Artifact Devouring Player - Chapter 4: Adaptation - ()

(Third Person Limited PoV.)Betrayed by his fiancée, mocked by his siblings, and disowned by his family—that was Lev’s fate.Even when he regained memories of his life on Earth, where he realized that his world was strikingly similar to his favorite novel, it still didn’t help him change anything.How could it be?Because the protagonist of the story had already achieved his happy ending—gaining a beautiful wife and living a blissful life. Meanwhile, the world continued to move forward.What do people usually do with a novel that has ended? They tend to stop caring about the world within it, even if it falls into ruin, especially if the novel isn’t particularly popular.The world Lev Razanov lived in shared a similar fate—it was destroyed.[Hero’s System successfully installed.][Critical condition detected.][Do you wish to return to the past?]Lev was given a chance to return to a time when the story of his favorite novel had just begun.Although he was destined to become an extra villain—a pawn of the pawns serving the real villain, he vowed to end the lives of anyone who had caused him suffering: his siblings, his fiancée, the main character, or anyone else.[Hero’s System inherits your desire from your life on Earth—the desire to do good.]“Who said killing your enemies is an evil act?”

Noah is a handsome but struggling high school senior burdened by his family's poverty and his father's illness. He finds comfort in his girlfriend, Layla, until one day, a surprise visit to her house reveals her betrayal.Just as Noah is about to confront her, a mysterious robotic voice echoes in his mind:[Ding! Congratulations to the host binding the Ultimate Choice System!]Option 1: Enter the room, she will kick you out with a green hat on your head. [$100 Reward and a green hat]Option 2: Leave like you did not hear anything, and break up with her. [Rolls Royce Phantom and Basic-Driving Skill Reward]Option 3: Marry her Mom. [Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, Intermediate-Driving Skill and 10,000$ Reward]Looking at the options, Noah couldn't help but smirk.

Born and raised as a nameless shadow guard for his kingdom’s crown prince, his life’s purpose was to be used and discarded at the whims of his liege.

And his meaningless life ended when the gaze of a princess lingered on him for too long. The crown prince had him beheaded without a second thought, as if throwing out trash.

Transmigrating into the body of a baby girl, the nameless shadow finally had a name, a family, and a place to call her own. Throwing away his past, the shadow guard was now called ‘Emilia’, and walked on a new path to seek fulfillment.

It was not meant to be, however, as the girl whom she had loved with all her heart and soul ended up mercilessly plunging a dagger through Emilia's love-struck heart at the highest point in her life.

The crowd clamored at the ‘deserved death of the villainess’, and at that moment, the shadow could only wonder… why?

Why am I always the one to dedicate myself fully to someone, only to be thrown away like trash in the end?

And thus, as her soul floated away while cursing in resentment, ‘Emilia’ vowed to herself that in her next life she shall never be the one to fully dedicate herself.

Whatever she likes shall be held in her palm, and shall never escape.

The moment the vow was made, a self-proclaimed villainess system proposed to partner with her, to explore and conquer the worlds through their anchors—the heroes and heroines.

And by cultivating this energy, she shall one day go back. Back to the world she was born as ‘Emilia’ in, and face the so-called heroine once more.

The second time they meet, Emilia won’t be the one drowning in regret!

...

Author's Note: The heroines are not just trophies she’s collecting, only to be forgotten once she collects them. Each of them will remain relevant throughout the story. And it won’t become a mess, promise!

As 21 years old Noah closes his eyes for what he thinks will be eternity, he wakes up in the body of a girl 7 years younger than him.Vasilisa, as she is known, is hated and mistreated by the people around her because of the Muddy Tongue curse which not only impedes her speech, but makes her magic unstable.This effectively makes her the harder than hard mode when it comes to reincarnation, and, of course, fate made her his “avatar” in this new world full of mechanics he only ever saw in video games.Despite this, Noah as decided…Whether as Vasilisa or himself, this time he will find a way to exist for the world.