I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space Chapter 411: Greater Purpose

"Like... think about it," Razeal started once more, his voice steady yet laced with an odd heaviness, as though he had moved beyond merely replying to her query and was now revealing a profound truth he had pondered endlessly, "I hate them... down to every single fiber of my being." His tone remained even, neither rising nor growing harsh—it lingered flat, somewhat distant, yet a subtle undercurrent simmered beneath, a force that required no volume to prove its existence, "I know it... and it shows in my eyes too." Gradually, he raised his hand, directing two fingers at his own eyes while leaning in a bit, his stare fixing firmly on Maria’s, "Look... do you see it?"

Maria’s gaze instinctively shifted to his eyes, pulled by both the query and his delivery, and what met her view... wasn’t at all what she anticipated. Those deep crimson orbs, unnaturally piercing, held a chill. Beyond mere composure. Beyond mere restraint. A chill that seemed... void.

No spark of fury flickered there, no evident loathing, no searing grudge—none of it. Merely an utter stillness that bordered on the eerie, akin to peering into embers long extinguished. She couldn’t discern whether his mastery over himself concealed it all... or if this was simply the remnant of his feelings nowadays. Regardless... she failed to spot what he insisted lurked within.

"Yes... I could kill them," Razeal went on, easing his hand down a touch, his face unaltered, "but... then what?" He cocked his head subtly, as if pondering it afresh right then, "What follows?" A subtle, nearly derisive grin tugged at his mouth as he opened his palms wide, "They’re erased. End of story. Nothing more." Now his words took on a subdued, almost contemplative edge, "And you know what’s amusing?" His eyes stayed locked on hers...

"No matter how intensely you loathe someone... how profoundly you detest them... once they’re gone?" He hesitated briefly, "...you can’t hate them any longer." The remark struck oddly, not with volume, but with weight. "It simply ceases there," he pressed on, his voice gentle yet resolute, "No matter your efforts... no matter your desire to cling to that hatred... it never feels the same." A wry smirk twisted his lips slightly...

"That’s the nature of death. It terminates it all... even your enmity." He reclined once more, body at ease but phrases cutting, "And here’s the crux..." His look drifted momentarily before snapping back to her, "Consider this... after slaying the one they seek vengeance against... do they harbor hatred eternally? Even in death?" He gave a slight shake of his head...

"No. They don’t." His manner grew more introspective, nearly dissecting, "And I suspect... most folks never grasp this... but the true drive behind wanting to kill someone..." He paused a beat, "...is the urge to escape that hatred." His fingers drummed softly on the armrest...

"That sensation... that relentless, devouring loathing... it gnaws at you." His pitch fell marginally, "...and at heart, they understand... after the kill... it will cease." His eyes tightened a fraction, "...they’ll at last break free." A hollow, mirthless laugh slipped out...

"That’s the pursuit of revenge... not for restoration... not for recovery..." He shook his head, "...but for respite." His stare intensified a notch, "...for progression." He breathed out deliberately, "...for without it... that torment devours them endlessly."

Silence enveloped the room once more, Maria and Sofia observing him raptly, taking in each syllable, each nuance beneath.

"But here’s the catch..." Razeal proceeded, voice even-keeled anew, "...nothing alters." His eyes held hers fast, "...the past... endures." He motioned casually, "...the losses... the pain... the ruins..." His tone bore a hushed inevitability, "...none return." A thin smile resurfaced, empty this round...

"So yeah... revenge achieves nothing." He released a soft sigh, "It’s not justice... not equilibrium..." He met her eyes squarely, "...just a bid for solace." A beat passed. Then his inflection changed. Faintly. Yet unmistakably. "And that..." he murmured, "...is precisely what I refuse." His focus grew keener now...

"...because that emotion?" He patted his chest gently, "...that hatred... that fury..." His volume dipped, "...that’s the sole force keeping me going." The declaration lingered, ponderous, irrefutable. "I won’t let it fade," he added, manner composed yet steadfast...

"Because if it does..." A brief pause hung in the air. "...then what’s left?" His face stayed unchanged, yet a shadow deepened within his eyes.

"...I want to prove them wrong." Quiet intensity laced his voice now, "...every single one of them."

Slightly leaning forward, "...I want them to see it." His lips pressed together lightly, "...how wrong they were... how right I was..." His stare held firm, "...and what kind of mistake they made." The silence that followed weighed heavier than before.

"That’s the only thing keeping me alive," he murmured softly, "...because without that?" An almost indifferent shrug escaped him faintly, "...I don’t have a reason to live."

Silence returned to the room.

Maria gazed at him intently, her face shifting—not to shock or confusion, but to inner conflict.

"So..." she said at last, her tone gentler yet steady, "...you want to keep hating them... for your whole life?" Her head shook lightly, "...that’s why you don’t kill them?" Brows furrowing softly, "...because if they die... you won’t be able to... feel it anymore?" She paused, voice dropping lower, "...that’s wrong..."

