7 - Since I'm Used to Being the Villain

In the original Reincarnated Hero, stats went up through training, while skills and traits leveled via SP from clearing main events or auto-upgrades. The problem? As a side character myself, I couldn't earn EXP even if I tagged along on main events.

So in the end, cracking these extra achievements was the real path to growth. Side characters really had it rough...

'Help him awaken...?'

I mulled it over a few times, but according to canon, Lev Denek was fated to demonize. Using the F-rank sub-material monster [Rag] for the next aptitude test, no less. And the reason? Revenge on Edwin, obviously. Edwin would train alone in the sealed arena—like a mental time chamber—until "demonized" Lev showed up, forcing him to awaken as an executor in their fight.

The key was "Mainhwa." In other words, the one use for my acquired skill—Mainhwa—was right here.

'A quick burst... that should be fine, right?'

I didn't want to dwell on it, but from memories of Reincarnated Hero 2, activating Mainhwa didn't instantly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠transform you. Mana waves built up first, with changes happening gradually. If I timed it for when he was mentally and physically drained, hit him quick, and knocked him out immediately, I'd raise suspicions at worst—but no hard proof.

Besides, to hit my ultimate goal—the "Kaeran Ending," aka the bad end—I had to prop up the core character, Edwin. Kaeran His didn't show until after the half-class aptitude test, and the guy's a talent freak with busted stats from the start. Edwin? Farmer's kid, pure effort grinder. For smooth progression, his awakening was non-negotiable. With side character points on the line for me too, it was mutual benefit. Guess I had to play villain one more time.

"Agh!"

I rolled out of bed and headed for the arena.

...

'What a stubborn bastard.'

Hiding behind the arena, peeking out—yep, Edwin was lost in sword drills, as expected.

-Whoosh!

-Whoosh!

-Whoosh!

Clean sounds slicing the night air. Not powerful, but every swing carried his conviction.

'This is about ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠when I was supposed to show up, right?'

Memories fuzzy, but the novel described the moon high in the sky, so this timing fit for rag-demon Lev to crash in and spark Edwin's awakening.

But following canon to the letter would be idiotic. First off, one of the no-personality heroines—Abelin Ballantes, lady of the swordmaster ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠house—says stuff like:

"There's not a shred of technique in those swings."

"And you don't even tire... truly..."

She can't wrap her head around this normie Edwin and promises to train him starting tomorrow.

Then Melissa Prominence, the crimson flame mage who just barged into my room:

"Well, at least your hard work looks good to anyone."

"Though it'll take a hundred years to catch up to me!"

Tsk-tsking her cheer. Step in now, and I'd be broadcasting "I'm the demon!" to the neighborhood.

So best to wait until those events wrapped, Edwin was utterly spent—near-coma—then strike. Silent watch for now.

Green Dorm, freshman temp dorms, Aria Bluebell's room.

Back from dinner with Melissa, Aria washed up then dove straight into review. Others might gawk at her study habits, but to her, it was just routine. No big emotions.

On her desk piled with books and notes, the one non-study item was a small wooden frame. Family photos—precious memories.

"..."

No need to spell it out; just another tragedy that passed like the seasons. Common since monsters spread across the continent.

It stole much from the young girl but taught her to endure and swallow it down. Aria relied on no one, demanded nothing. Skipping grades despite being a year younger, she tread carefully at the academy.

The air turning crisp. Next week, classes finally started. The day she'd longed for.

"..."

Aria draped a light coat over her shoulders. Nothing beat a walk when her mind was tangled.

-Whoosh!

-Swish!

-Whoosh!

"Tough little shit."

Boredom had me yawning. Lost count of swings. Even after Abelin and Melissa left, he kept grinding.

If there was a hidden achievement for 10,000 swings, he'd claim it easy. Anyway, I was hungry, sleepy, getting cold—guy couldn't be all there either.

'Time to move.'

Sealed old arena, past midnight—no witnesses.

-Scrape.

I grabbed a discarded wooden sword and approached.

"Hey, going well?"

"?"

Edwin flicked his gaze my way at my gruff question. Recognized my voice instantly, but body lagged—drenched in sweat, barely standing.

"Lev Denek?"

Guy actually remembered my name. Last syllable off, but close enough.

Damn, points for that too? Whatever, no need to correct. Wanted this over quick.

I tossed him a cocky line.

"Let's throw down."

Pure third-rate villain vibe. Edwin lowered his sword, mumbling.

"Sorry, but like I said last time... I don't want to fight you again."

"How about a chat then."

"...Chat?"

"Yeah, a real body-talk chat."

"...!"

-Thud-thud.

No need for words. Knowing his dense ass, I lunged immediately. As distance closed, I swung a straight overhead from low-left.

-Crack!

Dull thud of wood. Edwin blocked clean.

"I don't want pointless fights...!"

Frustrating. Doing this for you, idiot. No wonder Kaeran steals all the girls...

-Thwack!

Edwin backed off to create space. My strength stat at 1.0 showed—after one clash, I felt pushed back.

'Shoulda let him rot 20 more minutes.'

Time for Demon Eyes. His stats popped up brief.

'Tenacity, huh.'

Forgot about that. His unique trait: When HP drops ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠below 5%, all stats dip slightly, but mental strength halts HP drain temporarily. Protagonist correction, basically. Plus Edwin's mental stat was nuts, so in a slog, I'd drop first.

Anyway, for Mainhwa, better one-shot KO. Gripped sword again.

"Sweet dreams."

-Thud-thud!

My lead again.

-Shwick!

Faked low-left slash, then...

"!!!"

Feint to gut stab. Edwin, as expected, dodged left using his agility edge.

"That's it."

"?"

I baited this. Tomorrow's training with Diena, Edwin gets called out for a bad habit: Left dodge exposes vitals in follow-up. One-day exploit on his weak spot.

Current me couldn't capitalize normally, but...

With Mainhwa timing?

-Zing!

Gamer trait made it button-press easy.

-Whoooosh.

Alien aura cloaked me. Split-second, but my body surged—nailed his vitals without pause.

-Thwack!!

-!!

Edwin's face—priceless. The novel-never-shown look right before feeling a demon's wall and awakening as executor.

-Thud.

He crumpled like he'd fainted.

"Did it... work?"

-Clang.

"Jackpot."