RYU SHEN'S ROOM
The morning light, filtered through the ornate lattice of his window, cast intricate patterns across Ryu Shen's luxurious chamber. He sat on the edge of his bed, a fine, dark robe draped loosely over his shoulders, his gaze distant, fixed on the distant, smaller structure that was Ryu Jin's assigned castle. A faint, almost imperceptible sneer touched his lips.
That fool is back again. The thought was laced with a peculiar blend of annoyance and a deeper, unsettling curiosity. I wonder how much time he'll linger here. According to the novel's timeline, Ryu Jin, the original villain, should have been a meek, talentless figure, clinging to the periphery, slowly consumed by envy. But this Ryu Jin... this one was different. Too different.
He is not what he is like in the novel. It means he is not the real Ryu Jin. He is someone else. The chilling realization had dawned on Ryu Shen weeks ago, a silent, terrifying confirmation of his own unique predicament. He was not alone in this twisted reincarnation. Another soul, another transmigrator, occupied the body of the original villain. This fact, more than any martial threat, gnawed at him.
I will kill him after some time. The thought settled in his mind with the cold certainty of a predestined outcome. According to the novel's original plot, Ryu Jin was destined to become the strongest, a monstrous force that even the protagonist (himself, Ryu Shen) would struggle to overcome. He had acted early once, striking down the nascent threat before it could truly blossom. Now, he had to be even more decisive.
Even though he is sucking up to me right now, pretending to be the loyal, pathetic brother... I don't know when he will change his mind. Ryu Shen's eyes narrowed, a calculating glint within them. The display in the training hall yesterday had been a shock. Ryu Jin's unexpected defiance, his raw power, even if it was just green aura, was a deviation. A dangerous deviation. He's hiding something, just like I am. The thought was both infuriating and validating. So, I will have to kill him sooner or later. Just wait, Ryu Jin, I will kill you, and then this world will truly be mine. His gaze hardened, a silent, ruthless promise hanging in the air.
RYU JIN'S ROOM
I opened my eyes slowly, the unfamiliar grandeur of the Ryu Clan's Main Castle chamber slowly coming into focus. Sunlight streamed through the finely carved wooden screens, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. The scent of polished wood and expensive incense filled my nostrils, a stark contrast to the slightly musty air of my old, neglected castle. Yes, this is how it should feel now, I thought, a cold satisfaction spreading through me. This is where I belong.
It still felt surreal. I'm back in the main castle. I still can't quite believe I had a spar with my father yesterday. The memory of his terrifying purple aura, the sheer overwhelming power, sent a shiver through me, but it was quickly replaced by the exhilarating rush of my own defiance. It's like a dream that I am alive right now. A dream, yes, but one I intended to twist into a nightmare for those who had wronged me.
My fingers instinctively brushed against the ancestral sword, resting on a nearby stand. Its cold steel hummed faintly under my touch, a tangible symbol of my victory, however partial. Three months. That was the time I had bought. Three months to prepare.
I pushed myself up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. The fine blankets, far softer than anything in my old room, rustled with the movement. I looked around the spacious chamber, a faint, predatory smile touching my lips. Yes, I will start today. From today, he will live in a dream, a carefully knitted illusion of my own design.
The System remained silent, its earlier fear seemingly forgotten, or perhaps merely suppressed. Good. I needed its silence, its obedience. My mind was already a whirlwind of calculations, plotting the intricate steps required to dismantle Ryu Shen's life, piece by agonizing piece. This was more than just revenge; it was a grand performance, a masterpiece of manipulation. The stage was set, the players were in position, and the villain... the villain was not being nice anymore.