I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space Chapter 419: Friendly Meet With Riven By All

"Razeal...?" Nancy whispered, her voice frail and wavering. Her gaze darted between Riven and the hovering eye behind him, her mind a muddled storm of thoughts, as nothing about the situation computed.

The way Riven spoke the name, the subtle inflection, wasn't defiance or rivalry. It sounded like eager anticipation, as if he desired Razeal to possess that power. This realization shattered her previous assumptions. If this "Dimensional Eye" was as paramount as Riven claimed, even surpassing deities, Riven shouldn't have readily offered it to his supposed adversary. Yet, there was no hesitation, no reluctance, only a disquieting acceptance, as though the outcome was predetermined.

Why? The question pounded in her head, her breaths shallow. Why would anyone empower their enemy? It defied every axiom of conflict, survival, and power she knew. This paradox amplified the oppressive atmosphere, making her feel as though she'd stumbled into something far more profound than a mere clash.

Does he wish for him to mature? she pondered, her eyes shifting. Is this a trial? Or... something more sinister? Then she recalled Razeal's words about fate and destiny. The more she dwelled on it, the more it seemed she was overlooking a crucial element, a connecting thread she couldn't quite grasp. This awareness unnerved her deeply, suggesting her weakness extended beyond the physical realm into a fundamental lack of understanding.

Finally, unable to shoulder the burden of her bewilderment any longer, she compelled herself to meet his gaze. Her eyes narrowed slightly, exhaustion warring with resolve. "What do you want...?" she inquired, her voice thin but unwavering. The question held more than simple curiosity; it was laced with demand, desperation, and a tremor of fear. She wasn't just seeking answers for herself, but for Razeal too, for whatever role he had been unwittingly cast in. A profound certainty told her that answers were essential.

Riven offered no verbal reply. He merely smiled, that same serene, enigmatic expression that revealed nothing, as if her question was moot, the answer self-evident.

Nancy's brow furrowed, frustration surfacing as she prepared to press the issue, to extract a more tangible response.

Suddenly, the shadow beneath her writhed, expanding in a startling manner that made her breath catch. Her body tensed instinctively, though paralysis held her fast. Her eyes widened as the darkness flowed across the stone like spilled ink, stretching impossibly outward before rising, coalescing into a pulsing, cylindrical form that seemed imbued with life.

Riven, observing this, simply stepped aside, his smile unwavering, granting the phenomenon ample space as if its arrival was precisely as expected.

Then, one by one, figures emerged from the shadow, as if crossing an invisible threshold. Razeal appeared first, followed by Sofia, Maria, Levy, Yograj, and Aurora. Their forms solidified as the darkness retracted, leaving them standing in the vast, desolate expanse, surrounded by nothing but rock-strewn ground stretching into the infinite distance.

For a hushed moment, they all stood still, their gazes scanning the alien environment, bewilderment etched on their faces as they tried to comprehend their sudden displacement. The silence lingered, heavy and profound, until their attention converged on the solitary figure standing before them – Riven, with his white hair and unnervingly tranquil demeanor. Behind him hovered the peculiar eye, distorting the very fabric of space, and then... Nancy.

"What is happening...?" Maria broke the silence, her voice sharp and alert. Her eyes flickered between Riven and Nancy, recognition dawning instantly.

"Nancy Dragonweaver..." she breathed, the name resonating with unspoken significance. The youngest scion of the esteemed Dragonweaver Duke family, found in such a state? It was an event that demanded immediate attention.

Nancy's reaction was markedly different. The sight of them – her people – caused her breath to hitch. A sharp gasp escaped her as if resurfacing after a prolonged submersion. The suffocating solitude she had endured fractured, her chest heaving as an unfamiliar wave of relief washed over her, fragile yet overwhelming, like a distant beacon in an unending night.

She had no clue how they had arrived, nor did she grasp the nature of the shadow; the mechanics behind it were beyond her comprehension. None of it truly mattered in that critical moment. What did matter was that she was no longer alone. Mustering the meager strength she possessed, she compelled her head to turn, her neck protesting as if such a simple action demanded her absolute all, yet she persisted. Her gaze swept across the assembled group, discerning only faint outlines of familiar faces. Maria... and then her eyes halted.

Razeal...

Her pupils quivered almost imperceptibly as they fixed on him, a subtle shift occurring deep within her expression. For in that instant, amidst the swirling vortex of confusion, fear, and overwhelming exhaustion, he stood out distinctly.

"You... you came...?" Nancy's voice fractured as the words escaped, barely a whisper at first, her throat parched and strained, as if even speech was a luxury her body could ill afford. "You... you really came..." she repeated, her breath catching erratically between each syllable, her chest heaving as though she had suppressed an eternity of emotion, which now spilled forth uncontrollably.

