A Villain's Journey Begins in the Type-Moon World

"rustle--"

In the snow, a group of burly, menacing men carrying various standard weapons were marching through the snow. They had pointed ears, strangely shaped horns, and some even had tails with fleshy growths at the tips. Combined with their fierce scarred faces and the stench of blood, their identity was unmistakable—Sarkaz mercenaries.

"Hiss—these skinny guys are really good at ordering people around. They've been resting comfortably in the camp for three days, while we've been eating snow for three days, and now we have to rush back to lead the way for them. Ha, they really trust us, aren't they afraid we'll just lead them to those Ursus minions and tear them to pieces? Hehe."

In the cold wind, a woman who looked like she had two red "cockroach whiskers" was looking at the faint fire in the camp ahead with an unruly smile.

"Quiet down, W. There's a good chance that the guerrilla scouts are nearby." A deep male voice sounded from behind W.

"Hedley, you'd better leave this madwoman alone. Let her do whatever she wants, but don't drag us into it," another cool female voice said behind W.

"Ines, do you want to die?" W smiled and leaned back 45 degrees to look at the two few "friends" behind her, Hedley and Ines.

They were Sarkaz mercenaries who, with this team, had joined the Reunion Movement a little over a month ago, dispatched by their master, the Regent. Three days ago, they were sent out to explore a route that could bypass the blockade of the Ursus Third and Fourth Armies to reach the southern city. Their mission coincided perfectly with Talulah's entry into the village to search for the missing Infected.

"Instead of asking me if I want to die, you should be thinking about how to fool that Garson guy later," Ines said with a sneer.

Garsen, the leader of their Sarkaz mercenary group, was someone even Ines and Hadley nominally obeyed. All three knew that Garsen was a man under the Regent, managing and supervising them, the Sarkaz mercenaries, and tacitly agreed to outwardly comply with but inwardly defy their nominal leader.

"Tch, that guy should just pray he doesn't give me another chance." W has always had the idea of ​​getting rid of Garsen and becoming the new leader herself. In the past three days, she has made a lot of secret arrangements, trying to create an "accident" so that Garsen and his mercenary team would run into the vanguard of Ursus. Unfortunately, Garsen is too cautious and she failed to solve the problem.

"..." Hedley just let out a heavy breath, staring at the firelight in front of him, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's wrong? You've seemed preoccupied since yesterday," Ines asked, noticing the serious look on Hadley's face.

"The movements of the Third and Fourth Armies are too strange. On our first and second days of exploration, we found a few hidden snow mountain paths, but they were too easy. This snow mountain shouldn't be unpatrolled. It's as if the Third and Fourth Armies deliberately left gaps, and there might be some traps waiting for us. But last night, we almost bumped into a scout team, and judging from their movements, a small number of troops have already been stationed there."

Hedley explained.

“What? Isn’t this exactly what you expected? You were worried that the Ursus army had indeed set a trap, so after several days of searching, we caught them when they made a mistake,” Ines asked.

“You should understand, Ines. With your Originium Arts, it shouldn’t be hard to tell that the scouts were only dispatched yesterday, and they even harbor resentment about patrolling the snow mountain. So there were no traps there at all. The Third and Fourth Armies deliberately let us go… but now, they don’t want to let us go anymore,” Hedley said.

"That's why I'm so puzzled by the attitude of the Third and Fourth Armies towards us. No... I should say, their attitude towards the Reunion Movement as an organization. Why is it so strange?" Hedley was a very cautious and careful person. It was his brave yet steady style that allowed his mercenaries to survive until now.

"..." Ines remained silent, always trusting Hadley's judgment. But W, who had turned around, thought differently: "I think you're overthinking it. Instead of worrying about all this, we should just go and kill them. Whether they're traps or some other conspiracy, as long as we blow them all to smithereens, their schemes will be useless."

"Alright, I'm going to find that idiot Garsen first. You can think about these things slowly." W skipped and hopped towards the mercenary group, while Hedley and Ines exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

“…She’s a madwoman, let her be. But Hedley, W is right about one thing: we have too few leads. We should just hand things over to the leaders of Reunion. We just need to be careful,” Ines said.

