The Worst Villain is Actually a Cute Girl-Chapter 53

The six jewels emitted a dazzling brilliance. Each color harmonized with the others, creating an overwhelming spectacle of light that demanded attention.

It was a beauty that could steal one’s breath.

But that radiance was neither warm like sunlight, nor gentle like moonlight.

Red shivered.

A sickening, unnatural chill crawled across her skin, and the sinister pressure from the gems made her hairs stand on end. Her body began to freeze as if it were sinking into ice.

As the jewels’ horrific mana clung to her, faint waves of negativity rose within her—just enough to break her concentration.

“These gems... they’re the most valuable treasures I possess. Each one carries a special meaning—and power to match. But I suppose none of that matters to you.”

The energy gathered by the jewels swelled even larger.

How much bigger could it get?

But just as immense power always came with a cost, the mana was taking a toll on Midas too.

Cracks began to appear across his face with sharp, audible creaks.

Still, Midas didn’t stop. He kept pouring his magic into the gems.

Even though he knew his body was crumbling—he refused to stop.

“Take this!”

Golden eyes brimming with resolve locked with burning red ones.

And then—

A colossal surge of magic blasted from the gemstones, shooting forth in a violent stream of six-colored light.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёnovelkiss.com.

“Haaah!”

At the same time, Red planted her foot and stepped forward.

Her crimson eyes gleamed, and her arm swung out.

A thunderous roar rang out as a golden flash streaked through the air.

The spear traced a blazing arc of gold, sliced through the blinding light of the gemstones, and—

Pierced clean through Midas’s torso.

A gaping hole formed in his chest. His body wavered... then collapsed backward.

Moments later, a deafening rumble shook the entire arena.

The space trembled violently as the world itself began to crumble.

From high above, the golden birdcage came tumbling down.

With Midas defeated, the once-unbreakable cage door swung open on its own.

Red’s eyes widened slightly as she considered how to get Lily out—

Only to see the white-haired girl leap out of the cage herself.

‘Wait, what?!’

Humans don’t have wings.

Which meant Lily’s tiny body plummeted rapidly under gravity’s pull.

Red let out a soft laugh.

A normal child would’ve curled up in fear, trembling from that height—but Lily wasn’t normal.

Or maybe... she trusted Red to catch her.

In that case, she had to meet that trust.

Red leapt.

As they crossed paths mid-air, Red moved her arms at just the right moment—

And caught Lily securely in her arms.

“You’re safe now.”

Red landed softly, holding Lily close.

When she looked down, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° she saw a faint smile on Lily’s lips—content, maybe even happy.

Reaching out, Red placed a hand on her forehead. And then—smack!

Lily blinked, stunned.

She’d thought she was going to get a head pat again, so she’d accepted it without question—only to get flicked instead!

Rubbing her forehead, Lily pouted, lips pushing out slightly. But instead of apologizing, Red launched into a scolding.

What would she have done if she got hurt? Why had she pulled such a reckless stunt?

Lily’s eyes darted around, then lowered her head sheepishly.

Red chuckled.

Despite the reckless leap, she hadn’t panicked. She’d held out. That was enough.

Red gently stroked her hair.

Pat, pat. Pat, pat.

Lily stayed still at first, quietly accepting the warm touch. But before long, flustered, she brushed the hand away.

*

The situation was over.

Whether it was the aftermath of the brutal battle or the defeat of the domain’s master—

The arena, having fulfilled its purpose, began to collapse.

Debris floated into the sky, pulled upward as if vanishing into a void.

They had to get out before the place disappeared completely. Otherwise, they might be trapped forever.

“Wait here for a moment.”

Red’s voice was calm. Lily nodded.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Red stepped toward the man who had kidnapped her, as if she had one last thing to do.

Curious, Lily followed behind with quick little steps.

Standing at Red’s side, she looked down at the man sprawled on the ground.

Completely torn up.

The body that once regenerated endlessly from Red’s strikes was now failing—breaking down bit by bit.

“...Still alive.”

Red muttered.

She wasn’t wrong.

But she didn’t need to finish him off. He didn’t have long left.

The massive aura that had once surrounded him was now no more than flickering embers—slowly fading.

Noticing their presence, the man flinched slightly.

But his body had no strength left. Even with them standing over him, he didn’t move.

After a long, ragged breath, he finally spoke.

“Congratulations... on your victory...”

“...”

“It was... a fair fight... I suppose... I should reward you...”

“I don’t want anything from you. Just disappear.”

Red refused him coldly.

And yet, despite the rejection, the man let out a low chuckle—like he was genuinely amused.

