I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

"How reckless...?" Obell, the plump rider, momentarily forgot about fleeing and stared in astonishment.

Under his helmet, he focused his gaze on the black-haired knight as it soared in an arc toward the bellowing basilisk. To him, it seemed like a suicide mission.

The six-legged monster had already torn apart six of his soldiers, two of whom had succumbed to the curse before being ripped apart. If they hadn’t mounted their horses, the remaining riders, including Obell, would have met the same fate. It would take a well-prepared hunting party of at least twenty to kill such a monster.

Sure enough, the basilisk, its yellow eyes gleaming, unleashed a wave of its curse and lunged at the black-haired knight with its mouth agape. Between its sharp fangs, poison smoke billowed menacingly. As Obell tugged on his reins with a sigh, he glanced at another knight maneuvering to the basilisk’s side. At the very least, he had to save that man.

"Please, don’t waste your life! Thanks to you, we have a chance to escape, so now—"

"Screech!"

The basilisk’s scream drowned his shout. Obell’s gaze whipped back around. The black-haired knight, who should have been caught in the monster’s jaws, passed by it. Not only had he avoided the monster’s magic, but he also changed his trajectory mid-air, a seemingly impossible feat. As far as Obell knew, changing direction in mid-air was indeed impossible.

"Kiaaaak!"

The basilisk, now writhing on the ground, proved that it had happened. Moreover, a stream of blue fluid gushed from a large wound on its thick neck. The knight hadn’t just changed his trajectory; he had pierced the thick scales and inflicted a wound. The spears of Obell’s soldiers had only managed to dislodge a few scales before breaking.

"By Della Lu…" As Obell murmured in awe, tugging at his reins, the fully armored knight began his charge. He deftly avoided the thrashing basilisk, leaning to the side of his saddle as he passed.

"Kiyaaaak!" The basilisk convulsed violently.

The knight, having leaped over the monster’s massive tail with his horse, moved away. Determined not to give the creature any respite, the black-haired knight lunged again, his leap astonishingly powerful for a human.

"Is he using some kind of magical gear...?" Obell, now completely stopped, muttered blankly.

"Young master! What are you doing, standing there? Come this way, quickly!"

A shout came from behind him. The other riders, who had been fleeing with him, had also stopped some distance away. The shout came from a young Vanturian with dark skin. Obell raised his hand to signal that he was fine, then motioned for them to come closer. Meanwhile, his right hand fumbled for the sword at his waist. It finally struck him that it wasn’t the time to just stand and watch. Realizing the unexpected rescuers were highly skilled, joining them in the hunt seemed the right course of action.

"Are you suggesting we go back there?"

"This is madness...."

The riders, though grumbling, adjusted their reins just then.

"Excuse me, but!"

A clear voice rang out from behind. The riders, including Obell, paused as the voice continued.

"Whatever you’re planning, please stop."

Obell turned toward the voice. Near the edge of the forest, a carriage had approached unnoticed.

A brown-haired young man, heavily armored and sitting in the driver’s seat, looked at him and the riders, saying, "And could you please move back a little more? Ideally, to around here."

"But how can we just stand by and watch? That monster isn’t an ordinary beast. It originally dwelled in the deep valleys of the mountains—"

"Look over there again." The driver cut off Obell’s words, pointing with his chin.

"Do they look like they’re in danger right now?"

"...."

Obell turned back toward the basilisk and found himself gaping in disbelief. The two knights were driving the basilisk back and forth, controlling it skillfully. The monster was still rampaging fiercely, but had not harmed them. Instead, new wounds appeared on its body, blue blood pouring from long gashes.

"Move back. If you join in, you’ll only get in the way."

"...."

Obell was rendered speechless by the sharp rebuke.

"He’s right! Come this way, young master!"

The Vanturian youth called out from among the riders, who had already retreated. He threw down his broken spear shaft for emphasis.

"What could we possibly do to help in that fight? Come over here. If you get a scratch, we’ll be in big trouble."

"... Ugh." Grimacing, Obell finally turned his horse around.

As he observed the luxurious carriage approaching leisurely, seemingly unaffected by the battle in the forest, he cautiously added, "Um, can we go check immediately after the fight is over?"

The driver responded with an indifferent expression.

"If you must do so."

***

"Kieeek!"

The basilisk, now looking as if it had bathed in its own blue blood, unleashed a piercing scream and released its magic. The curse wave erupted not just from its eyes but from its entire body, seemingly drawn from its last reserves of strength.

"...!" Mev’s horse stumbled forward, and Ian also came to an abrupt stop. Just as Mev was about to fall from her horse, she kicked off the saddle and leaped into the air.

"Kyahaaah!" The basilisk, its jaws wide open, lunged at the motionless Ian.

It seemed certain that Ian was caught in its curse, which caused it to charge with reckless abandon. Between its jagged teeth, four fangs gleamed like scythes as they closed in. But, unlike before, it didn’t exhale any poisonous smoke.

Ian’s lips curled slightly at the corners.

So, the poison has finally run out.

The curse had never affected him. He had stopped to serve as bait when he saw Mev’s horse fall. Fixing his gaze on the basilisk’s gaping maw, Ian reached out. Wind surged sharply along the blade of his black sword as he extended it.

Slash—

An invisible blade sliced through the tender roof of the basilisk’s mouth, undoubtedly reaching its brain. As the creature’s yellow eyes dulled momentarily, Ian leaped away, narrowly avoiding the charging beast and rolling to the ground.

Crash—

The basilisk toppled sideways, crushing foliage and trees as it fell.

Ian stood and saw Mev in the distance. She had landed safely after dismounting her horse.

Good, she doesn’t seem to have broken anything.

