Chapter 2: The Fate of a Transmigrator

When Selena opened her eyes, an excruciating pain tore through her skull, as if countless needles were stabbing into her brain. She attempted to push herself up, only to realize she was lying on a wooden bed as hard as stone. The air was thick with damp mold, tinged with a faint metallic scent of blood.

Dim light seeped from above. Squinting, she took in her surroundings—mottled stone walls and a rusted iron door.

"Where… am I?" she murmured hoarsely, her voice rasping as if forced through a parched throat.

The next second, a flood of foreign memories surged into her mind.

Her body tensed, cold sweat trickling down her forehead.

She had transmigrated.

She was now Selena Nightshade—the infamous villainess from Destined War God, the heir of the Nightshade Ducal Family, a character fated to be publicly executed by the so-called Child of Destiny, Lucien Windrider.

A mere stepping stone destined for the protagonist's rise.

"What kind of sick joke is this?" she gritted her teeth, nearly laughing in disbelief.

As a modern reader, she had binge-read countless web novels filled with unsatisfying plotlines, but she never imagined she'd become one of those disposable villainesses herself.

She quickly calmed herself and examined her body.

Her dress—a tattered linen gown—was stained with grime and darkened splotches of dried blood. Her wrists were raw with rope burns, and beneath her, the floor bore crimson stains from old wounds.

Memories surfaced—she was locked in a dungeon, and in three days, Lucien Windrider would lead his army to destroy the Nightshade family. On that day, she would be dragged before a crowd and beheaded for all to see.

Then, suddenly—

A cold, mechanical voice echoed in her mind:

[Ding—Fate Reversal System successfully bound.]

[Host detected: Selena Nightshade.]

[Original fate: Executed in three days by Lucien Windrider. Nightshade family annihilated.]

"A system?" Selena's eyes narrowed as her mind rapidly connected the dots.

She had read enough transmigration stories to recognize the classic tropes.

[Mission issued: Defeat the Child of Destiny, Lucien Windrider. Steal his fortune and rewrite your fate.]

[Current Fortune Value: 0.]

[Additional function unlocked: 'Destiny Preview'—View possible future outcomes based on fate alterations.]

"Destiny Preview?"

Selena arched a brow and spoke softly, "Show me."

In an instant, a vision flashed before her eyes.

A grand, opulent hall bathed in golden light. Crystal chandeliers swung above, casting shifting shadows across the room. Terrified nobles knelt on the marble floor, trembling.

At the highest seat, she sat—clad in a black gown that flowed like the night itself.

Her ice-blue eyes gleamed as she gazed down upon the defeated.

And at her feet—Lucien Windrider knelt.

The once glorious war god was now hollow-eyed and broken, his legendary aura completely extinguished.

Selena lifted a bronze ring, brushing her fingers over its crimson gemstone, before curling her lips into a cold smirk.

"From now on, I will be the one writing destiny."

The vision faded.

Selena snapped back to reality, her heart pounding violently.

That was her future.

A ruler of the night, wielding absolute control over fate itself.

She chuckled low and dangerously.

"Now, this is the kind of script I like."

[System Notification: Insufficient Fortune Value. Unable to directly challenge the Child of Destiny.]

[Recommended Strategy: Defeat lesser targets to accumulate Fortune Value and unlock abilities.]

[Nearby Targets Available for Fortune Plundering:]

Carl Greybane (Nightshade family traitor) – Fortune Value: 200 Marcus Ironfist (Lucien's lieutenant) – Fortune Value: 300

Selena's eyes glinted coldly as she absorbed the information.

Carl Greybane—captain of the Nightshade family guards. In the original storyline, he betrayed the Nightshades, personally locking Selena in this dungeon.

Marcus Ironfist—Lucien's most trusted lieutenant. In three days, he would escort her to the execution site.

Selena's lips curled into a sharp smile.

"Small fish, but they'll do."

She flexed her fingers, muscles coiling with newfound resolve.

"Let's start the hunt."

The Dungeon – Preparation for the Kill

Heavy footsteps echoed from beyond the iron door.

