The Warlord Davis genuinely wanted to make a move.
[ This was his chance to showcase his strength!
But that damned Edward—why wasn't he cooperating? Why wasn't he playing along with him?
Edward struggling to hold back over a dozen guards, sweating profusely from the effort. Was all that really necessary?
Just let them come at me, please! I'm begging you!
I'm craving this wave of experience points! If I don't get to flex my strength here, how am I supposed to wrap this up? ]
Meanwhile, Edward had already made up his mind:
[ "No matter what, I can't let him farm experience points! Not today, not now! ]
[ From this day forward, you are the sky, you are the god, whatever you say goes, and I won't argue. ]
[ Victoria, if you can take her away, just do it. If you can't, that's on you. Just don't drag me into this mess!" ]
Davis was about to lose it.
"Uh... Sir.Edward , do you have some kind of problem with me?"
Edward, who had barely managed to calm the guards, spread his arms wide to block them again and said with a forced grin:
"No, no! I'm fine, I'm great! Honestly, I think you and Victoria make a wonderful couple. When you two get married, send me an invitation, and I'll happily bring a gift!"
Davis was bursting with frustration, pacing around with nowhere to release his energy:
"How about... you just let them come at me? After all, they're standing up for you."
"No, no, no. Don't worry! As long as I'm here, not a single one of them is getting through!"
Edward then turned and barked at the guards, "Anyone who moves, I'll kill them myself!"
At this moment,Victoria finally understood—Edward really seemed to have some ability to foresee events. And now, the entire situation had shifted.
It now appeared as though Edward was sincerely trying to de-escalate the conflict, while Davis seemed hell-bent on escalating it into a chaotic showdown.
Victoria had seen through Davis's façade and shouted angrily, "Davis, enough! Get out! Right now! Or I'll call the police!"
Davis's face turned ashen.
He, the mighty warlord, a returning legend, someone who had dominated countless battlefields—never had anyone dared to humiliate him like this!
"Fine! I'll go. But Victoria, please believe me: no matter where you are, no matter when, no matter what danger you face, I will always stand up for you—even if it means going against the entire world!"
Victoria, holding back her disgust, pointed at the exit. "Leave. Now."
Davis had nothing left to say. His face was dark as he turned and stormed out, throwing a venomous glare at Edward.
Edward, on the verge of tears, stammered, "It's really not my fault... I didn't... I don't even understand what just happened... You must be so frustrated, right?"
Davis let out a cold snort, his expression like thunderclouds, and disappeared into the night.
Edward barely made it to the bathroom before nearly throwing up from the stress.
He wiped the sweat off his brow and let out a shaky breath.
"This storyline is way too hard to navigate..."
After surviving several cycles of these chaotic events, he had formulated the Three Iron Rules for Villain Survival:
First Rule: Never try to outshine or antagonize the protagonist. That's the fastest way to die.
Who is the protagonist? They're not the type to tolerate someone showing off in front of them. Even if you're humble, they still might come after you. If you show off... they'll definitely make sure you don't survive the encounter.
Second Rule: Stay away from the protagonist's women. As far away as possible.
Those love interests are all walking disasters. When the protagonist comes for you, they'll just cheer him on, call him brave and invincible, and then throw themselves into his arms.
Third Rule: Never do anything evil. Ever.
If the protagonist catches you doing something bad, congratulations—you've officially become an experience pack, a stepping stone for the protagonist's glorious hero journey.
Ding!
System Notification:
{ 'Dear Host, congratulations on surviving the initial survival test! Difficulty level: One Star. As a reward, we've prepared a special gift for you!" }
Edward: "What reward?"
{"A luxury sports car, dear host!" }
Edward's eyes widened. "Are you joking? I'm the heir to the most powerful family in North City, the eldest son of the Astor family, and the CEO of the Great Saint Group. I barely escaped death from that brute Davis, and you're rewarding me with… a car?"
{ "Host, please don't underestimate this car! It's truly unique! " }
"What's so special about it?!" Edward shouted.
{ "It has… four whole wheels!" }
"You son of a…"
Edward barely contained his frustration. "And what's the deal with Victoria? Wasn't she supposed to follow Davis according to the plot? What's going on now?"
"The details about Victoria are currently unclear. To learn more, Host must approach her directly and engage in conversation!"
"Engage in conversation? Are you insane? Did you see Davis's eyes just now? He wanted to strangle me!"
After venting, Edward deflated. "Please, I'm begging you, find a way to fix this mess. If this keeps up, I'm going to die in this storyline!"
{ "Dear Host, our feedback suggests that we do want you dead!" }
"YOU little…!"
In Frederick Astor's study room.
Frederick Astor sat with a stern expression. "Sit."
Edward obediently sat down.
"Explain. What's going on? What are you scheming now?"
"Nothing, I swear!" Edward said innocently.
"Hmph! Do you think you can fool me? I know exactly what kind of person you are!" Frederick Astor's voice was firm. "Listen carefully. You'd better treat Victoria properly, or I won't let you off the hook."
Edward said, "She'll never marry me. The entire Snow City knows how much she dislikes me."
"Then why did she suddenly change her mind and agree to the engagement today?"
"I don't know! I'm confused too!"
"And why are you suddenly acting all high and mighty, like you don't want the engagement anymore?"
"I… have a heart full of love for humanity!"
