Villain Retirement – Complete Guide & Review

Villain Retirement – Complete Guide & Review

The Story in 3 Sentences

Riley, a 16-year-old sociopath with autism spectrum traits, begins his story by effortlessly killing the world’s number one superhero, finding himself bored with his unparalleled power and deciding to enroll in a superhero academy for entertainment .

Posing as a student while concealing his true identity as the world’s most dangerous villain, he navigates school life, familial relationships, and superhero politics with a chilling lack of empathy, often resorting to mass murder and torture for amusement .

His journey evolves from personal amusement to confronting cosmic-level threats and multiversal conflicts, all while maintaining his morally bankrupt philosophy and occasionally showing unexpected glimpses of attachment to his sister Hannah and few others .

Why It Stands Out

1. Unapologetically Dark Protagonist

Riley stands as one of webnovel’s most genuinely villainous MCs—a cold, calculating sociopath who enjoys killing without remorse, offering zero moral redemption and subverting typical anti-hero tropes with his consistent, unsettling portrayal of psychopathy .

2. Genre-Blending Narrative Tone

The novel masterfully balances extreme violence and dark themes with unexpected comedy and satire, creating a unique tone where hilarious interactions and absurd superhero parodies coexist with mass murder and psychological horror .

3. Complex Character Relationships

Despite Riley’s psychopathy, his relationships with characters like his sister Hannah and allies such as Gary add layers of depth, exploring themes of family loyalty and conditional humanity amidst the chaos .

Characters That Leave a Mark

There’s Hannah – Riley’s sister who represents one of the few emotional anchors in his life, her existence creating complex moral dilemmas and occasional glimpses of humanity in Riley’s otherwise monstrous behavior .

You’ll meet Gary, a fan-favorite character whose humorous interactions and loyalty to Riley provide comic relief while highlighting the absurdity of their world, often serving as both ally and ironic moral counterpoint .

And Megagirl? She’s the powerful superhero whose mysterious conditioning and moral ambiguity create fascinating parallels to Riley’s villainy, blurring the lines between hero and villain throughout the narrative .

The Flaws Fans Debate

The novel’s extreme violence and unrepentant protagonist prove too disturbing for some readers, with many criticizing the glorification of mass murder and lack of moral boundaries as potentially offensive or triggering .

Pacing issues emerge in later arcs, particularly when the story expands into multiversal conflicts, with some fans feeling the narrative becomes disjointed and filled with filler content .

The school/academy trope disappoints readers expecting pure dark fantasy, as the superhero school setting sometimes undermines the story’s more serious themes and tonal consistency .

Must-Experience Arcs

Ch. 1–50: The Superhero Academy Enrollment – The foundational arc where Riley enters the superhero academy, establishing his dual identity and the darkly comedic tone as he interacts with aspiring heroes while concealing his murderous nature .

Ch. 200–300: The Family Conflict Expansion – A crucial middle section where Riley’s relationship with his sister Hannah deepens, introducing complex family dynamics and moral questions that add depth to his character beyond mere villainy .

Ch. 800–900: The Multiversal Threat – The controversial late-game arc where the scope expands to cosmic levels, pitting Riley against multidimensional threats while testing the limits of his power and philosophy .

Killer Quotes

“16 years old—most boys would be falling in love, as their hormones all rise to unprecedented levels. Riley, however, at age 16… killed the world’s number 1 superhero.”

“Your father gave me these scars… I no longer have a soul.”

“Strength isn’t just about the creature you summon; it’s about the bond you forge.”

Cultural Impact

The novel has sparked intense debates within webnovel communities about moral boundaries in fiction, with readers passionately discussing whether Riley’s unrepentant villainy represents innovative storytelling or gratuitous darkness .

It has developed a cult following for its unique blend of extreme violence and comedy, inspiring fan content including memes, character analyses, and discussions about the psychology of its protagonist .

The series is frequently compared to works like “Reverend Insanity” for its uncompromising villain protagonist, setting new standards for dark webnovels and influencing subsequent works in the genre .

Final Verdict

Start Here If You Want:

A truly villainous protagonist with zero moral redemption, offering a dark power fantasy without apologies or conventional heroics.

A unique blend of extreme violence and dark comedy that balances horrifying moments with absurd humor and satire.

Complex character relationships that explore family dynamics and loyalty amidst chaos, providing depth beyond the surface-level violence.

Study If You Love:

The moral ambiguity and villain protagonism of “Reverend Insanity” or “The Boys” television series, but with more dark humor and school setting elements.

Stories that explore psychopathy and autism spectrum traits through supernatural lenses, similar to elements in “Dexter” but with superpowers.

Narratives that subvert superhero tropes through satire and deconstruction, akin to “The Venture Bros” or “Invincible” but with a more focused villain perspective.

Avoid If You Prefer:

Stories with moral redemption arcs or heroic protagonists; Riley remains unapologetically evil throughout.

Minimal violence and dark content; this novel contains extreme scenes of torture, murder, and psychological horror.

Straightforward narratives without tonal shifts; the story frequently moves between comedy, horror, and action.