"Save me... save me..." The plea emerged fragile, bordering on desperate, lacking loudness or command, yet possessing a raw quality that rendered it impossible to ignore. The instant her voice reached them, every individual present snapped their attention towards her, their focus instantly drawn to the source. What they beheld caused the very atmosphere to thicken; her body, half-slumped against the unyielding stone, her condition visibly ravaged, her strength nearly extinguished, a faint trembling in her limbs, her breaths shallow and ragged. She appeared as one pushed far beyond any conceivable limit, clinging to existence by sheer force of will.

Sofia's eyes widened subtly, Maria's expression hardened, Levy's brows drew together, Aurora instinctively leaned forward a barely perceptible fraction, poised for action, Yograj's gaze sharpened, instantly assessing the dire situation... and even Razeal, who displayed no outward reaction like the others, lowered his gaze towards her with newfound seriousness, his eyes narrowing slightly as they met hers, absorbing not merely her physical state but the turmoil within her mind – the palpable fear, the profound exhaustion, and the fragile thread of hope clinging to him.

He released a quiet sigh, devoid of exaggeration but heavy with unspoken weight. "Didn't I warn you?" he inquired, his tone measured yet laced with a faint undercurrent of disappointment, not anger or accusation, but a weary acceptance of reality. "To be cautious... To always remain with someone you trust?" he continued, his gaze fixed upon her, his voice unwavering.

"Now... look where that has led you," he concluded, a slight shake of his head betraying his words, though beneath the surface, a subtle hint of something gentler resided – concern, perhaps even regret. For despite everything, he could readily fathom the ordeal she must have endured to arrive at such a state.

"Save me now...!" Nancy urged, her voice rising slightly despite her profound weakness, her breathing becoming more erratic as emotions threatened to overwhelm her. "You can lecture me later..." Nancy nearly cried out, her voice thick with unshed tears. For reasons she couldn't articulate, after all she had endured and finally witnessing someone arrive to her rescue, an overwhelming wave washed over her. She had envisioned numerous individuals coming to her aid – her mother, most prominently; then her brother; the empire, perhaps even members of rival families. And truthfully, Razeal had, in a rather abstract way, been part of those expectations. And now, he was here...

In that singular moment, it all felt like an unbearable burden, to the extent that tears might have flowed... but they did not.

"You know her?" Sofia inquired, tilting her head towards Razeal, her brows knitted in a slight frown, her voice tinged with both curiosity and a measure of caution as her gaze flickered between him and Nancy. The evident familiarity in their interaction was too pronounced to dismiss.

"Yeah," Razeal responded concisely, offering a single nod, his gaze still resting on Nancy. "I rescued her previously," he added, then shifted slightly, glancing towards Sofia. "And... we find ourselves in a comparable predicament," he continued, his tone neutral, "So, yes... we are assisting her," he concluded, as if the decision had already been solidified and required no further deliberation.

However, before Sofia could offer a reply, Maria's voice interjected from the side, sharp and carrying an edge of something less rational, more primal. "But why is she looking at you like that?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing as she fixed her stare upon Razeal, suspicion gleaming within them, her tone laced with an undercurrent that seemed incongruous with the gravity of their immediate situation.

And at that...

Both Razeal and Sofia turned towards Maria almost in unison, their expressions mirroring the same perplexing thought. The question felt jarringly out of place, almost discordant given the circumstances. Razeal regarded her as if attempting to decipher the very meaning behind her words...

Sofia’s concern intensified, asking, "Maria... are you alright?" Her voice was now serious as she closely observed her, finding Maria’s reaction peculiar, especially at this moment. First at the shop, and now this odd behavior seemed out of place.

Maria froze, her expression momentarily faltering, as if she had revealed too much. Realizing she’d spoken something she shouldn’t have, she neither retracted her words nor offered an explanation, remaining silent. Her gaze shifted briefly before returning forward.

Razeal’s attention lingered on her for another moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he had noticed something. However, before he could delve deeper into it…

"You bastard.. what the hell did you do?" Riven’s voice suddenly sliced through the air. His tone grew sharper, the surface calm now strained and barely held as he advanced toward Razeal. His steps were measured, yet carried an undeniable tension. The smile on his face remained, but it was no longer relaxed; it was controlled, forced, as if something beneath the surface was struggling to break free.

Instantly, the others reacted. Sofia shifted slightly forward, her posture adapting into a ready stance. Maria’s attention snapped back, her earlier distraction vanishing as her body tensed.

Levy, Aurora, and Yograj also grew more alert, all preparing for a confrontation without any verbal exchange. But Razeal raised a hand, a simple, calm, and firm gesture, signaling them to halt.

"No need guys.. Chill.." he said lightly, almost casually. A faint smile touched his lips, as if the situation were far less tense than it appeared. "He’s a friend," he added, his tone unwavering.

That statement simply did not sit well with any of them. The word itself clashed with Riven’s entire demeanor and approach. The group exchanged brief, uncertain glances before lowering their guard slightly – not completely, not comfortably, but enough to acknowledge Razeal’s judgment. Their bodies remained poised, still ready, because regardless of what Razeal called him, Riven did not project the image of someone arriving without purpose. In fact, from his appearance alone, he didn't look like a friend at all.