Selena rose swiftly, dusting herself off as she scanned the dungeon.

Stone walls—cracked, evidence of rats burrowing through. Iron hinges—rusted, ready to snap under force. The corner—held loose stones and a broken wooden stick.

A plan formed instantly.

She grabbed the wooden stick and hid it behind her back.

"System, analyze the dungeon's structure. Can I collapse anything?"

[Analysis complete: Left side of the iron door is structurally weak. A strong impact could cause a localized collapse, creating chaos.]

"Perfect."

Selena smirked—her modern knowledge gave her a significant edge in this primitive world.

The iron door creaked open.

A burly, scar-faced man strode in, a dagger in his hand, two armored guards at his side.

His chestplate bore the Nightshade family crest—but his loyalty belonged to Lucien.

Carl Greybane.

"Selena, don't blame me for being ruthless," he sneered. "Lord Lucien promised me a noble title. Once I hand you over, I'll climb to the top—on your corpse."

Selena chuckled softly.

She knew men like him all too well—greedy, shortsighted, easily manipulated.

Feigning weakness, she trembled, her voice fragile:

"Carl, are you sure Lucien will keep his promise? He's known for discarding pawns once they're no longer useful."

Carl's smug expression faltered.

"Shut up!" he barked, raising his dagger.

The guards unsheathed their weapons, flanking her.

Selena's eyes flashed coldly.

She dashed toward the iron door, dodging their strikes.

With a deft flick, she hurled a stone—smashing it into Carl's face.

Carl staggered, blood dripping from his forehead.

She seized the moment, swinging the wooden stick into the weakened stone wall.

CRACK!

The wall buckled, debris raining down. A falling rock struck one of the guards, knocking him out.

"Get her!" Carl roared.

Selena smirked.

"System, analyze his weaknesses."

[Carl Greybane – Strength-focused, slow agility, left knee injury, emotionally unstable.]

"Emotionally unstable?"

Selena sidestepped his attack, voice mocking:

"Carl, do you think Lucien trusts you? You're just cannon fodder."

"Lies!" Carl swung wildly—leaving an opening.

Selena slammed the wooden stick into his knee.

Carl collapsed.

Before he could recover—her dagger was at his throat.

[Ding! Carl Greybane defeated. Fortune Value +200. New Ability Unlocked: "Shadow Step" (Short-range teleportation).]

Selena smirked.

"Modern combat is about brains. You brutes never stood a chance."

She turned toward the corridor.

"System, locate Marcus Ironfist. His 300 Fortune Value—I'm coming for it."

[Detected: Marcus Ironfist, currently stationed 50 meters outside the dungeon at the soldier barracks. Fortune Value: 300.]

[Recommendation: Use 'Shadow Step' to infiltrate and disrupt the command chain.]

Selena licked her cracked lips, a gleam of cold determination flashing in her eyes.

She crouched down, rifling through Carl's corpse, retrieving a dagger and a set of keys. Then, she stripped a tattered cloak from a fallen guard and draped it over herself.

As a modern person, she understood the importance of disguise and intelligence gathering—not only did she need to escape, but she also needed to throw her enemies into chaos.

She strode toward the iron door and murmured, "System, analyze Marcus Ironfist's personality and habits."

[Analysis Complete: Marcus Ironfist—Lucien's lieutenant. Disciplined and ruthless, highly skilled in military tactics. Perfectionist, distrustful of subordinates. Weakness: Over-reliance on order—becomes unstable when plans are disrupted.]

Selena arched a brow. "A control freak?"

Images of picky, overbearing middle managers from her past life flashed through her mind.

She had dealt with these types before.

The best way to break them wasn't direct confrontation—it was making them self-destruct.

"Fine, let me teach you a lesson—chaos is king."

With a flick of the key, she silently unlocked the door and slipped into the corridor.

At the end of the passage, stone stairs led out of the dungeon. The flickering glow of torches illuminated the darkened bloodstains on the walls.

"Shadow Step."

Her body flickered—vanishing from the corridor, reappearing at the top of the stairs, avoiding the patrolling guards below.

