Again.

I shifted, forcing my heavy eyes open. It felt all too familiar—the suffocation, the sore muscles, and the numb limbs. My heart pounded, echoing in my ears as my head throbbed following the same rhythm.

Thump Thump Thump.

The cold air scratched at my throat while I blinked hard to adjust my blurry vision to the scene around me. Nausea settled in, aggravated by the familiar scent of smoke followed by that faint metallic tang—iron, no…blood.

Probably mine.

I chuckled lightly to myself as the thought resurfaced.

Dying sucks.

At the sound of the familiar crackle, I scanned my surroundings. My gaze traced the jagged rocks strewn across the ground, the rough-hewn walls, and the same stalactites above, water dripping in an eerie rhythm similar to a heartbeat.

I’m still here?

‘Oh, you’re awake?’ I jolted as the familiar gravelly voice echoed through the cave.

He’s still here!

Being followed by a soft playful voice. ‘See! I told you killing him wasn’t a big deal ~ ‘

Ugh…so is that bitch.

Now, now. Be nice dear ~ That’s the female lead, y’know?

She killed me!

With good intentions.

What the fuck!

I sighed, turning my head to the side to see Aoi-san enthusiastically waving at me with a bright smile that made her eyes light up.

My heart raced abnormally at the sight.

I’m supposed to hate her…ugh damn her female lead halo.

Arashi rolled his eyes before grabbing her raised arm and pulling it down. She furrowed her brows and pouted at him in response to which he glared at her making her look down.

My eyes widened as I noted that Aoi-san’s favorability had dropped to 1. My breath hitched before I whipped my head to see above me that…mine was the same.

My eyes darted between Aoi-san and Arashi as my mind raced.

What is this?! Why am I already at the same level as the female lead?! His female lead! The one who’s supposed to be destined for him!

Yeah…do something before the ending ~

Fuck. Even though I actually get why it’s like this now…

Eh? Nothing to get here ~

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

I nearly jumped back as I saw Arashi yank Aoi-san’s arm before flinging her toward me. She fell flat on the rough ground with a whimper. With shaky arms, she aggrievedly looked at me with tears in her eyes, making my heart ache. I extended my hand with a worried expression when I heard Arashi order. ‘Don’t.’

My hand paused halfway as I raised my eyebrows at him.

He warned. ‘Don’t fall for it. That woman’s nothing short of a siren. She’ll trick you, gain your affection and trust then stab you in the back when you least expect it.’

I glanced back at Aoi-san to see her lips purse before the corners of her mouth twitched. She narrowed her eyes and broke into a wide grin, scoffing as she straightened up. She ran a hand through her hair, tilting her head at Arashi. ‘It’s not my fault that they’re desperate half-wits.’

I gaped, blinking hard as I watched her proudly puff out her chest as she licked her lips at Arashi.

His usual indifferent expression broke into a disgusted scowl. Aoi-san broke into a fit of laughter, throwing her head back as she leaned back on her palms. ‘That’s why I like you Arashi. It’s always fun to watch the iceberg melt. Though makes me curious about your other expressions too ~’

Arashi turned his head away, looking into the fire instead. Aoi-san shrugged her shoulders before looking at me with a smirk sending a shiver down my spine.

The fuck…isn’t a female lead supposed to be different?!

Well…yes. That’s where the problem came from. A corrupted soul became the female lead…

Corrupted? Wait…what does that mean?

Figure it out ~

What the hell?!

I glanced back at her smiling, making my heart race however it was clearly not from attraction this time…but fear.

Why…does she not have the same effect on me now?

Because you know her real face…the illusion was broken.

Oh…

I pursed my lips as a question came to mind. ‘Arashi…san.’

He looked at me with an eyebrow raised. ‘Why…are you with her then?’

His forehead creased as he looked at her with a grimace. ‘Because…’

She interrupted him with a smirk. ‘Because I saved his life and took an interest in him. So I’ll follow him around as much as I want and there’s nothing he can do about it ~’

She really is a bitch.

Y’know…at this rate you’ll die again before you manage to figure out any clues…

What should I do then?

Ask him about his motive silly ~

Uh… yeah, sure.

I looked up and blurted out. ‘What are your motives?’

They both looked at me with a confused expression as I immediately smacked myself on the forehead after saying it.

‘Motives?’ Arashi narrowed his eyes as he asked. Aoi-san tilted her head, staring at me with an amused expression, leaning her face on her palm as she sat cross-legged.

‘Uh…I mean um…?’

Help me?!

Just ask what ending he desires dear ~

‘W-what ending…do you desire?’

Arashi looked at me in confusion as I avoided his questioning gaze.

Aoi-san chuckled before asking. ‘Does this have something to do with that transmigrating into a novel and having to reach the ending or you’ll die?’

I looked down and slightly nodded as I heard her laugh again.

Arashi sighed. ‘I can tell you…but I don’t think you’ll like it very much.’

I looked up at him, blinking with wide eyes as I stared at him.

‘You…can? Tell me, please. I beg you.’

He stared at me for a few seconds before nodding. ‘Very well…the ending I desire is…the destruction of this world.’

My stomach twisted at his words. For a moment, my mind went blank. The words echoed in my head.

Destruction... of this world?

A chill ran down my spine.

Was this... really what he wanted?

The weight of it pressed against my chest, almost making it hard to breathe.

He’s the protagonist—he’s supposed to be a hero, right?

I swallowed hard, my throat dry, and forced myself to meet Arashi’s gaze. There was no warmth there, no hesitation, just a cold, indifferent resolve.

Is he supposed to be the protagonist... or the villain?

'Of course, it’s the destruction of the world,' I muttered.

What the hell?! Is that supposed to be the ending of this damn novel?

Figure it out ~ Though he is the protagonist. However, there’s a lot of confidential messes here so you need to do what you think is right and hope for the best ~

My heart pounded as I clenched my trembling clammy hands.

What the fuck! But if I get it wrong and fail-

You’ll die ~

Motherfucker.

To be continued…