I’m a villain within the hero’s party

Chapter 47: King of Thrixell



Gabby felt something omnious. Like an eyes hunting them at the distance.

His eyes narrowed as he looked down the path they had walked.

He saw the King of the Thrixell slowly approaching from afar, with the rest of the pack following behind.

He thought to himself, "They've been trailing us, But how?"

He shouted, "Everyone! The Thrixell is coming, they're catching up!"

The squad froze for a moment.

Von asked, "You're kidding, right? How could they follow us from so far away? We've walked nearly two leagues. Unless, they're from a different pack."

They couldn't afford to fight both the Barkspawn and the Thrixell. Facing just the Barkspawn was already a struggle.

Von didn't hesitate.

"Everyone, run!" he commanded. "Get out of this forest, now!"

And so, they started running.

Gabby's cold-stricken body made it hard for him to move. Every limb ached, and even the wind felt painful against his skin. But he had to keep going. If he stopped, the fast Thrixell would catch him—and tear him apart.

They all ran as if their lives depended on it.

According to the map, once they escaped the forest, a desert lay ahead. But no one knew how far it really was.

With the Thrixell's incredible speed, they eventually caught up. One by one, Gabby's comrades were taken. Those who ran desperately, and the mages who moved too slowly, all devoured.

The only thing the remaining survivors could do was glance back in despair. Then keep running, clinging to the fragile hope that they might outrun death itself.

Gabby didn't dare look back. But behind him, he heard it—the wet crunch of endings.

Then, for the first time, he saw it: a blur of terrifying speed.

The Thrixell King had made its move.

It darted through the squad with terrifying speed, hunting down several members within seconds. Gabby watched in horror as lives vanished in a blink.

Some of the mages and knights launched a fierce attack together.

Blades shimmered with aura, and powerful sixth-class spells shot through the air. They hit the Thrixell King head-on.

But it didn't flinch.

The attack did nothing.

This was only the second time that Gabby had ever felt real fear.

He thought to himself:

"I can fight. I'm confident I can slay the Thrixell with my sword technique. But the Thrixell King… that's different.

Even with all of us working together, I don't think we can defeat it with our current strength.

If only I could use the third form of my swordsmanship. Maybe then we'd have a chance. Just a small one.

But the truth is, with my current condition. My strength and body. I don't think I can wield it. Not yet."

The Thrixell King was too preoccupied, feasting on the torn remains of the fallen squad.

Its grotesque hunger gave the survivors a moment, just barely enough.

Gabby and the others seized the chance.

They ran.

They finally reached the vast desert after nearly three leagues of relentless running.

Each one of them was soaked in sweat, gasping for breath, their bodies pushed to the edge of collapse.

All except Robin.

His restriction granted him immunity to pain. He simply fell to the ground. Not from wounds or fear, but pure exhaustion.

Von was only sweating—but he wasn't gasping for breath.

Despite being a mage, he was an Ascended Hero—a master-tier warrior whose strength and stamina far surpassed the others.

He scanned the squad, noticing their drained bodies and trembling limbs.

His eyes narrowed. He clenched his fist and said firmly, "We can rest for a while. Thirty minutes will do."

At his words, the group collapsed instantly.

No hesitation. No questions.

They sank into the desert floor like broken statues and grateful.

Von glanced around warily and said,

"There are so many dangerous monsters in this survival realm."

Amber nodded grimly.

"Right. And the Thrixell have been stalking us."

Von furrowed his brow.

"I thought they were from a different pack."

Amber shook her head.

"No. They're the same ones we faced yesterday."

Von's voice grew sharper, "How are they tracking us?"

A chilling silence fell.

All eyes slowly turned to Gabby.

One squad member spoke, his voice tight with fear:

"Blood. The splattered blood from our dead comrade. They scented it on that freshman. That's why we've been followed."

One of them muttered, "Blood, fear and weakness. It's the same as blood serpent that can hunt you regardless of the distance as long as you have fear and blood."

One of the knights named Kalen growled,

"Then we should eliminate the weakness."

Von's eyes darkened. He turned and shot the knight a cold glare.

"We don't abandon our own," he said, voice like steel.

"You cowards. No one lays a hand on Gabby."

Silence gripped the group.

Von clenched his fist, thoughts racing.

"Professor Morrison gave me a condition. If Gabby and I survive this realm, I'll earn a reward, plus a permanent spot in the inter-academy competitions. I can't afford to lose him. Not here. Not now."

The knight looked away, his hostility still burning but subdued.

Everyone felt it.

Tension, doubt and desperation.

Gabby remained silent, his thoughts cold and cutting.

"Fear and desperation among fools can breed paranoia," he muttered to himself.

Then he stood, steady despite the chaos.

"I'll buy you some time," he said calmly.

"Keep moving—I'll stay behind."

Kalen smirked, clearly pleased.

"Finally. He knows his place."

But Maya stepped forward, her voice firm.

"We're not sacrificing someone based on a hunch. There's no proof the Thrixell are tracking him because of blood or fear."

Kalen scoffed, "Come on! Don't be a bitch. If he wants to stay, let him."

The heated argument was unsettling.

Maya's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp.

"If Gabby stays, then I'm staying too. I trust him more than I trust you—a coward willing to betray comrades out of fear."

Gabby turned to her with calm voice, "It's fine, Maya. You don't need to. This is my choice."

He thought to himself, "She's kind for someone I saved."

Kalen glared, confusion and bitterness tangled in his tone.

"Why are you even defending this guy?"

Von massaged his temples, tension pulsing through him. His eyes narrowed, voice rising with fury.

"Enough. No one gets left behind and that's final.

We're stronger together, and I won't tolerate anyone questioning my authority."


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