Struggling as a Villain

The observation dates back to several months ago when Anvil was just a rookie, trying to make ends meet. He awakened a very weak skill, 'Third Eye, ' that allows him to take a three sixty-degree surveillance around him, even though there are obstructions.

Having no connections and background Anvil believed that he would starve to death one day. However, a group of individuals he helped in times of crisis, allowed Anvil to join their group as a scout.

After that, his life changed. He was allowed to travel a lot, with a stable lifestyle and enough income to support himself comfortably. And thanks to his regular assignments, Anvil was able to explore more things about this world.

The changes this world has faced and what they could expect. The channel through which these changes were brought with time and most specifically, the dimensional cracks.

Anvil could see more than anyone else. He has perceptive skills which allow him to see through obstacles. And through his skills, he discerned that there always had been a gateway through which these mutated beasts arrived.

He tried discussing it with others but he was ignored. People said to focus on monsters rather than where they come from. In a very few months, monsters and mutated beasts have become the main income source of every hunter; that's why they never dwelled on the origin of the source of their income.

Except for one person...and that person was none other than the Leader of the biggest clan in Vegas.

Anvil could feel his legs shaking as he saw the leader checking the diary on which he mostly scribbled things. Never in his wildest dreams, had he expected that one day, the invincible Flame Witch would be reading his scribblings.

Bella read through the pages, albeit with a little difficulty, before she asked, "Do you have any way to show me, what you see?"

Anvil's heart raced, being relied on by the Leader before he hastily said, "There is a person in the Eleventh Group, who can link one's perception with others."

Bella frowned, trying to remember if there was someone with such a unique skill. However, she has always been bad at remembering people.

Forget it. The only one she should remember is her brother.

"Where can I find this person?" Bella asked, which made Anvil frightened as he glanced at Ben.

Bella rolled her eyes before calling out, "Whoever can bring me that person just tell me now. I don't have the whole day!" There was a sense of impatience in her voice, and subconsciously, she extruded her aura—making everyone flinch in apprehension.

Suddenly, a woman with short green hair raised her hand before standing up and saying hesitantly, "I can bring Mira here with my Bridge. Should I?"

Bella only stared at the girl and it was enough for her to understand her role.

Instantly, the short-haired woman began to float, and a funnel of vacuum was created in front of her, and soon the woman disappeared.

Bella couldn't help but allow herself to smile a little—making Anvil blush instantly—as she finally seemed to have found a way to escape this world and reach her brother.

'I am finally going to reunite with you. Just wait for me~'

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At the dinner table, Lilia was invited despite her reluctance and currently was sitting beside Richard. Amelia was seated on his other side.

They were having a peaceful dinner, with Richard mostly being the center of the two ladies' conversation. Mostly, Amelia asked and Lilia answered while Richard added a few words.

"So Lilia would be serving you at the academy?" Amelia asked after she finished eating the light supper.

Richard nodded as he finished his soup as well, before responding, "Yes, she would be there with Violet. There is a mansion near the Academy where maybe more servants would be sent."

Having a mansion near the academy is impossible even for the royal highness. There is a reason for that.

Bellarine was not allowed to have a residence near the academy; she was given that place to stay for over a year while she was guarding the Academy during the foreign invasion. That's why there was only a single mansion on the same island as the academy and that can only be used by the people of the Scarlette house.

Amelia tilted her head slightly before asking, "Then I can also visit you on weekends." She wasn't asking here rather, she shared he intentions.

Richard didn't have any problems. Amelia has become good friends with him and Lilia and having a strong warrior as your ally could never go wrong.

They continued chatting for a bit long, before Richard suddenly yawned and said, "I think I am a bit sleepy."

Lilia blinked in confusion. It's only nine, and her young master doesn't go to bed before eleven. He usually does some reading and light stretching before sleeping, but looking at him now, he seemed eager to return to his room.

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Amelia's abrupt question made him pause mid-yawn.

Lilia shook her head lightly before telling her, "If that was the case then it means young master is trying to escape from me as well."

Richard blinked in surprise, as he stared at the two in confusion before he asked, "Can't a man go to bed on time? Why the absurd assumptions?"

Amelia didn't say anything, nor did Lilia. Richard, feeling a bit uneasy, just waved his hand and said, "Goodnight. See you guys tomorrow."

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Through the dense forest situated on the outskirts of the Duchy, the figure of a young male could be seen currently moving at a rapid pace towards the depth of the jungle.

His face was covered with a fabric around his mouth and only his piercing golden eyes were visible. He wore inconspicuous clothes that could easily blend in with his surroundings, and the fabric of the attire provided enough freedom for the teenager to move freely.

Richard was told by the system to put himself in a difficult situation to trigger the quest and since he needed some training done, he deemed venturing in the forest to be the best route.

The surrounding forests are cleared regularly, so there were no high-ranking beasts residing here. And if something unexpected appears, then all it would take is a single Hell Blaze to ward off the danger.

'Still...it feels bad...' Richard was feeling guilty about leaving Lilia alone at these times. That's why he has decided to return to her by eleven, even if he doesn't come across any beast.

*Scratch*

His feet suddenly came to a drifting halt as he found something moving from behind the bushes. He didn't have to use 'Observation' to tell that there was a beast there. An Ambrobate no less.

''Considering its size it has to be E-rank....something I can handle.' Richard readied himself to face Ambrobate alone like this for the first time.

It was then that suddenly the system sent a quest,

[Ding!]

[Quest arrived!]

[Test of courage: Defeat ten Ambrobates above F-rank.]

[Time limit: 2 hours]

[Reward: Perceptive Burst.]

Richard smirked. Now that's what he was talking about!

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Eleanor was restlessly moving around her office, trying to discern what could have happened to Ethan.

Before leaving Awsperg, she planted a device inside Ethan that could tell Eleanor about his whereabouts. The detector was not something that could be destroyed easily nor was there any means to sniff it out.

But then suddenly, she lost the connection and has been panicking ever since.

The last place where she sensed him was near the Silverleaf Market. She realized that he must be buying things for the Academy.

Thinking about their Academy life Eleanor became excited. Finally, she could, once again, become a carefree student and live a happy school life with Ethan until the disaster befalls.

But that was for the future. Currently, her concern lies in Ethan's current location.

"Did Elizabeth reach him? No...she still is in the Capital." Just like Ethan, Eleanor planted those tracking devices in Elizabeth and Emily as well, so she could remain aware of their activities.

That's why Eleanor knew that it wasn't them who took Ethan away. In the first place, if they could have removed her invention from Ethan then they should have removed theirs first.

"Then...who? Wait! Did 'she' make a move finally? But how can she reach here from so far away?"

Eleanor thought about the fourth regressor and the girl who equally loves Ethan just as she does. If someone can compete with Eleanor's brains then it was 'her' only.

Eleanor suddenly got struck with the realization, and in a panic, she made a decision, "I need to take Emily's help. Ethan might never reach the Academy if he stays with 'her'!"

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A/N:- I have described the fourth one briefly at some point. If you remember her title then you might understand Eleanor's source of apprehension.

I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. Thank you for reading. Bye~