I Am The Game's Villain

-BOOOOOOM!

I couldn't even see the arrow as Dylan's head exploded into a shower of blackish rain. Simultaneously, his lifeless body collapsed to the ground, and Miranda sat down, hugging her knees.

Sighing heavily with exhaustion, I replaced my mask.

"Why didn't you reveal yourself to me back in the dungeon?" Miranda asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"You would have beaten me up," I replied.

"True..." Miranda managed a tired smile, but tears continued to stream down her face.

And she didn't even know about Louisa's death.

For now, I shouldn't tell her. I just hoped Carla wouldn't disclose it either, at least not yet.

"Stop crying. They might misunderstand if they see you like this," I said, trying to offer some solace.

"..." Miranda glared at me in response to my words.

I averted my gaze and continued, "My reputation with women isn't exactly stellar as it is. Don't make it worse."

"Because of whom?" Miranda's tone held resentment. 

"Who? I don't know," I shrugged nonchalantly.

"You... You changed twice, and I don't even understand why," Miranda muttered. "Aunt Oryanna was like a mother to me too, and I can understand how you felt, Edward..."

Of course, she could understand. Her mother passed away shortly after mine did, but despite her own grief, she remained by my side, always with a smile, while I...

"Sorry, Miranda," I said sincerely. Just thinking about those futures where I saw Miranda and the others killing me filled me with a profound sense of betrayal and sadness. It had deeply affected my perspective on things.

The Miranda beside me was different from the one I saw in those futures and in the Game. She was alive and as kind as ever.

"..." Miranda gazed at me tearfully before speaking again. "The second time was on the day of the entrance ceremony. I no longer understand you, Edward. I wished you could go back to the way you were before, but I guess that's not possible anymore, is it?"

"Yeah," I nodded without hesitation.

"...that's a shame."

"Why?" I smirked. "Because you used to be head over heels for me?"

Miranda's tangerine eyes locked with mine, and she nodded. "Yes, I loved you more than anything, Edward."

"A-Ah, I-I see..." I stammered, taken aback by her straightforward admission.

"You haven't changed in that aspect," Miranda said, tilting her head and smiling, her green hair swaying gently. "Deep down in your heart, I know you're still a kind person, Edward."

"I don't think so. I've done plenty of despicable things to everyone, especially the girls."

"Yet, you've never harmed them. You were trying to force on them but each time you managed to get caught by Elona, Uncle Thomen or Simon. It was like you were trying to catch their attention or prove yourself to them."

"..."

"Aunt Oryanna would have given you a beating if she were still here."

"I know."

Miranda sighed at my response. "I suppose I wasn't enough to tame your raging hormones."

My expression twitched upon hearing Miranda's words. It could easily lead to misunderstandings. "That's an odd way of putting it..."

"What..." Miranda stopped mid-sentence, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red, realizing the unintended implications.

"Ouch! What the hell?!" I groaned as Miranda punched me in the stomach, her face burning with embarrassment.

"Y-You're definitely not the same as before!" she exclaimed.

"What are you doing here...?" Suddenly, a voice interrupted our conversation.

"Eh?" Miranda and I turned to our left and saw a familiar face.

"K-Kleah?" Miranda stammered, surprised to see her sworn enemy standing there. "What are you doing here?"

"Hm? Did you forget, Miranda? I'm also an overseer. When I reached the 47th floor, that girl with grey hair pleaded with me to help you, so I reluctantly decided to lend a hand," Kleah replied, crossing her arms.

"You could also say that you were worried. It would be more accurate," I retorted with a scoff.

"Y-You!" Kleah shifted her gaze towards me, narrowing her eyes. "Junior?"

"How?!" I exclaimed, incredulous. I was wearing that damn mask, after all!

"That should be my question, Junior," Kleah glared at me. "How can you flirt with the enemy while I'm away!"

"W-We're not flirting, Kleah!" Miranda shouted in protest.

"Hmmm," Kleah didn't seem convinced. Then, she beckoned me over with her index finger.

Oh, right.

She avoids getting too close to others due to her fear of someone sensing her Elven origins.

Without any other option, I stood up and approached her. "What's up, Senior?"

"Why are you hiding your face, firstly?" she asked, whispering in a way that tickled my ears.

"For personal reasons, Senior. I'd appreciate it if you called me Nyrel in front of others."

