"Chief, you hear me out—this is how it went!"
"I'm not from your world!"
"And your world isn't even real! It's just a virtual world inside a game!"
"I'm a player! You're all NPCs!"
"You know NPCs, right? The ones who give players quests and hand out rewards?"
"Like 'To the Stars and the Abyss,' 'Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild,' 'Thank you for completing today's commission…'"
"I seriously don't know how I ended up inside the game!"
Black rambled on, mouth dry from exhaustion, desperately trying to make the woman before him understand.
The woman wore her signature short crimson coat, her deep red hair whipping wildly in the sea breeze.
She was dressed in sleek black leather from head to toe—tight leather pants and jacket, a broad belt cinched at the waist, a diagonal gun holster across her torso, delicate starfish-shaped chains around her ankles, and sturdy leather boots planted firmly on the deck.
Her eyes were dark and sharp, like a hawk's, and her ample chest strained against her top. Tall and statuesque, she had long, slender legs that seemed to go on forever.
"..."
After listening to Black's story, Captain Loyre fell silent. A surge of anger brewed inside her, and she nearly screamed at this lunatic crew member.
But there were too many crewmen watching. She had to maintain the dignity befitting a captain.
"How much rum did you drink last night?"
Loyre swallowed her fury, her red lips parting with calm precision.
"(⊙o⊙) Huh? What rum?"
Black was utterly confused. How had this turned into a conversation about rum?
"Fine. Turn around."
Puzzled, Black hesitated—but obeyed.
The next moment, Loyre extended her long leg and kicked him straight into the sea.
"Glug glug glug..."
Though Black had learned to swim back on Earth, the sudden shock left him flailing and gulping seawater.
"Hah! That cracked me up!"
The surrounding crew burst into laughter, howling and doubling over.
Loyre's gaze turned icy. She swept her eyes across the crowd, and instantly, everyone fell silent.
"How many times have I said—no drinking rum until you're drunk!"
"One more incident like this, and I'll feed you lot to the sea dragons!"
With that, she turned and strode away, leaving behind a striking, elegant silhouette.
After a few steps, she paused, glancing back at the sputtering boy.
"First Mate, go fish him out."
"Aye, Captain Loyre!"
The burly middle-aged man serving as first mate responded promptly, then dove into the water to retrieve Black.
"Damn, only the captain could pull that off—what a ruthless little move!"
"But don't let her tough act fool you. She's all bark and no bite, hah~"
The crew resumed their chatter and laughter…
Beneath a vast, cloudless sky, on an endless expanse of blue sea, a pirate ship sailed forward, its flag bearing a white skull on black.
The hull cut through the waves, churning the water into foam as it surged ahead. Schools of sardines darted along in the ship's wake.
Dolphins leapt from the surface now and then, hunting for food, splashing back down in bursts of spray.
A gentle sea breeze carried the crisp, salty scent of the ocean.
"Sigh."
Black stood in tattered coarse cloth clothing, his skin burned red by the sun, his eyes hollow and lifeless.
In one hand, a wooden bucket; in the other, a ragged cloth. He listlessly scrubbed at the grime on the deck.
Where should he even begin?
Thinking back on the past two days, Black felt utterly speechless.
That day, he'd just failed the civil service exam.
Disheartened, he'd gone out to sea to fish.
Caught a bluefin tuna.
The tuna snapped his fishing rod.
He jumped into the water, yelling "Pump it! Pump it!" as he tried to catch the fish—
And then drowned.
Next thing he knew, he woke up aboard the pirate ship White Pearl.
Fine. Whatever. So he'd been reincarnated. These days, who hadn't been reincarnated?
But when he asked a few crew members about this world, Black's world collapsed.
This world—was the exact setting of that otome game he used to play, Dragonblood!
But being trapped in a game wasn't the worst thing.
Maybe he'd be an overpowered protagonist—invincible, conquering all!
Yet after carefully sifting through the memories of this body's original owner, Black's soul shattered.
He'd been reborn as a minor villain!
Not even a real villain—just a nameless, faceless grunt.
The original owner was also named Black: 18 years old, born in the Year 1010 of the Dragonheart Era, in a poor coastal fishing village of the Dragonheart Kingdom. His family had lived in poverty, constantly struggling with hunger and cold, exploited by the local baron.
