The Villain's Story

Chapter 723: Death was cold.

Everyone had almost the same experience after they experienced death this time.

Like me, they were also trapped in water, but felt as if they could breathe normally.

They, however were in complete darkness unlike me, who could still see something. Also, Ariel appeared only to me and Kazikato in a somewhat physical form, wrapping her arms around ourselves as if she was hugging us from behind.

To then, there was merely a voice that constantly rung in their minds and came from everywhere at once.

Her monologue was also much shorter, while Kazikato and I received a lengthy anecdote, The rest were only blessed with a few words.

”Overcome, but do not forget.”

I came to know of this after everyone calmed down. It was fairly quick this time, according to Maxwell.

”I guess you all got used to dying, was a heck of a lot worse before.”

”... Shut up. Blegh...”

However, everyone besides me vomited at least once. I wondered if I was the weird one, my stomach was fairly fine even after being ripped in half.

Well, it isnʼt exactly a new experience for me. Nothing would ever beat the pain of absorbing Arielʼs ichor.

ʼ... Nothing...ʼ

I shuddered as I recalled the horrifying the experience. I would gladly die to this giant a hundred times if it meant I could avoid that torturous pain.

”Alan, tell me what you heard... All of it.”

Sabrina came up to me and grabbed my shoulders. She had a hungry look in her eyes, eager to know all that Ariel told me. I told her all about it, word for word.

As best as I could remember, anyways.

”I see... I see...”

She began muttering to herself, all the while drawing a magic circle on a piece of paper.

I stood up and stretched, Alexander and Kazikato lay flat on the ground, aimlessly looking at the darkness above. Edward was... Not in the best condition.

He was still busy letting out a flurry of gastric juices, Olivia was doing the same. Thankfully they at least had enough sense to unload it all in the sea, otherwise I would have to deal with the smell of vomit.

Not exactly pleasant. Very horrid, actually.

”So, come on. Letʼs go again.”

I urged the group. Frankly, I was surprised we actually did that well. I had thought that after my death they would have failed to do anything, but they achieved something far beyond my expectations.

It was the reason I was so excited. I had just glimpsed victory over that accursed thing... Well I had died before I could actually glimpse anything of the sort but...

At least we were able to do something.

”I donʼt think thatʼs a good idea.”

I tilted my head in confusion, I failed to grasp the meaning behind Maxwellʼs words for a moment.

”Just take a look at everybody.”

I shook my head in disbelief. Kazikato and Alexander had fallen asleep, Olivia and Edward were still busy regurgitating their stomachs, whilst Sabrina was focused on her magic circle.

Whereʼs all the enthusiasm guys? You all just did the trial twice and you lost all your energy?

ʼPathetic...ʼ

”Donʼt you dare... We donʼt have your fucking overpowered bloodline to regenerate everything in seconds.”

Olivia said as she wiped the vomit off her mouth, it was as if she could read my thoughts. Was it that obvious?

”It was written on your face.”

Maxwell added.

ʼAm I that easy to read?ʼ

”Yes, you are.”

Both of them said in unison, I signed and sat down once more, besides Sabrina.

While I wanted to spend some time with her, doing whatever came to my mind about how couples spent time... She was too focused on the magic circle she was making.

”What are you trying to do?”

I couldnʼt help but ask amidst my boredom.

”Making a copy of the magic circle that giant uses to cast that eviscerating light.”

My brows furrowed, and I couldnʼt help but mutter.

”What?”

”For a split second, before he fires the beam, a magic circle appears on the drums. Iʼm trying to recreate it to study it more.

If I can understand it, I can neutralize it... hopefully.”

She didnʼt sound too confident at the end. I was more surprised she actually managed to a catch a glimpse of the magic circle during all that chaos.

She was an eidetic, so replicating it after she saw it once was no issue. Though I was stumped at the term, ʼneutralizingʼ.

”How are you going to neutralize it?”

Understanding the magic was something I could see her doing, replicating it afterwards with her own blend was also somwthing I could picture her doing... I didnʼt understand how she would neutralize it.

”He uses circle sorcery, along with tunic sorcery as well as a few names to cast it. With [Analyze] I can deconstruct the spell before he can fire... Hopefully.”

Again, she was doubting herself, which I strangely found irritating but most of my concern was on something else.

”You can do something like that?”

I didnʼt even know this was possible, deconstructing a spell before it could be cast?

She regained her confidence and answered in a cheerful tone, almost as if she was boasting.

”Yup! [Analyze] can let me do that. Although I have to understand the spell fully on a level even higher than that of the caster, itʼs pretty easy for me.”

She boasted as she tapped her head, showcasing how great of a mind she had.

ʼCan she do that to me too?ʼ

I didnʼt know that was possible, I had yet to meet someone who could disrupt my magic. Though even if I did, they wouldnʼt pose a threat to me.

If they can cancel me spamming magic, I would just engage in a melee and spam physical attacks.

Still, I couldnʼt help but ask.

”Can you neutralize my spells too?”

However, the moment her shoulders dropped down, along with her expression and confidence...

I already knew the answer.