In The Villain’s Novel, I See 3 Seconds Into The Future

‘What the hell am I saying?!’ Judex thought, pain blazing through his body.

Leie covered her face, “What..did you just say?”

“Wait, wait, I really don’t know what I said.” Judex replied. 

‘I felt someone’s rage, like it was someone else’s..’

Leie’s sword twisted in Judex’s side, the cold steel biting into his flesh, pinning him to the ground like a broken insect. His vision flickered, the pain blurring the edges of the world. The goddess loomed over him, her eyes dark and calculating, her lips curved in a slight, cruel smile. Judex could feel the weight of his defeat pressing down on him—his body weak, his strength sapped.

But just as Leie raised her hand, preparing to finish him off, the world stopped.

A soundless explosion reverberated through the air, and suddenly, everyone’s heads exploded—a brutal, grotesque display of divine execution. Blood and brain matter splattered across the shimmering floor as hundreds of bodies crumpled, lifeless. Judex could do nothing but watch as Leie’s head burst apart in a visceral shower, her once-beautiful form collapsing into a heap of gore.

“What the—?!” Judex yelled, his hands digging into the floor under him.

For a brief, horrifying moment, everything was still.

Then, a voice—calm, cold, and absolute—filled the air.

"Reset."

The voice was deep, resonant, and carried an authority that made even the fabric of reality tremble. Judex, though pinned and bleeding, felt the weight of it—like an ancient force pressing down on his soul.

As the word echoed through the space, the bodies around him began to reform. Blood slithered back across the floor, bones snapped back into place, and skin knitted itself together. The air shimmered with an eerie golden light, and the dead rose, their bodies slowly rebuilding themselves from the carnage. Judex’s own wounds closed, the pain fading to a dull ache as his flesh and bones realigned.

Judex watched this, sitting up, saying to himself, “They all just died…then were brought back just like that..”

Leie, too, reformed—but her body was no longer her own. As she took shape, her form shifted, contorting grotesquely as if in response to the words now being spoken by the figure who had appeared.

The figure stood with his back to them, his silhouette glowing against the ethereal backdrop. His hair was like liquid gold, each strand radiating an otherworldly light. The crowd murmured in confusion and horror, their voices mingling in a rising tide of panic.

"Who is that?"

"What just happened?!”

"Why did we all die?! What is this place?"

“He did it!”

“What did we do to deserve this?!”

“I want out of here!”

Words appeared in the air, scrawled in elegant, glowing cursive: "God Revealed: The High One."

The figure turned at last, and as he did, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd. His face was beyond beautiful, beyond anything mortal eyes could comprehend. His skin was smooth and flawless, almost translucent in its perfection. His eyes were deep pools of gold, shimmering like molten metal. High cheekbones, a strong jawline, and lips that seemed to be carved from marble completed the look of divine elegance. Yet, despite his ethereal beauty, there was a tear rolling down his cheek. The single tear glistened in the light, trailing slowly across his perfect skin before it vanished into nothingness.

The High One stepped forward, his movements slow, deliberate—each step radiating power. His voice, when he spoke, was calm but carried the weight of an infinite, cosmic authority.

"You are here," he began, "because you have been chosen. Not for greatness. Not for honor. But for sacrifice. For survival."

His gaze swept across the crowd, lingering on the faces of those who were still reeling from the brutal display of death and resurrection.

"You are here," he continued, "to kill gods."

The crowd erupted into murmurs again, panic and confusion thick in the air. Judex, still staring in shock at the unfolding events, barely registered the words. His mind was still processing the fact that he had died—and then returned. Leie, standing nearby, was no longer herself. Her body twisted and contorted, grotesquely shifting from one form to another as the High One spoke.

"As you progress through the game," the High One explained, his voice steady, "you will face hundreds of gods and goddesses. Each one more powerful than the last. And each one must die. That is your purpose here."

Leie’s body shifted again, this time into a hulking, brutish form—her skin thickening, her limbs elongating into massive, grotesque appendages. Her face twisted into a snarl, her mouth filled with jagged teeth. The crowd recoiled in horror as her voice, once melodic, became a guttural growl. Yet her eyes—those violet, tear-filled eyes—remained the same, filled with pain and terror as her body was forced to change.

