The Villainous Me Turned the Losers into Blackened Bosses-Chapter 161 - Piecing Together Clues

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“But Shuna, how did you figure out that freezing the fabric would reveal the hidden emblem?”

Back in their room, Will carefully examined the fabric.

It was true.

The dark red cloth—well, it couldn’t be called “scrap fabric” anymore—indeed bore the simple, unmistakable emblem of a witch’s hat, sketched in minimalist lines.

“Did you think of using freezing because the item came from a fire-element dungeon? That’s brilliant, Shuna. What a genius idea!”

“Uh…”

For once, Shuna didn’t bask in the praise with her usual smug confidence. Instead, she looked slightly embarrassed, scratching the back of her head.

“Actually, I didn’t just freeze it. I tried compressing it, burning it, electrocuting it… Oh, and I even left it out in the sun to bake. Then, as you can see, freezing turned out to work.”

“…You’re a genius! Shuna, this is the kind of exhaustive trial-and-error method that takes incredible courage!”

“You’d praise me no matter what I do, wouldn’t you?”

“You’re the strongest Shuna in my heart!”

“Alright, alright, let’s focus on the fabric on the table.”

Will stopped joking around and turned his attention back to the cloth.

It was unexpected…

They had come to Yavik City because of the “souvenir” label on the box. They had followed the white marks on the shattered Green Wraith Stone to this place…

But it turned out that such an obvious clue had been sitting right there on the fabric wrapping the box?

The emblem was indeed that of the Witch’s Association, but…

It only proved that the fabric might have been a “tool” provided by the association.

As someone who had spent years around witches, Will had a wealth of knowledge.

Leah often procured items from the Witch’s Association—according to her, the association had many witches who rarely revealed themselves, using unique channels to distribute their

goods.

Whether it was coins or the ring Will wore, they had all been shipped from the association.

But the exact location of the association remained a mystery.

It was like a ghostly organization that didn’t seem to exist in this world. Despite its vast array of rare treasures, no one knew where they were made or stored.

“You must know a lot about this, considering you have such a great witch teacher.”

Shuna crossed her arms, standing beside Will as they examined the fabric, now bearing the Witch’s Association emblem after being frozen.

Why did that comment sound a bit pointed?

“Uh… I do know some things, but… if we’re talking about a deep understanding…”

Will hesitated to admit that Leah’s experience might not be enough.

Leah’s witchcraft training was still shallow. After all, the earliest witch, Yal, had lived 500 years ago. Most seasoned witches were over 400 years old. At just over 100, Leah was considered very “young” among them and far from knowing such secrets.

Leah was like someone who only knew how to click on a shopping app to buy items but had no idea how the app’s backend worked—not even bothering to visit the warehouse, just waiting for doorstep delivery.

“So… this only proves that the fabric is related to witches?”

“Yes. But…”

Will paused to think.

Most witches today lived in “seclusion” within their respective domains—Will had no idea where they were, but their traces were nearly impossible to find in this world.

With such secretive channels and so many items unknown to the outside world, it was unlikely they would leave something so easily discovered.

The only observable traces of witches…

One was Leah, a lecturer at Entark’s First Academy and the closest witch to him.

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The other…

Was…

According to Leah, her mother, who had disappeared without a trace.

Could it be…

That Leah’s long-lost mother had, by sheer coincidence, left a clue so close to them? Could she be nearby?

If Leah were here, she’d probably be thrilled to hear about this—even if it had nothing to do with her mother. Any clue related to witches would likely make her jump with excitement.

Unfortunately…

She was probably back in Novice Town with Eir and Treya, waiting patiently for the true protagonist to make their entrance.

“The only witches with visible activity are the one I know and her mother.”

“So, the trail you’re following feels like an old acquaintance’s work.”

“Uh… but I don’t know her mother. Leah’s out here looking for her.”

“If this lead doesn’t pan out, we’ll have to visit the Ice Queen.”

Will stared at the fabric, feeling…

Ever since he arrived in Novice Town, the starting point of the “original story’s” continuous plot, things had been veering further and further from “fate.”

For instance, the disappearance of the “former Morning Star.”

The sudden appearance of the Green Wraith Stone, which bore such a striking resemblance to his game designs.

And…

Leah’s mother, who had always been a background figure in the original story, merely providing a simple motivation for Leah, had now become a central enigma.

But when all these clues were put together, they seemed completely unrelated. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out what kind of catalyst had caused all these changes to occur simultaneously.

Nor could he imagine how fate might “correct” these anomalies.

If only…

He had his Task System with him.

His memory of the plot was so faint now that he could only recall a few iconic moments that had been repeatedly emphasized. He couldn’t accurately describe the finer details. Although he might have forgotten much of what he had written down four years ago, it would still be better than his current recollection.

Like most readers and most stories…

No matter how good a novel, manga, or movie was, in the end, what stuck in the minds of the audience were just a few particularly memorable scenes.

Let alone something that was essentially meant to be disposable entertainment, right?

“Ah, this is so frustrating. Shuna, let’s start my training today.”

Will slammed the table.

“What’s gotten into you? You were acting like a lazy dog in the dungeon earlier.”

“I think if I start training, I might stop dwelling on all these problems.”

“Keeping busy to avoid difficulties, huh? That’s a new level of escapism, Little Will~”

“Well, there’s no progress on these leads anyway.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you new problems to think about.”

“?!”

“Don’t think S’s training will be easy, okay?”

—

Meanwhile, in a luxury hotel in Yavik Town.

The receptionist was organizing the day’s check-in list.

Suddenly, a small hand appeared on the counter.

“Hello, little one. What can I help you wi—”

“The largest suite, please.”

The receptionist looked down to see a pair of red eyes peering out from under a hat—eyes as terrifyingly blood-red as the legends of witches who devoured people.

Her voice carried a hint of seduction, completely at odds with her youthful appearance.

“But the largest suite…”

“I need space for a lot of things. It’s urgent, very urgent. Please…”

“Make some room by shifting other guests if you must.”

“I’ll pay double.”

Those crimson eyes stared into his, leaving no room for refusal.