VILLAIN 8

Can’t the protagonist stay like this—a bit rough around the edges, but growing up kind? It’s not like a male lead has to be covered in scars to qualify for the role.

‘This goddamn worldview.’

“Today it’s beef porridge.”

“Oh, really? Sounds delicious.”

Honestly, porridge is just porridge. Since it all tastes the same once it hits your tongue, I replied with a deadpan expression. Seo Kangsan picked up the bowl and looked at me with a frown.

“You sound like some old man….”

Ding!

It’s been a while! >w< Have you been well? Your face looks much better!

I took a bite of the porridge Seo Kangsan offered after blowing on it, chewed slowly, and then looked at the system window with glowing eyes. Since I was suddenly glaring into thin air, Seo Kangsan looked toward where I was staring and tilted his head.

“What is it?”

“…There’s a bug.”

“A bug?”

A bug?! ⊙△⊙ꐦ

I’m currently going through all sorts of experiences—broken hands, vomiting blood—all because of you. Do you think I’d be happy to see you? You little s—….

Stop, stop! Why are you swearing so savagely with that angelic face?

It’s true that making you vomit blood is within my authority, but the broken hand wasn’t my fault! That happened because the Control System was activated.

Control System?

In the story, you have the freedom to act however you want, Mr. Seo Hosu, but if you do something that deviates severely from probability or perform an action that impacts the plot, that system activates. Since the Main System hasn’t been introduced yet.

So there’s a separate thing called a Main System. This game really has a lot of headaches.

Probability, huh…. If that’s the case, my plan to tell Grandfather everything about Lee Sera when he arrives here will be mercilessly crushed.

Be careful. That Control System is a substitute for the Main System, so it’s much more relentless than I am.

My mood soured. I had a sinking feeling that no matter how much I struggled for that kid’s sake, I wouldn’t be able to escape the hands of the game system and the developers. And Seo Kangsan’s life, being toyed with by those hands, seemed truly pitiful.

‘Don’t you feel sorry for Seo Kangsan?’

At my question, the system window suddenly went quiet. Only then did I let out a small sigh and turn my head. I wondered why he had suddenly stopped feeding me, only to find Seo Kangsan looking at me with somewhat strange eyes.

“…Are you possessed by a ghost or something?”

“…What?”

I almost choked on the porridge he offered at the absurd yet strangely logical remark, letting out a hollow laugh instead.

Staring into space, talking to myself. It wasn’t strange for him to think I was possessed.

“The way your personality suddenly changed, and you really… a ghost….”

“What do you think it is?”

“…Not that I care.”

That’s right. It’s best for the two of you to hate each other! So let’s start a quest right away! >w<

I nodded to signal I didn’t particularly mind and let out a small sigh.

Stem-ah, can’t you give me a pass today? I’m tired.

Then let’s go with something easy! >w<

[Coldly reject the porridge Seo Kangsan is giving you! 0/1]

Reward: Level-up EXP

There are even rewards?

If it’s just rejecting something, it’s doable. I don’t know what kind of features will be unlocked if I level up, so should I try this?

“I’m not eating.”

“…What?”

“I’m not eating. I don’t want to eat anymore.”

As I spoke, I raised my hand and patted my stomach. He’ll take this to mean I’m full and don’t want to eat.

That’s not enough to satisfy me.

I rejected it. If you don’t count this as a success, I’m going to hit my own head with this spoon.

Fine! I get it. Man, why is your personality like that… ㅠ_ㅠ;

— Quest successful! Rewards are being issued!

— Level up! Access restriction to Seo Kangsan’s room has been lifted.

— Current Level: 4

“Eating like a damn mouse….”

Can I enter his room now? While looking at the notification from the system window, I leaned back comfortably against the bed and watched Seo Kangsan tidying up the bowl.

“Did you eat, Hyung?”

“Why do you care?”

“…What, you didn’t eat?”

“…Mind your own business.”

He didn’t eat.

Should I just go and flip everything over right now? If I flip the table and lie on the floor saying I won’t eat unless Hyung eats, maybe they’ll stop this nonsense.

