"Clara! Where are you?!"
In the pitch-black void, Michael's desperate cries echoed endlessly.
"Clara! I've come to take you home!"
His eyes darted about, searching frantically, but the silence of the Forbidden Land of Darkness pressed in around him. He did not notice the sinister pair of eyes that had fixed themselves upon him from the shadows.
Then came the ripple.
The air itself twisted and collapsed. The mountains melted into void. The rivers evaporated into nothingness. The Forbidden Land itself began to fold and shred apart as though existence had grown weary of maintaining it.
Michael's face twisted with terror, but even as the overwhelming force crushed him into nothing, he refused to break character. His trembling voice kept calling her name, again and again.
"Clara! Clara!"
Only when his vision blurred and his body was consumed did relief flash in his eyes.
"Phew… damn it, finally finished the act."
A crack of light split open the void. Michael stumbled out of bed, heart still racing, only to see neat rows of glittering halberds displayed against the walls. Their blades gleamed like miniature suns.
Throwing back his head, he laughed.
"Hahaha! This young master is finally home!"
"Good morning, Young Master~"
Soft, fragrant voices drifted to him. A line of elegant maidservants stood at attention by his bedside, bowing low. Perfume hung heavy in the air.
Michael froze.
Wait.
Something was wrong.
This scene… was far too familiar.
"Dog System!"
Michael shouted in his mind.
[Ding! I'm here, Host.]
"Didn't you say I could leave once I finished the mission?! Why the hell am I still here?!"
[System detected that the original worldline collapsed. Mission has been forcibly restarted.]
"What?!"
Michael almost thought he misheard.
[Please complete the mission again.]
Michael cursed so loudly the maids looked at him in alarm.
Years ago, he had been a so-called "ordinary man" back on Earth. Ordinary if you ignored the fact that he owned hundreds of billions, lived in luxury mansions, and kept dozens of luxury cars. Surrounded by women, wealth, and power—his life should have been complete.
Until one day, he picked up a ridiculous web novel.
The book was called "Abyss Continent".
It was one of those hollow male power fantasies. The protagonist, Ethan Carter, rose from humble beginnings with miraculous talent, met countless women who threw themselves at him, slapped villains left and right, and ascended to become the so-called Immortal Emperor.
What made it worse was the author's strange sense of humor. For no reason, he had forced the protagonist into a "celibacy setting"—the hero could tease and flirt, but never take things further until he became Immortal Emperor.
Michael remembered mocking the story endlessly. He even cursed the author for being shameless. That was the fatal mistake.
The "Dog System" appeared and dragged him straight into the novel.
Not as the protagonist.
Not even as a side character.
But as one of the villains destined to be trampled by Ethan Carter.
The system gave him only one way out: complete every single plotline the novel had written for his villain role. Only then could he return home.
Michael clenched his fists. "You can't be serious."
The book wasn't even consistent. The logic was trash. It was just mindless wish-fulfillment. Acting out its nonsense once had already been exhausting. Now he had to do it all again?
"System, I'm not playing anymore. Send me back."
[Ding! Host, please calm down. In the later arcs, multiple major characters collapsed and deviated from their roles. This caused the destruction of the worldline.]
[The system has forcibly restarted the world and applied corrections. This is the last time.]
Michael's eyes narrowed.
World destruction? Characters collapsing?
He fell silent. His anger cooled into reluctant acceptance. If this was the last time, he would endure it.
Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Fine. Tell me where the story is now."
[Ding! Current plot: Chapter 43 – The Master-Apprenticeship Ceremony.]
Michael instantly recalled the scene.
It took place in Everwind Holy Land, one of the three greatest sects on the continent.
According to the original novel, his character had used family connections to enter Everwind just to pursue the cold goddess, Clara Frost. He wanted to become her fellow disciple, just so he could stay at her side day and night.
But Ethan Carter would not tolerate it.
In that chapter, Ethan exposed Michael's "backdoor entry" and challenged him. Michael was supposed to be a whole realm stronger, yet Ethan pulled out a miraculous victory in front of everyone. The protagonist's reputation skyrocketed, while Michael's humiliation was complete.
Michael rubbed his temples.
"Great. Back to square one."
He glared at the ceiling. "System, if you screw me over this time, I swear I'll tear you apart."
[This system is dedicated to providing the Host with the perfect plot experience. Rest assured, we share the same goal.]
Michael sneered. "Heh."
Knock knock—
"Young Master Michael," came the voice of Butler Morgan from outside. "It's nearly time. We should depart."
Michael exhaled, pulling on a calm mask. He had been acting for so long that slipping into character was instinct.
"Coming."
At his signal, the maids rushed forward to dress him. Fine robes of silk and jade patterns draped over his shoulders. His pale complexion gave him an elegant, almost effeminate air, but when he grasped the weapon rack, his hand closed firmly around a halberd.
He twirled it, smirking. The halberd was his trademark.
Butler Morgan watched silently, sighing inwardly.
"The Young Master is perfect in every way… except his taste. Why must he chase after a woman like Clara Frost?"
The two boarded the flying ship. The vessel lifted smoothly, rising over the sprawling Michaelson Clan estate.
Even at such heights, the air vibrated with spiritual energy and the power of cosmic laws. This was the foundation of an Immortal Clan.
The structure of the Abyss Continent was simple. Above all stood the Three Great Holy Lands. Beneath them were the Ten Great Immortal Clans. Each possessed unimaginable power, capable of erasing entire worlds with a flick of the wrist.
Michael was no commoner. He was the only son of Alexander Michaelson, patriarch of the clan and a peak Immortal King. Michael himself was gifted, standing above countless peers.
Yet somehow, this was the role he had been forced to play—an expendable, infatuated villain.
On the ship, Michael dutifully played along. He turned to his butler.
"Morgan, is Clara already at the Holy Land?"
Morgan hesitated. "Yes… Miss Clara Frost is also making her way there." He sighed again.
"Young Master, she is not worthy of you. Please open your eyes one day."
Michael gave no response.
Before long, the ship descended. Everwind Holy Land loomed before them, its towering mountains shrouded in golden mist.
As they landed, Morgan handed him a storage ring.
"Young Master, this is the enrollment gift prepared for you."
Michael raised a brow. That hadn't been in the original script.
He accepted it nonetheless. "Thank you, Morgan."
But the butler shook his head. "Don't thank me. This wasn't from me. It was from Lady Helena Winters. She gave it to me in advance and told me to deliver it once you arrived."
Michael's eyes narrowed.
"Helena Winters?!!!"