The Heroines All Want to Kill Me

"Ugh..." After arriving at the school dormitory, I let out a soft sigh and immediately set about bandaging my back with a roll of gauze. The injury was severe enough to demand professional medical attention, but I had to deal with it urgently. After all, I had no idea when Kania might burst into the dormitory. "Damn this system. If it's going to put me through all this, it could at least provide some treatment - related items." I muttered curses at the despicable system while pitifully performing first - aid on myself. Suddenly, a surge of anger welled up within me. I had been striving so hard to save the world. Yet, the system only rewarded me once a week, and the rewards were things like a mask that could conceal my identity for merely one minute or a whip that didn't even sting when used to strike someone. Even if this was a "pseudo - evil" system, this was simply going too far! At the very least, it could offer some ointment that could instantly heal wounds upon application or a potion that could immediately restore my health points when consumed. As I brooded resentfully, the excruciating pain in my back flared up again, distorting my expression. My body involuntarily curled up. "I'm really going crazy, seriously."

To be honest, by this point, even I, with a mental strength stat as high as 9, was starting to waver. Even though I was the sole hope for saving the world, even though the world would perish if I didn't act, and even though I knew there was a chance of being reborn to enjoy prosperity... I could still manage the transformation into a villain by clearly differentiating between myself as a pseudo - evil being and myself as a hero. I could endure being blamed and loathed by the heroines and those around me. Because if I wasn't hated by them, the people I loved would meet their doom. However, the loneliness was almost unbearable. This solitary ordeal, with not a single soul to understand me, occasionally made me question everything, despite my heroic status. So sometimes I wondered, was it truly necessary to be so extremely villainous? How wonderful it would be if I could assume the role of a cool and imposing mastermind, ruling the world from behind the scenes and steadily amassing points. Nevertheless, this was ultimately an unattainable dream. For I was fated not to become that kind of suave, noble, and dashing villain, but rather to degenerate into a hideous, wretched, and childish third - rate scoundrel.

According to the prophecy book left by my ancestors, when opting for the "pseudo - evil path," the personality type with the highest success rate was precisely the "third - rate scoundrel" type that I was emulating. The reason behind this was related to the "accumulative notoriety system" that was about to be incorporated into the system. The accumulative notoriety system would, on a weekly basis, assess the notoriety I had spread across the world and convert it into points. This system was the very core of the "pseudo - evil path" system that could genuinely accumulate points... And the tendency that this core system was most generous in rewarding points was precisely this "third - rate scoundrel" tendency. In fact, upon careful reflection, it made perfect sense. For instance, if you were to randomly ask someone on the street if they knew Count Eustiano, who was infamous in the dark world, chances were they would shake their heads. But if you asked if they knew Frey, the eldest son of the Duke of Starlight, that notorious playboy, odds were they would nod. Evidently, compared to those masterminds known only to a select few and secretly pulling the strings in the shadows, the scoundrels who were blatantly infamous throughout the entire empire were more likely to be seen as far worse by the public. Therefore, the "third - rate scoundrel" tendency, which had a distinct edge in earning points, ironically, was the least - chosen tendency in the game of the world where my ancestors originally hailed from. The reason was straightforward. The game plot would turn overly dark. Although the success rate was relatively high, players who took this route would feel utterly exhausted, so those who played for enjoyment would never choose the "third - rate scoundrel" tendency. However, I had chosen the path of a "third - rate villain" - as long as I executed it flawlessly, I could almost guarantee the salvation of everyone except myself. Because the place I was in wasn't the entertainment - oriented game "Blacktail Fantasy 2," but the Rising Sun Empire where my beloved family and friends truly lived and thrived.

