Calm down, it's just a stupid dream.
The pain will fade, because none of this is real.
It's ridiculous to believe I got transported into my own novel, isn't it?
"Master, are you feeling unwell?"
Lynette stepped closer, trying to check on me with that cold face of hers struggling to balance concern and thought.
I shoved her away, making her fall to the floor, while I kept screaming and fighting my own emotions.
"Stay away from me, don't touch me!"
She stood up, holding the spot where I had struck her. She looked like she was in pain…
Then she suddenly bowed, speaking in a stern tone.
"I apologize, Lord Klo. I can atone by offering my soul for the sin of touching you improperly."
What are you doing? Why are you still loyal to him? What did that tyrant ever do to deserve your devotion?
I bit my lip, staring wildly around the room, not knowing what to do.
"You shouldn't apologize. I'm the one at fault, Lynette."
She raised her head immediately, her widened blue eyes fixed on me.
It was as if she couldn't comprehend how this devil could possibly apologize.
I couldn't blame her, not after what her old master used to do to his servants—he was the great villain of the novel, after all.
I turned my gaze toward the transparent system window floating nearby, checking what it contained.
At the top, there was a tab labeled "Statistics."
I tapped it, and countless details about my body appeared, filling me with disgust.
[Statistics]
Strength: 4
Speed: 2
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 20
Luck: 14
Damn you, Klo. Even in your pathetic beginning, you're still a cunning bastard blessed by luck, despite being useless.
I scrolled down, revealing another section.
[Energy]
Mana: 15
Aura: 10
Spiritual Energy: 12
Still useless. Who else would have stats like these but a complete failure?
I slumped into the chair, closing my eyes, giving up hope of surviving another string of absurd situations.
Before the last thread of hope could snap, the system chimed again.
I slowly opened my eyes, staring at the new window hovering in front of me, centered around a massive button.
[Choose an Ability]
I pressed it without thinking. If it's a free trial, who cares?
What do you think I'd get? A mighty dragon to guard me from heroes? Some mythical, legendary power?
Barely. I'd probably end up with something pathetic.
The letters began to shift, spinning between numbers and symbols before finally forming a single answer—
"Rewrite."
What does that even mean?
I tapped the question mark below the newly acquired ability.
[You can return to a previous save point under two conditions: failure to survive or failure to progress the scenario correctly.]
And below that, in bold red letters:
[Usage is limited.]
So… it's a life-or-death game.
I sighed heavily, still staring at the floating window in front of me.
This could only mean one thing—
I have to rewrite my own novel from scratch, in my own way.
[Main Quest]
[The Hero has infiltrated the castle.]
[Objective: Survive.]
[Remaining Attempts: 2]
I froze in place as I read the message.
Damn it… that bastard hero broke into the castle and plans to claim my soul.
And with only two attempts left—if I lose them, I die.
I glanced at the maid from the corner of my eye.
"Lynette."
She quickly approached, standing respectfully to hear my command.
"Yes, Lord Klo. How may I serve you?"
Stop with that tone… it's embarrassing.
"Anyway, go call the captain of the guards. I need him for something important."
"As you command, my lord."
Lynette bowed and hurried out of the hall.
Moments later, she returned with the captain beside her.
He entered, speaking in a tone that made my stomach twist—one that perfectly fit how I had written Klo.
"Oh great and noble Lord Klo, Lady Lynette informed me that you summoned me for an urgent matter. Your humble and devoted servant awaits your command."
Damn you, Klo. What the hell did you do to these innocent people?
I bit my lip again, speaking to the bowed knight.
"Tighten security around the castle. There's an intruder."
The knight placed a hand on his chestplate.
"Your orders are my honor, my lord."
He left the hall, while I turned my attention back to the system, to the tab that had caught my eye earlier.
[Shop]
I tried opening it, but it wouldn't let me enter until I reached level two.
Tch~
At the top of the screen was a symbol "C" with a big zero beside it.
Apparently, this system used currency just like a game—but I had none.
No time for some stupid shop. Survival comes first.
I stood up and headed for Klo's private chamber.
From the body's memories, there should be a valuable treasure hidden there.
Inside the room connected to the hall, I knelt beside the bed, next to a silver mirror.
Checking under the bed, I found a blade reflecting the villain's face with a faint crimson glow.
I pulled it out—and there it was. The thing I had been searching for from the start.
The demon sword Agnis.
The sword Klo treated like trash, despite its destructive power.
Smart or not, Klo was still an idiot.
I held the sword, whispering the words engraved along its gleaming edge.
The dark blade flared crimson, and a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me.
One of its drawbacks—it's bound to its wielder's blood. If it breaks, or anything happens to it… I die too.
Dragging the sword behind me, it scraped against the ground—
not because it was heavy, but because of its side effects.
Passing by the silver mirror again, I saw a boy with wavy black hair, crimson eyes filled with malice, and a red pendant marked with an unknown symbol.
This was the face of Klo Yuthnir.
I left the room, heading back toward the grand hall.
This time, the massive gate came into view—stained with blood at the bottom.
Beside it lay the captain of the guards, loyal to the end.
Dozens of stab wounds pierced his back—the work of the hero himself.
I scanned the area, trying to keep my composure.
My breathing quickened. The door was open. The hero could be inside already.
I stepped back slowly… only to bump into something warm behind me.
Warm breath. Familiar.
And at that moment, I realized something—
We were repeating the same scenario.
I turned around slowly.
The hero, Crain, stood there, wearing that mocking smile that radiated pure menace.
"So, where's the little cat been hiding?"
My legs trembled. I gripped the sword tightly.
My first swing could've cut his neck in half—but he caught the sharp blade between his fingers.
The smile vanished, replaced by a much darker expression.
He shoved me back—I fell onto my back.
It was the same scene.
Exactly the same.
The sword clattered loudly as it hit the ground, making me want to cover my ears.
I crawled backward as he advanced, his bloodstained sword in hand.
The first swing, aimed to pierce me, was suddenly interrupted by a voice filled with rage and power.
"Kneel, you fool, Klo!"
Crain stopped mid-motion, turning toward the source of the voice.
Meanwhile, I rolled to the side, disappearing from his view.
"What?" he muttered, trying to finish the job—only to find me gone.
He sighed, turning around, only to see me behind him, trying to stab him weakly.
Our swords clashed—his defense was overwhelming, terrifyingly so.
"That's enough."
Crain's sword burst with blue aura, sending me flying away.
Agnis slipped from my hand again. This time, death felt inevitable.
But where was that voice from earlier?
Or was it just my mind playing tricks on me out of fear?
Maybe… in the end, this story only has one dead end—and it's mine.
I lowered my head, staring at the marble floor reflecting a black cloak adorned with flame-like patterns.
I raised my gaze—and there she was.
A slender girl blocking Crain's legendary sword with her own.
She wore a short, flame-patterned blouse with faint glowing designs.
Her right arm, covered in a long black sleeve, held her weapon firmly.
A medium-length skirt, long dark stockings, a bracelet with her family's crest, and dangling paper earrings.
It was her—
Elithia, Klo's personal guardian.