I Am The Game's Villain - Chapter 602 602: Hungry Roda

After saying my goodbyes to Layla, I stayed behind for a while, sitting quietly on a weathered bench near the port. The breeze was cool and salty, brushing gently against my face, but it did nothing to fill the strange emptiness settling in my chest.

Letting her go… yeah, that hurt more than I expected.

Even though I knew it was the right thing—probably the safest option for her—it still felt hard. There was this dull void inside me now, like part of my world had gone quiet.

But even through the ache, I couldn’t help but reflect on something: having a girlfriend, doing those little things with her—laughing, holding hands, stealing glances like they were precious secrets—it was honestly one of the most incredible experiences life had to offer.

I used to roll my eyes at John and Victor, always flirting in front of me like the world revolved around their love lives. Back then, I felt jealous. Now? I got it. I really got it. Hell, if Layla were still here beside me, I might’ve turned the flirt-dial up to one hundred and embarrassed us both.

But… she was gone now.

At least she was safe. She wouldn’t be staying in Sancta Vedelia, and thank the gods for that. With the chaos I could sense brewing on the horizon, she was better off far away from here.

Still, knowing that didn’t make it easier. I missed her already. But instead of feeling weaker, it actually gave me more fire. More reason to survive the prophecy hanging over my head. I had to live. I had to see her again. That thought alone gave me more confidence than any weapon ever could.

But first, there was the Behemoth. And even before that… Roda.

Why did every major headache in existence seem to have my name on it?

Grumbling under my breath and dragging my thoughts with me, I eventually made it back to the hotel. I stopped in front of my room, took a breath, and turned the handle.

“Sorry, it took longer than—”

My voice caught.

I blinked.

Darkness. No lights. No movement. No sign of her.

I stepped inside, flicking on the lamp. Empty. I checked the bathroom. Nothing. Closet? Also nothing.

She was gone.

“What the hell?” I muttered, anxiety rising fast. “Did she actually… leave?”

Was she kidding me right now?!

[<You should catch her quickly, Edward.>]

“Why?”

[<She doesn’t belong to your timeline, and it’s probably not a good idea for her to interact with people who know her in this one. That kind of thing tends to cause… problems. Big ones. The kind that get noticed.>]

When she said noticed, I knew exactly who she meant.

The Gods. Or maybe even worse.

But she already met me—and John—and nothing happened. Then again, we weren’t exactly carbon copies of our counterparts from this timeline. We were something else entirely. Something… different inside.

Still, that wasn’t a good enough excuse. She couldn’t just run off like this. Not here. Not now.

“Damn it, Roda…” I groaned, already rushing back out of the hotel in a near-panic. My heart thumped hard against my ribs as I scanned the street, hoping to spot even a glimpse of her.

Where could she have gone?

Then a thought hit me.

Fangoria.

Her family was still alive in this timeline… What if she left to go see them?

It made sense. It was the logical thing to do. And honestly? I couldn’t even blame her. If I were in her shoes, I’d be tempted too.

But… she couldn’t. Not like this. Not when the timeline itself might fight back.

I needed to find her. Fast.

I bolted down the crowded streets, heart pounding, mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

But then, all of a sudden, I stopped.

Something felt… off.

I backtracked a few steps, scanning my surroundings until my eyes landed on a scene to my right.

“I asked for three more pieces of chicken! Are you deaf or just stupid?!”

“I already gave you ten pieces, and you scarfed them down like a wild beast! What are you, a fat wolf?!”

“Huh?”

“Hiii!”

My eyes narrowed.

There, just outside a bustling little restaurant, a small crowd was staring at the source of the commotion. And sitting dead center at a table, stealing all the attention with zero effort, was none other than Roda.

She looked completely unbothered by the glares of the people around her, more focused on her mountain of chicken than the chaos she was causing. Her unique features turned heads, sure—but it was the way she was devouring food that left people stunned. She tore into each piece like a starving predator, snapping at bones, growling at waiters, and glaring daggers at the flustered restaurant owner.

I watched quietly as she spat out the bones one by one with pinpoint accuracy.

…She wasn’t even trying to be subtle.

My expression darkened.

Here I was, stressing over the fate of the world, timelines collapsing, and the gods getting pissed—and she was out here stuffing her face like nothing mattered.

With a sigh that could’ve shaken mountains, I strode toward her table and stopped right in front of her.

