I Am The Game's Villain Chapter 747: [Final Event] [Blood Moon Festival] [29] John VS Earth

Surveying the area, I watched as a massive swarm closed in on my position. There were at least a hundred Ante Eden mobs—the same pests that used to spawn in the game like persistent cockroaches. However, seeing them here in reality, gathered in such numbers and charging directly at me, was a completely different experience.

In the game world, they were merely labeled as cultists of an evil mirror to Eden. But with the knowledge I now possessed, the truth was clear. These were no mere servants of a generic antagonist; they were zealots dedicated to a single man: Samael Eveningstar.

Reports said they had flooded the Dorian Capital during the Ante Eden incursion. I had missed that chaos while being pulled into the Garden, but they had clearly been out in full force.

This marked the first time I faced such a large group at once, and unfortunately, I was their sole target. Too bad for them, I lacked both the patience and the time to entertain a cultist buffet today.

I shifted my focus away from the monsters and looked toward Earth.

Just as I suspected, he stood among the Ante Eden ranks as if he belonged there. It wasn't his betrayal that irritated me; I had already anticipated that move. What truly gnawed at me was a single, persistent question:

Who was responsible for bringing this bastard into this world?

If Nihil was the one who pulled my friends and me here, then a different hand must have reached out for Earth. From what I could gather, it certainly wasn't Nihil. That pointed to someone within Ante Eden. Brandon Delavoic? Unlikely. That suggested a hidden player was involved.

Was the goal simply to provoke me? Because if so, they succeeded brilliantly.

"I let you live once before," I declared, as my purple flames erupted in a ferocious blast. "I won’t make that mistake again."

The Ante Eden cultists immediately summoned mana circles. Their fragile barriers crackled, struggling to withstand the intense heat radiating from my body.

Earth let out a laugh, glancing casually at their desperate struggle before turning his eyes back to me.

"You speak as if killing me is actually within your power now, Nyr. You’re as arrogant as ever. And just like always—you will be the one who loses."

I lunged forward, charging at him with maximum velocity.

Earth didn't even blink. His smirk only grew wider as he leaped into the air, his blazing golden wings unfurling behind him as he took flight. Naturally, he possessed the ability to fly while I was stuck on the ground.

The moment my upward momentum failed, gravity took hold and began to pull me down. But I wasn't finished yet.

I extended my hand, aiming not directly at him, but at the space above his head. A shimmering, distorted mirror manifested out of thin air.

Earth’s smugness vanished instantly. He recognized the technique. With a snarl, he threw a punch toward the mirror, but I emerged from it in that very heartbeat, meeting his fist with my own.

-BOOOOM!

Purple and golden flames collided in a roar, the force of the impact vibrating through the sky. A blinding flash of light and heat surged outward. I squinted through the brilliance. His golden flames were significantly more potent than during our last encounter.

His control had reached a new level. Was it a result of that strange draconic transformation? Or had the dragon within him finally aligned its will with his out of a shared hatred for Vysindra? It seemed they had found a twisted harmony—one I would likely never achieve with Vysindra.

Regardless of the cause, his flames—which fed on emotion to drain an opponent's strength—had become far more lethal.

"Like I said," Earth grinned like a fool, "this time, you won’t—"

He stopped mid-sentence. His eyes went wide as he noticed the white sands swirling around my arm like a localized tempest.

"Shut up," I commanded.

"...!"

The tide of battle shifted in an instant. His once-dominant flames were being forced back. Sensing the shift in power, Earth panicked, detonating a massive burst of golden fire to halt my progress.

The shockwave rattled the air. I was forced to leap back, my boots carving furrows in the earth as I skidded to a halt—just in time to evade a synchronized strike from the Ante Eden mobs at my back.

Mana circles ignited in rapid succession, locking onto me. I raised my hand, and Trinity Nihil appeared in my grip instantly.

"Don't you people have anything better to do?!" I shouted, charging toward them while Trinity Nihil burned with a violent purple aura.

The first volley of fire rained down. With a single slash, I cleaved through the flames. Next came a high-pressure water jet capable of shredding steel. I cut through that as well, but the collision of water and fire created a massive explosion of steam, masking the area in a thick white haze.

I sharpened my senses, looking past the visual obstruction. Through the fog, I detected several figures closing in from multiple directions. I pivoted, swinging Trinity Nihil in a wide arc behind me.

My blade met an enemy’s sword with perfect timing. I tightened my hold and shoved forward with everything I had.

-Spurt!

"AGHH!!"

A scream pierced the air as a severed arm spun into the fog. I retreated immediately to dodge a blade aimed at my ribs, then slammed my boot into my attacker's chest. The cultist was sent flying like a discarded doll.