Gazing at him directly, "...you shouldn’t..."

Razeal exhaled lightly, interrupting her before completion, "I know." His voice remained calm, nearly resigned.

"I know what you’re going to say." He leaned back once more, eyes drifting momentarily as if summoning a memory.

"...that living for revenge is stupid."

"...that I should live for myself." His eyes flickered subtly, "...be selfish... enjoy whatever time I have... even if it’s short..."

"...Find a purpose for my own life." His gaze settled back on Maria, firm again, "...not live for others." Quiet pause lingered. Then softly he added, "...I’ve heard it all before," as memories of his talk with Tongue and Zara resurfaced.

"Yes... Just what are you even thinking?" Maria responded finally, her calm now solid with urgency, fear, and desperate pull to reach him before deeper descent into what she opposed, brows furrowing as she leaned forward a bit, voice turning firm and nearly pleading.

"What if they die some other way? What then?" Her eyes probed his features sharply, forcing the idea into view.

"What would you do then? Just... what? Kill yourself too? Because you won’t have a reason to live anymore?" Head shaking in frustration blended with disbelief, "You shouldn’t be living your life for hate... for people you hate. That doesn’t make sense." Emotion sharpened her tone now.

"That would just mean they win. Everything they did, everything they wanted—it all works out exactly how they wanted it to." Her voice eased a touch, but its gravity intensified, "You’re just hurting yourself at that point... nothing else." Vague gesture swept the space around, highlighting his present reality.

"Look at your life right now... just look at it." Her tone steadied to anchor him, "You have strength... Power. Everything you once wanted... and more than that." Eyes locked on his, "You’re married now... you’re the son-in-law of Atlantis, a whole kingdom." Disbelief tinged her words, "You have a life, Razeal. A real life. A big one." Soft exhale came with another head shake, "You can have anything you want now... without struggling, without suffering the way you did before." Quieter grew her voice, intensity rising.

"Do you even realize how many people would die to be in your place right now?" She halted, allowing it to penetrate, "...you could live happily. Do whatever you want. Build something. Become something." Eyes softening while face stayed grave, "...I can see infinite possibilities in you." Frustration tightened her voice once more.

"So why are you so adamant about this?" Head shake firmer this time, "You need to walk away from it... don’t let that hatred consume you." Gaze hardening faintly, "...that’s exactly why I’m telling you to kill them or why I wanted you to kill me." The words struck sharply, seemingly at odds with her prior plea, though explanation chased right after.

"End it. Finish your revenge... and then just move on." Voice lowering with unyielding seriousness, "Because this? This is not okay." Staring straight at him, concern plain, "...this is just unacceptable." She spoke from true fear for his path, not rage.

Sofia had watched the whole interaction quietly, sensing that familiar discomfort, but unlike Maria, she acted with far greater resolve. As she truly gazed at Razeal, taking in every single word from his mouth... a total change swept over her features.

Her once-worried expression grew icy. Intense. Deadly serious in a way that bordered on threatening. He’s tearing himself apart, she reflected inwardly, her jaw clenching just a touch, and he’s completely oblivious.

Right then, she reached her verdict. No second thoughts—a vivid aquamarine light sparked in her eyes, keen and glowing brightly, and the very next moment, a firm item appeared in her grip: a tablet, shaped from heavy ocean-blue rock, looking timeless yet humming softly with power. She moved ahead at once, narrowing the space to Razeal, and before he could grasp her actions fully, she pressed it straight into his palm.

"Here." Her tone remained steady, though not soft. It rang with unyielding certainty, as if the matter was settled.

"What?" Razeal blinked in surprise, thrown off balance, his talk with Maria suddenly halted as he glanced at the item now in his hand, then lifted his eyes to Sofia, bewilderment plain on his face. "...what is this?"

"It’s a summoning tablet," Sofia answered promptly, her voice steady as ever. "Crush it... and it will summon the full army of Atlantis." She locked eyes with him, utterly grave. "Let’s kill them." Zero pause. Zero uncertainty.

"What you’re doing... what you’re thinking... it’s wrong." Her voice edged sharper. "I will not accept this." She advanced nearer, face stern. "I will not have a husband whose sole purpose in life is hatred." The statement held heavy authority, worry, and a profound personal edge underneath. "...this is really unacceptable, as she said just now." She held his stare without flinching. "...we end this. Now."

A short silence fell. "Whatever comes after... we’ll deal with it."

Razeal simply gaped at her, then down at the tablet, his look hovering between incredulity and light astonishment, like his thoughts lagged behind the abrupt intensity. And before he could reply

Maria chimed in once more. "I’m with her." Her voice stayed even, yet now it brimmed with determination, not hollowness. Silent till this point, merely observing, she now raised her eyes to him. "...you know what? Let’s do it." Her words lacked any waver. "...I was going to die anyway." A subtle, nearly wry smile curved her mouth. "...this doesn’t sound so bad." And deeper down... true accord lingered.

