Varian’s piercing gaze locked onto mine, studying me carefully.


    He expected resistance. A test of loyalty.


    Instead, I smirked.


    **"I''m listening."**


    The atmosphere in the abandoned clock tower grew heavier.


    For a moment, there was silence.


    Then—


    **"Hah. Interesting."**


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    Varian chuckled, his voice a deep rumble.


    **"You’re smarter than I thought, Lucian. Most would have refused immediately, but you… you’re thinking. We need people like you."**


    I leaned against a broken pillar, arms crossed.


    **"If you’re trying to recruit me, get to the point."**


    Varian’s smirk widened.


    **"Very well. We’ll start with a simple task. Prove your worth to Eclipse."**


    [Ding!]


    **[Villain System Notice]**


    - **New Side Quest: Eclipse’s Trial**


    - **Objective: Assassinate a Target Within the Academy**


    - **Target: ???**


    - **Reward: ???**


    - **Failure: Death**


    …Seriously?


    They weren’t wasting any time.


    But I already knew what I had to do.


    I couldn’t outright refuse, or they’d become suspicious.


    So I played my role.


    I exhaled, pretending to think.


    **"Fine. Who’s the target?"**


    Varian’s smirk deepened.


    **"Oh, don’t worry. It’s no one important."**


    Then he handed me a **sealed letter.**


    **"Open it when you''re alone. You have three days."**


    I took the letter and turned away, walking back toward the academy.


    As soon as I was out of sight, I opened my system log.


    ---


    **[Mission Objective: Ensure the Hero’s Victory]**


    - **Status: Progressing**


    - **Double Agent Role Activated**


    ---


    I clenched my fist.


    *This is getting dangerous… but also interesting.*


    Let the real game begin.


    ---