I've Become the King of Villains in the Game

"Mr. Jack, may I ask what brings you to me so late in the evening?"

Noah had brewed two cups of coffee and handed one over, asking curiously.

"May I take a look at your... this mysterious object, Noah?"

Chen Lun took the coffee and without further fuss about the painting, pointed at the bone key around Noah's neck.

"Oh, of course."

Noah gladly consented, set down his coffee cup, and took off the key.

He held up the shimmering starlight black rope, handing over the bone key to Chen Lun.

"Thank you."

Chen Lun took a sip of his coffee, smiled faintly, and reached out to catch it.

His fingers gently touched the bone key.

At that moment, he distinctly felt it squirm and the surges of panic it transmitted.

[A-Level Mysterious Object—Bone Gallery]

Item Description: A powerful object infused with the strength of the flesh, appearing as a long key made of bone, covered in exquisite black patterns that shift unexpectedly.

It seems to originate from an archbishop of the Church, whose spirituality and characteristics have crafted this item.

Every mystery is a sin, and every sin is a masterpiece.

Item Effects: 1. Bloody Portrait. Can plunder the target's spirituality and characteristics, storing them within an oil painting. The effect of the supernatural power will be attenuated. Warning: plundering process takes time.

2. Solitary Trace. Can replicate the target's supernatural power, storing it in an oil painting. The effect of the supernatural power is weaker and time-limited. Warning: the replication process takes time.

3. Grand Exhibition. The more paintings in the gallery, the stronger the effect. A maximum of seven transcendent paintings allowed, no limit on ordinary spiritual paintings.

4. Yet unknown.

Item Cost: Each use consumes a great deal of physical strength, sanity, and creative inspiration. New paintings must be added periodically, and old ones exhibited. Warning: The paintings must be approved by the gallery.

'Truly a powerful mysterious object...!' Chen Lun mused silently.

Spirituality, as the most crucial part of a person, is the source of sanity and the cornerstone that sustains supernatural characteristics within the body.

The ability to capture spirituality represents an advanced supernatural technique.

'This is transformed from the remains of a saint of the Flesh Faction, embodying high sequence supernatural characteristics, likely corresponding to [Sequence Four—Sin Eater]…'

Chen Lun's face showed contemplation.

'The second effect of the [Bone Gallery] appears to offer some potential.'

Once the members of the Circus level up a bit more, perhaps Noah could replicate some of their abilities, or even some of Chen Lun's own capabilities, thus creating these "low-variant transcendent paintings (limited time offer)."'

In so doing, the Circus would have yet another signature product.

'I really am a great philanthropist!' Chen Lun reflected.

'I've pondered another means to help players.'

Immediately, he thought of something else and became puzzled.

In their past life, those players, when dominated by Noah, should have had their spirituality and characteristics captured by the [Bone Gallery], causing them to lose their supernatural powers for a time.

But why weren't they 'permanently sealed,' turning into ordinary humans?

If it's merely about game mechanics, this would indeed be reasonable, or else there would be no point for players to continue playing. But now, according to the information about the [Bone Gallery], this clearly contradicts.

Could it be because players possess resurrection abilities, and the rebirth of their physical bodies pulls back the spirituality and characteristics detained in the paintings? Or is it because what the [Bone Gallery] captures isn't the true spirituality and characteristics of the players?

Chen Lun couldn't figure it out, yet he stored this question in his heart.

"Noah, have you adapted to this mysterious object?"

He handed back the bone key to Noah, asking with a smile.

Noah nodded vigorously, his face filled with respect and joy.

"My mother once said that this year would be my lucky year, and that she would prepare a gift for me... But I never imagined the gift would be so precious."

He put the bone key back on and gently held it against his chest.

The latter gently squirmed in his hands like a white worm.

"It really likes art, is extremely critical of paintings, but I think it's a good friend. Although it is always picky about my works, it also points out my flaws, which has been immensely beneficial."

Chen Lun raised an eyebrow.

It seemed that Noah truly resonated with the [Bone Gallery], just as Floey did with the [Sun-avoiding Potted Plant]. Such a deep bond allowed for the maximum power of the mysterious objects.

Perhaps in the future, these two [A-Level Mysterious Objects] in their possession could develop stronger methods.

"Noah, I have a request."

Chen Lun set down his coffee cup, speaking sincerely.

Seeing this, Noah appeared surprised but soon responded:

"Mr. Jack, what is it?"

