[Opening The Newbie Package...]
[Please wait...]
[Ding!]
The notifications cascaded through Riyan's mind like a waterfall of possibilities, each one making his pulse quicken with anticipation.
[4 Charm Elixirs obtained!]
[SS+ Affinity with Darkness obtained!]
[Unique Title "The Annihilator" obtained!]
[S Rank Talent Child of the Music obtained!]
[SS Rank Talent Spear Saint obtained!]
[S+ Rank Talent Adaptation obtained!]
[A+ Rank Talent Photographic Memory obtained!]
[Unique Rank Talent Reader's Eye obtained!]
Riyan's face split into a grin so wide it was almost cartoonish. His heart hammered with an excitement he hadn't felt since... well, since before he'd died. This was real power. Real advantages. The kind of cheats that protagonists got handed to them on silver platters.
Except now they were his.
"Status," he commanded, his voice barely above a whisper.
The blue interface expanded before his eyes, displaying information that made his breath catch:
[Status
Host Name: Riyan Cris Descartes
Charm: A-
Strength: C+
Speed: B-
Endurance: D-
Mana: A-
Aura: C-
Current Rank: C-
Talents:
S+ Rank Child of the Mana
Unique Rank Dual Energy User
A+ Rank Photographic Memory
S+ Rank Adaptation
S Rank Child of the Music
SS Rank Spear Saint
Unique Rank Reader's Eye
Affinity:
S+ Rank Fire
SS+ Rank Darkness
Curse: Destiny's Curse and Curse of the Villain
Age: 15 years
Race: Half Asura and Human
Titles: Prince of Qara City, Asura Prince, Young Master of Descartes Family, Young Master of Mairis Family, Talented Inspiring Hunter, King of Dog Lickers, and The Annihilator
Inventory: 4 Charm Elixirs
Former Obsession: Fera Starlight
Identity: A Brainless Dog Licking Villain of the Novel "Saint's Odyssey"
Remark: Worst Simp and Dumb Character]
Riyan's eye twitched at the remark. King of Dog Lickers. Worst Simp. The system wasn't pulling any punches about the original owner's reputation. He pushed down the surge of irritation—getting angry at a system interface was pointless. Besides, he'd prove those labels wrong soon enough.
The stats themselves were decent, if unpolished. C-rank at fifteen wasn't bad at all. But those talents... those were the real prizes. Spear Saint would make him a weapon master. Adaptation meant he could evolve and improve faster than normal. Reader's Eye—he'd have to test what that did, but anything marked "Unique Rank" had to be valuable.
And that Darkness affinity at SS+ rank? In a world where most people had one affinity at B or A rank if they were lucky, that was phenomenal.
[Host, there is a letter for you from the Goddess of Annihilation]
[Would you like to open it?]
Riyan's eyebrows rose. A goddess? This was getting more interesting by the second.
"Yes. Open it."
Text unfurled across his vision, written in an elegant script that seemed to pulse with power:
[Riyan,
I am the Goddess of Annihilation who transversed you to this world and provided this system. Don't worry about control—the system is entirely yours to command. I know how much you despise this DAMN world and that bitch of an author.
My only task and mission for you is to conquer this world like a true Villain.
Here is information you'll need: Alex is the main Son of Destiny, but there are other minor Children of Destiny scattered throughout this world. As you are naturally a Villain, the God of Destiny and Heaven has placed curses on you to prevent your rise. You cannot use the title "The Annihilator" that I've given you—you're too weak currently.
I have great expectations for you. Good luck.]
Riyan stared at the message long after it faded. So this wasn't random. He'd been chosen, plucked from death and dropped into this world by a goddess with her own agenda. The thought should have unsettled him, but instead, he felt a dark satisfaction settle into his bones.
A goddess who hated the author as much as he did. Who wanted him to succeed as a villain. Who'd given him the tools to defy destiny itself.
He could work with that.
But those curses... Destiny's Curse and Curse of the Villain. They were already working against him, shackles meant to ensure he failed. The God of Destiny wanted him to lose, to follow the script that ended with his humiliation and death.
A resentful fire ignited in Riyan's chest, burning away any lingering hesitation.
"They cursed me to prevent me from rising?" His voice was low, dangerous. "Then I'll curse destiny right back. I'll tear down every fucking obstacle they put in my way. I'll prove that even their chosen protagonist can't stand against someone who refuses to play their game."
But anger alone wouldn't be enough. He needed to be smart. Strategic. He needed power.
His eyes drifted to his inventory. Four Charm Elixirs. The system had given them to him for a reason, and he wasn't one to waste resources. In this world, appearance mattered. Charisma opened doors. And if he was going to steal the protagonist's opportunities, he'd need every advantage.
Without hesitation, Riyan pulled all four elixirs from his inventory. They materialized in his hands—small crystal vials filled with liquid that shimmered like liquid starlight. He uncorked them one after another and downed them in quick succession, the sweet liquid burning down his throat.
The effect was immediate and intense.
Heat flooded his body, starting in his core and spreading outward like wildfire through his veins. His skin felt like it was on fire, sweat beading on his forehead as his body began to change at a cellular level. Impurities—accumulated throughout the original Riyan's fifteen years—rose to the surface, trying to escape.