Hedley nodded and said, "That's the only way."

……

Soon, the Sarkaz mercenary group of one hundred arrived at the camp. W somehow persuaded Garsen, and the two of them came to the front of the group to meet Talulah, the leader of the Reunion Movement. W, Hedley, and Ines walked side by side, following behind Garsen.

Soon, they met with Talulah, who told the mercenary group to rest nearby until lunchtime, after which they would set off. Garsen went directly to Talulah as their representative to discuss the mountain path they would be exploring, while W, Hedley, and Ines went to their own camps from the main camp to make arrangements for the Sarkaz mercenaries.

"I just gathered some information. Shortly after we left, something happened to the Reunion Movement. A total of 10 internal guards came to attack them." Ines circled the camp, using her Originium Arts and intelligence gathering abilities to quickly learn about the series of events that had occurred within the Reunion Movement over the past three days. Her beautiful eyes were filled with shock as she returned and reported a very explosive piece of news.

"Ten internal guards? Are you sure?" Hedley's brow furrowed even deeper. Initially, he came to Reunion thinking that the Regent had chosen this organization because he intended to use the infected group for something. But as time went on, Hedley increasingly felt that Reunion was an extraordinary organization. And now, a Reunion organization with only a thousand members was actually worth the Ursus Emperor sending ten internal guards to assassinate?

"Ten guards? You must be joking, Ines. If it were ten guards, we wouldn't have seen these guys by now, and we might even be dead on the way. Hahaha, how interesting. I thought I was the madman, but it turns out you guys are the utter madmen, actually doing something so risky, going head-to-head with that Emperor Ursus's personal guard."

W burst into laughter, as if mocking Ines and Hadley.

“Listen to me, the most shocking part is yet to come…” Ines then recounted everything she had learned to W and Hadley.

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Crisis of the Two Women

"One person killed all the guards in an instant, and the black mist was like a tidal wave, even suppressing that patriot?"

If it weren't for his years of trust in Ines, Hadley would have thought the person speaking before him was a madman, but it was precisely because of this that Hadley felt a deep sense of dread about this power that exceeded human imagination.

"You mean that guy is pursuing our leader, Talulah? And after that, he often goes in and out of the wounded camp to treat the infected and tell them interesting stories?" W seemed completely unconcerned about how terrifying the other party's strength was, and instead became curious about the series of actions that followed.

“That’s what I’ve gathered. What do you think about the man Talulah brought back?” Ines said.

"We will meet sooner or later. Since we are both in the Reunion Movement, there will be time for us to work together. But this sudden appearance of a powerful being has only confirmed one of my thoughts." Hedley said.

"What are your thoughts?" Ines asked.

“The reason why the Reunion Movement is so special is probably all because of its leader, Talulah. Whether it's the ambiguous attitude of the Ursus Army Group or something else…” Hedley explained.

“Yeah, some people have even joined the organization under the guise of pursuing her. It’s really interesting. Do you think that guy can win Talulah over in a month?” W said with a laugh.

“W, this joke isn’t funny. And you’d better tone it down for a while. If that person finds out about your crazy talk and comes knocking on our door, Hedley and I won’t be coming to your rescue,” Ines said, frowning.

"Tsk, who asked you to save her? Besides, that guy has already shouted out loudly that he wants to pursue Tallulah. If we discuss this matter, it might be just what he wants." After saying that, W stood up and prepared to leave the Sarkaz camp.

"Where are you going, W!"

"Go find that interesting guy and get to know him. We're going to meet him anyway, might as well do it sooner rather than later." W left those words and headed straight for the wounded camp to lie in wait for the legendary man.

"Hey! W! Is this guy really looking for death?" Ines couldn't help but say.

“W wouldn’t do something he’s not sure of. And although that person is powerful, people like that don’t usually attack us easily. I think W must have considered this when he dared to go and gather information,” Hedley said.

