Rogue Villain-Chapter 380: Shock

Since The Hero or The Calamity might notice them, Ackster and his party hid far away while they waited. It was too far away for them to catch a glimpse of the battle. They could, however, feel the shockwaves of power spreading through the world like ripples in a pond.

Fortunately, they didn’t need to watch to know when The Hero won. When working together, two of the party members developed the ability to read the trajectory of fate.

It was unreliable at the best of times since fate was so esoteric and jumpy. It was impossible to read things like whether a person would catch bird poop with their face the next day or not.

However, when it came to deciding and pivotal moments in events regarding the safety and future of the entire world, Wilma’s and Makkel’s ability was the most accurate thing Ackster and the others had to rely on to see when the battle ended.

By reading the strands of fate, Makkel and Wilma could tell when the world’s fate had entered the direction where The Hero won and The Calamity lost. However, to their surprise, they became unable to try and glimpse what might come next. It was like there was no future or fate for them to read.

As soon as the battle ended, Wilma gestured for Ackster to go by pushing him forward.

Feeling the change in his sense of self, Ackster urged his bird forward at top speed and summoned his sword. He also broke a few of his Covenants, unleashing part of his sealed strength.

Before anything else, he had to try and assassinate The Hero. He was pretty sure it wouldn’t work. But it would save him so much trouble if it did.

The bird, having experienced its own incredible growth by feasting on Ackster’s blood and flesh, had undergone a metamorphosis in the last year and grown an additional pair of wings. Its speed had risen exponentially.

The drag from the bird only hit the water’s surface several seconds after it flew by above it. The water sprayed into the air like an extended eruption, chasing after the bird. But the ten-winged bird was already long gone.

Ackster held his arm in front of himself and pierced the air with his elbow while his sword pointed backward.

A moment later, thanks to the bird’s insane speed, he arrived at the island.

Ackster localized The Hero.

The fear and paranoia that had haunted Ackster for the last ten years threatened to overtake his mind. But his Ex-rank Clear Mind wasn’t there to look pretty.

It was the first time Ackster came close to The Hero. He was excited and scared.

Fortunately, Ackster had sealed most of his emotions and senses, so he didn’t feel that much and could remain in control of himself. He didn’t even see The Hero. He somewhat felt The Hero’s presence due to the rich power of Millmeria staining his body, which reminded Ackster of the feeling he got from the Core.

Time slowed to a crawl as the bird flashed past The Hero, and Ackster extended his arm. The sword lay flat and pointed right out from the bird’s trajectory.

The Hero’s head flew up in the air and spun around a couple of times before thudding to the ground.

*Good. You’re here. I leave the rest to you.*

Ackster stiffened. His eyes widened, and his fingers cramped around the handle of his sword as he slowly turned his head to look back at The Hero’s head.

That was undoubtedly The Hero’s smooth, dark, and deep voice.

Ackster almost shat himself.

It was one thing if The Hero said something since he was more than strong enough to cling to life even after being beheaded. But The Hero’s words carried incredible meaning.

It didn’t stop there.

When he looked back, Ackster could sense The Hero’s gaze meeting his. The Hero nodded with closed eyes as if in relief. He handed over the responsibility of saving the world to Ackster, whom he seemed to have known would come.

’Shit.’

Ackster had expected that it wouldn’t be enough to assassinate The Hero, but he hadn’t expected The Hero to say something like that. It implied The Hero knew something, anything, or everything about how Ackster had survived and spent a decade trying to become strong enough to save the world.

Ackster couldn’t stop his body from trembling as cold sweat poured out of his body.

He had no idea what was going on.

He thought he had prepared for the worst. But Ackster had no idea what to think about the fact that The Hero had seemingly spared his life in anticipation of the current moment.

’Why?’

Ackster couldn’t understand. Why would The Hero do that? How would The Hero know to do that? What—

"AAAAIIIE!"

Ackster found his way out of a swamp of sticky, devouring thoughts, thanks to Erismille’s screech when she saw the dead Hero.

The rest of The Hero’s party were stunned.

They had killed The Calamity, so what was going on now? Why was The Hero dead?

However, their training kicked in.

Eris tried to heal The Hero, and the rest formed a defensive perimeter, unaware that they shouldn’t be trying to protect Eris as she healed The Hero.

They should be protecting Eris from The Hero. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Ackster turned back.

He could already sense the power of the world gathering around the island like a tornado.

It didn’t work.

The eye of the world power storm was The Hero, and the power funneled itself into The Hero. The Hero’s head flew back to his body, his hair and eyes white as the stars.

The Hero’s kneeling body stood up.

Eris smiled with tears in her beautiful eyes. However, the tears of joy stopped rolling as surprise and disbelief overtook her feelings when The Hero grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up like a doll while tilting his head to the side curiously.

"Wow. Eyes really make it obvious how disgustingly ugly humans are."