Antagonist Protection Service - Chapter 4: What Must Be Done

At level 2, most people unlocked their first talent; those who didn’t were considered fortunate, as they had the potential to unlock rarer talents requiring higher levels. The world’s most rare and powerful talents were revealed at level 5. But what if someone didn’t obtain a talent? Luck quickly turned to misfortune as they were labeled talentless, with no hope of gaining a talent. Sol was one such person who was unable to unlock his talent, but he refused to give up. He persistently fought and trained every day, slowly increasing his level despite the disadvantage in skills. He held onto the hope that, one day, he would be bestowed with a talent like everyone else. As years passed, his determination began to wane until one fateful day. You have leveled up! +5 Free stats. Talent Unlocked - [Siphoner]! This event marked the beginning of his story.

Living in a world of cultivators is like walking on the edge of a knife. If you slip, the best result is a deep cut, but the likely result is death. Su Fang is brought into this world completely unprepared, knowing nothing, and lacking any skills to help him. This means only one thing. He is destined to die.Fortunately, Su Fang is immortal. Not because he cannot die, but because when he does, he un-dies.In this world, everyone is born with a Golden Finger to help them survive. Su Fang’s blessing is to return to the beginning of his journey after every death. His System provides him credits upon death with which he can purchase absolutely anything, but he is only rewarded enough credits to help him return to the point he died. To advance further, he must rely on himself.This is both a time loop story and a xianxia story. At different points, one element is more pronounced than the other, but it is always a combination of both.This can also be considered a slice-of-life story. It isn’t about saving the world or defeating a big bad guy. It is about living life in an unfamiliar world where it can sometimes seem like everyone is out to kill or enslave you.Expectations:-Detailed cultivation and crafting.-Limited fighting scenes through most of the story.-Slow cultivation progression. Each level will be explored in detail.-Somewhat unreliable narrator. Cultivation affects the mind, and it will affect the MC’s perceptions of the world. Facts can generally be trusted, but many times there are layers beyond what the narrator sees.-Xianxia tropes with a world built around them so they make sense. Why do young masters go crazy shouting “You dare!”? Why do their guards willing throw themselves to their death against someone with significantly higher cultivation? All that and more is explained.-This is a story of cultivation. It has cultivation in the xianxia sense, working to gain strength and power, but, more importantly, it is a story about cultivating the self. Finding ways to make yourself a better version of you.New chapters drop 5 days a week, M-F, at 7:00AM Central Time (US)

Shen Yuqing and the Emperor had a secret arrangement––

She was his pampered consort, and she would hit wherever the Emperor directed her to strike;

The Emperor “loved and favored her forever”, and she could do whatever she wanted.

Later, she set her eyes on the Empress who had the same type of marriage only in name…

- Description from Novelupdates

"In this world, morality is but a thin line away from depravity, and the most captivating tales are often shrouded behind the veil of insanity."
____________________

I was just an ordinary guy, living a dull and unremarkable life as an editor.

But when a maniac author killed me for rejecting his novel in a writing competition, I reopened my eyes in a modern fantasy world.

"Hmm? Wait, this world…."

But fate, being a prude little bitch, played a twisted joke on me.

I reincarnated into the very same novel that I rejected for the competition award, written by the very same author who killed me for it.

Not only that, but I transmigrated into the body of a disowned noble named Lucas Morningstar.

Lucas was a minor antagonist in a novel who served as a stepping stone for the protagonist and their allies.

Arghh….

Of all the people, I just had to be reborn as someone who was despised by the main characters the most at this point in the story?

B-But hey, with my knowledge of the future and understanding of the main characters, I can at least live an easy life!

Right...?

"Yeah, I can work with this!"

Or so I thought until I remembered the ending arcs of the book.

This world is destined for doom!

And not so long after, I started to realize that the novel and the world I transmigrated into might not be as similar as I had originally thought….

=================

[Disclaimer: Caution while reading is advised. Tighten your seatbelts and brace yourself for a bumpy rollercoaster-like journey. Don't blame the Author if you fall from your seat while reading a plot twist. Thank you.]
____________________

AN: MC is NOT a villain, so don't expect one.

*The MC will seem a little bit (ok let's be honest, more than a little bit) foolish in the first 30-35 chaps but don't be fooled. I ask you to read till first 50 chaps before deciding to trash-talk the MC because that's where his borderline psychopathic strategist personality starts to surface.