To her, this choice felt correct. For his present course struck her as far graver.

"Hey.." Razeal broke in at last, his words slicing the strain as he glanced from one to the other, clear irritation marking his face. "Can both of you just... stop for a second?" He lifted a hand a bit, like attempting to halt everything physically.

"At least listen to me properly first." His voice held no rage, just weary skepticism, as though struggling to follow the rapid turn of events. "I get it," he sighed softly, "...I really do."

His eyes shifted from Maria to Sofia. "...the concern... the intention behind this." A subtle, somewhat sardonic grin formed. "It’s... impressive, honestly." Then his face sobered a touch. "...but this?" He eyed the tablet briefly, then them again. "...this is not going to solve anything." His manner turned graver. "...if anything, it’ll just make everything worse."

And casually, no fuss or pause, his fingers eased open, shadows twisting gently around the tablet, devouring it completely into his shadow space. Vanished. Beyond grasp. A swift, silent safeguard. "...there," he murmured under his breath, mainly for himself, to keep Sofia from rash moves. Then he faced them both anew, demeanor more composed yet still laced with fatigue. "...now can you please... let me finish?"

"What do you mean ’not’?" Sofia snapped back fiercely, her face hardening more as irritation mixed with worry into a stronger push, brows furrowed tight while she fixed him with a stare.

"Are you even listening to yourself right now?" Her pitch climbed—not a yell, but piercing, insistent.

"You just said you can’t live without them existing. Does that even register with you?" She shook her head, clearly fighting to process his words, "...this is so... so stupid, Razeal." Tenderness had vanished from her speech, replaced by harsh truth intertwined with dread, "You must let it go. You have to stop this... And I will force you."

She advanced a step, eyes fixed steadily, "Whether you like it or not... this remains the sole path." Her pitch dropped, yet gained deeper intensity, "Once done... you’ll discover a true reason to keep living." Her jaw clenched lightly, "...the attachment you cling to now? It’s misguided."

Razeal held back his response at first. He merely stared at her briefly, face serene... overly serene, before nodding his head slowly in exhaustion, "...that’s because you don’t know." His tone stayed soft, neither defensive nor furious, simply assured, "...and you can’t comprehend it." This only heightened the tension.

"Then explain it to us," Maria interrupted sharply, her voice now solid and unyielding, free of shakes as she bent forward in her seat, gaze piercing into his.

"...what other choice exists?" Her words turned keener, frustration blending with despair.

"Right now, all your words make you seem deranged and in need of aid." Her delivery held no mockery, only stark reality as she perceived it. Silence gripped the room briefly.

At last, Razeal broke the quiet.

"That’s because I’ve got just five or six years remaining." The statement emerged plainly. No prelude. No delay. Delivered as pure truth.

Suddenly, time itself halted. Sofia and Maria both went rigid. Their faces didn’t merely alter—they shattered, as core truths were torn from their worldview.

"...what?" Maria’s whisper barely escaped, color fleeing her cheeks while her eyes expanded faintly, "...what do you mean...?"

Sofia uttered nothing, her stare riveted on him, intense and skeptical, probing for falsehood absent there. Razeal paused before replying. Rather, he studied their shocked countenances momentarily, then sought confirmation...

Villey... Compute the odds of defying my destined fate in my current state... factor every element: shifting world, resources on hand, growth potential across the next five or six years... all of it. Plus, provide percentages for... failure risk, total loss... not enduring. Razeal queried silently.

[Analyzing...]

[Analyzing...]

[Analysis complete.]

[97.999973%... Factoring all variables, forecasted advancement, and world changes... survival odds stay near zero. Verdict: you won’t endure. No... we won’t endure.]

Razeal displayed zero response within or without. Not a flicker. He turned back to the petrified Maria and Sofia, then resumed speaking.

"97.9999 percent... that’s my death probability." The figure lingered oppressively in the atmosphere.

"Even with all my efforts... every strain I endure... through the next five or six years."

"And... that’s the optimal outcome."

"So now..." he went on, head tilting as he eyed them both, "...do you get it?" His voice held steady, yet deeper shadows lurked underneath.

"...why I refuse to ’move on’?" He reclined a touch, breathing out softly, "To budge that figure... even a single percent..."

"...demands passing through hell." No hyperbole colored his words. "...endless agony... torment... breaching boundaries beyond your wildest thoughts." His gaze met theirs squarely.

"...you can’t fathom what I’ve endured already to arrive here... to persist till now... yet it’s scarcely sufficient."

"Nobody craves such an existence," he murmured low, "...nobody selects it." His eyes wandered momentarily before refocusing.

"...it’s not a life to ’live’... merely one to withstand." Then came the revelation binding it all. "...the sole force letting me withstand..." His gaze intensified, "...stems from them."

"From the hate." Spoken softly, yet loaded with all. He faced them squarely now. "...that’s my drive." A beat passed. "...so tell me..." His tone stayed composed.