I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

"Ahahaha, you people from Horizon really are a tough crowd to crack, aren't you?" Julius chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement as he watched Adam's silent, guarded expression in response to yet another probing question about Horizon.

Despite his age, Adam exuded the composed demeanor and sharp insight characteristic of Horizon's scientists—at least, that's what Julius thought.

The group of four continued their swift journey through the sixth layer, pushing forward with until they finally breached the boundary of the seventh.

Their progress had been remarkably smooth up to this point, thanks largely to a concealment spell Ophelia had cast on them, effectively masking their presence. But after such a grueling trek, the spell began to wane, its protective veil fading.

"Apologies... I'll need a moment to recast the spell," Ophelia muttered.

Julius flashed her a reassuring smile. "No worries. Honestly, it's impressive we've gotten this far without running into trouble. You've done more than enough."

Only now was it becoming clear why Ophelia, a B-Rank agent, had been assigned to their squad. Her strength wasn't in raw combat but in her invaluable support skills, which had made their stealthy approach possible in the first place.

Hearing it, Luna-Evelyn reached out to her sword. "Stephen, cover the rear. Ophelia, stay with Julius," she said.

She unsheathed her sword, and murmured something under her breath. Almost instantly, the blade began to glow an intense, fiery red, radiating heat that rippled through the dim forest.

Julius, Stephen, and Ophelia felt the weight of her mana press against them like a hot gust of wind, a pulse of raw power that sent shivers down their spines. Even among S-Rank agents of the Order, her abilities were legendary.

Without warning, she sprang forward, launching herself from a thick tree branch and disappearing into the shadows.

In a heartbeat, the dark forest erupted into chaos. A dozen Demonic Beasts, mostly C- and B-ranked but deadly in their own right, filled the clearing, their feral cries echoing through the woods. But as quickly as their cries began, they were silenced. Luna-Evelyn's blade sliced through them with surgical precision, leaving only a blur of movement in her wake.

The Demonic Beasts, massive creatures with razor-sharp claws and armored hides, barely had time to react. One by one, they fell, their forms crumpling to the ground.

Julius watched, awe flashing across his face. "What... a monster," he whispered.

Ophelia, beside him, was just as mesmerized. She remained silent, her eyes wide, unable to look away. "So this is the strength of an S-Rank Agent of the Order..."

It felt like she was in another dimension.

She was only nineteen, yet already wielded power surpassing that of most veteran Hunters and seasoned agents of the Order. Luna-Evelyn's strength and skill were remarkable, a blend of talent and honed senses that seemed impossible for someone so young. Watching her cut down the Demonic Beasts with such ease, Stephen, who was occupied defending the rear, couldn't help but acknowledge her superiority in silence. It was no wonder she had obtained such respect within the World Order. Luna-Evelyn wasn't just a prodigy—she was still growing, her potential stretching ahead endlessly.

As the group of five carved their way deeper into the 7th layer, they encountered wave after wave of Demonic Beasts. Yet none could slow their pace. With ruthless efficiency, they dispatched every creature that crossed their path, moving as a single, cohesive unit. The sight would have left any seasoned hunter in stunned admiration; it was like watching a well-oiled machine, each member anticipating the others' actions with an almost supernatural synchronicity. This was no ordinary team—these were the elites of the World Order in their element.

Even Adam, who observed quietly, had to admit they were skilled—highly skilled. This was a revelation to him. In his many lives as an Antagonist, Adam had always fought alone, whether as the Major or the Main Antagonist. He had never worked with others, much less depended on them. The seamless coordination of this group was something foreign to him, something he would've dismissed as inefficient or restrictive. But now, as he witnessed it firsthand, he was forced to acknowledge the power of such unity. They'd only just begun fighting together, yet their synergy was undeniable. It was as if each of them understood the flow of combat instinctively, weaving their individual strengths into something greater than the sum of their parts. And at the heart of it all was Luna-Evelyn.

"..."

