How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 96

‘It feels like inviting friends to a secret base.’  

 

Of course, Fenrir is much closer to Huluppu and has likely been to this space often.  

 

Lost in such thoughts, the scenery suddenly changed.  

 

The familiar bookshelves and the overflowing Milky Way in the night sky—no, wait.  

 

“Why is it morning?”  

 

That’s right. The endless rows of bookshelves stretching across the vast plains remained, but surprisingly, the night had lifted.  

As I looked up at the dim, dawn-lit sky and asked, Fenrir answered nonchalantly.  

 

[The flow of time here is different from the outside world. I told you that time exists in this space too.]  

 

Fenrir scolded me as if I were a student who hadn’t done my homework, but I brushed it off lightly.  

 

The changes in this space were far more fascinating to me than his reprimand.  

 

Before coming here, Fenrir had emphasized it multiple times, but I had thought it only referred to the difference in the passage of time.  

 

‘So I never imagined that this place would also cycle through day and night like the real world.’  

 

When you think about it, it’s not a big deal, but it felt like a fundamental rule I had taken for granted had been broken, leaving me slightly bewildered. Suddenly, Fenrir’s voice rang out in shock.  

 

[Wait. How on earth did you get in here?]  

 

I tensed up as well. I was preparing for the possibility that someone had infiltrated so abruptly that even Fenrir was startled, and they might attack us.  

 

“…”  

 

“…”  

 

But only a gentle breeze brushed through my hair, and there wasn’t even an ant in sight.  

 

Yet, Fenrir, his icy blue eyes fixed on Yves, still wore a displeased expression, his nose scrunched up.  

 

‘Where could they be hiding?’  

 

I cautiously asked Fenrir after scanning the surroundings again.  

 

“Who else is here besides us?”  

 

[This kid!]  

 

I had asked nervously, but Fenrir pointed at Yves with his paw.  

 

“Why Yves?”  

 

Not understanding what was wrong, I tilted my head in confusion. Fenrir began explaining in an exasperated tone.  

 

[To enter Huluppu’s inner world, there are several conditions besides the flow of time. One of them is awakening your divine power… to put it simply, you need to awaken like you did.]  

 

He explained that even descendants of gods, born with divine power, couldn’t enter this space without awakening.  

 

But the more Fenrir spoke, the bigger my confusion grew. Because I had first come here before I had awakened.  

 

“Are you sure you’re not mistaken? I actually came here before I awakened, too.”  

 

At my remark, Fenrir furrowed his brows even more, his expression the most displeased I’d seen all day.  

 

[That’s…!]  

 

[Because I allowed it.]  

 

Fenrir raised his voice, clearly irritated, but he couldn’t finish his sentence. Huluppu, who had suddenly appeared, cut him off cleanly.  

 

“Huluppu!”  

 

Seeing him after so long made me feel unexpectedly happier.  

 

[Have you been well?]  

 

“You probably already know, but after returning from Dilbat, I’ve been living a very peaceful life.”  

 

[Good. It seems you’ve been living peacefully until Fenrir caused a commotion. I thought you’d be more affected by the other saint candidate stirring up trouble, but you seem fine.]  

 

Huluppu smiled softly, his laughter clear and bright.  

 

Seeing him genuinely happy made me feel more flustered.  

 

Judging by the flow of the conversation, it seemed like something I had done had triggered her laughter, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.  

 

“Did I do something?”  

 

[No. It’s funny because you didn’t do anything. It’s amusing how you two are so absorbed in your world, completely ignoring the changing circumstances.]  

 

He was clearly pointing at me and Yves.  

 

‘Still, laughing at us like that is a bit much.’  

 

Realizing that both Fenrir and Huluppu were treating me as an amusing subject of observation, my mood plummeted.  

 

Noticing my sullen expression, Huluppu quickly apologized.  

 

[I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you.]  

 

“It’s okay. I can understand.”  

 

I meant it sincerely, without a hint of falsehood. To immortal divine beasts, humans are nothing more than insignificant creatures.  

