MTL - American Comic Survival Guide - Chapter 681 Scavenger No. 142

After becoming #1 in the world after playing a grand strategy game as the most difficult faction on immortal level difficulty, MC receives an invitation to compete in an even more challenging game which takes the MC into the world of the game itself, but as it's weakest lord who will die two days later that appears only as a cutscene in the tutorial as first of many deaths to rock the continent until only one survives to proclaim a new eternal empire.Can the MC use his game knowledge to successfully survive his impending doom, and rise from the ashes to reclaim the glory he'd won before?

Cassian Ven Dyke, the bastard son of a powerful ducal family, grew up in the slums of Veldora under the care of his father figure, sword master Russel. When Russel passed away, Cassian was left with only a silver necklace as his inheritance. After putting it on, Cassian was attacked by three psychotic thugs who tortured him in an attempt to steal the necklace. Refusing to give in, Cassian was ultimately stabbed through the heart with the very same necklace. Instead of dying, he mysteriously vanished as the necklace lodged itself in his heart. Just before disappearing, he heard an eerie message echo in his mind:[True mana detected. Origin: Human...][Human detected. Compatibility with system: Confirmed.]

76 years ago, the world changed. Or rather, should I say it evolved? Even so, this, “evolution” came at a price. Or maybe, the 'price' is what caused the evolution in the first place. What is this 'price', you ask? An invasion. Monsters from another world. Creatures we've only known through fork lore, myths and fantasy novels. They came from portals, known as Dungeon Gates, threatening all of mankind as we knew it. So in order to fight this catastrophe, the evolution happened. Half of the world's already large population Awakened as superhumans with Skills, Spells and Special Attacks all so they could pass through the Gates, enter the Dungeons and clear them. One by one. Thus marked the beginning of the Great Age Of Warriors.Name's Raid. And I'm one such Warrior. Now here's the kicker. I'm an F-Rank. The first one in history. Due to my low Mana Capacity, I could only choose one Class. The infamous Blacksmith Class. A Class no one even looked at twice, because weapons of mass destruction can easily be created with today's technology without much hassle. Now I'm faced with the reality of being seen as the weakest Warrior of all time, but you know what? To hell with it all. I'll make the most of the cards I've been dealt, even if those cards are...pretty shitty cards. I'll show all those High-Ranked Warriors what's what. They'll know my name whether they want to or not.Tag along for the ride if you're interested. Because once I get going, I'm not stopping until I reach the top.

Born and raised as a nameless shadow guard for his kingdom’s crown prince, his life’s purpose was to be used and discarded at the whims of his liege.

And his meaningless life ended when the gaze of a princess lingered on him for too long. The crown prince had him beheaded without a second thought, as if throwing out trash.

Transmigrating into the body of a baby girl, the nameless shadow finally had a name, a family, and a place to call her own. Throwing away his past, the shadow guard was now called ‘Emilia’, and walked on a new path to seek fulfillment.

It was not meant to be, however, as the girl whom she had loved with all her heart and soul ended up mercilessly plunging a dagger through Emilia's love-struck heart at the highest point in her life.

The crowd clamored at the ‘deserved death of the villainess’, and at that moment, the shadow could only wonder… why?

Why am I always the one to dedicate myself fully to someone, only to be thrown away like trash in the end?

And thus, as her soul floated away while cursing in resentment, ‘Emilia’ vowed to herself that in her next life she shall never be the one to fully dedicate herself.

Whatever she likes shall be held in her palm, and shall never escape.

The moment the vow was made, a self-proclaimed villainess system proposed to partner with her, to explore and conquer the worlds through their anchors—the heroes and heroines.

And by cultivating this energy, she shall one day go back. Back to the world she was born as ‘Emilia’ in, and face the so-called heroine once more.

The second time they meet, Emilia won’t be the one drowning in regret!

...

Author's Note: The heroines are not just trophies she’s collecting, only to be forgotten once she collects them. Each of them will remain relevant throughout the story. And it won’t become a mess, promise!