“…I’ll go keep an eye on things.” Ines was still a little worried and decided to go with her. Hedley grabbed Ines’s wrist and said cautiously, “It’s good that you’re keeping an eye on things, but you must be careful. Don’t use Originium Arts carelessly, lest the other side notice something amiss.”

"Mm." Ines nodded and quietly followed W.

He had both women leave the camp, but Hedley still felt a shadow in his heart. The Reunion Movement was more complex than he had imagined. All he wanted was for himself and his mercenary brothers to have a home where they could live out their remaining years in peace.

Why is such a simple wish so difficult to fulfill?

……

Wang Chong dispelled the black mist, a faint smile playing on his lips. He had successfully persuaded that old codger and obtained what he wanted. Now, it was time to put his plan into action.

Wang Chong went to the wounded camp once again. Since the main quest mentioned that he needed to gain the support of the Reunion Movement, winning the favor of these infected people was undoubtedly the most important thing at the moment. The most crucial part was to gain the support of the cadres and the leaders of one infected tribe after another. Wang Chong's first targets were Faust and his future Phantom Crossbowman squad, as well as Mephisto.

While Mephisto has personality flaws, they are not a big deal to Wang Chong. He could even correct the eccentric Kirei Kotomine to some extent, so educating and guiding Mephisto would be more than enough. Moreover, Wang Chong has high hopes for Mephisto's Originium Arts; as a commander-type talent, Mephisto certainly has the potential to be cultivated.

However... when Wang Chong arrived at the wounded camp again today, he immediately spotted a conspicuous figure with cockroach antennae on his head.

"It's you, Guangdong Cockroach Girl!" Wang Chong called out in his heart before finally looking at W.

"Strange, when did W arrive? I thought that since I didn't see those Sarkaz mercenaries, this mercenary group hadn't joined up with Reunion." Wang Chong thought to himself as he walked over without making a sound.

Just as Wang Chong was about to brush past W and go find Faust and Mephistopheles, W's voice suddenly entered his ears: "You stared at me for a few moments, and now you're going to pretend you don't know me and just walk past me?"

Wang Chong chuckled and turned around, saying, "Miss, have we met before?"

"Eh...who knows? I have a bad memory, and most of the guys I knew are dead. That's why I'm so curious. Your eyes are telling me you know me...but the question is, where did you meet me? After all, someone who can kill 10 Imperial Guards shouldn't be someone I don't remember." W bent down, pointing to his cheek with his index finger, as if trying to recall.

“This isn’t the place to talk, don’t you think, Miss W?” Wang Chong looked around and said.

"OK~ But are you sure you want to talk to me alone? Aren't you worried about causing any bad misunderstandings with the leader you're pursuing?" W said with a teasing tone, her eyes slightly narrowed. If you weren't familiar with her, you might really think she was some kind of friendly older sister next door.

“If she can misunderstand me, wouldn’t that prove that I have successfully won her heart? Wouldn’t that be even better?” Wang Chong laughed.

W was taken aback, then her smile widened, and she said, "You're such a wonderful person~ Let's go then, Brother Wang Chong."

The two smiling people walked out in a cheerful and cheerful manner. To those who didn't know them, they looked like old friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time. However, Ines, who was secretly watching from the side, had several question marks on her head.

"This man... could he be another W?" Ines couldn't help but have a bizarre thought as she watched the two interact. "And W, he's too bold. There were a lot of infected people around just now, so he at least had some confidence. But what was he thinking, going off with him alone? What if he dies and no one comes to collect his body?"

When they arrived at a quiet place, Wang Chong turned around and said with a smile, "After chatting for so long, Miss W should tell me why you came to find me, right?"

"Eh? I just overheard about your story, so I came out of curiosity. I wanted to see just how vicious the person who killed the imperial guard was..."

"Aren't you curious why I'm pursuing Talulah?"

"Hey, you're really boring. Yes, I am indeed more curious about that. But what I'm more curious about now is the question I asked at the beginning. After going around in circles for so long, now you should tell me where you've seen me before and know my name, right?" W said softly, looking directly at Wang Chong. Although he still had a smile on his face, his eyes had already become serious.