His father had been eaten by a sea dragon while fishing. Only three remained: him, his mother, and his younger sister.
His mother worked as a servant, washing clothes and cooking for the wealthy, earning just one silver coin a month.
His sister had learned sewing and made a few copper coins stitching clothes—barely enough to help at home.
And him? He spent his days idling around, hanging out with lowlifes, squandering what little money the family had.
Notably, though his sister was born in a backwater village, she was stunningly beautiful—so radiant that even coarse linen couldn't hide her natural charm. She was known as the village beauty across several nearby towns.
But in a poor family, beauty was a curse.
One day, when she was out, the fat, greedy baron spotted her and tried to abduct her right on the street!
Upon hearing the news, Black rushed to the scene.
He might've been a wastrel, but family was his one untouchable line.
He beat the baron within an inch of his life.
Then, with his family, fled to a more remote village.
Shaken by the incident, he realized how powerless he was—unable to protect those he loved.
After leaving a farewell letter, he slipped away in the dead of night and joined the pirate crew known as the White Pearl.
His dream? To become the greatest pirate king in the world!
In a shonen manga, this would've been the start of a fiery, inspiring journey.
But in the game's prologue, this minor antagonist was instantly killed by the player-controlled protagonist with a single basic attack.
Experience +3!
The only reason Black remembered this insignificant grunt was because, upon death, the character dropped a letter.
The letter was a readable item called ["A Mother's Thread, A Wanderer's Garment"], along with ten silver coins.
It was sent by the original Black's mother.
In clumsy but heartfelt words, she fretted over her son, afraid he was suffering out there. The love poured from every sentence.
Thinking of that letter, Black felt utterly miserable.
Not for the original Black.
For himself.
He got reincarnated—so why couldn't he be the protagonist?!
Wait!
This was an otome game! He didn't want to turn into a girl and get romanced by some male lead!
Then again, maybe being romanced by a man was still better than dying at the very start.
Black sighed, mulling it over.
According to his memory of the game's plot, this should still be the very beginning of the prologue.
The White Pearl was currently preparing to ambush the Royal Fleet of the Dragonheart Empire.
And the outcome of that ambush? No question.
The White Pearl would be completely wiped out.
The original Black died in that battle.
He still couldn't understand what grudge Captain Loyre held against the royal family.
Why would she recklessly attack an entire imperial fleet with just one tiny ship?
Thinking of that beautiful captain made Black furious. His backside still ached from her kick.
He'd definitely kick her right back—harder—just for revenge.
Imagining Loyre whimpering and rubbing her sore butt, Black broke into a smug, ridiculous grin and scrubbed the deck with renewed vigor.
"Good work, Black. Admitting your mistake? That's real progress!"
Hans, the White Pearl's first mate, patted Black on the shoulder as he admired the now mirror-like deck. The force nearly knocked Black's heart out.
"Ah… sure! Of course!"
Black forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Get ready. Tomorrow's the day we face off against those damned imperial dogs!"
???
What?
Black froze at those words.
Face off? Imperial dogs?
Did he hear that right?
According to his calculations, they shouldn't encounter the royal fleet for a few more days!
"Bro, what did you just say? What's the date today?"
"June 30th, Year 1028 of the Dragonheart Era. Given the White Pearl's speed and the fleet's route, we'll catch them off guard tomorrow!"
Hans's voice was thick with murderous intent—clearly, his hatred for the empire ran deep.
"Shouldn't it be June 28th? How did we jump straight to the 30th?!"
"Did you forget? After I pulled you from the water, you were unconscious for two whole days."
!!!
Black's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
F***.
He'd completely forgotten about that!
Tomorrow was the day of his doom—the moment he'd be kicked to death by the female lead!
Which meant, if he wanted to survive in this game world, he had to stop Loyre from attacking the royal fleet!
And he only had one night left to do it!
Black felt like vomiting a mouthful of blood right onto Hans's face.
In the game, Loyre wasn't a major character at all.
Players only knew that after her failed assault, her entire crew was wiped out—though she herself survived, captured and locked away in the imperial dungeon.
Her next appearance wasn't until the Dragonblood sequel.
And he'd never played the sequel!
If it weren't for helping his little sister grind the game while she studied for her college entrance exams, he wouldn't have touched this otome game at all.
