Darkness.
That was the first thing Aren felt.
Not the peaceful darkness of sleep—but the heavy, suffocating kind that pressed against his chest like an invisible hand.
Am I… dead?
The last thing he remembered was the cold glow of his phone screen, the unfinished chapter he was reading, and exhaustion pulling him under. No pain. No warning.
Just darkness.
Then—
Boom.
A violent rush of memories exploded inside his head.
Flames swallowing a palace.
Screaming servants.
Blood on marble floors.
A young man kneeling in chains, laughing while heroes pointed their blades at him.
"No… wait…"
Aren gasped and opened his eyes.
Golden light blinded him.
He lay on a massive bed embroidered with black dragon patterns. The air smelled of incense and steel. Velvet curtains fluttered gently, revealing a room so luxurious it felt unreal.
This wasn't his room.
This wasn't his world.
Before panic could fully take hold, the memories settled—locking into place with terrifying clarity.
This body's name surfaced in his mind.
Aren Veyl.
Second Prince of the Veyl Empire.
And—
The future final villain of the story.
Aren's breathing turned shallow.
No… no, no, no.
He knew this world.
He had read this novel.
In the story, Prince Aren Veyl was infamous—cruel, arrogant, and obsessed with power. He betrayed his empire, slaughtered innocents, and ultimately stood as the final boss before the Chosen Hero.
And how did that story end?
The hero pierced his heart before the cheering masses.
Public execution.
Total humiliation.
Erasure from history.
Aren slowly sat up, his hands trembling as he stared at them.
Pale skin. Slender fingers. A faint black crest glowing briefly on his wrist before fading.
"This has to be a dream…"
He pinched his arm.
Pain exploded through his nerves.
His heart sank.
He had reincarnated.
And not as a hero.
Not as a side character.
But as the most hated villain in the entire story.
Just then—
[DING]
A mechanical sound echoed inside his mind.
A translucent black interface unfolded before his eyes.
[Shadow System Initialized]
Host: Aren Veyl
Role: Villain (Fate-Bound)
Deviation Tolerance: 0%
Aren froze.
"A system…?"
Before he could process it, more text appeared.
[Core Rule Activated]
Power is gained through Fear, Hatred, and Despair
Acts of kindness reduce synchronization
Heroic behavior will be punished
His stomach dropped.
"…Punished?"
As if responding to his fear, another line flashed.
[Warning]
If Host attempts to act against villain destiny: → Severe backlash
→ Stat degradation
→ Possible soul erasure
Aren clenched his fists.
"So I can't even choose?"
His mind raced. In countless novels, protagonists used systems to grow stronger, cheat fate, and rise as heroes.
But this one…
This system didn't reward good deeds.
It demanded cruelty.
Hatred.
Fear.
Aren swallowed hard.
If I follow the original story, I die.
If I try to be good, the system kills me.
[CoreRuleActivated]
Power is gained through Fear, Hatred, and Despair
Acts of kindness reduce synchronization
Heroic behavior will be punished
His stomach dropped.
"…Punished?"
As if responding to his fear, another line flashed.
[Warning]
If Host attempts to act against villain destiny: → Severe backlash
→ Stat degradation
→ Possible soul erasure
Aren clenched his fists.
"So I can't even choose?"
His mind raced. In countless novels, protagonists used systems to grow stronger, cheat fate, and rise as heroes.
But this one…
This system didn't reward good deeds.
It demanded cruelty.
Hatred.
Fear.
Aren swallowed hard.
If I follow the original story, I die.
If I try to be good, the system kills me.
"So either way… I'm trapped?"
Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside the chamber.
Aren barely had time to compose himself before the doors opened.
A man in ornate armor knelt immediately.
"Your Highness," the knight said respectfully. "The council requests your presence. There has been… an incident in the lower district."
Lower district.
Aren's heart skipped.
In the novel, this was the event.
The first turning point.
Prince Aren publicly executed civilians accused of heresy. That act marked him as a monster in the eyes of the people—and placed him firmly on the villain's path.
If he stopped it, the system would retaliate.
If he allowed it… innocent people would die by his order.
Aren closed his eyes briefly.
Think. Calm down.
He rose from the bed, posture straight, expression neutral.
"What kind of incident?" he asked.
The knight hesitated.
"Unauthorized worship, Your Highness. The Holy Church demands immediate judgment."
The Holy Church.
In the story, they were hailed as righteous.
In truth, they were manipulators—using faith to control the masses and eliminate threats.
Aren exhaled slowly.
Heroes… church… prophecy… all rotten.
A sudden idea formed.
"What is the recommended sentence?"
Aren asked calmly.
The knight looked surprised.
"Execution, of course."
The system chimed softly.
[OpportunityDetected]
Public condemnation = Fear + Hatred amplification
Aren smiled faintly.
Not a villain's smile.
A strategist's.
"Very well," he said. "Prepare the square."
The knight bowed and left.
Alone again, Aren stared at the interface.
"So you want me to be hated?"
The system responded instantly.
[Confirmation]
Hatred is power
Fear is authority
Despair is evolution
Aren's eyes hardened.
"Then I'll give you what you want."
But not blindly.
If he had to walk the path of a villain—
He would do it on his terms.
The public square was overflowing with people.
Chains rattled as three prisoners were dragged forward—men and women trembling in fear.
The crowd murmured angrily.
"Monster prince…"
"He enjoys this…"
"Heartless demon…"
Hatred poured toward him like a wave.
Aren stepped onto the platform, black cloak fluttering behind him.
The system pulsed.
[EmotionIntake: Hatred + Fear]
Synchronization: 12% → 18%
Power surged faintly through his body.
So this was how it worked.
Aren raised his hand.
Silence fell.
He looked at the prisoners… then at the crowd.
"In the name of the empire," he said coldly, "you are judged."
The people flinched.
The system vibrated eagerly.
But then—
Aren continued.
"Judged… unworthy of death today."
Gasps erupted.
The system stuttered.
[ERROR] Deviation Detected
Aren's eyes narrowed.
"But," he added smoothly, "you will serve the empire where your faith can do no harm."
The prisoners collapsed in relief.
The crowd was confused.
Was he merciful?
No.
Aren turned to the people, his voice sharp.
"Remember this," he said. "Your lives hang on my mood—not your prayers."
Fear spread instantly.
Not hope.
Not gratitude.
Fear.
[EmotionIntake: Fear + Confusion + Hatred]
Synchronization: 18% → 26%
The system stabilized.
Aren felt strength flood his veins.
So that's the loophole.
He didn't have to be a mindless butcher.
He just had to ensure the world feared and hated him.
As he turned away, whispers followed.
"He's terrifying…"
"Worse than before…"
"A devil in human skin…"
Aren smiled inwardly.
Good.
If the world needed a villain—
He would become one strong enough to destroy its false heroes.
And this time…
The villain would win.