"Where have you seen it before, and how do you know?" Wang Chong pretended to think for a moment, then leaned close to W's ear and whispered, "The Tower of Babel, Theresa..."

"Chong-"

The moment W drew her knife, she already felt a pang of regret. But there was nothing she could do; the words her opponent uttered made it impossible for her to remain calm. The instant W regained her instincts through conscious thought, her knife was already at Wang Chong's neck.

"!!!" Ines, who was watching from somewhere, turned pale.

"W, that idiot!! Is he trying to kill us all?!" Because she was afraid of being noticed, Ines kept a considerable distance and couldn't hear their conversation at all. But she knew one thing: W had messed up! She shouldn't have laid a hand on someone whose strength was unpredictable.

“I have to do something…” Ines originally didn’t plan to use her Originium Arts, but now that W has done something so stupid, she has to fight for W in some way, even if it’s just to know a little bit about what W is thinking, it can help her solve W’s predicament.

"Hoo..." Ines used her Originium Arts to sense Wang Chong in front of her and observe the shadow beneath him, hoping to glimpse Wang Chong's soul.

"...!!!" Ines's pupils began to dilate, as if she were seeing something unimaginable horror—darkness, fear, anger, and the ugliness and original sin of human nature settled like a silent ocean in Ines's vision. This originally quiet ocean was suddenly stirred up by Ines's spying, and in an instant, it swallowed Ines's soul.

"Thump—" Ines's pupils lost focus, and she collapsed onto the snow.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Two Choices

"Heh, I thought W was already pretty daring, but I didn't expect there to be someone even more courting death." Wang Chong turned his gaze away from a certain spot in the snow, the mist beneath his feet beginning to seep into the soil and drift in a certain direction.

Then, Wang Chong's gaze fell upon W, who held a knife to his throat. At this moment, his "Savior of Villains" aura activated. Instantly, W felt his hair stand on end, countless fighting instincts forged through life and death screaming at his brain—Death! Death! Death!

After all, W had been a villain for a while, and the gap in strength between him and Wang Chong was too great. The mark of fear that pierced his soul made W, who always looked fearless, feel the emotion of "fear" again.

W had been afraid three times. The first was when she realized she was alone and struggling to survive; the second was when she picked up the weapon of the deceased old W and decided to join Hedley's team. It was also a gamble in her life, either life or death; and the third was when she witnessed the death of the person she respected the most.

Fear, terror. What unfamiliar and repulsive words—W thought to herself. Even though she hated them, she couldn't suppress the trembling in her hands with her willpower. How terrifying, someone could actually make her feel suffocated just by their gaze and aura.

“I’m the one with a knife to my throat… so why are you the one who’s scared and trembling? Miss W.” Wang Chong looked directly into W’s eyes and said calmly, “Miss W, it seems you’re well aware that going after me with a knife should come with consequences, right?”

"Ha! Scared? I've never been afraid of anything!" W seemed a bit timid at this moment. The words had already been spoken, and her mind started racing. How should she resolve the current problem? Should she go all out and continue fighting, or stop and explain herself?

"Is that so? If you weren't afraid, why were your hands trembling? Well, I'm too lazy to say those humiliating things anymore... I'll just say one thing, W. Since I've heard your story from Theresa, then... don't make me look down on you," Wang Chong said calmly.

"Clang—!"

"boom!"

Theresa's name seemed to have precisely stepped on W's red line. W no longer hesitated; her trembling hand gripped the knife tightly and plunged it into Wang Chong's neck. As for the result, it was naturally without a doubt. Even Talulah couldn't break Wang Chong's defense with her Originium Arts, so what right did W have to do so? W herself only felt a heavy blow to the abdomen, vomiting bile as she was sent flying backward.

"Monster," W spat softly. The blow nearly knocked her unconscious. However, she had never imagined she could kill him so easily, so her backup plan had only just begun!

W pressed a button with her left hand. Just moments before, as she aimed her right-hand knife at the other person's neck, she secretly used Originium Arts to turn a rock at her feet into a remote-controlled explosive.

"Once it explodes, whether or not it kills this guy, the commotion will be enough to attract all those idiots from the Reunion Movement," W thought to himself.