"This is what awaits you," the High One continued, his voice cold and indifferent. "You will face gods of wrath, gods of disease, gods of madness. Your choices in the game will determine which of them you fight. And each decision you make will shape your fate."

Leie’s form shifted again, this time into something serpentine—her body coiling and twisting, scales rippling across her skin. Her arms became long, sinuous appendages, and her mouth split open into a wide, monstrous grin. Tears streamed down her face, even as her body warped into something horrific.

"Some gods," the High One said, "will be merciful. Others will not. But all of them are deadly, and all of them must die."

Judex’s fists clenched as he watched Leie’s tortured transformation. He had felt hatred before—he had felt rage—but this was something deeper. This was a primal, seething fury, burning beneath his skin. His head spun with confusion, but one thing was clear: he was a pawn in a game far larger than he had ever imagined. And he hated it.

‘Look how nonchalant he is..he doesn’t have to worry about his life being toyed with..but he won’t be like that for long. I want to attack them, I do. But I can’t do anything right now. I don’t wanna explode and shit like that. I was always first to first before I ended up here, I didn’t care. I stopped fighting when someone pulled me off. I wanted to make a name for myself, just to avoid being taken advantage of. And here I am…after working so hard for years to make sure I’d never be taken advantage of, it’s happening now. What a sick joke.’

The High One’s voice cut through the chaos of Judex’s thoughts.

"The game you all played, is called The Cairn of the Eclipsed Gods. It is one of many trials designed to test your resolve. Your choices during the game determine which gods you will face, and what powers you will gain. It is a game of sacrifice, of balance, of soul. And it is only the beginning."

As the High One spoke, Judex’s eyes flickered to the others gathered around him. He wasn’t the only one affected by the grotesque display of power. He could see it in their eyes—in the way they stood, tense and wary, as if any moment might bring another violent death. 

There were seven others who stood out among the crowd, each marked by an intensity that separated them from the rest.

 Espen.

A girl with black braided hair, her thick locks cascading down her back in intricate patterns. She wore glasses with thin, silver frames, her yellow eyes glowing faintly behind the lenses. Her face was sharp, intelligent, and her gaze held a deep, calculating focus. Espen’s mind was already working, analyzing the situation, piecing together the puzzle of the game they had been forced into. She adjusted her glasses, her breathing normal, as she scratched her hand.

Her eyes shifted to Judex, narrowing slightly. ‘He’s dangerous,’ she thought. ‘But useful. If I can figure out how to control him…’

Ren.

A tall boy with fiery red hair and a lean, athletic build. His eyes were sharp, green as emeralds, and his expression was one of barely contained anger. Ren cracked his knuckles, his muscles tensing with every word the High One spoke. His heart was pounding in his chest, rage bubbling beneath the surface. ‘Gods? he thought. They think they can make us kill gods? They’ll regret this. I’ll burn them all.’

 Sorin

A boy with a cold, calculating demeanor, his hair jet-black and slicked back. His eyes were a pale blue, almost icy in their detachment. Sorin stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. 

Kael 

A boy with wild, unkempt brown hair and a carefree grin. Kael scratched the back of his head, his blue eyes darting around the room as if searching for an exit. Despite the situation, there was a strange lightness to him—a smile? Why the hell was he smiling? Especially at a time like this? He seemed excited.

Alina

A girl with long, silver hair and eyes the color of storm clouds. Alina stood apart from the others, her expression grim, her hands trembling slightly. She had seen death before—too much of it. And now, it seemed, she was surrounded by it once again. ‘I don’t know if I can do this, she thought. But I have no choice.’

 Talia

A girl with short, raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes. Talia stood tall, her posture rigid, her face set in a determined scowl. ‘This is ridiculous.’

Dante

A boy with a calm, almost serene demeanor, his brown hair neatly combed, his dark orange eyes focused. Dante stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression thoughtful. He had always been a thinker, a strategist, and now, that skill would be tested like never before. This is a game, he thought. And like any game, it can be won.

