My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I’m Her Living Weapon

Elian felt his body slowly break down under the portal. It was scary as it was the first time he felt something like this. But before unease could even enter his heart, a soft hand interlocked its fingers with his.

Even without words he could feel the affectation from her touch. And although she trembled, she didn't let go of his hand. As if to say that come what may, they would be together.

As he had already lost his eyes and ears, only the sensation of the person's skin told him he was not alone. But it was enough; the cold chill radiating from the hand made him certain of who it was.

Bianca Valestra.

The ghost who saved him.

A villainess shunned by the world.

But to him, she was the beauty who filled his life with color and meaning.

He gripped her hand tighter.

The moment he found out how she was hunted and died, he made a promise. To eradicate the old world that dared to mess with her. And now? He was about to complete this promise.

Soon he lost the feeling of his skin and his limbs until he felt no more.

***

When Elian regained his eyesight, he quickly checked the hand in his. Seeing the beautiful woman with a ponytail by his side set his heart at ease. He took a moment to scan her body and found no issues. Funnily enough, Bianca did the same.

"Were you scared?" she teased with a smile.

"Yes, were you?"

"More than you will ever know, but now that you're with me, I am okay."

Hearing such faith from her words made Elian's heart feel full. Happiness, joy, and gratitude just being with this woman cleansed him of negative emotions.

But before he could get lost in bliss, Silent's and Bastion's noble voices rang out beside him.

"Son-in-law, mate with Bianca later; I will even tie her up for you. I need you in top form."

"They are here. All groups have fourteen people."

Switching gears, the Tyrant surveyed the surroundings. They were on a floating platform in the middle of a vast darkness. Despite there being no sun, nor light, they could see just fine. Elian sensed three other groups apart from theirs.

The Weapons of Valestra were on the south side of the platform. The other three were on the west, east, and north respectively. Elian felt several soft pliks on his chest. It was the sound of system user's scanning him.

"Ho? Excited to meet your end, huh? You stupid bastards."

[Welcome to the Tyrant Candidates of Earth, along with their inner circles. There will be a brief negotiation period of 30 minutes. Only the Candidates and their chosen Anchors may participate. During this period, all skills are disabled, and combat is prohibited.]

Immediately red floating tape revolved around the length of Elian's arm. In his vision, warning signs like those used by the police flashed. Both said the same thing: "Combat is prohibited."

Before Elian could wonder what the punishment would be, the system continued its explanation.

[Any deal made by the relevant parties will be recognized by the system. The only requirement is that once the crucible ends, a Tyrant is chosen. Once the negotiation phase is concluded, the battle phase will begin. Please head to the altar now.]

At the moment, the platform rumbled. From a flat plane, a monument suddenly rose up at the center. It was a simple elevated altar made from what looked like marble. The levels the altar used to rise created a ladder-like structure that one could use to climb.

"Shall we go?" Bianca suggested.

Her voice was calm, full of life, and energetic.

"Bianca."

"Mhm?"

"Turn on Frigid."

"No. I don't want to."

"Please. I lack the ability to see through the System's lies. I am not really worried about the humans. I will also turn on mine."

"Fine. But you can't hate me for what I say, all right?"

[Talent: Frigid activated. Bianca Valestra loses all capacity for empathy and affection. Processing power increases by 500%. Duration: 120 minutes.]

A vast, freezing air rushed out of Bianca. Her eyes turned emotionless and her expression, icy. While Elian didn't like seeing her like this, they needed her intelligence and wisdom.

[Talent: Adamant – activated. Elian Reed is now immune to fear and psychological effects so long as the Talent remains active.]

[Talent: Driven – activated. Elian Reed will never lose consciousness in the face of an enemy.]

With their preparations complete, Elian and Bianca said farewell to Silent and Bastion and flew towards the top of the Altar. When the other pairs saw them rushing, they all similarly ran with all their might.

Upon landing, Bianca gave Elian an icy look before asking, "Is there anything you want to negotiate for?"

