《The Lost Chronicles of a Villainess》 Prologue His intense stare left her in a state of devastation. There was simply no other way to describe the chaos sweeping her inside as she gazed at the glacial storm in his eyes. ¡°Come here,¡± he said, lifting his arm to reach her, movements careful and deliberate¡ªa stark contrast to the brutality that coiled around his muscles, conveying a sense of quiet strength. His sharp contours, and cold, exquisite features could render a smart man speechless, and when he spoke, his baritone voice washed over her in a warm resonance that made her shiver. Her greatest temptation, all wrapped up in skin and bones, made into flesh and come to life. She lifted her chin higher, tension pooling between her shoulder blades. A blank mask blanketed her face in such perfect style, it nearly rendered his own apathy a fake imitation. The gentle breeze from the open window behind her back caused another shiver to run through her spine. Despite her lack of response, the intensity of his gaze faded into a quiet softness only few got to witness, the storm stilling. ¡°Naomi, you¡¯ll catch a cold if you stand there too long.¡± Naomi blinked back the tears gathering at the corner of her eyes, chin trembling, fists flexing on her sides. Her chest felt too heavy with the vortex of emotions trying to swallow her whole (and nearly succeeding). Why did he have to be like this? Standing before him would be easier if he wasn¡¯t good to her. If he could be less gentle, more unfeeling, less himself¡ªmaybe breathing wouldn¡¯t be synonymous to dying. She inhaled a deep breath and attempted to smile. A flicker of worry melted the frozen edges in his eyes, before it sharpened into a pensive stare. She didn¡¯t need to ask to know he¡¯d seen through her attempts. He could read and understand her so well, more than she could ever to herself. ¡°Noah...¡± His name broke at the tip of her tongue, a weakness she silently cursed herself for. Even his name was another stab wound to her chest. ¡°I... I can¡¯t stay here anymore,¡± she forced herself to finish. His eyebrows knitted; the storm reignited in his eyes. ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked, confused. ¡°What are you talking about, wife?¡± Naomi resisted the urge to flinch. Wife. Wife. That word¡ªthatgoddamnedword¡ª It was betrayal and salvation, agony and relief, like ice on her inflamed wound before it melted into salted water. She wasn¡¯t supposed to marry him. She wasn¡¯t his, and he certainly wasn¡¯t hers. But here they were, standing before each other, sharing a name, a land, and a home. They had lived and fought together, for each other, and oftentimes against each other. They weren¡¯t each other¡¯s first choice in the first place, but they, together, became the choice that mattered. At this moment though, it was time to face reality. She would no longer be stuck in her own version of truth and damn herself with denial. She could no longer run when she was near the edge of a cliff. Right now... right now she had no other option but to face this¡ªto facehim. ¡°You don¡¯t understand.¡± Naomi¡¯s voice brimmed with frustration, not aimed at him, more at her. ¡°I just can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t stay here any longer. I have to leave.¡± She didn¡¯t say anything more, for no words could lend her the heart to say the right things. The English alphabet had simply failed her, and now she lay in the wake of her follies. His composure crumbled, allowing the concern in his eyes to appear blatant, and she had to force herself to look away. It was unfair how a single look could turn her into a coward. She couldn¡¯t stay. Staying would mean living this damn life as his wife, making memories that would last a lifetime, and building a family with him. It meant being sincerely and ardently loved by him, and losing herself over it.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. It meant being able to live when he died, and she¡¯d be left with nothing but the ghosts of his touch and the piercing anguish of her heartbreak. Wasn¡¯t it enough that he already had her love? Must he also ruin her completely as well? Just the thought of it terrified the living shit out of her. Either way, her choices would lead them both to a path of pain; she just had to choose the one that was the least painful. The sudden sounds of heavy footsteps jerked her head toward him. The distance between them disappeared, and her eyelashes fluttered as he cupped her cheek, a callous thumb brushing over the soft flesh under her eyes. It was a gentle touch, barely grazing skin, but she could feel it past her bones and all the way down to her soul. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to stay, then we can leave,¡± he said, fond lines amusing the corners of his lips, indulgent and intimate. ¡°I understand if you don¡¯t want to be here anymore. We no longer have any obligation to stay here in the Capital anyway. I¡¯ll arrange the preparations, so you won¡¯t have to worry.