"Let me take a look. Hmm, this should be flawless... Huh?" Just like that, I cast aside my hesitations and steeled my resolve. After finishing the bandaging, I scrutinized myself in the mirror to check if the bandages were conspicuous. Suddenly, I noticed something amiss. "Where's my brooch?" The star - shaped brooch that I had custom - made in secret by the backstreet shopkeeper - the one capable of remotely transferring my life force to Kania in a critical moment - was gone. It seemed to have been lost in the backstreet... But I had no clue where exactly. Had I dropped it during the battle with the Succubus Queen? Or when I was being chased by the heroines at the auction house? Or perhaps it had rolled away while I was being jostled in the crowd? "I'm so gutted." Thinking about the cost of making the brooch, I was itching to throw on my coat and dash out to search for it right away. But unfortunately, I couldn't. My current physical condition demanded immediate rest, and venturing into the backstreet just to look for the brooch might expose me to the heroines. "Come to think of it, how's the shopkeeper?" The shop owner, who had been beaten unconscious by Isolte and then abandoned in the middle of the road due to the sudden terrorist attack, would probably wake up soon. But with the shop destroyed, the now - unemployed shop owner would likely find it extremely difficult to make badges for us again. However, thankfully... I had long anticipated the possibility of losing the "life force remote - transfer badge" and had prepared a spare in advance. I delved into the bag I had brought from home, groping for the magically - made hidden pocket to retrieve the spare badge and pin it to my chest. "Hmmm?" However, in addition to the badge, a small slip of paper landed in my palm. "I don't recall putting a piece of paper in here?" I tilted my head in thought for a moment. When I noticed that there were words scrawled on the crumpled paper, I unfolded it completely.

- To my dear son.

"..." The moment I read the first line, my hand holding the letter began to tremble involuntarily. The first paragraph of this letter was penned in the language of the ancient heroes, "Korean," and the handwriting was an exact replica of my father's imitation of the ancient heroes' script.

- You must be quite surprised to see this note. Well, of course you are. I was truly startled just now too.

"Huh, why? There was no such note in the last reincarnation." Apparently, in the previous time loop, there had been no such note in the hidden compartment of the backpack. While fretting over whether there were other unknown variables besides the heroines' memories, I continued reading and finally heaved a sigh of relief.

- It seems that I finally perished together with the Demon King and managed to return, right? After all, such strange words as [Memory Adjustment: 10 minutes ago] have popped up before my eyes.

"Ah, so that's how it is." Fortunately, this was a variable triggered by the system and wouldn't harm me. I felt reassured and continued poring over the letter's contents.

- So how did I die? Poisoned? Strangled? Beheaded? Drowned? When I saw the next line on the paper, I couldn't help but squeeze my eyes shut tightly. After a moment, I opened them again, and my trembling hand could barely keep the letter steady as I read on.

- Could it be that you didn't kill him out of some sentiment like father - son affection? No, that couldn't be the case. "Patricide" is a necessary condition for the hero's weapon to go berserk. What was written on the paper was true. In the previous timeline, I had personally slain my own father. To make the "Hero's Weapon," which was blindly loyal to the direct bloodline of the "Starlight" hero family, go out of control, the direct bloodline had to commit a heinous crime. And among these heinous crimes, the "event" that had to occur was patricide. In other words, the protagonist had to kill his own father with his own hands. To be frank, the moment I killed my father was the most harrowing ordeal for me. Having to kill my father in order to save him... What a cruel twist of fate! So after returning, the person I yearned to see the most was my father... But I deliberately evaded meeting him. Because no matter how helpless the situation was, as soon as I laid eyes on my father's face... I would be haunted by that scene, almost driving me to the brink of collapse.

- Anyway, my son who is reading this letter now. I hope you'll listen closely to what I'm about to say. As I struggled to push that moment out of my mind, when I read the next paragraph, I froze in my tracks.

- Father is sorry for you.

"..." I stared at that passage for a long while, then slowly resumed reading.

- I loathe myself for burdening you, who are kinder and purer than anyone else, with such a heavy responsibility.

"Father..."

- If only... I were the one prophesied... Or could shoulder that fate in your place. Compared to a good - hearted child like you, an old, good - for - nothing like me is more fit to do those wicked deeds.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Before I knew it, a teardrop trickled down from the corner of my eye. I thought of my father, who was far kinder than me, not the least bit bad, and always full of cheer, and couldn't help but let out a bitter chuckle.

- To be honest, I have countless things to apologize to you for and much more to write... But time is running out, and it's you who's bearing the brunt of all this. It's a bit absurd for me to be rambling on here, so I'll leave my final words now.

"..." Hearing this, I felt a twinge of regret. Just as I was reaching the last line, I suddenly widened my eyes.

- I opened an anonymous account at the Imperial Bank. I originally intended to leave some intricate clues that only a clever lad like you could decipher, but since I have this chance, I'll do away with them.

"An anonymous account?"

- There's money stashed there that I set aside for your second attempt. Of course, this isn't the property of the Duke's family; it's the money I earned through my personal business... So even if the memory is tampered with, there won't be any issues. I carefully examined the password and authentication method of the anonymous account mentioned in the letter. Then, when I read the postscript, I bowed my head.

