Reborn As The Villain

Chapter 230: Prologue 2: Encounter

Chapter 230: Prologue 2: EncounterChapter 197

Thunder rained down on the world as the sky rumbled.

Strong winds blew trees from the root up out of the ground, even some abandoned stone structures in the forest were blown away by the sheer force of the wind.

A roar shook the world, making even the strongest apex predator cower in fear.

Ordinary folk, from the village outside the forest, closed their windows and locked all their doors while shaking in their homes. To them it would seem that god was coming down to smite them for their wrongdoings, committing sin and sullying their great name.

The source of all that carnage was a bolt of light that seemed to be moving by its own free will. It landed in a certain part of the forest, decimating any and all life that was within several yards of it.

"—I will take back what you have stolen from me, Thief! You have committed a great sin and sullied the names of the Lords of the Ring!" a voice boomed, its ferocity so powerful that you could feel it echo at the bottom of your stomach.

It sounded like a young man. Could a youngster truly possess such power that he could cause the whole world to rumble from his presence alone?

No ordinary being could cause something like this.

Then what is he?

He is a god.

"Haaa... Haaa..." Arnold's gaze was hazy from overexertion of his aura and physical fatigue. The only reason he wasn't passing out was because of Gergois supplying him with power and buffs.

"W-We need to go while he's busy, Arnold," Rafaela was trembling next to him, "There's no reason to confront him again."

"Hahaha..." Arnold merely laughed.

'The developers didn't need to make hidden bosses this fucking strong... I could barely manage him in his second phase.'

Arnold stood up with difficulty. Every bone in his body was screaming for rest. Luckily his armor prevented any bones from breaking even after tanking the heaviest blows.

"Arnold..."

"Although he's after both of us, you can still escape." Arnold said while looking straight ahead. The light in his eyes were slowly fading but within those eyes was a burning passion.

"You want me to just leave you here?"

"Would you prefer I leave you behind? There's nothing more I'd like to do than avoid this fight. If you'll sacrifice yourself then by all means do it in my stead."

What a heartless thing to say. But he didn't care.

Rafaela didn't answer.

"Then again, you're not able to use your power after losing your halo."

The halo was what gave Rafaela the ability to use her divine power. You could say it's what made her an angel. Without it, she's just an ordinary mortal.

No human or Elf can withstand that amount of divine power easily unless you're a Transcendent whose limits has a high ceiling.

Rafaela was just an ordinary Elf now. She was nowhere near as gifted as a Transcendent. Which is why she's struggling to use her powers. It's temporary, at least. Arnold knows this because Angelica went through the same thing when she awakened her powers. Players learn this in a cutscene about Angelica's childhood.

"What about you? Didn't you say earlier that you used all your aura?" Rafaela inquired.

"I can still use the recovery rune on my armor to recover some aura and use my demon lord energy to multiply my aura. If even that fails, I still have this." he clutched the necklace around his wrist.

It was the Cardinal artifact of Hecate.

"Shouldn't we just tell him that Siana has the artifact?" Rafaela suggested as she glanced around the tree they were hiding behind. The god was slowly inching closer on his divine beast.

"Even if we tell him that Siana has the artifact, he'll still slaughter us in the end," Arnold looked down at Rafaela.

This was probably the first time that he had seen true fear in her eyes. Hell, he's only seen her make a few expressions ever since they met.

"The gods—Melis especially—won't forget that he almost killed innocent people. He thought that we stole the artifact when, in fact, it was Sceptim and Siana. While she's an incompetent piece of shit, she cares about all her creations, even the bad ones. That's why I'm sure Melis will side with us if we take this to the divine order of gods, assuming we can even make it there with this guy on our trail and all the other obstacles along the way."

"He'll get rid of the evidence then..."

"Exactly." Arnold pushed Rafaela back.

"Eek."

She almost fell over by that action.

"W-What was that for?"

"Get out of here. If both of us fight him then both of us will die anyway. I'll hold him back."

"B-But..."

"If you really want to help me, you should tell your master to come down here and help me fight this guy."

"Even if she agrees, you won't last long..."

Arnold chuckled.

"Then let's make a promise." Arnold stared into Rafaela's curious green eyes.

His hair slowly turned silver then ashen white and his eye colour shifted between red and gold.

A black aura surrounded Arnold's body.

His factor was now at full power, evident by the red veins pulsing on his demon sword and the blue rune on his cheek. He hadn't released this much demon energy since his fight with Lancelot.

What was different from that fight was the black horn now coiling around his head, giving him the appearance of a demon and his sharp teeth.

Arnold took out his helmet and placed it on Rafaela's head.

"I'll come back for my helmet. Promise me that you'll protect it until that day comes." Arnold walked out from behind the tree.

"Ah, wait—"

"You finally show yourself, scum!" the young man shouted and his mount roared when they spotted Arnold.

The young man's face distorted when he laid eyes on Arnold.