"I would like a painting from the [Bone Gallery]."

Chen Lun said.

"Oh, of course that's no problem."

Noah said, waving his hand, and the phantom of the gallery appeared before him, with six transcendent paintings arranged in a row.

"Mr. Jack, please feel free to choose."

"Thank you, Noah."

Chen Lun revealed a slight smile and exhaled deeply.

"I need Feray's portrait, 'The Unyielding'."

*

*

*

The next day.

After breakfast, Chen Lun stopped Floey as she was about to go upstairs.

She was a bit puzzled, but she came over and sat down on the sofa next to Chen Lun.

Then she raised her head and quietly "looked" at him.

"Floey, you can proceed with the devouring now."

Chen Lun took out the painting from the Blood Poem Ring and handed it to Floey.

Floey stretched out her hand and gently brushed across the mounted frame.

"Hmm!"

She nodded gently and then smiled.

Several black-purple vines sprouted from her pale palm, tightly wrapping around the painting in her arms. Then, a faint golden light escaped from the gaps in the vines but was soon completely obscured.

Floey slowly leaned back on the sofa, her head slightly tilted towards Chen Lun as if she had fallen asleep, her pale golden hair spreading out.

Chen Lun silently admired her beauty, then leaned back, sinking into the sofa like an old lord reclining comfortably.

'Floey probably needs some more time...'

He thought, opening the built-in gaming forum page on his panel.

'Good fellow...'

As soon as he clicked on it, the top pinned video was titled "Era of Mystery Pilot Episode."

The video cover was none other than Chen Lun himself.

Wearing a black top hat which covered his eyes, only the lower part of his slightly curled black hair and a smiling expression could be seen. Leaning forward in a black suit, his hands crossed, a silver staff casually resting beside his legs.

'Quite handsome, this fellow. Who is this?'

Chen Lun shook his head.

He glanced at the poster's name, unsurprisingly a familiar ID, Keying Su.

Chen Lun didn't rush to open the video but first roughly browsed through the other content of the forum, planning to understand the progress of these beta testers.

The thread had about a thousand pages, each with fifty posts, roughly about fifty to sixty thousand posts in total.

These posts were still increasing, and the popularity was gradually rising.

Chen Lun clicked on the popularity sort and could roughly make out some clues from the titles of the posts.

He found that the majority of the players' starting points were within the Tresor Empire. Only a few players were assigned to the three major subsidiary kingdoms and surrounding small countries.

Among them, posts about supernatural clues were very few, adding up to less than one page.

Among these lucky ones, only two had successfully entered the Mystic Realm and advanced to become Transcendents.

One of them had the ID "Gan Ziwen," a member of one of the Three Major Guilds, "Lost Names."

The other's ID was "Honey Fool," a member of the guild "Chuxi."

'So these two people became Transcendents during the beta test...'

Chen Lun was somewhat surprised.

He had some impressions of these two, Gan Ziwen being one of his regular customers who often patronized his bundle deals, generous in spending and also very powerful.

Honey Fool was the meritorious person who led the "Wild Daisy" guild to prosperity.

The Three Major Guilds were well-known: the "Hall of Valor" where the Horseman was present, "God's Love" where Doghead Gold and Forget No Taboo were members, and "Lost Names" where Gan Ziwen belonged.

In the previous life, these were big teams that Chen Lun had to look up to and dared not offend lightly.

And "Chuxi," this guild, belonged to a tier below the three major guilds but was still considered top-notch. According to Chen Lun's knowledge, they only recruited female players and had a subordinate guild named "Wild Daisy."

It was said that "Wild Daisy" was established by Honey Fool with the mission to assist newbie players. Many later prominent players received help in their early gaming days, which gave both guilds a pretty good reputation.

Chen Lun was somewhat amazed that both Gan Ziwen and Honey Fool's birthplaces were in the same region, Fossil City. Their initial big cities where they first stepped foot into were Lime Ash City and Yellow Iron City, respectively, not too far from his location in Amber City.

'What a coincidence. It seems it's going to be lively after the public test...'

Chen Lun thought to himself.

Among the tens of thousands of beta testers, only two achieving Transcendent status in just two weeks was extremely lucky. Of course, these two players must have extraordinary qualities to stand out.

'I'll think of a way to make contact later, let these two guys also join my "Elite Plan"...'

He mused and softly clicked on the pinned video—

Era of Mystery Pilot Episode, Episode One.

It began to play.