¡± He leaned forward and placed a kiss between the puckered lines of her brows. A sigh left her lips, the sting of hot, unshed tears causing her to close her eyes for a brief moment. She couldn¡¯t muster the will to correct him, like the cowardly woman she was. When she said she wanted to leave, she also meant leaving him. He¡¯s not mine, and I¡¯m not his, she reminded herself before her resolve could crumble at her feet, and we¡¯ve damned ourselves by pretending otherwise. She was nothing but a thief. She¡¯d stolen him from the person he was destined with. She¡¯d taken advantage and made him fall in love with her¡ªand worst, she kept him when she shouldn¡¯t. She knew that she shouldn¡¯t have, but temptations were the greatest downfall of men; she wasn¡¯t any different. Even though she wasn¡¯t even human. ¡°You¡¯re so good to me,¡± Naomi uttered quietly, almost as if she was saying those words to herself. She wondered what would happen to him when she left, or if she should care when she was already gone by then. A faint huff escaped his lips, edged with amusement. She opened her eyes when he pulled her close, enveloping her within the safe embrace of his strength. He radiated a warmth unlike his chilly visage. Naomi turned her head to the side, his heartbeat echoing in steady, comforting notes against her ear. ¡°Only to you,¡± he remarked, one arm leaving her waist to run long, thick fingers through silvery strands. ¡°Why are you surprised? You¡¯re my wife after all. Why shouldn¡¯t I be good to you? Besides, you¡¯re the same with me as well. We¡¯re good for each other.¡± Naomi slammed her eyes tightly close, barely stopping the urge to scream as guilt ate away the last of her selfishness. Every damn word that came out of his mouth only served to tear her armor, chip away her defenses, and make her want. She was being pulled apart in this battle of emotions, torn between greed and sacrifice. Hearing those words from his mouth, drenched in sincerity, she could not help but want more¡ªto stay longer, forsake her fears, and forget the consequences, just for another second to be in his arms. Resisting felt so tiresome when she wanted nothing more than to give in. This part of her made her weak. Hemade her weak. In another time, perhaps, in a different circumstance, and if she wasn¡¯t the way she was. If things were different¡ªbut, no. Shewasthe way she was, and that part of her was something she couldn¡¯t change¡ªwould never change. She simply could not allow herself to suffer through a lifetime just for a love that would last a second. She opened her eyes and stared at the blue box glowing beside them. The box that only she could see. A holographic panel that glowed blue in the dark, the letters that shined white and shadowed with black, were reflected in the monochromatic tones in her eyes. [DO YOU WISH TO STAY IN THE ELEVENTH WORLD?] [STAY] | [LEAVE] She reached a hand out, her fingers hovering over the choices. She paused before she could press the button, swallowing the lump in her throat. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said through the hesitation lacing her tongue and the raw ache in her voice, ¡°for being so kind to me, so¡­ loving. This marriage may not be our choice, but it is one that I will choose over and over again. So, thank you, Noah, for loving me the way I deserve. Thank you for being the best husband anyone can ask for.¡± I will never love anyone else the way I love you, she didn¡¯t say. I will live a hundred lives and a hundred more, and yet, your face will be the one I always remember and your name will be the one I utter when I can no longer carry on. She wished she was strong enough to stay, but it was enough that she loved him, that she¡¯d given him her heart, and that she had his in return. It was worth more than any treasure, any lifetime, any moment, to have his love. What utter bullshit. She was truly the biggest coward she¡¯d ever witnessed. As her tears finally fell, Naomi wound her arms around his waist, aligning their bodies like two puzzle pieces made for each other. Finally, as she slipped her eyes shut, her finger pressed the button. [LEAVE] The world turned white and she was cold. [ELEVENTH WORLD STATUS: 100% COMPLETE] ARC ONE | DONT BLAME A DAYDREAMER ¡°Welcome back, Worldbinder.¡± At the sound of a female¡¯s monotonous voice, long eyelashes fluttered like the soft tremble of butterfly wings and close eyelids peeled open to reveal clear gray eyes. The world was blanketed in pure white, rolling into the horizon far beyond with no end in sight. It was a familiar sight nonetheless, the calm and dull atmosphere making her stand straighter, her feet touching nothing but air beneath. She was finally back to where she began. Her hands curled on her sides, chin trembling all of the sudden. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out in a heavy shudder. It was strange how a once comforting sight could now torment her. The entire world had shifted under her feet and left her stumbling, trying to find her balance in a new normal. She had no choice but to adapt, like she always did. ¡°It¡¯s good¡­ to be back,¡± Naomi finally decided to say after wrangling her composure together. The familiar female voice spoke in her ears, ¡°Indeed, Worldbinder. After successfully completing the Eleventh World, known as the world of The Monster Duke Who Loved Me, you are now eligible to enter the Twelfth World. Congratulations, Worldbinder.