The Survival of the Third-rate Villain - Chapter 272

Capítulo 272: 272 – Silent Night

“We’re this way.”

Raye said while glancing at the branching road ahead. His tone was calm, but there was a faint weight beneath it— like he already understood what this moment meant.

“Oh, we’re on this path.”

Leon replied, looking at the map in his hands before meeting Raye’s gaze. His expression softened a bit, realizing that this was it— where their paths would finally split.

“Looks like it’s goodbye then.”

“Yeah, seems like it.”

The two of them smiled awkwardly. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to part— it was just that saying goodbye felt heavier than either expected.

“See you guys.”

Jerusha’s voice came next, quiet but shaky. She suddenly joined the conversation, stepping closer to them. She tried to sound casual, but her tone betrayed her emotions— she sounded really down.

“See you.”

Aria followed after, her voice small and steady, though her eyes couldn’t hide the sadness in them.

“Ugh, I hate this… I’ll miss you guys…”

Sofia added, tearing up as she tried to wipe her face with her sleeve. Her voice trembled halfway through her sentence.

Lycus and Allen looked at each other, both smiling faintly. They didn’t need to say anything to understand each other— they were both thinking the same thing. Then, after a moment, they bowed slightly toward Leon’s group.

And after that, the two parties exchanged one last goodbye.

It wasn’t loud, dramatic, or overly sentimental. It was just simple and quiet— something that felt more real that way.

And with that done—

They went separate ways.

They had just left Zion Academy not long ago, and now, they were already setting off on their own journeys.

Raye and his party headed to Rose Village, southwest of the academy.

While Leon and his party made their way toward Ciara Village in the southeast.

And with that, the final part of the game’s story— no, the real story— officially began.

…

…

…

*****

Later that night…

“It’s already getting dark. Let’s set up our camp here for the night.”

Raye suggested after looking up at the sky, noticing the stars slowly beginning to scatter across the dark canvas.

“Hmm, that’s a good idea.”

Lycus agreed immediately, brushing the dust off his hands.

“I’ll scout the surroundings with the spirits to see if there’s any danger around.”

Jerusha said as she closed her eyes and focused her mana. Tiny lights flickered in the air before forming into small spirits, their soft glow illuminating the trees around them.

Pyro and Zephyrus also flew beside her, stretching their tiny bodies before fluttering away to help in scouting.

“I’ll start cooking for us, then.”

Sofia declared with a light smile, already pulling out the small portable pan from her spatial storage.

And with the four of them doing their own things—

“Let’s start setting up the tents then.”

Raye looked at Lycus and said that, his tone light.

“Haha, let’s.”

Lycus replied, laughing softly before moving toward the gear.

Their group was currently deep inside a forest— a place untouched by civilization, surrounded by towering trees and the distant calls of unseen creatures. Why, you ask? Well, because they took a shortcut.

If they had followed the recommended path on the map Kyle and Devin gave them, it would’ve taken about a week to reach Rose Village, even if they hurried.

But Raye figured that instead of going around the forest, they could just cut straight through it. It was risky, sure, but it would save days of travel.

By doing this, they could reach Rose Village in only a few days.

Of course, there were risks.

The forest was filled with wild beasts and even the occasional bandit group. That alone was enough for most travelers to avoid this path entirely.

And then there was another issue— since this route cut through isolated terrain, there wouldn’t be any towns or villages along the way. Meaning, they’d have to camp every single night until they reached their destination.

Still, none of that was enough to discourage them.

They had fought monsters, faced death, and survived things much worse.

So here they were.

Anyway— moving on.

The six of them went about their respective tasks, and after a while…

…

…

They all finished what they were doing and gathered around a small campfire that Jerusha and Pyro had made.

The warm light flickered softly across their faces, the sound of the crackling flames blending with the quiet whispers of the wind.

*****

“Let’s eat.”

Sofia said as she placed a pot filled with soup and meat in the middle of the group. The aroma immediately filled the air, making everyone’s stomachs growl at once.

“Thanks for the meal.”

-Yay!

-Thank you!

Raye and the others responded almost in unison, each grabbing a wooden bowl. They started taking portions from the pot and began eating without hesitation.

-Hmm!

Pyro’s eyes widened after taking the first bite, sparks of joy practically bursting from him.

-It’s good.

Zephyrus added, his small form hovering beside the pot.

Jerusha and Raye exchanged a surprised look, then nodded in agreement, their expressions softening with satisfaction.

Sofia shyly smiled, her cheeks slightly pink after hearing their praises.

Meanwhile, Lycus crossed his arms with a proud grin— he looked even happier than Sofia herself.

“Haha, right? She’s really good at cooking.”

He said, his tone sounding a little smug, like he was the one being praised.

Sofia rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.

And with that, the group ate peacefully under the starry night.

…

…

After eating, everyone helped clean up.

Well, except for Pyro and Zephyrus, who went to rest early in the tent after a long day of scouting. They’re already fast asleep.

Once everything was neatly taken care of, the four sat down again around the fire.

Jerusha and Raye sat side by side, while Lycus and Sofia did the same across from them.

“…”

No one spoke for a while. They just watched the fire dance quietly, the night air filled with the faint chirping of insects.

But then—

“It’s really starting, huh.”

Lycus suddenly muttered, breaking the silence. His voice was calm but carried a faint trace of melancholy.

“It feels long yet short since we all met, and now— we’re all going in our own way.”

He said, leaning back slightly.

“Yeah… It feels weird. I remember when I first met you two.”

Raye followed, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia.

Sofia and Lycus smiled at his words— they remembered too.

“…”

Then silence filled the air again, though this time, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

“I’ll miss everyone.”

Jerusha suddenly said, her voice low and sincere.

The three turned their eyes toward her. They didn’t reply immediately. They just looked at her— understanding her completely.

A bittersweet smile formed on their faces.

“…”

Raye looked up at the stars quietly, his thoughts running deep. After a moment, he made up his mind.

‘I’ll tell them now.’

Then, with a steady tone—

“My final destination is the Demon Territory.”

Raye suddenly declared that.

“Huh…?”

“…?”

The three looked at him in shock, confusion written all over their faces.

“And my goal is— to find the Great Ice Spirit in one of the old dungeons there.”

He continued, ignoring their reactions. His expression didn’t waver.

They thought it was absurd, maybe even reckless.

But seeing the serious look on Raye’s face, the unwavering resolve in his tone— they couldn’t bring themselves to interrupt.

“What are you planning?”

Jerusha finally asked after a moment of silence.

Sofia and Lycus turned to Raye too, waiting for his answer.

Raye took a deep breath, his voice calm but filled with conviction.

“I’ll wake up Old Man Rey.”

Then he declared that firmly.

“…!”

Jerusha, Lycus, and Sofia’s eyes widened in shock.

“And to do that, I need the help of the Great Ice Spirit that is currently in the Demon Territory.”

Raye continued.

And with that, he began to explain everything— his plan, his goal, and the path he had decided to take— while the three of them listened quietly under the soft, flickering light of the campfire.

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