Nemesis. Start on the End.

Gillia had always been someone who trusted easily, perhaps too easily. Her heart was open, her intentions sincere, but the pain of betrayal hit her harder than she had ever anticipated. She'd let her guard down for David, believed in him, and allowed herself to believe that he was someone she could trust. But when she realized how he had used her, how her villa and her class had been part of his plan, the hurt cut deep.

It wasn't that she couldn't forgive, but trust once broken was never something she could rebuild easily. And for her, the betrayal stung in a way that made her resolve to never trust anyone again. That was the lesson she had learned from her past: give your trust to no one lightly.

But with David, things were different. As much as she wanted to be angry with him, to cut him off completely, she couldn't fully maintain the walls she had built. She had to admit, in some small part of herself, that the anger wasn't permanent. It was more of a game she played—giving him the cold shoulder, making him feel the weight of what he had done. But deep down, she knew it was already off her chest. She wasn't angry anymore; she just needed him to learn the lesson.

David needed to understand that trust wasn't something that could be casually taken, and it wasn't something that could just be assumed. He had to prove that he was worthy of her trust—not just because of the bond they shared, or because of their unique class combination, but because he had to show her that he truly cared about her as more than a pawn in his grand plan.

But for now, she played the part of the angry woman. She kept her distance, ignored his attempts at reconciliation, and let him stew in the consequences of his actions. She had learned from her past: she couldn't trust anyone a second time unless they truly proved themselves.

David, for all his strength and cunning, needed to learn patience. He needed to learn that he couldn't just take without giving something back in return. Trust, once broken, couldn't simply be repaired by a few kind words or gestures. He had to earn it. And for Gillia, that meant allowing him to wait. To feel the emptiness of her coldness and understand the consequences of his choices.

---

As the days passed, the tension between them remained, but it wasn't as suffocating as it had been at first. Gillia had made her point, and while she wasn't going to make it easy for David, she also wasn't going to hold onto her anger forever. It wasn't in her nature. But it was his turn to show her that he had learned something from this.

Elisa, too, had noticed the shift in the air. She could see the way David and Gillia interacted, or rather, the way they didn't. Elisa didn't know the specifics of what had happened between them, but she could sense that something important was unfolding. She had her own quiet feelings for David, feelings she wouldn't voice, not now. It wasn't the right time, and perhaps it never would be. But she couldn't ignore the way he held his family close, the way he had protected them during the chaos of the disaster. She respected that, even if she couldn't share those emotions openly.

Akaylla, ever the optimist, saw the situation with different eyes. She knew her son's faults, his flaws, but she also knew that he was capable of great things. She wasn't blind to the fact that Gillia was hurt, but she trusted that David would find a way to repair the rift between them, even if it took time.

As for Elena, David's younger sister, she was becoming more aware of the emotional undercurrents at play. She hadn't missed the way Gillia avoided David, the way they barely spoke, but she didn't ask questions. Instead, she threw herself into learning more about the game mechanics, hoping that understanding the world they were now part of would give her some control over the uncertainty surrounding them.

But for now, life went on in the villa, a fragile harmony amidst the rising chaos outside. The tension between David and Gillia simmered beneath the surface, but it wasn't yet resolved. The world outside was burning, but within the walls of the villa, they were building something new—a fragile trust, a new family dynamic, and the hope that they could all survive the coming storm.

David knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to fight for it. Even if Gillia's trust was a long way off, he was ready to do whatever it took to prove that he was worth it.

For now, all he could do was wait—and learn.

After some time batteries been finally full and they can play VR.

David's VR helmet clicked into place, and the familiar world of the game enveloped him once again. This was his stage. The carefully laid plan was now in motion, and he couldn't afford any mistakes.

After a few days of silence in his room, David crawled from the crypt, moving swiftly and quietly to ensure no one saw him. The village was bustling with players, and the air was filled with murmurs as some of them gathered near the village entrance.

He raised his voice, stepping into their line of sight. "Heroes! It is I, Revsha, the hunter," David announced, his voice filled with feigned urgency. "I have just returned from the crypt, and I have discovered something far darker than we could have imagined."

Some players froze, recognizing the name of the NPC they had trained under. Others, more skeptical, raised their brows.

"I've been on patrol in the crypt for several days," David continued, his tone grave. "There is an ancient evil lurking beneath this village, something dark enough to destroy everything we've built. I need your help, heroes."

The players began whispering among themselves, uncertainty clouding their faces. Some players were whispering that this was a quest, while others remained skeptical, questioning the sudden appearance of the NPC.

"Wait, how can he be back? We haven't seen him for days," one player questioned, looking at the others.

"Isn't he the one who trained us for hunting? The hunter NPC, Revsha?" another player said, trying to make sense of it all.

David remained silent, his face a mask of indifference. He didn't flinch or acknowledge their doubts. His role was clear: he was simply an NPC, repeating the same information until they accepted it.

One player spoke up, "I don't know, this feels off... Why would Revsha be back all of a sudden, claiming something is wrong under the village? I've been playing this game long enough to know when a quest is being triggered."

The murmurs grew louder. Some players seemed uncertain, while others were eager for an adventure. Finally, one voice broke through the confusion.

"This is it. This has to be a main quest," said one veteran player, eyes lighting up. "Revsha's here now to give us the final task. The main quest for sure. He wouldn't show up now unless it's time to deal with the crypt."

David, seeing the tide shift in his favor, repeated his words with unwavering consistency. "Heroes, I need your help. The darkness beneath the village is far stronger than you can imagine. You must come with me."

The group started to move, but a few players still hesitated, their doubts lingering.

"How can he know so much about this? Where's the proof?" one player asked, skeptical about trusting the NPC.

