Struggling as a Villain

While Richard was contemplating the matter, suddenly another screen appeared before his eyes,

[As for the advantages of the system:

1.) Weekly tasks and bonus items.

2.) System Administration

3.) Optional Task Assigner]

....

This felt like the System was adding points to its charm to woo Richard. Regardless, he read the content before opting for the first option,

[1.) Weekly tasks and bonus items: Based on the performance of the task performed, the host would be granted some bonus items or rewards, in addition to the mission reward. These items/rewards can vary and have a close relation with the difficulty of the mission.]

It didn't take him long to understand the content before he went for the second,

[2.) System Administrator: To a certain degree, the System will assist the Host in every conceivable manner. Moreover, the System will provide support in tracking the favorability of individuals who could potentially become threats to the Host's life.]

Richard raised his brows reading that. It almost felt like it was an Otome game or something with that favorability feature there.

However, considering that he might need to gain a good impression of the main cast to ensure his survival in this world, this feature would be quite helpful.

'Let's see this now....' Focusing on the [›], Richard began to read the last advantage of the System.

And this one greatly shocked him.

[Optional Task Assigner: The Host may choose any wish they desire to be fulfilled, and the System will provide tasks to achieve it. However, once a task is assigned, no additional tasks will be given until the current task is completed. The tasks may vary in difficulty and frequency.]

Richard went through that description twice and thrice, before asking, "If I feed the goal of becoming the demon king of this world...will the System help me do it?"

[Undoubtedly, Host.]

"Fuck..." Richard swore under his breath as he leaned his back against the wall behind him and heaved a long sigh.

This...was something that could ensure his safety in this world and turn him invincible so no one would decide his fate for him.

Being powerless and at the mercy of others in his past life, Richard no longer desired such a life where he would have to think of how he could survive another day.

He wanted to become strong.

But—

"System, is it possible for you to assign me a task so I can protect my sister?"

As he said those words, the face of a little girl clinging to him while sobbing pitifully, came into his vision and Richard felt his heart throbbing painfully in his chest.

This stinging sensation made him realise that there might be no better use of this feature of the System if he just—

[Yes, Host, it is.]

—well, that settles it, then.

"System, integrate with me."

[Command recieved.]

[Initiating process...]

[Combining resources....]

[....]

[Congratulations, Host!]

[You have successfully gained the most reliable System to ever exist.]

Richard dryly chuckled, "Well, we will see about it."

********

After he was done with the discussion with the System, Richard tried to think of how he should proceed with this new body.

His mother—Duchess Scarlette is a very perceptive woman who loves her son more than anything. Richard never has seen his father before nor heard anything from his mother.

'A mistake?' Richard was forced to think if the Duchess mistakenly slept with someone and had to conceive the baby.

'Nope...if it had been the case then she wouldn't have spoiled me this much.' The reason why Richard survived halfway through the story was because of his background.

Duchess Scarlette always overlooked Richard's mistakes and misdeeds and always supported him, directly or from the shadows. And taking advantage of her love for him, Richard did everything that led him to his demise.

But not anymore. He has to change things.

Although Richard couldn't stop behaving like a spoilt brat, considering this world contains regressors, he can somehow influence the aftereffects of his actions.

But for now, his main concern was this meeting with Emily.

This particular event would decide various things.

"Young master!" Suddenly the brown-haired maid who first appeared before him after he woke up in this body, emerged out of his room.

Her small round face was coated with a thin layer of sweat and her caramel shade eyes trembled in nervousness.

"You are loud." Richard's face twisted in slight annoyance, and although he was pretending to be rude, it felt quite natural.

The maid immediately sobered up before she straightened her posture and bowed in regret, "I apologise for the unsightly display....I-I was worried about the young master."

"I heard you. Now leave." Richard didn't wait to hear her response before he walked inside his room.

Inside, on his bed, the woman with long crimson hair still slept like she had attained her life goal and now was enjoying her reward.

And the most disturbing part was that the pillow was now between her legs....ugh.

'Seriously...how much obsessed is she with Richar-me?' Richard couldn't help but wonder.

He decided to take a bath for now since he wanted to calm his mind before his mother woke up.

He has to make sure that she doesn't suspect him or this would turn nasty in no time.

Duchess Scarlette was one of the very few ladies who retained her position as a nobility solely based on her achievements. She, not only graduated from the Academy as the top student but has also served in the army.

Gaining so much experience in a variety of fields makes her one hell of a broken character—and someone who would be quite useful for him in the future.

'Let's see...' Trying to follow his memory, the few bits he could remember, Richard touched the magic stone which was fixed in the place of a faucet.

But nothing happened.

I need to feed it my magic—Richard discerned.

Those who can use magic can utilise magic stones to use these facilities like to produce water, light or heat. And those who couldn't use magic, still rely on traditional means.

Naturally, since Richard was awakened, he was provided with these facilities.

'Haah...now how can I use my etherflow?' The magical force that energizes one's magic is known as etherflow. Ether originates from one's core—and no, that core isn't the heart.

One's core forms at varying locations of the body and through a network of channels—called etherflow—they travel throughout the body of a magician.

The network decides the strength of the core and how much magic one's body can utilise.

A more widespread etherflow would enable greater ether generation, allowing an individual to recharge their magic for high-ranking spells or more frequent spellcasting.

The type of magic Richard uses is known as Blood Magic, but this doesn't mean he is a hemomancer. Instead, he has inherited a unique set of magical abilities from his mother; skills that only members of the Scarlette family possess.

But Richard can worry about it later. For now, he has to manipulate this supernatural phenomenon called Ether.

"Should I meditate?' Getting into the lotus position while sitting in the middle of the bathroom, partly naked, he closed his eyes and tried to think deeply about the energy flowing inside his body.

....but it didn't work. His senses weren't adapted to this body and for a normal human being, listening to even their blood flow was nigh impossible.

He would have tried to do something more...but suddenly the door of the bathroom swung open, and simultaneously Richard sprang to his feet.

It was his instincts, honed in his previous life where death could strike without warning...

However, currently, his source of caution was not a zombie but a sobbing mother who, with her eyes closed and hands raised, advanced towards Richard.

"Oh, my baaaaaaby...."

"Wait, mother! I am-guh." His plea was unheard as Richard was met by an unfamiliar warmth.

Seriously, he has to do something with this son-con lady.

*******

A/N:- Huehue~