How a Villain Defies Destiny – Chapter 88

Author: Nikss

I felt a little shy but also happy. I, too, had been looking forward to meeting Huluppu again and having a conversation with him.

‘Like a grandfather telling fairy tales to his granddaughter, he always had a warm smile and was willing to answer any question, which I really appreciated.’

Even though, appearance-wise, he looked younger than anyone else here.

I was thinking I should visit him soon when Fenrir lightly cleared his throat and continued.

[Ahem. Anyway, to summarize, in order to recognize existence, one must inevitably go through a state of non-existence. But most descendants of gods exist in a state of constant existence, so they can’t use their divine power.]

“Oh…”

His summary made it sound even more profound and difficult to grasp.

Moreover, the content had suddenly turned philosophical, and his tone oddly reminded me of Huluppu.

‘Using sentences that sound like they belong in a theology lecture so naturally in everyday conversation. Impressive. Is this what happens when you live long enough?’

While I was lost in such trivial thoughts, his explanation continued.

[On the other hand, for ordinary humans or animals, it’s a new power that didn’t exist before, so they can instinctively feel it. Did you understand up to this point?]

For a moment, Fenrir’s blue eyes grew hazy.

It was as if he were a teacher checking if his student was keeping up with the lesson.

“So, beings who have had divine power since birth find it harder to awaken their divine power compared to those who suddenly receive it, and simply knowing about it isn’t enough to fully manifest it, right?”

[Exactly! You understood well. You’re surprisingly quick to grasp things.]

Why is it surprising?

‘Do I… look like I’m not smart?’

Laura’s face didn’t give off the vibe of being slow, even if her personality seemed a bit rough.

As I absentmindedly touched my cheek, recalling my first impression of Laura through the mirror on the day I possessed her, a sudden thought flashed through my mind.

‘Wait, what if I’ve had divine power since the moment I woke up in this world?’

Unlike Selene, who was an ordinary human in this world until she received the blessing of the goddess Nanna, I wasn’t originally from this world.

It was ‘Laura Laurus’ who didn’t have divine power.

Therefore, just like the descendants of the gods, I might have possessed divine power from the moment I entered this world, so naturally that it hadn’t manifested until now.

Just as my thoughts were about to spiral further, Fenrir’s voice pulled me back, stopping my mind from wandering.

[The other saint candidates were only able to consciously use their divine power at that time, but they probably could have used it unconsciously from the moment they received it.]

“But if someone who had already awakened their divine power turned back time to before they awakened it, would they lose the divine power they had?”

This question was asked with Selene’s regression in mind.

However, Fenrir’s expression turned strange. I was slightly nervous, wondering if he knew something about regression, but what he said next was unexpected.

[You really… have a lot of questions. Now I see why that chatterbox took such a liking to you.]

Here, ‘chatterbox’ must be referring to Huluppu, but I had never thought of Huluppu as a chatterbox.

‘Huh, maybe that’s why we got along so well?’

As I reminisced about my enjoyable conversations with Huluppu, I suddenly locked eyes with Fenrir.

Since I’ve never really observed animal expressions before, I couldn’t immediately tell if he was in a good or bad mood.

I could only vaguely guess, based on the tone of his voice in my head and his enigmatic gaze, that he might be tired of my endless barrage of questions.

I cautiously opened my mouth, trying to gauge his mood.

“Should I stop?”

[You can keep going. I don’t mind. What was the question again? Something about using divine power to turn back time? Hmm, are you talking about the abilities of the other saint candidates?]

It seemed Fenrir had a rough idea of Selene’s abilities.

‘But he probably doesn’t know about her infinite regression.’

Even Huluppu, who can see almost everything happening in the world, hadn’t noticed Selene’s regression.

Unless he reads her thoughts, Fenrir likely only knows the surface-level information.

“Right now, I was just asking out of curiosity. Humans tend to fantasize about going back in time with their current memories and reliving their lives.”

[Going back in time… Hmm, it’s a unique idea, but since it’s impossible anyway, it’s hard for me to give a proper answer.]

“Why are you so quick to dismiss it as impossible?”

[Because even beings granted divine power cannot exempt themselves from the laws that apply equally to all things in the world.]

From Fenrir’s perspective, this might be common sense, but I couldn’t easily accept it.

After all, I knew someone who had already regressed so many times that it was impossible to count.

Perhaps sensing my skepticism, Fenrir added more.

[I’ve heard that the other saint candidate’s ability can indeed turn back time for everything except herself and the dead. Why are you giving me such a dissatisfied look?]

“It’s not dissatisfaction. I was just curious about the answer to a hypothetical scenario, and I’m a little disappointed because the answer was too realistic.”

Since I couldn’t outright share my thoughts, I brushed it off by adding that humans naturally enjoy imagining the impossible.

Fortunately, Fenrir seemed to buy my excuse.

[Only a god could do something like that in the first place.]

“What if, just hypothetically, a god allowed it?”

[You’re quite persistent. Hmm… Well, if that were the case, then yes, it would be possible to return to the past with your current memories. However, divine power doesn’t disappear unless the god takes it away. So even if you went back in time, you’d still have your divine power.]

Exactly! The biggest question I had was finally answered.

Through the game, I couldn’t know what ending Selene faced in her first life, when her divine power first awakened, but it definitely wasn’t an ordinary, everyday ending where she never met Yves.

Most likely, after the first regression began, her divine mark didn’t manifest, but she could still use her divine power.

I was basking in the relief of having solved a problem I’d been agonizing over for days when a new question popped up.

‘But why does the divine mark manifest every time?’

If the divine power remains unchanged, shouldn’t the divine mark also remain unchanged?

‘But Fenrir doesn’t seem to enjoy chatting as much as Huluppu, so I’d better not ask this.’

I had just made this private decision when Fenrir suddenly burst into a wide grin, his sharp teeth showing.

[You’ve thought of something else you’re curious about, haven’t you?]

“…!”

It seemed my expression had given me away. I tried to deny it, but it was too obvious, so I awkwardly avoided his gaze.

To my surprise, Fenrir readily signaled that he was open to more questions.

[Since we’re at it, I’ll answer. Go ahead and ask.]

I organized my thoughts and then spoke slowly.

“…Um, it’s been a while since the divine mark appeared. Why did I only awaken now?”

This question was related not only to Selene but also to me.

[The divine mark has nothing to do with divine power.]

“Huh?”

[Most divine beasts don’t have divine marks. Huluppu, the only divine tree in this world, is the same, and even the descendants of gods who are born with divine power don’t have them.]

As I listened to him, I racked my brain and realized that none of the descendants of gods I knew had divine marks.

“Then why does the divine mark appear?”

[It’s more like an expression of affection from the god, showing that they’re watching over you closely.]

Oh, that doesn’t sound very pleasant.

‘Knowing that I’m being watched makes me feel like I’m under surveillance.’

Perhaps Selene had felt the same way.

“Thank you for explaining in detail.”

I sincerely thanked Fenrir for helping me resolve so many questions, and Xenon, as if he had been waiting, chimed in.

“But Fenrir, if all you were going to do was have this kind of conversation, was it really necessary to set up a barrier?”

[Too many humans around makes things chaotic.]

Confused by his words, I asked Fenrir, “A barrier?”

“You didn’t notice? There hasn’t been a single person passing by this whole time.”