The streets of Berlin were alive with energy.
It was nighttime, and the moon shone brightly in the sky, yet its glow barely touched the bustling roads below.
City lights flooded the streets, with lamps, shops, and office windows illuminating every corner. People hurried about, focused on their work, engaged in conversations, or lost in the glow of their smartphone screens.
Life continued as usual—busy, noisy, and lively.
It was an ordinary evening with a clear sky, something rare for Berlin. At least, that's what a lone figure thought as he stared at the moon.
He stood near the edge of the sidewalk, chewing on something strange. It wasn't gum, the taste was different, almost bitter.
He wasn't even sure what it was. Drugs? Maybe. He didn't really care. All he knew was that he found it inside the wallet he'd stolen earlier that day.
The wallet had belonged to an old man. The man seemed troubled, lost in thought, with sadness etched across his face. Perhaps he had been going through a tough time, and now, losing his wallet had only made things worse.
Maybe he had no one to rely on, no place to go. In a city like this, being poor meant you were invisible. They won't care if you die today or live on.
The lives of the poor didn't matter.
But the young thief didn't dwell on it. He couldn't afford to. After years of pickpocketing, he'd grown numb to those feelings of guilt or sympathy.
Surviving on the streets had hardened him. The world had never shown him kindness, so he never felt the need to show it back.
The wallet was surprisingly full. Luck had been on his side, and he had made more than enough to meet his daily target. It was rare to get such a big score, so he decided to treat himself at his favorite local diner.
He walked in alone, as usual. His sharp attitude and cocky demeanor never won him many friends. The local thugs disliked him, and he'd never had much luck keeping people close. Not that it mattered. Being alone was something he had grown used to.
He told himself it was better that way, no one to betray him, no one to care about.
Humans may be social creatures, but they can adapt. For him, solitude wasn't sad, it was just the way life had always been.
In the colorful lighting, he finally decided to step out of those dark alleyways, heading for his favorite restaurant.
It was grand, luxurious, and decorated with intricate architecture and lighting.
Clearly, it was a place where he didn't belong.
His rugged clothing would have already made many passersby frown at him, but did he care?
Not really.
He had money, so they couldn't ban him from entering.
Without wasting further time, he entered the establishment. It was quite a sophisticated place, one that people in his line of work wouldn't normally visit.
It was too delicate for them.
But he had a peculiar taste.
The tables were neatly arranged in an open setting, with soft, pleasant music playing in the background.
He walked in to find a table. Unlike what he had expected, disgusted looks and frowns, not a single person cared enough to glance at him.
They were busy with their own business.
A smirk appeared on his face as he scanned the surroundings. He quite liked it.
He walked toward an empty table and took a seat, prompting a waiter to attend him.
"Sir, are you expecting someone?" the waiter asked with an elegant smile he was clearly trained for.
"No, bring me a menu,"
The waiter flinched slightly, not expecting it, but as he was trained, he quickly masked it and took out his tablet, showing the menu.
After scrolling for a while, the man settled on ordering pasta. Simple, but he liked it. And, of course, it was cheap.
Just about a couple of minutes later…
Argh!!!!!
While he was patiently waiting for his pasta, a loud feminine scream snapped his attention to the corner of the restaurant.
It was a scream filled with pain and fear, not the kind you let out during an argument with your boyfriend.
His eyes adjusted to the dim corner, and he saw a strange creature tearing at a young woman's clothes.
The creature was short, skinny, and green, with pointed ears and drool dripping from its mouth onto the terrified woman's breasts.
Wait...
The man recognized that beast. He had read about it in countless fantasy stories.
"Is that... a goblin?"
He mumbled, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion. At first, he thought it might be some bizarre performance arranged by the restaurant, but the terrified faces of both the staff and customers seemed just to real to be an act.
They weren't helping—they just stood there, frozen in shock.
"What is going o—"
Before he could finish his thought, a golden, window-like screen resembling something from a video game appeared before his eyes. It displayed his personal information and what seemed like character stats.
Which further added to his confusion, but pulling himself together, he scanned the information displayed before him.
Name: Sven Weber
Age: 22
『Destiny』
–Villain.
(You wake on the path of pure evil, making those with destiny of hero and human your prey.)
(Attribute Karma is added)
『Stigma』
–Puppeteer's Brand
Grade: Mythical
Level: 1
Skills: 「Marionette's Gift (Active)」
–It unleashes nearly invisible threads that allow the bearer to telekinetically manipulate inanimate objects and execute swift, slicing strikes in range according to the bearer's will. Threads grow sharper and more numerous with karma.
「Weaver's Web (Passive)」
–The stigma bearer's threads act as the extensions of their senses, allowing them to detect even the slightest vibrations.
『Attribute』
STG: 10
(Measures physical power and muscle)
DEX: 12
(Agility attribute shows precision and reflexes)
CON: 10
(Measures endurance, health and stamina)
WIS: 11
(Reflects perception, willpower and insight)
CHA: 3
(Measures personality, charm and leadership)
Karma (KRM): 2
(A unique attribute exclusive to those with a Villain Destiny, representing the accumulated burden of crimes, especially murder and heinous acts. Unlike other attributes, Karma does not reflect physical or mental ability, it fuels the Stigma of those with the destiny of Villain.)
"It's really is like a game"
A frown appeared on the man's face, As unbelievable as it seemed, he knew this was now his reality. The sight of a group of goblins and the three brutally murdered customers in the corner made that much clear.