Dear Heroes, I really am a Villain
Chapter 91: Anomaly

Chapter 91: Anomaly

Thinking of him... When did she start to resent him? Yes, she knew she wasn’t a saint—she had lied to him about the child.

But... he had lied to her, too. He said his feelings for that bitch, Eleanor, had ended.

Eleanor was dead. That should have been the end of it!

That was why she had treated him so well at the beginning of their marriage.

But...

But...

What was that longing look he had when staring out the window?

Why did he visit that bitch’s hospital every year, staying there the entire day?

He didn’t even know where that bitch’s grave was, but that didn’t stop him from trying to find it or her family.

Even before his death, she knew he was still searching for that bitch’s grave!

The various documents from the private investigation firm said it all!

Why... why was it she, Abigail, who lost to a dead woman?! Why!?

Now... she was alone. Alone in this house...

There was no one left in this cozy little home anymore. No one but her and the money Maximilian had left behind for her and his daughter.

The daughter who wasn’t even his by blood.

The daughter... who had now betrayed her, choosing the paternal side of the family... who weren’t even blood relatives to her.

All that was left between them was a so-called bond.

But... what of it? She had money! Money! And that was all that mattered.

"Yes! I have money. Money! Money from the fool who loved me! That’s all I need!"

"...."

"Yes... That’s all I truly need."

Abigail whispered as if trying to convince herself. But tears glistened and slowly fell from her eyes as she gazed at the insurance paper, framed on the wall, staring at it with deep, aching longing.

— Meanwhile - ??? —

An enormous clock was embedded into a colossal wall within a vast chamber constructed from an unknown alloy.

This expansive space was the same place where unknown research had long been conducted. Various tests and monitoring activities were ongoing in full force.

Unlike last time, when only a single drunk researcher was on duty, this time, more than a hundred researchers were actively monitoring the clock and watching the data streams nearly nonstop.

Some groups debated, while others argued fiercely over obscure theories and scientific hypotheses.

Several of the monitoring personnel wore robes, using their powers to examine the surroundings.

Inside the control room above the vast space, a man in a blue-and-red striped suit sat on a couch, drinking from a bottle.

"Stop it already, Atlas! Didn’t your researchers find the anomaly you were looking for?" an aged voice called out.

The man in the striped suit looked up at the one who had spoken. It was Old Cowboy, his comrade since the alien war.

"I’ll bet a hundred bucks. It’s just a system glitch. No need to get overly hyped," said Atlas, shaking the beer bottle and staring at the alcoholic liquid inside with hollow, hopeless eyes—as if the concept of hope was foreign to him.

Then... at that moment... it happened.

[5 Years : 1 Month : 25 Days]

[11:31:25:32]

...

[11:31:25:45]

The time counter on the wall changed—this time, the increase of 13 milliseconds did not go unnoticed.

"It happened! It happened! Check the monitor! Check the monitor!"

"Someone, get the replay up!"

"Contact all our outposts! have them report any anomalies detected from ten minutes to one hour ago! If there’s nothing, tell them to send a 24-hour anomaly report, everything they’ve got!"

One of the researchers shouted orders to his subordinates, who frantically took notes before sprinting out of the chamber to carry out their tasks.

Atlas slowly stood up, blinking at the bustling activity below.

The void in his heart—devoid of hope—began to fade as he watched.

His hand trembled as he tapped the keyboard.

He began running a full system check on the secret lab’s systems.

"No... please don’t be a hallucination again..." Atlas whispered, glaring at the monitor as though trying to burn holes through it.

Hawking-Bekenstein Matrix... CONFIRMED

Dark Energy Calibration... STABLE

Vacuum Metastability Probe... SHIFT DETECTED

Causality Lock... NO PARADOX

Quantum Observer Shielding... FULLY ISOLATED

The system check continued for more than half an hour.

Half an hour of heartfelt prayers—prayers from Atlas, the number one hero, the pillar of humanity... and a man of science.

He prayed in silence for over forty minutes, until finally, the system check was complete.

All systems... NOMINAL.

"It’s... it’s not a glitch. It really did increase!" Atlas said with a smile.

A smile born from the restoration of long-lost hope...

The hope he had forgotten more than a decade ago.

"Congratulations, Atlas. Now, what do you plan to do?" Old Cowboy asked with a smile, patting Atlas on the shoulder.

