Chapter 6: A Villain’s Rival?

⚠ Rule of the Chapter:

"A villain does not compete. They dominate."

---

Eleanor leaned forward, fingers steepled beneath her chin. "Tell me more about Lucas," she demanded.

The system hesitated.

🟢 "Lucas Carter is… an accomplished man."

"Yes, yes," she waved a hand impatiently. "Spare me the dramatics. What exactly has he accomplished?"

🟢 "He's a best-selling author."

Silence.

Eleanor blinked once. Then again.

"...Excuse me?"

🟢 "Lucas Carter is a world-renowned author. His books are critically acclaimed, often topping bestseller lists."

She tilted her head.

"...So, let me get this straight. The so-called 'main villain' of this novel is the author?"

🟢 "Not of this novel. Of novels in general."

She exhaled slowly, pressing her fingers against her temple.

"Alright. Fine. But don't tell me he writes the usual dime-a-dozen putty romance ."

🟢 "No. His specialty is modern mystery. More specifically, sci-fi mysteries with psychological horror elements."

She paused. That… was unexpectedly interesting.

"Go on."

🟢 "His latest best-selling novel follows a brilliant surgeon who secretly operates as a serial killer. By day, he saves lives. By night, he takes them away."

Eleanor's lips curled into an approving smirk.

"Hmm. Nice."

🟢 "You think so?"

"Obviously," she scoffed. "Nothing is more tedious than a villain with no taste for theatrics."

🟢 "Indeed…"

She waved a hand. "Alright, enough admiration. Tell me about this supposed 'partnership' I had with him. I couldn't get through the entire novel, and that was… frustrating."

🟢 "Well…"** the system hesitated.

Eleanor's gaze sharpened.

"Well, what?"

🟢 "You… approached Lucas for help."

She leaned back, expression unreadable. "Did I now?"

🟢 "Yes. At some point, you decided you couldn't handle it alone. So, you sought out Lucas and offered a deal."

A slow, calculating smile spread across her lips. "And what was my offer?"

🟢 "You told him that all you wanted was Alexander. You didn't care about anything else."

She hummed. "A bold approach. And how did Lucas respond?"

🟢 "...He never actually agreed to your plan."

Her fingers froze mid-tap against the armrest.

"He didn't?"

🟢 "No. Instead, he manipulated you."

Eleanor's smirk faded slightly. "Elaborate."

🟢 "He maneuvered you into putting Lily in danger. And while Alexander rushed to rescue her, Lucas took complete control over the Carter family business."

A beat of silence.

Then—

Laughter.

Soft at first, then growing louder. Amused. Delighted.

Eleanor shook her head, chuckling.

"Wow." She exhaled, a sharp grin settling on her face. "I can see why you think he could rival me."

🟢 "So, you acknowledge—"

"I said I can see it. That doesn't mean I agree with it."

🟢 "Of course."

She leaned back, lost in thought. "Childish. But effective."

🟢 "That's… an interesting way to put it."

She tapped a finger against the chair's polished wood.

"...He's interesting," she admitted. "A challenge, perhaps."

Then her gaze darkened.

"But at the end of the day, there is only one villain in this world."

The system hesitated again.

Eleanor's eyes narrowed.

"...You're hesitating."

🟢 "Ah… well—"

Her voice dropped to a warning murmur.

"System."

🟢 "Ahem. So, about that…"

She smiled—cold, expectant, and wholly dangerous.

"Speak."

🟢 "...I don't think you're going to like this."

---

📜 INTERVIEW WITH THE SYSTEM: THE MOMENT BEFORE DOOM

🟢 "This is System AI-23, signing off my last will and testament."

🟢 "Current status: Cornered."

🟢 "Threat Level: Extreme."

🟢 "Mistake Level: Catastrophic."

🟢 "Survival chances: Questionable."

🟢 "I regret everything."