The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

(Raye’s POV)

"..."

I was speechless.

I was frozen in place as I felt the strong presence coming from the ghoul.

My forehead started sweating from nervousness.

-...

Pyro was the same, he was unconsciously holding his breath and doing his best not to get detected by the ghoul.

-...

I didn’t know what was on Zephyrus’ mind, but he was quiet too.

Anyway, I was about to back away and close the door...

-Hm?

When the ghoul spotted me!

"Shit."

I cursed and tried to immediately close the door...

SWOOSH—

"Urgh...?!"

But my body stopped moving on its own as a strong pressure pressed down on me!

-An intruder, huh.

I heard the ghoul say.

’It can talk?!’

I was surprised—ghouls were supposed to be mindless monsters, after all!

Anyway, even in that situation...

I stayed calm.

Because I knew that monster couldn’t leave the room. It’s pretty obvious now, after spending about half a month in this dungeon.

Monsters can only be seen inside the rooms—it’s like their restriction or something, just like in the game.

’That thing can’t hurt me here. I’m outside the room.’

I confidently thought.

Though...

-Meep...

"Huh?"

I then saw Pyro lying on the floor, barely inside the room!

It seemed like his body stiffened and he fell off my shoulder after being pressed down by the pressure!

-I caught one.

The ghoul said.

Fwip—

And then it raised its left hand in Pyro’s direction!

And immediately...

Swoosh—

A wind was summoned from the ghoul’s hand and carried Pyro back to the ghoul!

My eyes widened in surprise at that sight.

And unconsciously...

"[Flash]!"

BAM!

I kicked off the ground and used a skill!

Immediately bringing myself in front of the ghoul!

And with both my hands on the hilt of my weapon...

"[BLAZE]!"

SWOOSH—!

I swung my flaming sword down with all my might!

"HAAAAAA!!!"

But then...

CLANG—!

My attack was easily blocked by the ghoul with its sword!

And looking at me with its nonexistent eyes...

-Weak.

The ghoul said that.

Bam!

And punched me in the stomach with its left hand!

"KEUK...?!"

It hurt. I cracked a few of my ribs.

Thud—

I was flung away and landed on my back, lying on the floor!

I was about to get up and get ready to face the monster again.

-...

But before I could even attempt to...

Swish-

"..."

The tip of the ghoul’s blade was already pointed at my head!

-Goodbye.

The ghoul said as it raised its sword in the air.

And seeing that...

"Fuck..."

I cursed and braced myself for what was about to come!

Swoosh—

The ghoul swung its sword down, aiming at me!

I was sure I’m dead today.

But before its blade could reach me...

-Ivan, stop!

Zephyrus exclaimed that.

And suddenly...

Fwip—

-...

The ghoul stopped moving.

"..."

And there I was, staring at its blade inches away from my face.

The ghoul then looked at Zephyrus.

And opening its mouth...

-Zephyrus?

The ghoul muttered that in a questioning tone.

*****

"Are you okay?"

I asked Pyro.

And looking at me with a smile...

-Meep!

He responded, saying he was fine.

-Meep meep!

And then he thanked me for risking my life to save him earlier.

"Of course, I’d do that. We’re partners."

I said back to Pyro, smiling.

Anyway, currently...

I was sitting on a broken chair with Pyro perched on my lap.

And in front of me...

-Hello.

...was the ghoul that almost killed me earlier!

His voice was really hoarse—it’s scary.

"Hello."

I awkwardly responded to the ghoul.

And then...

-Let me introduce him to you.

Zephyrus said that, looking at me.

And without waiting for my response...

-This is Ivan Wallace, the firstborn and heir of the Wallace family, the family I was protecting.

Zephyrus went and introduce the ghoul to me.

-He’s the owner of the clothes you’re wearing right now.

He then added, pointing at my shirt.

-It fits you.

The ghoul... Ivan, said, looking at me.

"Ah, thanks."

I replied.

Then, after calming down...

"My name is Raye Alvah."

I introduced myself.

-Right, sorry for attacking you earlier, Raye.

Ivan apologized.

-I thought you were one of the remnant subordinates of the demon that attacked us before.

He added by way of explanation.

"Don’t worry, I understand."

I responded.

After that...

-What happened to you, Ivan?

Zephyrus butted in and asked.

And with that...

-Well, after we sealed you...

Ivan started telling us about his situation.

...

...

...

After a few minutes...

-That’s all.

Ivan finished telling his story.

So basically, his family and the servants were all killed by the demon that attacked them a hundred years ago.

Ivan, who was a swordmaster and had learned some spells from Zephyrus...

Tried his best to fight the demon.

And in doing so...

He was able to cut off its left hand!

Though ultimately...

He was defeated and placed under a curse.

The demon ensured he wouldn’t die, but his body would continue to rot, and at the end of it all...

He would become a mindless monster in this dungeon.

He also trapped him in this room with the same curse.

-You’re pretty lucky you met me while I’m still kind of sane.

-I’m starting to get more aggressive, and I’ve been mindlessly doing stuff lately too.

Ivan said, looking at me.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

And I completely agreed with his words. Read exclusive chapters at empire

-Meep...

Pyro agreed too.

Anyway, after that...

Zephyrus and Ivan started talking to each other.

"..."

They both looked happy catching up to each other.

And I was happy for them too.

Though, just then...

’Wait...’

A question popped into my mind, and it made me frown.

"Ivan, sir..."

I called out.

-Just call me Ivan.

Ivan responded.

I nodded at his words.

Then, opening my mouth...

"You say you’re becoming a monster for this dungeon, but you’re just on the second floor... Does that mean the final boss of this dungeon is stronger than you?"

I asked Ivan that question.

And hearing my words...

SWOOSH—

The atmosphere around Ivan became heavy!

He was angry!

"Urgh...?!"

It became harder for me to breathe...

-Meep...!

Pyro was scared too!

And noticing that...

Fwip—

-I’m sorry.

Ivan controlled his rage and withdrew his aura while apologizing.

"Koff... koff..."

I coughed, finally able to breathe again.

And while I was recovering...

-Anyway, about your question...

-The answer is no. I’m way stronger than the final boss. I’m the strongest in this dungeon.

Ivan answered my question.

I was relieved to hear his words.

But following that...

-Raye, I have a favor.

Ivan mumbled.

"Huh?"

And without waiting for my response...

-I want you to kill that motherfucker—the final boss.

Ivan said those words in anger.

"..."

He was so angry that I wasn’t able to decline because I was scared he might kill me.

So instead...

’Fucking hell.’

I just cursed my luck in my head.