David's eyes remained calm, his face unchanging. "I have seen the evil beneath. It is strong, and I have fought it. But there is one problem: if it dies, it will resurrect unless we strike it down with the proper weapon. The weapon I carry... it is the only one that can prevent its resurrection."

As expected, some players jumped in, eager for the quest. But there was still some resistance.

"You're telling us that if we don't strike it right, it'll come back? How can we trust you?" a player demanded.

David didn't answer. He simply stood there, repeating the same words, his tone unyielding. "I have seen the evil beneath. It is strong. I cannot do this alone. I need your help, heroes."

The doubts started to fade as some players exchanged looks, one finally muttering, "This must be part of the main quest. It's a story guest. That's the only way this would make sense."

Another player nodded. "Yeah, it fits. If Revsha says we need to help, then this is the next part of the story. We're in."

David kept silent, his expression frozen, letting the players talk among themselves. He wasn't here to convince them; he just needed them to accept the quest. Once they did, his plan would unfold perfectly.

Finally, after a few more moments, the players rallied together. "We'll go," one of the players declared. "We'll help you, Revsha. Show us the way."

David nodded solemnly. "Follow me, heroes. The evil beneath the village must be eradicated. Together, we can stop it."

He turned and began leading them toward the crypt, the dungeon entrance looming in the distance. The players followed, ready to face whatever lay beneath, thinking they were on a heroic quest. They had no idea they were walking into David's trap.

As they entered the dungeon, the sound of clashing weapons and spellcasting echoed through the crypt. David watched them fight with skill, but he remained silent, observing from the sidelines. The dungeon boss loomed in the distance, waiting for its moment.

And when the boss finally fell, the players stood victorious, their cheers echoing in the crypt. But David was already moving into position, his weapon raised.

"I must strike the final blow," he declared, stepping forward. "My weapon will stop it from resurrecting."

The players hesitated but then nodded. "Do it, Revsha."

With a final, mighty swing, David dealt the last blow to the boss, as planned. The dark energy dissipated, and the dungeon's curse was broken.

The players cheered, their victory hard-earned. But David smiled quietly, knowing that the glory of the victory would belong to him. They would think of him as the heroic NPC who had led them to victory, while he, in reality, was the one who had orchestrated everything from the shadows. The fame, the recognition, and the power were his for the taking.

And as the players celebrated, David's mind turned toward his next steps, knowing that this victory had secured his place at the top of the hierarchy, both in-game and out.

Revsha walks into the chief's quarters, a dark, quiet room where the village leader waits. No players are in sight. This is a moment for Revsha to solidify his next step, and the chief knows it.

The village chief looks up as Revsha enters, his face unreadable, but there's a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Ah, Revsha," the chief says, voice low but respectful. "You've proven yourself once again. I thought you were just an NPC at first, but now... Now you stand before me as the true hero of the Goddess Aurora. You've done what others couldn't, and now you want something more. But I can't help but wonder... Why did you train others? And why make fools of them in the process?"

Revsha stands before him, not flinching at the chief's words. He has expected this. The chief sees through his act, but the respect is undeniable.

Revsha responds slowly, his voice steady but carrying the weight of his actions. "The world is a game, Chief. Heroes and NPCs—they're just roles. If you want power, you need to play those roles to their fullest. I trained them because they needed guidance. And in return, they followed me blindly. It wasn't about making them fools... It was about giving them purpose. And in turn, I shaped my own path."

The chief narrows his eyes, clearly still processing the implications of Revsha's answer. "You used them to climb the ladder of your own ambition," he says quietly, almost as if musing. "It seems... manipulative. Yet here you stand, alive and with the power to wield the future. It's clever, yes, but not without consequence."

Revsha meets his gaze unwaveringly. "Nothing worthwhile is without consequence, Chief. I've learned that much. But those who cannot see the greater picture—those who remain blind to what's truly important—will always stay stuck where they are. I want to rise above that."

The chief sighs, leaning back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You're a dangerous one, Revsha. You've used others to get where you are. And now, you want to be the one who controls the story." He gives Revsha a knowing look. "You're playing the system like it's your own game."

Revsha remains silent, his expression neutral, but inwardly, he knows the chief is right. That's exactly what he's doing.

The chief finally nods, the weight of the conversation settling. "I can't stop you. I don't think anyone can at this point. You've manipulated the system, used the players, and turned everything to your advantage. So, I'll give you this quest. But you must understand—it comes with responsibility."

Revsha's eyes flicker. He knows what's coming, but he needs this quest.

The chief's voice drops to a serious tone. "Go to the Eastern City and inform Lord Eamon about the dungeon beneath the village. It's a bigger threat than we've realized. We need the lord's resources if we're going to survive this. And if you're as clever as you think, you'll use this opportunity to continue climbing. Just remember this: you've earned my respect, but you've also earned a target on your back. Everyone's watching now."

Revsha nods, his mind already racing with the possibilities. "Understood, Chief. I'll do what's necessary."

The chief watches him with a mixture of wariness and admiration. "I'm sure you will. But remember, you've walked a dangerous path to get here. Don't let it consume you."

Revsha bows slightly, his face betraying nothing. "I won't, Chief. I will do what needs to be done." And with that, he turns, leaving the chief's quarters.

---

Outside, Revsha reflects on the chief's words.

He's manipulated the system, used others, and now, he's playing the long game. The chief may respect him, but Revsha knows that trust is fleeting. It doesn't matter. He's made his way to the top, and now the next step is to secure his position.

As he heads to find his sister, Gillia, and prepare for the journey to the Eastern City, he knows that everything is unfolding as planned. His manipulation, his calculated moves—they're all part of his quest for power. The quest isn't just about defeating the dungeon or gaining favor. It's about using every piece on the board to move forward. And for Revsha, this is just the beginning