A Villain's Will to Survive

Chapter 134: Snow Globe (2)

"Knight Veron of Freyhem. Though born into humble origins, he chose a solitary path, dedicating himself to the noble ideals of chivalry. In every way, he embodied the very essence of what it means to be a knight..."

In the graveyard, Veron's missa continued as his coffin was lowered into the earth. Yulie stood still, her eyes fixed on the wound left by the steel that pierced him. Meanwhile, Deculein's words echoed in her mind.

"He was an arrogant fool, unworthy of life. How dare he forget his place and set his sights on things he could never have?"

Ding—

A sharp ringing filled her ears, and the world around her seemed to blur. The ground swayed beneath her feet, making her stumble until Josephine caught her by the shoulders and steadied her.

"And even if I were to admit it, what could you possibly do? Do you think you can punish me—the one favored by Her Majesty?"

Deculein’s words echoed through her mind, ones Yulie wanted so badly to shut out. They were too harsh, too cruel. His cold, distant look was something she couldn’t forget.

"In any case, she is worthless now."

Could he really have been the one who killed Veron? Yulie thought.

"A knight worn down by the curse."

Is it all my fault? Because I’m too weak, still held back by this curse?

"She reached for something beyond her grasp, while I wore the mask of kindness. But I’ve grown tired of it."

Yulie lowered her head, her body shaking uncontrollably. Grief, anger, disappointment, denial, and doubt tore through her, each one hammering into her chest. The ache was unbearable.

"I lack the mercy to love a woman teetering on the edge of death, and the Yukline name cannot afford to suffer such a loss again."

Yet, his harsh words narrowed down to one lingering thought.

I carry this scar because of you. I gave everything to save you, and this was the price I paid. I let myself believe I had changed you, that I’d helped you become someone better. I carried this wound like proof of our bond. But now, you’ve thrown it all away...

"I have nothing more to say to those who would present me with such a defect. The engagement with Freyden is hereby annulled. Relay this to Zeit as well."

"Why?" Yulie whispered, her voice trembling as she fought back the tears.

What did I ever do to you? Why did you want me so much, only to hurt me like this, even now...?

"... Why?"

Pain tightened in her chest as her breathing grew rapid, a trickle of blood seeping from her bitten lip.

“Why, why, why.”

Her question lingered in the silence, unanswered. It slipped away, leaving her with a burning curiosity. She wanted to confront Deculein, to find out why he had gone to such extremes to possess her, hiding behind countless masks. Why did he kill an innocent knight like Veron and let his obsession consume him...

"Why...?"

Yulie was desperate for his answer.

***

I pressed on through the extreme cold. The darkness was nearly complete, but my eyes had adjusted enough to catch the faintest glimmers of light, guiding me over the rough ground. The air was so frigid that my breath crystallized the moment it left my lips.

But I endured as an Iron Man would. My body had surpassed human limits, fueled by a mental strength that was unbreakable—a resilience beyond anything human.

First, I needed to uncover the purpose of this snow globe. It was an ancient relic, a treasure from a bygone era. If it was meant to preserve life, like Noah's Ark, it wouldn't have unleashed such harsh, unrelenting cold.

So, the most likely theory was that this place was a prison, a tomb meant to trap someone. Of course, since it was an ancient relic, whoever had been sealed here was probably long gone by now.

As I thought this, I noticed a shadow looming in the distance. Concentrating my mana, I directed it to my eyes. With my current abilities, I could amplify my senses instantly, combining Authority with Iron Man. In other words, I could sharpen my vision like Superman or reinforce my Wood Steels using Iron Man's functional abilities.

"What is this...?"

Even with my enhanced sight, the darkness remained impenetrable. Slowly, I lifted my head, forcing my frozen neck to move. At first, I thought it was simply a wall—something massive blocking my path, like a sleeping Snorlax. But no...

I stood there, stunned, a hollow laugh slipping from my lips. My frozen mind felt like it might shatter. And then, it opened its eyes.

“... A giant,” I called.

A species from ancient times, one that once ruled this continent. In this world, they were the closest to God—wise, powerful, and vital to the main quest as a named species. Even sitting down, its body towered nearly fifty feet, its arms as thick as the trunk of the World Tree.

The strands of its necklace draped across its shoulders and chest, each as large as a grown man. It was clear now—this snow globe was meant to trap someone, and judging by its massive size, that someone was a giant.

The giant opened its eyes, piercing through the darkness and flooding the crevasse with light. Its pupils were as deep as the ocean, reflecting the world within their depths.

[Independent Quest: The Giant’s Inquiry]

◆ Mana Point +300

◆ Rare Attribute Catalog

◆ Store Currency +3

The rewards were enough to drive anyone insane. But I stood my ground, staring up at the giant, steady in the face of its immense presence. I met its eyes with all the composure of a noble.

"You are a fascinating creature, Human..."

