(AN: I almost forgot he has a system. The last time the status was shown is way back in the 30s chapter. Took me awhile to track. Enjoy the rest of the slice of life.)
(PS: I was about to write chapter 54 when I saw this in the drafts. I really thought I have already published thus chapter yesterday. Confusing.)
The night was quiet.
Elias sat alone on the couch, lazily flipping through television channels he barely cared about.
Outside the window, New York's skyline shimmered under the city lights.
He just left Wanda in her room after she fell asleep.
And now that he was alone.
There was silence.
Elias leaned back.
"Well," he muttered to himself.
"That was a productive 4 days of vacation, wonder what I'll be doing tomorrow."
Just then,
A familiar blue screen suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Almost forgot about this."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Task Completed
Task #1:
Defeat Thanos without sacrificing Tony Stark.
Status: ✔ COMPLETED
Evaluation: Exceptional
Timeline deviation successfully stabilized.
Reward Granted ]
He sat upright.
"Probably another villain powers. What is will I expect from a Villain System."
The screen shifted.
[Reward Acquired
Dream Invasion
Inherited from: Freddy Krueger
Source: A Nightmare on Elm Street ]
Elias stared at the words.
"…And the book of the dead ain't enough for you?"
The system continued.
[Ability details — Dream Invasion
Primary Ability: Dream Entry
User can enter the dreams of sleeping targets.
Within the dream realm, user gains near-total control over the environment.
Targets experience dreams as fully real.
Secondary Ability: Dream Manipulation
User may alter the dream world including:
Terrain
Gravity
Physical laws
Environmental hazards
Time perception
Targets can be trapped in endlessly looping dream scenarios.
Tertiary Ability: Psychological Manifestation
User may manifest the fears, memories, and subconscious thoughts of the target as physical dream constructs.
Examples include:
Personal fears
Traumatic memories
Symbolic monsters
Quaternary Ability: Dream Combat Authority
Within a dream, the user possesses vastly enhanced durability and offensive capability.
Damage inflicted in dreams may translate into:
Mental trauma
Physical fatigue
Psychological collapse
In rare cases…
Dream death may result in real-world death.]
Elias leaned back slowly.
"…Okay that last part is definitely concerning."
The system wasn't finished.
[Passive Ability: Sleep Awareness
User can sense nearby sleeping individuals within a limited radius.
User may select targets for dream entry.
Advanced Ability: Dream Layering
User may create multi-layered dreams to trap targets within recursive dream loops.
Escape becomes increasingly difficult without external interference. ]
.
Elias stared at the screen for a long moment.
Then he slowly rubbed his face.
"So let me get this straight," he said.
"I can now invade people's dreams…"
He paused.
"…create nightmares…"
Another pause.
"…and possibly kill them while they sleep."
The system flashed once.
Correct, but there's no reward Elias!
Elias sighed.
"Yeah."
"And another tag added that screams I am a villain."
He leaned his head back against the couch.
"Well… at least it's creative."
He imagined the possibilities for a moment.
Interrogation. Psychological warfare. Training simulations. Pranking Tony.
Elias suddenly sat upright.
"…Wait."
He looked toward the hallway where Wanda's room was located.
Then quickly shook his head.
"Nope."
"Absolutely not."
He raised his hands defensively toward the system.
"I am NOT testing dream invasion on my tour guide."
The system remained silent.
Elias stared at the hallway again.
"…Though theoretically speaking—"
He shook his head again.
"No."
"Bad idea."
He stood up and stretched.
"Tomorrow."
"I'll test it tomorrow."
The system notified him again.
[Additional Rewards:
Kill Rewards:
• 10 EXP —Outrider - 11
• 20 EXP — Leviathan - 5
• 20 EXP — Gorillas - 2
• 20 EXP — Sakaarans - 9
• 30 EXP — Black Order - 1
• 50 EXP — Thanos - 1
Total Exp: 110 + 100 + 40 + 180 + 30 + 50 = (510 EXP) ]
Elias viewed his status to check the changes.
[Villain System
Status
Name: Elias Mercer
Designation: Villain — Master (New)
Level: 4
Experience: 0/24
Left Hand:
•FRIDAY/Kristen - T-X Template
Right Hand:
•Loki - Vegeta Template
Generals:
•Steven 'Grant' Rogers - Captain America
~100 Facehuggers Eggs
•Anthony Edward Stark - Ironman
~ 100 Xenomorphe
•Robert Bruce Banner - Hulk
~100 Facehuggers Eggs
•Natalia Alianovna Romanova - Black Widow
~100 Facehuggers Eggs
•Clinton Francis Barton - Hawkeye
~Peter Petrelli Template
~ 100 Xenomorphe
Summons(Servants):
• Xenomorph — Evolved (Hulk Blood)
• Yautja Hunters ×2
•T-X(F.R.I.D.A.Y)
Skills: (All skill Tectonic Level)
• Appraisal
• Imperius
• Crucio
• Avada Kedavra
• Obliviate
•Chronokinesis
° Time deceleration
°Time acceleration (Unlocked)
-Requisite: Level 4 Proficiency
°Time Stop (Unlocked)
-Requisite:Level 7 Proficiency
°Time Reversal(Unlocked)
-Requisite: Level 9 Proficiency
°Time Travel (Unlocked)
-Requisite: Master Villain designation.
