I Am The Game's Villain Chapter 4 A Hardcore Violent Fluffy Romance Game

[Princess And Dragon]

This was a joint American-Japanese video game production.

According to various interviews, the project began when an American developer decided to craft a dating sim. He had been deeply influenced by Japanese titles within the same genre.

After traveling to Japan, he secured a major partnership with a renowned studio director who had become captivated by the American's initial pitch.

The development of the title spanned five intensive years.

While the majority of the staff remained doubtful regarding the game's potential for success, both the American creator and the Japanese director maintained their confidence.

Their instincts proved correct.

The game became a massive hit.

Monthly sales reached millions of copies.

For a game of its type, the achievement was historic.

Indeed, a simple romance game focused on chasing girls might seem uninspired, but there was more to it than that.

The game featured several other tags beyond just romance.

Action, Tragedy, Drama, and Gore.

It was, in fact, a remarkably violent experience.

While you were tasked with seducing women, the primary goal was survival.

Out of thousands of possible branching paths, only a handful resulted in a happy ending.

It was what players would describe as a "hardcore" game.

Following this triumph, the creative duo produced a sequel that matched the success of its predecessor. By 2022, the series had grown into a trilogy.

I can still recall looking at the popularity polls with Ephera, specifically the one for the most despised characters in the entire trilogy.

Edward Falkrona held the third spot.

However, in the poll for the most dangerous character in the trilogy...

Edward Falkrona stood at the very top.

He served as a [Major Antagonist] during the [First Game].

By the [Second Game], he had become the [Main Antagonist].

Although he meets his end at the conclusion of the second entry, his shadow still looms over the events of the [Third Game].

****

"..."

I stared at the image reflecting back at me in the mirror.

In my past life, I had been far too thin; now, I was excessively fat.

I possessed the signature grey hair belonging to the Falkrona lineage, while my amber eyes were a legacy from my late mother.

Deep down, I understood this wasn't a dream. I had accepted this reality, however reluctantly.

That man had done something to me, and now I was trapped inside that very game.

Inhabiting the body of the worst possible character.

I scanned my surroundings.

This was my bedroom.

When I had questioned a maid earlier, she had pointed toward the second floor with a look of pure terror. Unsurprisingly, I was loathed within the walls of my own home.

I had never experienced such a barrage of hateful looks before. Though it was initially quite jarring, I have started to grow accustomed to it.

Based on what I knew of the game's lore, I had harassed every maid in this manor at least once and had come close to assaulting them. If not for Elona’s interference, my lust would have driven me to assault every woman in the house.

I clenched my teeth in frustration.

Why couldn't he have placed me in the body of the hero? Or even just some nameless background character?

In this entire damn world, there isn't a single person who likes me!

Well, to be honest, I don't really care.

Forcing myself to stay calm, I took a seat on the bed.

The mattress sank deeply and groaned under my weight.

"..."

Pushing that thought aside, I surveyed the area.

The room was massive, which was only natural for the heir of a Duke.

-Ding!

"..."

A translucent screen manifested in front of me.

Whatever.

I was past the point of being shocked, so I simply tapped it with my finger.

[Edward Falkrona] [16] [3rd Ascension] [Falkrona Bloodline] [Charm: 0,5] [Affection Points: 0]

"..."

"Hey, you bastard."

"..."

"Answer me!"

[Host?]

"Shut it! What is the meaning of this 0.5 Charm stat?!"

I barked out the question in a fit of rage.

Traditional stats like strength or agility were absent, as power in this game was determined by one's level of [Ascension]. Currently, I was at the Third Ascension, which was respectable, but why on earth was there a charm stat?

The original game never featured anything like this!

[It indicates that your charm value is 0.5.]

"I can see that, but what's the average for a normal person?"

I asked, holding my breath in anticipation.

If he was going to toss me into this miserable world as a despicable character, the least he could have done was grant me a decent face, right?

I couldn't really judge my own attractiveness since I was only interested in women!

I could recognize a beautiful woman easily, but I had no eye for whether a man was handsome or not.

That’s not weird, is it? It’s perfectly normal.

"Hey."

[According to my database, the average value is 20.]

"Go to hell."

[I cannot, Host. I do not possess a—]

"Be quiet."

I cut off the irritating AI before I could completely lose my temper.

"So, are you the one that guy sent to me?"

I questioned as I slumped back onto the bed.

[Correct, Edward.]

"Address me as master."

[No.]

"I am not Edward. My name is Nyr."

[Not anymore.]

"I'm going to kill you."

[That is impossible.]

"Why did that man send you to me anyway?"

I demanded to know.

[To provide assistance.]

"Assistance?"

I let out a mocking laugh.

"That lunatic threw me into the most lethal romance game in history, inside the body of the primary villain!"

I tried to punch the interface, but my fist passed straight through the light.

[Edward. Do you recall his words?]

"..."

I looked away, avoiding the prompt.

He had mentioned that Ephera couldn't be returned to Earth. Did that imply there was a way to bring her back in this world?

The idea seemed completely ridiculous to me.

I had always believed resurrecting the dead was an impossibility—at least until this moment.

Now, however, I had my doubts. After all, I had literally been transported to a different dimension and placed into a stranger's body.

Regardless, I had already finished mourning her.

When I encountered her brother, Emric, I had treated him with coldness intentionally. I wanted him to move forward with his life and stop drowning in self-blame.

"What is my purpose here?"

[Is it your wish to die, Edward?]

"No. Not this time. I’m in a world of fantasy now; I might as well try to enjoy myself. I’ve earned that much."

I spoke with a slight grin.

Who wouldn't feel that way?

To actually live inside a game you've poured countless hours into?

"Alright, let's get moving."

I attempted to sit up—or rather, I tried to hoist my massive frame upright.

Dammit!

[Exercise is required, Edward.]

"No kidding."

[That depends on its physical state.]

"Are you actually a machine?"

I asked with genuine curiosity.

The way it spoke made it seem almost human.

[Yes. I was developed by—]

"By whom?"

[My creator.]

So, it was going to keep its master's identity a secret.

-Knock! -Knock!

"Get out here!"

A voice shouting from the other side of the door broke our conversation.