"Does that have to do with her?" Kleah said, stealing a glance at Miranda, who was watching us curiously.

"Nope. I revealed myself to her because she lost a dear friend. Please be kind to her, Senior, okay?"

"No."

"Okay."

"Who?" Miranda muttered suddenly.

Huh?

We followed her gaze and turned around, only to see a man standing there. He had brown hair and appeared incredibly strong.

Not again!

Mana began to leak out of Kleah's body as she raised her guard to the maximum.

"It's about time we met, daughter of Draven, sister of Brida, and you, Edward Falkrona," the man said with a smile.

He recognized me even with my mask.

Wait.

I recognize this guy...

I saw him in the Game, but I also saw him years ago with my father...

He bears a resemblance to Simon.

It's him!

Conrad Leroy.

He is Simon's uncle and Brandon's right hand.I think you should take a look at

"Who are you?" Kleah asked, her voice filled with caution.

"Just a simple man," Conrad replied. "I came here to kill Reinhart, but there will be a change of plans since Draven Stormdila and Brida Teraquin will be arriving soon."

"Father!"

"S-Sister...!" Kleah muttered after Miranda, but her face quickly turned deathly pale. "H-How! How do y-you know-"

"How do I know your true name?" Conrad finished Kleah's words. "Because we have been watching over you, Kleah. You possess something special."

"...what do you want?" Miranda asked, her voice trembling.

"Nothing," Conrad said. "I came here to kill the Apostle, but with your father and her sister on their way, our plans have slightly changed. You can rest reassured. The girl from the Iris Project who came to kill you just left. Two monarchs are coming with all the teachers after all."

"?" Miranda was confused.

What is he blabbering about...?

A girl from the Iris Project who wants to kill Miranda?

"!"

Raisa?

She was here?!

"..."

But she left…thankfully.

I sighed in relief, understanding what it meant.

Everything ended.

The Dungeon Event is over.

Conrad's gaze now focused on me. "You've grown up a lot, Edward," he said before his smile vanished. "Lord Brandon has already warned you, and yet you still decided to continue," Conrad muttered as he began to walk away. "You saved people, but at what price?"

"What are you talking about?!" I shouted but he disappeared before I could get answers.

"Do you know him?" Kleah asked.

"I…yes…he was my father's old friend but now he is an enemy of the Kingdom…" I said while feeling conflicted.

What was he talking about?

Everything ended

As we continued to converse, we heard more footsteps approaching.

"Oh, there you are!" Jayden's voice echoed.

Following behind him were Milleia, Carla, and Elona.

"A-Are you alright, Sir Nyrel?" Milleia approached me with concern, but I quickly raised my hand, sensing Kleah's flinch behind me.

"Wait. I'm fine. Don't worry."

"Oh, I see," Milleia nodded, casting a glance at Kleah.

"You catch on quickly, Junior."

"As always," I replied, then glanced at Elona, who was engaged in conversation with Miranda. After exchanging a few words, both of them looked at me.

"What should we do now?" Carla asked, capturing everyone's attention.

"First, we will regroup with Professor Erwin and Professor Mona," Kleah replied.

"Huh?"

Kleah nodded, noticing my confusion. "I found them together. The culprits are likely the people you've eliminated."

"Why didn't they come with you?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Because they were too preoccupied with hugging and flirting with each other," Elona answered, wearing a teasing smile.

No way.

I never expected that Professor Mona would reciprocate Professor Erwin's feelings.

"They remind me of Myra and Edward, right Carla?"

"Elona?!" Miranda exclaimed.

Carla shifted her gaze between Miranda and me, eventually smiling. "I agree. I can still remember Miranda pleading Edward to give her a princess carry."

"Carla!" Miranda cut Carla off, embarrassed by her words.

Why on earth are they bringing that up now?!

"Let's leave and reunite with the others. We'll decide with the professors," Ignoring the noise, Kleah said.

"Right."

We all nodded and walked back to the 47th floor. 

[E-!]

"Hm?"

'Jarvis?'

[Edwa-!]

'Jarvis!'

I stopped my steps.

My heart started to pound violently inside my chest.

I don't know why.

'Jarvis?!'

What was that?

"H-Hey!" Milleia shouted.

The ground trembled and the ceiling shook.

"Everyone stay together!" Miranda shouted.

Our surroundings were changing as if space itself was warping.

What the hell-

[Leave this place! He is here-!]

-SWOOOOOOSH!