‘We have to assess this situation with extreme caution..’

The High One continued, his voice unwavering. “The Cairn is not just a game of cards. It is a game of souls, of sacrifice. The choices you make in the Cairn will determine what powers you gain—and what gods you will face. Some of you will find strength in sacrifice. Others will find only death.”

As he spoke, Leie’s form twisted again, her body warping into the shape of a massive, winged beast—her skin hardening into scales, her eyes glowing with a malevolent red light. The crowd recoiled once more, but the High One paid them no mind.

“You will face gods of fire,” he said, as Leie’s body shifted into a blazing, fiery entity, her wings spreading wide, flames licking at her skin. “Gods of chaos,” he added, as her form morphed into a chaotic, swirling mass of limbs and eyes. “Gods of blood,” he continued, as her body warped into a grotesque, blood-soaked figure, her once-beautiful face now a twisted mask of horror.

Leie’s tears streamed down her face as her body was forced through each transformation, her sobs muffled beneath the horrific shapes she was becoming.

“And each one,” the High One said, a cruel smile curling at the edge of his lips, “must die.”

The High One stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the crowd once more. “Now, I will explain the rules of the Cairn of the Eclipsed Gods. Pay attention, because your lives depend on it.”

He raised his hand, and the air shimmered as glowing symbols appeared, outlining the rules of the game.

“In The Cairn, each of you will be dealt a deck of cards. These cards represent not just creatures or spells, but pieces of your soul. The game is divided into rounds, and in each round, you will face one of the Eclipsed Gods. Your goal is to survive all rounds and escape the chamber.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle on the crowd.

“However, survival comes at a cost. Each card you play, each sacrifice you make, drains a piece of you. Blood. Memory. Essence. You must choose carefully, or you will lose yourself in the process.”

The High One’s eyes glinted with amusement as he continued. “The cards you are dealt will change with each game. Some cards are creatures, with attack and defense values. Others are spells, granting powerful, one-time effects. And some are artifacts, items that remain on the field and alter the course of the game.”

He waved his hand, and Leie’s form shifted again, this time into a towering figure of ice and shadow, her body radiating cold. “The gods you face will vary, based on your choices. Some will be merciful. Others… will not.”

Judex’s mind raced, trying to process the enormity of what he was hearing. These weren’t just games. They were trials. And each one would push him closer to the edge of death—or something worse.

‘They’re turning us into assassins, god killers. Are we even capable of doing it? Of pulling it off? No, fuck that. Why won’t these weirdos go kill them instead?!’

The High One smiled. “After each Cairn game, you will be sent into the domain of a god or goddess. There, you will have a limited time to kill them. If you succeed, you will return here. If you fail… well, you’ve already seen what happens when you die.”

The other players exchanged uneasy glances. Espen adjusted her glasses, her yellow eyes narrowing as she tried to piece together the rules of the twisted game. Ren clenched his fists, muttering under his breath, while Alina’s hands shook slightly at her sides. Each of them was grappling with the reality of what lay ahead.

The High One’s voice dropped, his tone growing darker. “This is not a mercy. This is not salvation. This is war. You are pawns in a game far greater than yourselves, and the only way out is to kill the gods before they kill you.”

Judex’s eyes flickered with rage. His mind was a whirlwind of fury, confusion, and something darker—something he barely understood himself. But one thing was clear: he would not be a pawn. He would not be controlled.

The High One’s eyes gleamed as if sensing Judex’s malicious thoughts. He smiled, a slow, chilling smile, and turned away.

"Prepare yourselves," he said softly. "The game has only just begun. We will be departing to the domain of a god of war in a few minutes. Get familiar with your power and comrades.”

He then looked at Judex.

‘Hmmm. That boy Judex. His power..a unique gift he has that was not given to him by the Cairn…how..’

