Chapter1.I've become the villain again

Northern Country, Snow City.

The Anderson family's business gala was in full swing at their sprawling villa estate. The place was packed with the city's elite, glittering under the chandeliers, champagne flowing like water.

In a quiet corner, Ryan jolted awake, his body trembling as if he'd just been electrocuted.

He blinked, his mind racing as it absorbed the flood of memories dumped into his brain.

Oh, for fck's sake. Not again.*

This was the seventh time.

The seventh time he'd been yanked out of his normal life—where he'd been a broke delivery guy trying to scrape together cash for his mom's surgery—and thrown into this insane system. A system that forced him to play the villain in some trashy web novel.

The rules were simple: survive until the end without getting killed by the protagonist, and he'd get rewards he could take back to the real world. Fail, and, well… he'd die. Again.

The first six times? Yeah, those didn't go so well.

The protagonists in these novels were absolute monsters. They were walking cheat codes—masters of martial arts, medicine, cultivation, you name it. And don't even get him started on their luck. It was like the universe itself bent over backward to make sure they won.

Meanwhile, Ryan, the villain, always ended up as a bloody smear on the floor, with the protagonist delivering some cringe-worthy one-liner before walking off into the sunset with a harem of ridiculously beautiful women.

Last time, Ryan had made the mistake of talking to one of Leo's love interests. Big mistake. Leo had crushed him like a bug.

No justice. No laws. Just pure, unadulterated protagonist plot armor.

Ryan bolted to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face as he tried to calm down.

Okay, focus. This time, the novel's called "The War God's Roam in the Capital: The Encyclopedia of Beauties." Ugh, what a garbage title.

The protagonist? Leo. Again.

Of course, it was Leo. The guy was a walking cliché—a war god from the border, now undercover as a security guard, secretly plotting to take over the Northern Country. And, naturally, he was already sniffing around Emily Bennett, the female lead.

Today's chapter was a big one. Ryan was supposed to announce his engagement to Emily, only for Leo to swoop in, play the hero, and break Ryan's leg in front of everyone. Then Leo would win Emily's heart, and Ryan would be sidelined for a few chapters to "recover."

Yeah, no thanks. Not this time.

Ryan glared at his reflection in the mirror.

"This time, I'm not dying. I'm gonna survive, take the system's rewards, and get the hell out of here. Mom's counting on me."

He took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and stepped out of the bathroom—only to nearly run into Emily herself.

She stood there, looking every bit the ice queen. Her gown hugged her figure perfectly, her face a flawless blend of elegance and cold disdain.

Of course, she's stunning. She's the female lead. But damn, she's also Leo's future harem member. Stay away, Ryan. Stay far away.

Emily crossed her arms, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.

"Ryan, let's get one thing straight. I'm not marrying you. Not now, not ever. So, do us both a favor and drop this ridiculous engagement."

Ryan forced a smile, his mind racing.

[Oh, thank God. Please, take the hint and run to Leo. I don't want any part of this mess.]

[Sure, you're gorgeous, but you're also a walking red flag. Leo's gonna wrap you around his finger, and you'll be too busy simping for him to notice.]

[And let's not forget, your family's fortune? Yeah, that's gonna be Leo's too. Congrats, Emily. You're basically handing him the keys to the kingdom.]

Out loud, Ryan said, "I agree."

Emily blinked, caught off guard. "You… agree?"

[Yes, I agree! Now go chase your precious Leo and leave me out of it.]

[You and your 999 harem sisters can fight over who gets to polish his shoes. Meanwhile, I'll be over here, living my best life as a rich villain.]

Emily's eyes narrowed. Did she just… hear his thoughts?

No, that was impossible. But the words had been so clear, so biting.

What the hell is going on?

Ryan, oblivious to her confusion, kept talking. "Emily, I've thought about it, and you're right. We're not a good match. Let's just be friends."

[Friends who never see each other again. Perfect.]

Emily's jaw tightened.

Three years. Three years of him following me around like a lovesick puppy, and now he's acting like I'm some kind of burden?

She stepped closer, her voice low and dangerous. "What's your game, Ryan? You've been chasing me for years, and now you're just… giving up?"

Ryan held up his hands, his smile strained.

"No game. I just realized you deserve someone better. Someone like… Leo, maybe?"

[Yeah, go find him. He's probably lurking around here somewhere, waiting to play the hero.]

Emily's eyes flashed with anger.

Leo? That security guard I hired last week? Is Ryan seriously suggesting I'd fall for someone like him?

But the more Ryan's thoughts spilled into her mind, the more she realized something was off.

He's not lying. He genuinely thinks I'm going to end up as some kind of harem member for this Leo guy. And my family's fortune? Handed over on a silver platter?

No. That couldn't be right.

But Ryan's thoughts were so specific, so detailed. It was like he knew exactly how this story was supposed to play out.

And if that was true…

Emily's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Fine, Ryan. Let's go tell our parents."

She turned on her heel and marched toward the main hall, Ryan trailing behind her, his mind still racing.

[Finally, some progress. Once this engagement's off, I can focus on surviving Leo's nonsense.]

[And maybe find a few pretty girls who aren't destined to simp for a walking cliché.]

Emily clenched her fists, her temper flaring.

Pretty girls, huh? So that's all I am to him? A stepping stone for his survival?

Well, two could play at that game.

As they entered the room, Ryan immediately put on his best "noble sacrifice" act.

"Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett… Emily and I have talked, and we've decided not to go through with the engagement."

He placed a hand over his heart, his voice dripping with fake sincerity.

"Emily is an incredible woman—strong, independent, brilliant. She deserves someone who truly understands her. And while I care for her deeply, I realize now that true love means letting her go."

[Cue the dramatic music. Maybe I should've brought tissues.]

The room fell silent, everyone staring at him in shock.

Emily's parents looked confused. Ryan's father, Mr. Anderson, narrowed his eyes, clearly suspicious.

But Emily? She just smiled, sweet as poison.

"Actually," she said, her voice cutting through the silence, "I've changed my mind. I agree to the engagement."

Ryan's jaw dropped.

[WHAT?!!!]

[No. No, no, no. This wasn't part of the plan!]

Emily's smile widened, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Oh, Ryan. You thought you could just walk away? Think again.