Blessed to be the Villain-Chapter 60: Test 1

"Do something!" Ethan barked, his voice tight with panic as his eyes darted through the dense forest, trying to track the elusive creature that slithered between the shadows. The thick canopy overhead allowed only sparse beams of sunlight to pierce through, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor.

Occasionally, when a shaft of sunlight broke through, Ethan caught fleeting glimpses of the beast—a sinewy, black form that seemed to melt into the darkness, its movements fluid and unnatural.

"Well, there's not much we can do, really," Arthur replied, his tone maddeningly calm.

"Huh…?" Ethan turned to him, incredulous.

"We just have to hunt it down before it hunts us."

"Oh, really? It's that easy?"

"Pretty much."

"Then why don't you do it?!"

"I would, but… why though?"

"What…"

"I'm just kidding. Just kidding." Arthur smirked.

"Come on, it's not the time for jokes!" Ethan snapped.

But before Ethan could press further, a flicker of movement caught his eye. From the corner of his vision, he saw the Shadewalker emerging from the shadow of a massive, gnarled tree—its eyes gleaming like molten amethyst, claws extended.

"It's—!"

Before the words left his mouth, Arthur yanked Ethan to the side with blinding speed. The beast's claws slashed through the space they'd just occupied, carving deep gouges into the earth.

Arthur scooped Ethan up and launched into the trees. Branches whipped past them as Arthur used Flash Steps to leap from limb to limb, his grip on Ethan unyielding.

"Why didn't you move?" Arthur asked mid-air, more puzzled than accusatory.

"I just… um… A-Ahh…" Ethan stammered, struggling to find an excuse. Deep down, he knew fear had rooted him, and part of him had clung to the idea that as long as Arthur was nearby, he didn't need to act.

Arthur didn't seem satisfied. "And why didn't you draw your sword?"

Ethan looked down. His hand was gripping the hilt, white-knuckled, but the blade remained sheathed. He hadn't even realized.

Arthur sighed and landed on a thick branch, crouching beside Ethan. "Okay, look. I get it. You're probably not used to this—fighting, that is. That's why you're freezing and not sure what to do. But if you want to survive, you have to learn. There's no other way."

Ethan looked up at him, shame burning in his chest. "I'm… sorry."

Arthur shook his head. "Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault. And I'm not blaming you. If you don't know something, you learn it. That's it. No need to feel bad."

"You're right…" Ethan's voice steadied slightly, and he met Arthur's gaze. The usual teasing sparkle in Arthur's eyes had softened. Ethan felt a strange warmth.

He straightened and nodded. "I'll learn. I'll grow."

"Good." Arthur smiled—just a small one—and then turned back toward the forest. The Shadewalker had reappeared, charging at them again, leaves and dust exploding in its wake.

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Now… as for that thing…"

"Hey… something's not right," Ethan said, furrowing his brows.

"Hm?" Arthur turned his head slightly.

"Why is it running like that? Didn't it shift through the shadows before?"

"Ohhh." Arthur nodded, realization settling in. "It can't sustain it for long. Especially in daylight. Its shadow-shifting ability is weakened during the day. That's why I said it'd be easier to deal with now—it only has some tricks."

"Ah…" Ethan exhaled, finally understanding. "So that's why you were so casual."

"Yep." Arthur rubbed his chin, eyes flicking between Ethan and the approaching beast. "Although dealing with it is easier in the day…"

He paused, then tilted his head, a mischievous spark returning to his eyes. "Wait a sec…"

Ethan's stomach dropped. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I just had a great idea."

A pit formed in Ethan's stomach. "No… I don't like that look."

"This is the perfect opportunity for you to get some experience!"

Yep. He definitely didn't like it.

Arthur, completely ignoring Ethan's horrified expression, clapped his hands together. "This'll be your test!"

"Wait, WHAT?!"

Before Ethan could react, Arthur grabbed him again and zipped down to a small clearing surrounded by thick woods.

"Hey—I—!"

"Shut up," Arthur interrupted. "This is a great opportunity. We can't waste it."

"But—!"

"No buts. You just have to dodge… hmm… two—no, three attacks. Then you pass."

Arthur beamed like a proud teacher.

Ethan stared at him in disbelief. "But how am I supposed to do that?!"

"Use everything I taught you."

"You only taught me ONE thing!"

"Yeah. So use it."

"But what if I can't dodge?"

Arthur grinned. "Don't worry. If it looks like you're about to die, I'll save you."

With a wink and a flash, Arthur vanished into the treetops.

"HEY—Arthur—?!" Ethan shouted, spinning in circles. "Damn it…"

Then the ground began to tremble. A deep, rhythmic thudding. Leaves rustled. Branches snapped.

Ethan froze.

The Shadewalker emerged, prowling from the underbrush like a demon out of myth.

Its body was long and feline, cloaked in a shimmering black hide that rippled like water.

Its purple eyes locked onto Ethan like twin beacons of malice.

Ethan instinctively stepped back, his breath shallow. His fingers wrapped around the hilt of his sword and he finally drew it, the steel whispering against the sheath.

The beast slowed. Then, to his surprise, it stopped—about fifty meters away. It didn't charge. It didn't roar.

It stared.

Its glowing eyes scanned the area, moving left and right, sniffing, pacing sideways.

"Is it looking… for Arthur?" Ethan thought, brow furrowing. "It's not mindless—it's aware."

The Shadewalker circled him, muscles tensing and untensing under its skin. It was gauging the terrain. Studying him.

Ethan's throat was dry. Sweat slid down the side of his face. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it was rattling his ribs.

"I can use Flash Steps… I could activate OmniMark and escape…"

He swallowed and called out in his mind, "System? Are you there?"

…No reply.

"System?"

{Crunch… crunch…}

Ethan blinked. "Was that… popcorn?"

"System!"

{Crunch… yes Host… crunch crunch… I'm here…}

"Are you eating popc—wait—how are you even eating popcorn?!"

{Well, inside your Soul Realm, I can basically eat anything you've eaten before, so… that's how. I could explain more thoroughly, but I don't think this is the right time.}

Ethan's eye twitched. "So I could literally die right now, and you're eating freakin' popcorn?! What kind of system are you?!"

{First of all, there's nothing wrong with popcorn. Second, you can use OmniMark to escape at any time. Plus, a protagonist is protecting you. And the story just started. I doubt you'll die. Even if you did, you've got Phoenix's Embrace—you can literally come back from death. So there's not much to worry about.}

"Don't raise red flags!! I don't want to die—not even once!!"

{Well then, dodge Host. You can do it. I believe in you. I believe in you!}

The system's voice faded, leaving only the pounding of Ethan's heart.

He sighed and turned his focus back to the beast. It had finished its slow circle and was now crouched low to the ground, muscles bunched, ready to pounce.

Ethan tightened his grip on the sword. His eyes narrowed.

"Okay… Three attacks. Just three. I can do this. I just have to move. Just have to…"