¡± A faint arc shaped her lips as dozens of memories rushed through her head, as if it was the rising tide, flooding and drowning everything else. Drenched to her bones, she could do nothing against the overwhelming surge of emotions. The Monster Duke Who Loved Me was a popular historical romance novel about a princess from a prosperous empire, whose beautifully tragic life and love transformed her naivety into strength. When her love for the crown prince of the neighboring kingdom led to her death, it poisoned her within her last moments. Returning to the past after she died, she sought revenge against the very people who had betrayed, tormented, and hurt her. With the help of the duke, her former fianc¨¦, known for his reputation as a monster, she managed to earn true love and a victorious life in the end. Naomi grimaced to herself the moment the memories slowly trickled into a stop. She could see how and why the book was popular among its readers with a female lead who rose above her adversities to come out stronger, and a male lead whose love for her became a standard for fictional historical men. After all, who wouldn¡¯t want a man who was only sweet and loyal to them, but cold and curt to everyone else? And, he¡¯d been mine. Well, no, not mine, she corrected herself hastily. He wasn¡¯t hers. He was never meant to be, and now he never would be. There was no point dawdling over this fact and arguing with herself for the nth time. He was gone now. She was no longer his responsibility nor his wife. She had a new future to look forward to and new worlds to explore, her days as infinite as time itself. On the other hand, he would remain in his world, being his usual unbearably good self. Maybe, he¡¯d finally be with the princess like he was always meant to. She grimaced, a twinge of pain flickering beneath her sternum, brief but deep. The thought shouldn¡¯t hurt her so much. ¡°Compute the rewards for the Eleventh World, please,¡± Naomi called out to the System, before she could spiral down in a rabbit hole of sorrow and grief. ¡°Computing the Reward Points in the Eleventh World for the Worldbinder,¡± the System complied to Naomi¡¯s request. ¡°Please, wait.¡± Eleven¡ªthat was the number of worlds she traveled, lives she lived, bodies she¡¯d possessed, and identities she borrowed. How time flew since she first began as a Worldbinder, able to enter into the world of novels and become one of its characters, Naomi. For some reason, she was only able to transmigrate into characters with the same name as her. She called them the Original as a way to separate her identity from theirs. She might¡¯ve inherited their memories and abilities when she possessed them, but ultimately, she wasn¡¯t them. She was herself before she transmigrated. She would remain as such afterwards. She wasn¡¯t some ordinary human¡ªshe was barely one in the first place¡ªor a character in the novels, she was a Worldbinder. There was a difference. Others pertained to people like her as a Transmigrator or Traveler. The System called her a Worldbinder, a term she preferred compared to other names. A Worldbinder didn¡¯t merely travel into worlds; they changed the narrative and played the game. Although, as much as she loved what she was doing, she didn¡¯t think she had gotten used to it. She had a great number in her list¡ªeleven worlds wasn''t a small feat¡ªand years of experience under her belt, but it didn¡¯t change the fact that she hadn¡¯t always been this way. Before the System, she was an untethered soul, unable to reincarnate with no world nor body compatible with her essence. In the end, she was nothing more than a phantom wandering through the vast cosmos for a thousand years, visiting different realities and times, neither living nor dying¡ªthe eternal watcher of the universe. She didn¡¯t know how she came to be or why she existed in the first place. She hadn¡¯t even been able to know what she was until she bonded with the System. How had she existed with no world to return to, or a body able to compliment her soul? It seemed impossible, yet she was the living proof of the universe¡¯s anomaly. A series of flashing words and numbers popped in front of her face, startling her out of her thoughts as they shined brightly like neon signs. She had to squint her eyes as she read the following statements. [MAIN MISSION: Prevent the marriage between the Male Lead (NOAH CALLISTO) and Female Lead (AURORA NELLIS) | COMPLETE: 50,000 REWARD POINTS] Unable to stop herself, Naomi reached a hand out towards the blue panel, tracing the letters that made up her husband¡¯s name. Noah, she whispered to herself, a reverent note echoing his name and a wistful sigh murmuring in her heart. Naomi closed her eyes, attempting to steady her breathing. She was being ridiculous. She¡¯d only seen his name, yet it felt like falling back into a landslide and being buried alive. This wasn¡¯t right. She shouldn¡¯t let him influence her too much. She knew more than most that there was no point chasing after ghosts. Yet, it took a moment or two for her to recover from the sudden onslaught of feelings and think in an objective lens. He was no longer a road she was going to dwell on¡ªshe refused to. In the Eleventh World, she was Naomi Constance, the younger sister of the crown prince who was in love with the monstrous duke. In the original novel, the Original bullied and tormented Aurora relentlessly for being the duke¡¯s fianc¨¦e. Even when Aurora married the crown prince, the Original still continued harassing her until Aurora died. When Aurora returned to the past, it was only fitting that she¡¯d exact her revenge against the Original by marrying the monstrous duke she once spurned in her first life. Aurora tormented the Original, ruining her reputation and casting her to the Monastery where the Original met her tragic end. Such was the fate of a second female lead. But then, Naomi transmigrated into the novel before Aurora could begin her plans, and the entire game changed. She had turned the Original¡¯s tragic fate around and rewrote her bad ending. She won, although she supposed, it hardly mattered now.