Dear Heroes, I really am a Villain-Chapter 66: Aetherna Dilemma

Honiahaka let out a faint smile. He didn’t elaborate or seem to care to answer the question. Instead, he glanced down at his wristwatch.

"Ah! I’m sorry, Mr. Graham. I need to go—there are still some places I need to scout out," Honiahaka said with a friendly smile before heading down from the rooftop, leaving Maximilian to continue watching the distant conflict on the horizon.

After a brief rest, Maximilian descended from the rooftop to find something to eat.

When he arrived at the APC, which had already been refueled, he settled on a can of beans and a can of beef stew. He placed the cans on the APC’s heating device and waited. It was a simple meal, but he took some quiet pleasure in it.

"Oh... Why are you settling for canned food?"

A feminine voice called out from behind him. It was Switch, passing by on her way to her workstation, the monitor system, and the turret controls.

She swiveled her chair around to face him.

"You could eat cheap mutated beast meat in the mess hall with the Wildwalkers. Even though the price is still higher than what they sell to the Wildwalkers, it’s several times cheaper than in the city," she said curiously, eyeing the open can of steaming stew.

"Oh... I think it’s just more convenient for me," Maximilian chuckled. "Besides, I’m still not comfortable eating mutated beast meat. I’ve heard it’s delicious, but I still prefer regular meat."

She tilted her head. "You do know there have been several studies that confirmed mutated beast meat is completely safe for human consumption, right?"

What Switch said was true. Research into the safety of consuming mutated beast meat has been conducted for many years, ever since beast mutations first appeared. One institute even followed up with long-term studies on normal humans and Wildwalkers.

All of the research showed no adverse effects, even with long-term consumption. They even checked for any DNA changes in test subjects. Other than the Wildwalkers, who needed the meat to fuel their abilities, normal humans experienced no changes besides the usual concerns about cholesterol and weight gain.

[Max, just admit you’re being lazy. No need to gaslight her. (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ ] Aetherna chimed in.

Yes, that was the truth. Maximilian was just too lazy to stand in line at the mess hall and found the whole process a hassle.

"A-haha." Maximilian chuckled, more at Aetherna’s comment than Switch’s.

"I see. You’re one of those purists, huh?" Switch concluded, mistaking him for someone who believed eating mutated meat would eventually lead to mutation, regardless of what scientists claimed.

"Well, it’s not really my business, but don’t waste your money on those so-called purity farms or ’pure’ meat. They’re all scams. After the war, no matter how ’pure’ the livestock breed claims to be, there’s no way anything is 100% uncontaminated. You’ve never seen what really happens at those purist farms," she explained before grabbing a pack of canned mashed potatoes nearby. She poured water into it, turned on the heating device, and returned to her seat.

"I’ll eat with you, just so you don’t end up sitting here like a lonely nerd. You strike me as the kind of guy who was awkward back in high school," she added with a slight grin.

"I’ll sacrifice myself to talk with you during this meal. Be grateful." Switch said, pointing at Maximilian before pouring gravy over her now-heated mashed potatoes.

[Ohhh, no doubt about it! She’s the legendary tsundere! What are you waiting for, Max!? Worship her! (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و ] Aetherna chimed in again.

{What are you, some kind of otaku!?} Maximilian replied.

[Says the otaku who believes in "weeb-stick supremacy!" (≧▽≦)] Aetherna teased.

{Ugh... I’m seriously regretting bringing you home back then.}

[Too late! (≧▽≦)]

While Aetherna and Maximilian were bantering in his mind, Maximilian remained silent on the outside. Switch also ate her mashed potatoes quietly, but she kept glancing at Maximilian with an amused expression.

Noticing her look, Maximilian couldn’t help but scratch his head awkwardly. But rather than looking annoyed or irritated, her gaze seemed distant, almost as if she was seeing something far away. There was a clear trace of nostalgia in her eyes, as if she were seeing a memory or a reflection of herself.

At the same time, Dragon Fist was watching ’Max’, who looked awkward and unsure of himself, and let out a sigh. He felt like an idiot for getting so worked up over that wimpy guy.

That guy was just a normal person. There was no way he could be the same Maximilian, the one capable of beating the crap out of Photon Fury.

