I've Become the King of Villains in the Game

The lush grasslands spread under a thick canopy of trees.

Through the gaps between the branches, one could even spot a distant small village and a few tall windmills, slowly rotating in the sunlight.

A gentle breeze blew, dispersing some of the stifling heat.

A small merchant caravan was making its way along a country trail.

About a dozen horses of various colors, grouped in threes, pulled three wagons, surrounded by a dozen leather-armored guards for protection along the way.

All three wagons were of the same specification, with smaller front wheels and larger rear wheels.

The front and rear wooden planks of the wagons, including the tops of the boxes, were loaded with well-packaged goods, securely fastened with tarpaulins and net ropes.

The exterior of the carriage was painted with the image of a silver dragon head, the emblem of the "Silver Dragon Trade Association."

Leading the caravan at the front was a middle-aged bald man on horseback, accompanied by a young rider.

The youth sported a comical yellow mushroom haircut.

At that moment, the young man looked back at the last wagon, pondering something.

"Jett, what's the matter?"

The bald man asked softly upon noticing.

"Ah… Mr. Walsh, it's nothing, but I just find it odd. Why would a nun from the Red Apple Church be attacked by wild beasts out here in the wilderness?"

"Perhaps it was an unfortunate encounter on the way to that apple orchard…

I heard that the Red Apple Church has an orchard outside the town, and the fruits they pick are distributed to the town's poor."

Bald Walsh shook his head in pity.

"Oh, the poor nun… She was so young too."

He then brought his fingers together at his brow, and afterwards raised his fist towards the sky with a backhand gesture.

"May the Constellation bless her."

This was the prayer gesture of the Constellation Sect.

Jett, standing by, couldn't help but scoff inwardly.

How could the deities of the Constellation ever bless a nun from another church? Were the Luminous Queen and Lady Rose very familiar with each other?

But he dared not voice these blasphemous thoughts.

Jett kept his gaze fixed on the last wagon.

He always found the two people who sought the caravan's help mid-journey suspicious, but since Mr. Walsh had agreed to let them ride, he couldn't say much else.

The curtain of that wagon was pulled back.

A black-haired young man popped his head out, giving him a bright, innocent smile.

Taken aback, Jett returned an awkward smile, then turned away and looked no further.

Chen Lun displayed a playful gaze, leaning against the window edge as he fiddled with the seashell necklace on his chest.

"Had it not been for this, catching a free ride would have been impossible…"

After escaping from prison, he had no clue about his bearings.

In the wilderness, he didn't know how far the nearest town was.

Rather than staggering around like a headless fly, it was better to find someone to lead the way.

Fortunately, having encountered this caravan, he used the "Mermaid's Song" to "persuade" the caravan steward, catching a ride.

Although the wooden carriage, clad in iron, was constantly jolting, it was better than walking on foot.

Even though Chen Lun was a Transcendent, he was not known for his Endurance, and he also had to take care of the frail Floey by his side.

This not only saved him energy but also gave him brief moments to think and space for reflection.

Gazing at the beautiful scenery outside, Chen Lun's slightly restless heart gradually calmed down.

"There's no lead on Floey's third-level task for now. The primary goal is to find a place to rest up first.

Let's head into town, Floey and I are too conspicuous right now…"

A wounded nun and a ragged young man certainly looked suspicious.

Then, Chen Lun took out the loot he got from killing a priest.

A small red Ghost-face badge.

[D-level Mysterious Objects Surging Badge]

Item description: A badge infused with the power of flesh, wearing it grants surging strength and vitality.

The ghost face on it seems lively, showing a ferocious smile when you're not staring directly at it.

It seems to have been left by a church priest, containing mysterious substances and transcendent properties from his death.

"Eat, eat more, you are the hungry Butcher, you are the incarnation of Strength…"

Item effect: After wearing, Strength +2, Endurance +2.

Item drawback: More prone to hunger, increased appetite.

Chen Lun casually pinned it to his chest, a [Mysterious Object] that added 4 attribute points; the side effects weren't too severe, not bad.

"I'll just use it for now, and when the players arrive later, I can sell it at a high price… to help them.

I'm really kind!"

Too righteous!

Chen Lun wiped away the tears he shed from his own sense of righteousness.

Although this was just a low-level [Mysterious Object], if it was called a divine artifact in the early version, then it was a divine artifact.

