Darkness faded.
Tyler's eyes snapped open.
He was on the same couch, in the same living room. The sunlight outside the window hadn't changed much. His heart raced. His hands trembled. For a moment, he thought it had all been a dream.
But deep inside his mind, a voice spoke again.
> [You have successfully traveled three hours into the past.]
Tyler stood up slowly, glancing around. Everything looked untouched. No blood. No broken glass. No Dragon King.
He ran a hand through his hair, still trying to catch his breath. "I really… went back in time?"
> [Calm down. I have temporarily stabilized your mind.]
[You are now connected to the Arch Villain System.]
"…System," Tyler muttered. "What even are you?"
> [This world is much bigger than you think. There are gods, cultivator gods, Chosen Ones, and even other realms.]
[You have been selected as the one who will rule the multiverse.]
Tyler stared into the air, stunned. Rule the multiverse? Him?
He blinked a few times, then looked toward the liquor cabinet.
Walking over, he poured himself a drink. His hands were steady now.
"…Is there something beyond the multiverse?" he asked, half serious.
> [You do not have the authority to receive that answer.]
Tyler smiled slightly. "Of course."
He sipped his drink and leaned back on the couch.
"It's been three years," he said softly. "I was just 17 when that so-called Dragon King showed up asking for money. I refused and kicked him out. And now… he returns strong enough to kill me in my own house."
He narrowed his eyes.
"But now… I'll show them what happens when you mess with Tyler."
> [System Notice: Chosen One Hunter Package Unlocked.]
[You now have access to Reputation Points.]
"Reputation Points?" he asked.
> [You gain Reputation Points by doing things that shock others, impress them, or stir their emotions. These points can be exchanged for powers, items, and skills through the system store.]
Tyler nodded. "That won't help much for now. It's night, and there's no one around to see what I do."
> [Even so, survival is possible.]
Tyler finished his drink and stood up.
> [New Task Issued: Ruin the Chosen One's Destiny.]
[Reward: +10,000 Reputation Points]
"Chosen One's destiny?" Tyler repeated.
> [Every Chosen One has a unique fate. The more important their destiny, the more points you get by ruining it. This one's destiny… is weak. So the reward is low.]
Tyler smirked.
"Doesn't matter. I'll take everything from him anyway."
He walked toward the window and looked out into the city below.
This time, he wouldn't be caught off guard.
This time, he was the hunter
Alright! Here's Chapter 3 – Part 1 of your Arch Villain-inspired novel:
---
Chapter 3: Devil's Hour Begins
Tyler sat on his couch, the leather cool beneath him. A half-full glass of water trembled slightly in his hand. His mind was racing, but his face showed nothing. Just moments ago, he'd traveled three hours back in time. That alone would have broken most men. But not Tyler.
He had 2 hours and 30 minutes until the Dragon King came crashing through his gates with his fleet of cars, acting like he owned the place. Tyler knew how it ended—his own death.
But not this time.
This time, Tyler was ready.
"System," he whispered, glancing around his dimly lit living room. "Any combat abilities unlocked yet?"
> [Insufficient Reputation Points. Store is locked.]
"Figures." Tyler took a deep breath and stood up, fixing his black shirt and brushing nonexistent dust off his pants. "Well, guess it's time to make this personal."
Observing the Battlefield
Tyler walked slowly through the hallway of his mansion. Expensive vases, paintings, and shelves lined the walls—reminders of a life built on control and cunning.
"Front gates… weak. Living room… too open. Kitchen… useless in a fight," he muttered, noting every entry point. He even opened a side window and stuck his head out to get a sense of the view. "Could do something with this later. Maybe."
Then he reached the front door and stood there, silent.
The same door the Dragon King would walk through.
Or try to.
Back in his office, Tyler picked up his phone.
It was time to play chess while the other guy thought they were playing checkers.
He dialed a number.
"Yo, Richie," he said casually, "how's retirement?"
"Tyler? What the hell—It's 11 PM."
"Perfect time for business. You still owe me one, remember?"
"…Oh hell. What do you want?"
"I need you to move a few… legal ears to my neighborhood. Let's call it a public safety exercise."
"Tyler, are you doing something illegal again?"
"Me? Never. But someone else might."
"…Sending a unit. But you owe me a bottle of that ancient wine."
"Deal. Also, tell them to keep it dramatic. Lights, sirens, the works."
Richie groaned and hung up.
Tyler leaned back in his chair and smiled. "One call down, one more to go."
He opened a second app—one reserved for the kind of media that thrived on chaos. He typed in a tip anonymously:
> "Breaking: Armed thugs spotted moving in convoy near Eastville Heights. Mansion #9. Could be cartel. Or worse. Might be fireworks. Show up just in case."
He hit send and smirked. "Let's give them a show."
Tyler stood in the hallway again, glancing at the framed picture on the wall—his parents during simpler times. The smiles were real, the warmth in their eyes not fake.
People thought he was heartless, and he let them. It was easier that way. But he'd given his security team the day off not because he didn't care—but because they'd worked nonstop for months.
They hadn't even asked.
And now, they'd be safe from what was coming.
"Emotionless, huh?" he muttered. "Guess even devils got a little heart."
With everything in place, Tyler sat back on his couch with a glass of whiskey and checked the time.
Thirty minutes to go.
"System," he said, half-laughing. "This Destiny Ruining Quest—any updates?"
> [Quest Ongoing: "Ruin the Chosen One's Destiny" – Progress: 78%]
> [Estimated Completion Time: 25 minutes]
"Perfect," Tyler said, sipping. "Right on schedule"