Ren was reviewing his 'Status' and 'Skills' when his eyes landed on a third tab labeled 'Plot Progress.' His curiosity piqued, and he tapped on it. Instantly, a shimmering, translucent panel materialized before him, like a whisper of magic responding to his will.
"The plot is in motion," it read, with a progress bar indicating "Progress: 0.001%"
Ren exhaled deeply. The storyline of the novel he'd once read had barely begun. Based on his knowledge of the book's events, he calculated that he still had ten days before things fully unraveled. This tiny window of time was crucial for laying the groundwork for his plans.
Still, his mood darkened when he thought of how little freedom he had. His 20th birthday, a pivotal moment tied to the novel's plot, loomed just seven days away. That day would act as a catalyst, pulling him into the very events he was desperate
to avoid.
"I don't have much time," Ren muttered as he swung his legs off the bed. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still early morning, a time he had grown accustomed to waking up during his past life.
Stretching his arms, he resolved to start his day with light exercises. However, the moment he began, a sharp ache surged through his muscles, halting him mid-motion. He grimaced as he rolled up his sleeves, revealing bruises that dotted his arms and shoulders.
"These aren't just minor injuries," Ren muttered, frowning. Even with an awakened body's heightened healing abilities, it would take at least two to three days for these wounds to disappear completely.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Ren closed his eyes and forced himself to recall the events that had led to this state. The memories came back in pieces, painting a vivid picture.
His injuries were the handiwork of Lyra Fontaine, his fiancée, and Elara Holmes, his adoptive sister.
Ren chuckled bitterly, rubbing his sore shoulder. "You're probably wondering how I ended up getting beaten senseless by them. It's simple: I'm the villain in their story—or at least, that's how they see me."
Rising to his feet, Ren moved to a nearby shelf and pulled out an old photo album. As he flipped through its worn pages, nostalgia and bitterness collided in his chest. He stopped at a picture of his younger self flanked by two girls.
His gaze lingered first on the girl to his left: Lyra Fontaine, the cherished daughter of the powerful Fontaine family. The Fontaines, known for their wealth and influence, had been close allies of the Holmes family for generations.
"Lyra," Ren murmured, tracing her smiling face in the photograph with his finger. "The first heroine."
Once upon a time, Lyra had been his childhood friend. Their families, eager to strengthen their bonds, had arranged their engagement when they were still children. Ren, in his youthful naivety, had been overjoyed. Lyra was his first love, and their early years together had been filled with laughter and dreams.
But life, as it often does, had other plans.
"One incident," Ren muttered, his voice hollow, "was all it took to destroy everything."
That fateful event had changed Lyra forever. It instilled in her a deep mistrust of men, and the warmth they had once shared was replaced by a cold, impenetrable wall. Despite Ren's repeated attempts to bridge the gap between them, her disdain only grew stronger. By the time the protagonist entered the story, Lyra's heart was already beyond Ren's reach.
Ren let out a dry laugh. "I still can't figure out how she fell for him. The protagonist is as bland as they come. And yes, he's a man. Don't ask me how I know—I just do."
Shaking his head, Ren shifted his gaze to the other girl in the photo: Elara Holmes, his adoptive sister.
Elara stood on his right, a small, shy smile adorning her youthful face. She had once been a symbol of innocence and joy in his life, but now, she represented something far more complex.
"Elara," Ren whispered, his heart heavy. "The second heroine."
Elara wasn't his biological sibling. She was the daughter of Ren's uncle, who had been the head of the Holmes family before his untimely death. When Elara's parents perished in a monster dungeon accident, she was taken in by Ren's father and raised alongside him as his sister.
Those early days were idyllic. Elara, Ren, and Lyra had been inseparable as children, playing together without a care in the world. But tragedy has a way of reshaping people.
When Elara learned the truth about her parents' deaths, her world shattered. Though the official report labeled it an accident, whispers of conspiracy surrounded the incident. Determined to uncover the truth, Elara turned to Ren's father, the new head of the Holmes family, for help.
But the truth she uncovered was worse than she had imagined.
[Her parents were victims of a calculated attack orchestrated by a group of devil worshipers.]
Elara, devastated but resolute, begged Ren's father to exact revenge on those responsible. However, he refused, citing the immense risk and potential losses to the family.
That refusal marked the beginning of a rift between Ren and Elara. Her once gentle demeanor hardened, and her relationship with Ren, who had always been a source of comfort, soured.
Elara's grief and anger soon transformed into a burning ambition. She resolved to become the next head of the Holmes family, believing it was the only way to gain the power necessary to avenge her parents. But there was one major obstacle in her path: Ren Holmes.
"She sees me as nothing more than a roadblock," Ren muttered bitterly, closing the photo album with a thud.
Elara, who had once been his closest confidante, now treated him like an enemy. And Lyra, once the light of his life, had become an active participant in his downfall.
Their hatred for him reached its peak after a recent incident.
---
A few days ago, Lyra had approached Ren with a demand: dissolve their engagement. She had even brought the contract with her, signed and sealed by her parents.
Though the Fontaine and Holmes families had arranged the engagement years ago, Lyra's parents had eventually caved to her wishes, supporting her decision to end it.
Ren, however, refused to comply. How could he so easily sever the bond he had cherished for so long? He tried reasoning with Lyra, but she was unyielding.
When words failed, Lyra issued a challenge: a duel. The terms were simple—if she won, the engagement would be nullified.
With no other option, Ren reluctantly agreed.
The duel began the next day. Initially, Ren held his ground, matching Lyra blow for blow. But just as victory seemed within his grasp, Elara intervened.
Her unexpected attack tipped the scales, and the two women together overwhelmed Ren. Though they didn't deliver fatal blows, they made sure he left the battlefield bruised and humiliated.
Technically, Ren was declared the winner due to Elara's interference—a breach of the duel's rules. However, the outcome did little to improve his standing in their eyes.
"I'll admit, they played dirty," Ren muttered, his lips curling into a sardonic smile. "But that doesn't mean I'll let it slide."
He rose from his chair, his expression hardening.
"I wanted to avoid this plot, to live quietly and stay out of their way," he said to himself. "But since they enjoy playing dirty while pretending to be righteous, I'll make sure they regret it."
Determination burned in his eyes as he clenched his fists.
"They'll learn that I'm not someone to trifle with."