The ocean stretched endlessly before him, its waves swallowing the horizon in silence. Standing on a jagged mountain peak, Marcus Aurelia narrowed his eyes. The salty wind stung his face, yet his expression remained unreadable.
"Did I… transmigrated?"
The thought drifted through his mind like a whisper, surreal and heavy.
"Young Lord Marcus Aurelia!"
A middle-aged man appeared from thin air, his robe fluttering as he clasped his fists and bowed deeply. "What are your next orders?"
Marcus did not answer immediately. Instead, he stood still, as though frozen, his consciousness drowning in an unfamiliar flood of memories. The body he now inhabited… belonged to another Marcus Aurelia.
A terrifying genius from a higher realm, Ethereal Expanse Realm. He had descended into this lower world with a single purpose: to seize a lost artifact hidden somewhere on this continent.
"So I shared not only the name… but also the fate of this body's previous owner."
"Have you discovered anything about that secret realm?" Marcus's tone was calm, his face like a mask carved from stone.
The man named Rosterd bowed his head even lower. "I beg your forgiveness, Young Lord. I am still tracing its whereabouts, but the clues suggest it lies somewhere in the central domain."
Marcus waved his hand dismissively. "Go."
Rosterd vanished without another word.
Alone once more, Marcus walked a few steps before sitting down on a massive boulder. His eyes remained on the endless sea, but his mind turned inward, tracing the path of his existence.
"So this is real… I truly crossed over."
In his past life, he had been Marcus as well, though that version of him belonged to a modern world, a planet of steel towers, glowing screens, and endless noise. Born poor, he had clawed his way to the top of the entertainment industry.
With talent and relentless effort, he had become an actor and singer adored worldwide. Fame, wealth, and respect had all fallen into his hands.
And yet, even with it all, something had always been missing.
From childhood, he had longed for a world of cultivation, those fantastical realms he devoured in novels, where underdogs defied heaven, forged their destiny, and rose with sword in hand and beauties at their side.
That dream, unreachable in his last life, had finally arrived.
But fate had not brought him here kindly. He remembered that night too vividly, the flashing city lights, the alcohol clouding his mind, the supercar roaring under his hands.
But a woman had suddenly stepped onto the middle of road!
In his panic, he swerved. The world exploded in fire and metal. His body, broken and bleeding, had grown numb as voices blurred around him.
On his last breath, the image of that otherworldly woman burned into his mind. Her long white silken hair shimmered under the streetlamps, her beauty seemed unreal, almost divine.
Her crimson gaze… it was as if she had marked him, and destiny itself had obeyed.
Then… nothing.
Until now.
His lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "So this is my second chance."
But before his thoughts could settle…
A crisp chime echoed in his head.
[System is loading…]
[Ding! Forsaken Villain Matrix System successfully bound!]
[Congratulations, Host, for becoming the chosen vessel!]
Marcus froze. His breath caught. "A… system?"
Hope stirred within him. Every novel he had ever read spoke of these miraculous cheats, granting their hosts unrivaled power and opportunities. Perhaps he had been chosen as heaven's favorite after all.
Then came the next message.
[Identity Confirmed: Host is a Villain Candidate!]
Marcus blinked. "…What?"
[Reminder: The Forsaken Villain Matrix System specializes in nurturing villains. The Host is tasked with opposing Favored Sons and Daughters of Heaven across countless realms.]
His mind went blank for a heartbeat.
"What the hell!?" He almost leapt from the stone. "A villain!? Me!?"
The thought spiraled in disbelief. "I had always dreamed of becoming the favored son of heaven, the chosen protagonist who would rise step by step and bask in glory. Yet now…"
"I'm doomed!" he cursed under his breath, clutching his head.
But the mechanical voice remained cold and steady.
[Correction: Host is not doomed. With this system, you will surpass protagonists, devour their destinies, and claim their treasures. You will not only survive—you will conquer!]
Marcus sat frozen for a long moment. His heart pounded in his chest, tangled between dread and exhilaration. Slowly, his lips parted into a bitter smile.
"So… I'm the villain…"
The sea breeze howled around him, carrying the taste of salt and destiny.
"Then let's see, Heaven. If I cannot be your chosen son, I will become the blade that slaughters them!"
Marcus's words drifted into the sea wind, sharp and cold.
Still, one nagging thought pressed on his mind. "Wait… don't systems usually give novice rewards?"
"System," he asked inwardly, "aren't you forgetting something? In every novel I've read, the host always gets a gift pack."
Ding!
[Novice Gift Pack has been issued!]
[Open?]
"Yes!"
Ding! Congratulations! Host has obtained [Nine Heaven Abyssal Demon Physique] ×1
Ding! Congratulations! Host has obtained [Ascension Realm-Breaker Card] ×1
Ding! Congratulations! Host has obtained [Halo of the Forbidden Villain — defy Heaven without incurring its wrath] ×1
Marcus's lips curved faintly. Each reward carried weight beyond imagination, but now wasn't the time to examine them. He rose from the stone, his tall frame casting a long shadow. His silver-black hair rippled in the wind, and his pitch-dark eyes glinted with depth. Dressed in white, he looked almost otherworldly, handsome to the point of intimidation.
With calm steps, he returned to his current base, Veilhert Sect.
At the gates, Sect Leader Eryndor and several elders were already waiting, their postures stiff with respect.
"Young Lord Marcus Aurelia!" They bowed in unison.
Marcus gave a single, indifferent nod. He had no interest in small talk and began walking toward his quarters, but Eryndor quickly stepped forward with a courteous smile.
"Young Lord, we have arranged a banquet in your honor. It would please us greatly if you could attend."
He was about to decline, but caught himself. "A banquet, huh? In novels, this is where villains usually get provoked by some so-called heaven's favorite."
"Lead the way," he said lightly.
Relief flickered across the sect leader's face. Together with four elders, he escorted Sevrin into the grand banquet hall.
Inside, elders and inner disciples were already gathered. The moment they saw their leader and the mysterious young guest, everyone rose.
"We greet Sect Leader Eryndor and Young Lord Marcus Aurelia!"
Marcus ignored the chorus, striding directly to the head seat. He sat with effortless dominance, while Eryndor carefully took the secondary seat beside him.
No one dared show offense. Rumors had already spread: this man was not of their world, and the servant at his side could level half the sect with a wave.
"Good," Marcus thought as he surveyed the room. "If I'm to play the villain, then this is the perfect stage. All that's missing… is a protagonist bold enough to provoke me."
The banquet began. Maids drifted gracefully between tables, serving delicacies and fragrant wines. The atmosphere was lively, yet a silent tension clung to the air whenever eyes flickered toward Marcus.
Then, one particular young woman stepped forward, her figure was slender, her steps elegant. She approached Marcus directly, holding a crystal glass of peach wine with both hands. Her face was luminous, her beauty striking.
Marcus didn't even glance at her. He accepted the wine lazily, his attention elsewhere.
But whispers stirred among the disciples.
"That's… Sect Leader's daughter, Nyssa Veilhert," one young man muttered, bitterness in his voice. "The number one beauty in our western domain, serving him like a maid…"
Jealousy darkened more than a few eyes, yet none dared speak aloud. This mysterious stranger was untouchable.
Marcus took a slow sip, scanning the hall. His mind sharpened with anticipation.
"Where are you, heaven's chosen? I know you'll appear. Come, let me see whose destiny I'll take first."
[Alert: System has detected a Favored Son of Heaven within range!]
[Recommendation: Squeeze out all destiny points and treasures before eliminating the target.]
Marcus's lips curled upward, his black eyes flashing like cold steel.
"Finally… you showed up?"