Huuuuuuum—

The giant's voice rumbled through the air, shaking the frozen walls of the crevasse and sending tremors through my body. An ordinary human would have buckled under that sheer force of pressure. But I didn’t look away. Even in the presence of a giant, Deculein’s ego stood firm. After all, I was here for the reward.

“I am Deculein of Yukline,” I said.

The giant narrowed its eyes, the air vibrating with the slightest movement. Giants were one of the most powerful named species in this world, and this unknown giant watched me in silence for what felt like ages. Its oppressive presence bore down on my shoulders, but I refused to bend.

"Deculein of Yukline," the Giant intoned, its voice like a blade through the stillness. "Is that your true name?"

It had already seen right through me. I met the giant's eyes and shook my head. There was no point in lying to an ancient legend.

"I am Kim Woo-Jin, a stranger to this world. Yet here, I have come to be known as Deculein," I introduced.

At last, the giant nodded, a hint of a smile touching its lips as it acknowledged my honesty.

***

Deculein and Luna's thesis sparked a heated debate on the Floating Island. Thousands of addicts flocked to analyze the publication, with scholarly discussions on its theories happening multiple times a day.

As a result, daily life on the Floating Island had ground to a halt. Government offices, grimoire stores, potion shops, rank assessments, exam administrations—even Wizard Atomic—had all shut down, with over 70% of the resident mages obsessively poring over Deculein’s thesis.

"Arguing the potential of Deculein's thesis is like building castles in the air. Regardless of its theoretical brilliance, it holds little value if not a single mage can put it into actual practice," one of the skeptical addicts stated.

"Even so, dismissing it as building castles in the air may be hasty. How can we call such a groundbreaking concept meaningless? Professor Deculein undeniably stands as a genius of our time," another addict refuted.

On the seventh floor of the grand Megiseon, the designated space for debate, all thirty-three platforms hummed with discussions about the validity of Deculein and Luna’s thesis.

"Of course, certainly, and obviously, I agree that the ideas in Deculein's thesis are nothing short of extraordinary. But they are so advanced, they might as well be alien to us. Who in this world could possibly put such magic into practice? Unless some Archmage from another realm graces us with their presence, it is simply beyond our reach."

The heart of the issue was its practical application. The thesis required mages to master all four element properties, capable of casting at least four-category magic, and possess the extensive experience and skills detailed in the theory.

Yet, no such mage existed—not in the Mortal Realm, at least. Even Adrienne, who had reached the rank of Archmage, fell short due to her specialization in destructive magic.

"If we dismiss a thesis as worthless simply because it lacks immediate practical use, then what of The Proof of Rukel?" another addict countered. "And what of Dukan's supportive spells and magic circles, which now serve as the cornerstone of the support category?"

Amidst the controversy, the Floating Island continued to flourish. Mages from many Mage Towers across the nations poured in, nearly doubling its population.

~

"... I just borrowed the thesis. How much have you read so far?"

Lately, talk of the thesis filled the streets of the Floating Island, echoing in every corner.

"Three pages in, and I’m already stuck. No wonder he put it out there for free."

This was because Deculein had made his thesis publicly accessible. He didn’t set a price for the work itself, asking only a small fee for the intellectual property rights. After all, a thesis with no practical use was never going to be a bestseller.

"Hey, I actually made it to page eleven last night. How about you?"

"... Made it to page twelve, but just barely."

Unintentionally, Deculein had ignited a wave of rivalry, competition, hierarchy, and even set a new trend on the Floating Island.

"Heh, showing off again? How about we fact-check that at my place?"

"Ugh, fine... I got through to page seven. Happy now?"

Understanding the thesis, making progress through its pages, and being informed enough to discuss it had all become part of a growing trend on the Floating Island. It had evolved into something more—a true Knowledge Society.

~

Meanwhile, at Magic Pasta, the popular restaurant on the Floating Island...

"The real question is, how can this theory be applied in practice when only a few mages can get past the first twenty pages."

Epherene had returned to the Floating Island after ages and was trying to eat her pasta, but she was so distracted that she barely noticed the noodles reaching her mouth.

"Oh, really? How many pages have you actually read, and how much of the thesis do you fully understand?"

"Why should that matter? The thesis is purely theoretical and lacks practical application."

"Doesn't matter, you say? Alright then, tell me how many pages you’ve read. I'll consider your argument if it’s sound."

"... Nine pages. Regardless, I’ve heard that Agora will be opening soon. We can address it properly there."

"Nine pages? That won't even grant you entry to the Agora."

Agora, the grandest forum for academic debate on the Floating Island, was set to reopen its doors. This rare event was expected to draw not only the Floating Island’s addicts but also those of Monarch rank and above.

“They require a minimum number of pages for participation?”

"Correct. A minimum of thirteen pages is required for attendance."

Agora's focus remained on a single topic—the thesis.

"Incidentally, who is Luna, and what led him to co-author this thesis with Deculein?"

"It seems he was Deculein's assistant, contributing several key concepts to the thesis. They are credited equally, with a fifty-fifty split."

