I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space Chapter 396: Hard Decision

Razeal rejected it without pause. The instant Villey’s hint sank in, his face grew stern, and he crushed the notion right away. "No," he stated sharply within his thoughts, the refusal crisp and final. "I am not doing anything like that. Give me some other solution." Doubt had no place in his words. He grasped precisely what Villey suggested... and refused to consider it for even a moment.

A brief hush filled Razeal’s mind as Villey held back, the quiet lingering seconds before the system replied once more, its voice steady and logical as always.

[Then don’t do it I guess.. The choice is always yours.]

[In fact... refusing might actually be the correct decision.]

[Think about it carefully, Host.] Villey urged deliberately, his tone adopting that measured, calculating cadence reserved for prompting strategic reflection over rash feelings. [If you aid her in finishing this evolution, you’re basically letting her fully become one of the ultimate concepts in existence. Though that concept was just born in this world, it won’t be long before it solidifies and strengthens.]

[Once the concept embeds into this reality’s framework, its might will surge fast. At the very least, it could take two years to settle. At worst, maybe thirty. But in time, the one carrying that concept will rise to challenge gods...]

Razeal’s gaze dropped momentarily to Maria’s limp body on the counter.

Villey pressed on, his words precise and unhurried.

[Assisting her now grants her that potential.]

Those words lingered heavily for an instant.

[And even overlooking the immense power she could wield someday... there’s another angle to weigh.]

[She’ll grasp dark mana, its powers, and the secrets of those vacant seats.]

[She’ll detect it, probe it, control it, and uncover its truths.] Villey went on. [That insight is your biggest edge right now.]

[Right now, you alone in this world comprehend the full picture—what’s unfolding and what’s coming next.] Villey stated flatly. [While others stay blind and clueless... or would need immense effort and time to catch on.]

That rang true.

And they both recognized it.

[But that edge won’t endure forever.] Villey proceeded. [Your ritual has already shifted reality’s balance. Dark mana’s emergence will soon draw notice. In days, or weeks at latest, folks will sense the profound shift.]

Razeal could vividly picture the scenario Villey outlined.

Scholars probing novel energies.

Mages testing boundaries.

Kingdoms scrambling to master the rising force... the fresh chance...

[In time, they’ll delve into it.] Villey noted. [And then the world will plunge into this vast sea of power.]

Razeal stayed quiet.

[And know this—you’re right at the heart of that dawning era.] Villey added. [You sparked it.]

His tone dipped, turning almost guiding.

[You can shape it.]

The phrase resonated softly in Razeal’s mind.

[This might herald a new era for this world.] Villey remarked evenly. [With you at its core.]

Razeal’s eyes shifted to the ground as he absorbed it.

[Yet such chances are delicate.] Villey warned. [Crafting another master of dark concepts beside you... risks forging a rival.]

That term hung there.

Competition.

[You’d birth someone who comprehends the very forces sustaining you.] Villey explained. [Someone treading your path.]

The meaning was plain.

[That spells danger.]

Villey halted shortly before concluding.

[That’s why... I’ll offer a clear suggestion this time.]

Razeal held his breath.

[Don’t assist her.. Not that you lack reasons to.]

The ensuing quiet felt denser than prior words.

Razeal held off responding.

Instead, he lingered motionless, eyes locked on Maria’s prone form while his mind churned deliberately.

Villey broke the pause soon after.

[One more point, Host.]

Razeal paid heed.

[Let no emotions cloud your judgment here.]

Razeal’s jaw clenched faintly.

[If you aid her, you might feel morally right or whatever.] Villey stated bluntly. [Strategically, though... it’d be folly.]

[You’d spawn a potential time bomb.] Villey pressed. [A needless risk from the start.]

The system’s even tone amplified the caution’s gravity.

[Often, the deadliest foes are self-made.]

Razeal let out a slow breath.

He held back a reply.

Instead, he remained still, mind balancing the options Villey presented.

The system spoke truth.

Villey’s logic hit hard.

Ruthlessly sound.

Razeal knew from bitter lessons that life shunned mercy or heart-led choices.

The world had drilled that in deep.

Too deep.

He’d trusted before.

Believed in others.

Only to face banishment, shame, treachery, and ruin in a flash.

That ordeal taught him a vital truth:

The world ignored motives.

Results alone mattered.

Aiding Maria now carried massive fallout.

Perhaps no harm done.

Perhaps eternal loyalty.

Perhaps not.

Worst of all, Razeal knew his fate too well—the darker outcome loomed larger.

His path never bent to his wishes.

Softness always backfired.

Thus, caution became his creed.

Unyielding caution.

Now especially.

The world’s White Faction hunted him relentlessly. To counter, he’d reshape everything, summoning the Dark Faction to aid.

A slip here might plant a traitor among allies.

Unlikely, yet possible.

His future teetered.

Each choice counted.

Every move rippled.

No room for rashness.

Withholding aid might seem cruelly self-serving. Yet life demanded it. This wasn’t play—this was existence, gravely real.

Thus, utmost gravity and wariness shaped his pick. Slackness, mercy, flippancy, or waver could exact a steep toll later.

Given his perils, each footfall needed feather-light precision, like exhaling mist.

After tense seconds, Razeal voiced again in his mind.

"Will she survive if I don’t help her right now?" he queried Villey evenly.

He tacked on swiftly.

"And if she won’t... is there any way to completely stop this evolution instead?"

