I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

"Now. Tell me—what are you planning to offer me?"

"W—What?" Cattleya stuttered, her mind in disarray. From the moment Travis had been sent flying for seemingly no reason, her thoughts had short-circuited, struggling to process the scene unfolding before her.

Gin, however, was far less flustered. He scowled, clearly displeased by the interruption. He had no time to waste on a fool like this.

"Disappear, human," he growled, raising his hand.

A spike of dark corruption erupted from his palm, shooting toward James with blinding speed. The air itself seemed to warp around the projectile as it tore forward.

But James, still holding his drink in one hand, nonchalantly raised his free hand and caught the spike barehanded.

-BOOM!

The impact unleashed a powerful shockwave, blowing his messy blond hair back. Yet, James remained entirely unfazed.

Crimson lightning sparked and crackled around his hand as he snapped the spike in two with an almost lazy motion.

"W–What?!" Gin's voice cracked as his composure shattered. All his earlier confidence evaporated in an instant.

James ignored the outburst, taking another mouthful of rum before lowering the bottle. His crimson eyes glared at Gin.

"I hate being interrupted while drinking."

In the blink of an eye, James vanished in a streak of crimson lightning. Before Gin could react, James appeared directly in front of him, his hand pressed firmly against Gin's face.

-BAM!

James slammed Gin's head into the ground with devastating force. The earth split apart beneath the impact, a massive crater forming and radiating outward until the fractured ground reached Cattleya's feet.

"ARGH!" Gin choked out, spitting a mouthful of blood.

Pain. Unbearable, excruciating pain. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before. His mind screamed in disbelief.

Impossible.

James crouched over him, still gripping his head tightly. He smiled, a chilling expression that didn't reach his blazing eyes.

"Now, let me ask again," James said. "What are you offering me?"

Gin struggled, but James's grip tightened. His skull felt as if it were being crushed, the pressure growing unbearable.

He was going to die. He could feel it. For the first time in centuries, fear clawed at his very soul.

"W–Whatever you want!" Gin blurted.

"Oh? Now we're getting somewhere," James said with a smirk, releasing Gin's head.

The demon crumpled to the ground, gasping for air and trembling.

James, utterly unbothered, turned his attention to Cattleya.

Her breath caught in her throat as his red gaze locked onto her. Panic set in, and she spun on her heels, trying to run. But it was futile—before she could take even two steps, James was already in front of her, crouched at her level.

"No escaping from me, Princess," he said erasing his smile.

"W–What are you doing?!" Cattleya finally snapped, her voice trembling.

She couldn't make sense of the situation. Who was he? What was happening?

He seemed like a fellow student—why wasn't he finishing the demon off? And why had he attacked Travis and now turned his attention to her?

"You're supposed to kill the demon! Why are you—"

James tilted his head, as he cut her off with an amused chuckle.

"Oi, Princess, you're asking all the wrong questions."

"W–What?!" Cattleya's eyes burned with indignation as she glared at James.

Leaning in close, his breath brushing against her ear, James whispered. "You should ask, 'What do you want, Captain Grayling?' instead."

Cattleya froze, her body instinctively recoiling from the oppressive presence enveloping her. "…!"

James let out a low chuckle, as he smiled. "You smell like wealth. It reminds me of that Spanish princess—a lot of talk, just like you. In the end, though, she gave me everything she had."

"You're a beast!" Cattleya yelled. Misinterpreting his intent entirely, Cattleya assumed he was after her body.

But fear coiled within her nonetheless, for despite his savage demeanor, James possessed the most breathtaking face she had ever seen. His piercing red eyes, sharp features, and the rugged charm of a pirate made him disarmingly handsome. Still it didn't mean anything right now.

James looked at her with a cold, penetrating stare before tipping his head back and draining his bottle of rum. Without warning, he grasped her wrists, and yanked her to her feet.

"Let go!"

"How much is your life worth?" James asked.

"What are you talking about?" Cattleya said, struggling against his hold.

"Gold. A mountain of it," he said with a smirk. "Enough to make a ship gleam with it. Get me that, and I'll take care of him for you."

"Never!" Cattleya retorted with a glare.

James shrugged. "Fine by me."

With that, he tightened his grip on her arm, dragging her toward Gin, who lay bleeding on the ground, stunned and helpless.

