CHAPTER 11: THE BEAST AWAKENS FROM IT'S SLUMBER

"Your life is in danger; you need to hide. Please, I can't allow you to get hurt," Jessica said with concern etched across her face. Greg looked at her with an indifferent expression, which didn't ease Jessica's worry.

"This is not a prank, Greg. You're really in danger—Annabelle as well. I can help you stay safe, Greg, but please, just believe me. These are not people you can stand against. They are dangerous," Jessica said, her expression almost moving to tears.

Greg still didn't show any reaction. He looked at Jessica, his face emotionless. "You haven't answered my question, Jessica. Why did you show your face to me after avoiding me for so long?" Greg asked, his voice void of any warmth, as if he were speaking to a stranger.

Jessica looked at Greg, guilt, anguish, pain, and depression gripping her heart as though they were seeking to crush it. She bit her lip and stared at Greg, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"I couldn't bear to look at you—not because you no longer have anything—but because I feel guilty..." she paused, hesitating to say what she planned to, unable to bring herself to expose the truth. "Gregory," she said softly, her affection and emotions, suppressed for years, threatening to break through and overwhelm her. "There are things, people, and phenomena that are best left unknown—and secrets that I can only shamefully hide. I can't say it. I'm not brave enough. But I have never avoided you because of you; it's always been me. Watching from a distance, helping in any way I could—that's the only thing I've been able to do."

Greg stared at her, pieces from his past life and this one finally falling into place. The generous stranger who paid his tuition fees, recommended him for part-time jobs, helped with the hospital bills when his sister was ill, and even supported grocery expenses—it had been Jessica all along. Finally, the look in her eyes that he'd misunderstood in his past life due to his naivety made sense. It wasn't contempt. It was guilt. It had always been guilt and pity.

Greg clenched his fists tightly and closed his eyes for a few moments while Jessica watched him worriedly, biting her lips.

"The people... the reason my life is in danger... and the reason for your guilt—it definitely wouldn't have anything to do with the death of my parents, right?" Greg said, his eyes snapping open. Unlike before, when his gaze held only coldness or detachment, there was something more now—anger, sadness, and realization.

It all made sense. The puzzle finally fit. His parents had died mysteriously. Their assets were liquidated for debts that appeared out of nowhere. It all made perfect sense now. Jessica had started avoiding him after his parents' deaths—not because he was no longer rich, as he'd always believed. Her family, Kyle's family, and a few others had risen to prominence shortly after his family's downfall.

Jessica watched Greg in shock. The fact that he could piece it together so quickly both marveled and terrified her. The look in his eyes was something she had never seen before. His aura had completely shifted. Yes, Greg had shown signs of being cold before, but not like this. This change worried her deeply.

"So, Kyle has decided to get rid of me. That's so like him. He must've gotten furious after I treated him harshly the last time he visited. He's the kind of person who wouldn't hesitate to cut ties with someone who no longer serves his interest. And to him, I'm nothing more than a tool, no, not a tool, far less a dog with a leach that he once enjoyed watching. A friend? That was an illusion I foolishly believed in. He must've pushed for this. Hah, how ironic," Greg analyzed calmly, relying on his past life experience to discern Kyle's true character and the shocking truth he'd uncovered.

Jessica was once again shocked. Yes, Greg had always been smart—but not this dangerously smart. And the look on his face... it didn't even show the anger she had expected. It had reverted to one devoid of emotion, and something deep inside her told her that this was far more dangerous than anything she had ever known.

"Greg..." she called softly, trying to speak, but he cut her off.

"My advice to you, Jessica: I'll be investigating the case soon. And when I discover the truth, I'll make sure those responsible are held accountable. I'll make sure they suffer the same fate as my parent, So, if your parents were part of the team that caused my family's downfall, ensure they stay far from me, better still flee from the face of the earth. Because when I find the truth, I won't turn a blind eye to anyone involved.

"I'd advise you to do what you think is best, but know this—underestimating me would be a mistake. So perhaps join hands with Kyle and kill me? Yes that's the best plan, cause I'll make sure I relay the debt of blood by blood, and I'm sure of it, you'll greatly be disappointed at yourself, not just you, everyone else that's involved that I was allowed to live"

Greg stood up from the chair he had been sitting on and walked away, humming a cheerful tune. Jessica remained seated, Greg's words echoing in her ears over and over again, plunging her into a dilemma.

Join hands with Kyle to stop Greg? That was something she could never do. Watch Greg seek retribution, knowing her family might be involved? That was equally impossible. She was on the verge of tears, completely confused, until she finally calmed herself down.

'Greg can't possibly succeed. There's no way they'll allow him to rise to the point of becoming a threat. I'll watch it all play out. I'll help him the moment he's in dire need of it,' she thought, unaware that her reasoning was deeply flawed.

The Greg she knew in the past? Yes, he would've been too weak and hesitant to seek retribution. But the Greg standing before her now? The sleeping beast had finally awakened. Someone who could grow stronger without working hard had finally decided to grow stronger. The realization was terrifying.

Jessica stood up, knowing Greg was unwilling to speak to her anymore. She left, worry still etched on her face—not for her parents, the people who truly deserved it, but for Greg, the force she knew she couldn't control.

Greg returned to his room and lay down, the knowledge he'd gained consuming his thoughts. He smiled—a smile like that of someone who had been freed from chains. He couldn't even feel sad anymore. The sadness was too overwhelming, yet he still smiled.

Yes, he smiled because the truth had been a wake-up call. He had planned to dominate the game for fun and to pay back the Demon King who destroyed his world. Gaining power and authority hadn't even crossed his mind. He wanted a quiet, peaceful life with his sister after defeating the Demon King.

But how foolish had he been? A peaceful life? Staying out of the spotlight? That could all go to hell. He had the means, and this time, he would seize it. Absolute power—power that would ensure no one could interfere with him—he was going to achieve it.

Perhaps it was time to seize power. This time, he wouldn't let anyone hold him back. No—he would rise above them all.

With a smile filled with determination, he began plotting his next moves. But his thoughts were interrupted when he heard his door open. It was Annabelle. She walked toward him and immediately dived into his arms, tears streaming down her face.

Greg watched her cry, his heart aching at the sight.

"I heard you guys. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I heard everything. They hurt Mum and Dad. Mum and dad is dead because of them,they made our lives miserable. And now they plan to hurt us too? Why? Why can't they just leave us in peace, brother? We didn't do anything wrong. How can they be so cruel? How can they continue stealing our joy like this!" Annabelle cried, her sobs intensifying.

Greg gently stroked her hair, his voice filled with love. "Silly girl, don't cry over it. They won't have their way with us any longer. I promise. I'll make sure they pay for all the wrongs they've done to us. Don't cry anymore. They don't deserve your tears," he whispered, continuing to stroke her hair, easing her burden while making a solemn vow to fulfill his promise.

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(A/N: Sorry for the delay in releasing the chapter—extremely busy day; exams are taking their toll. Anyway, I've decided to develop the MC from half-naive to fully antihero faster than I initially proposed. Well, naive MCs were never my thing anyway. The MC is finally going to be a fun character—even I'm excited to see where this will lead us!)