[Will she survive? It hinges on the evolution finishing.]

[Wrath or Lust might overpower the other naturally. Should that occur, the process stabilizes and ends.]

[But... if neither prevails in that clash, the evolution stalls.] Villey clarified coolly. [And then... she perishes.]

The statement settled softly, yet its impact crushed.

Razeal held silent at first.

Villey expanded methodically.

[She’s out cold but stable physically. No decline yet. Prolonged deadlock, though, overwhelms her form with conceptual strife.]

[And no, you can’t halt the evolution outright.] Villey noted. [It defies simple reversal.]

The logic flowed steadily.

[Grasp the magnitude. This isn’t magic or skill. A cosmic concept births through her. Such events can’t switch off.]

[Consider it thus.] Villey offered. [If a god tired of godhood... could they shed power? Or anyone discard strength for frailty?]

Razeal knew.

[No.] Villey confirmed. [Concept bearers fuse inseparably with it. Existence merges.]

Razeal eyed Maria once more.

[Thus, evolution either succeeds... or fails fatally.]

The hush dragged further.

Villey tossed in lightly then.

[Also, don’t overcomplicate it.]

[Life’s calls seldom comfort.] Villey observed. [Embrace that, and paths clear.]

Razeal pondered long before replying.

"So you’re saying..." he probed deliberately in thought, "...that the best option is to let her die?"

Villey fired back instantly.

[Want it in text repeat?]

The directness stiffened Razeal’s features faintly.

[Get serious about survival, Host.] Villey urged. [Haven’t past blows taught you?]

[Emotions weaken.] Villey asserted. [Here, no compelling tie binds you to save her.]

Razeal stayed mute.

[Your bond with her lacks depth—no tie, duty, claim.] Villey reasoned. [From all data.]

The voice stayed serene.

[Life tests harshly. Choices more so.]

Razeal fixed on Maria’s visage.

[Right paths rarely soothe.] Villey wrapped.

Then, pausing briefly, Villey surprised.

[For what counts... my counsel stems not from blind faith.]

[We’re linked.] Villey said. [Your life sustains mine.]

Such candor stood out.

[Call me traitor, schemer, leech... I won’t let you fall.]

[All I do boosts your odds.] Villey affirmed coolly. [That’s my core.]

[Database, tools, logic—all forge you into your destined peak, per my design.]

Razeal stroked his chin, absorbing.

[Even if my ways grate.] Villey ended. [No grudges. It’s duty. I care, aim to elevate you—though methods irk. Unchangeable programming.]

The quiet thickened.

Razeal held back.

He just stood, chin in hand, gazing at Maria’s still form on the counter.

Deep in deliberation, or seeking total resolution, rooted there.

His thoughts froze.

Not vacant.

Merely profound.

The room hushed save Sofia’s faint shifts behind.

Sofia had observed him minutes from afar. Initially figuring a check on Maria, but prolonged stare screamed deeper woes.

Razeal seemed wrestling vast riddles.

Curiosity won at last.

"What happened?" she ventured abruptly.

Gentle, tinged worry.

Razeal blinked, head turning her way, yanked from reverie.

Sofia eyed him, curiosity laced with concern.

"Whats on your mind?" she pressed.

Razeal hesitated briefly.

"Umm... just confused about something," he murmured deliberately. No veil intended.

Sofia arched a brow faintly.

"Confused about what?"

Razeal flicked eyes to Maria’s form.

Back to Sofia.

Hesitation flickered.

To share or not...

Then words came.

"Well... actually..." he started.

Eyes to Maria again.

"You know... Maria proposed to me earlier when you wernt here."

Casual delivery, explosive import.

Sofia jolted.

"What?"

Eyes slitted, probing.

Yet not raw stun.

More validation.

As if anticipated.

Still, it gripped her.

Arms folded, scrutinizing him.

"So..." she drew out.

"What was your answer?"

Gaze intensified.

"Did you... accept it?" Tension simmered beneath.

No rage.

No envy.

But keen anticipation for truth.

"I rejected, of course," Razeal replied measuredly, tone low, firm—decision unquestioned. No flinch, shame, excuse; mere assured normalcy amid oddity.

Still, eyes hovered twixt Sofia and Maria’s prone shape, mind echoing her prior confession.

Sofia froze silent, arms dropping, eyes rising to his. Seconds ticked as she scanned, brows furrowing subtly—not from reply, half-foreseen, but revelation itself.

At length, in shop’s hush, she queried softly, pointedly: "And why are you telling me this?" Query delved beyond idle. Unsure herself why vital, yet eyes pierced his maskless calm, seeking hidden currents.

Razeal canted head faintly at her ask, anticipated yet phrasing needed honing. "I just thought you should know," he answered softly post-pause, reflective not guarded. Eyes to Maria, back.

"And... well... maybe because I’m curious too," he appended, voice easing to bare doubt. "Do you think it’s true? Because... I don’t know why, but I’m not really able to believe it." Light sigh, subtle headshake dismissing notion mid-sentence.

"It just sounded so..." He faded, word withheld. Scheming? Absurd? Unthinkable? Even unclear to him.

Silence cloaked them as Sofia held his gaze. No quick retort. Long stare weighed candor’s cost. Truth glared: Maria’s affections shone blatant—gazes, reactions, scant-veiled feelings... broadcasted. She’d confessed outright before. Yet Razeal’s disbelief stirred Sofia oddly