Adam's gaze lingered on her, observing the way she led them—not just with strength but with a natural charisma, an aura of leadership that seemed to inspire confidence.

For a moment, an unexpected thought flitted through his mind.

'If only she doesn't join Mordred.'

Watching her now, it struck him as a pity that someone like her, someone with such immense potential, might waste herself in service to Mordred's ambitions. Recover Britannia? Reunite Mordred with his family?

The idea disgusted him.

What was the point of devoting herself to the selfish whims of a single man when she could strive for something far greater?

Adam felt a surge of disdain for Mordred's cause. Why should Luna-Evelyn fight to restore one man's dream, a dream so narrow and self-serving?

Luna-Evelyn's strength and spirit were wasted on such a small-minded cause.

In his mind, he could already see the tragic path laid before her like in the novel. If she met Mordred, if she fell under his influence, her fate would be sealed. She would follow his goals with loyalty, fall in love with him, and ultimately face the ruinous consequences of his ambition. Adam could picture it with chilling clarity: she would encounter Ludmila, getting defeated by her several times until managing to kill her but she herself would not survive the encounter.

Of course, Ivan would find a pity of letting Luna-Evelyn meet that tragic end. If she ever did align herself with Mordred again, Ivan would ensure her fate does unfold as it had before and this time Ludmila would survive, and Luna-Evelyn would fall—unless he intervened.

Ivan had no intention of letting talent like hers go to waste. But if things proceeded without his influence, it would be a tragic shame.

It wasn't just Adam who thought so. Ivan and the other Antagonists shared this sentiment. Just as Ivan had allowed Gwenyra Pendragon to live, nurturing her gifts and later swaying her to his side, he wondered if the same approach could work with Luna-Evelyn. Gwenyra, after all, had become a valuable ally, as would eventually Karna Mishra. Could Luna-Evelyn be persuaded similarly? It would be a far better solution than seeing her life cut short in a conflict that might ultimately serve no one.

But there was a problem: Luna-Evelyn wasn't like Gwenyra or Karna. She had her own code, her own loyalties. Affiliated with the World Order, she upheld the values they fought for, and though the Order hadn't openly opposed Ivan and Gevurah the way the Holy Church did, they certainly didn't view him favorably. Ivan knew it was only a matter of time before the Order deemed him a serious threat. When that day came, Luna-Evelyn would likely be among those tasked with facing him.

Adam suspected she would never betray the World Order. She was steadfast, rooted in her principles.

So, the question gnawed at him:

How could he sway her to his side?

She was no simple recruit who could be tempted with power or security. Threats wouldn't work either—unlike Gwenyra, who'd had vulnerabilities he could exploit, Luna-Evelyn was an orphan who had forged her own path. Intelligent and immensely strong, she was known to wield one of the world's strongest Phantasmas. And she didn't break or bend easily. If Adam attempted to recruit her and failed, she would never forgive him; she'd brand him an enemy for life. That would leave Ivan with no choice but to eliminate her, something he felt would be a grievous waste.

Luna-Evelyn's nature was stubborn to the core. Once she set her mind to something, nothing could make her back down. Ivan knew that well.

"Stop."

The order jolted Adam from his thoughts. Luna-Evelyn, who had been leading their pace forward, had halted abruptly. The others, surprised, stopped as well, glancing at her with puzzled expressions.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"What's going on, Leader?" Julius asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

Luna-Evelyn didn't respond immediately. Her red eyes scanned the darkened path ahead. She seemed to be sensing something only she could detect. Adam shifted his gaze forward, focusing as well, instinctively tuning in to the faint twinge in his senses. Perhaps it was his Stigma's sensitivity, heightened by the Devil he harbored within him.

"Come out," Luna-Evelyn said.

For a moment, silence blanketed the forest. Then, a deep chuckle resonated from the shadows. Dark mana began to swirl, gathering into a spiraling vortex before them. As the black aura coalesced, a tall figure stepped forward—a man with long black hair.

Ophelia's eyes widened, and she took a sharp breath.

"K–Krainel Salvador…"