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. [SIDE MISSION: Prevent the war between the Empire of Strava and the Kingdom of Honorelia. | COMPLETE: 20,000 REWARD POINTS. BONUS: 10,000 REWARD POINTS] A grimace dug at her lips. Unfortunately, The Monster Duke Who Loved Me wasn¡¯t only about romance, but it also had war and bloodshed. Knowing that her marriage to the crown prince would send her to death, Aurora asked for ex-fiance¡¯s help, Noah, to reject him. It only served to make the crown prince obsessed with her. It was no wonder he promptly lost his mind when Aurora married Noah, and decided that the best course of action was to declare war. So many unmarked graves were buried and lives were sacrificed in a pointless and uneccesary war that lasted three years. It only ended when the duke beheaded the crown prince, earning him the title of a hero that helped shed his unsavory reputation as the empire¡¯s monster. Afterwards, he returned to his beloved princess, and they became the leaders of a new nation, their love flourishing. A beautiful end to a beautiful tale. Not. The main characters might¡¯ve gotten their victory, but thousands of people didn¡¯t in a war that served absolutely no one. How could it be considered a victory when countless lives were stolen? She was satisfied that the war hadn¡¯t happened, although drastic measures had to be taken. At least, the casualties were lesser than what the original novel depicted. Her gaze darted to the words below, a sneer curling over her lips. Really, what was one life compared to a thousand¡ªespecially when it was the crown prince¡¯s life? [HIDDEN MISSION: Prevent the awakening of the Villain (KENJI CONSTANCE) | INCOMPLETE: ZERO REWARD POINTS] Kenji Constance, the crown prince and Aurora¡¯s husband in her first life. Naomi did her best when she¡¯d first gotten the notification of the hidden mission. She tried to turn his destiny around and prevent his obsession with the female lead, considering it was the reason he became the villain in the novel. Alas, as if it was written in the stars (which actually was), the moment Aurora rejected him, Kenji began his downward spiral, and Naomi could do nothing but watch. At the rate Kenji was going, it wouldn¡¯t be long before he¡¯d do something unforgivable¡ªlike starting a war. Naomi had no choice but to ask for Aurora¡¯s help. Until now, she still thought that assassinating Kenji was a bit excessive, but that was just her lamenting over her lost points. At the very least, the war was stopped before it could happen. Still, Naomi humphed to herself. What a waste of good points though. [MINOR QUESTS COMPLETED: 8/20 | 800 REWARD POINTS] Minor quests were simply small missions helping Naomi earn the favor and loyalty of background characters, not necessarily the main cast. It meant she had allies to conspire with and friends to trust, betrayal all but void. As much as she liked to brag about being a Worldbinder, she had enough self-awareness to admit she needed other people¡¯s help. [TOTAL POINTS AWARDED: 80,800 POINTS. NO SPECIAL ITEMS AVAILABLE.] Naomi frowned. She was hoping she¡¯d have another special item. The last one was seven worlds ago. It was a ring granting her quick access to the potions in her inventory and helping her detect drugs and potions in her food and drinks. She wore it on her left pinky ever since, the stone glinting a bright crimson. Hopefully, a special item would be available after completing missions in the next world. ¡°Congratulations for completing the Eleventh World, Worldbinder,¡± the System said. A small screen with exploding fireworks appeared in front of her face, and Naomi couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Thank you, System. I couldn¡¯t have done it without you,¡± Naomi replied, watching as her points increased. There were many ways a Worldbinder could use their points. They could use one thousand reward points to increase their attributes by one point (the System was stingy) or they could save to acquire special items from the Store (which was close and inaccessible more often than not). Even the System wasn¡¯t perfect. No two worlds were the same; they might be similar in some aspects, but at the core of things, they vastly differed from one another. Entering a new world unprepared could lead to a main mission failing, or worse, prematurely dying. Icy fingers trailed down her back, leaving a shudder at its wake. Naomi couldn¡¯t even fathom such an ending. She didn¡¯t even want to think about it when her life was brimming with uncertainty. What would happen to her when she failed a main mission or if one of the characters managed to successfully kill her? Would she be prohibited from accessing the System and be forced to return to her purposeless existence? Just the thought of going back into an untethered soul, wandering and watching for another thousand years, unable to live, nearly caused her to panic. She fisted her hands, grounding herself at the cutting bite of her nails against her palms. No. No. She shouldn¡¯t allow hypothetical scenarios to spark her anxiety. She was still a Worldbinder. She had sacrificed too much¡ªsacrificed a life with him¡ªto let things be in vain. ¡°Increase my charisma by 10 points,¡± Naomi told the System. [-10,000 REWARD POINTS] [CHR: 78/100] [CURRENT REWARD POINTS: 78,600 POINTS] A series of notifications popped up in front of her face as she continued, ¡°Buy 10 health potions and 10 strength potions.