To compare the two, it was like night and day. That Maximilian guy was a real menace, a powerhouse. But this guy? He looked like a regular salaryman, the kind who’d never even been in a fight. Dragon Fist even doubted if this ’Max’ guy had ever killed a mosquito.

The contrast was so huge that believing this awkward man could be that Maximilian just felt ridiculous.

[Ding! Congratulations, your Side Quest: The Villain’s Masks is completed!]

Aetherna’s voice suddenly rang out in Maximilian’s mind.

— Side Quest: The Villan’s Masks [Completed]—

Description: True villains have many mask and personalities to fool the force of justice! Develop a believable different persona is the key to be the Greatest Villain of all Time! Have A different persona to days become the Greatest Villain Tomorrow!

Time Limit: 7 days

Objective: Develop a different persona than Maximilian. [Completed]

Bonus Objective: Make a pony take girl develop a feeling for you!

Reward: Bajiquan Master Package

Bonus Reward: Bajiquan Supreme Master Package

—

[Max, do you want to wait and finish the bonus objective first or... (¬‿¬)] Aetherna asked, her tone teasing.

{Redeem it. Complete the quest. I’m not waiting.} Maximilian responded immediately, not even letting her finish the sentence.

[Huh? Why? Don’t you want to wait for—?]

{No, I won’t wait,} Maximilian repeated. {Besides, I can upgrade it later using Villain Points. I don’t mind.} he explained.

[...]

{You seem reluctant. As I said before, don’t test me like this. I already have you. I promise—soon, you’ll be able to materialize, and we’ll live together.} Maximilian said seriously.

[Sigh~ Fine... I’ll complete the quest.]

Ding! Side Quest: The Villain’s Masks [Completed]

Reward: Bajiquan Master Package

Once the system recognized the quest as completed, a stream of knowledge and physical adaptation flooded Maximilian’s body. His muscles subtly shifted, fine-tuned to suit the use of Bajiquan. Internal energy accumulated like a vast lake within him. Maximilian felt as though he could crush concrete with his bare hands if he wanted to.

After a brief moment of absorbing all the experience and understanding, he realized the Bajiquan style had been fully ingrained into his being, like something that had always belonged to him.

Once everything settled, Maximilian opened the System screen to check the new available functions:

Abilities Upgrade (Non-trial abilities only)

He selected "Bajiquan Master" from his skill list. The system calculated the cost and displayed the upgrade option.

"Bajiquan Master" → "Bajiquan Supreme Master"

Cost: 100,000 VP

Confirm? [Yes]/[No]

Maximilian immediately pressed Yes. The system deducted the Villain Points:

184,324 → 84,324

Once the deduction was complete, another surge of knowledge flowed into his mind—this time like a tsunami. Strangely, it caused no discomfort. On the contrary, he felt as if he were immersing himself in a vast, peaceful sea of understanding.

If the knowledge and experience of "Bajiquan Master" had felt like a vast lake, then "Bajiquan Supreme Master" was an endless ocean, profound, boundless, and deep.

The internal qi that had gathered before was now rich and profound, beyond anything Maximilian could have imagined. If earlier he felt like he could crush concrete with his bare hands, now he felt like he could crush steel... no, even a heavy tank. He was certain he could destroy it.

After everything was complete, Maximilian took the chance to rest. Even though his body could easily adapt to anything he gained from the System, such a drastic change in a short amount of time still required some time to adjust.

— Meanwhile - ??? —

Within the vast room of the castle, where the starry sky and various cosmic colors painted the black canvas of night with their brilliance, a silver-haired girl sat in front of a strange machine displaying Maximilian’s current situation. The sight brought a gentle smile to her lips.

However, when she glanced at another monitor showing the latest quest Maximilian had just submitted, her gaze fell on the failed bonus objective.

She sighed before a faint smile, tinged with worry, appeared on her goddess-like face.

"I appreciate your gesture and loyalty, but... You won’t understand, Max. At this rate, I won’t be able to live with you for real... I need a medium, Max... a willing medium who’s ready to bond with you," the girl murmured, her voice laced with light frustration and quiet joy at Maximilian’s unwavering devotion.

"Haaa, how should I do this...? I can’t exactly tell him that I need a medium, can I? Ugh, what a pain," she muttered again, exasperated.