Despite the casualties, dozens more surged through the steam. I swung my blade in wild, powerful arcs, sending waves of purple fire outward. The heat dissolved their mana circles as quickly as they could form them, yet their numbers seemed endless. For every one I cut down, another stepped up to die.

They truly had no regard for their own lives.

Then, a flicker of golden light appeared behind me. Reacting on instinct, I spun and leveled a full-power strike with Trinity Nihil.

-BOOOOM!!

The resulting explosion was immense. The shockwave cleared the remaining steam instantly, and embers of purple and gold fell like burning rain upon the scorched earth.

"Why are you in such a rush, Nyr?"

Earth’s mocking voice cut through the air as our blades locked. I glared at him, exerting more pressure on the hilt.

"What’s your goal, Jayce? Are you really so pathetic that you crossed worlds just to be a nuisance?"

His smirk twisted into a hateful sneer.

"I’m here to make you pay!"

His golden wings flared, blasting me with searing heat. My purple flames rose to meet the attack, forming a protective shield.

"Pay for what?" I challenged. "For putting you in your place? I should have ended you back then for what you did to Shayna."

The mention of her name caught him off guard. Seizing the opening, I lunged and landed a heavy punch squarely on his jaw.

-BAM!

Earth tumbled through the air, but he managed to stabilize himself before hitting the ground. He hoisted his sword, manifesting a massive orb of golden fire above him.

"You should have killed me?" he roared, his face contorted with fury. "You already killed me, you bastard!"

Three rings of Vysindra’s power coiled around Trinity Nihil as I gripped the weapon and swung. A massive, ring-shaped shockwave tore across the field, bisecting his golden fireball effortlessly.

"I don't recall killing you," I remarked.

Earth went still for a moment, his expression darkening.

"But if I did," I added with a shrug, "I have no regrets about taking out the trash."

"NYRRR!!!"

His anger hit a breaking point, his flames surging as he flew at me with reckless speed. I clicked my tongue, preparing to counter, when a crimson streak suddenly cut through the air. A dark red projectile slammed into Earth’s side.

-BAM!!

Though his golden flames absorbed the brunt of it, the impact clearly rattled him. He spun through the air, using his wings to catch himself, and wiped a smear of blood from his mouth.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up," John growled.

He stood there, bathed in a cursed crimson aura, his eyes fixed on Earth with lethal intent.

"It’s difficult to be on time when I’m constantly being pestered," I grumbled.

John didn't break eye contact with Earth. "Go. I’ll take care of him."

"Handle his fan club while you're at it," I said, gesturing toward the remaining cultists. "And make sure you finish that bastard off," I added, glancing at Earth one last time.

As I started to leave, John called out my name.

"Edward."

I looked back at him. His red eyes were grave.

"If you make Layla cry," he said, his voice dropping to a low threat, "I will kill you myself."

A small smile touched my lips. "Yeah. I know."

I pushed off the ground and vanished.

***

Earth’s gaze immediately followed Amael’s retreating form, his face twisted in rage.

"Where do you think you’re going, Nyr?!"

He tried to pursue, but John intercepted him, his sword already mid-swing. A brilliant arc of steel cut through the air. Earth barely managed to parry in time.

-BOOOOM!!

Red and golden flames exploded between them, showering the ruined street with debris.

"What do you want now?!" Earth snarled through the fire. "You want another beating, John? Didn’t you learn your lesson the first time?"

"You got lucky last time," John retorted, his eyes burning. "You used a coward's trick to catch me off guard. That won't work again."

Earth let out a mocking laugh.

"Oh... so this is for Shayna? Playing the hero?" His smirk widened. "You should have seen her face when she realized it was all over."

John’s mana exploded with the force of a volcanic eruption.

"Then I’m going to enjoy this," he said, his voice turning ice-cold. "Especially when I have you begging for your life, Jayce."

A violent red haze swirled around him as his mana intensified. Earth scoffed.

"You can't talk like that when you're too weak to beat me!"

He charged, his body engulfed in golden fire, scorching the ground with every step.

-BOOOOM!!

John met the charge, but the explosion of Earth’s flames on impact sent him skidding back like a ragdoll. He crashed through a nearby building, buried under the falling rubble.

"Kill him," Earth commanded sharply.

While some cultists had chased after Amael, many remained with Earth—loyal subordinates he had summoned. At his order, they began weaving complex mana circles, stacking spells. Blasts of wind, fire, lightning, and ice slammed into the ruins of the building, obliterating what was left of it.

