Grayson leaned back slowly, his hands clasped behind his head, processing what he had just heard.
"The Grierson and Grey families fought fiercely.
Even their Celestial-level ancestors personally took action—
And nearly sank the entire Imperial Capital."
"It took the intervention of the Ironwood Empire's sovereign himself to prevent catastrophe."
Grayson's heart pounded.
When he first sent his "help" message, he had anticipated a sharp response—perhaps a warning shot at Garrett, maybe some political pressure.
At most, he had expected his elder brother Leon to rough up Garrett in public, send a signal to the Grey family, and retreat.
After all, in this second villain simulation, the assassination attempt against him had technically failed.
Surely, there was no need for such extreme escalation.
But what actually unfolded?
A full-blown blood feud.
Generations-old grudges unearthed.
The Ironwood Empire's very stability threatened.
All because of him.
Grayson sat in stunned silence for a moment.
"This isn't normal," he muttered.
Even family love, even brotherhood, couldn't fully explain this level of ferocity.
Sure, he was the second son of the Grierson family, and yes, he was beloved by many...
But not to the extent that an entire Celestial family would risk civil war for him.
No.
There was something else at play.
He began to think back carefully.
To every moment of his life in the Grierson family.
To every indulgence, every seemingly minor privilege, every time he was shielded from consequences.
To the way even his mistakes were handled with an almost eerie gentleness.
The pieces fell into place.
And for the first time, Grayson seriously questioned—
"Who am I, really?"
The Villain Simulator buzzed, confirming his thoughts:
[After hearing about the dramatic changes in the Ironwood Empire's capital, you began to realize the abnormality of your existence.]
[You started to doubt whether you were truly just an ordinary second son of the Grierson family.]
Shawn soon returned with updates.
["Young Master," he reported respectfully, "the family sent word.
For now, you are to remain in Demonic City.
Stay hidden.
Wait until the family fully settles the Grey family before returning."]
The frontline was too chaotic now.
Even the Celestials were wounded.
No one wanted Grayson near the storm while the dust was still settling.
Additionally—
[Due to the fierce conflict, transferring high-level protectors from the capital to Demonic City had become difficult.]
But Leon was not one to leave his little brother unguarded.
Shawn solemnly presented a shimmering blood-red talisman wrapped in cloth.
[Leon had sent someone through unimaginable hardship to deliver this—
A Life-Substitute Blood Escape Talisman.]
Grayson's pupils shrank.
He recognized it immediately.
A Celestial-grade life-saving artifact.
Forged using the heartblood of a Blood Demon Bat, inscribed by a master Talisman Engraver.
The success rate was less than one percent.
Even Celestials would kill for one.
At a critical moment, it could block a fatal attack and teleport the bearer thousands of miles away.
"This..." Grayson whispered.
The price of creating one was astronomical.
Even if Leon had access to the Grierson family's treasures, securing such an item on short notice must have cost him dearly.
Grayson's heart tightened.
He accepted the talisman carefully, pressing it close to his chest.
[You secretly vowed that one day, you would repay this favor a thousandfold.]
No matter what secrets the family hid—
No matter what mystery surrounded his identity—
Leon had treated him with true, unquestioning love.
And Grayson would never forget that.
[After calming your heart, you turned your attention back to Demonic City.]
Five days had passed.
Grayson had ordered investigations.
Surely some progress had been made.
He asked Shawn for updates.
The bodyguard nodded and explained:
[Five days ago, you instructed the Li family—one of Demonic City's Four Great Families and an ally through marriage—to investigate the Zhao family's movements.]
[At the time, they were hesitant, reluctant to act.
They clearly feared offending the Zhao family.]
But after the Griersons thundered through the Ironwood Empire's capital, shattering the Grey family's pride?
The entire landscape changed.
[The Li family shifted overnight.
They began attacking the Zhao family fiercely on multiple fronts: political, economic, and even martial.]
Meanwhile—
[The Wu family and the Lin family, the other two Great Families, chose neutrality.
They quietly withdrew from the brewing storm.]
Smart.
Cowardly, but smart.
As for the Zhao family?
They had no choice but to turtle up—defending desperately but not daring to counterattack.
They understood perfectly well:
If they fought back,
the Grierson family's wrath would fall on them next.
Grayson chuckled coldly at the news.
Fear.
It was a beautiful thing when properly cultivated.
Shawn continued:
[As for the Liu family...
When they learned that Luke—the Dragon King bodyguard and destined protagonist—had offended you, they panicked completely.]
The Liu family's patriarch nearly suffered a stroke from fear.
[He immediately ordered Luke to be captured and presented for apology.]
Unfortunately, Luke wasn't cooperative.
Even missing an arm, the child of destiny was slippery.
[Luke fought furiously inside the Liu estate, wreaking havoc before finally escaping.]
Now, Luke's whereabouts were unknown.
Demonic City had issued a full bounty.
Every mercenary, every gangster, every bounty hunter was on the lookout.
The Liu family, meanwhile, had descended into pure terror.
Desperately, they sent their daughter—Anya—to Grayson's villa, hoping to appease his anger and beg for mercy.
Grayson's lips curled into a faint, amused smile as the Villain Simulator continued:
[Mr. Grierson, the Zhao family's representatives have arrived at the villa gates.
They wish to meet with you and explain themselves.]
[Additionally, Liu Ruyue—Anya—is waiting outside, kneeling humbly.]
[You instantly understood:
The Zhao family hoped to beg for clemency.
The Liu family was offering Anya to pacify your wrath.]
In Demonic City, Grayson Grierson had become a terrifying villain in the eyes of the local elites.
One misstep—and entire families could be erased.
No one dared challenge him lightly anymore.
Grayson thought for a moment, weighing his options.
The Zhao family could wait.
Their urgency amused him.
As for Anya?
Why not let her in?
A gift delivered so humbly to his doorstep deserved to be accepted.
["Let the Zhao family wait outside," he said lazily.
"As for Anya—bring her in."]
Shawn bowed respectfully and moved to obey.
Grayson remained seated, swirling a glass of wine slowly.
His heart was calm.
In Demonic City—he ruled the night.
Soon, he would rule the day too.
And when the time came to reveal his true power—
Not even the hidden masterminds would be able to stop him.