A Psychopath Reborn as a Third-rate Villain

Chapter 39: Evolution of the Predator

The carriage rolled steadily along the stone-paved road leading back toward Darkmoor Castle.

Outside, the sun had already begun its slow descent beyond the horizon, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold. The rhythmic sound of horse hooves echoed through the evening air.

Inside the carriage, silence prevailed.

Evelyne sat gracefully by the window, quietly admiring the passing scenery. Meanwhile, Andras leaned back against the cushioned seat, his thoughts focused elsewhere entirely.

"System," he called inwardly.

"Show me the details of Iron Predator Body."

A familiar metallic voice echoed inside his mind.

[Ding!]

---

[Talent — Iron Predator Body (D-Rank)]

Type: Physical Enhancement / Predator Body Talent

Description: A fused talent created from Hardened Hide and Steel Fang Bite. This talent transforms the user’s body into a weapon designed for close-range combat and survival.

Abilities

1. Iron Skin

- Increases the durability of skin, muscles, and connective tissue.

- Greatly reduces damage from blunt-force attacks.

- Provides moderate resistance against blades and claws.

- Passive ability.

2. Predator Strength

- Enhances explosive physical power.

- Increases grip strength and striking force.

- Improves jumping ability and acceleration.

3. Bone Reinforcement

- Strengthens bones and joints.

- Allows the user to endure greater physical stress.

- Reduces the risk of fractures during combat.

4. Killing Bite

- Temporarily concentrates mana into the jaw and hands.

- Greatly increases piercing and crushing power.

- Particularly effective against armor and defensive barriers.

5. Hunter’s Stamina

- Slows physical exhaustion during battle.

- Allows the user to maintain peak combat efficiency for longer periods.

Weaknesses

- Provides limited resistance against magical attacks.

- Causes heavy physical strain after prolonged use.

---

Andras read the information calmly.

A practical talent.

Nothing extraordinary by itself.

But usefulness did not always depend on rarity.

His ability to fuse talents had already proven that.

Without wasting time, he issued another command.

"Show me the details of Shadow Venom Hunter."

[Ding!]

---

[Talent — Shadow Venom Hunter (C-Rank)]

Type: Assassin / Predator / Poison Talent

Description: A rare fusion talent created from Blood Shadow Instinct and Abyssal Venom Bloodline. This talent specializes in assassination, hunting, tracking, and killing stronger opponents through speed and poison.

Abilities

1. Shadow Step

- Allows explosive bursts of movement speed.

- Creates realistic afterimages during high-speed movement.

- Makes movement trajectories difficult to predict.

2. Venom Mana

- Infuses mana with magical poison.

- Damages both the body and mana circulation of enemies.

- Particularly effective against mages.

3. Shadow Presence

- Suppresses the user’s presence, sound, and killing intent.

- Greatly improves stealth and ambush capabilities.

4. Predator Vision

- Detects body heat, blood flow, and mana signatures.

- Effective in darkness, fog, forests, and concealed environments.

5. Blood Frenzy

- Activates automatically when the user or enemy is injured.

Effects:

- Increases movement speed.

- Increases reaction speed.

- Increases attack power.

- Heightens combat instincts.

The longer and more intense the battle becomes, the stronger the enhancement grows.

Weaknesses

- Blood Frenzy may cause reckless aggression if overused.

- Venom consumption increases mana expenditure.

- Continuous use causes severe physical and mental exhaustion.

---

"Hmm."

Andras nodded faintly.

A genuinely useful talent.

Especially against opponents stronger than himself.

He closed the window and immediately issued another command.

"System. Show me all talents currently possessed."

[Ding!]

---

[Name — Andras Darkmoor]

Talents

1. Echo Resonance (A-Rank)

2. Architect of the Eternal Continuum (???)

3. Warborn Limit Release (B-Rank)

4. Iron Predator Body (D-Rank)

5. Shadow Venom Hunter (C-Rank)

---

Five talents.

But Architect of the Eternal Continuum remained unusable.

Andras narrowed his eyes.

Too many abilities created a different problem.

Complexity.

During battle, excessive options could become a weakness.

Which meant there was only one solution.

Fusion.

His decision was immediate.

"System."

"Fuse Warborn Limit Release and Iron Predator Body."

For a brief moment, silence filled his mind.

Then—

[Ding!]

[Talent Fusion Initiated.]

A surge of heat spread through his body.

Mana circulated violently through his veins.

His muscles tightened.

His bones vibrated.

The sensation resembled molten metal being hammered together by an invisible force.

Several seconds later—

[Ding!]

[Fusion Complete.]

[Host has acquired Talent: War Predator Physique (B-Rank).]

Andras raised an eyebrow.

Still B-Rank.

He wasn’t particularly surprised.

A B-Rank talent and a D-Rank talent were insufficient to force another evolutionary leap.

"Show me its details."

[Ding!]

---

Talent — War Predator Physique (B-Rank)

A combat-oriented talent that combines explosive physical enhancement with the resilience and instincts of a battlefield predator.

1. Predator Release

- Triples physical abilities.

- Greatly enhances strength, reaction speed, and movement speed.

- Increases mana reinforcement efficiency.

- Reduces pain perception during combat.

2. Iron Body

- Strengthens muscles, bones, and internal organs.

- Provides resistance against slashing, piercing, and blunt-force attacks.

- Improves stamina during prolonged battles.

3. Predator Burst

- Allows explosive bursts of speed and acceleration.

- Greatly increases close-range destructive power.

- Enhances pursuit and evasion abilities.

4. Combat Instinct

- Heightens battlefield awareness.

- Improves perception of enemy movements and killing intent.

- Allows instinctive reactions during dangerous situations.

5. Blood Hunt

- Activates when either the user or the enemy is injured.

- Increases combat efficiency.

- Accelerates adrenaline production and mana circulation.

Duration

20 Minutes

Cooldown

10 Hours

Drawbacks

- Heavy physical exhaustion after use.

- Muscle soreness and temporary weakness.

- Excessive use may damage the body.

---

Andras silently analyzed the talent.

Compared to Warborn Limit Release, this new talent sacrificed some explosive power in exchange for durability, combat instincts, and sustained combat capability.

A worthwhile trade.

After a few moments, he opened his status window.

[Ding!]

---

Name — Andras Darkmoor

Race: Human

Age: 18

Class: Mage

Talents

- Echo Resonance (A-Rank)

- Architect of the Eternal Continuum (???)

- War Predator Physique (B-Rank)

- Shadow Venom Hunter (C-Rank)

Realm

Low Stage Third Circle Mage

Skills

- Resonance Pulse

- Echo Step

- Resonant Sense

- Predator Release

- Predator Burst

- Shadow Step

- Shadow Presence

- Venom Mana

- Predator Vision

- Blood Frenzy

---

Andras stared at the final line.

His talents had grown.

His combat power had increased dramatically.

Yet one thing remained unchanged.

His realm.

Low Stage Third Circle Mage.

The same realm he had possessed since arriving in this world.

A faint frown appeared on his face.

Strength acquired through talents was valuable.

But true power in this world still depended on one’s mana realm.

He needed to advance.

Soon.

With that thought, Andras finally closed the system window.

He turned toward Evelyne.

"Mother."

She looked away from the window.

"Yes?"

"Did you enjoy today?"

For a brief moment, Evelyne appeared surprised.

Then a soft smile appeared on her face.

"I did."

Her voice was quiet.

Gentle.

"It was one of the happiest days I’ve had in a very long time."

Andras looked at her for several seconds.

Interesting.

She meant it.

The carriage continued its journey through the fading evening light.