¡± [-2,500 REWARD POINTS] [ADDED 10 (HEALTH POTIONS) and 10 (STRENGTH POTIONS) INTO THE INVENTORY] [CURRENT REWARD POINTS: 76,100 POINTS] ¡°Hmm... add 10 points to my strength as well.¡± [-10,000 REWARD POINTS] [STR: 44/100] [CURRENT REWARD POINTS: 66,100 POINTS] Strength hadn¡¯t been her priority when she was distributing points in her attributes. Normally, she¡¯d resort to using Strength Potions, granting her a momentary boost of strength within a five minute limit. Convenient and easy. However, an attribute boosting potion had highly addictive properties, and the last thing she needed was for her body to become dependent on them. Potions were for quick solutions, not a permanent one. Naomi looked through her attributes, before nodding in satisfaction. ¡°Close the Information Panel.¡± The blue notification box blinked, vanishing from her sight at her command. She hadn¡¯t realized how bright and colorful the notification box was compared to her currently dull residence. Bonding with the System meant she could no longer carelessly wander around the living, getting tucked into this pocket dimension once her missions were completed and she left a world. Her only access to the living was through the System. It was a small price to pay¡ªher freedom in exchange for a life. Before, she could only watch as others lived, empty as a void, unable to fill the hungry hole in her stomach. The System enabled her to live, to interact with others, and to feel emotions. It made her feel alive¡ªhuman even. She had emotions; she had human senses. She was living. Why fill an empty space when she was now full? She didn¡¯t know who created the System or why they did. Maybe a higher being had taken pity on her, so they devised the System to grant her the chance to be human. Or perhaps like her, the System was created by accident and now, they were stuck with each other. Two wrongs that somehow made a right. Naomi was thankful for it. It was unfathomable not having the System by her side. At times, it was generous as well, awarding her points, and even granting her the option to stay and grow old in a world. But Naomi hardly chose to stay. The only time she was tempted was¡ª She sighed quietly to herself, cutting her thoughts off before it could fully take root and entangle her further. What was the point of staying to love someone when she was the only one who could move forward, when she was the only one who would live forever? There was no point. There was no point staying and growing old in a world, making attachments when it would only pull her back. It was better¡ªsafer¡ªto move on and not look back than to be reminded of the people she¡¯d never meet and see again. She refused to watch people she loved die or forget about her, when she was unable to do so. As for regrets and second thoughts? There was no time for those now, not when she was unable to go back and rectify her mistakes. She made her bed, now she had to lie in it. He might haunt her for a while and her memories of him would torture her for a brief moment; but it would pass¡ªjust like all things passed. ¡°I made the right choice,¡± Naomi spoke quietly to herself. Maybe if she said it enough, she¡¯d finally be able to convince herself. Breathing deeply through her nose and ignoring the hollow ache in her chest, she looked up and ordered, ¡°System, give me the information about the Twelfth World.¡± ¡°Very well, Worldbinder,¡± the System acquiesced. A flash of white nearly blinded Naomi before it faded, leaving a book in front of her face, glowing for a brief moment. She took the book and scrutinized the cover. A young woman was looking straight at the viewer with doe eyes of sea green, waves of blonde hair haloing her angelic face and framing the glossy sheen of her smiling lips. The female lead, without a doubt. There was no rest for the wicked. Naomi took the book and flipped it open to begin reading. ARC 1.1: The Intruder ¡®For the girls who find themselves surrounded by frogs, waiting to find their prince. It¡¯s a long road, but you¡¯ll get there.¡¯ A prestigious school, a number of popular boys, and a new student who would turn their lives around. It was a familiar premise, a formula recreated and remixed for the consumption of popular media. One successful at that. After all, who didn¡¯t want to be the new student being vied for by incredibly good-looking guys? ¡°What is this Meteor Garden adaptation shit?¡± Naomi muttered to herself, flipping another page, admittedly engrossed in the book. Don¡¯t Blame the Daydreamer wasn¡¯t any different. It was a young adult novel revolving the life of a teenage girl in a new school, going through tribulations, and conquering hearts in the process. It was filled with cringey romantic cliches, exaggerated and over-the-top grand declarations, and painful sensationalized drama. Naomi had to put the book down a couple of times before finishing its entirety. Let it not be said that the book wasn¡¯t entertaining despite its inconsistencies. After reaching the last page, Naomi closed the book and released a heavy breath straight from the bottom of her lungs. ¡°Can I get a refund?