No doubt about it.
Rivan knew her.
Knew her far too well.
Not just from her face—
But from the way she stood.
The way she looked.
The way she… killed.
Rivan's heart pounded.
She came too early.
In the original novel, their first meeting wasn't supposed to happen until a few days later.
Not now.
Not on the first day.
Something had already changed.
"Rivan Albrecht."
Elena's voice was calm.
Flat.
Emotionless.
And that was exactly what made it more dangerous.
Rivan swallowed.
He didn't respond.
Not yet.
He needed time.
Just a moment… to think.
What should he do?
In the original story, Rivan Albrecht was a bastard.
Arrogant.
Rude.
And stupid.
If he acted differently now… Elena would grow suspicious.
If he acted the same… he would die faster.
Damn…
What kind of choice is this?
"Elena… von Drake."
Rivan finally spoke.
His voice was hoarse, yet still carried the cold tone of a noble.
Elena's gaze didn't change.
But something subtle flickered in her eyes.
Observing.
Judging.
"It seems you've recovered, Young Master."
Formal.
Distant.
No warmth.
Of course.
In the original story, their relationship… was terrible.
Very terrible.
"I don't recall summoning you."
Rivan spoke quietly.
His tone was flat.
Cold.
As it should be.
The servant beside him immediately stiffened.
The air in the room shifted.
Heavier.
Elena wasn't offended.
She wasn't angry.
She simply… looked at him.
More deeply.
"No," she replied briefly.
"I came because I needed to."
Needed.
That single word felt like a thin blade.
Rivan narrowed his eyes.
"Needed?"
"Yes."
Elena took a step forward.
Her movement was light.
But each step felt like pressure tightening around Rivan's chest.
"There are a few things I need to confirm."
Rivan's heart pounded.
She's suspicious.
Already?
This fast?
"You speak as if I'm your subordinate."
Rivan leaned back against the headboard.
Relaxed.
Or at least… appearing relaxed.
While inside, his thoughts were racing.
"How bold."
Elena's gaze remained calm.
But—
There was a subtle pressure.
Like hidden killing intent.
"I'm merely doing my duty."
"Duty?"
"Protecting the kingdom."
The answer came quickly.
Too quickly.
As if it had been prepared.
Rivan smiled faintly.
Ah.
Now he remembered.
In the original story, Elena did suspect the Albrecht family.
And Rivan…
Was her primary target.
"So you came to spy on me?"
Rivan looked at her directly.
No avoidance.
No hesitation.
Silence.
A few seconds felt like minutes.
Even the servant in the room didn't dare breathe.
Then—
Elena smiled.
Very faint.
Barely noticeable.
"If that's what you believe."
An answer that wasn't an answer.
Dangerous.
Rivan narrowed his eyes.
She wasn't the type to be easily deceived.
Damn.
This was harder than he thought.
—
[ERROR SYSTEM TRIGGERED]
—
The red screen appeared again.
Suddenly.
In Rivan's vision.
—
[EMERGENCY QUEST GENERATED]
[OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE CURRENT INTERACTION]
[TIME LIMIT: 10 MINUTES]
[FAILURE: IMMEDIATE DEATH]
—
"…What?"
Rivan almost cursed.
Internally.
Ten minutes?
Seriously?
—
[BONUS CONDITION ADDED]
[MAKE TARGET INTERESTED IN YOU]
—
"…This is insane."
This wasn't a system.
It was a curse.
Make Elena interested in him?
The woman who would kill him?
That wasn't a quest—
That was slow suicide.
"Is something amusing?"
Elena's voice cut through his thoughts.
Rivan snapped back.
Damn.
He almost looked suspicious.
"No."
His answer was short.
He looked at Elena again.
More focused now.
Sharper.
Fine.
If the system wanted him to survive—
Then he would play.
"But… this is the first time I've seen you this close."
The words slipped out naturally.
Slightly different from the original Rivan.
And that—
Was immediately noticeable.
Elena's gaze shifted.
Very slightly.
For just a fraction of a second.
But Rivan caught it.
There's an opening.
"You're different from what I heard."
Rivan continued.
Slow.
Measured.
Like testing boundaries.
The servant behind him nearly fainted.
Their young master… speaking like this?
Not rude.
Not insulting.
This was strange.
Very strange.
Elena fell silent.
For a few seconds.
Then—
"And you… are different as well."
Her reply was calm.
But—
Sharp.
Piercing.
Rivan's heart skipped a beat.
She noticed.
Too fast.
Way too fast.
"You've changed a lot, Young Master."
Elena stepped closer again.
Now the distance between them… was too close.
"More… alive."
Her whisper was soft.
Almost like a secret.
But that was exactly what made Rivan's skin crawl.
This is bad.
Very bad.
—
[WARNING: TARGET SUSPICION INCREASED]
—
Damn.
This wasn't flirting.
This was interrogation.
"But I don't mind."
Elena stepped back.
Her smile was thin.
Cold.
"As long as that change… doesn't threaten the kingdom."
A threat.
Clear.
Subtle.
But deadly.
Rivan smiled.
This time… a real smile.
Good.
If this was a game—
He could play too.
"Then… we share the same goal."
Their gazes met.
Two different worlds.
Two colliding destinies.
Elena watched him for a few seconds longer.
As if trying to read something.
Then—
She turned away.
"I'll be watching you, Young Master."
Her steps were light again.
Toward the door.
"Of course."
Rivan replied casually.
"Be my guest."
The door opened.
Light from outside poured in.
Before leaving—
Elena stopped.
Without turning.
"And one more thing."
Her voice was cold.
Colder than before.
"Don't die."
…
…
The door closed.
Silence.
—
[QUEST COMPLETED]
[REWARD: RANDOM DRAW…]
—
Rivan fell back onto the bed.
His breathing was heavy.
"My head…"
Only now did he realize—
He had almost died just now.
And somehow…
He felt like this was only the beginning.
—
[REWARD OBTAINED: ???]
[ERROR… REWARD CORRUPTED]
—
"…"
Rivan stared at the screen with a blank expression.
Then let out a quiet laugh.
"Yeah… of course."
A broken system.
A broken life.
A broken destiny.
"Good."
His eyes slowly closed.
A faint smile appeared.
"If everything is broken…"
he whispered softly,
"…then I'm free to break everything."
—
And without him realizing—
Outside the room—
Elena stopped walking.
Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword.
Her eyes narrowed.
"He's… different."
Very different.
And that—
Was dangerous.
—
Fate was no longer following the original story.
And the game… had just begun.
Silence.
After Elena left, the room felt… empty.
But not the kind of emptiness that soothes.
It was the kind that suffocates.
Rivan stared at the ceiling without expression.
His breathing slowly steadied.
But his mind—
Didn't.
"She's too early."
he whispered softly.
Elena was already suspicious.
And that was far more dangerous than being hated.
If he was only hated, he could still play the role of a "villain."
But if he was suspected…
He would be killed before he even had the chance to act.
"Damn system…"
Rivan turned his head toward the flickering red screen.