I've Become the King of Villains in the Game

"You like eating so much, I'll let you eat to your heart's content!"

Fork crouched in front of Neil, pinching his face.

Neil's nose was bruised and battered, his eyes half-shut in a haze, blood streaming from the corner of his mouth.

Fork lifted a fish head and stuffed the bloodied, mangled end into Neil's mouth. As Neil desperately struggled, it was forcibly wedged in his mouth, bulging, with a large part still hanging outside.

Murky fish blood, mingled with Neil's own, flowed endlessly.

Slap!

"Damn bastard, if you dare steal from me again, I'll chop off both your hands!"

Fork slapped Neil again.

Standing up, he left with the other servants.

Neil, unable to spit out the fish head, groaned in pain, his body convulsing.

Chen Lun once more stole a glance into this guy's mind.

He couldn't help but feel speechless.

In the evening, Neil experienced two consecutive "epiphanies," mistakenly believing his fortuitous encounter stemmed from that bite of fish. Adding to this, the old butler Rolf had never even seen the so-called deep-sea fish, making Neil more convinced of his theory.

So, wanting to grow stronger, he sneaked into the kitchen under the cover of night to try and steal a bit of fish, hoping to attain enough strength soon.

Fortunately, the fish truly wasn't popular among the Dutte family offspring. Most of it was still left in the pot, and Neil gobbled down a few bites.

But, unfortunately, Young Master Fork got a bit hungry late at night and asked a maid to fetch some food, only to stumble upon Neil's act, leading to the subsequent beating incident.

'Should I say he has strong willpower, or just call him a fool...'

Chen Lun watched Neil's pitiful state and couldn't help but sigh.

Half an hour passed.

Neil finally regained a bit of strength, laboriously crawling up, taking over ten minutes to stagger back to his own residence—a shabby single-room near the cesspool with just a straw mat on the ground and a few wooden boxes.

He collapsed on the bed, gasping for breath.

His clothes stained red with blood, yet he no longer had the energy to clean himself.

But this time, Neil didn't cry. He merely stared blankly, face full of despair.

"Not the fish... not..."

His voice was like the wind passing through the dilapidated room, faint and powerless.

The "epiphanies" he had in the evening had given Neil hope.

And now, that hope seemed to vanish like an illusory bubble shadow.

Suddenly.

A voice faintly echoed by his ear.

"Nerlucius..."

Neil shuddered abruptly, the drowsiness that weighed on his eyelids dissipated, he turned to look around, only to find darkness and silence, the moonlight streaming in through the wooden window, with the empty, narrow room having only him inside.

"An illusion?"

Neil rubbed his face, letting out a long breath.

Just as he planned to go to sleep, he heard the voice once more.

"Nerlucius..."

This time, he heard it very clearly. It was a deep, magnetic male voice, not ringing by his ear but appearing in his mind!

"Who?!"

Neil sat up abruptly.

In his panic and excitement, he pulled at his wound, gasping in pain.

"Who I am isn't important. What's important is that I can change your destiny, give you strength to take revenge on those you hate, and reclaim everything that belongs to you..."

Neil didn't respond.

He couldn't distinguish whether this voice was real or just a figment of his imagination.

After a while.

He tentatively said:

"Why... why would you help me?"

"This is a transaction."

The voice sounded again.

"I give you strength, you do things for me."

"Transaction? Strength?"

Neil murmured, and his expression changed as if realizing something.

"Are you a de... a demon?!"

"..."

Chen Lun was at a loss for words.

He learned through Neil's thoughts that in this era, where divine authority is supreme, the term "demon" frequently appeared in various religious texts.

For instance, missionaries from the Redemption Church often used "demon" to describe God's adversaries. Of course, it's just a general term, with many specific subdivisions... such as "alien demon," which actually refers to Transcendents of heretical religions.

But regardless of which kind, in the public's understanding, demons are evil, despicable beings that confuse and manipulate people.

People naturally loathe and fear "demons."

'Seems like this kid mistook me for a "demon," but it doesn't matter, as long as the goal is achieved...'

Chen Lun thought.

"Hehe, a demon? Call me whatever you like, but I only offer you this one opportunity. Will you agree to make a deal with me? If you refuse, then I'll leave, and you'll remain in this prison, tormented by your enemies... believe me, this world is full of others who are hateful yet crave strength."

Suddenly, Neil became a bit anxious.

He was about to agree, to grasp this lifeline when he was at his wits' end, but his last bit of sanity cautiously asked:

"How... how will you help me? And what do you want me to do?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Neil was astonished to see his wounds healing at a visible speed, the pain fading, vitality and health returning.

"This is a welcome gift."

The deep and magnetic male voice chuckled softly.

"As for how I'll help you, believe you've already experienced it... of course, this isn't all, I can let you master even more power, even become a force that the Redemption Church fears."

"What?!"

Neil was utterly shocked.

"So, in the evening, did you, did you help me suddenly comprehend those sword techniques?"

He only heard the voice lightly chuckle.

Internally, he was already convinced of this assumption.

At the same time, Neil recalled what this mysterious entity said, and he couldn't help but tremble with excitement, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness.

More power!

Becoming an existence even the Redemption Church fears?!

This...

This is simply too incredible!

"You don't have to worry about what to do; it won't cost you your life. Besides, what is your life worth anyway?"

The male voice said indifferently, and Neil even detected a hint of coldness.

He took a deep breath.

Indeed...

What is my life worth?

Neil smiled bitterly, mocking himself.

But his heart became resolute.

This has always been the opportunity he dreamed of!

"I agree, I am willing to make a deal with you!"

As he spoke, Neil bit his finger, letting blood flow out.

He raised his finger high, full of reverence.

But after a while, nothing happened.

Neil couldn't help looking puzzled.

"Sir... are you still there?"

"I don't require any so-called contract, young man."

Chen Lun resisted the urge to comment, speaking slowly.

Neil was overjoyed.

In his perception, demons always demanded strict contracts, even requiring humans to offer their souls.

But this mysterious and powerful existence did not require it!

"How should I address you, sir?"

Neil asked with gratitude, trembling.

"You can call me—'Serpent'."