The air was thick with tension as the players gathered in the vast chamber. The High One’s ominous words still echoed in their minds, and the weight of the situation was beginning to settle in. Each of them had survived the first Cairn game—barely. Now, as they prepared to be teleported away to face their next trial, they found themselves with a moment to breathe, reflect, and, for some, to talk.

Judex stood apart from the group, his eyes lingering on his hand. It still felt strange, the memories of the choices he’d made in the first Cairn game swirling in his mind. He could feel knowledge being poured into him, as if the High One’s power was seeping into his very soul, shaping him, molding him.

‘These powers…’ Judex thought, *they’re not random. They’re a result of every decision I made.*

He flexed his fingers, feeling the rush of energy that now coursed through his veins. He’d made sacrifices in that game—real sacrifices. He had given up parts of himself, both physically and emotionally, to survive. And now, he could feel the result of those sacrifices taking root inside him.

He closed his eyes, and suddenly, images of the game flashed before him. The cards. The creatures. The moments where he’d chosen to sacrifice his own health to keep a stronger card in play. The High One’s voice echoed in his mind.

"When a mortal wins a game in the Death Game, they are granted new abilities based on the choices they made during the game. These abilities are not random but are shaped by the strategies, sacrifices, and risks taken during the match."

Judex could feel the power manifesting within him. His first ability, the one tied to his sacrifices, was now clear: Soulburn Offering. He could sacrifice a portion of his own life force to empower his abilities, making his attacks stronger, his summons more deadly.

He tested it, his hand glowing with a dark red light as he conjured a blade from thin air—a sword made of blood and shadow, pulsing with his own life force. The edge shimmered with a deadly glow, and he could feel the pain from the sacrifice in his chest. But the power… the power was intoxicating.

As he released the blade, it dissipated into mist, leaving him breathless.

“Oooh! Badass…” Judex said. Then he thought, ‘N-No! It’s not badass! I hate it! I hate it all!…Why am I lying to myself? First, I liked when the first god called me impressive during the first game, then here I am liking this power. I’m such a hypocrite, but I can’t help it. Something I definitely need to work on.’

He looked around, seeing other people talk and try out their new skills to themselves.

While Judex was lost in thought, the others had started talking. They were nervous, excited, scared, and angry—each reacting differently to the overwhelming situation.

Kael was grinning from ear to ear, his wild brown hair tousled as usual. His blue eyes sparkled with excitement as he leaned against one of the shimmering walls, arms crossed casually over his chest. He chuckled to himself, shaking his head.

“This is crazy, right? Like… I know we’re all supposed to be freaked out, but tell me this doesn’t feel like some kind of wild dream! I mean, gods? Sacrifices? Powers? It’s like something out of a video game!” He laughed, his carefree attitude a stark contrast to the severity of the situation.

Alina, standing nearby, gave him a worried glance. “Kael… this isn’t a game. People died.”

Kael shrugged, still smiling. “Yeah, but we came back, didn’t we? I dunno. Maybe I’m just not taking this as seriously as I should, but… I’m kind of having fun. I know this is a dream anyway!”

Alina shook her head, her silver hair glinting in the dim light. “You’re insane.”

Kael winked at her. “Maybe. But if this is a dream, I don’t wanna wake up.”

Dante, nearby, said, “Fool. You’ll be the first to die.”

Kael said to Dante, “Nuh uh!”

Alina sighed, her storm-grey eyes filled with worry. “I don’t understand how you can be so… happy about this, Kael. This is terrifying. We’re being forced to kill gods. *Gods*. I don’t know if I’m ready for that…”

Her hands trembled slightly, and she clutched them together to stop the shaking. “I just… I want to survive. I want all of us to survive.”

Kael’s grin softened a little, and he patted her on the shoulder. “Hey, we’ve made it this far, haven’t we? We’ll be okay. We just have to stick together. After this is over, we’ll just wake up!”

Alina smiled weakly, appreciating his optimism, but the fear still lingered in her eyes.

A few feet away, Ren was pacing back and forth, his fiery red hair practically glowing under the golden light. His emerald eyes were narrowed in frustration, and his fists clenched and unclenched as he muttered to himself.

