5 Reasons Why ‘Hero X Demon King X Villain’ Is The Most Subversive Manhwa Of 2025 (Chapter 135+ Update)

The traditional fantasy dynamic of a noble hero battling a sinister demon lord and their wicked villain is a tired trope, but the Korean webtoon *Hero x Demon King x Villain* (영웅&마왕&악당) completely flips the script. As of late December 2025, this action-fantasy series has captivated a massive global audience, not just for its stunning art but for its brilliant, multi-perspective narrative that makes the 'villain' the true protagonist of the story. The series is currently well past Chapter 135 in its Manhwa adaptation, maintaining its status as one of the most talked-about titles in the genre.

Authored by Shadowless man and illustrated by Pbeen and MOMO, this web novel-turned-manhwa redefines what it means to be good, evil, or simply misunderstood in a high-stakes fantasy world. The story’s genius lies in its commitment to showing the world through three wildly different, yet interconnected, lenses, turning every epic confrontation into a chaotic, often hilarious, mess of conflicting intentions.

The Unconventional Cast: A Deep Dive into the Hero, Demon King, and Villain's Profiles

The core of the series' success is its trio of main characters, each a walking subversion of their classic fantasy archetype. The story masterfully proceeds from the point of view of each of these central figures, giving the audience a rare 360-degree view of the unfolding conflict.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

The Villain: Ronald (The Third-Rate Protagonist)

• Role: The Protagonist / The Villain (악당).
• Alias: Often referred to simply as the Villain.
• Synopsis: Ronald is the true main character, a "skilled third-rate 'villain'" with a mysterious past and a lost skill. His biggest problem? He thought being a villain would be an easy job, but the reality is a ridiculously difficult, high-effort, and thankless grind. He is constantly trying to execute a grand evil plan, only for his actions to be hilariously misinterpreted by the Hero and the Demon King as acts of benevolence or a complex, hidden strategy. His true goal often involves a convoluted scheme to eliminate all evil in the world using the Demon King’s magic, which is a surprisingly noble end for a supposed villain.
• Topical Entity: Misunderstood Villain, Third-Rate Antagonist, Ronald's Grand Plan.

The Hero: Serena R. Lavail (The Noble Idealist)

• Role: The Hero (영웅).
• Synopsis: Serena R. Lavail is the noble 'hero' of the story, who punishes evil with the protection of the gods. She is an eager and dedicated swordsman who seeks to master the "three arts of swordsmanship," a core element of the world's power system. Her perspective is the classic, straightforward fantasy view, which makes her interactions with Ronald (the Villain) and his 'good-intentioned' evil deeds a source of high-level dramatic irony and comedy. She is often seen as a possible hero in the making.
• Topical Entity: Three Arts of Swordsmanship, Noble Heroine, Serena's Journey.

The Demon King: (The Powerful, Ancient Entity)

• Role: The Demon King (마왕).
• Synopsis: The Demon King is the powerful, last surviving entity of her kind. Unlike the typical menacing, young demon lord, this one is often described as being old, but is a female character. Her power is immense, capable of destroying all evil in the world with "magic magic," which the Villain seeks to exploit for his own 'evil' agenda. Her perspective adds a layer of ancient wisdom and power to the chaotic mix, often viewing the Hero and Villain’s struggles with a detached, yet powerful, interest.
• Topical Entity: Demon King, Ancient Magic, Demon Lord Archetype.

Why *Hero x Demon King x Villain* Redefines Fantasy Manhwa

The series has become a viral sensation by perfecting the art of narrative subversion and dramatic irony. It takes the familiar tropes of the fantasy genre and twists them into something genuinely fresh and unpredictable. This approach is the primary driver of its topical authority and massive following.

The Triple-Perspective Narrative

The most unique aspect of *Hero x Demon King x Villain* is its commitment to the three-way point-of-view (POV) structure. A single event—say, a massive explosion or the defeat of a minor antagonist—is shown from the Hero’s righteous perspective, the Demon King’s powerful, ancient view, and the Villain’s frantic, often-misunderstood struggle.

This narrative device creates an incredible amount of comedic and dramatic tension. The Villain, Ronald, is the one who suffers the most, as his attempts to be a typical evil antagonist are constantly foiled by his own competence, or the Hero's belief that he is secretly a good person acting in the shadows.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

The Irony of the Suffering Villain MC

Ronald is the ultimate suffering protagonist. He is a "third-rate" villain who is forced to constantly deal with the consequences of his 'evil' actions being interpreted as heroic. For example, when he tries to assassinate a corrupt official, the act is seen by the public (and the Hero) as a necessary, covert strike against a greater evil. This "villain misunderstood as a good person" trope is the series' main comedic engine, attracting readers who enjoy deconstructed fantasy and dark comedy.

His internal monologue, which constantly laments the difficulty of being a villain, is highly relatable and a major source of fan discussion. The manhwa successfully taps into the desire for stories where the antagonist's life is far more complicated than a simple desire for world domination.

The World-Building and Power System: Mastering the Three Arts of Swordsmanship

Beyond the character dynamics, the world of *Hero x Demon King x Villain* establishes a solid, intriguing fantasy foundation. The primary focus of power in this world is not on complex magic spells but on the mastery of physical combat.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The Three Arts of Swordsmanship

The world revolves around the pursuit of the "three arts of swordsmanship." These arts are the pinnacle of martial skill, sought after by all swordsmen, including the potential Hero, Serena. The path to mastering these arts is fraught with danger, with some characters resorting to trickery or even murder to gain an advantage. This focus on martial prowess and intense training grounds the high-fantasy elements in a believable, competitive reality.

The Presence of Ancient Magic and Demon Lords

While swordsmanship dominates the human realm, the Demon King represents the apex of ancient, powerful magic. Her ability to "blow away all the evil in the world" with her magic is the ultimate weapon that the Villain seeks to control. This dichotomy between the disciplined, human-centric power of the "Three Arts" and the raw, world-altering power of the Demon King’s magic creates a compelling power ceiling and a clear, high-stakes objective for Ronald's ultimate plan.

Current Status and Why You Should Start Reading Now (2025 Update)

The Manhwa adaptation of *Hero x Demon King x Villain* is a highly active series, confirming its ongoing relevance in the current Webtoon landscape. The series has reached at least Chapter 135, with a Season 2 conclusion around Chapter 107. This high chapter count ensures a wealth of content for new readers to binge, while the ongoing nature of the web novel and manhwa guarantees fresh updates for dedicated fans.

The series is a must-read for anyone tired of predictable fantasy narratives. Its blend of high-stakes action, genuine comedy, and deep character development—all centered around a protagonist who just wants to be a mediocre villain—makes it a standout in the Korean webcomic scene. It successfully achieves topical authority by deconstructing the Hero-Demon-Villain triangle, proving that the most interesting stories lie in the gray areas between good and evil.

Topical Entities (LSI Keywords): Shadowless man, Pbeen, MOMO, Korean Manhwa, Webtoon Original, Action Fantasy Comedy, Demon King Archetype, Misinterpreted Actions, Ronald's Assassination, Hero's Journey Deconstruction, Manhwa Chapter 135, Season 2 End, Villain Protagonist. (21 entities)