[Yup! You're really in the body of Aurelius — the trash you don't think highly of.]
The system's voice rang inside Aurelius's mind, smug as ever.
[Oh yeah, before I leave, I'll just let you know how I work...]
[Doing villainous acts will bring you V.P (Villainous Points) which you can use to elevate your powers — which, by the way, I doubt you'll get any without me — or you can spend it in the system's integrated shop. You'll unlock that after gathering 1,000 V.P.]
[Oh, and you'll need to gather 500 V.P to unlock mission functions — little tasks here and there that'll reward you with juicy V.P or some sweet bonuses to help you out… Can't let you die too young, can we?]
'Tsk! This bitch is really infuriating as fuck, ngl!' Harry — now Aurelius Darkstone — thought, irritation simmering beneath his cold exterior. He masked it with a stoic look.
"Alright, I got it," Aurelius muttered, voice barely a whisper. He wanted this system gone — and fast. The sooner he adjusted to this new life, the better.
[You're really eager to have me gone, huh?] The system's smug tone grated on his nerves.
[Reading you like a book, buddy.]
'Of course I want you gone, you useless fucker!' Aurelius scowled mentally but kept his face unreadable.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, feigning ignorance.
[Well… you do you. Just don't die before I come back, will ya? You know... it'd be a real shame to waste all my hard work reviving you.]
With that, the system's interface dimmed, fading into nothing.
"Finally... some peace." Aurelius exhaled, tension bleeding from his shoulders. After all the chaos — betrayal, death, transmigration — having a moment of quiet felt like a rare victory.
His gaze shifted to the full-sized mirror on the wall.
"So... this is my new look, huh?" He muttered, stepping closer.
The reflection staring back at him was unsettling.
White hair, pale skin, and red eyes — like some porcelain doll carved with unsettling precision. There was no hint of vitality in that face.
"Tsk! Pretty boy..." Aurelius muttered, annoyed.
His eyes scanned his reflection — thin arms, a narrow waist, and a frame that looked like it belonged to a malnourished orphan, not the spoiled young master of an ultra-rich family.
"Does this guy even eat?" Aurelius muttered with a confused frown. "I thought he was supposed to be some spoiled brat, but this body's screaming 'I haven't seen a proper meal in weeks.' What the hell?"
His fingers twitched slightly. Despite the frail look, his instincts screamed that this body held something... more.
"Well, who cares... I guess it's time to make mov—"
Just as he was about to move on, the door swung open.
In walked a maid... a busty one, her tight black-and-white uniform barely containing her curves. The provocative outfit screamed seduction — yet her face held nothing but disgust.
'Wow... what a timing.' Aurelius thought, a sly smile threatening to break out, but he suppressed it.
"What day is it?" His tone turned sharp — the type he'd expect a spoiled young brat like Aurelius to use.
The maid sneered. "What?" she spat, her tone cold and dismissive.
'Wait... This... This isn't right.' His mind raced.
The book's author never described Aurelius as anything more than a pampered trash-tier young master. So... why was this maid acting like she owned the place?
"What's with your tone?" Aurelius asked, voice low and sharp. "Is that how you talk to your employer?"
The maid snorted. "Employer? Don't make me laugh. You're a joke! A worthless piece of trash no one in this family respects!"
Her sneer widened. "Your father ignores you, your mother follows him like a lost puppy, and your grandfather couldn't be bothered to acknowledge you exist. Face it — you're nothing."
'Damn... this brat's life is worse than I thought.' Aurelius's fingers twitched.
He clenched his fist. A cold glint flickered in his eyes.
"That's bold of you... daring to talk like that." His voice turned icy.
The maid smirked. "What will you even do? Cry? Run to your mommy? You're a disgrace — a walking embarrassment to this family, remember it!"
Her arrogance was practically radiating from her smug face.
'This bitch thinks she's untouchable?' Aurelius's breathing slowed — the rage simmering beneath his calm mask.
"You think you're superior?" Aurelius muttered, stepping closer.
"What the fuck are you—" The maid's voice wavered as his shadow loomed over her
Without warning, Aurelius bent down, grabbed her hand... and SNAP!
The maid's middle finger bent back at a sickening angle.
"AAAAAAGGGGHHH!" The maid's scream filled the room, her face contorted in agony.
"This... is what happens when you forget your place." Aurelius smiled — angelic, innocent... yet horrifying.
"Now... what day is it?" His voice dripped with chilling politeness.
"A-Arrghh!" she wailed, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know! I don't—"
"Wrong answer." Aurelius grabbed her next finger.
"I-I'll talk!" she sobbed. "Please! J-Just stop!"
"Good." Aurelius's smile widened.
"Now... start talking."
"T-today... Today is the 8th of December, Monday!" The maid stammered, her once arrogant tone now trembling with fear.
###
Aurelius froze.
'8th December... Monday?' His eyes narrowed. The memories of the trash-tier novel he'd once binge-read crashed down like a tidal wave.
'Today…
Today is the day that bastard regresses — 20 years before he became the strongest, richest man with 10 wives.'
Then it hit him.
'Shit... I forgot!' His breath hitched.
In the novel's early chapters, there was a crucial event — one Aurelius had barely paid attention to at the time.
'That bastard's fiancée... she's here. She's been kidnapped...
His pulse spiked. His gaze flicked toward the floor.
"...And she's locked in the basement."
His fingers twitched. His breathing slowed.
'I'm not ready for this… but I have no choice.'
"Step one," Aurelius muttered in a low, hushed whisper coldly, "Survive this damn calamity."
###
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