A Villain's Will to Survive - Chapter 263: Phantom Ball (2)

What’s the point of being reborn… if you come back in chains?Life in Kyoto was already unraveling. My dead-end job, my fading relationship—my girlfriend could barely look at me anymore. Maybe part of me knew the end was coming. Maybe part of me wanted it to.And then it did.“Oi, wake up,” a voice growled, thick with contempt.I opened my eyes to darkness—and pain.Tabata Yori. That was my name. Once. Before the world twisted. Before death spat me out into something colder and crueler.“Ugh, another worthless soul,” the voice sneered.Then came the boots. Each kick was a brutal reminder: I wasn’t in Kyoto anymore. I wasn’t anywhere safe. I’d fallen into a world ruled by shadows, where power is pain and obedience is survival.Why was I brought here? What do they want from me?I don’t know yet.But I do know this: If I’m going to suffer, someone’s going to bleed for it.disclaimer: Cover isn't mine and is temporary until I get a paid work done.Schedule: Looking for daily and will do as many chapters as I can each day.Thanks for any support that is given.

“Look at him,” someone snickered from a few rows over. “Smells like he sleeps in a dumpster.”“Probably does,” another voice added, louder this time. Nox just stared at his textbook, the words blurring. He had heard it all before.Then, Mark, one of the main reasons his life was a living hell, swaggered past his desk. Mark always had a smirk on his face. “Oops,” he said, not even trying to sound accidental, as a full cup of bright orange juice tipped over, splashing all down the front of Nox's already ruined shirt. The cold liquid soaked through instantly. Laughter erupted around the room. It was loud, clear, and mocking. Nox slowly looked up. His eyes landed on Ms. Joy, who was watching the whole thing. She had seen Mark deliberately pour the juice on him. He raised his hand, a small, tired gesture. “Ms. Joy,” he said, his voice flat. “He just poured juice on me. Are you just going to ignore it? Again?.” Ms. Joy looked at him, then at Mark, who was now theatrically wiping his hands. A small smile played on her lips. Then she chuckled. Just a little airy laugh.“Oh, Nox, don't be so dramatic. Boys will be boys, right Mark?” Mark puffed out his chest. “Yeah, Ms. Joy. He's just sensitive.” The class laughed even harder at that. Ms. Joy joined in, her laughter ringing out with theirs. Hearing them all, hearing her laugh, something in him finally snapped. It wasn't a loud break, more like a quiet, final click. He realized it then, with a cold, hard clarity. No one was coming to save him. No teachers, no police, no parents he never had. No one cared. If he wanted this to stop, he would have to be the one to stop it. He was the only one who could.His face remained blank, but his mind was suddenly very clear. He reached down slowly, his hand going into his worn-out school bag. The laughter died down a little as a few students noticed his deliberate movement, a strange stillness about him. He pulled out a gun.The classroom went silent. Utterly, completely silent. Mark's smirk vanished, replaced by wide, terrified eyes. Even Ms. Joy stopped laughing, her face paling. “What… Nox, what are you doing?” she stammered, her voice suddenly shaky. He didn't answer. He looked around at their faces, one by one. Fear. He saw fear now. Good. He was ready. He was going to make them all pay. He was going to end it, all of it.Just as he was about to raise the gun properly, a bright blue screen appeared right in front of his face. It was translucent, and only he seemed to see it. [Congratulations! You have met the requirements!] [1st Player Chosen!] [You have won the System!]

Liu Duo was a young girl whose grandmother sold her to four brothers with the intent to be a bride. Unwilling, she ran away the following night, only to fall unconscious while trying to get away. Unexpectedly, however, she was reborn with the spirit of a 25 year old woman, also named Liu Duo.

- Description from Novelupdates

Some are reincarnated as the shining, pure character known as the hero of the story.Others find themselves as secondary, unknown characters, carrying no weight in the flow of events.And then there are those who are reborn as villains… villains meant to be struck down, forming the very foundation of the hero’s growth.As for me?I was neither a hero,nor an ordinary villain.I was merely a cursed soul,reborn as an experiment within an organization that worships an unknown entity.Am I just a third-rate villain?… I wished it were so.Because the truth is far worse.I am the character who appeared in the very first scene of the game,even before the hero made his entrance.I am…the Vessel.Discord: https://discord.gg/78GdZmDu