“This is bullshit,” he growled. “They’re treating us like pawns. Like we’re just here to entertain them.” He slammed his fist into the wall, his knuckles cracking audibly. “I’m not going to die for their amusement. I’m going to kill every single one of them. I have to make it back to my son and daughter, and my wife. This is stupid!”

Talia, who had been standing near him, raised an eyebrow. “You think you’re the only one pissed off about this? Geeeez.”

Ren turned to her, his eyes blazing. “You’re not angry? You’re not ready to burn this whole place to the ground? If not, don’t talk to me.”

Talia shrugged. “Of course I’m angry. But anger doesn’t mean shit if you don’t use it right. We use it on the gods we’re supposed to fight. Getting mad now is a waste, duh.”

Ren’s gaze softened slightly, and he nodded. “Yeah… you’re right. But when the time comes, I’m going to make them pay. And you, if you try and betray me.”

“I don’t even know you.”

Talia crossed her arms, her eyes scanning the room. “Look, we can’t change what’s happening. The only thing we can do is control how we react to it. We need to be smart about this. These gods… they’re not invincible. We can kill them.”

Sorin, the silent one, nodded silently in agreement, standing beside her with his usual cold demeanor. He rarely spoke, but when he did, it was always with purpose. He wasn’t one for banter—he preferred to observe.

Talia glanced at Sorin. “You’re with me, right?”

Sorin gave a slight nod, his pale blue eyes unreadable.

Meanwhile, Espen stood off to the side, her yellow eyes locked on Judex. She hadn’t said a word to the others, despite their attempts to engage her. Kael had tried to pull her into a conversation earlier, but she had ignored him completely. Her mind was elsewhere.

‘He’s clearly got the eyes of the gods watching him. Like he’s some main character. Everyone sees that. Maybe I could use him. For my own survival.’

She was watching Judex closely, analyzing him. He was different from the others—more dangerous, more unpredictable. There was something about him that unsettled her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was going to be important. She adjusted her glasses, her sharp mind racing as she tried to piece together what made him so unique.

“Shit..these stupid glasses.” Her glasses almost fell off of her face, and she readjusted them again. 

‘Okay, let’s go over there, and talk to him. Seduce him maybe, and we use him as a pawn. Simple.’

Suddenly. The air grew heavy as a large, muscular man with thick arms and a broad chest stepped forward, his eyes locked on Judex. His skin was bronzed, and his muscles bulged beneath the tight black shirt he wore. A massive scar ran across his face, giving him a menacing look. His name was Garron, and he was one of the most physically imposing players in the group.

He cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders before taking a step toward Judex. “You,” he growled, his voice deep and gravelly. “You think you’re special or something? Standing there, all quiet, like you’re better than the rest of us?”

Judex barely glanced at him, his eyes still on his hand.

Garron sneered, clearly irritated by the lack of response. “I heard the High One’s words. Power comes from showing strength. From proving ourselves. And I’m going to prove I’m the strongest here. Seems like they’ve got their eye on you. Like you’re above us.”

Judex remained silent, his expression indifferent.

“I’m going to take you down,” Garron continued, his voice rising. “And when I do, the gods will see it. If one can gain respect here, showing how ruthless one can be in front of a ruthless god like this guy, then I can be favored, I just need to survive. Even if that means getting rid of you to up my chances of getting sponsored by the High One. I need to survive, I’m going to do whatever it takes.”

Judex finally looked up, his eyes cold. “I’m not interested. You want to die for the approval of some idiot deities? Just end it yourself now. I don’t see how an oaf like you passed the first game.”

Garron’s sneer deepened. “You don’t get to opt out, pretty boy. You’re going to fight me, whether you like it or not.”

The other players started to gather around, murmuring amongst themselves.

“Is that Garron?”

“He’s going after Judex? He’s insane.”

“Judex doesn’t even look like he cares.”

“I heard Judex was brutal in the first game. Maybe Garron’s biting off more than he can chew.”

“I don’t know… Garron’s a monster. He might actually win this.”

Kael joined, smiling, “Oooh! A fight!”