So, he knew nothing about Captain Loyre.
He'd already tried reasoning with her. It was impossible.
If words wouldn't work—how about fists?
No way. They weren't even on the same level.
At that thought, Black swiped the air, and a faintly glowing blue screen appeared before him—resembling a game interface.
On it, only two tabs: Profession and Inventory.
He'd discovered this a few days ago, when he was desperate and helpless—by accident, he'd summoned this panel.
At first, he thought it was the legendary "cheat system" every transmigrator was supposed to get.
But it turned out to be completely useless!
No weapons, no stat boosts for attack or defense—just a decorative gimmick.
Black tapped Inventory. Inside were only two items: Omniscient Glasses and Megaphone.
He clicked on the Omniscient Glasses, equipped them, and looked at Hans.
[Name: Hans]
[Identity: Vice-Captain of the White Pearl Pirate Crew]
[Class Level: Lv.30 Beginner · Bronze Knight]
[Favorite Food: Rum, Tuna Sashimi]
[Hobby: Backstroke]
[Critical Info: Never praise the Empire in front of him]
[Expected Fate: Death within 24 hours]
Just as he expected—the item worked exactly like in the game. It revealed all NPC information.
But that was it. Nothing more.
As for the Megaphone? A total joke. Effect: increases wearer's volume by 10,000%.
And the Profession tab? He didn't even want to talk about it.
His class was Pirate.
In Dragonblood, Pirate was an extremely niche class.
It had no offensive power like warriors or mages, nor healing abilities like clerics or medics.
It was a bizarre, almost useless class that only came in handy in rare, specific scenarios.
Less than 0.00001% of players chose it!
Who the hell got a transmigration cheat skill this useless?!
Because the original owner was so weak, Black was only Level 10.
Hans could crush ten Blacks with one hand.
And Loyre, at Level 40?
A mid-tier sorceress like her could vaporize him into a red mist with a single thought.
So, no way he could beat her in a fight.
But for the sake of his life, Black refused to just sit and wait for death!
Hans, the first mate, watched his crewmate muttering to himself again, acting crazy as ever, and sighed before walking away.
Maybe they shouldn't have let him join in the first place. But back then, the boy's eyes burned with fierce determination—like he'd die before giving up on becoming a pirate king.
I'll find a priest to check his head tomorrow.
What he didn't notice was the sly smirk creeping across Black's lips as he turned away.
Heh heh. Can't mess with the people? Then mess with the ship!
If he could sabotage the main sail—ruin the propulsion system—then the White Pearl wouldn't be able to reach the royal fleet.
No fleet, no death. No death, no game over.
I'm a genius!
****
Deep into the night, the moon hung high. The sea was calm, the breeze gentle.
A shadow moved silently, like a phantom, toward the pirate ship's main sail.
The White Pearl's sails had three layers of defense. But since tomorrow was battle day, and every pirate on board was fanatically devoted to hating the imperial family,
Most of the crew were in their quarters, cleaning weapons, counting elemental scrolls, preparing themselves for war.
No one would suspect a traitor was already on board.
Black slipped easily past the final layer of defense—guarded by the White Pearl's head chef.
A culinary master with skills bordering on divine, and also a Level 25 novice assassin.
But this chef had a fatal weakness.
Black had already scanned him with the Omniscient Glasses earlier.
[Critical Info: Hates anything that threatens food—especially rats.]
Black pressed against the wall, carefully pulling a small cage from his clothes.
Inside, a black rat scurried and jumped frantically.
Catching this thing had cost Black most of his already-scarce lunch.
His stomach was still growling.
Ah well. You can't catch wolves without sacrificing lambs.
Black opened the cage, grabbed the rat by the tail, and flung it far away.
"Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!"
The rat shrieked in pain, its high-pitched cries instantly catching the chef's attention.
"Damn rat! Stealing my food again!"
The chef turned as red as if he'd seen an imperial noble, his bushy beard trembling with rage. From somewhere, he pulled out a black kitchen knife.
With a whoosh, he became a blur, dashing toward the rat!
But the rat wasn't defenseless. Surviving and thriving on a pirate ship meant it was a master of escape. It darted straight into the drain.