Earth remained unimpressed. He knew John wasn't finished yet.

"Aghh!!"

A sudden cry echoed as an Ante Eden member collapsed, a deep gash opened across his chest. John stepped out from the shadows behind the man—covered in blood and fury, but very much alive.

The rest of the group rushed him, but John met them with lethal efficiency.

-BAM! -BOOOOM!

The district echoed with the sound of explosions and clashing steel. Earth pointed his sword at John with a sadistic grin. A massive torrent of golden fire erupted from his blade, surging toward the melee. John noticed the attack late—he hadn’t expected Earth to fire so indiscriminately into his own allies.

John slashed through the flames, but Earth was already passing through the blaze to reach him.

"...!"

John barely raised his blade. Earth’s strike hit with the force of a falling star, carving a deep wound across John’s chest and sending him tumbling through the dirt and stones.

"U–Ugh..." John coughed up blood, clutching his chest. When he looked up, Earth was already closing in, a triumphant smile on his face.

"I told you your loss would be pathetic, John!"

But Earth stopped abruptly. Beneath his feet, a massive red curse circle had begun to glow.

"Shit—"

Before he could move, a pillar of red light erupted.

-BOOOOM!!

Earth shielded himself with golden flames, absorbing the majority of the blast. He stumbled out of the smoke, largely unhurt, but strange red markings now crawled across his skin like burning veins.

"You aren't the only one capable of weakening an opponent," John stated.

Earth’s eyes widened just as John’s blade flashed toward him. He parried instinctively, but a numbing shock traveled up his arm. His strength began to drain rapidly. The next blow sent him flying backward with incredible force.

"Ughh!!" Earth spat blood as he hit the ground. John didn't give him a moment to breathe, continuing his relentless assault.

-BOOOOM!!

Now Earth was the one retreating, struggling to counter the heavy, weighted blows. He gritted his teeth, his golden wings flaring wide before snapping forward to launch a wave of fire at John.

The flames never reached their mark. They were intercepted by a ring of cursed symbols hovering around John like a shield of shadows. The symbols literally ate the golden light.

"W–What?!"

Earth was stunned. Curses were a foreign, unpredictable power he had never grasped. It was clear that after his previous defeat, John had specifically prepared for this rematch.

"Edward was right about you," John said coldly. He surged forward, slashing Earth across the torso again.

"Ughh!!"

With a deep gash in his chest, Earth lashed out with a desperate kick, hitting John's existing wound. John winced but didn't falter. He moved forward again, blood on his lips and a faint smile on his face.

"You talk big," John spat, "but you’re just a coward at heart."

Earth froze. That expression. That tone. It dragged him back to Paris. Back to the night Ephera died, when Nyr had looked at him with that same cold, terrifying gaze. A shiver ran down his spine as the memories returned like a nightmare. He bit his lip until it bled, then he finally snapped.

"AAAAHHH!!"

Earth unleashed his full mana reserves. Golden flames incinerated the ground and melted the stone. The heat wave threw John back, burning away his protective aura and charring his clothes. John fell to one knee, gasping for air, but his smile remained.

"...!"

Earth went still. A shadow that didn't belong to John stretched out before him. He turned slowly, and his heart sank. Behind him loomed a massive, grotesque head—twice the size of a human—with teeth like thorns and dripping with cursed fire. It was a far more terrifying version of the beast from their first encounter.

Earth couldn't even raise his sword before the creature lunged, swallowing him whole.

-BOOOOOOM!!!

A massive red explosion leveled the entire area. Buildings turned to dust, and the streets collapsed. The heat was like the dying breath of a star. John held a barrier until the shockwave subsided.

-Thud!

When the light died down, Earth hit the ground like a broken toy. He lay there in a silent scream, his clothes gone and red burn marks covering his body. One arm was charred beyond recognition. His golden flames were extinguished.

Exhausted, John forced himself to stand. He needed to finish this before the terrified cultists could recover. As he approached, Earth coughed and managed a bitter grin.

"A–Ahh... are you satisfied? Did you get your revenge for her?"

John stood over him, his breathing heavy and his eyes cold.

Earth chuckled weakly through the blood. "It wouldn't have mattered... you fool."

"What?"

"You’re so naive," Earth whispered. "If I didn't kill her... someone else would have. Everyone near him is marked for death. It's only a matter of time."

"Your final breaths are spent blaming Edward?" John asked with pure disgust.

Earth glared up. "You think I'm the bad guy? That man is the real evil."

"The Game, right?" John replied dismissively. "I played it too. Edward was the villain there, but here? He’s changed because of Nyrel’s memories. He isn't the threat you think he is."