Every time I open each new volume of Villains Are Destined to Die; it gets better. This is the kind of series you discuss with friends or online, akin to watching popular series like Oshi No Ko or Jujutsu Kaisen. In the latest volume, there are more glimpses of Penelope’s past, some hilarious moments of jealousy, and a hunt on the horizon. Villains Are Destined to Die Volume 3 is painful in parts, sweet in others, and a gripping story that feels larger than life.
With an original story by Gwon Gyeoeul, full-color illustrations by Suol, translated by David Odell, and lettered by Chiho Christie, the third volume picks up where the second left off, with the head Butler informing Penelope that her adoptive father requests she joins the family for lunch. Serialized in English by Yen Press, Villains Are Destined to Die Volume 3 brings a few surprises to Penelope’s history and emphasizes how mistreatment breeds more mistreatment.
Villains Are Destined to Die Volume 3 Starts With A Tense Lunch
The unnamed young lady, trapped in the game as Penelope, continues seeing similarities between herself and the villainess. The lunch helps you understand her and Penelope’s anger. Villains Are Destined to Die Volume 3 drives home how pain as a child lingers and transforms to hate. To write off a child and leave her at the mercy of the Eckhart staff that’s basing their treatment of her on how the family treats her is unforgivable. It’s unforgivable to the Penelope trapped and the one before her.
Though one kind word might’ve swayed the game’s Penelope, she’s no longer here. However, the Penelope trapped in the game has no attachment to them. The similarities between her family and the Eckhart’s is striking. So, it’s unsurprising her feelings border on hate. While Penelope can still hide that, it’s impossible for the men around her. With that love meter percentage above their heads, their feelings are apparent.
Penelope Unleashes Some Anger
Yeah, I said she hides her emotions, but everyone has a breaking point. When she snaps, you see how fed up she is with spoiled rich people mistreating and looking down on others. Her response to Reynold is the first time she has no regard for the risks. I cheered the whole time too. Their issue with Penelope is that they want a helpless damsel who cries for help—someone sunny, who wears their heart on their sleeve.
Game Penelope just exploded in rage; while trapped, Penelope handles situations coldly. But her anger conceals pain, too, because she always sees her life in the world reflected in Penelope’s story. I want to see more moments when Penelope speaks her mind and rips into the Eckhart family. I also hope future volumes of Villains Are Destined to Die explain why her circumstances mirror the game’s character.
Rivalries Are Brewing
Eckles is the only person I sympathize with from the men so far in Villains Are Destined to Die. The Crown Prince, Callisto, defeated his country, and though Penelope bought him at a slave auction, it was not to rescue him but because he was her best shot. She isn’t wrong because his love meter is climbing. Penelope plays it cleverly during the jealous confrontation between Derrick and Eckles and beats a hasty retreat. Negative emotions are recognizable, but positive ones remain obscure to Penelope. Not that jealousy is positive, but she doesn’t understand that Eckles and Derrick like her.
Villains Are Destined to Die Volume 3 reminds me how even when something is obvious, sometimes people do not see it. People’s awareness stems from their experiences. That’s why someone like Penelope takes a while to believe someone cares about her, like her maid, Emily. Though a fantasy with magic, there are lessons in Villages Are Destined to Die, along with laughs and sweetness. If a tough heroine unjustly labeled a villain, fighting to navigate a game of survival, romance, and hilarity, Villains Are Destined to Die Volume 3 has that in spades. It makes me ask, “What would I do?”