¡± Naomi asked, lifting her gaze upwards, as if looking at some higher divine being. ¡°Or at the very least, can I refuse going into this one?¡± She didn¡¯t think she could tolerate being the villainess in the world of Don¡¯t Blame a Daydreamer. For one thing, the Original was pathetic, pitiful, and stupid, in her opinion. For a young lady hailing from old money and a long bloodline, the Original seemed incapable of using her brain cells¡ªto put it nicely. Granted, every villainess was pathetic. They had to be in order to make the heroine appealing to the audience. The only times a villainess managed to outshine a heroine was if the heroine was lacking, but that was rare to happen. If the majority of the readers started rooting and cheering for the villainess, something was wrong and lacking with the main cast either in terms of intelligence, maturity, personality, and even appearance. ¡°Would you like to spend 100,000 Reward Points to skip this world?¡± the System offered. Naomi choked on a startled cough. ¡°No, thank you. I¡¯m good,¡± she told the System once she regained her composure, eyebrows furrowing. Why did it have to be so expensive?! Wouldn¡¯t this be like daylight robbery? She stared at the book in her grasp, a grimace tilting her lips. It seemed that she had no choice but to go into this world. The Original in Don¡¯t Blame a Daydreamer was a seemingly perfect young lady idolized by many, and like most villainesses, was in love with the male lead. Since he was the male lead (meaning: he was disgusted by women in general until the female lead came along and then, he¡¯d believe in love and all that bullshit), he constantly rejected the Original. Not that it stopped her, persistent and stubborn as she was. Through her sheer machinations and family connections, the Original convinced their families to arrange a marriage between her and the male lead. But as she was the villainess in the story, her plans backfired. What happened next was a series of unfortunate events. Kidnapped, caged, sexually assaulted¡ªthe list continued¡ªand by the time the Original was rescued and returned to her family, she was already beyond help from the trauma. It was only afterwards that the mastermind was revealed: the male lead. Naomi closed her eyes briefly and dropped her head back, hands clenched tightly into fists, attempting to control the bubbling anger deep within her. Long story short, the marriage between the male lead and the Original didn¡¯t happen due to her apparent mental state. The male lead gained his freedom to pursue the female lead without consequence, and the Original was left with not only a broken heart but also a broken mind. ¡°Yet, you still loved him until the very end,¡± Naomi muttered to herself, glancing at the book. But no¡ªno, it wasn¡¯t love. It couldn¡¯t be. Love without consideration wasn¡¯t love; it was obsession. Perhaps that was the most tragic thing about the Original, never knowing what it truly was, and never getting the chance to find out. Unfortunately, just because the Original had a shitty fate, didn¡¯t mean she could refuse it. Not unless she paid a hundred thousand reward points¡ªno, thank you. Naomi sighed, shoulders slumping, and tossed the novel to the side. The book stopped mid-air before fading, likely reappearing in her inventory. She checked her personal information, reacquainting herself with her attributes and stats. Once finished, she cancelled the blue panel. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with,¡± she muttered to herself before raising her voice in a shout, ¡°System, open the gate!¡± ¡°Opening the gate for the Twelfth World, also known as Don¡¯t Blame a Daydreamer for the Worldbinder, (NAOMI).¡± There was a brief flash of white light before her eyes, prompting her to force them close. Naomi could feel a tug at her navel, the sensation of a hook attaching itself to her. Her body began vibrating in pure energy, and a sharp inhale hitched in her throat as she was yanked downwards¡ªlike being sucked into a vacuum. ¡°Preparing for transmigration,¡± the System spoke in her ears, and instantaneously, strange memories slid into Naomi¡¯s mind, cold, slick, and vivid. ¡°Transmigrating into the novel, Don¡¯t Blame a Daydreamer. 10% synchronization¡­ loading¡­ 40%¡­ an Intruder has entered the Twelfth World.¡± What? Naomi¡¯s eyes popped open. She immediately shut them close, her vision invaded by flashing neon lights. ¡°An Intruder? What Intruder?¡± ¡°Loading¡­ 67% synchronization...¡± ¡°Wait a second, what do you mean by ¡®Intruder¡¯?!¡± she hurriedly asked, struggling to remain in the present as different scenes and noises from countless recollections rushed into her mind like a rapid current. ¡°85% synchronization... loading¡­¡± The dizzying storm of flashing lights danced and cackled, spasming with a chaotic burst. Her chest heaved in broken, shallow breaths, her body humming with near palpable force. She gritted her teeth to prevent herself from getting swept into the frantic motions. ¡°98%...¡± ¡°Answer me!¡± ¡°100% synchronization: complete.