammy kept pouring his anger into words, Roy began to notice an enemy presence closing in.

"Tammy... be quiet. The enemy is coming." His eyes gleamed sharply as he took out his golden longbow, which radiated a faint blue glow.

A blue-tier item.

"Cover me. I’m going to back you up from behind."

"DAMN IT! Once I lose, I’m going to kill that fucking bastard in the real world!" Tammy roared in fury as he drew his sword.

Truman grinned as he slowly approached the tower. At some point, he stopped and spoke.

"Why are you trying so hard? Just give up."

Willow followed up.

"We need to talk to you guys. Let’s hear each other out before you do anything. Otherwise, your life in the academy is going to be hell."

Willow’s voice was filled with killing intent, making Tammy shiver.

Truman spoke again in a gentle tone.

"Wait... wait. Don’t show such hostility, Willow."

He smiled quietly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at his enemies.

"We want one of your fellows—Hector."

Roy scowled in confusion.

"Explain."

Willow clicked his tongue and said.

"We want to torture that trash. If you hand him over, your life in the academy will be safe. This is just a warning, not advice. You should know what you’re facing. The sons of the great Clans want this."

Tammy answered without hesitation, speaking hurriedly.

"We agree, but that bastard is hunting monsters in the forest. Can we wait for him?"

Boom!

An explosion tore apart a small area where Roy’s arrow landed. But from the cloud of smoke, two figures slowly emerged, completely unharmed.

"You want to die, asshole?" Willow gritted his teeth in anger, shooting a vicious glare at Roy.

Roy flashed his golden-plated teeth.

"Do something... if you can."

Soon after, he began equipping himself with magnificent armor and a long cloak. The items radiated a glow unique to high-quality gear.

"Power of the rich."