Roda didn’t even look up at first, too focused on shoving another piece of chicken into her mouth. Eventually though, she paused, sensing someone standing over her. She frowned, glancing up in irritation.

“Tch, did you finally bring the next plat—!”

Her eyes widened as she saw me.

“You’re eating well, I see,” I said with a pleasant smile—one that didn’t even reach my eyes.

“I—uhh—” She choked mid-bite, clearly caught off-guard. A flurry of awkward coughs followed as she tried to swallow whatever she’d just stuffed into her mouth.

Without saying a word, I grabbed the jug of water from the table, tilted it forward, and poured it straight into her mouth.

“Hmmh!!”

Roda had no choice but to gulp it down as I tilted the jug higher, forcing her to drink every drop. She flailed slightly but couldn’t stop it.

This woman… seriously.

Eventually, she gasped and pushed me back, water dripping down her chin.

“Hhhmmh! Enough already!” She spat, wiping her mouth.

“Had enough?” I asked coldly, setting the jug down.

“You—!!”

I didn’t give her a chance to finish.

“Come on.” I grabbed her arm and started dragging her out of the restaurant without another word.

“W–Wait, wait—!”

“Shut it,” I snapped, not in the mood. She let herself be pulled along, her protests dying into a quiet pout. Maybe she did realize she’d screwed up.

“Hey! She didn’t pay me!” The restaurant owner shouted as he came storming out after us.

Without breaking stride, I flicked an Eden Coin at him—aiming straight for his forehead.

-Thud!

He crumpled like a sack of potatoes.

“B–Boss!!” Someone shouted behind me.

His staff rushed to him in a panic while other diners scrambled out of their seats, deciding it was probably a good time to leave. Screams and the clatter of chairs filled the air.

And through it all, I just kept walking, dragging a sulking Roda behind me.

Once we reached a quiet, secluded corner, far from the buzzing crowds and prying eyes, I finally let go of her. Then I turned to her with a glare.

“Are you actually stupid?”

Roda blinked, visibly taken aback. “W–What?”

“You’re from another timeline,” I said. “There’s another you out there—another damn Roda—and who the hell knows what might’ve happened if you two ran into each other? What if it caused a paradox, or tore open the fabric of reality, or some other crazy crap?! Did you even think about that?!”

“I—That’s…” She floundered for words, then finally snapped, “I was hungry, okay?! You locked me in your damn closet like some kind of animal! I could’ve died in there from starvation!”

Roda’s eyes sparked with anger now that she had found her footing.

[<She has a point.>]

Oi.

You’re supposed to be on my side here.

“Remind me,” I said, one brow arching slowly, “who tried to kill me disguised as a prostitute?”

“I told you to stop calling me that!” She shouted, and with an angry huff, shoved me back against the wall. Not hard, but definitely with some heat behind it.

I didn’t flinch.

Instead, I just shrugged like it was all beneath me. “You should be grateful for how well I’ve treated you, considering you literally tried to assassinate me. Anyone else would’ve gutted you without a second thought.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” she muttered, almost pouting.

“Sure. Keep telling yourself that.” I straightened, brushing invisible dust off my shirt. “Anyway, let’s head back to the hotel. I’ve got a few questions since you’re from the future, and I think you might be useful.”

Especially if she had info on Behemoth’s impending attack.

Before we could move, Roda tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly. “Is your woman gone?”

“She is,” I replied simply.

A few seconds of silence passed between us before she spoke again—this time, more cautious than combative.

“…Is she really Layla Tarmias?” Roda asked.

I glanced at her, surprised. “Yeah. You knew her?”

It caught me off guard. Layla was from Celesta and Roda Sancta Vedelia after all, and in the original game plot, Layla just… disappeared after the first installment. Either dead or just disappeared.

Roda let out a bitter laugh. “Of course I know that monster. I can’t believe she’s your girlfriend now. What the hell… am I in hell or something?”

“Oi,” I groaned. Her muttering was starting to get on my nerves. “Why are you acting like Layla’s some kind of demon?”

“Why am I?” She scoffed, giving me an incredulous look. “She helped destroy Edenis Raphiel. With the Edward of my world.”

My brain stuttered. “Huh? What are you talking about? Edward’s from Ante Eden….”

Roda’s expression didn’t change. “So was Layla. In my world.”

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