Nodding, Ian turned toward the fallen basilisk. It twitched faintly. Gripping his black sword with both hands, he began striding toward it, planning to strike its neck where the scales were thinner to finish it. As he raised his sword above his head, a desperate shout came from behind.

"Waaaaaaaaait!"

"...?" Ian paused and turned his head. The plump knight who had retreated to the road was now galloping toward him.

"The basilisk’s blood is a precious material! The heart! Pierce its heart instead!" the knight added quickly, as if sensing Ian’s gaze.

Thanks for the useful information.

Ian smirked and turned back. After a few steps, he kicked the basilisk’s body, revealing its gray-scaled underbelly between its six legs. Scanning the exposed area, Ian thrust his black sword with all his strength.

Crunch—

The blade easily cut through the basilisk’s ribcage and sank deeply. Ian felt the distinct sensation of piercing through different layers of muscle. The basilisk’s tail and legs twitched violently once more before going completely limp.

Confirming the increase in experience points, Ian finally sheathed his black sword in his pocket dimension and turned his gaze. The sword no longer resisted.

"Sir, are you alright?"

Mev raised an arm and walked toward the fallen horse. Her posture made it clear its death saddened her.

Clip-clop—

The plump knight approached on horseback and dismounted hurriedly, removing his helmet that barely covered his chin.

"Thank you for your help. Thanks to you, we were saved. Those who died at the hands of this monster will surely rest peacefully beside the Radiant Goddess."

He had blond hair and brown eyes. Despite his imposing build, which seemed more suited to a country youth than a knight or noble, his surcoat bore a distinct emblem of wheat and a pickaxe.

The young man added with a smile, "I am Obell Westwood."

"Ivan," Ian answered briefly. Ivan was the name he chose to use as an alias temporarily.

"Sir Ivan. And that person...?"

"Sir Maverick. Sir Maverick doesn’t like conversation much, so please don’t trouble Sir Maverick," Ian added on behalf of Mev, who was using the alias Maverick.

As Obell nodded with a hearty laugh, another set of hoofbeats approached. A young man with dark skin dismounted swiftly and glanced at Ian before speaking.

"How could you charge off alone like that, young master? Really—"

"It’s fine, it’s fine. Stand back, Jorah. We’re still talking."

"... Yes. My apologies."

Jorah bowed slightly to Ian and stepped back.

He really is a noble’s son. But why was he out hunting monsters?

Obell, still smiling, looked at Ian, who was pondering this.

"Once again, thank you, Sir Ivan. And Sir Maverick. Without you both, we would have suffered significant casualties in taking down this monster."

"The basilisk isn’t a creature that lives in these parts. How did you come to be chased by it? Did you stumble upon its nest?" Ian asked, glancing at Mev as she approached.

Obell shook his head. "Not at all. Recently, the number of monsters near our territory has increased significantly. So, we formed a patrol and were scouring the forest."

Ian turned.

Obell, having handed his reins to Jorah, who was walking beside him, continued, "We went only to the foot of that mountain. That beast should have been deep in the valley, but we found it on a rock. And it was extremely agitated."

"Ah...." Ian chuckled briefly.

He understood the situation. The increase in monster numbers had likely driven the basilisk out of its nest. Normally, it could easily make a meal of cave trolls, but against overwhelming numbers, it had no choice but to leave.

"Unfortunate for you."

"In a way, we were fortunate. We encountered you, and it’s dead with minimal casualties."

"We don’t come out empty-handed either. That monster is ours now," said Ian.

Looking at Obell, Ian added, "Every drop of blood and every scale. Any objections?"

Tension filled Jorah’s eyes. It was a natural reaction. If these outsiders, who had single-handedly taken down the basilisk, harbored ill intentions, they could all be as good as dead. And Ian didn’t seem at all intimidated by Obell’s noble status.

But Obell burst into laughter. His round chin jiggled.

"Of course. However, would it be acceptable to purchase it from you at a fair price?"

"Certainly. If you help with the transport, I’ll even give you a discount."

"You know how to negotiate. Let’s do that. Fellows, come here and show your gratitude!"

Obell waved his hand and shouted. The riders, chatting with Philip near the carriage, quickly dismounted.

"No need for thanks. We’ve had enough already." Ian raised his hand to stop them and approached the carriage.

Philip, seated on the driver’s bench, gave him a meaningful look. Ian nodded slightly in response.

"You’re a humble man. It seems this is your first time in the West. Are you from the central region?" Obell asked.

Ian, stopping beside the carriage, looked back at him.

"How did you know?"

"You didn’t seem to recognize my family name."

Ah, so everyone knows his family around here.

While Ian smirked inwardly, Obell looked at Ian, Mev, and Philip ‌and added, "In that case, may I formally introduce myself again?"

"That’s not for me to decide."

Ian glanced briefly at Philip before adding, "We are in service to someone."

"Ah, I see. My apologies for my lack of manners. May I request an audience with the person inside?" Obell took a step back and asked.

Jorah had joined him by then. At Ian’s glance, Philip tapped on the carriage. After a brief delay, the carriage door opened.

Charlotte emerged. She looked clearly reluctant, but Obell and Jorah didn’t seem to notice.

"...!" They were already wide-eyed, shocked by her appearance alone.

"Allow me… to introduce..."

Ignoring their reactions, Charlotte stepped out, holding the door with one hand as she spoke, "The seeker of endless knowledge... the youngest daughter of the Water of Life... reborn under the baptism of death...."

A pale arm emerged silently from the carriage. Thesaya, her silver hair cascading, stood on the steps with a blank expression.

Charlotte sighed softly and added, "The youngest elder of her clan, Lady Tensia Aynas."