A Villain's Will to Survive - Chapter 1: Prologue

All it takes is one monster for the world to go to ruins.Life as Nadine knows it goes to shit and she has to accustom herself to life underground, that is until an accident forces her out into the real world.Caine has no idea why he saved Nadine.She is everything he hates- rich, spoiled and entitled- and yet, he couldn't just let her die.Living outside is hard enough without having to save someone else and yet, he does it with Nadine.Thrust into a world that she has no idea how to navigate, Nadine is forced to rely on Caine.Her life is literally in his hands.They soon realize that maybe the monsters are the least of their worries.

At the Edge of the Void…A soft blue light hums, pulsing with energy, its robotic voice ringing with purpose.> “Do you accept me, System 0404, the Harem-Building System?”A young man in his twenties, eyes shining with excitement, eagerly responds:> “YES!”The blue light flares—The universe shifts—The binding process begins—DING!> [System Successfully Bound to…]…Daphne Han???????***System: “If you’re going to RUIN the harem-building mission, I’m not helping you!”Daphne: “Okay, I’ll just win without you.”System: “…Wait, what?”***World one:Male Lead: “Why are my offers disappearing?!”Daphne: “Oh? Maybe you just weren’t talented enough.”System: “YOU CAN’T JUST DELETE THE PROTAGONIST!”Actress #1: “Wait, I actually love acting, not this forced romance subplot?”Actress #2: “Oh wow, working under Daphne is way better than chasing ML’s validation.”Male Lead: “WHERE DID MY HAREM GO?!”System: “DON'T RUIN THE PLOT!”Villainess: “What do you want in return for everything?”Daphne: “You.”System: “NOOOO, SHE’S SUPPOSED TO BE HIS FINAL LOVE INTEREST!”World two:Emperor: “You were supposed to compete for my favor!”Daphne: “Nah. I’m the one with favor now.”Heroine: “Can I join your court instead?”System: “THAT'S NOT HOW HAREM DRAMAS WORK!”***CEO: “I was supposed to be her fate!”Demon Lord: “SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO REDEEM ME!”Imperial Prince: “What do you MEAN she’s not interested in me anymore?!”System: “THIS IS NOT HOW THESE STORIES WORK.”

This is an extremely difficult game, if you don’t have enough skills, don’t even think about going out!

- Description from Novelupdates

The Reticent Blade is, first and foremost, a wuxia novel, meaning that the world and its character’s powers and abilities are more grounded. Instead of cultivators who can soar through the heavens and shatter planets, you will find martial artists who can still perform superhuman feats but not so fantastical as to tear through space or achieve immortality.The world of The Reticent Blade is one of medieval China, loosely based upon the time period of the Ming Dynasty. It is a time of chaos and strife, where war and death are rampant. We follow the intertwining story of several protagonists and antagonists as they navigate the chaotic times, unraveling the threads that connect the past, the present, and the future of the world.The Reticent Blade is a story of heroism, love, revenge, and cruelty.The Reticent Blade is a story of both the righteousness and vileness of the jianghu.