2. So the Difficulty Level Increases?
“System? Are you there?”
“…”
“Grandpa?”
“…”
“Goddess?”
“…”
“Kyuubi?”
“…”
“Pikachu?”
“…”
“Anyone, please just say something!”
After trying to call out every cheat assistant character he knew without receiving any response, Yino covered his face and cried:
“Do I really not have any cheats at all?”
When others transmigrated, they got systems, beautiful women, skills, weapons—protagonists leveling up to 99 in a day, reaching life’s pinnacle without much effort, marrying countless beauties.
But his transmigration faced not only such a hopeless beginning, but also without a single bit of extra help.
“Oh heavens, I just did one ten-pull with five golds. Even if I traded my lifespan for those gacha pulls, it shouldn’t be this bad.”
“Oh right, those things are for protagonists, and I’m just a side character.”
Yino became even clearer about his position. It seemed the fate of a blonde villain was basically predetermined.
Of course, following the original plot and drugging Selicia was absolutely impossible. He wasn’t stupid enough to light that powder keg.
In the end, there was only one approach to this situation, summed up in one word: survive.
“I wonder if apologizing to the protagonist tomorrow would clear the air. At worst, I’ll make some sacrifices. I just hope she doesn’t make any excessive demands.”
Yino gritted his teeth, deciding that even if the protagonist demanded he lick her feet for forgiveness, he would… comply.
After all, a beautiful girl’s feet weren’t that difficult to lick.
He just hoped she’d be wearing black stockings.
“Yes, that’s what I’ll do!”
Yino clenched his fist, making his decision.
Now that the decision was made, all he needed was to—
“Ah!”
The spirited Yino suddenly let out a scream.
Something had flown at him from nowhere, hitting the back of his head.
“What the hell?”
Yino cursed under his breath, one hand covering his head as he looked at what had hit him.
It was a book.
A black book.
“What… is this?”
Yino frowned.
Somehow, this book gave him a strange sense of familiarity.
As if… it were something very important.
But in his memory, he had never seen this black book before.
And… looking up, he was in his room with the doors and windows tightly shut. Where had this book come from?
“Could it be…”
Yino’s eyes suddenly lit up:
“My cheat has arrived?”
The book was pure black, its cover without any patterns or decorations, but perhaps because it was so purely black, staring at it too long made him feel as if his soul was being devoured.
“Looks like heaven hasn’t abandoned me after all.”
Yino was so excited he almost burst into tears.
Cheats are good! Cheats are wonderful!
With a cheat, even if I’m just an ordinary worker, watch me kick that female protagonist and punch the chosen one!
Destiny? What’s that?
Haven’t you heard “my life is controlled by me, not heaven”?
But…
How do I use this thing?
Looking at the blank cover, Yino fell into confusion.
Not even a tutorial?
Could it contain some ultimate martial art that would make him invincible?
Yino nervously swallowed and, with an excited heart, slowly opened the book.
Inside…
Blank.
“What the hell?”
“A book without words?”
“Or does it need some special activation method?”
Yino examined the black book from all angles, shook it by the cover, but there was no response.
“Heh, don’t tell me it needs a blood oath?”
Just as he thought this, Yino suddenly felt something warm trickle down his forehead.
A drop of crimson blood flowed down from where the black book had struck him.
As if everything had been perfectly calculated.
It landed precisely in the center of the page.
In an instant.
Rustle rustle.
Like a beast awakening at the scent of blood, the black book began to flip violently.
A terrifying suction came from within.
Yino’s blood immediately gushed from the wound on his head like a fountain, continuously flowing into the black book.
“What the fuck is happening?”
Before he could react to this terrifying scene, Yino’s vision went black, and he lost consciousness.
…
Drip.
Drip.
A dark space.
Flowing liquid.
Bone-chilling air.
And… someone?
Who is it?
[Well well, you’re finally awake. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.]
The voice sounded like two pieces of rusty iron scraping together, mixed with static noise, making it impossible to tell if it was male or female.
[So let’s continue.]
Continue? Continue what?
A blurred shadow stepped out from the darkness.
Light from an unknown source shone on the shadow’s face, but it was pixelated, making it impossible to see clearly.
[It’s already four hundred and seventy-two, you know. As expected of you.]
Four hundred and seventy-two?
What does four hundred and seventy-two mean?
The shadow continued to approach, raising a hand that held something glinting.
It was a knife, thin as a cicada’s wing and exquisitely crafted.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
What was flowing?
Blood.
Lots of blood.
Flowing unceasingly from four hundred and seventy-two wounds.
Bringing pain that penetrated to the bone.
[Ah, at this moment, I am so heartbroken]
The shadow lowered its head, crystalline liquid flowing down its face, mixing with the blood.
[I love you so, so, so, so, so much, but why… why… would you…]
[You shouldn’t be like this. You were so evil, so violent, so selfish. You should inflict pain on others, not show mercy. You should make everyone hate you…]
[That way, you would belong only to me.]
[But you changed, your heart changed.]
[Changing your heart… is not allowed.]
The sharp blade danced across the skin.
Each cut left a vivid red mark that would never fade.
Murmurs filled with endless love and hatred echoed frantically in his ears like buzzing bees.
The shadow slowly approached, carrying an indistinguishable mixture of blood and floral scent.
[So, I can only use my love to completely purify you.]
[Don’t worry, my love. I have plenty more.]
…
“What… was that?”
Yino suddenly opened his eyes, gasping for breath, his face pale, his whole body drenched in sweat, as if he had just escaped from hell.
“A dream?”
He was still in his room, and it was impossible for a strange shadow to appear and cut him into pieces.
It could only be explained as a dream.
“But why would I suddenly have such a dream? I was just…”
Yino looked at the black book in his hand, feeling confused.
He caressed the black book, mumbling thoughtfully:
“And… that dream felt so real.”