“Well then, if you insist on refusing... at least tell me this before you vanish: who twisted your mind? Who tampered with the spirit of one of the Seven Deadly Sins?”

...Wait, this guy was one of them? One of the Seven Sins?

So that’s what explained that monstrous power.

But... “tampered”? What did that mean?

I didn’t know. I just stayed quiet and listened.

“After our last fight... someone came to me... a man who called himself a Prophet...”

“A Prophet? Don’t tell me—that snake you mentioned earlier... was him?”

“Yeah... It’s best if... you never speak to him... Otherwise... your mind will be coiled up like mine...”

“You mean—don’t tell me the last one left standing was taken too?”

“Yeah... Wrath... He’s in the same boat...”

“How fitting. Exactly the kind of end villains deserve.”

His drifting gaze—once blank and lost—shifted weakly toward Red.

A flicker of light returned to his nearly dead eyes. He coughed, chest heaving, and forced out more words.

“Just one... Before I go... answer me one thing... You said... helping others was just helping yourself. What did you mean by that...? Money, fame, fixer rank... What are you even fighting for...?”

My ears perked up at the man’s question.

From the way he asked, it was clear—he wanted to know why Red helped others.

I wanted to know that too.

Why someone as strong as her would go out of her way to help people, even if it meant taking a loss.

But knowing her personality, I doubted she’d entertain the question of a villain.

I’d half given up on getting an answer.

Then Red did something unexpected.

She lowered her gaze, her expression thoughtful, like she was genuinely considering how to respond.

Then she pulled a cigarette from her coat pocket.

She placed it between her lips, tilted her head back—

And just as she was about to light it, her eyes moved. By chance, they met mine.

Red flinched slightly—"Ah!"—surprised.

Then, sheepishly, she shoved the cigarette back into her pocket.

She glanced at me again, looking a bit embarrassed, and said—

“No grand reason. I do it because I want to. I’m just not the kind of person who can ignore someone in trouble, unlike you.”

“Why...? Why go that far... what are you even trying to—”

“Let me ask you this instead: do you really need some special reason to help someone?”

Thud.

The man’s eyes flew wide open.

He looked stunned, like it was the last thing he expected. His pupils trembled.

And I understood how he felt.

Because honestly, I was surprised too.

That someone in this selfish, cutthroat world would say something like that.

Especially her.

For a second I even wondered if she was lying—but no. That wasn’t the kind of thing Red would fake.

It was so ridiculous I nearly laughed—but I held it in.

In this world, people don’t help others unless there’s something in it for them.

That’s just how things work. “If you want help, pay up first.” That’s not an empty saying.

And if money isn’t enough? Then offer more.

That’s the world we live in.

Red knew that. Someone like her couldn’t possibly be ignorant of it.

And yet... she said what she said.

Is it just that she’s so strong, she can afford to say things like that?

Or was she always like this, from the beginning?

‘She really is... a fool.’

A woman too kind for a city like this.

Too kind for a world like this.

“Heh... ha ha... unbelievable... what a truly stupid answer... But of course—it suits the gem I was trying to claim...”

“You could never understand someone like me.”

“Yeah... you’re right...”

His golden eyes dimmed.

Only his upper torso remained now.

His breaths were shallow. Life was slipping away.

“As thanks... for that satisfying answer... I’ll give you a warning... Watch out for the Church of the Reaper...”

“What?!”

‘!?’

The moment that name left his lips, both Red and I froze in shock.

The Church of the Reaper?!

Why would that come up now?

“What do you mean, the Church of the Reaper? Are you saying they’re connected to this? That there was more to Lily’s kidnapping than just luring me here?! Hey—!”

Red began to hurl questions at him.

I, for my part, gathered a little mana at my fingertips, just in case he tried something.

“Tch!”

Luckily, he didn’t get the chance.

Whatever he meant to say, he couldn’t continue.

His already crumbling body finally gave out.

I felt his life extinguish, and quietly dispersed my mana.

Krrraaaack—BOOM!

The moment he died, the space began to collapse faster.

Red scooped me into her arms.

Then she sprinted toward the exit without a second’s hesitation.

I turned my head, trying to take in every last detail of the space as it vanished.

I didn’t feel sorry for the man.

He was one of the Seven Deadly Sins. No doubt, he’d brought ruin to many people by his own hand.

A fittingly tragic end for a villain.

A villain’s death is something many would celebrate.

But I couldn’t smile.

I felt... strangely hollow. A quiet sadness settled in my chest.

His end... reminded me of myself.

I’m no better. No, I’m worse.

After all—I’m the infamous Reaper.

I’ve driven more people to their deaths than I can count.

So then...

What kind of ending is waiting for me?

Suddenly, I found myself wondering—how will my story end?