Damian stood on the balcony of his room, gazing at the expansive courtyard below. The more he contemplated the position he now faced, the more he realized how many hidden opportunities he could exploit. Every character, no matter how minor, had the potential to become an ally or even a tool in his plan.
"Minor characters," he murmured, "They are no longer just extras. They are pawn that i can move!"
With renewed confidence, Damian planned his next steps. He knew that to build power, he had to gather resources and information, and the best way to do that was by leveraging the characters that others deemed insignificant.
The next day, Damian began observing the servants and guards around the house. He noted who had access to valuable information, who seemed to have ties to other noble families, and who appeared dissatisfied with their current situation.
He approached a young servant named Clara, who often looked anxious and distressed.
"Clara," he called gently as they met in the corner of the kitchen, "I've heard that you might have some information about our close family."
Clara was startled to hear his voice but quickly lowered her gaze, looking hesitant.
"I'm… just a servant, Young Master Joseph. What can I do to help?"
Damian looked at her intently, trying to channel an aura of trust.
"I'm not just your master," he said. "I'm also someone who wants to make the Ormond family stronger. If you have information that could help me, we can help each other."
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Clara finally nodded.
"Alright. I heard from one of the guards that Lord Cederic is trying to forge a connection with the Elston family. They have significant wealth and connections."
"Good information, Clara. Do you know when they will meet?"
Clara shook her head. "Not for sure. But I'll find out more."
"Great," Damian replied, feeling that the first step in the right direction had begun. He needed to ensure that Clara felt involved in this plan, so she would remain loyal and active in helping him.
****
Damian sat in the Ormond family study, in front of a row of dusty books that had gone untouched for years. The dim light from the candle on the table barely illuminated the entire room, but it didn't bother him.
He felt something more foreboding than the darkness itself—something he could only sense in his mind. He reached for an old book with a thick cover titled Strategies in Ancient Politics. Previously, books like this had never caught Joseph Ormond's attention.
But Damian was different. He knew that knowledge was a weapon, especially in this world of nobility filled with manipulation and betrayal. In the novel, Ormond was just a supporting character who would be swallowed by the conflicts of other prominent families.
But Damian wouldn't follow that narrative.
He opened the first page of the book, his eyes tracing the text as he contemplated. Everything felt slow, as if each word on the page carried the weight of the fate he was challenging.
"If I don't act now, this family will be destroyed… I will be destroyed," Damian thought.
Feelings of frustration and despair began to creep in. This world offered him no choices. The Ormond family had lingered on the brink of destruction for far too long, and Joseph Ormond was too weak to change his fate.
As Damian turned to the next page, the room suddenly felt colder. A faint sound like a whisper came from all directions.
He suddenly felt a throbbing in his head, as if something was stirring within his mind. His eyes were fixated on the book, which seemed to change before him.
The text on the page began to blur, transforming into words he did not recognize.
[ System Activated ]
Damian was taken aback. His eyes widened as the strange text appeared before him—not on the pages of the book, but as if it were displayed directly in his mind.
[ Welcome to the Dark Triad System ]
"What...?" Damian muttered softly, his hands suddenly feeling cold.
[ System Initialized ]
[ Welcome, Joseph Ormond. ]
[ You have been granted access to the Dark Triad System. ]
---
"Dark Triad System?" Damian frowned. This was clearly different from the system used by the protagonist in the novel. The protagonist received a system that granted him limitless heroic powers, while this…
However, as he looked closer, a faint smile crept across Damian's face. This system might be more suitable for someone with a mindset like his.
---
[ Status Window ]
[ Name: Joseph Ormond { Damian Blackwood } ]
[ Level: 1 ]
[ EXP : 00/100 ]
[ Class: Dark Triad Wielder ]
[ Title: Transmigrator ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Affiliation: House Ormond (Minor Noble) ]
[ Alignment: Neutral-Evil ]
---
[ Stats ]
- Strength: 10
- Intelligence: 14
- Endurance: 9
- Agility: 11
- Manipulation (Machiavellianism): 15
- Pride (Narcissism): 13
- Ruthlessness (Psychopathy): 12
- Magic Power: 13
---
[ Skills ]
- Machiavellian Tactician (Passive): Grants insight into others' motives and weaknesses. Manipulation tactics become 20% more effective.
- Narcissistic Aura (Active): Exudes an intimidating aura of superiority, decreasing enemies' morale and boosting your own confidence. Increases chance of success in social encounters by 15%.
- Psychopathic Strike (Active): Each attack becomes more brutal and efficient as empathy wanes. Gains +5% to physical damage for every consecutive hit, stacking up to 5 times.
- Dark Manipulation (Ultimate): Temporarily take control of the actions of weaker individuals. Duration depends on the target's mental fortitude and the wielder's manipulation score.
---
[ Points ]
- Manipulation (Machiavellianism): 15/100
(Next level: Unlock 'Strategic Puppeteer')
- Pride (Narcissism): 13/100
(Next level: Unlock 'King's Gaze')
- Ruthlessness (Psychopathy): 12/100
(Next level: Unlock 'Cold-hearted Slayer')
____
Damian stared at the panel before him,
"This is like what the heroes have!"
"A power that could make them greater than ordinary humans!"
"With this, my game might become much easier."
Damian grinned.
Suddenly,
[ Ding! ]
[ Quest Unlocked! ]
[ Quest: Forge the Noble Network ]
- Objective: Build alliances with at least three minor noble families by leveraging your Dark Triad abilities. Gain their trust and create a network that strengthens your influence within the noble hierarchy.
- Reward: Access to valuable resources, expanded political influence, and earn points.
- Failure: Lose any chance of securing a foothold in noble society, risking future isolation or subjugation under more powerful families.
---