“System? Are you there?”
“……”
“Old man?”
“……”
“Goddess?”
“……”
“Cupid?”
“……”
“Pikachu?”
“……”
“Anyone? Can you just come out and chat for a second?”
After trying to summon every game-like NPC he could remember, Mu’en couldn’t help but cover his face, nearly in tears:
“Could it be that I really don’t have any cheat codes?”
Others get transported to another world, receive cheat codes, beautiful women, and awesome skills. It’s like the protagonist levels up ninety-nine times in one day without breaking a sweat, climbing to the peak of life, marrying a dozen rich beauties.
But himself? Not only did he face a catastrophic start, but he didn’t even receive a single ounce of help.
“God, I only pulled a ten-multi and got five yellows! Even if my lifespan got drained for a gacha, it can’t be this bad!”
“Right, these are all for the protagonist! But I’m just some side character.”
Mu’en realized his status even clearer; seems like his fate as a yellow-haired side character was set in stone.
But there’s no way he’s going to drug Celicia according to the original plot. Even he wasn’t foolish enough to light that powder keg.
In the end, his only plan of action seemed to be summed up in one word: survive.
“I wonder if I can smooth things over by apologizing to the protagonist in person tomorrow. Worst case, I can make some sacrifices—just hope she doesn’t ask for anything too outrageous.”
Mu’en gritted his teeth. He decided that even if the protagonist wanted him to lick her feet to forgive him, he would… just do it.
After all, beautiful girls’ feet aren’t that hard to lick.
He just hoped she’d be wearing black stockings at that time.
“Yes, that’s the plan!”
Mu’en clenched his fists, determination overflowing.
Since he’d made his resolution, all that was left was…
“Ah!”
Suddenly, pumped with spirit, Mu’en let out a scream.
Something had just flown in and smashed against the back of his head.
“What the heck?”
Mu’en muttered something inappropriate while clutching his head, glancing at what hit him.
It was a book.
A black book.
“What the…?”
Mu’en frowned.
This book gave off a weird sense of familiarity.
As if… it was something important.
Yet, he had never seen this black book in his memory.
Moreover… he looked up; his doors and windows were closed tight. Where did this book even come from?
“Could it be…?”
Mu’en suddenly lit up with realization:
“Did the cheat code arrive?”
The book was pitch black, with no illustrations or patterns on its cover, but it was so purely black that if you stared at it too long, you’d feel your soul being swallowed alive.
“Looks like God hasn’t given up on me yet.”
Mu’en felt a surge of excitement, almost tearing up.
Cheats are awesome, cheats are the best.
As long as he had a cheat, even though he was just a regular working guy, wouldn’t he be able to kick the mighty and smack the destined one?
Fate? What’s that?
Ever heard of “my life is my own, not Heaven’s?”
But… how does this thing work?
Staring at the featureless cover, Mu’en found himself puzzled.
There’s not even a beginner’s tutorial!
Does it contain some peerless cultivation method that could make him invincible?
Mu’en gulped nervously, then, full of excitement, slowly turned the pages.
Inside…
Nothing but blank pages.
“What the heck?”
“No words at all?”
“Or does it require some special activation method?”
Mu’en examined the black book from every angle, shook the cover, but nothing happened.
“Heh, don’t tell me I have to drip blood to recognize it as mine.”
Just as he thought this, Mu’en suddenly felt a warm sensation sweep across his forehead.
A drop of crimson blood flowed down from where the black book had hit him.
As if everything had been perfectly calculated.
It dripped right onto the center of the page.
In an instant.
Whoosh!
Like a beast awakening to the scent of blood, the black book flipped violently.
A terrifying suction force emanated from within.
Mu’en’s blood spurted forth from the wound on his head like a fountain, streaming into the black book endlessly.
“Holy crap, what’s happening?!”
Before he could comprehend the horrifying scene unfolding before him, Mu’en felt his vision darken and lost consciousness.
……
Tick-tock.
Tick-tock.
In a dark space.
Flowing liquid.
Bone-chilling air.
And… a person?
Who is it?
【Ah, you’re finally awake! We’ve been waiting for you for ages.】
The voice sounded like rusty iron scraping against each other, mixed with static that made it hard to distinguish between male and female.
【Then let’s continue.】
Continue?
Continue what?
A blurred shadow stepped out of the darkness.
A mysterious light illuminated the shadow’s face, yet it was obscured like pixelation—impossible to see clearly.
【We’re at four hundred seventy-two now, truly worthy of you.】
Four hundred seventy-two?
What four hundred seventy-two?
The shadow moved closer, raising a hand that glimmered with cold light.
It was a delicate little knife, as thin as a cicada’s wing.
Tick-tock.
Tick-tock.
Tick-tock.
What’s flowing?
It’s blood.
A lot of blood.
From four hundred seventy-two wounds, it flowed endlessly.
Bringing with it bone-deep pain.
【Ah, how heartbroken I am at this moment.】
The shadow lowered her head, with crystal liquid flowing down her face, mingling with blood.
【I love you so, so, so, so, so much, but why… why… must you…】
【You shouldn’t be like this; you’re so evil, so cruel, so selfish. You should make others suffer, not show mercy. You should make everyone hate…】
【That way, you’ll be exclusively mine.】
【But you’ve changed, you’ve turned your back.】
【Change of heart… isn’t allowed.】
The sharp blade danced over the skin.
Every slice leaving a permanent, vivid scar.
Filled with endless love and resentment, whispers echoed madly in his ears like bees buzzing.
The shadow inched closer, carrying an indistinguishable mix of blood and floral fragrance.
【So, my love, will have to clean you thoroughly.】
【Don’t worry, my love, I still have plenty more.】
……
“What was… that?”
Mu’en suddenly opened his eyes, gasping for breath, his face pale, drenched in sweat, as if he had just escaped from a hellish nightmare.
“A dream?”
He was still in his room, and it was impossible for some strange shadow to come and slice him to bits.
He could only rationalize it as a dream.
“But why did I suddenly dream of that? Just a minute ago I was…”
Mu’en glanced at the black book in his hands, feeling lost.
He stroked the black book, murmuring thoughtfully:
“And this dream was way too real.”