- ps. I love you, son. [Abraham Rahn Starlight] I lowered my head, my shoulders quivering slightly. Fearing that Kania might burst in at any moment, I fought back my tears and stuffed the letter into a hidden nook before making my way to the bed.

"Ugh." To calm myself, I lay down on the bed for a while. But then a searing pain shot through my back, and I gritted my teeth and mumbled in a low voice, "I'm a hero. So... this little thing... is nothing." For some reason, I seemed to hear a mocking whisper in my ear, "Really?" So I feebly muttered again, "It's nothing... It's not..." It seemed that tonight was going to be a sleepless one.

"..."I'm back, young master."

"..."

"Young master, even though it's late, if you have any commands..."

"No need." In the end, before Kania arrived, I had been lying listlessly on the bed. I didn't even have the energy to feign anger and just replied blankly.

"Young master, forgive my boldness..."

"Hmm?"

"Are you unwell?" However, Kania threw a rather odd question at me. Did I look that haggard?

"Leave me be."

"..." Seeing my dispirited response, Kania regarded me quietly. Then, she pulled out a black cat doll from her bosom, placed it on the table, and turned to head towards the folding bed.

"Young master, you'd better change your clothes before going to sleep."

"Leave me alone."

"Then, good night."

"Yeah." After the lights were out, I lay with my eyes wide open for a few hours. After confirming that Kania was sound asleep, I turned to her in a daze.

"Then, let's give it a try again today." I gently placed my hand on her abdomen and began transferring my life force. Suddenly, a violent wave of nausea washed over me. I doubled over and started spitting blood on the floor. "Cough, cough!! Cough!!!" What's going on? Why... Ah, I pushed myself too hard today." I was already accustomed to transferring my life force to her. Coupled with overexerting my body, my mind was in a fog. Even though I was also in a state of life - force depletion, I still persisted in giving her my life force, and finally ended up collapsing, spitting blood.

"Damn it, that's enough for today." I felt completely drained and slumped to the floor. My eyes casually landed on the cat on the table. The cat, which usually nestled in Kania's arms, was rarely back on the table. A sense of delight welled up in my heart. I smiled, picked it up, and gently stroked it. "Little fellow, quite a lot happened today."

"..."

"If I were to recount every single thing, it would probably be dawn... In short, I was on the verge of death at least three times."

"..."

"And... I read a heartfelt letter from my father. I almost broke down in tears... But I held it together. Because, I'm a hero."

"To be honest, I'm so exhausted. So tired that I feel like I'm on the verge of death. But what can I do? I'm a hero. I can only keep going."

"..." Having no one to confide in, I poured out my heart to the cat. Before I knew it, my tears started to flow again. I squeezed my eyes shut and murmured, "Just for a bit... Let me be like this for a while." I hugged the cat, which somehow radiated warmth, and held my breath, shedding silent tears for fear of waking Kania. "As expected, even a hero... has moments when they can't hold on." I wept for a while until I felt a bit better. Then I put down the cat and made my way to the bed. "I really have to get one of those." Just like that, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of running around and playing with a black cat, and finally enjoying a peaceful slumber for the first time in ages.

"..."Young master, it's time to wake up."

"..." I was rolling around on the belly of a gigantic black cat when Kania roused me. "It's already morning." Seeing the morning sunlight streaming through the window, I realized that dawn had broken. Enjoying the long - lost refreshing feeling, I stretched and sat up from the bed.

"How long has it been since I cried? Even in the last reincarnation, I didn't cry very often." Except when Isolte passed away, except when the heroines met their demise, except when I killed my father with my own hands, I scarcely had any memories of shedding tears. But this time, I had cried copiously. Perhaps it was because after the heroines' memories were restored, the difficulty had skyrocketed several times compared to the previous rounds. Facing this unreasonable situation, the pent - up emotions had finally erupted.

"However, I do feel much more refreshed. Is it because I cried my heart out?" I opened the information window in bewilderment and was astounded by what I saw.

[Name: Frey Rahn Starlight]

[Abilities: Strength ??? / Magic Power ??? / Intelligence ??? / Mental Strength 9.3]

[Special Notes: Blessed by the Stars / Fatigue / Insufficient Life Force]

[Tendency: Hero]

"..."My mental strength has actually increased by 0.3?" According to the prophecy book, when the attribute value reached 9 or above, it was extremely difficult to raise the value without a special trigger. So, could crying while holding the cat doll yesterday have been that trigger?

