Ascension Of The Villain-Chapter 334: Scary Villain

Before Adrian could get another word out, Vyan's voice cut in.

"I have a pretty good idea of what might've come up when you looked my character up." He sounded pretty calm but with an undertone of restraint.

He didn't look at Adrian. Just kept his eyes on the rim of his glass, as if the condensation on it suddenly required all his attention. "But I want you to know… whatever's in that novel. It's not what happened in my timeline." I'm not the atrocious villain from the novel. "Things… they changed. A lot."

There was a heaviness to his words, not defensive, but weary. Like someone who had rehearsed this explanation a hundred times in his head but still wasn't sure how much of it would be believed.

Vyan knew the man he used to be. The cruelty wasn't a lie. Not entirely. But context was probably the missing piece. Something that would help them understand him… his reasonings… even if he was still that man.

He didn't want them to see him as a monster. And he felt somewhat desperate for them to not think of him like that. So, he ended up taking a different narrative.

"And," he added, "the novel? It's just a one-sided narration." It wasn't a lie technically. "It was a story crafted with limited truth with its focus on the main characters. Obviously, they wouldn't portray the kind of person I was, outside my vengeful persona."

Adrian didn't flinch. Didn't sigh.

He just said, simply, "Okay. I believe you."

Vyan looked up, startled. "Huh? That's it?" He was definitely prepared to say a lot more.

Adrian shrugged, grabbing the bowl of salad. "Chill out. I'm a criminal defense lawyer. I can recognize an innocent man from a guilty one, and a regretful criminal from an unrepentant one, faster than you'd think. And I'm pretty sure you know which one you are."

He sat down and began scooping food onto his plate, as if they'd just finished talking about a third party.

Vyan absorbed the words. He felt relief uncurl in his chest. And yet, there was still a strange tension buzzing beneath it.

Because Adrian did think of him as a criminal. Regretful or not, that word still echoed.

But before the thought could settle too deep, Elian—seated beside him, swinging his legs beneath the chair—piped up with innocent curiosity.

"Daddy, you said Vyan comes from a novel, right?" His big eyes lit up. "So what's his character in the book? I wanna read it!"

Adrian snorted, while Emma covered her smile with the back of her hand.

Adrian cleared his throat and said with a mock seriousness, "He's a scary villain."

Elian's eyes went wide. "That's so cool! I want to read it!"

Vyan was surprised. Cool?

Adrian chuckled, "Yeah, you can read it. Later. It's not for your age right now, okay? It's like… for people who are thirteen and older."

Elian pouted dramatically, arms crossed. "But can't you at least tell me the story?"

Adrian raised a brow. "I'll consider that during bedtime."

Elian lit up instantly. "Yay! No take backs, Daddy. You'll narrate the story to me tonight! Promise me."

Adrian lifted his hands in a shrug. "No promises. I'll just consider."

"Come onnnnn, my dearest daddyyyy."

Vyan couldn't help it. He smiled. It was disbelieving, but real.

What a twisted world, he thought. I am a well-known fictional villain. And yet, here I am, sitting at a dinner table, sharing warm meals with a family deeply involved in law enforcement.

Apparently, villainy wasn't such a dealbreaker anymore.

———

Dinner had ended on a quiet note. The dishes were done, the laughter had softened. Elian, still humming the tune of a soap opera theme, trotted upstairs with Emma, his little hand snug in hers. The house settled into that gentle silence only night could bring.

Adrian leaned back against the couch, tossing a lazy glance at Vyan, who had once again pulled out the laptop he was given to use. But it wasn't turning on.

"I think it's out of charge," Adrian suggested.

Vyan looked at him with a confused look.

"Electrically-powered things like a laptop need to be charged for a few hours, otherwise, they can't operate. You charge it for a couple hours, and then you can use it for the rest of the day until the charge runs out again."

"Oh." Vyan glanced at the laptop charger he had put aside. "Earlier you must have meant this, right?"

"Yep. My bad. I should've explained that elaborately before leaving for the office, instead of just handing you over the charger."

Vyan chuckled, saying, "It's fine, it happens. This stuff must be common sense for you."

"But it isn't for you."

"Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. But I'm managing." Vyan went on to put the laptop on charge in his room and soon came back.

"By the way," Adrian started when he heard his footsteps again, "did you look into the, you know... Bermuda Triangle?"

"Yeah. I did."

"And?"

"I need money," Vyan casually said, "a lot of it, preferably. And fake documents. Apparently, humans don't take kindly to interdimensional travelers showing up without paperwork."

"Right. So... what now?"

"You'll handle the documents," Vyan continued breezily. "Because I have no clue where to even begin with that. I didn't exactly bring forged IDs with me, and something tells me that a brooch with my house emblem wouldn't be effective here."

Adrian gave him a dry look. "Okay, I can manage the documents, sure. But where are you getting this 'lot of money' from? Hope you're not thinking of robbing a bank."

Vyan grinned. "Relax. I'm not planning to commit a crime when your wife is an FBI agent or ask you, even though you do walk around with a vibe that you carry around a million dollars with you."

Adrian scoffed. "It's called a debit card."

"Yes, I know, I learned about that from AI," Vyan claimed proudly.

Adrian chuckled under his breath, visibly impressed. "You've picked up way more than I expected."

"Well, obviously," Vyan said, leaning back smugly. "Who do you think I am? I'm a fast learner with a great memory."

"You'd be a great engineer or doctor then." Adrian shook his head with a smirk. "So what's the plan? You gonna summon your family wealth somehow?"

"Actually, I have a few jewels on me. I figured I could sell them."

Adrian's brows lifted. "What jewels? I've literally never seen you wear anything remotely flashy, except that earring and necklace."

"You did see me in that ceremonial suit, right? The one I arrived in?"

"Vaguely? I think? Once, maybe?"

"Yeah, well, the buttons on that thing? Each of them is a gem. Not diamonds, though. Something much rarer, but people here seem to think they are diamonds. So I'm just going to sell them like they are."

Adrian gawked. "You're telling me your buttons... are made of diamonds?"

Vyan shrugged. "Your definition of diamonds, yes. In my world, they're considered pretty cheap. Decorative, but not valuable."

Adrian gave him the most classic side-eye imaginable. "You're casually saying your clothes are worth more than my car?"

"And I haven't even mentioned the gold coins," Vyan added, nonchalant. "I've got a few on me. Could you tell me where I can find a pawn shop? I want to buy a cell phone."

Adrian stared. "You really did learn too much in one day."

Vyan winked. "Like I said, I am a fast learner."

"Alright," Adrian sighed, amused. "I'll help. I'll find a good pawn shop, preferably a shady one which won't ask too many questions, and I'll handle the fake IDs. I'll use my own money for now; you can pay me back once you're done selling your... diamond buttons and old age coins."

Vyan smiled, warm and genuine. "Thanks."

"But," Adrian added, "the whole document-forging process will take time. Two to three weeks, give or take."

"What?!"