"No. No matter what they offer, I intend to kill them all."

Funnily enough, Bianca made an arrogant smirk at his comment: "Hmm, I can see why I fell for you."

"W-What?"

"Ssh. They are here; leave the negotiations to me."

Arriving at the same time, the other candidates finally came face to face with Elian and Bianca: Seraphi Cavour, the Pope; Shang Jian, the President; and Duke Gerald R. Nobel. Elian had long memorized their faces but failed to find them back on Earth.

Although all three came with their Anchor candidates, it was obvious that they were merely bodyguards. They stood behind the leaders rather than side by side.

The first to speak was the Pope.

"Greetings, Bianca and Elian. You have no idea how surprised I was upon seeing the messages."

The Pope was a red-haired woman with beautiful features wearing priestly robes.

"Cut the niceties, Seraphi. There is no point in discussing with dogs on borrowed time."

Next came Duke Nobel; he was a middle-aged blond man built like a truck. Despite acting like a delinquent, he had an air of sophistication both in appearance and in his every move.

"Hahaha! Borrowed time, you say? Didn't you make the same joke five decades ago, you pitiful excuse for an overreaching monkey!"

"Look, you stupid bitch, I have no idea what hole from hell you crawled out of, but know that today, we will finish what we started. This place will be your tomb."

BANG!

A loud echo came from the last person to speak. Shang Jian was an Asian man wearing a business suit and aviator sunglasses. He made the ground shake with just a stomp. A giant spear was in his hand bound with the same warning Elian had on his arms.

"Stop wasting time. We only have 30 minutes; we can kill each other later." Shang Jian slammed the butt of his spear to the ground and growled, "You bastards called this crucible. What do you all want?"

"Ever the charmer, lacking in both brain cells and tact. I want nothing, Shang Jian. Elian and I called for the crucible for nothing more than to be in the same room with you," Bianca mocked in derision.

"Uhm, Bianca? I don't know about these two, but the Truthsong is willing to surrender. We will subordinate ourselves to your faction and will obediently carry out your will."

"Seraphi! You lowborn whore, do you intend to betray us?"

"Tsk, what else could you have expected from a prostitute?"

But rather than react, Bianca simply stared down the Pope as if she were a bug.

"Why? You and all your lot are not worthy to carry the dirt on my shoes. Fifty years ago, what was it you said to me? Lament my fate and just die peacefully?"

Bianca crossed her arms as she continued, "Such audacity; I marvel at your ability to look at yourself in the mirror and not vomit. Even still, you call yourself a pope when even vultures would choose to starve rather than take you."

Seraphi grimaced as her eyes glared daggers at Bianca. She was about to scream when Shang Jian interjected.

"Since she went first, how about hiring us, Bianca? For the right price, we'll fight the Ascendancy and the Church for you. Not a bad deal, right?"

"Tsk. As expected of a mongrel. Fine! As of this moment, I declare everyone present our enemies. You all are too stupid to comprehend the powers that drive the crucible. Let me say one thing, though. We didn't invoke the crucible not because we were afraid."

Golden lighting snaked around Gerard Nobel's body. His eyes turned white, glowing like small suns. His blond hair stood on end.

However, Shang Jian didn't even bat an eye at the light show. Instead, he waited for Bianca's reply.

"I refuse."

"Shame. And what about you, boy? You had so much crap to say, yet here face to face you say nothing? What? You forgot to take back your balls from your woman's purse?"

"..."

Seraphi suddenly went around the altar and tried to reach for Elian's hand. However before she could touch him. A wave of frost stopped her.

"Get away from him!"

"You are a demon from the past, Bianca! You came out of a petri dish! You aren't even human! I intend to save this poor boy you sunk your claws into!"

Bianca's body trembled with rage; the temperature around the altar dropped to below freezing in a span of a few seconds. "You dare!"

But then, "Bianca."

A simple call. The other world leaders all waited with bated breath.

"Let's go."

Without even acknowledging their presence, Elian turned around and left.