"Shit," he gasped, stumbling toward the bathroom attached to his room. He barely made it before his legs gave out.
He cranked the shower to cold and stepped under the spray fully clothed, not caring about the expensive silk pajamas. The water hit his skin and immediately turned black, carrying away the toxins being purged from his body. The smell was revolting—like sewage mixed with rot.
Riyan gritted his teeth and endured. Pain was temporary. Power was forever.
Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. The water gradually ran clearer, the black sludge finally washing away completely. The burning sensation in his body faded to a warm, pleasant glow. He felt... different. Lighter. Like he'd been carrying weight he hadn't known existed.
He shut off the water and stripped out of his ruined pajamas, tossing them aside. Steam fogged the bathroom mirror, and he wiped it clear with one hand, then froze at his reflection.
The face staring back at him was still recognizably his—or rather, Riyan Descartes'—but refined to an almost ethereal degree. His features had sharpened, becoming more defined and aristocratic. His skin was flawless, smooth and unblemished with a healthy glow that hadn't been there before. But the most striking change was his hair.
The original Riyan had kept his dark black hair shoulder-length. Now it cascaded down past his waist in silken waves that caught the light like liquid shadow. It was absurdly long, the kind of hair that required serious maintenance.
And Riyan hated it immediately.
He knew why the original had grown it out—those memories were still fresh in his mind. The pathetic fool had overheard Fera Starlight once mention in passing that she thought long hair on men could be attractive. So naturally, the obsessed idiot had grown his hair out, hoping it would make her notice him.
It hadn't worked. Nothing had worked. And Riyan had no intention of keeping this constant reminder of his predecessor's stupidity.
His eyes—those striking crimson eyes—stared back at him with new intensity. The red was deeper now, richer, like dark wine or fresh blood. Combined with his pale skin and black hair, he looked dangerous. Otherworldly.
"System. Status."
[Ding!]
[Status
Host Name: Riyan Cris Descartes
Charm: SS+
Strength: C+
Speed: B-
Endurance: D-
Mana: A-
Aura: C-
Current Rank: C+
Talents:
S+ Rank Child of the Mana
Unique Rank Dual Energy User
A+ Rank Photographic Memory
S+ Rank Adaptation
S Rank Child of the Music
SS Rank Spear Saint
Unique Rank Reader's Eye
Affinity:
S+ Rank Fire
SS+ Rank Darkness
Curse: Destiny's Curse and Curse of the Villain
Age: 15 years
Race: Half Asura and Human
Titles: Prince of Qara City, Asura Prince, Young Master of Descartes Family, Young Master of Mairis Family, Talented Inspiring Hunter, King of Dog Lickers, and The Annihilator
Inventory: None
Former Obsession: Fera Starlight
Identity: A Brainless Dog Licking Villain of the Novel "Saint's Odyssey"
Remark: Can Find Sugar Mommy Easily, Success Rate 99.8%]
Riyan's Charm had skyrocketed from A- to SS+. The elixirs had worked even better than expected. But that remark...
"System," he said flatly. "Why are you taunting me?"
The system didn't respond directly. Instead, a new notification appeared:
[Ding!]
[There is a Task for Host. Would you like to open it?]
"You're avoiding my question," Riyan muttered, but curiosity won out. "Fine. Open it."
[Ding!]
[Loading Task...]
[Task: Become Famous in This World
Sub-Task: Increase Your Popularity
Reward: Unique Skill Aura Breathing
Time Limit: Two Years]
Riyan frowned, his mind already working through the implications. Fame wasn't just vanity—it was influence. In this world, Hunters were celebrities. The strong were worshipped. And right now, despite being from two powerful families, he was just another privileged young master.
He needed his own reputation. His own power base. Something separate from his family's influence.
The problem was timing. In this world, you couldn't register as a Hunter until you were twenty. The Academy—Reyas Academy, where the main story would take place—only accepted students eighteen and older. He had three years before he could even apply.
Three years where he'd be invisible to the larger world. Three years where Alex would be building his own legend.
Unless he found another way.
"System, why does the task require fame?"
[Host, this mission's purpose is for you to establish your own influence in the world before Academy admission. Currently, you only have the influence of the Descartes Family, their Guild, and the Mairis Family. You need personal power and recognition that belongs to you alone.]
Riyan nodded slowly. That made sense. If he walked into the Academy as just another rich kid riding on family connections, he'd be at a disadvantage. But if he arrived with his own reputation, his own accomplishments...
The modeling world flashed through his mind. With his new appearance—SS+ Charm was no joke—he could easily break into that industry. Models became brand ambassadors, appeared in advertisements across the continent, built massive followings. It was a path to visibility that didn't require being a registered Hunter.
And with his Photographic Memory talent, he could study posing, expressions, runway techniques with perfect recall. His Adaptation talent would let him improve rapidly. It was almost too perfect.
A soft knock echoed through the room, followed by a feminine voice from beyond the door: "Young Master, please come to the dining hall for breakfast."
Riyan's lips curved into a small smile. Time to meet this new family of his. And time to start planning how he'd tear this world's destiny to shreds.
"Coming," he called back, his voice carrying an edge of confidence the original Riyan had never possessed.
The villain's second life was about to begin.