He really was incredibly good-looking. It wasn't a rugged, hyper-masculine look, but rather a beauty so refined it was almost surreal—yet without a hint of being "girly."
No wonder the game reviewers said nearly every female character in the game was drawn to the protagonist's face. Even as a guy, Ren had to admit the kid was a top-tier visual.
Ren studied the protagonist, Leon, with curiosity. It didn't take long for Leon to notice the stare. Leon knit his brows slightly and turned to look Ren in the eye. Seeing the blatant admiration in Ren's gaze, Leon looked puzzled, then a flash of... embarrassment? flickered in his eyes.
Ren decided he needed to build a bridge. He was still new to this world; sticking close to the protagonist was the best way to find opportunities. As a veteran of stories and games, he knew that "stealing" the protagonist's destiny was a classic path to success.
With that in mind, Ren walked over. He instinctively reached into his pocket for a cigarette to offer—a classic "bro" move—only to realize he didn't have any. He ended up awkwardly scratching his head.
"Hey man, you're one handsome guy, you know that?"
Ren figured that while a guy might be happy if a girl called him handsome, getting a "real recognize real" compliment from another man was the ultimate ego boost. Surely this would win him some points.
Instead, Leon's frown deepened. He looked genuinely displeased.
Wait, did I say something wrong? Ren wondered. He tried again. "My name's Ren. What's yours, bro?"
Leon just stared at him, silent. After a long, awkward pause, Ren came to a conclusion. The reviewers never mentioned the protagonist started as a mute!
Still, no one hits a smiling face. Ren flashed his most "trustworthy" grin. "It's cool, man. I can tell just by looking at you that we're both destined for greatness. We aren't dying in this hole. Don't sweat the monsters; I'll look out for you."
Ren felt like the luckiest guy alive. Finding the protagonist at his lowest point was the ultimate "friendship investment."
Before Leon could respond, the cellar door creaked open. The smaller children began to shiver and sob. Heavy footsteps echoed down the stairs, and the flickering candlelight revealed a nightmare: a humanoid monster with the head of a rotting pig.
"Heh heh... Why the crying? I'll start by eating the ones who make the most noise."
Ren remembered this creature from the reviews. This "Pig-Orc" was not only a man-eater but a predator in every sense—he liked to "play" with his food before the feast, regardless of gender.
Ren's heart sank as the Pig-Orc's gaze landed squarely on Leon. Apparently, being too good-looking was a curse in a place like this. The monster began to drool, its greasy hand reaching toward Leon.
In the game, it was just pixels. In reality, the smell and the sight were nauseating. Suddenly, the mechanical voice chimed in.
[God-Level Choice System at your service. Please make a choice.]
[Option 1: Shield the protagonist. Shout at the monster: "Let the boy go! If you've got the guts, come at me instead!"
Difficulty: S-Rank. Reward: Protagonist Points +10]
[Option 2: Push the protagonist into the monster's arms and shout: "Lord Pig, this one looks delicious! If you want, I can even show you some different ways to 'play' so you really enjoy yourself!"
Difficulty: S-Rank. Reward: Villain Points +10]
[Option 3: Go back to the corner and watch in terror with the other children.
Difficulty: E-Rank. Reward: NPC Points +10]
This was Ren's first encounter with the system. He was a "newborn calf," as the saying goes—too young to know fear. Hearing that Protagonist Points could get him "Ancient" and "Transcendent" magic, he didn't hesitate. Those spells were game-breakers. He wanted to be the hero of his own story.
So, Ren Takashi made the choice he would regret for the rest of his life.
He stepped in front of Leon, glaring at the terrifying Pig-Orc. "Let the boy go!" he roared. "If you've got the guts, come at me instead!"
________
In that moment, Ren felt like the coolest man on earth. He imagined the other children looking at him with awe—a hero standing tall against a monster.
He naively believed that the "Protagonist" path meant he'd get the "Protagonist's Luck." In the game, Leon was saved by Starlight Academy and went on to become the empire's strongest mage. Ren figured if he acted like a hero, the rescue squad would burst through the door any second and save him, earning him a glowing reputation and a massive favor from Leon.
Leon looked shocked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Don't worry, bro," Ren said with a smirk, fully immersed in his hero role. "I've got your back."