As the conversation turned to her father, Epherene, who had been eating quietly, put her plate down. She was just about to leave when she froze, her eyes locked on a familiar face—Gindalf.

“Ah, Epherene. It has been quite some time, hasn’t it?” Gindalf said.

“Mage Gindalf! I didn’t expect to see you here!” Epherene exclaimed.

Gindalf, an Ethereal-ranked elder mage who had once told Epherene that Deculein valued her, laughed softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "This is no coincidence, my dear. I came here to find you. Ganesha brought me the news."

"Sorry? What news, exactly...?"

Gindalf's smile faded. He leaned in closer and whispered in a grave tone, "Decalane."

A chill ran down Epherene's spine.

Gindalf stepped back, his usual warmth returning to his expression, and continued, "I dislike him as much as the rest of you. That’s why I’m here—to help you prepare for what lies ahead."

"Oh, I see!" Epherene replied, a brief sense of relief washing over her. But then, rumors about Gindalf came to mind. "If I may ask... how much will this help cost me?"

Epherene was well aware of his reputation. On the Floating Island, they called him the Money-grubbing Tortoise, a name he had never bothered to deny.

Gindalf chuckled softly and said, "Ah, money. We can discuss that later. For now, will you join me?"

"Yes, yes!"

“Excellent. Let’s be off,” Gindalf said with a soft chuckle. He began to lead the way but suddenly paused, glancing back at her. “Ah, one more thing.”

Epherene tilted her head, curiosity evident as she waited for Gindalf to continue.

Gindalf, his expression turning serious, asked, "How deep into it have you been able to grasp so far?"

"Sorry?"

“Deculein's thesis—it has become quite the topic of discussion here on the Floating Island.”

“Oh... I’m about a hundred and thirty pages in,” Epherene replied.

“What?” Gindalf exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise. “You wouldn’t lie to an old man, now, would you? I may have to raise the fee if you are!”

“I’m not lying. I’ve understood up to page one hundred and thirty.”

"... Very well then! We will find out soon enough! Come along," Gindalf said, casting a suspicious glance at her before turning away, his steps growing heavier with an irritation Epherene couldn’t quite fathom.

***

Tick, tock— Tick, tock—

Time passed steadily inside the snow globe. Using her mana, Sophien formed a clock, calculating the time difference between the inside and outside by casting her possession magic on a cat.

Two weeks drifted by inside the globe, while only three days slipped by outside. Using her mana, she created a mana platform on the snow-covered ground. Throughout that time, she stood there, eating ice cream and waiting for Deculein's return.

At that moment...

"... Your Majesty," Keiron said, finally awakened from his statue form.

Sophien sneered at him and sarcastically said, "Well, that was quick, wasn’t it? Only took you two weeks."

Keiron surveyed his surroundings. The blizzard had left everything in disarray.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Keiron said, dropping to one knee.

The statue's mechanism was programmed to respond only to murderous intents, leaving him unable to react to natural disasters.

“I am prepared to accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”

Keiron offered no excuses; it was the knight's way—steadfast to the last.

"Enough. Aren’t knights just a bunch of dumbasses anyway? Now, speak. What have you discovered?" Sophien asked.

Keiron remained bowed like a penitent as he spoke, "I have reached the boundary of the snow globe, Your Majesty. Its size is almost identical to the continent outside."

This steadfast knight had crossed the entire snow globe on foot.

"... I see. Stand up," Sophien said with a dry laugh as she pulled him to his feet.

Standing behind her, Keiron hesitated before asking, "Your Majesty, has Professor Deculein not yet returned?"

"He was here, briefly."

"But where—"

"He saved me, then went into the depths alone," Sophien said, casting a glance at the crevasse below, a chasm that seemed bottomless.

Keiron narrowed his eyes, peering into the darkness. Nothing could be seen. No light pierced the void, not even the faintest trace of dust. If Deculein had really fallen into that abyss...

Sophien gave a quiet laugh at Keiron's clear shock and said, “... Funny, isn't it? I might just be the luckiest among the most unfortunate of rulers.”

Keiron looked over at her.

Sophien’s eyes lingered on the half-eaten ice cream Deculein had brought her as she went on, “For my sake, a knight traveled an expanse as vast as the continent itself, all on foot.”

Over the past two weeks, she had carefully rationed the ice cream, eating just half. The rest was reserved for Keiron and that other fool.

"And a professor who has spent more than a century by my side." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"... Your Majesty," Keiron murmured, detecting something ominous in her words. Each one was as frigid as the blizzard around them, laced with an unsettling chill.

"What are your intentions, Your Majesty?" Keiron asked cautiously, his gaze fixed on the Empress, who stood like a proud dark red flame amidst the pure white world.

“Why bother asking? Néscĭus is gone, and there’s no way out of this place,” Sophien replied, her voice flat. “If he doesn’t climb out of that abyss...”

Sophien’s gaze settled on the sword at Keiron’s waist.

“There is no other option but to end it with suicide once more.”