The Villains Must Win-Chapter 289: The Void 2
It was like stepping into the busiest market Iโd ever seenโif the market had been designed by beings who couldnโt agree on geometry. ๐ป๐๐๐ฆ๐ธ๐๐ท๐โด๐ฃ๐ฆ๐.๐ธโด๐ฎ
The streets curved in impossible spirals, bridges floated in midair, and glowing pathways crisscrossed above my head like veins in the dark sky.
Stalls lined the walkways, and vendors hawked wares in voices that sounded more like shrieks, growls, or telepathic whispers than words.
I even caught a whiff of something like roasted meatโbut the meat had too many legs to be chicken.
Despite the chaos, it was . . . organized.
Everyone seemed to know their place. No fights, no riots. Just a thousand strange species brushing shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I took it all in and let out a low whistle. "So this is the Void, huh? Looks more like a galactic convention center."
"Convention center?" The bunny gave me a side-eye. "You make it sound lame. This is the central hub of survival. Everyone here has cleared worlds and lived to tell the tale. The Void only invites those who matter."
"So basically . . ." I smirked. "This is the VIP lounge for overachievers."
The bunny twitched. "Donโt call it that."
But I couldnโt help grinning. Because for all the alien madness, I felt something loosen in my chest. Relief, maybe. I wasnโt completely alone anymore.
The thought of walking through endless darkness with only a smug rabbit had been unnerving. But hereโhere were others like me.
Other hosts.
Other who love winning!
And maybe, just maybe, rivals I could crush in the future.
The thrill of it curled in my stomach like fire.
Perfectโthis part feels like the isekai-meets-gamer hub moment, and we can really make it shine by giving the
My gaming blood was burning.
"So these different species walking around?" I asked as the elevator hummed, climbing toward the main villain HQโor, as the bunny insisted on calling it, "The Void Host Central."
"Most of them are hosts, of course. Some are agents like me who help the hosts. The rest . . ." the bunny twitched its whiskers, "are normal citizens of the Void. They maintain the place, keep it running. Even a cosmic hub needs janitors, cooks, and accountants."
I blinked. "Waitโyouโre saying this place has alien janitors?"
The bunny gave me a flat look. "What did you expect? A self-cleaning interdimensional trash can?"
". . . That would be cool, though."
The bunny ignored me.
I glanced out the transparent side of the elevator. The view was insane. Dozens of skywalks crossed one another like neon spiderwebs, carrying beings of all shapes and sizes.
A dragon with chrome scales soared overhead, holding a briefcase in its claws. A flock of luminous bird-people glided down a corridor shaped like a ribcage. And on the ground floor far below, I spotted a cafรฉ where an ogre was sipping tea with a mermaid.
"Egh, really? They all look . . . so cool and alien."
"To them," the bunny retorted, "you look like an alien. Youโre basically the weird monkey who stumbled out of the jungle."
"Rude."
"Truth."
I snorted, shaking my head. "So how many worlds and parallel stories exist out there?"
The bunnyโs ears twitched. "Too many to count. Infinite, probably. Humans arenโt the only race out there, nor are their stories the only ones. The multiverse is vast."
My grin widened. "Ohhh, cool! So I get to be transported into an alien world next time, right? Imagine itโme versus a galaxy of bug overlords! Or piloting mechs in a robot apocalypse!"
The bunny sighed. "No. Youโll remain in human-based worlds. Other races handle their own. The balance requires it."
"Egh? Thatโs no fun at all. Thatโs like buying the DLC but being locked to the base campaign!"
"Stop whining. Weโre here."
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, and I stepped out into what looked like . . . an office. A very big office with multiple doors around a vast lobby.
A massive, sleek, sci-fi corporate office.
"What theโthis is just an office building?"
Not just any office, though. The ceiling stretched higher than a cathedral dome, glowing with star patterns that shifted as if alive.
Glass walls revealed entire levels stacked above and below us like a mega-skyscraper. Floating signs lit the air, pointing to Mission Department, Shops, Lounges, Restaurants, and even Spas. I half-expected someone in a suit to hand me a clipboard.
"Who are all these creatures here?" I whispered, watching as a crystalline humanoid argued with a dwarf at the counter. "Hosts like me?"
"Thatโs right," the bunny said smugly. "This office is complete. Think of it as a guild hub for hosts. From now on, you can collect stars from the mission department. And over thereโ" it pointed at a neon arch glowing with strange language, "โare shops. Over there, restaurants. Past that? Lounges, training halls, even meditation spaces if you want to cry about your failures in peace. Oh, and yes, spas."
". . . You actually provide spas?" I blinked. "Wow, you guys really take care of your hosts, huh?"
"Of course. Each one of you is important. Especially the talented ones."
I grinned, chest swelling with pride. "Oh-ho, so Iโm a VIP?"
"More like a rookie among the VIPs," the bunny muttered. "You only cleared what . . . 5 worlds?"
"Seven," I corrected.
"A small number. The veterans here already cleared hundred worlds."
"Ohhh!" That raise my competitive side!
"Waitโif I can pick my own missions from now on . . ." My grin faltered slightly. "That means I wonโt see you anymore?"
The bunny smirked, ears flicking. "Whatโs this? Already missing me?"
I crossed my arms, pretending to sulk. "Iโll miss the sarcasm. Not you."
"Touching." The bunnyโs voice dripped with mockery. "But donโt worry, Iโll still be around. Not forever, though. Babysitting you isnโt my full-time job. Iโve got other newbies to tend to."
"Whoa. Youโre really busy, huh?"
"Obviously."
"Alright, alright." I raised my hands in mock surrender. "If I need you, Iโll just call you at the information counter, right?"