Because such items are rare.

Chen Lun stretched out his hand to caress the breeze coming through the window, squinting his eyes.

Before crossing over, that tiny elite at the top of the pyramid was beyond his reach.

He hadn't even made it into the first tier, but that didn't diminish his influence among the players.

Roaming the world alone, he embarked on a solitary journey.

Exploring countless hidden side quests within this vast world and the stories behind them.

Experiencing customs starkly different from reality, he recorded and posted them on the game's built-in forum for players to relish.

The players affectionately called Chen Lun "Mysterious Crawler."

Wherever he crawled, he wrote, seemingly privy to every little secret.

Of course, he needed to make a living.

Chen Lun frequently compiled some of the more intense side quest narratives and bizarre stories into volumes.

Accompanied by screenshots of landscapes he collected along his travels, they sold incredibly well.

For his regular customers, he also produced some cherished scenic screenshots...

Just how exceptional were they? Well, he had visited every somewhat notable female character.

The proper kind, of course.

How could players' screenshots be called sneaking shots?

I'm just checking if they are clipping!

Chen Lun turned to look at Floey beside him.

Her eyes were currently wrapped simply with a strip of burlap, her body leaning against a pile of leather and wool fabrics, deep in sleep.

Despite the substantial bumps of the carriage ride, Floey showed no signs of waking up.

Her nun's coif was removed, revealing light golden long hair that made her resemble a delicate porcelain doll.

"I'll take it one step at a time; I still have plenty of options."

Chen Lun muttered to himself.

"Not only to change her destiny... but also for the third ring of the hidden quest.

The reward is too generous; I can't get stronger without it, and if I can't get stronger, I can't help the players, which would leave me crying with guilt."

Just then, Chen Lun suddenly noticed that the caravan had slowly stopped.

Noisy human voices gradually came from outside.

"Stop! Halt!"

"Who's in charge of this merchant caravan?"

At that moment, a commanding shout came from outside the coach, followed by heavy footsteps.

Chen Lun didn't peek out curiously but silently lowered the curtain, observing through a crack in secret.

He hadn't noticed they had already arrived at the bridge checkpoint leading to the town.

The caravan steward Walsh dismounted his horse and approached a burly officer clad in chainmail armor.

"That would be me."

Walsh presented his identification along with the trade association's pass, handing them to the burly officer.

"I am one of the stewards of the 'Silver Dragon Trade Association,' you can call me Walsh... What happened in Emerald Town?"

Walsh noticed that the number of guards at the checkpoint far exceeded the norm, arousing his suspicion.

The burly officer glanced at the documents briefly before handing them back to Walsh.

"Nothing much, just that a priest from the Red Apple Church in Sturton mentioned there is a highly dangerous murderer lurking nearby.

We have to inspect your caravan's carts."

"Sir, that is not in accordance with the rules."

Walsh objected.

The burly officer shrugged his shoulders, stepping aside to make way.

"Sorry, I trust there's no issue with your caravan, but these are the orders of the Red Apple Church...

According to the 'Sun Codex,' they have the authority to do so."

As the burly officer spoke, a fat man in a deep red robe led the church's guards toward the front of the caravan.

A tall armored guard even held two large dogs draped in red cloth.

The purpose of hiding the rotting hounds was probably to avoid causing panic among the common folk.

Although the Red Apple Church wasn't afraid, the priest from Sturton didn't want to stir up unnecessary trouble.

"Make way!"

Several guards in Red Apple Church leather coats brandishing swords ordered, causing the caravan guards to step aside.

Watching the church guards inspect his caravan's three carts and cargo, assistant Jett was not only indignant, but rather expectantly anticipating.

He was looking forward to the scene of these guards dragging that young man out of the cart.

"Perhaps some yokel from the fields abducted a church nun, even blinding her eyes, then desecrated her..."

Jett indulged in his fantasy, vaguely excited.

As for the deadly murderer the Red Apple Church mentioned, Jett hadn't considered that angle.

It hardly seemed likely for that young man.

Soon, a church guard came to the front of the last cart.

Under Jett's anticipative gaze, the guard lifted his dagger, parting the curtain.

Inside the cart, a church nun and a young man dressed in tattered burlap, resembling a beggar, lay there.

The young man was looking at him, a politely smiling face.

"Hello."