Sofia and both Marias narrowed their eyes slightly, as if trying to process if they had heard correctly. Even Levy’s expression morphed into a blend of disbelief and curiosity. The very idea felt… off. Not impossible, but strange enough that none of them could immediately accept it, as if the Razeal they had come to understand simply didn’t align with him casually referring to someone as a friend.

Nevertheless, none of them voiced their thoughts yet. Before the uncertainty could fully settle, Riven moved. It was swift, sudden, and direct, closing the distance between them in a single motion. He grabbed Razeal by the collar with both hands, his grip firm and unapologetic, pulling him forward slightly without restraint. The atmosphere shifted immediately and sharply, like a blade cutting through the fragile calm that had just begun to form.

"Do you even realize what you’ve done?" Riven’s voice came out strained, his teeth clenched. The composure he had maintained until now cracked just enough to reveal the genuine anger simmering beneath. His usually calm expression tightened. "Because of you... the entire world is about to descend into chaos," he continued, his grip tightening slightly as he spoke.

"The cosmic balance itself... is destabilizing," the words grew heavier, conveying not just accusation but a warning, frustration lacing every syllable.

And at this…

Suddenly.

Around them, the others froze, not from fear, but from shock. What they were witnessing defied all expectations, not merely Riven’s aggression, but Razeal’s reaction to it—or rather, the conspicuous lack thereof.

He did not resist, did not push Riven away, did not even appear remotely offended. Instead, he stood there, perfectly still, allowing himself to be grabbed as if it held no significance. More than that, there was an almost amused glint in his expression, a faint sparkle in his eyes that made the entire scene feel even more unnatural.

"Do you know this guy? Does Razeal really have friends?" Sofia leaned slightly towards Maria, her voice low and controlled but laced with genuine confusion as her gaze flickered between the two men, attempting to comprehend the dynamic unfolding before her.

"I’ve seen him before... in the academy," Maria replied in a similar quiet tone, her voice uncertain, her brows still furrowed. "He joined around the same time as us... but I didn’t know they were... This close?" she added, though even as she spoke, the words didn't sound convincing to her own ears, as nothing about this interaction felt definable as normal.

A faint breath escaped Razeal, almost a sigh, yet devoid of the expected tension. "Such flowery language," he remarked lightly, his tone bordering on playful, completely unperturbed despite Riven's firm grip on his collar.

"Are gods even permitted to speak so?" he added, a slight curl on his lips and a dangerous glint of amusement in his eyes. He was, in fact, relishing this moment, the fact that his actions had finally managed to shatter Riven's perpetually composed smile.

The word 'god' struck harder than any previous remark. This time, it didn't go unnoticed. "A... god?" Sofia whispered, her eyes narrowing as they flickered back to Riven. Something new was present in her gaze: alertness, and profound confusion regarding everything she had previously assumed. She wasn't the only one.

Maria stiffened subtly, Levy's gaze intensified, Yograj's posture straightened almost imperceptibly, and even Aurora seemed taken aback. That single word instantly reframed the entire situation.

Yet, neither Riven nor Razeal acknowledged the others; their focus was locked solely on each other.

"You don't grasp the repercussions? Do you?" Riven continued, his voice still tight but more controlled, "Yeah, you don't. You're standing there... looking proud? Seriously? Really?" he added, disbelief mingling with frustration as he scanned Razeal's face for any sign, any hint of awareness regarding the magnitude of his actions.

The sheer audacity of it all was astounding – to act in such a manner and then appear so contrite.

However, Razeal responded with a broad, unapologetic grin, devoid of hesitation or doubt. "You bet I am," he replied, his tone light, almost cheerful. "And honestly?" he added, tilting his head slightly, his eyes meeting Riven's directly, "Seeing your face right now just makes it even better." There was no mockery in his voice, only genuine, unadulterated satisfaction.

That was sufficient to provoke Riven further. His jaw tightened, and his grip faltered for a fleeting moment – not from weakness, but from restraint. Something was holding him back, preventing him from succumbing to the evident anger. "You're fortunate," he finally said, his voice lower and more controlled, "that I cannot act against you... yet. Because if I could... I..." The final word carried immense weight, heavy with unspoken implication. He abruptly released Razeal's collar, not gently, but with a slight push, creating a necessary distance between them.

Razeal remained impassive. He neither recoiled defensively nor showed irritation. Instead, he casually adjusted his collar and smoothed his regal attire as if nothing extraordinary had just transpired. His movements were unhurried, composed, almost deliberate. Only then did he shift his attention back to the others, who were still observing with confusion and tension, attempting to comprehend the scene they had just witnessed.

A knowing smile suddenly spread across his face.

"Ah... right," he said, as if suddenly recalling a trivial matter, his tone reverting to its easy, casual demeanor. "Allow me to introduce him properly," he added, extending an arm towards Riven in a gesture far too relaxed for the circumstances.

"This is Riven," he stated, a faint smile gracing his lips. "My best friend forever... we go way back," he continued, the words sounding almost absurd given everything that had just unfolded. "And don't let his appearance deceive you," he added,