Frederick Astor squinted. "You're getting more shameless by the day."
Edward slumped in his chair, too frustrated to argue.
"Take a gift and visit your god-grandfather later."
Edward froze. "My god-grandfather?"
Right. He remembered now.
Snow City had four major families: Astor, White, Lewis, and Windsor. The Astor family was the most powerful, followed by the White and Lewis families. The Windsor family had been on the verge of collapse in recent years, but Victoria had managed to turn things around.
For the sake of family survival, the Windsor family was eager for this alliance.
But deep down, they despised Edward.
And thus, the tragic role of the perfect villain continued…
This is where the plot gets truly absurd.
As a villain, Edward character is practically flawless—tall, handsome, wealthy, and incredibly capable. Born into privilege as the eldest son of the illustrious Astor family, that command the Great Saint Group with unwavering confidence, effortlessly navigating the cutthroat world of business.
Yet, despite being a man who stands at the pinnacle of society, but somehow reduced to being Victoria's devoted lackey.
Everything about that, every ounce of his brilliance, exists purely to make it more satisfying when the protagonist crushes his beneath his boot. The more perfect the villain, the more exhilarating it is for the hero to tear him down.
For Victoria, he has flaunted his wealth, thrown his weight around, and set himself up as the ultimate target for the protagonist's humiliation. And in the end, he will inevitably meet his demise in the most spectacularly embarrassing way possible.
That's the fate of a "perfect villain" like Edward.
[ If I want to survive, I must avoid conflict with the protagonist at all costs.
The biggest conflict? My relationship with Victoria.
I need to stay far, far away from her. The farther, the better.
If I can just endure until the finale without crossing the protagonist, I'll return to my original world with rich rewards. I'll be a wealthy, successful man at the top of my game—cure my mother's illness, marry a beautiful heiress, and live happily ever after.
That's the goal.
Survival first. Everything else comes second. ]
The Astor family had been entrenched in Snow City for many years, maintaining good relationships with the White, Lewis, and Windsor families. In particular, Old Master Frederick Astor had sworn brotherhood with Old Master Robert White, making him Edward's honorary grandfather.
Recently, Old Master White had fallen gravely ill and was bedridden. The entire Lu family had already visited him—everyone except Edward, who had been busy indulging in his carefree and idle lifestyle.
"Drop off a gift, say hello, and get out of there quickly! Yes, that's the plan!" Edward muttered to himself.
As soon as he stepped out the door, he spotted Jon—the muscular giant he'd restrained at the engagement party—gathering a group of men.
Jon's face was still brimming with anger. "Are all the men here?"
A chorus of over thirty bodyguards responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"
"Good!" Jon growled, his face as dark as thunderclouds. "Young Master's engagement party was completely ruined by that guy, Davis! Can we swallow this humiliation?"
"No!" the crowd roared.
"That's right! Young Master is our boss! In Snow City, only Boss gets to bully others, seize men, dominate women, and act lawlessly! No one bullies Boss Astor!"
The bodyguards pumped their fists and chanted, "Seize men! Dominate women! Act lawlessly! Seize men! Dominate women! Act lawlessly!"
Jon raised a commanding hand, and the crowd instantly fell silent with military precision.
"So! We're going to find Davis, beat him up, and restore Young Master's honor!"
"Find Davis! Beat up Davis! Seize men! Dominate women! Act lawlessly!"
Edward sprinted over and grabbed Jon by the collar. "What are you doing?!"
"Oh! Young Master , you're here!" Jon's face lit up. "Don't worry, boss! I've thought of nine ways to completely ruin Davis. Nine! Just leave it to me!"
Edward delivered a swift kick to Jon's backside. "Are you out of your mind?!"
Looking at the thirty well-built bodyguards, Edward barked, "Stop shouting those ridiculous slogans in public! Do you think I don't care about my reputation?!"
Jon scratched his head in confusion. "But, Sir, you never cared about your reputation before..."
Edward was trembling with anger. "Well, now I do! Okay?!"
"Oh! Got it!" Jon turned to the crowd. "Did you hear that? From now on, our Young Master wants to be both a scoundrel and maintain a good reputation! Understand?"
The crowd raised their fists again. "Be a scoundrel! Maintain a reputation! Be a scoundrel! Maintain a reputation!"
Edward roared, "Get out of here! All of you, scram!"
One of the bodyguards muttered under his breath while walking away, still pumping his fist, "Be a scoundrel... Maintain a reputation..."
Edward lunged forward, trying to kick him. "You little punk, come back here! I'll fight you right now!"
Jon pulled him back. "Calm down, Young Master! Calm down! They were just following orders."
Edward panted heavily, his face red with frustration. "You trained them like this?!"
"Of course! Don't worry, Young Master. I know exactly what you want. That beggar, Davis—I swear, I'll—"
Edward grabbed Jon's shoulders and spoke sincerely, "Jon."
"Yes, Young Master?"
"We're brothers, right?"
Jon's eyes welled up with emotion. "Young Master, I'm not worthy! I'm just—"
"Listen to me. If we're brothers, stop causing trouble for me. From now on, you and everyone else must avoid Davis at all costs. If you see him, take a detour. Understood?"
"But... why?" Jon asked, genuinely puzzled.
"You wouldn't understand," Edward muttered, clutching his forehead. "Just trust me on this."