Looking back, Ren realized that "disbelief" in Leon's eyes wasn't admiration. It was pure shock at Ren's stupidity.
Because the rescue didn't come. Instead, the Pig-Orc, delighted by the "volunteer," dragged Ren away and whipped him until he screamed like a dying bird.
The worst part was the shame. He was being whipped right in front of Leon and the other kids, crying and snotting all over himself. Growing up in a modern, peaceful society, Ren had never experienced true physical agony. He couldn't act tough. It hurt too damn much.
He could feel the children's gaze shifting from respect to pity, and then to a sort of disgusted judgment. These were kids from the slums; they had suffered before. Even they didn't cry that hard from a whipping.
Ren realized the harsh truth: his body was weak, malnourished, and frail. He had zero power. He couldn't even beat a normal adult, let alone a monster. He was just an ordinary guy.
As the Pig-Orc left, he spat on the ground. "I thought you had some hidden talent, kid. Turns out you're just mentally ill. If I ate you, I'm afraid I'd catch your stupidity."
Ren lay on the cold floor, his soul leaving his body. Leon looked at him, opening his mouth as if to say something, then stopped. The cellar was silent.
[Mission Complete: Protagonist Points +10]
Ren did the math. He needed 100 points for one pull. At this rate, he'd be dead before he hit fifty. He decided he needed to build up slowly.
A few days later, a new choice appeared. The Pig-Orcs were busy fighting another monster tribe and hadn't brought food for days. Everyone was starving.
[Option 1: Plan an escape and lead the children to human territory. Difficulty: B-Rank. Reward: Protagonist Points +10]
[Option 2: Use the children as a distraction to escape alone. Difficulty: B-Rank. Reward: Villain Points +10]
[Option 3: You're just a bystander. Wait and see. Difficulty: E-Rank. Reward: NPC Points +10]
Ren thought B-rank would be doable. He spent all night planning. He decided to act as the bait to lure the guards away so the others could flee.
He failed miserably. He underestimated the darkness of human nature. There was a traitor among the kids. They didn't have the courage to run, so they sold Ren out to the monsters in exchange for a single day's worth of moldy bread.
Ren didn't get bread. He got beaten until his mouth looked like a crushed dragonfruit. Leon's gaze toward him became increasingly baffled.
After two agonizing lessons, Ren gave up on being a hero. Maybe being a villain is easier? he thought. Just living for myself?
Then came the third choice. That night, the Empire's mages finally arrived. The sky outside was lit with brilliant magical fire.
As the children scrambled to follow the mages out of the cellar, Leon was at the back of the pack. Ren, weakened from his beatings, was also lagging behind. A group of Pig-Orcs began gaining on them.
[Option 1: Stay behind to block the path. Difficulty: A-Rank.]
[Option 2: Fall into the person behind you, use a "tragic" tone to get their sympathy, then shove them toward the monsters to buy yourself time. Difficulty: B-Rank. Reward: Villain Points +10]
[Option 3: Just keep running. Difficulty: E-Rank. Reward: NPC Points +10]
Ren was tired of being an NPC. He wanted the rewards, but he didn't want to be a hero anymore. He chose the Villain path. It felt a bit "snakey," but hey, he was a villain now.
Ren "accidentally" tripped, aiming to fall into Leon's arms. He missed his mark and ended up grabbing Leon's leg. "Bro! Don't worry about me! If you can make it out, I'll die happy!"
He prepared to give Leon a massive shove backward as soon as Leon tried to help him up.
Leon froze. But then, something impossible happened.
Leon pulled Ren into a firm embrace. With one hand free, Leon traced a complex magical circle in the air. A massive dragon of flame roared forth, incinerating the pursuing Pig-Orcs instantly.
Then, a cold, melodic voice spoke: "You aren't going to die."
Ren's brain short-circuited. Why does the protagonist sound like a beautiful older sister?
Wasn't the protagonist a mute? And how does he have this much power already?!
"Bro..." Ren stammered. "Is your throat okay? Why do you sound like... a girl?"
"Leon's" face twitched. "I am a girl. And I am definitely not your 'bro'."
Ren stared. The male lead... was a female lead? Was the game bugged? Or was this even the right person?
"Then... who are you?"
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