Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Fan of the Worst Criminal
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It had always been that way.
Villains always lost.
Heroes won every time in those predictable stories.
Sometimes, for dramatic flair, they'd put the hero in peril, but in the end, the villains were the ones who fell.
Maybe that's why.
Everyone admired the righteous heroes.
The ones who always defended the city.
The good heroes who saved people.
Of course, perhaps aware of that, they later created dark heroes and anti-heroes, but those were nothing more than fakes dressed up halfway decently.
In contrast, what about the villains?
They were eternal icons of defeat, quickly forgotten by the masses.
A memorable villain?
A main-stage villain?
So what?
They always met their end getting crushed.
Stories where a villain triumphed flawlessly? Those were nowhere to be found.
Since childhood, Lycan had chafed at that.
Not a single self-proclaimed villain was the real deal.
Whenever a truly villainous one showed up, the heroes snuffed them out in no time.
And that wasn't all.
Just for idolizing villains, he'd been treated like a freak.
Even kids refused to accept villains.
How could he not see it as unjust?
Why must villains always lose?
And get shunned like that?
Couldn't villains win for once?
And couldn't people admire them?
How could the world be so unfair?
'Villains are obviously stronger, so why design them to lose in the end?'
'Villains honest about their desires are a hundred—no, a thousand times cooler. Why don't people get that?'
'Real villains don't care about means or methods. They're leagues above those hypocritical fakes who nitpick everything!'
Dissatisfaction gnawed at him.
But it never resolved easily.
Finding kindred spirits was no simple task.
Then one day.
While Agas was all the rage, he overheard a man.
'Trash? Yeah, I'm trash. So what? You lot pretend to be saints your whole lives. I'll rob you blind and coast into retirement.'
Luke.
The worst criminal in history, infamous for scorning all means and methods.
'Worst criminal? Pfft, just a PKer at best, right?'
He scoffed at first.
No matter the realism, it was still a game.
At most, he'd offed a few players.
That's what Lycan figured.
Just another fake aping the part convincingly.
But he was wrong.
'In the middle of an open field like that?!'
An attitude ignoring all onlookers.
'My god, he slaughters players without mercy?'
Ruthless brutality.
'No, but that's too far...'
Actions unbound by ethics.
'How many crimes does he rack up daily?'
Crime sprees touching every corner.
'That's not human movement.'
Talents and skills beyond reach.
It was bad manners so egregious even villain-worshipping Lycan questioned it.
The incarnation of evil.
He'd bulldoze anything for personal gain.
'Not a fake.'
The worst criminal.
Luke of Agas was the pinnacle villain Lycan sought.
Realization struck; admiration shifted to Luke.
He drowned in the allure of that ultimate criminal, unable to escape.
Afterward, Lycan dove into VR game Agas, long ignored.
As a devoted fan.
As a junior successor, vowing to become a criminal in Luke's footsteps.
The path wasn't smooth, but it fit his bent, so he navigated it well enough.
'What, you're a Luke fan too?'
'You too?'
'Yeah, but Luke fan and not in LukeGod? Real fan?'
'Luk... God?'
'Sheesh, you really clueless.'
That's when he learned of LukeGod.
Criminal-only guild founded to worship and exalt Luke.
370,000 strong.
Huge for a criminal outfit.
Teeming with Luke role-modelers and aspiring second Lukes.
Thus, despite guild indifference, LukeGod tempted him.
Bad apples gathered for their idolized villain, like him.
Shared wavelength.
'Yo, Game Journal dropped a Luke article. Check it!'
'True Luke fans, 1LukeADay today too.'
'Luke is god!'
'Luke! Luke! Luke!'
Guild life kicked off.
'Hey, similar levels. Wanna team for a job?'
'What job?'
'With you, perfection!'
Even bonds formed en route.
Luke sightings thinned, but faith held—he'd return.
Criminal spree continued.
And today.
With Beth and Hawler, dragging fresh prey into the dungeon.
Demon Lair, floor 4.
Joined another party on the "heading down" pretext.
But.
'That punk.'
One grated especially.
Luke.
Matching his idol's moniker irked; worse, the guy whined about the injustice.
Such types existed.
Info-locked to avoid underestimation.
This Luke was surely one.
Thus, when pressed, he'd inflated by 10 midway.
'Hates embarrassing himself before little sis and her friend?'
Time to stage maximum humiliation.
Lycan smirked inwardly, syncing glances with allies.
Observed Luke, Dia, Rabbit trio thoroughly.
No real threats evident.
Hidden gear or skills? Level limits capped that.
"Ah, damn. Aggro!"
"Shit, two heading there!"
To double-check cautiously, he'd let mobs slip, probing reactions.
"Nngh, can't hold!"
"Crazy, blades?!"
"O-Oppa, you okay?!"
"Yeah, I'm fin... Urk!"
Pathetic as predicted.
Life-risking flubs aplenty.
"Pokopoko!"
That raccoon pet? Useless too.
'Just bide for backstab.'
Lycan eyed the clear condition, slyly drawing a second dagger.
Slathered the blade evenly with vial liquid from inventory.
Sinister chuckles echoed in his mind.
Lycan locked onto Luke's back, hilt clenched tight.
'Pay for blaspheming a god.'
Dungeon delve progressed smoothly.
Lycan crew, fused at floor 3.
Pre-march bravado? Legit—they led with pro finesse.
"Hup!"
"Good, this'll..."
Pshuk!
Unprotected goblin hind.
Lycan's blade pierced true.
"Kieee..."
"Done."
Thud!
Crisp kill.
Post-fight, leader-esque Lycan checked Luke's crew.
"No injuries, right?"
"No, thanks to you."
"Phew, great work everyone!"
"Nah, we did zilch again. All you and your buds, Lycan."
"No way—your rear support let us fight comfy."
"Aw, not really..."
Dia waved frantically.
True—from 3 to 4, zero real aid.
Hard carry incarnate.
Just welfare recipients.
"Anyway, short break then roll out."
"Ah, sure."
Predictable.
Even pros need breathers.
Stamina, mana regen underway.
Then.
"Huh?"
Hawler, potion in hand, scratched head oddly.
"What?"
"Nah, potion count's down some."
"Mind trick."
"Mm, yeah?"
Consumables dipped too...
"Cut the weird talk, prep fast. This pace hits boss door soon."
"...Right."
Paranoia?
Hawler dismissed inventory.
Chugged potion, topped off.
"Alright, moving out."
Fleeting respite.
Delve resumed.
Lycan leader-ing naturally.
Polite orders, really.
"..."
Luke's lot? Mute followers, no shine.
Awkward vibes, more scraps.
At last: Floor 4 boss door.
"Whew, boss room."
"Ah, this..."
"Yep. Door opens boss fight."
Corridor-end turquoise portal.
Horned skull boss-marked.
Boss down, floor cleared.
"..."
Why, though.
Why the murder-eyes from rear Beth, Hawler?
Beats me.
Just icy hush permeating.
And.
"Huh?"
Balance crumbling.
Thud!
Crew crumpling.
Lycan sneering upfront.
Spotted his spare dagger late—system flared.
Paralysis poison.