The neon lights of the city blurred past as Zhang Wei's last breath slipped away. His life had been ordinary, a mundane cycle of work, bills, and loneliness. He had never imagined that death would be this sudden, this absurd—an accident on a rainy night, a slip, a scream, and then… darkness.
When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer on the cold asphalt. Instead, he lay in a lavish bed, silk sheets brushing against his skin, and the scent of expensive tea filling the air. His hands, small and calloused in his previous life, were now pale, slender, and adorned with a jade ring.
"What… where am I?" Zhang Wei muttered, sitting up. The room was enormous, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the glittering skyline of Shanghai. The sheer opulence was dizzying.
A voice, calm and mechanical, echoed in his mind:
[Welcome, Host. You have activated the Villain System.]
"What the hell is this?" Zhang Wei's thoughts raced.
[You are now Zhang Xian, the only son of the Zhang family—the richest family in the world. Your task is simple: suppress the heroes, accumulate Villain Points, and ascend to immortality. Rewards will be granted accordingly.]
Zhang Wei—no, Zhang Xian—stared at his reflection in the polished mirror. His features were sharp, aristocratic, perfect in a way that could command respect or fear. The system spoke again:
[First task: Subdue your primary rival, Li Chen, who poses a threat to your family's business this week. Reward upon completion: 50 years lifespan increase.]
A rush of excitement surged through him. He had always dreamed of power, though not in his old life. Here, it wasn't a dream—it was a system guiding him, giving him a purpose and the tools to rise above everyone else.
The first challenge came sooner than expected. Li Chen, heir to a competing conglomerate, had openly humiliated Zhang Xian in a high-profile business meeting. The arrogance, the smug smile—it was unbearable. The system prompted:
[Option 1: Expose Li Chen's secret dealings. Option 2: Manipulate the board to undermine him. Option 3: Direct confrontation.]
Zhang Xian's lips curled into a sly smile. He had been the passive one in his previous life. Now, he was untouchable. Selecting Option 2, he tapped into the Villain System's resources. Within hours, carefully planted evidence and subtle rumors shifted the board's favor. Li Chen, confident in his own power, never noticed the strings being pulled from behind the curtain.
By evening, the news broke: Zhang Xian was now officially in control of a critical branch of the conglomerate. Li Chen's reputation took a blow, and Zhang Xian felt the first tangible taste of the system's rewards. A wave of energy surged through him, and he realized… he was not merely wealthy; he was evolving.
[Task complete. Reward: +50 years lifespan. Villain Points +100.]
A strange warmth filled his chest. He flexed his fingers, marveling at the feeling. Immortality was no longer a fantasy—it was a step he could climb with every act of cunning and cruelty.
As night fell over the city, Zhang Xian stood by the window, looking at the sprawling metropolis below. From this vantage, he could see the threads of power, influence, and control. Each person, each rival, each so-called hero—merely pieces in his game. And he intended to master them all.
"Let the world watch," he whispered to the night, "and let the so-called heroes tremble."
The neon lights flickered, casting long shadows across his face. The Villain System had chosen well, and Zhang Xian had awakened. His journey to immortality, to dominion over all, had only just begun.