I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

Chapter 50 How To Win Over Luna-Evelyn?

"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 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.

"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..."