 

‘Honestly, even I would find it interesting to watch a bird that’s supposed to fly swimming in the ocean.’  

 

Humans often find and study unusual cases in the ecosystem, so I could understand Huluppu and Fenrir’s perspective.  

 

Even if it did hurt my feelings, unexpectedly, Huluppu’s expression grew even more somber.  

 

[Understanding something intellectually and having your feelings hurt are two different things. Even if it was unintentional, I sincerely apologize for upsetting you.]

 

It was unfair.  

 

‘How am I supposed to resist when she says something like that with Yves’ childlike face?’  

 

His slightly flushed cheeks contrasted with his moist, silver eyes. Looking at Huluppu, who looked as soft and tender as a ripe peach, I slowly opened my mouth.  

 

“…I’m completely over it now.”  

 

Like snow melting in an instant, all my frustration disappeared without a trace.  

 

[Really?]  

 

Huluppu, in his human form, was short enough to fit under my chin. The way he looked up at me with wide eyes, asking again, was painfully adorable.  

 

“Of course. You know I’m not one to lie.”  

 

[That’s a relief. And I’ll be more careful from now on.]  

 

Seeing Huluppu smile brightly, reassured, I instinctively reached out. The urge to pat his head had taken over.  

 

“Laura.”  

 

The one who stopped me was Yves.  

Before my hand could touch Huluppu’s hair, he grabbed my wrist and suddenly pressed it against his cheek.  

 

“W-wait. Yves, what are you doing?”  

 

“If you’re going to touch someone, touch me instead.”  

 

“Huh? What?”  

 

“We look the same anyway, don’t we?”  

 

I had been enchanted by Huluppu’s sincere apology and was about to pat her head, but Yves’ interruption brought me back to my senses.  

 

“That’s… not quite the same, is it?”  

 

I answered calmly, but Yves’ expression grew even more somber. He looked like a female lead who had been abandoned by the male lead.  

 

“Do you like Huluppu more than me?”  

 

“No, of course not… Wait, no. Just because I said that doesn’t mean I dislike Huluppu.”  

 

As I denied Yves’ pitiful questioning, I noticed Huluppu’s eyebrows drooping and quickly corrected myself.  

 

[It’s okay. I understand. I know humans usually burn passionately at the start of a relationship, only for it to cool down like a lie later.]  

 

He didn’t look okay at all.  

 

“Fenrir, don’t just stand there. Help me out.”  

 

[You all seem to be having fun on your own. Do I need to join in?]  

 

His tone sounded like he was feeling left out and upset.  

 

“Are you seriously sulking?”  

 

[Of course not.]  

 

His curt voice made it sound like he was 100% serious.  

 

‘This is a complete mess.’  

 

With Yves using his charm, Huluppu being adorable, me stuck in the middle, and Fenrir feeling excluded, it was a situation I couldn’t handle alone. Thankfully, Huluppu broke into a bright smile and resolved the tension.  

 

[If we keep this up, Fenrir might actually leave, so let’s stop the teasing here.]  

 

It seemed Huluppu had also noticed Fenrir was genuinely sulking.  

 

“Good call. By the way, can we sit down and talk like last time?”  

 

[I figured you’d say that, so I prepared your favorite snacks too.]  

 

With a flick of her finger, the same table from before appeared.  

 

The only difference was that there were more chairs this time.  

 

“Wow! Thank you!”  

 

Spotting the desserts, I was the first to take a seat, while Yves, looking reluctant, followed suit.  

 

“Yves, you should try some too.”  

 

“By the way, Huluppu, do you usually observe us like this?”  

 

“Oh, right, I didn’t tell you, Yves. Huluppu can see the world through his roots.”  

 

[That’s right. I know all your secrets, what’s happened between you and Laura, and even what you did to Laura while she was asleep.]  

 

“…”  

 

As Huluppu dropped that bombshell, Yves’ demeanor instantly sharpened.  

 

‘What? When did that happen?’  

 

Having seen many clichés, a few obvious actions came to mind when he mentioned what he did while I was asleep, but it was hard to pinpoint the timing.