"L–Let me go!" Cattleya protested, thrashing against him, but his strength made resistance futile.

Gin, still clutching his wounds, stared at them in disbelief. "Huh?"

James' gaze locked onto the demon. "I'll give her to you. Have my ship ready by tomorrow," he said, his tone devoid of emotion.

Gin blinked, trying to comprehend the bizarre offer. James had the power to kill him outright—why bargain with a demon over a human classmate?

James' sharp tone broke through his confusion. "Do you understand me?"

Gin hesitated but finally nodded. "You'll have it…" His voice was uncertain, but the prospect of leaving alive with Cattleya was a tempting one. It was his mission, after all. To refuse James would only ensure his death.

"Good, very good, perfect even," James said with quite a delighted tone. "When I see that ship, I want the gold to shine so brightly I can spot it from a hundred meters away. One mistake, and I'll carve through you and your pathetic mates like butter."

"W–Wait! What are you doing?!" Cattleya's voice snapped with desperation. What had begun as a vague hope that James was joking around had quickly dissolved.

He seemed dead serious about selling her to the demon in exchange for gold.

"You're quite loud for merchandise," James drawled, his gaze cold. "Stay silent like the good cargo you are. Maybe the demons will treat you well."

Without waiting for a response, he reached toward her headband, tugging it free with a swift motion. He didn't hesitate, using the cloth to bind her wrists tightly behind her back.

Cattleya's face drained of color at his words.

The faint sound of approaching footsteps drew James' attention. He turned, spotting two men clad in dark, tattered cloaks advancing cautiously. The moment they recognized James, their swords flew from their scabbards.

Gin raised a shaky hand, covering his wound with his other hand. "Stop."

James smiled in appreciation. "That's the spirit. We're partners for now." With a rough shove, he forced Cattleya to her knees.

"W–Wait!" Cattleya's desperate cry fell on deaf ears as James continued his taunting monologue.

"I'll be taking you as a hostage, Gin though," he said matter-of-factly. "I need to ensure you'll keep your end of the bargain. Have your men prepare the ship instead."

Gin hesitated but finally nodded.

"Wait! Listen to me!" Cattleya's voice rose further louder.

James turned, an eyebrow raised in mock curiosity. "What is it, Miss? Got a last wish you want fulfilled? Don't bother asking for that sorry excuse for a knight, Lucas, to rescue you. He's likely tripping over his own sword somewhere."

He leaned closer, smirking. "Or maybe… you'd like a last rendezvous with him? I could allow it, though I'd need to stick around as a lookout. You don't mind, do you?"

Cattleya's face flushed crimson, the heat traveling all the way to the tips of her ears. "W–What are you talking about?! I would never—"

Her glare was venomous, her embarrassment fueling her hatred for this rude, shameless guy.

James shrugged nonchalantly. "Then what is it? Want me to send your mommy and daddy a letter? Maybe let them know their darling daughter's off to Demon City? I'd be happy to oblige after you've been shipped off."

"L—Listen to me! I'll give you more than they will!"

James' crimson eyes narrowed slightly, his interest visibly piqued. "Oh? Now you've got my attention. I'm listening."

Gin, who had been watching the exchange in silence, stiffened. For the first time in centuries, a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. "W–Wait, what about our deal?"

James cast him a reassuring grin but it didn't reassure Gin at all. "Relax, buddy. I'm just listening. Your ship's still on the table—for now."

Turning his gaze back to Cattleya, James lowered his tone. "Well, then? Speak. But don't waste my time, or I might reconsider and give you that 'lovely night' with Whiteford after all."

"E–Enough of that nonsense!" Cattleya snapped.

"Speak."

"If you save me, I'll give you far more gold than a mere ship is worth!" Cattleya said.

James raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a lazy smirk. "Oh? Really now?"

"I swear!" She insisted. "My Papa will pay you whatever amount you name! More than the value of a ship—ten times over, even! I'm from the Starlight family! Surely you know how wealthy we are!"

"Not really."
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"I—I promise you'll get more than anything that demon can offer!" She spat, casting a venomous glare in Gin's direction.

James tilted his head, considering her words with mock seriousness. "Hmm. That does sound tempting. What do you think, Gin?" He asked toward Gin.

Gin froze, speechless. The casual, almost friendly demeanor James had displayed earlier toward him had vanished, replaced by a frosty one. Even his tone was colder.