"A demon... How expected of your kind to steal artifacts from gods. Your brethren lack the knowledge and wisdom to craft artifacts that could rival your own in power, so you resort to stealing from gods. Loathsome creatures, the lot of you! I will make sure to punish that traitorous angel as well! How dare she side with a demon and take part in the theft of the Fragment!? I shall first take your head to the Divine Realm and claim the prize for retrieving the Fragmented Ring!" His golden spear was struck by lightning.

Luxtivin manifested in Arnold's left hand. He was now dual-wielding Praise and Luxtivin.

"Grant me the [Essence] of a [Hydra]." A cold wind surrounded Arnold before he was submerged in a sky bluish aura that resembled water. It didn't mix with his blackish red aura.

"Haaa... Haaa..." Arnold staggered a little. His vision was even more unfocused than before.

His stats had increased by 150%. This doesn't mean that he could handle this level of power without difficulty.

He was on the verge of coughing up blood and falling flat on his face. Were it not for Gergois' rejuvenation runes then he definitely would've passed out.

Arnold gritted his teeth and charged at the young god with the Speed of Sound skill.

The young god charged at him with the same speed and ferocity.

How did things get to this? Well, it all started a few days prior to this encounter...

◇◇◇

The Divine Realm has a vast order of gods, each with a different name that correlates to their duties.

The god who created humans, Melis is known as the Goddess of Life and Beauty, a title she received after sculpting humans in her image and breathing life into them.

Many of her children also hold titles that convey their role in the Order of Gods.

One of them was known as the "God of War", Gederick the Golden. He was a mighty being who held the gates of the underworld with his raw strength for several days during the Demon King's awakening. He tamed several divine beasts with his battle prowess alone and had children with one of the now-deceased Dragon Gods. He withstood the power of two collapsing black holes with raw power alone.

Besides those feats was his duty to protect the Ninth Gate of the Nine Realms that led into the Divine Realm. He repelled many entities that wanted to breach that gate. He had an army of two million strong by his side to ensure that the mortals and demigods alike are safe behind the Ninth Gate.

Alas, his power dwindled in old age when war was no longer happening in times of peace. The need for a god of war vanished when the Demon Human War concluded in the Mortal Realm.

His title as God of War was stripped from him, as was the power that came with that title, weakening him even more, reducing him to a mere human with the strength of a demigod.

However...

His mother gave him a trial to prove his worth to the Divine Realm. That trial was to protect the World Ring Fragment which had been abandoned by its Lord.

"Protector of the World Ring Fragment" was a title that holds equal worth to that of a god, essentially proving his worth to granted a divine status.

As such he was able to procure riches and support from the other gods.

Almost a thousand years has passed since he was banished from the Divine Realm. Meaning he's been living amongst mortals for that long. It's been centuries since his mother entrusted the safety of the fragment in his hands.

What a terrible mistake she made to leave such an important artifact in his hands.

◇◇

A soothing melody echoed when the bard in the corner of the inn, next to the entrance, picked up his violin. He matched the rhythm of his hums with the sound of his music. He also spoke of all sorts of tales, some perhaps fabricated, to keep the small crowd entertained.

It was a calm atmosphere for such a rowdy crowd that consisted of mercenaries and adventurers.

An old man with a grey scruffy beard and long unkempt hair held up his hand:

"Another!" he shouted.

A waiter appeared next to him. She looked uncomfortable.

"Uhm, sir. Isn't this like your third round?"

"So what? I can drink however much I want! It's my money! Now get to it!" his thunderous bellow was even louder than the tavern music.

"...." The woman sighed, "Very well. But please don't vomit on the floor again."

"Shuddup and go get my rum!"

The woman left after telling a co-worker: "Tsk, tsk. Washed-up old man. He drinks ale and rum like they're the most delicious water he's ever had. I'm started to believe the rumours of him being a god aren't true at all."

The man felt like he wanted to cry.

'I'm not washed up!' he screamed as he tried to hold in his tears, 'It's not like my fellow gods kicked me out of the divine realm! I left because I didn't want to be the God of War anymore! Humph!'

Who exactly was he arguing with?

This man was none other than the former God of War "Gederick, the Golden Majesty".

The man who could once destroy thunderstorms with his roar and punch falling stars into dust was now an old drunk being ordered around by the boy sitting next to him.

Said boy was actually his Divine Mount. In other words, his divine beast. He was actually the only one to stick by Gederick's side after being exiled.

The boy has the blood of a human and a demigod so he can transform between human and divine beast at will. It was a gift he inherited from his people.

"Hey, Fiannei." Gederick called out to the boy who was silently reading a book, "You got any money left? I'll rub you with the grooming brush if you pay master's tab."

He spent all his money a long time ago. So much for bragging about money to seem relevant.

"Hm, what is that odd odour, I wonder? It smells like sewage and faeces. Surely it can't be coming from a divine body who once ruled an army of giants and demigods?" the boy said monotonously with a cute expression of pondering.