Alina said, “Oh my..”

Ren said, “I want in on that, I was relieve some stress as well.”

Talia said to Ren, “Yeah, no. Let them kill each other, we got no business in that.”

“Tch. You’re not the boss of me. I’m my own man.”

Dante, his arms folded, added, “Those two buffoons fighting is foolish. First he attacks the goddess, then this? I don’t need him anywhere near me, he’ll get me caught up.”

Garron snarled, crouching down on all fours as an orange and black aura began to swirl around him. His muscles bulged even further, and steam rose from his body. A long, thick tail erupted from his spine, thrashing violently behind him. His eyes glowed with a feral light, and he let out a low growl.

“This is your last chance, Judex,” Garron hissed, his voice thick with rage. “Fight me, or I’ll tear you apart.”

Judex sighed, “I said I’m not interested,” he repeated, his tone flat. “Usually, I would immediately get up and fight you, but there’s something wrong with me right now. Some weird rage inside of me wants to instantly attack everything, as you witnessed before. So I don’t wanna kill anyone right now.”

Garron roared, his body tense as he activated his skill: Bull Charge. He dropped to all fours, his massive frame trembling with power as he prepared to rush forward. His mind flashed back to the choices he’d made in the first Cairn game—the aggressive moves, the brutal sacrifices; gaining a Bull-like beast card who trampled his enemies and gave a boost to other cards with toughness attack strength in his first game, he sacrificed it at the end of win. He had earned this power, and now he was going to use it to crush Judex.

With a deafening snarl, Garron charged, his body covered in the orange and black aura, steam blasting from his nostrils as he barreled forward with terrifying speed.

Judex said, “Dude, I don’t want to do this right now.”

‘There’s no stopping. It’s understandable why he wants to fight though. He wants honor and rep. Those things can get you respected anywhere, and can lead to getting what you want. I guess he thinks it can work with gods. I’ve had a good rep before I got here..’

As Garron rushed toward him, Judex’s right eye suddenly flared with pain. He gasped as his vision shifted—everything around him slowed, and he could see Garron’s movements as if they were happening in slow motion. His right eye glowed red, blood trickling from the corner as a new power surged within him, a red and black aura slowly forming around his body. 

“I see you…” Judex said, his lips curling into a sinister smile.

He could see three seconds into the future.

‘This power..it’s like during the first game, during the last round. It was like I could see possibilities, like I could tell what was going to happen..and with him being fast, it’s easier for me to anticipate where he will be..’

The fastest his opponent was, the better his 3 second  future skill worked, but the slower his enemy fights or plays, his 3 second future skill is barely worth anything. 

Garron’s charge was predictable now. Judex knew exactly where he would be. With a burst of speed, Judex vanished from his spot, flipping through the air with grace and precision. He reappeared above Garron, his hand glowing red as he summoned a blood blade from thin air.

Without hesitation, Judex slashed downward, the blood sword cutting through Garron’s body like a hot knife through butter.

Garron’s body split in half, blood spraying into the air in a grotesque fountain. His eyes widened in shock as his body crumpled to the ground in two pieces, his last breath escaping his lips in a gurgle.

The crowd gasped, some in horror, others in awe.

“He… he killed him in one move…”

“Did you see that? Judex just—he just vanished!”

“That was insane…”

“Well, he did try and resort to non violence.”

Judex heard them, thinking, ‘Don’t go thinking I’m some softie because I wanted to avoid killing him.’

Even Espen, who had been watching Judex closely, felt a flicker of surprise. She had expected him to be dangerous, but this… this was something else entirely.

Judex landed softly, his blood sword dissipating into mist. He wiped the blood from his eye, his expression cold and detached. He didn’t even glance at Garron’s body as he walked away.

“Let’s get this battle over, what’s the name of this war god? Oh High One?”

The crowd parted as he passed, whispering amongst themselves, their eyes wide with fear and respect.

Espen’s gaze lingered on Judex as he disappeared into the shadows. Something had changed in him. Something dark. And she intended to find out exactly what it was.

And to use it.