I’m a villain within the hero’s party

Maya stood up, her body almost floating. Her eyes glowed with a divine green light. The wind around her shifted, responding to her presence like it recognized her power.

The Thrixell beast turned toward her, sensing something had changed. But it hesitated.

It was suddenly cautious, almost afraid.

Maya thought to herself, "I don't really understand what's happening. But I've finally become a Hero. A support class, with Beast Tamer as my subclass."

She raised her head and spoke with warmth, "God of Nature. Thank you for hearing my cries. I'll use this power to protect the weak."

The Thrixell lunged toward her.

But as Maya flicked her hand, the beast stopped mid-charge.

Its eyes locked onto hers, and its body trembled.

It was as if she had gained control without even trying.

Amber was still breathing, barely alive.

But she wasn't ready to give up and wasted no time siezing the opportunity.

With the last of her mana and strength, she pushed herself up.

"I won't let you hurt her." Amber whispered.

She raised her arm and shouted,

"Fifth Class Spell: Fire Lance!"

From her palm, a bright red flame erupted and twisted into a long spear of pure fire.

The air around the lance shimmered from the heat.

It burned like a blazing arrow, sharp and wild, and shot toward the Thrixell with incredible force.

The ground cracked slightly from the blast, and the Thrixell let out one final roar as the flaming lance struck deep into its body, killing it instantly.

Maya gasped for breath, her legs shaky beneath her.

"I still don't understand my powers. That moment of beast control used up so much energy," she thought to herself.

Amber smiled weakly despite her injuries.

"We did it," she said softly. "Thank you, Maya. I always knew you had greatness in you."

Maya walked slowly toward Amber, careful with each step. Relief washed over her as she saw Robin sprinting toward them from the distance.

But as Robin reached them, Maya felt a chill.

Something was wrong.

Without warning, Robin lunged forward.

His hand slammed into Amber's chest, piercing it with unnatural force. Her body shook.

Maya stood frozen.

Robin didn't hesitate.

He pulled out her heart with cold precision, lifting it into the air. Blood dripped slowly from his fingers as he stared at it like a prize.

Then, with a twisted smile, he took a bite.

Amber's eyes went wide for a moment, then empty.

She died instantly.

Maya's eyes widened in shock and fear.

"What… what are you doing?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Robin licked his lips, completely unfazed.

"That was tasty," he said with a grin.

Then he turned to her, eyes dark and wild.

"You're next, Maya."

She froze. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest.

"Don't tell me… were you the one who killed Helen?" she asked, barely able to speak.

Robin smirked. Tears streamed down his face, but his smile stayed.

"That mage? She was strong. But when I pierced her chest… she didn't even scream."

He laughed. "She was delicious. I don't regret it at all."

Maya shook her head in disbelief.

"What… what happened to the priest?"

Robin's face twisted into something terrifying—smiling and crying at the same time.

"He was a wonderful piece of meat," he said.

"His heart, protected by divine power… a true masterpiece."

He stepped closer, licking his tongue.

"I can sense divine energy in you too, Maya. Stronger than theirs. You'll be even tastier."

Robin stepped toward Maya, his eyes filled with hunger.

Maya collapsed to the ground, her body trembling with fear.

She tried to crawl away, her hands shaking, her breath sharp and shallow.

Robin moved closer, slowly, like a predator savoring the moment.

Maya's mind screamed, but her body gave in. Her fear overwhelmed her, and she lost consciousness.

Just as Robin raised his hand, ready to strike.

A sudden wave of Aura surged through the air.

The raidius was vast and overwhelming.

Robin stopped.

He turned his head toward the source, eyes wide with twisted excitement. A human carrying a cub.

"Well, well…" he said, grinning.

"Gabby Magus. You're still alive?"

He started laughing and said, "Damn, cockroach!"

Gabby said firmly, "The only reason you're still alive is because I allowed it."

Robin frowned, confused. "What are you trying to say?"

Gabby stepped closer, eyes sharp.

"Your restriction is the inability to feel pain," he explained. "But after your fight with the Telecactus. You sweat."

He paused, with a cold voice, "There should have been no panic signals sent to your brain. No stress response from your nervous system. No sweat caused by pain or fear."

Then Gabby narrowed his eyes.

"That leaves only one conclusion…"

Gabby added, slowly and clearly,

"Robin is dead… and you're just a monster pretending to be him."

Robin's smile twitched.

"I can't believe you noticed something so small," he said.

"I should've killed you myself back then."

He pointed toward the direction behind Gabby and declared, "You still have a chance. Run to the teleportation portal and save yourself."

Gabby's eyes remained cold, his gaze locked onto Robin.

"I'm not scared of you," he replied.

"I came here to take Maya with me. And I don't care about shapeshifting monsters like you."

Gabby thought to himself, "Even if I run, this thing will hunt me down. There's no such thing as mercy from monsters like him.

They survive by feeding on us. Humans are nothing but fuel for their hunger.

That's how Shadow Fiends live. That's how they always have."

Robin's grin stretched wider. He remarked, "You truly are a foolish human. Do you really think you can beat me?"

Gabby's expression didn't change. His tone was calm and calculating.

"Everything that happened in this survival dungeon is part of my plan."

Robin thought, "I don't remember him doing anything helpful in this survival portal. Even the memories I got from eating their hearts show nothing. He's obviously weak."

He took a fighting stance and said, "You leave me no choice. I'll have to kill you. You just threw away your only chance to survive, kid."