The Hidden Player

Kai Drenhaven was just another reader, hooked on the popular webnovel The Hero’s Design—until he woke up inside it.



But not as the protagonist.

Not the rival.

Not even a side character with potential.



No, Kai is just… background.

A student with no magic affinity, no special skills, and no future.



Worse? He knows how the story ends: with the world collapsing in a war no one survives.



But when he discovers the power to stop time, Kai makes a decision—

He won’t become a hero.

He won’t change the plot.

He’ll just stay alive.



In a world of prodigies and prophecies, Kai plays a different game: one of quiet moves, calculated risks, and staying beneath the radar.



Because the best way to survive a story...

Is to never become part of it.