Blindfolded Troll

Hae-Won's mind drifted back to a time that now felt like another life entirely. In a way, it *was* a different life. Before he was known as the Rookie Master struggling for survival in the VillainVerse, he had been something much simpler, something that now felt worlds away.

He had been a bartender.

Not just any bartender, but *the* bartender of Seoul. His bar, "Haewon," was famous, known throughout the city for its welcoming atmosphere, innovative cocktails, and Hae-Won's skill in making each drink a personal masterpiece. People from all walks of life crowded into his bar every night — business moguls, actors, top singers, and even a few movie stars who praised his craft. No matter how high-profile his customers were, he treated each of them with the same warmth, listening to their stories, sharing laughs, and pouring drinks with practiced ease.

For the first time in his life, he felt at peace. Hae-Won loved his work, loved the rhythm of the bar and the people who filled it with life. He'd grown close to his staff and cherished the small community they'd created in that dimly lit space, tucked away from the chaotic world outside. People called him "Great Bartender Hae-Won," and he wore the title with pride.

But happiness and sadness cycle in this world, he thought bitterly. And that cycle had finally come for him.

One night, a man from his staff had crossed a line. Hae-Won hadn't noticed the way one of his workers was treating a young woman who had come to the bar alone. She was visibly uncomfortable, backing away from the man, but he ignored her unease, moving closer, his tone too aggressive, his words laced with disrespect.

Hae-Won felt anger flare in his chest. He couldn't let this slide, not in his bar. He approached, stepping between them, and calmly asked the worker to leave the girl alone. But the man turned on him instead, his face twisted in frustration and resentment. He started yelling, causing the entire bar to go silent. The next thing Hae-Won knew, the man's hand darted to his pocket, pulling out a small, worn-out knife.

There was a flash, a sharp pain across his abdomen, and then everything went dark.

When he woke up, he was lying in a sterile, white hospital bed. His career, his bar, his life as he knew it — all shattered. The bar had closed soon after. His staff moved on. His regulars drifted away, and the man who had attacked him disappeared into the crowd. *Just like that, everything he'd built was gone.*

---

The next two years passed in a haze. No one from his former life ever visited him, and he rarely left his tiny apartment. He was a ghost in the city he'd once called home, fading from the memory of those who had once looked up to him. All he had was his isolation — and his video games.

He became obsessed with a single game in particular: *I Am the Real Villain.* It was unlike anything he had ever played. In it, he could create his own persona, his own rules. For hours each day, he escaped into this world where he could forge his destiny as a villainous Master, a dark hero who could challenge anyone, who didn't have to live by anyone else's code. He poured his resentment, his frustration, and his loneliness into the game, climbing as high as he could, escaping reality with every click.

---

**Present Time**

The system message jolted him back to the present.

*New Quest Activated: Blindfolded Troll*

Hae-Won straightened, wiping the memories from his mind. He was in the VillainVerse now, no longer the broken man from his past life. This was his chance to prove himself. But as he looked around, he couldn't ignore the bleak reality he faced.

Despite being granted the title of Master, he had to conquer his own universe before even thinking of challenging anyone else in the VillainVerse. And, in his current state, even that was a monumental task.

He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his inadequacy. He was weak, *too weak* to make an impact on his world, let alone in the VillainVerse. He could barely defeat a C-tier opponent. How could he hope to rise above, to stand among those legendary names like Jin Mori or Sung Jin-Woo?

The viewers, ever present in his vision, had noticed his hesitation. Comments flooded the screen, mocking his weakness, questioning his resolve.

**[VillainSeeker]: Why doesn't he just give up? He's nowhere near strong enough.**

**[MidnightWatcher]: A Master who can't even conquer his own universe? Pathetic.**

**[SunEater]: I'm switching to a stronger Master. This one's just embarrassing.**

But amidst the mocking comments, a single message caught his eye, hidden among the others:

**[ObscureWatcher]: Every villain has to start somewhere. Keep going, Hae-Won.**

He stared at the comment for a moment, feeling a strange flicker of determination reignite within him. He was the underdog, yes, but he'd been at rock bottom before. He knew what it was like to lose everything, to be left with nothing but his own tenacity.

And now, with the VillainVerse watching him, he would push himself further. He'd prove them all wrong, one conquest at a time.

Taking a deep breath, he accepted the quest.

---

The *Blindfolded Troll* appeared before him, a grotesque creature with thick, gnarled skin and massive, club-like fists. Its eyes were covered by a ragged strip of cloth, but it moved with surprising accuracy, relying on its other senses to track his movements.

Hae-Won felt a surge of nervousness as he sized up the Troll. He wasn't sure he could win — he barely had any energy left after his last fight, and he still hadn't fully mastered his abilities. But this was the only way to advance, to prove his worth to the VillainVerse, to himself.

Steeling himself, he activated *Nightmare Aura,* surrounding himself in a shroud of dark energy, hoping it would intimidate the beast. The Troll paused, sniffing the air, and let out a guttural growl.

With no more time to think, Hae-Won lunged forward, summoning a blade of shadow and striking at the Troll's side. The blade hit with a dull thud, barely scratching the creature's tough hide. It swung its massive arm toward him, forcing him to leap back, narrowly avoiding the blow.

The comments flooded his vision again, taunting him.

**[Skyfall]: Is he really struggling with a basic Troll?**

**[ShadyShade]: LMAO, maybe he should stick to bartending.**

The barbs stung, but he ignored them, gritting his teeth. He needed to be strategic, to make each move count. As he dodged another swing, he remembered his past life — the patience and precision he had learned in his bar, the calm he'd once held in even the most chaotic situations.

He took a steadying breath, letting his memories of his old life guide him. This battle was no different. He just had to outmaneuver his opponent, outthink it.

Drawing on his shadow abilities, he let the darkness wrap around his legs, giving him an extra boost in speed. He circled the Troll, watching for any weaknesses, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The Troll lunged at him blindly, swinging its club in wide arcs, and with a swift, silent movement, he slid underneath its reach, driving his shadow blade into the back of its leg.

The Troll stumbled, bellowing in rage, and Hae-Won seized the moment. With a fierce resolve, he focused all his energy into one final *Infernal Strike,* his blade blazing with dark flames as he drove it into the creature's heart.

The Troll shuddered, then collapsed, its body disintegrating into particles.

---

A notification flashed across his vision.

*Quest Completed: Blindfolded Troll*

*Reward: Basic Skill Upgrade Token (x1)*

Hae-Won breathed heavily, his vision swimming. He had done it, barely, but he had won.

The comments were quiet for a moment, before a new message appeared:

**[ObscureWatcher]: Well done, Hae-Won. Everyone starts somewhere.**

He straightened, feeling a strange surge of pride. He wasn't there yet, but for the first time, he felt like he had a real chance.