"Well, everyone needs a day to let off some steam every now and then." It seemed that last night had indeed been a critical moment for my mental defenses. However, my mental strength attribute was almost at the maximum level, so even with just the comfort of a cat doll, I could successfully weather that storm. Although it was a bit embarrassing to cry while clutching a cat doll... But thanks to it, my mental strength attribute had improved, and I felt much better. This price was well worth it.

"Kania, what are you standing there gaping for? Bring breakfast right away!" With that thought, I lost my temper at Kania as usual and ordered her to prepare breakfast.

"..."

"What are you doing?" However, something was amiss. Kania didn't comply with my order and just stared intently into my eyes.

"Young master, I have an interesting story to tell you."

"What?" Kania stared at me for a moment and then blurted out something completely out of the blue. I furrowed my brows and was about to tell her to hurry up and prepare breakfast...

"Enough! Go prepare breakfast right...!"

"I went to the backstreet auction house yesterday..."

"Go prepare..." When I heard what she said next, I was struck dumb and quickly started racking my brains.

"The backstreet auction house? That's rather intriguing. Go on."

"However, I spotted someone there wearing a sword identical to the one the master of the house used."

"Is that so?" When she mentioned my father's sword, I suddenly recalled that my own sword was a gift from my father.

"Because it was so spotlessly clean and sharp, I thought it was a newly - commissioned one from a craftsman. I never imagined it would turn out to be Father's sword!?" For a moment, I lamented Father's stingy side. But then, realizing that all of this was for raising funds for me, I cleared my throat and took over the conversation. "Maybe it's just a similar - looking sword? Or perhaps that person was Father out for some relaxation."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, so let's stop talking about these trivial things. That's enough..."

"Ah, young master. Your brooch has fallen off."

"Ah? Hmm..." Initially, I intended to attribute her words to a misunderstanding or coincidence and send her to fetch breakfast. But when she bent down and handed me my brooch, I involuntarily took it. Then, I reached my hand towards my chest.

"...Ah?" However, there was already a star - shaped brooch prominently pinned on my chest.

"The person with the sword dropped this brooch... But isn't this exactly the one you've always been wearing, young master?"

"...."

"Surely you're not going to say this is just a coincidence too?" Kania questioned me in a soft voice. I hurriedly started to defend myself.

"...This is a brooch I bought from a magic item shop in the backstreet. That shop is quite well - known. Probably that guy bought it there too."

"...Where is that shop?"

"Damn it. There."

"Didn't you just say it was a well - known place?"

"The shop owner got into an argument with a hot - tempered person. As a result, the shop was smashed to pieces."

"...I see."

"Yeah, so stop spouting nonsense..." With cold sweat dripping down my forehead, I managed to come up with an excuse, planning to send Kania away first and then figure out the next move.

"...Ah, young master! Over there!"

".....?" Suddenly, she wore a horrified expression and pointed behind me. Thinking that the minions of the Demon King had discovered what happened yesterday, I quickly turned around to check. In that instant...

- Crack!

"...Ahhhhh!" She forcefully pressed on my back. I let out a shrill scream and fell onto the bed, clutching my back.

"W - what are you doing...?"

"...Isn't this the same move you used on me yesterday, young master?"

"....!!!" Kania looked at me, who was utterly dumbfounded, with a puzzled expression and continued to press, "...Why did you save me yesterday, young master?"

"Ah..." At that very moment... [Penalty Triggered!]

"...I really don't understand. And I'm completely confused about what happened early this morning. So, please, you must give me a reasonable explanation....."

"...Noooooo!!!"

".....!?" The system window that I least wanted to see emerged right in front of my eyes.

[Permanent Debuff: The Fate of the Pseudo - Villain]

[The user's lifespan and health points will be significantly reduced!]

[Stacking Level: 1]

"Young master? What's wrong with you...?"

"Cough cough!!!"

"...Ah!" I stared at the system window in despair. Then, I spat out more blood than ever before and muttered to myself inwardly. '...No wonder I've been feeling lucky lately.' As I spat blood and fell forward, I took a fleeting glance at Kania, who was reaching out her hand towards me, with my gradually blurring vision. Then, I lost consciousness.

"....Young master?" At the same time, Kania reached out to support the falling Frey. Looking at Frey, who had lost consciousness and gone limp, with a panicked expression, she started shaking him. However, her efforts were in vain. Frey didn't regain consciousness that day.