The expected explosion didn't happen. W fell onto the snow, rolled a few times, and managed to withstand it thanks to her exceptional physical strength. Only when she stood up did she realize what had actually happened.

Wang Chong was tossing something, black mist gathering in his hand. W looked closely and realized it was the stone bomb she had created using Originium Arts. A chill ran down W's spine; the Originium Arts she had applied to the stone had vanished without a trace. Remembering the rumors of his black mist devouring Inner Guards, she knew she was no match for him. If her Originium Arts could be swallowed whole, what was the point of fighting?

However, W's movements were anything but slow. She grabbed her gun, leaped up, and fired in all directions. The bullets were imbued with Originium Arts, allowing them to explode at any moment under her control. Wang Chong, seeing this, merely showed a hint of approval in his eyes and strolled leisurely toward W, seemingly in no hurry at all.

"Bomb it open—" W pressed the button. All she wanted now was for the commotion to be loud enough so that those people could get here quickly enough.

"Om-"

But the fireworks W had envisioned didn't explode. All the bullets she had fired at various angles failed to fire. Even more unexpectedly, she had actually prepared for the worst-case scenario of her move being countered. Her exaggerated firing of bullets was merely a cover for the bombs she had conjured using Originium Arts—ice blocks made from snowflakes she had grabbed and rolled on the ground earlier.

However, despite all his efforts, all his plans were completely seen through and destroyed by the other party in one fell swoop, leaving him like a mouse caught by a cat, being played with at will.

"Boom-"

"Huh—!"

W felt a sudden impact to her back and waist, and only then did she realize that the other person had appeared behind her in an instant, having been more than ten meters away just moments before. W was slammed into the ground by a punch, rolling awkwardly twice.

W, struck hard in the lower back, felt as if all her strength had been drained from her body, and she could no longer stand up. In her vision, the sky was somewhat gloomy, and a dark shadow kept growing larger. W saw clearly that the other person was holding a wooden stick that they had picked up from somewhere, and was aiming the tip of the stick directly at her head.

I never imagined I'd die on a broken stick... Ha, if those guys I killed knew, they'd probably laugh at me for the rest of their lives.

But... would I really die here? W suddenly laughed.

"Click—"

The wooden stick landed squarely on W's cheek, and a strong gust of wind sliced ​​through W's face, drawing out a thin line of blood.

"Not afraid anymore?" Wang Chong asked calmly, holding a wooden stick in one hand and planting it in the snow.

"I'm not afraid anymore."

Why?

“You…you didn’t intend to kill me. If you really wanted to kill me, with that teleportation skill you just used, I probably wouldn’t even know how I died,” W said, staring directly into Wang Chong’s eyes.

"I can also play cat and mouse, after all, killing someone all at once is quite boring," Wang Chong said casually.

“You said…the prince’s name. You’ve been going around in circles for so long, if it’s just to kill me, then you’re really quite boring.” W chuckled, then pointed to his head and said, “Consider this a gamble. I bet you don’t want to kill me, so you’ll use my life.”

"Hehehe, you really didn't disappoint me, W." Wang Chong's eyes softened, no longer remaining icy. With a hint of approving smile, he held the wooden stick in his hand for a moment.

“A person who is fearless is not a true hero, because he has not yet witnessed true terror. Only one who is utterly terrified of terror, yet still draws his sword against it for the sake of his convictions, can be considered a true hero.” Wang Chong swung his wooden staff, and a large tree in front of him fell. Sitting on the fallen tree, Wang Chong looked at W, who had already gotten up, and continued:

“I need someone, someone with courage and quick wit. And W, you qualify. So, I’m giving you two choices: First, W, you can end your life right here, and let everything return to dust. Second, you can swear allegiance to me.”

Chapter Twenty-Six: I Will Be Loyal to You

"...I'll give you two choices: First, W can end her life right here, and everything can return to dust. Second, swear allegiance to me."

Upon hearing Wang Chong's voice, W raised his head, a hint of mockery in his eyes, and then said, "Heh... do I really have a choice?"