Gederick has a feeling that his own mount doesn't respect him.

"A warrior doesn't bathe after fighting harsh battles! Scrubbing off his enemies' blood on the same day he killed them will sully his honour! Of course a beast wouldn't understand such a thing!"

Fiannei was so absorbed in his book that he didn't even spare Gederick another glance.

"...." Gederick looked around the tavern since Fiannei will continue to ignore him.

'There don't seem to be any strong youngins tonight. What happened to the young folk? Are they that weak these days?'

Even the toughest looking guy currently in this tavern looked like an ant to Gederick. While Gederick was low-levelled in divine terms, he was far stronger than a human on the same level as him. Level-scaling between gods and humans works differently.

Was this all this world had to offer?

'Hmm, maybe I should've listened to Yorm and put my foolish

"What do you want?" Arnold hurried the man up so that he could finish his business with Arnold.

'His energy signature feels strange... Inhumane almost. Is this guy a human or something else entirely?'

"A thief deserveth not to question the actions of a god." A golden light embraced the man. His clothes burned away like particles of light.

The light engulfed his body. The next moment he emerged with bronze-coloured armor. A spear made of pure golden light was in his left hand.

"Today you shall face the hand of the Golden Majestic."

"!"

The old man appeared in front of Arnold in a second. He swung his spear with incredible speed.

Arnold stopped the spear with the back of his hand. He could feel the heat through his gauntlet.

'Divinity.'

He pushed the spear back with Aura Force, slamming it into the ground. Arnold head-butted the old man and punched him in the stomach so hard that he flew away and crashed into one of the buildings.

"You're surprisingly weak for a god. Status."

· Level 33

· Gederick, the Bronze Majestic

"Gederick?"

'I've heard this name before. Gederick was supposed to be included in the Divine Realm Arc but was cut from the final release.'

The developers planned on adding this mysterious Gederick in a new expansion. Unfortunately, it never released so this Gederick was lost forever in the game files.

'There's no way this ant is Gederick, the God of War who could command millions of demigods and giants.'

The supposed "god" coughed up blood and used his golden spear to help himself stand up.

"H-How... How can a m-mortal—"

"Shut up with that condescending attitude of yours." Arnold grabbed the old man by the mouth, "The only time I beat up old people is when they show aggression even when I don't know what I did wrong. I'm giving you the opportunity to talk. Is there some kind of bounty on my head? Are you a player?"

It's not an impossible scenario. This "Gederick" could be imitating the real Golden Majestic for unknown reasons. This might be why his title is "Bronze Majestic" and not "Golden". The system probably didn't let him choose the title because it was already in the game's code, so he must've stuck with "Bronze".

Besides, from what Arnold knows, Gederick the Golden Majestic was a young man who wore golden armor and rode a Divine Beast.

Plus, he was level 99.

Arnold strengthened the grip on the old man's jaw.

"!!!" The old man's screams was muffled in Arnold's hand.

Arnold shoved him aside.

"Huuk!" the old man tried to pick up his spear but his hand was crushed under Arnold's boot.

"Talk."

"Aghhhh!!!" he tried to punch Arnold but the other hand was also crushed.

Arnold lifted him by the collar.

"Why are you after me?"

What did he do to provoke "Gederick" assuming he's even the real Gederick from the game?

The old man gritted his teeth and roared. Arnold punched him in the mouth, sending a bunch of teeth flying.

"Wake up." Arnold slapped his face, "Ugh, your breath stinks."

The toxic vapour hit him like a storm when the old man lifted his head and exhaled.

"Hic... Hic... Rold... Wring... Eef ai don get it back... Hic... Am dun fooorrr...." Tears streamed down his face. He hiccupped uncontrollably.

"What the hell... You're just a regular drunkard looking for a fight."

Arnold had no idea what he just said. Something about getting something back or whatnot.

'...I guess it's not impossible for it to be a coincidence that this guy has Gederick's name. Maybe the title having "Bronze" in it might be a bug.'

Arnold scratched his head. The old man collapsed on his back. Despite Arnold only throwing a few punches, it appeared as if the old man was in some big boxing match. His face was all bloody.

'He must be some retired cleric. His spear stance was pretty good. He must've been quite strong in his youth.'

If this were the real Gederick then Arnold's head would've been sent flying.

Gederick was not only a god but also level 99. He was leagues above a mortal on the same level as him. This is due to the fact that his vocation was blessed with divinity and he was birthed from a god.

"Pick your battles wisely next time, old man Gederick." Arnold turned around and began walking away.

"G-Get back here! Kugh! Arghh....!" The old man tried to get up but coughed up blood, "H-How dare you sully the face... hic... of a god!?"

Arnold ignored the old man's ranting and continued walking down the road.

"Just go back to your nursing home and we'll forget this ever happened." Arnold waved half-heartedly.