“Hey, stop thinking useless thoughts and lie down….”

Grumble.

A loud sound erupted from the stomach of the prickly-tongued Seo Kangsan.

If I’d known, I wouldn’t have eaten the porridge. Still, I’m glad about half was left. I pulled the blankets up to cover myself and pointed at the porridge bowl.

“Won’t you get in trouble if Lee Sera catches you with those leftovers? Since you didn’t make me finish it all.”

“…How should I know.”

“Just eat that.”

“Why should I?”

“Because I don’t want to get scolded for leaving food. Do you want to get scolded because I left that?”

He looks at me as if he’s suspicious. Since his eyes are asking if I’m going to go tattle on him again, I waved my hand dismissively and lay down on the bed. After glancing at me once, Seo Kangsan picked up the spoon and began to eat the porridge ravenously.

“Eat slowly. Until when did they say you shouldn’t eat?”

“Until tomorrow.”

“Then tomorrow, tell them I asked for meat instead of porridge.”

“As if that’ll work when your stomach is a mess. You’re even vomiting blood.”

“My stomach is… fine. I can eat meat.”

Because you’re the one who’s going to eat it, not me.

“But what are Mother and Father doing?”

Since she’s such a snake, I can understand not knowing if Lee Sera truly loves me, but what about Seo Jun? His worried eyes didn’t seem like a lie, yet I haven’t seen him yesterday or today.

“That man is always busy. Even his recent visit was after a very long time.”

Is that so? I don’t know the situation prior to this.

I pulled the blanket up to my mouth and turned on my side to watch Seo Kangsan eat. After glancing at me with a look that suggested something was bugging him, Seo Kangsan set down the empty bowl.

“Do you think he does that because he doesn’t love you?”

Ah, did he hear it as me being pouted because Dad didn’t come?

“…As if there’s anyone in this house who doesn’t love you. You’re worrying about the weirdest things.”

For a moment, I wondered if I heard him right, so I tilted my head and looked up. “Huh?” Seo Kangsan, who was looking elsewhere with a scowl and bright red ears, jumped up while holding the tray with the empty bowl.

“Hyung, …what did you say?”

“What! Shut up!”

As if embarrassed for no reason, he yelled at the top of his lungs and strode out of the room.

What is this lovey-dovey situation…?

Don’t people usually call this brotherly love? I also don’t know why Seo Kangsan is acting so kind to me while pretending not to be. Is it because he’s a kid that he’s getting attached after I treated him a little nicely? It seems closer to the fact that he’s naturally kind-hearted and can’t bring himself to hate me.

Anyway! >w<ꐦ This won’t do. The two of you have to hate each other…! Especially Mr. Seo Hosu…!

Always with the “hating.” Especially me—what, because I’m the villain, I have to torment Seo Kangsan?

I was sick of the system’s talk, so I let out a sigh and closed my eyes. I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep, so I tried to force it, but Seo Kangsan’s stomach grumbling weighed on my mind. That little bit of porridge wouldn’t have filled him up. But if I did anything more here, it would be overstepping.

‘Since I’m a character destined to die anyway, I should keep my distance.’

I know all too well how sad and miserable it is when someone you’ve grown attached to dies for whatever reason.

‘…How do I know that? Have I lost someone like that before?’

Slowly opening my eyes and checking the clock, I let out a deep sigh and eventually got back up. I climbed out of bed, opened the door, and after confirming no one was around, I quickly headed down the stairs.

I figured if I opened the fridge and there was nothing to eat, I’d just give up and go back to my room. I came out with that thought, but I didn’t expect to run into Lee Sera, who had just returned from outside. I tried to pass by quickly when I heard footsteps, but I came face-to-face with Lee Sera just as she was coming in with both hands full of shopping bags.

“What are you doing out here instead of resting in your room, my child?”

“Ah, I was a little hungry.”

“Did Kangsan-hyung not bring you anything to eat?”

Look at this woman. Trying to find a fault any way she can.