•Dream Invasion (New)
Abilities: (All abilities Tectonic Level)
• Tactical Mini-Map (Passive)
• Telekinesis
•Jedi Lightsaber Combat Level 4
°Way of the Sarlacc: Shii-cho
°Way of the Duelist: Makashi
°Way of the Mynock: Soresu
°Way of the Hawk-bat: Ataru
•Martial Arts Level 3
°Karate
°Jiu-Jitsu
°Boxing
•Pyrokinesis
°Fire Control
°Fire Summon
°Fire Immunity
•Madness Immunity
Inventory:
Slots: 60(New)
Occupied: 5 / 60
• Slot 1: Facehugger Eggs ×2
• Slot 2: Lightsaber — Corrupted Variant (Crimson)
• Slot 3: Epirus Bow
• Slot 4: Frostmourne
•Slot 5: Necronomicon Ex-mortis (New)
...]
"Huh... Guess I won't be needing Strange's spell anymore."
"I just jump from proficient to master without touching the expert level."
"I will probably become even more ridiculous as time goes on. Will I ever get that life I want?"
[SYSTEM UPDATE!
Task Updated
Task #1
Objective: As a villain, you must have a mistress.
Details:
Conquer Wanda Maximoff in this timeline.
Reward: ??? ]
Elias stared at the screen.
Very slowly…
He turned his head toward Wanda's bedroom door down the hallway.
Then back to the screen.
"…No."
The system continued.
[Task #2
Objective: Defeat the Chitauri Invaders
Details:
Use the Space Stone and Mind Stone to travel to another universe where the Battle of New York has already begun and casualties are present.
Intervene and eliminate the invading army
.
(Although you can travel through time now, you have not tried it yet. Host is warned to use the spell created by Dr Strange.)
Reward: ??? ]
Elias slowly raised one hand.
Then pressed it against his face.
"…You're joking."
The system remained silent.
He pointed at the first task.
"First of all."
"I'm not conquering anybody."
He gestured toward the hallway.
"She's literally my tour guide."
He leaned closer to the screen.
"And second."
"I'm not staying here anyway so why should I?"
No response.
Elias sighed dramatically.
"You know what?"
He waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm going to sleep."
The blue window remained floating.
He walked straight past it.
"I refuse to acknowledge that task."
He opened his bedroom door.
"Goodnight, my Villainsystem."
The door shut.
The screen flickered quietly in the living room before fading away.
Day 5
Morning came with an awkward silence.
Elias stepped out of his room stretching.
In the living room, Wanda Maximoff was already sitting on the couch.
She looked… strange.
Her posture was stiff.
Her expression distant.
Like her mind was replaying something repeatedly.
Elias stopped.
"…You look like someone who just remembered something embarrassing."
Wanda's face immediately turned red.
"I did not."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You sure?"
She quickly stood up.
"Where are we going today?"
Elias studied her carefully.
She was clearly avoiding something.
He shrugged.
"Breakfast first."
They walked out of the apartment.
Most of the day was quieter than usual.
Elias noticed Wanda kept glancing at him occasionally.
Then quickly looking away.
After lunch, they ended up sitting at a café terrace.
Elias leaned back in his chair.
"So."
Wanda immediately interrupted.
"Have you tried the pastries here?"
Elias blinked then smirked.
"…You just changed the subject before I even said anything."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
She picked up her coffee quickly.
"Try the pastries."
Elias leaned forward suspiciously.
"…You heard something last night, didn't you?"
Wanda almost choked on her drink.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He narrowed his eyes.
"You were awake."
"No I wasn't."
"You were."
"I was asleep."
"You were awake."
She slammed the cup down.
"Why are we talking about this?!"
Elias leaned back slowly.
"…Because that reaction confirms everything."
Wanda immediately stood up.
"Let's go somewhere else."
He chuckled quietly.
"Okay okay, I'll drop it."
She glared.
"You better."
That evening they walked along the harbor again.
The sunset painted the water orange.
The earlier tension had faded somewhat.
Elias stretched his arms.
"You know," he said casually, "tomorrow I want to visit New Asgard."
Wanda blinked.
"You want to visit Thor's village?"
"Yeah."
He shrugged.
"I've never seen an Asgardian tourist town before."
She sighed.
"…Fine."
He grinned.
"Great."
Day 6
The next morning they arrived in New Asgard.
The coastal town looked peaceful.
Fishing boats lined the harbor.
Small houses were scattered along the cliffs.
Statues of Asgardian warriors stood proudly along the pathways.
Elias looked around excitedly.
"Okay this is awesome."
Wanda scanned the area.
"…Where's Thor?"
Their guide shrugged.
"He left."
"When?"
"A few days ago."
"With the Guardians of the Galaxy."
Elias blinked.
"…Of course he did."
Wanda sighed.
"That sounds like him."
They spent the day exploring the town.
