"What is actually wrong with that Adler's Heir?"
"I know he might be depressed because of a problem, but why lock himself up for a week?"
"Is he crazy?"
"Good, maybe the inheritance will be transferred if he stays like that."
Even though the source of those voices was far away—outside my room—I could still hear them clearly because it seemed my [Hearing] aspect was hyperactive due to the paranoia I was experiencing.
Well, whatever, literally I am not the person you guys are talking about.
I rolled over onto my back.
"Sigh..."
A week has passed since the incident where I was pulled in by the TV, but even so, this new reality still feels like a dream.
Of course, no human could explain what I'm experiencing with logic.
This is completely nonsensical.
Why did this happen to me?
I'm not in my apartment room, but in a grand room with perfect decorations. The world I occupy is not my world and I am not 'me'. Even though my description sounds made up, believe me, it is the best way to describe the situation I'm currently facing.
I entered the game I was previously playing, and my soul is inside a mid-tier Named Villain destined to die: Julian Von Adler…
Then one day, when I was wondering why this happened to me, a system appeared before me—
===
[Welcome to Eternal Saga]
[Soul synchronization to body: 100%]
[Memory inheritance: Failed]
[Role: Villain]
[Task: Die]
[Death Progress: 1%]
===
I swear, that didn't answer my question at all.
"What the f*ck, my task is to die? What kind of task is that?!" My curse one day.
Then I asked if I would go back to my apartment if I finished the task?
However, there was no answer from the system; instead, my death progress rose to [2%]!
That made my body shiver instantly.
For a moment I thought this was a dream, but that notion was automatically dismissed easily because I could feel all five of my senses normally.
Which means the threat of death could be real.
Out of fear, I locked myself in my luxury room... I mean Julian's room, for a week and told everyone in the house not to enter for the time being because I wanted to be alone, except for necessities like bringing me food.
You want to know what happened next?
As a player of this game, I know that Julian has many enemies who want to kill him. So I thought that if I locked myself in the room, I would be safe or at least the progress would decrease.
In reality, the progress kept rising by [2%] every day for a week until it finally reached [14%] now!
Does that mean I'll die just because I locked myself in my room, huh?
How is that possible?
Suddenly, I heard the door to my room open slowly.
Dammit, didn't I say I wanted to be alone for now?
I glanced sideways, intending to vent my frustration.
But my intention stopped because the one who entered wasn't a servant, but Julian's 14-year-old younger brother, Edward; he was carrying a food tray in his hands.
Slowly and awkwardly, he entered my room and placed the food tray on the cabinet beside the bed.
"B-brother, I know you are experiencing
depression... but shouldn't you eat first?"
Actually, I was still annoyed, but seeing his innocent face and how he was slightly intimidated by me made me soften.
Even though the Adler family is large, Edward is the only one who frequently enters the room to check on my condition besides a house servant who brings food. For the others, I don't know why they don't check. Well, thank goodness, I don't want them to anyway.
I sat on the side of the bed listlessly.
"Actually, why is Brother locking yourself in the room?"
I ignored him because I was staring at the system screen showing the Death Progress which had increased to [16%].
How can it be like that? I haven't done anything, you know…
No, no, if it continues like this, I will die.
Alright, think... Julian is a character destined to die. Perhaps this death isn't just because of his choices, but because this world itself wants him to die. Therefore, the world will create any variable just so Julian dies…
Is that how it is?
If that's the case, it means it's not just internal factors, but external factors are at play. I just remembered. Even if I lock myself in the room, the outside world will still proceed as it should. Which means Julian's enemies could be planning to kill him right now.
Ah, now it makes sense!
That means I shouldn't just stay in the room. It's better if I look for someone who wants to kill me or strengthen myself.
"Edward, is the Magic Academy still open now?"
"Eumm... I think so. It's only seven in the
morning..."
Alright!
"Get out of my room. I want to get ready."
"O-okay."
Right as he spoke, I walked toward him and took a drink of water. Then my hand moved slowly to pat his head as a sign of my gratitude.
Initially, he recoiled and closed his eyes in fear, but after realizing I was only patting him, he became relieved.
"Thank you for bringing this."
His face was still shocked by my treatment.
Would Julian not do that?
After that, he walked out of my room.
[-2%]
Suddenly, that faint number appeared before my eyes before disappearing.
I checked my Death Progress: [14%].
Decreased? What did I do that made it decrease? My mind raced.
As far as I know, I only drank and patted my younger brother's head... I mean Julian's brother.
Wait, don't tell me Edward has the potential to kill me?
No, no, I shouldn't think that, he has taken care of me for a week!
Okay, forget that. The point is, this Death Progress can decrease if I take an action that can move me away from death, even if only slightly.
Thank God... this is a ray of light.
After showering, I took my gray Magic Academy blazer. Then I looked into the mirror which showed a 20-year-old man with pale skin, jet-black hair, and deep gray eyes.
It felt almost impossible that this 20-year-old boy had already committed many crimes.
In several routes I chose when fighting this 20-year-old boy, Julian had killed his entire family and went on a rampage with very strong demonic power, only losing after 10 rounds.
If Julian did that just for his pleasure, then this character is truly terrible. A maniac. However, if there was a specific motive that made him do that, maybe it could be justified.
Nervously, I opened the door and stepped out for the first time in a week.
As I last saw, the central room here was very grand. Of course, because this large house, which almost resembled a castle, was inhabited by many of the Adler family.
As I descended the stairs, I suddenly felt a cold chill coming from all directions, making me uncomfortable.
"Oh, Lord Successor, you've finally come out of your room, it seems."
Near the door stood one man with black hair—he was Julian's older brother, Wilhelm—and two other women whose names I forgot.
Since I don't have Julian's memories, I didn't know how to act. But I felt Julian's relationship with them was bad. Judging by the mocking smiles they made.
Moreover, my Death Progress increased to [15%], which means there's trouble.
Therefore, I just walked past them with Julian's signature cold expression.
Ignoring them, I continued my way.
In front of me, a black luxury car was already parked; an old man opened the door.
"Please, Young Master."
Ah, thank you, thank you. Is this what it's like to be royalty? Not bad.
I sat inside the car, looking at the castle house that had been my shelter before I headed out into a dark world