"God gave us a miracle. I won’t waste this chance. The UEC will use all available resources to locate the source of this anomaly!"

"That’s all well and good, pal, but... did you forget something?" Old Cowboy asked in his carefree southern drawl, gesturing with his hand to collect the money he was owed.

"You son of a..." Atlas muttered in annoyance at his old friend as he placed a hundred-dollar banknote into Old Cowboy’s hand.

"Hahahahaha! Thanks, pal." Old Cowboy laughed heartily, slapping Atlas on the back and pocketing the banknote.

— Morning —

Maximilian woke up from the dream, the kind that left him frowning the moment his eyes opened.

Why the hell was he dreaming about that bitch?

Maximilian rubbed his temples, trying to ease the lingering frustration that clung to him after such a dream.

That bitch Abigail... feeling remorse? Heh. As if that would ever happen. She was a bitch who only saw value in money and material things.

"Athel... are you awake?" Maximilian asked groggily.

[Yes. Rise and shine. Although, if I never have to see that bitch’s face again, it’d be better than this.] Atherna replied, clearly annoyed.

"Wait... don’t tell me... you shared my dream. God... don’t tell me you saw all of that..." Maximilian trailed off, unwilling to continue. He had done a lot of absurd and embarrassing things in his dreams.

[Yes, I saw you become the Red Ranger in that—]

"Stop! Stop! Okay! I get it, you saw the dream. Just—stop talking about it!" Maximilian quickly cut her off.

[Giggle~ Teasing you never gets old.] Atherna chuckled playfully.

Maximilian could only sigh at Atherna’s antics. He got up, headed to the bathroom, and began washing himself to start the day.

As part of his morning routine, he brought up the system UI to check the trial timer.

Cool Down Till Next Trial: 10:38:48

A little over ten hours until the next trial. He wondered what it would be this time. The details of upcoming trials were never revealed beforehand.

Maximilian pushed the thought to the back of his mind, put on his glasses, and headed downstairs. He knew he had to stay sharp at all times—any lapse in focus, and he could slip up in front of the brothers’ shenanigans.

Of course, he planned to tell her eventually... but not now.

"Good morning, Max!" Rebecca’s cheerful voice greeted him as soon as he stepped into the shop.

Maximilian noticed that all the electronics and machinery in the shop were already powered up, and everything looked well-organized and in working order.

He walked over to the front door, flipped the sign from "Closed" to "Open," and then returned to the counter.

After preparing for work for about ten minutes and watching the morning news while the boiler was on standby, heating the water in preparation for guests—

Ring~ Ring~

The chime bell rang as the first customer entered. It was Gu Yichen, dressed in his iconic red male qipao.

"Gu Yichen greets Master," he said, cupping his fist and walking toward Maximilian.

"I’m ready to train, Master, whenever you are," Gu Yichen declared.

Maximilian didn’t say anything at first. He reached into the pocket of his apron, pulled out a small notebook, and tossed it to Gu Yichen.

"Read this and comprehend it first. It contains the basic understanding of Qi," Maximilian said.

The contents of the notebook were written using all of his experience as the Supreme Master of Bājíquán. It was his personal comprehension of Qi, and how to acquire it, step by step.

"Gu Yichen thanks Master," Gu Yichen said, cupping his fist again.

"Ugh... stop with the formality and just read it already," Maximilian said, waving his hand to shoo Gu Yichen toward the notebook.

Gu Yichen accepted the notebook, then ordered a cup of coffee before settling in to concentrate and absorb the knowledge within.

The moment Gu Yichen began to comprehend even a little of the notebook, the system bell rang inside Maximilian’s mind.

Ding! Congratulations, Max! \(≧▽≦)/

— SIDE QUEST: MYSTERIES HIDDEN MASTER!! [Full Completion] —

Description:

Every great villain must demonstrate their mysteries! Especially when aiming to become the mysterious hidden master who is later revealed as the true villain! Display your mystery today, become the greatest villain tomorrow!

Time Limit: 24 hours

Primary Objective: Display your mysteries and awe the noobs who witness you. [Completed]

Bonus Objective: Get a disciple! [Completed]

Reward: Sword Master (Katana) Package

Bonus Reward: Supreme Sword Master (Katana) Package