The chef stabbed into the drain, blade missing flesh, and kept stabbing deeper—completely distracted.
Only then did Black creep toward the main sail mast.
From his inventory, he pulled out a small explosive, attaching it to the mast. Once lit, the fuse would detonate it—boom—and the mast would snap, leaving the White Pearl powerless against the wind.
Of course, to avoid fire, Black had chosen a low-impact explosive, minimizing collateral damage.
He took a deep breath, lit the fuse, then quickly ducked behind a bulkhead, covering his ears. His heart pounded.
Back on Earth, he'd never done anything this thrilling!
5… 4… 3…
He silently counted down.
At zero—nothing.
No deafening explosion. Just silence.
?
Was the bomb defective? A dud?
Puzzled, he turned to check the bomb—then froze.
In the shadows ahead, a cascade of dark red hair fluttered in the wind. Moonlight silvered her face—was she brighter, or was the moon?
Her small leather boots thudded softly on the deck. Before she even arrived, the sharp, intoxicating scent of red roses reached Black's nose.
Loyre stood there, holding the small bomb, her expression icy cold.
She'd already pinched out the spark on the fuse.
Game Over.
This was it. Done for.
Black forced a nervous grin, throat dry, before croaking out:
"Ah… the moonlight's so beautiful tonight~"
"I set up a detection spell array on the sails earlier, just in case. I can sense anyone who approaches."
Loyre's beautiful face was frosty, her voice calm.
Crap. He hadn't expected that!
Even Level 20 novice sorcerers could learn spirit arrays. How could he forget that a Level 40 mid-tier sorceress would have one?
And here he thought he was a top-tier Dragonblood player!
"But I never thought you would be the one to strike. Who sent you? The imperial family? The Round Table Knights?"
She spoke each word like ice shards.
"Doesn't matter. You like bombs so much? Here—have it back."
With that, Loyre snapped her fingers. The fuse reignited instantly.
The next moment, she hurled the bomb straight at Black.
He didn't react in time. Instinctively, he caught it. The stench of gunpowder filled his nose.
Goodbye, cruel world.
Before losing consciousness, Black glanced one last time at the red-haired woman—and suddenly, a burst of character data flashed in his vision.
And in a trance, he whispered, "Loyre… no… Karin von Braun… the one who killed your father… wasn't from the royal family…"
At the sound of that long-forgotten name, Loyre's pupils widened in shock. Her face twisted with disbelief.
"Boom!"
The explosion erupted—cutting off the rest of his words.
"You… how… how could you know my real name…?"
Loyre whispered, trembling.
But no one was left to answer.
"Boom!"
"Boom! Boom!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A continuous barrage of explosions thundered outside the window, a clear sign of the fierce battle raging beyond.
The sleeping boy frowned in discomfort, annoyed by the noise. He rolled over and pulled the blanket over his head.
Suddenly, he shot upright, eyes wide as he stared at the unfamiliar surroundings in disbelief.
He yanked open his clothes, frantically patting himself all over—no wounds.
"I'm… not dead?!"
Before a dozen question marks could flood his mind, Yulier grabbed his shoulders and shook him hard.
"Dear friend! You're finally awake!"
"Were you having a nightmare? You kept mumbling about civil service exams, job hunting, postgrad studies, and nonsense like 996 workweeks and monthly salaries!"
"We're pirates!! We're already fighting the royal fleet!!"
"I'm off to fight them to the death—don't you dare back down!"
With that, Yulier snatched up his spear and dashed outside with a whoosh.
Yulier was Black's roommate—and another pirate consumed by hatred for the empire.
In the first few days, he'd been kind to Black, saying he also had a younger sister who'd caught the eye of a local noble.
But unlike Black's sister, she hadn't been so lucky. That tragedy was the reason he'd joined the pirate crew.
After hearing Yulier's words, Black sat dazed, his mind still stuck on the events of last night.
Loyre had thrown the ticking bomb into his hands—then, just before he lost consciousness, his Omniscient Glasses had suddenly activated!
A burst of information about Loyre had appeared:
[Name: Loyre (False) / Karin von Braun (True)]
[Identity: Captain of the White Pearl Pirate Crew (False) / Noble Heiress of the von Braun Duchy (True)]
[Class Level: Lv.40 Mid-Tier · Gold Sorceress]
[Favorite Food: ???]
