The Survival Plan Begins

Renji stumbled back to his room, his muscles screaming in protest from the earlier sparring session. He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling with a mixture of relief and anxiety.

"Okay... I survived the first encounter," he muttered to himself. "But this is just the beginning. The real challenges are yet to come."

He rolled onto his side, mentally sifting through the game's plot points. The protagonist's arrival in the capital was only the first step in a long chain of events leading to war, betrayal, and untold dangers. If he was going to make it out alive, he needed a solid plan.

"Alright, step one: Power-ups. I need to get stronger... fast. That means tracking down all those hidden resources scattered across the city."

He grabbed a quill and parchment from the desk nearby and started scribbling down key locations he remembered from the game. Secret weapon caches, forgotten relics, and hidden training spots—anything that could give him an edge.

"Step two: Allies. In the game, the protagonist built up a powerful harem... but those girls aren't just love interests. They're skilled warriors, mages, and tacticians. If I can win them over first, I'll have a better chance at survival."

He tapped his chin, thinking about his fiancée, Liliana von Eldoria. In the original story, she never cared for him and quickly fell for the hero. But perhaps, with the right approach, he could change that outcome.

"Step three: Avoid death flags. No more acting like the arrogant noble. I'll have to play things smart, stay humble, and make sure I don't provoke the wrong people."

Just as he finished writing down his thoughts, a knock came at his door.

"Young Master Renji?" A maid's voice called out. "Lady Liliana wishes to see you."

Renji's heart skipped a beat. "Speak of the devil..." He stuffed the parchment into a drawer and quickly straightened his clothes before heading out.

In the grand drawing room, Liliana sat elegantly by the window, sipping tea with an unreadable expression. Her golden hair shimmered in the afternoon sun, and her piercing blue eyes scrutinized him as he entered.

"You fought well today, Renji," she said, setting her cup down. "I must admit, you exceeded my expectations."

Renji offered a polite smile, careful not to overstep. "Thank you, Lady Liliana. I simply wanted to uphold the Asakura name."

Her gaze narrowed. "You've been acting... differently lately. Less arrogant, more cautious. What are you planning?"

Renji swallowed hard. "I just realized that my old ways were... counterproductive. I want to improve myself and be of more use to our house."

Liliana studied him for a moment before nodding. "Hmph. At least you have some self-awareness. I'll be watching you closely, Renji. Don't disappoint me."

As she left the room, Renji exhaled in relief. "One hurdle down... now onto the next."