Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 563

In a certain territory, there was a strictly forbidden area where entry was completely prohibited.

However, rumors whispered that within this forbidden zone lay an enormous amount of gold or treasures of equivalent value. These tales attracted unscrupulous adventurers and fortune-seekers, who continued to infiltrate the area despite the dangers.

But what lies beyond the forbidden zone?

What kind of terrain and dangers await?

And why was it designated as a forbidden area in the first place?

No one knows the answers to these questions.

Because no one who has ever set foot in the forbidden zone—whether a young child or an elderly person—has ever returned.

And on that day, three shadows flew across the sky above the forbidden zone.

The first was a small shadow.

The second was slightly larger than the first.

The third was a large shadow, seemingly hanging from the first small shadow.

These shadows descended onto the rooftop of an old, eerie mansion quietly standing in the heart of the forbidden zone, surrounded by dense trees.

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In a dimly lit room, the smell of iron dust filled the air, accompanied by the intermittent sounds of dripping water and faint metallic clinks.

At the center of the room stood an operating table.

Nearby, a small desk was cluttered with blood-stained tools, and on the table lay something that "might have once been human."

Beside the operating table stood a slender man with wings on his back, wearing glasses, surgical attire, gloves, and a mask.

He methodically moved the scalpel and scissors in his hands, occasionally murmuring with interest.

"Sorry to interrupt your research. May I come in?"

The door was knocked politely, and a girl's voice echoed through the dim room.

"That voice... Ibi? Come in."

The man did not stop his work, nor did he turn around. His reply was cold and emotionless.

"Pardon me."

As soon as she entered the room, the pungent smell and the sight before her made her instinctively frown, but she quickly cleared her throat and bowed.

"As per your orders, I have been monitoring Remos and Gabriel within the Fox tribe  territory. Additionally, I have investigated a man named rid Baldia."

"I see. And what did you find?"

The man responded with a nod but continued his work without looking up.

However, Ibi remained bowed, showing the utmost respect.

"Remos and Gabriel both used the  gem you mentioned. However, Remos failed to adapt and exploded within the Gabriel estate, destroying the mansion along with it."

"I see. So Gabriel failed as well?"

"No, he successfully adapted and underwent mutation."

"Oh..."

For the first time, the man's hands stopped moving.

He straightened his hunched posture and placed the instrument he was holding onto an iron container.

A sharp metallic clink echoed softly in the room.

"An unexpected harvest. What happened during and after the mutation?"

His tone remained calm, but there was a hint of emotion in his voice now as he turned to face her.

"During the mutation, Gabriel absorbed the mana of the surrounding mercenaries to compensate for his lack of power. Afterward, he engaged in combat with a man named Rid Baldia, who called himself 'Zero Red.' However, perhaps because he had just mutated, Gabriel was unable to fully control his powers. The gem was destroyed, and he was defeated. I, along with Ilia, retrieved him and brought him here."

"Good judgment."

The man nodded in satisfaction at Ibi's report, then added, "By the way..."

"Do you think Gabriel could have defeated Rid Baldia if he had fully mastered his powers?"

"No, I don't think so."

She shook her head.

"From what I observed, Rid Baldia's mana had increased after his battle with Elba, and his strength had grown as well. If he hadn't been trying to save Gabriel and the mercenaries by targeting the orb, the fight would have ended much sooner. He didn't even need to use transformation magic like the Foxkin or Raccoonkin."

"Interesting. Even though it was a prototype  gem , Gabriel managed to adapt and mutate. Yet, Lid Baldia possesses enough strength to defeat him. Fascinating."

The man placed a hand on his chin and nodded repeatedly, clearly intrigued.

As he did so, the red liquid on his gloves stained his mask, but he paid it no mind.

He then turned his gaze to Ibi.

Seeing his eerie expression, a chill ran down her spine, but she maintained her composure and bowed her head.

"Now, my next question. What kind of elemental magic does Lid Baldia use?"

Ibi was about to answer, but the words Lid had said to her—"I'd like to hear you sing normally sometime"—flashed through her mind, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"What's wrong? Can't you answer my question?"

His tone was gentle, but there was a terrifying pressure behind his words.

Ibi's heart raced, and sweat began to pour from her body.

"N-no, my apologies. I was just thinking about how best to explain it."

"Then tell me."

"Y-yes. During his battle with Gabriel, Rid Baldia used all elemental magics except light and dark. Considering the magic he used in his fight with Elba, it's highly likely that he can wield all elements."

"I see, I see. So rid Baldia is indeed a rare individual capable of wielding all elements. Whether he's a special human, a mutant, or perhaps it's related to his bloodline... In any case, he might be the clue I've been searching for."

The man narrowed his eyes and smiled with delight.

The strange aura emanating from him made Ibi tremble slightly, her head still bowed.

She looked like a frightened chick facing a predator, but she mustered the courage to speak.

"Forgive me, but may I ask one thing?"

"...What is it?"

Perhaps annoyed at being interrupted during his thoughts, the man frowned, not bothering to hide his displeasure.

Nevertheless, Ibi spoke.

"Many noble families within the Fox tribe  territory have been 'dispossessed' recently. Including their families, why did you order us to secretly support them and bring them to our territory?"

"Ah, that. It's obvious, isn't it? To secure test subjects."

He sighed, sounding bored, and glanced at the "thing that might have once been human" lying on the operating table.

"We used to acquire test subjects from the dispossessed nobles of the Foxkin, but that will be difficult now. So, I thought it would be better to have them cooperate with us directly. We'll provide them with food, clothing, and shelter—consider it their payment."

"I see. Many of the noble families' members are young children and women, so I thought it might be better to assign them to 'production.' For test subjects, it would be more efficient to use the former heads of households, the elderly, and the men."

Hearing Ibi's suggestion, the man's expression softened, and he chuckled as he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"You're still so kind. Is this your way of atoning for killing all your siblings at the same time?"

"...No, I simply thought it would be more practical."

She shook her head slightly, and the man smiled, satisfied.

"Very well. I'm in a good mood today. I'll accept your suggestion."

"Thank you. I apologize for overstepping."

As Ibi bowed deeply, the man tilted his head.

"Hmm? By the way, where's Ilia?"

"Gabriel was more injured than expected after retrieval, so I had him taken to the treatment room."

"What? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

With that, the man began walking toward the door.

"He adapted to the  gaem and mutated, only to have the orb destroyed. There might be unusual changes in him. And the wounds from his battle with Lid Baldia are concerning. There might still be residual mana. In fact, perhaps he could be used as material for a more powerful gem ."

As he opened the door, he paused as if remembering something.

"Ibi, the thing on the operating table is no longer needed. Dispose of it."

"Understood."

She bowed, and soon after, the sound of the door closing and footsteps fading away could be heard.

Once the man's footsteps were gone, Ibi covered her mouth and coughed.

Then, she looked at the thing lying on the operating table and gently closed its wide-open eyes.

"Big sister... I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry..."

Tears welled up in Ibi's eyes as she sobbed, repeating "I'm sorry" over and over.

In her mind, a voice echoed: "Everyone, come to big brother."

"...It's too late, Aria. My hands are already stained the same color as his."