Taming The Villainesses

Episode 232.1

“Who are you?”

“…….”

Despite my question, the Guide remained silent.

The reason was simple.

The garlic stuffed in his mouth was preventing him from speaking…

… So, I removed the garlic from his mouth and asked again.

“If you don’t want garlic shoved deep down your throat, you better not try anything funny. Depending on your answer, this can end cleanly or messy.”

“Euuugh….”

The Guide was in terrible shape.

Not only had his mental space been brutally torn apart by me, he also had his limbs broken and even had repulsive garlic shoved in his mouth. It would be strange if he were in good condition.

His face was covered in reddish welts, which looked extremely itchy and painful.

Didn’t one of my siblings have a cat allergy?

I remember my brother’s eyes, nose and mouth would swell up when he got too close to a cat, and he had trouble breathing. Similarly, someone with a shellfish allergy could have a severe reaction if they ate shrimp.

If garlic was like shrimp or a cat to an Ars Nova, bringing it close to him could cause quite a lot of pain.

“Answer quickly!”

Seuk.

I brought the bunch of garlic closer to his face. The Guide’s face contorted, and he coughed violently.

“Who are you? Start with your name.”

“… Alright. I will tell you, just move that dreadful thing away.”

“Fine. Don’t you try to pull any stunts.”

“I’m not that stupid.”

The man took a moment to catch his breath.

As his severe allergic reaction gradually began to improve, he opened his short beard-covered lips.

“My name is indeed Theodoros Gospel, as you suspected. I grew up in the church and was colleagues with Priga, the Saintess.”

“I see.”

I felt a sense of ease, like someone who has just confirmed their test answer was correct. But it was too soon to let my guard down.

Seureuk-.

I activated 《Farsight》 to scrutinize the man. Normally, information about the person like their level or job would come to mind. 

“…….”

But for this man, no such markers or information appeared.

“Are you trying to check my karma? You seem to possess some sort of wisdom eyes or demonic eyes.”

Did this guy see through my Farsight?

“Don’t try to size me up. I ask the questions.”

When I growled menacingly, he chuckled like air escaping from a deflating balloon.

“But you won’t be able to see my karma. The church studies how to hide one’s sins and karma deep within through meditation and practice.”

‘I see.’

So, it was like setting up a mental firewall to prevent others from accessing your information.

It seemed plausible enough.

This status window or system was designed and devised by the Archmage Solomon, but the ones most actively researching it was the Gwangyeong Church.

In the first place, there was a procedure in the church and Ark called the “Baptism Ceremony” that would grant aspiring heroes the system. 

I was not sure about the exact details as they were kept strictly confidential, but it was clear that they controlled the status windows themselves.

“Meditation and training….”

“The most basic but very important.”

“What are you trying to brag about? Quiet.”

“…….”

Anyway, knowing that there was a way to hide my information from others was good news. After all, I desired it more than anyone else.

According to this guy, those with demonic eyes or wisdom eyes could read others’ karma. Surely, there must be someone out there who could uncover others’ information.

If such individuals saw me, the peculiar title ‘Theo Gospel Angmar’ would appear prominently, and I might as well die as it was. 

I really needed to learn how to conceal my information.

But let’s set those thoughts aside for now. Assuming the demeanor of a zealous inquisitor, I solemnly asked. 

“So, Theodoros, you said you were supposed to be the Demon Monk Theo Gospel—what exactly do you mean by that? Explain it in a way I can understand.”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. The position you hold—that was actually everything I planned and dreamed of. It feels like someone stole the notes that I’ve worked so hard to write down.”

I could vaguely understand what this guy meant. According to him, he was the one who should have been the original Demon Monk.

But was that even possible?

After all, I was the Demon Monk.

Was there a character in the original work who tried to take Theo’s place…? No, there wasn’t. In the first place, the existence of this Guide didn’t exist. 

An irregular who knew the contents of the original story.

There was only one conclusion. 

Although it was technically impossible, there was a precedent….

I asked softly in a voice that Balan, who was coughing next to me, couldn’t hear.

“Are you a possessor? Like to the inside of Villain Hunter.”

If someone who had read the original novel ‘Villain Hunter’ was pretending to be a person of this world, it would explain a lot.

Could this guy, like me, know the original story and try to change fate? But my speculation was quickly dismissed as he shook his head. 

“… ‘Villain Hunter’? I don’t understand what you mean.”