¡± Naomi dropped into a sinfully soft bed, her breath knocked out of her. ¡°Transmigration: successful. Welcome into the Twelfth World known as the world of Don¡¯t Blame a Daydreamer,¡± were the last words the System spoke in her ear before fading. The process of transmigration still left nothing to be desired, it seemed. Naomi pried her heavy eyes open, panting softly under her breath as her disoriented mind fought to put the correct pieces of memories together. A moment of quiet was all she needed. The crystal chandelier glittered above her, its elegance bathing the room in an incandescent glow. Soft pillows cushioned her body and cream silk sheets pooled below her knees, rubbing against smooth, bare legs. As soon as her mind cleared, she sat upright in bed, her shoulders jolting when she caught an unfamiliar face on the vanity mirror across the room.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. It was her¡ªwearing the Original¡¯s face. She stared for a moment, memorizing her foreign features. As a Worldbinder, she didn¡¯t have a permanent appearance and always wore the Original¡¯s. Her eyes remained the same, however¡ªa clear gray, the aftermath of a thunderstorm, just as dark clouds began vanishing. These were hers and hers alone, when all she ever owned were her name and the System. She twisted her body around, observing her movements in the mirror and trying to match the reality to the novel¡¯s description. A figure that was elegantly cut and well-proportioned, with a skin that glowed a golden hue as if the sun painted her in golden strokes. A long hair with a dark glossy sheen, as straight as a curtain fluttering with the gentle breeze. High, sharp cheekbones highlighted full lips that curled at the edges like the start of a delicate smile. She was beautifully striking. It wasn¡¯t a surprise. Every Original was a beauty. It was their personalities that were shitty. ¡°System, tell me about what happened earlier,¡± Naomi asked, her tone bold, making no effort to lower her volume.. The System had a built-in protection program against detection, concealed to everyone else but Naomi. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®Intruder¡¯? Did something else come into this world with me?¡± She hadn¡¯t forgotten about the System¡¯s warning earlier despite being preoccupied. An Intruder¡ªit was the first time she¡¯d ever heard of such a thing. It couldn¡¯t have been her; the System ensured that her arrival into new worlds was seamless, natural, and allowed. So, what was an Intruder and how did they enter into this world with her? ¡°According to my data, an Intruder has entered the Twelfth World and is currently in possession of one of its characters. As such, our system adjusted to the settings of this world in order for you to find the Intruder.¡± A soft, nagging unease crept in and prickled at her mind. She thought only Worldbinders could possess characters; she hadn¡¯t expected another entity to have the same abilities as hers. Did they have the same awareness, the same goals? Did it also have a System? But if they had one, she doubted they¡¯d be called an Intruder. Her fate in this world was already tragic enough. If the Intruder had possessed one of the characters in this world, then the possibility of them interfering was high. This Intruder could disrupt her plans and put her in danger. ¡°Their threat level?¡± The System took a moment to respond. ¡°A three. Harmless but with a potential to be dangerous one day.¡± The answer didn¡¯t comfort her, to say the least. But if this Intruder wasn¡¯t a threat¡ªfor now¡ªthen Naomi could hardly interfere. She came here not for the Intruder, but for the Original. Making a move this early could cause unprecedented consequences. For one, she didn¡¯t know what or who they were. She couldn¡¯t act now, when she barely stepped foot into this world; it would be careless and stupid. For another, she didn¡¯t want to activate a self-fulfilling prophecy due to her fear and paranoia. The best course of action would be to bide her time and examine the situation closely, taking note of the characters¡¯ behaviors in order to find the Intruder and stopping them from steering the world in the wrong direction. She couldn¡¯t afford distractions, not with a grim future. ¡°Open the Mission Panel,¡± she commanded. A holographic box split open in front of her face, displaying words that gleamed in stark white against a backdrop of vivid blue. [MAIN MISSION: Prevent the Male Lead (ROWEN KADE) from marrying the Female Lead (MARIANNE RIDLEY) | STARTING: 50,000 REWARD POINTS.] [SIDE MISSION: Maintain the prestigious reputation of the (CUNNINGHAM) Family. | STARTING: 30,000 REWARD POINTS.] [HIDDEN MISSION: ???] [SPECIAL MISSION: Find the (INTRUDER) that has entered into the Twelfth World. | STARTING: ????? REWARD POINTS] [MINOR QUESTS: 0/20] Naomi¡¯s shoulders slowly dropped. It seemed that, aside from the addition of the special mission, nothing was amiss and everything seemed to be in a familiar order. Good. The Intruder¡¯s appearance might have triggered the special mission, but it seemed it hadn¡¯t influenced the System too much. She examined the missions, her lips twitching from seeing the main one, before she took note of the side mission and the hidden mission. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Hidden missions typically didn¡¯t reveal themselves unless she triggered an event in the world, like an easter egg the author wrote in the novel that uncloaked their inner desires. In her last hidden mission, it showed the author¡¯s intention to give Kenji redemption. She wondered what the author of this world wanted. Naomi waved her hand across the panel, vanishing at her dismissal. Now that she knew what needed to be done, it was time to play the part of Naomi Cunningham.. She grabbed the remote on her bedside table and pressed a red button, the little lightbulb blinking red. A soft crackle from the speakers below the buttons, and a nervous female voice slipped through from the other end of the line. ¡°H-hello, Young Miss?!¡± ¡°Hannah, please prepare my outfit for the first day of school, then prepare my breakfast at the dining table. Inform the Head Butler that I will be taking breakfast with my father today.¡± ¡°Y-yes, Young M-Miss!¡± Naomi unpressed the button and dropped the remote back on her bedside table. The wonders of modern technology still amazed her. She spent the luxurious life of a princess in the previous world, yet she would trade it to have the internet again. At least she wouldn¡¯t have to wait hours to get a hot shower. They had plumbing now. She rose from the bed, stretching her limbs and acquainting herself with her new body. There was a strange sensation of displacement for a brief moment, her mind rejecting her new appearance, before it gradually eased and disappeared. Heading towards the bathroom, she stopped short when the twin doors to her room opened and a young woman stepped in dressed in a form-fitting black outfit with a flared skirt and a high-collared choker, with an apron tied around her waist and matching white cuffs at her wrist. Freckles dusted her cheeks, making her watery blue eyes pop out over a plain, fair face. Her strawberry blonde hair polished into a neat bun, a black bow on top of her head.. [OBSERVE SKILL (lvl. 5 MAX): ACTIVATED] [CHARACTER INFO: HANNAH GOMEZ OCCUPATION: The Young Miss Cunningham¡¯s Personal Maid AGE: 19 years old PERSONALITY: Earnest, Loyal, and Passionate FAVORABILITY: 76/100 IMPRESSION: Oh gosh! I shouldn¡¯t have barged in without knocking! I hope the Young Miss doesn¡¯t scold me. Why did I forget to knock ?! AVAILABLE QUEST: 1] Naomi¡¯s brows arched momentarily, a reaction so brief it was almost imperceptible, before a practiced smile adorned her lips. ¡°Hannah, good morning. It seems you¡¯ve forgotten to knock.¡± Panic flared in Hannah¡¯s eyes, her cheeks flushed red. ¡°Young Miss, good morning! I apologize for intruding into your space! I-I just informed the kitchens to prepare your meal with your father today and I c-came here to prepare your outfit for your day at the academy! I am very sorry!¡± ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s alright,¡± Naomi assured her. ¡°I am very glad you¡¯re taking care of me well. Just don¡¯t do it again next time. I value my privacy, so when you need to come into my room, please knock when I¡¯m inside.¡± Hannah was still young and prone to mistakes, but those were easy to ameliorate. Those things could be overlooked due to one thing: her loyalty. In fact, she was one of the few who stayed by the Original¡¯s side after she had been brutally traumatized and her mental state deteriorated. Hannah would have her uses; it would be wise to keep her. After all, it wasn¡¯t every world she would get pampered. Why not enjoy this while she still could? Hannah¡¯s expression brightened. ¡°Thank you for your consideration, Young Miss!¡± she enthusiastically replied. [FAVORABILITY: 78/100 (+2)] [IMPRESSION: The Young Miss is as kind as ever. Anyone else would¡¯ve reprimanded me by now, yet she is always so considerate of my mistakes. I have to do better for her!] Naomi ignored the flare of determination that lit up Hannah¡¯s eyes, a ghost of a smile across her lips as she walked to the bathroom. The Original was cunning and meticulous. She built quite a reputation for herself as a gentle and well-mannered young lady. No one had detected she harbored malicious thoughts and dark desires in her heart¡ªnot until the female lead, Marianne, came along and exposed the Original¡¯s true colors. Everything came crashing down for the Original because someone wrote it so and it became her destiny. Her only crime was falling in love with the male lead and trying to defend her love even when it wasn¡¯t reciprocated. She wasn¡¯t a good person, no. She was a villainess for a reason. But like every unfleshed character in a book, she deserved a chance. Naomi was going to give it to the Original. Oh, but Marianne, I have no intention of letting you shine above me. Marianne might have the Protagonist¡¯s Halo, but Naomi was a Worldbinder. Even when she was under the mercy of the novel, doomed to have a terrible ending and cruel love, Naomi would never back down even when their halos were at peak. Really, it was just her luck that she came to a time when the novel was at the rising action of the plot. Based on the Original¡¯s memories, she had already become the male lead¡¯s, Rowen¡¯s, fianc¨¦e. Sometime soon, Rowen would retaliate against her. What a disaster. Well, no matter. The stage had been set, only the relevant characters had yet to arrive. There was no time to waste. Opening the Quest Panel, Naomi tapped onto Hannah¡¯s name and pressed the [ACCEPT AVAILABLE QUEST] option. A notification automatically popped open once she dismissed the panel. [MINOR QUEST UNLOCKED: THE HEART OF A SISTER.] [TWELFTH WORLD STATUS: 1% COMPLETE]