I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

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But he knew that accidents always started with carelessness.

Of course, the unexpected event had brought some relief to his financial situation.

‘To be so blatantly upfront about money even when the deity is watching…’

Ian murmured, then opened the door to the inn.

“Oh…! The Dragon Hunter has finally returned!”

The excited voice of a tipsy Miguel welcomed him.

“Sir! Tell us! Did you really hunt down the dragon in the swamp?”

Phillip’s shout followed Miguel’s.

His face was also tomato red.

Seems like they really had a good time.

Ian walked in with a dry tongue.

All the curious gazes that had been on him quickly turned away as if avoiding his eyes.

He could guess what kind of conversation had just occurred.

“It’s a bit late. You guys must have had fun.”

Ian said as he pretended to address Meave.

He sat at a table, acting as if he didn’t notice anything.

“Just to clarify, did you really kill the dragon? The one rumored to live in the swamp?”

Phillip couldn’t hold back and asked again.

Instead of answering, Ian turned to Miguel.

Miguel’s smile froze belatedly as he met Ian’s chilly gaze.

“Well, I didn’t really say anything. Our friend was just curious about your past, so…”

“It seems like more than just curiosity.”

“Oh, no! At most, he wanted to know how you met, how many fingers were lost in a fight against you, what kind of request you solved, and how he referred to you… stuff like that.”

“….”

He told him everything, huh?

A wry smile touched Ian’s lips.

Miguel might have said he was telling a story, but those weren’t good memories for him. In fact, finding good memories in this world was much harder.

“Wow. It really was true. Well, given what you’ve shown us, it’s not surprising—.”

“So, what’s the reward?”

Ian interrupted the continuous questioning. Phillip took out a silver coin from his pouch and held it up.

“I included the remaining money from selling the horse, Sir.”

Ian checked the money with his eyes and put it in his pocket.

With that, he was done with everything he needed to do in this village.

“So, how did you hunt the dragon?”

Now, he could finally relax and rest.

“…It wasn’t a dragon.”

As he spoke, Ian let out a sigh.

“It was a Marsh Drake that had recently become a matured entity. It’s just a winged lizard.”

The creature that was also the tutorial area boss in the game, had established a lair at the outskirts of the swamp.

It was a ruthless predator that hid while heavily armed soldiers passed by and attacked only lone travelers.

He had chosen this approach because the creature was not fully grown. In that sense, it was natural for it to establish its lair near the pathway chosen by the swamp residents as an escape route, near the gorge. Simultaneously, it was also the main culprit that had kept him in the swamp for over half a year. Levels and abilities meant nothing in the face of the reality of a winged, giant lizard screeching. Moreover, for some reason, it had become particularly fixated on him, Ian.

“But isn’t it a dragon? It’s just not fully grown, like you said.”

“A lizard is a lizard, no matter how big it gets. A real dragon is incomparable to such creatures.”

Just drop it already.

Reading his intention, the table fell silent for a moment.

Phillip’s dazed voice followed shortly after.

“Have you… ever seen a real dragon?”

It was a slip of the tongue.

Ian replied with a deep sigh.

“Well, in a dream.”

Truthfully, it was in the game, of course.

If he continued to live in this world, he would eventually encounter one in person.

‘And that would cost me my life, for a single coin, of course.’

It’s ridiculous just to imagine it.

Ian took another sip of beer and then turned to Phillip, who was still staring at him.

“Do you still have questions? Seems like your curiosity is boundless.”

“It’s a fundamental question. Why were you in the swamp? That’s a cursed land where those discarded or exiled by society live.”

“I have been curious about that too. It’s not like someone from your background suddenly walks out of the swamp.”

Miguel also added slyly.

They’re quite persistent, seriously.

Between sips, Ian blurted out, “Just think of it that I’m from the swamp.”

Although it was true.

“Perhaps you were exiled from the empire.”

“I wouldn’t know. Maybe I came from the jungle beyond the swamp.”

Both of them were clearly not buying it.

“That place is cursed by ancient forces, isn’t it? Unless you’re a descendant of the ancients, merely setting foot there can cost you your life.”

“It’s probably true. According to someone who claimed to have seen it, the forest comes alive and devours people.”

Should I just cut both of their tongues off?

While Ian was lost in thought, something suddenly clicked in his mind.

It was a phrase he had seen in character descriptions: “Descendant of the Ancients Times”

That’s why he said he was unaffected by the madness of the Black Wall.

But that didn’t mean the jungle wanted to spare him.

As he was lost in thought, Phillip and Miguel were still chattering away.

“Enough for now.”

Meave’s voice interrupted as the conversation drifted towards Ian possibly being a member of the fallen kingdom’s royal bloodline.

“You should apologize. You were just drinking and blabbering.”

Ian countered with a wry smile.

“It’s fine. It’s just drunk talk.”

Of course, when those two wake up from their drunken stupor, they might not be able to make a sound for a while.

While Ian was drinking his beer, he suddenly felt a gaze on him.

Meave was staring at him intently.

With an enigmatic look in her eyes.

Come to think of it, she had taken off her helmet.

Her red hair and green eyes, along with a scar on her cheek, were fully visible.

Even though she had the rest of her armor on, just exposing her face made her feel like a completely different person.

“Not feeling hungry, I see?”

Meave suddenly spoke as she stared at him without averting her gaze.

Ian shrugged one shoulder.

“I’ve heard enough of that kind of talk.”

“Then, would you walk with me for a moment?”

Ian’s forehead twitched.

What’s with this mismatched request?

“Is it possible that you’re also a bit intoxicated?”

Meave’s lips curled up slightly.

“A little.”

So, it wasn’t water, huh?

Only then did Ian look at the glass in front of Meave. Judging by Phillip and Miguel’s state, it wasn’t likely Meave’s first drink either.

“I have something I want to discuss. But I don’t want to do it here.”

She added cryptically.

Probably meant she felt too many ears around.

Though, it wasn’t something trivial like what I thought.

Ian tensed up again, and put down his glass

“Enough. Let’s go.”

Translator; ippo

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