[Hobby: ???]
[Critical Info: The one who killed Duke von Braun was not a member of the royal family]
[Expected Fate: ???]
He'd instinctively spoken those words aloud.
The last thing he saw before blacking out was Loyre's utterly shocked expression.
That sentence had clearly hit her hard!
He was still alive—she must've used some kind of magic to save him.
His life was spared, but the situation had still spiraled into the worst possible outcome!
Listening to the deafening sounds of battle outside, Black groaned in despair.
The prologue of Dragonblood—The Sea of Hidden Dragons Rising—had officially begun!
The first story event: The Pirate Ambush was now in full motion!
He'd barely survived—only to wake up too late.
If he went out now, he'd likely be treated as just another nameless grunt, kicked to death for a measly Experience +3.
But at this point, he had no choice but to go out.
Unless he jumped into the sea…
And then he'd probably just end up as food for sea dragons.
Black quickly dressed and stumbled outside, hoping the game knowledge he possessed might somehow save him.
He made his way to the deck, where a thick stench of blood immediately flooded his nostrils.
Looking up, he saw the entire deck soaked in crimson. Limbs, entrails, and shattered bodies lay scattered everywhere.
Hss!
Witnessing such extreme carnage, Black—raised under the red flag, nurtured in the spring breeze of modern civilization—couldn't help but gasp in horror.
Damn it! I just cleaned this floor yesterday!
What did the deck cleaners ever do to you?!
After a moment to steady himself, he looked again at the corpses.
Judging by their clothing, they were all members of the White Pearl pirate crew!
Just as the game's plot described—exactly as it should be!
Battling nausea, Black turned to the other group—those now slaughtering the pirates without mercy.
They wore golden-trimmed armor, dark red cloaks embroidered with golden flying dragons, and white belts tightly cinched at the waist.
Their long blades glistened with droplets of blood. Their eyes were sharp and cold. Just standing there, they radiated an oppressive aura of death, forcing anyone nearby to hold their breath.
Black quietly activated his Omniscient Glasses.
[Organization Name: Dragoncleaver Guard]
[Affiliation: Imperial Family of the Dragonheart Empire]
[Primary Duty: Protect all members of the imperial family]
[Reputation: The empire's sharpest blade]
[Average Combat Level: Lv.40 Mid-Tier Swordsmen]
Damn it! Just like in the game—they were the elite Dragoncleaver Guard!
In the game, these NPCs were incredibly powerful—even the female lead treated them with caution.
If Black faced them head-on, his only options would be surrender or instant death by a single kick.
While the Dragoncleaver Guard hadn't noticed him yet, Black slipped into a nearby deck compartment to assess the overall situation.
In two words: utter devastation.
Half the pirate crew was already dead or dying. The weaker ones were cut down in a single strike. Mid-tier fighters lasted less than ten minutes. Only a few top-tier pirates could stand their ground against the Dragoncleaver Guard.
Black turned his gaze to the center of the battlefield—where Loyre was fighting.
Loyre truly lived up to her status as a special NPC. As a Lv.40 mid-tier sorceress, she wielded elemental magic and spell arrays with casual ease.
She was holding her own against five Dragoncleaver Guard members simultaneously!
Yet strangely, she wore a red mask—as if afraid of being recognized.
First Mate Hans and the head chef were no slouches either. Back-to-back, they fought off several elite guards with skill and coordination.
But Black knew it was all in vain.
According to the game's storyline, only Loyre would survive. The rest of the pirate crew would be tossed into the sea—left as food for fish.
Having assessed the battlefield, Black finally turned to the massive, imposing ship sailing beside the White Pearl.
This was the flagship of the royal fleet—the Hodir—the vessel carrying the imperial family!
Seeing the Hodir in person, Black felt a shock far greater than merely viewing its artwork in the game.
The Hodir's bow bore a golden iron dragon head. Its gilded hull gleamed like dragon scales. Three colossal masts towered skyward, their sails wide enough to block half the sunlight.
Double rows of dark, menacing cannons lined the deck—forty in total, their black iron barrels like a hive of deadly stingers, wicks still smoldering with burnt gunpowder.
Legendarily known for slaying countless dragons, no one dared question its power.
