The Card Apprentice - Chapter 488 - Behind the Scenes ( II )

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

Ryouma Takuma, a 39 year-old man with a hidden past, finds himself in a strange white room. There the gods tell him that he has died and that they are sending his soul to a different world; a world where magic exists. After living alone for three years his gamer soul loses common sense and starts toward crazy routes.

I’ll give you an opportunity—but not for free.Gates have opened all over Earth, unleashing hordes of monsters from other dimensions. Humanity stands on the brink of extinction, with only ten years left until the end of Earth as it is.With my awakened skills, Record and Time Rabbit’s Luggage, I’ve spent seventy-six lifetimes trudging through these grueling regressions. The repetition ends here, on this Attempt.But it’s unfair if I’m the only one suffering, right? So let’s share the burden.“Ah, don’t sweat it! I’ll give you a good opportunity. For what you’re getting, it’s a bargain, don’t you think?”

[When a Veteran Gamer Becomes the Game's Villain, Can the World Still Be Saved?][Villain + Light-hearted Fun + Semi-invincible + MMORPG = Ultimate Enjoyment!]After completing his seventeenth game order in an all-night session, Victor unexpectedly finds himself reborn into a game world he knows like the back of his hand—as its infamous villain, no less.In the original storyline, he was destined to face the hostility of the entire world alone:- The proud female Valkyrie leader (his fiancée) longs to take his life- An all-powerful female heiress dreams of burying him alive- The Grand Duke wants to tear him to pieces- Even the stray dogs on the street bare their teeth at himNow, this “villain” possesses a player's cool-headed mindset and comprehensive knowledge of the game world.Faced with a predetermined death sentence and countless players coveting his experience points, how will Viktor use his profound understanding of the game and his calm, rational mind to turn the tables?Can he establish an unbeatable position in this world?When a player who has mastered the game's mechanics becomes the villain within the game, what kind of sparks will fly?In this marvelous journey filled with strategy, humor, and unexpected twists:- Every level-up could be a life-or-death decision- The line between villain and hero blurs under Viktor's careful calculations- What kind of chemical reaction will occur when game skills collide with real-world magic?- Will Viktor's gaming skills and his newly formed alliance with the evil god be enough to change the tide?Are you ready? Step into Viktor's world, where the “villain” has never been so charismatic, and the future? Well, who can say for sure?