As Vincent threw himself forward and focused his vision on Emelia's chest, blood spilled onto the cobblestone. His side burned from the wound she'd so cruelly reopened, and every nerve in his body cried out in agony, but he forced himself to push through it. His dagger was pointed squarely, its point glistening with death intent. This cunning woman would not defeat him; he would not surrender.

His blade was about to pierce her skin, but Emelia's hand shot out faster than she could have imagined, grabbing his wrist like a vice. The world paused for a split second. Her cold, heartless eyes matched her iron-like grip. Her eyes had lost the amusement that had danced in them and had instead taken on an emotion Vincent was unable to identify.

"Amazing," she muttered, her voice as silky as she was. "Vincent, you still don't know where you belong."

His ears were filled with the sound of bones grinding against each other as she violently twisted his wrist. A searing pain shot up his arm, causing him to lose his grip on the dagger. Emelia knocked the weapon out of his hand before he could react, sending it clattering uselessly to the floor.

Panting for air, Vincent stumbled back. His body was at breaking point. Pain, fatigue, and blood loss were combining to make him feel heavy in the limbs and slow in thought. However, the Most Powerful Villain System continued to pound in his head, a constant reminder of his unrealized potential. He was still capable of combat. He would not give up.

"You feel like you've won?" His voice was strained but defiant as he rasped. "I'm not finished yet."

A sly smile played at Emelia's lips. "Oh, Vincent. You always say the same thing. Always trying to fight back, the brave Crown Prince. However, you've never held the reins. Not of me, not of this game, and most definitely not of your destiny."

She gave the assassin, who had been eerily silent during the exchange, a nod. With their blade glowing menacingly in the moonlight, the figure advanced. Vincent's heart pounded in his chest as the killer moved with deadly accuracy, putting themselves in the way of any chance of escape.

For a split second, Vincent thought about running away. He could initiate the emergency escape procedure of the Villain System. He could recover, fight another day, and plot his retaliation. However, the idea of fleeing—of turning away from Emelia—was incompatible with all he held dear.

His decision had to be made. Right now.

With the blade ready to kill him, the assassin lunged, but Vincent's instincts took over. He sidestepped the fatal blow and rolled to the side. As he landed, pain shot through his body, but he forced himself to stand. He was in excruciating pain with every move, but he had to keep moving. Not right now.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

By extending his hand and tapping into the power of the Villain System, Vincent was able to call forth the much-needed energy. The adrenaline rush the system was giving him made his vision blurry, numbing the pain and focusing his attention. The black energy was palpable in his veins, sharpening his senses and fortifying his will.

Vincent snarled viciously and darted forward, moving quicker than the assassin had predicted. Grabbing the attacker's wrist, he twisted violently. The assassin let out a startled sigh as Vincent disarmed them, the blade dropping into his grasp.

When Vincent turned the blade back on his opponent and drove it deeply into their abdomen, time appeared to slow down. The assassin stumbled backward, a gurgle of blood escaping their lips as their eyes widened in shock.

Vincent did not pause to consider his creations. He turned around and fixed Emelia in his gaze.

He snarled, "Now is your turn."

However, Emelia remained still, her face expressionless. Her expression had become much colder and the amusement had disappeared. Her gaze pounded on him, as though evaluating him, planning her next move.

You're stronger than I realized, she muttered, almost to herself. "But Vincent, you need more than just strength to win this game."

The atmosphere around them changed abruptly. The ground beneath Vincent's feet vibrated with a low hum that permeated the entire garden. Heart racing, he cast a quick glance around him as shadows started to move, like black tendrils snaking in all directions toward him.

"What—"

The shadows emerged from the ground and encircled his ankles, wrists, and throat before he could finish. They sapped the strength from his limbs; they were cold, colder than anything he had ever experienced. He pulled against them, struggling, but they only got tighter, bringing him to his knees.

Emelia moved forward, her eyes dimly shining in the shadows.

"Vincent, did you really think you could beat me?" She lowered herself to meet his gaze and whispered. I'm not merely a toy noblewoman for you to play with. I have abilities that are beyond your comprehension.

Vincent's breathing became shallow and short as the shadows drew closer to him. His strength was rapidly diminishing and his vision was starting to darken. But he refused to give up even as the night grew darker.

He choked out, each word a battle, "I... will... win."

With a slow, sinister smile, Emelia grinned. "You won't, not today."

She held up her hand, and the darkness rushed forward to engulf him.

There was only darkness for a moment, a cold, oppressive darkness. But then the Villain System murmured one last command from the depths of his mind.

Set Death's Gambit in motion.

Vincent felt a tremendous rush of energy as his eyes suddenly snapped open. The shadows that had contained him vanished, vanishing into thin air. He forced himself up, trembling from his newfound strength.

Emelia's eyes grew wide, showing signs of genuine fear on her face for the first time.

"You... impossible."

Vincent left her without an opportunity to respond. His hand glowed with dark energy as he drew closer to her with lightning speed. She struggled, her eyes wild with panic, but he grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground.

With a tone full of venom, he growled, "Now you learn your place."

And with that, he let loose Death's Gambit in all its might.

Chaos erupted in the garden.