THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 802 A Smile in the Snow (2)

Just as Snow kept pondering the matter, the soldiers' boisterous shouts broke his train of thought once more.

Without glancing back at them, he inquired,

"What's going on with them?"

"Ah… the Black Knights yet again," Dawn let out a sigh, sparking even greater curiosity in Snow.

"Black Knights?"

"Yes." Dawn confirmed with a nod.

"They're a faction that popped up from nowhere. Lately, their ranks have swelled dramatically."

A solemn expression settled on his face.

"Following the events of the previous war… numerous soldiers grew fixated on him."

"On whom?" Snow pressed.

"Frey."

"…What?"

"You heard correctly. Frey's feats during the last war were beyond count. He single-handedly rescued everyone from the fourth-ranked Demon in the climactic fight. It's no overstatement to claim he bore the whole war's burden alone."

Dawn's gaze shifted to the soldiers.

"His exploits left them in awe. To those men, he's their idol… their deliverer. In their eyes, only he deserves to command them."

"They're diligent… though their views lean a tad radical."

Dawn gestured at a particular cluster.

"Those who sowed such notions in their heads belong to a specific team—whispered to be the group that stuck with Frey from the war's outset."

Snow's eyes followed Dawn's indication, picking them out.

A colossal figure sporting lengthy black hair and lacking one arm.

One more with golden locks and a face marred by deep scars.

A youthful lass bearing blue tresses and an impeccably pure, nearly infantile countenance—though her look betrayed wisdom far past her age.

"It's escalated past mere respect. It's morphing into outright zealotry. The rest of the troops steer clear of them. They stir up chaos anytime anyone disparages or mocks Frey."

"I get it… clearly, much has transpired while I was away."

Snow etched the faces Dawn indicated into his mind.

"Does Frey know about them?"

"Almost certainly. As a key leader, he'd receive reports on such matters. Yet he's made no moves against them."

"Got it."

They pressed on with their stroll as Dawn provided further insights.

"The veteran legends are now guiding soldiers and common folk alike. Their involvement has skyrocketed spirits. They'll prove invaluable in the upcoming conflict."

A broad grin spread across Dawn's features.

One look sufficed to remind Snow that his peculiar companion was anything but average.

"Dawn… you're still holding onto it, right?"

Dawn swiveled to face him.

"Holding onto what?"

"That odd power of yours… Last Survivor."

Snow's eyes sharpened.

Dawn affirmed with a nod.

"Yes. My streak of fortune hasn't faltered since I gained it. Though it benefits only me… leaving me unsure if I should rejoice."

"It's genuinely an bizarre gift."

Snow's doubts about Dawn intensified.

Even from his recollections as Pure Vessel, Dawn's power stood out as utterly unnatural. No standard path could yield such a thing.

That gift alone let Dawn emerge unscathed from the War of Darkness.

No matter if all others perished… he'd always pull through.

Such fortune cut both ways.

Dawn hadn't evolved since their temple days ages past.

Surviving with such ease meant he'd dodged true peril—skipped the ordeals that forge and toughen a person.

His strength had scarcely advanced. For all his potential, he lagged behind his equals in power.

"Dawn… have you crossed paths with anyone… anyone odd? Someone who piqued your interest?"

Snow questioned abruptly, prompting Dawn to arch a brow.

"Tough one to answer. Life's thrown all sorts my way. You're prime proof."

"No… someone exceptionally weird. Someone who emanated an otherworldly vibe. Like they weren't… quite human."

Snow advanced and gripped Dawn's shoulders with both hands, staring intently from mere inches away.

"Dig deep, Dawn. Recall your past experiences. Who did you encounter?"

Snow urged intently. Yet Dawn only displayed bewilderment.

"Even racking my brain, I can't recall meeting such a soul…" Dawn replied, probing his memories thoroughly.

"A weird individual… radiating an inhuman presence…"

Beyond Snow and Frey, nothing came to mind for Dawn. Naturally, he kept that silent.

He still tried earnestly, honoring Snow's urgency.

"A weird person… someone peculiar…"

He delved into thought. A subtle crease appeared on his brow.

Briefly… it appeared he grasped a fragment of memory.

But moments later, he dismissed it with a headshake.

"Apologies, Snow. Nothing like that rings a bell for me."

Seeing no revelations from Dawn, Snow breathed out and dropped the subject.

"It's fine. Sorry for grabbing you like that."

He pulled his hands back, and the pair continued their stroll.

While advancing, Dawn ruffled his hair, a hint of discomfort flashing across his gaze.

He hadn't revealed it to Snow, yet—

"For a moment… I felt like I was about to recall something. But it vanished right away…"

How peculiar.

It resembled a door positioned directly ahead… but each attempt to draw near only pushed it further distant.

Beyond that door… rested the truth.

A recollection.

A frigid winter evening, with snow descending in thick sheets.

A young lad bearing red eyes and dark locks huddled solitary in the drifts.

Yet… isolation did not claim him.

An odd shape loomed in front of him—a hazy gray shadow, revealing naught but the arc of its lips, twisted into a broad grin.

"Some things… are better left forgotten."

The shadow's tone reverberated gently.

In the instant that followed, it faded away—as though it had never been.

Yet by the next dawn, Dawn roused with a strange power awakened inside him.

Last Survivor.

A reality-shattering skill linked to the Law of Causality.

A vast enigma seemed sealed away.

Still, its explosive emergence loomed near.

Earth approached its zenith period.

Before long, all bonds would snap free.

These marked the omens of the Shattering.

Portents that orbited one lone figure.

Gasping raggedly, weariness engulfed Frey as he pressed on with his drills.

The practice field lay in rubble and chaos... yet it transformed daily.

His might surged ceaselessly.

Climbing to horrifying peaks that inscribed his epic in gilded words… and gore.

...

...

A.n:

Hey folks!

Thrilled to formally reveal the debut of my second tale on Webnovel, The Last Legendary Weapons Master!

A brand-new start. Fresh energy. Novel concepts. Yet identical fervor.

Drawing from lessons of my debut work—cherished deeply—The Villain's POV, I've crafted a unique adventure I earnestly wish you'll savor.

I'll pour my all into presenting it optimally.

Thus, I truly hope you'll check it out...!

Step into Ordeal!