But more than the ship itself, Black's attention was drawn to the figures now standing on the Hodir's deck.
One glance, and his expression turned grim.
Forget their stunning appearances—their aura was what stood out.
A natural nobility, cultivated only by those raised in luxury and supreme status.
Yes—these were the main characters of Dragonblood!
The female lead, male side characters, and villainous female rivals—all of them were here.
Imperial princesses, noble heirs, the Church's saintess, sons of Round Table Knights—the most elite youth of the entire empire had gathered on this ship.
And at the center of this group stood someone even more exalted.
The ruler of the Dragonheart Empire—Empress Elizabeth, famed as both the most powerful and the most beautiful woman in the land.
Elizabeth wore a long, black gown embroidered with gold. Her posture was straight as a drawn blade. Her golden hair was perfectly coiled beneath a crystal crown. Her cold, ivory-like face bore sharp, ink-black brows and phoenix eyes as deep and frigid as a frozen lake. Her gaze alone seemed to freeze the air.
The golden-black dress clung to her stunning curves—her waist cinched like a taut bow, her full chest nearly bursting the golden dragon motif stitched into the fabric. The gown split at the knee, revealing a slender, pale leg ending in a golden-threaded slipper, her delicate ankle exposed.
Now, she watched the White Pearl's destruction with detached indifference, a faint, mocking smirk on her lips. Her fingers tapped the ship's railing—tap, tap, tap—a sound like the blade of a guillotine hovering over their necks.
To her, Black realized, the pirates were nothing but insignificant ants.
This overwhelming, imperial presence matched the game's description perfectly.
Hss… She's the type who'd devour people without spitting out the bones. This is bad.
Black shifted his gaze toward the back of the group—and sure enough, he spotted the girl standing at the very end.
She was undeniably beautiful—long, straight black hair, soft and sleek, tied with a white orchid ribbon on the side, adding a touch of youthful charm. Her brown eyes were calm, her expression naturally tinged with melancholy.
She wore a blue uniform with golden embellishments, a delicate necktie, and had long, slender legs. Her overall look was youthful yet slightly aloof, as if quiet emotions lingered behind her gaze.
Just as Black had predicted.
This was Jiaye—the game's female protagonist, the true chosen one, and a girl who'd also transmigrated from the 21st century.
In a way, she was just like him—another transmigrator.
In a way, she was just like him—another transmigrator.
Don't let her current appearance as a delicate young girl fool you. Only those who had played the game knew how cunning and calculating Jiaye truly was—so much so that every villainous female side character ended up suffering one after another under her hand.
Seeing Jiaye now, Black's emotions grew increasingly complex. Forgotten memories about the game Dragonblood began resurfacing in his mind.
Dragonblood was a wildly popular otome game that had taken the internet by storm—but its story wasn't original.
It was adapted from the hit web novel The Girl Who Slayed Dragons Longs to Be Loved, sharing the same world and main supporting characters, but with drastically different plotlines.
In the novel The Girl Who Slayed Dragons Longs to Be Loved, the story followed Elia, a mistreated illegitimate duchess, who gained mysterious powers and gradually grew stronger. Along the way, she met a charismatic male lead and several devoted male side characters who fell for her.
In the end, Elia slew the dragon boss, saved the world, and lived happily ever after with the male lead.
The novel was a hit—but also drew heavy criticism.
Some readers raged that the heroine was too saintly, forgiving the villainous female characters who had tormented her.
Others accused the author of favoring the male lead, neglecting the other male characters—talented, lovable men doomed to watch Elia fall in love with someone else. "It's fiction," they argued. "Why not just give her a harem? Why not let her have them all?"
Perhaps to address these criticisms, the writers of the otome game Dragonblood completely overhauled the plot.
They introduced a new character—Jiaye—who replaced Elia as the true protagonist.
In the game's lore, Jiaye was a modern 21st-century office worker and avid novel reader. After a late-night overtime shift, she was hit by a construction truck while crossing the street—and transmigrated into the world of The Girl Who Slayed Dragons Longs to Be Loved.
As a devoted reader of the original novel, Jiaye had full knowledge of the plot—essentially possessing a god's-eye view. Combined with her high intelligence and cold, decisive nature, she effortlessly seized every opportunity meant for the original heroine.