Their guide showed them:
The harbor where Asgardian ships docked
The warrior training fields
The marketplace selling strange alien goods
The museum displaying relics from the destroyed Asgard
Elias looked like a kid in a fantasy theme park.
"Is that a dragon skull?"
"Yes."
"Can I touch it?"
"No."
"Understandable."
Later they walked along a quiet cliff overlooking the sea.
Wanda suddenly asked,
"…Where are you from?"
Elias smiled.
"You mean my universe?"
She nodded.
He crossed his arms proudly.
"Well."
"I run a bakery."
Wanda blinked.
"…A bakery?"
"Yep."
He began listing things happily.
"My shop."
"My employees."
"The regular customers."
"The old lady who buys too many cinnamon rolls."
Wanda listened quietly.
Then Elias added,
"Oh, and I met a younger version of you there."
She stopped walking.
"…What?"
"Yeah."
"And your brother."
At the mention of Pietro Maximoff, Wanda's expression changed instantly.
The lightness vanished.
Elias noticed immediately.
"…What happened?" He asked despite knowing the answer.
She looked down.
"He died."
Her voice was quiet.
"In Sokovia."
Silence fell between them.
Elias exhaled slowly.
Then he gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry."
She didn't say anything.
They stood there quietly overlooking the sea.
After a moment Elias spoke softly.
"You know…"
"From what I saw of him in my timeline…"
"He seemed like the kind of brother who would still be teasing you today."
Wanda's lips trembled slightly.
Then she smiled faintly.
"Yeah."
"He would."
The ocean wind moved softly around them.
The sea breeze was calm along the cliffs of New Asgard.
The waves rolled quietly against the rocks below while the evening sky slowly shifted from gold to deep blue.
Beside the cliff path, Wanda Maximoff and Elias sat on a wooden bench facing the ocean.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Wanda broke the silence.
"…Are you leaving tomorrow?"
Elias tilted his head slightly.
"Probably."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I mean… that's the plan."
"The spell should be ready by now."
She looked down at her hands.
"So you'll go back to your timeline."
"Yeah."
Another quiet pause followed.
The waves below seemed louder in the silence.
Then Elias suddenly chuckled softly.
"You know what's funny?"
"What?"
"We spent almost a week together and barely talked about normal things."
Wanda raised an eyebrow.
"What do you consider normal?"
"Oh, I don't know."
He leaned back against the bench.
"Dreams. Life goals. That kind of stuff."
She looked at him curiously.
"Alright then."
"What's your dream?"
Elias blinked.
"That's direct."
"You asked."
He thought about it for a moment.
Then shrugged.
"Honestly?"
"A home."
Wanda glanced at him.
"Just that?"
"Yeah."
He smiled faintly.
"A small house."
"A bakery in front."
"The smell of bread every morning."
"Maybe a family."
"Nothing complicated."
Wanda stared at him for a second.
Then suddenly laughed softly.
"What?"
"That's… my dream too."
Elias turned his head.
"Seriously?"
She nodded.
"A quiet place."
"No war."
"No running."
"No hiding."
"Just… a normal life."
He leaned back again.
"Well."
"That's convenient."
She smiled.
"It is."
The two sat there watching the sunset fade completely.
For a moment, neither of them wanted the night to come.
But eventually…
They returned to the apartment Stark had arranged for them.
Later That Night
The apartment was quiet.
Elias sat on the edge of his bed staring at the wall.
"…Tomorrow, huh."
He sighed.
The last few days had been strangely peaceful.
Which almost felt suspicious.
Suddenly—
A faint red glow shimmered in the room.
Chaos magic rippled through the air.
And the door opened silently.
Wanda Maximoff stepped inside.
Elias blinked in surprise.
"…You know doors exist for a reason."
She ignored the comment and walked over.
Then sat beside him on the bed.
"Since you're going home tomorrow," she said quietly.
"Let me give you a proper send off."
Before he could react,
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Elias froze for a moment.
Then slowly relaxed and returned the hug.
"…Thanks," she whispered. "For the past few days."
"They were… nice."
Elias smiled slightly.
"Yeah."
"They were."
After a moment she pulled away.
Then suddenly,
She leaned closer and kissed his cheek.
Elias blinked in surprise.
Wanda immediately stood up.
"…Goodnight."
She turned toward the door.
But before she could leave,
Elias gently caught her hand.
She looked back, confused.
"Is something wrong?"
He didn't answer right away.
Instead he stood up.
Then gently pulled her closer.
And kissed her.
Right on the lips.
Wanda's eyes widened in surprise.
For a brief moment she froze.
But then,
She slowly kissed him back.
The quiet room filled with warmth as they held each other close.
For a while the world outside didn't seem to exist.
No war.
No timelines.
No responsibilities.
Just the two of them.
Eventually they pulled apart, slightly breathless.
Wanda's face was red.
"…I should go."
Elias nodded quietly.
"Yeah."
She walked toward the door.
Then paused briefly.
"…Goodnight, Elias."
"Goodnight, Wanda."
The door closed softly behind her.
Elias sat back down on the bed.
Still processing what just happened.
Meanwhile in her own room,
Wanda leaned against the door with a racing heart.
Tomorrow…
Everything would change again.
End of Chapter 53