The Barracks—Outside the Dungeon

A campfire flickered, casting eerie shadows over the barracks. Seven or eight soldiers lounged around, drinking and chatting.

Standing apart from them, Marcus Ironfist was reprimanding a terrified subordinate.

His black military uniform was immaculate, his shoulder insignia gleaming under the firelight. In his gloved hand, he gripped a whip, which he snapped against the ground.

"I said—no prisoners." His voice was as cold as ice. "What part of that do you not understand?"

The soldier stammered, "B-But Lord Lucien ordered—"

CRACK!

The whip lashed across the man's arm, drawing a sharp line of blood.

"Lucien's orders are for public execution. My orders are to ensure she never leaves this dungeon. You defy me, you die."

Selena, hidden in the shadows, smirked.

"Classic perfectionist."

She studied him closely—polished boots, buttons fastened to the very top, a rigid stance exuding strict discipline.

"He needs absolute control. Let's take that away from him."

She picked up a stone, aimed, and hurled it—

CRASH!

The barrel beside the bonfire tipped over, spilling liquor into the flames.

WHOOOSH!

A sudden fireball ignited the air.

Soldiers yelped and scattered, knocking over weapons and supplies in their panic.

The camp plunged into chaos.

Marcus's expression darkened instantly.

"Who did this?!" he thundered, whip cracking like thunder. "Get this under control!"

Selena watched in amusement.

"System, has his Fortune Value dropped?"

[Marcus Ironfist's Fortune Value has decreased from 300 to 270 due to loss of composure.]

Selena frowned. "Only 30? Tch, let's turn up the heat."

She slipped through the shadows, maneuvering toward the strategy tent.

She sliced a small opening in the tent fabric and stepped inside.

Inside, a large map of the Nightshade family's defenses was laid out across a table. Beside it, a sealed letter bearing Lucien Windrider's signature.

She skimmed the letter's contents—

Ensure Selena Nightshade is publicly executed in three days. Let this serve as a warning to the nobility.

Selena chuckled lowly.

"A warning, is it? Let's see how scared you get."

She dipped a quill into red ink and scribbled over the map, altering key markers.

Then, she grabbed her dagger and carved words into the tent's wooden frame—

"TRAITORS DIE."

With a final smirk, she activated "Shadow Step", vanishing just as Marcus stormed into the tent.

Back at the Bonfire

Marcus's face twisted in fury.

"What happened?!"

A soldier ran up, pale and trembling. "Sir! The strategy tent has been breached!"

Marcus froze.

"...What?"

He rushed into the tent, tearing open the entrance—only to find ruined maps, altered orders, and a warning carved into the desk.

His pupils contracted violently.

He turned back to his men, veins bulging at his temples.

"Find the intruder! NOW!"

The soldiers cowered, too afraid to answer.

Selena watched from the shadows, lips curling into a mocking grin.

"System, his status?"

[Marcus Ironfist's Fortune Value has dropped to 200 due to extreme emotional instability.]

"That's more like it."

She materialized behind him, dagger gleaming.

Before he could react—

She slit his throat.

Blood splattered as Marcus staggered, his hand clawing at his neck. His whip fell to the ground, his eyes wide with disbelief.

He had never even seen his attacker.

Selena whispered into his ear—

"Modern warfare is about mind games. You lost before the battle even started."

With that, he collapsed.

[Ding! Marcus Ironfist defeated. Fortune Value +200.][New Ability Acquired: "Mind Terror" – Instill fear and confusion in enemies, disrupting their focus.]

Selena took a deep breath, wiping her dagger clean.

The camp was in utter disarray, soldiers scrambling in blind panic.

She crouched, looting Marcus's sword and Lucien's command insignia from his corpse.

Her ice-blue eyes gleamed.

"Lucien, your right-hand man is dead. You're next."

She turned, melting into the night fog.

[Ding! Fortune Value has reached 400. Unlocking new abilities:]

Basic Dark Magic (Manipulate shadows to attack).Enhanced Physique (Increased strength and endurance).

Selena smirked.

"Dark magic. Let's show this world true darkness."