She indirectly caused Elia's death, slew the dragon boss herself, saved the world, ascended the throne as empress—and then casually collected both the male lead and all the male side characters into her harem!
This level of mastery made her a standout even among transmigrators. She deserved a medal: Best Transmigrator of the Century.
But now, the situation was awkward.
If Jiaye had a god's-eye view of the novel, then Black had a god's-eye view of the game.
He knew every single plot point, every secret about Jiaye. He could recite exactly what she did in every chapter—eyes closed.
Right now, the side characters were on Level 1.
Jiaye was on Level 2.
And Black? He was on Level 3.
The higher you stand, the more room you have to maneuver.
Black pondered deeply.
If any other transmigrator had this kind of absolute informational advantage, they'd already be scheming, manipulating, seizing power.
But Black's decision?
Lie flat. Survive this arc. Go back to the fishing village. Sleep in. Keep being a nobody.
Why?
Pfft. Are you kidding? He was just a minor villain. A background NPC.
Not even a side character.
So what if he knew the plot? Jiaye was a fate-blessed protagonist—the writers had already showered her with the best opportunities and resources.
But him? He was a real person who'd transmigrated.
No scriptwriter daddy to give him an overpowered protagonist setup.
Instead, he got the role of a doomed minor villain—the kind who might get eaten by a dragon the moment he stepped outside.
Just thinking about the grotesque, terrifying dragons in the game made his head spin.
In the game, those dragons could wipe out his player-controlled character hundreds of times over.
And now he was inside the world?
No thanks.
He'd rather go back to his little fishing village, live with his mother and sister, maybe marry the local village beauty and live a simple, quiet life.
"Boom!"
Just as he was lost in thought, a massive object crashed down from the sky, slamming into the deck with such force it created a crater.
The smoke cleared, revealing a Dragoncleaver Guard standing in the hole. In his hand, he held a headless corpse—the head chef.
Without a word, the guard tossed the body aside like trash. His sharp eyes snapped toward Black.
The impact had collapsed the small compartment, exposing him.
That feeling—like a venomous snake coiling around his spine—made Black gasp in cold dread.
The guard spun his longsword, leapt into the air, and slashed down at Black!
Game Over—again!
But this time, Black didn't freeze in fear.
He knew running was useless. So he acted.
He opened his system menu—Inventory—equipped the Megaphone, then stomped his foot and charged straight at the guard!
This sudden move stunned the guard, who had assumed Black was just another weak pirate.
He actually stepped back, momentarily thrown off—thinking Black had some secret technique!
But then—thud—Black dropped to his knees right in front of him, hands raised high.
"Surrender! I surrender!"
His voice wasn't loud—but with the Megaphone boosting his volume by 10,000%, it erupted like a thunderclap across the entire sea!
The sound echoed across the battlefield, reaching every ship in the royal fleet.
The battlefield, once roaring with battle cries, fell dead silent.
Black felt the weight of countless sharp gazes now fixed on him.
One glare was especially vicious—seething with killing intent, as if trying to pierce through him. That was Loyre.
Black caught her icy stare and knew—she didn't just see him as a traitor anymore. Now he was a coward too.
Other gazes were filled with curiosity or disdain—coming from the Hodir.
The Second Imperial Princess, Duke Gran, the Church's Saintess, the Son of the Round Table Knight, the Heir of the Sorcerer's Tower—even the original novel's protagonist, Elia.
And then there was one gaze that stood out—filled with pure shock.
That belonged to Jiaye, the game's protagonist.
Clearly, Black's actions had shattered her expectations.
And no wonder.
From her perspective, in the original novel's pirate ambush, every pirate was fanatically devoted to destroying the empire. They all died fighting—no one surrendered.
But here—one was surrendering.
Jiaye felt a sudden, inexplicable panic.
The story was slipping out of her control.
Only one person didn't turn to look.
Empress Elizabeth.
To her, a surrendering minor pirate wasn't worth her attention.
The Dragoncleaver Guard stood frozen, utterly baffled by Black's sudden surrender.
He hesitated—sword raised, unsure whether to strike.
He lowered his head slightly toward Elizabeth, awaiting orders.
"Kill."
A single, cold word from the empress—delivered with absolute authority.
"Yes!"
The guard raised his sword once more, preparing to behead Black!