Pain.
That was the first thing he felt.
Not the dull ache of a tired body, but a crushing agony that seemed to tear apart his soul.
"..."
Lucien slowly opened his eyes.
Above him stretched a ceiling carved from black crystal, engraved with countless golden runes that shimmered like stars in the night sky. A faint fragrance of sandalwood filled the room, while spiritual energy flowed through the air so densely that every breath felt invigorating.
"Where... am I?"
Before he could gather his thoughts, a torrent of memories exploded inside his mind.
Lucien Draven Noctis.
Crown Prince of the Noctis Eternal Empire.
Heir to the strongest imperial dynasty in the Eternal Heaven Realm.
A peerless genius born with the Primordial Void Bloodline.
And...
The greatest villain of this era.
"...What?"
Lucien sat upright, his heartbeat quickening.
He remembered his previous life on Earth—a normal young man who spent countless nights reading cultivation novels. One rainy evening, while walking home, a speeding truck swerved out of control...
Darkness.
And now...
He had awakened in the body of a fictional villain.
He walked to a towering mirror.
Staring back at him was a young man of unmatched beauty. Long black hair cascaded down his back like silk. Crimson-gold eyes glowed with a regal arrogance, and every movement carried the dignity of someone born to rule.
Even by the standards of immortals...
He was flawless.
Then another memory surfaced.
Three years from now, a destined hero named Lin Tian would rise from a forgotten village, gather heaven-defying opportunities, win the hearts of countless heroines...
And eventually cut off Lucien's head before the entire world.
"So..."
Lucien smiled.
"I became the final boss."
Most people would panic.
Lucien laughed.
"I've always wondered what it would be like to be the villain."
Just then—
Ding!
A mechanical voice echoed within his mind.
[Villain Investment System Activated.]
Lucien's smile froze.
"...A system?"
Golden light unfolded before his eyes.
Villain Investment System
Host: Lucien Draven Noctis
Identity: Crown Prince of the Noctis Eternal Empire
Physique: Primordial Void Bloodline (Sealed)
Cultivation: Peak Spirit Gathering Realm
Villain Value: 0
Main Functions
• Invest resources.
• Receive rewards between 10× and 100×.
• Detect Heroes.
• Observe Destiny.
• Hunt Heaven's Chosen.
Starter Gift Available.
"Claim."
The panel disappeared.
The next instant—
A terrifying stream of energy erupted within Lucien's body.
His meridians expanded.
His spiritual sea roared.
Ancient chains wrapped around his bloodline shattered one after another.
Boom!
The palace trembled.
An overwhelming aura surged into the sky.
Congratulations!
Obtained: Perfect Control of the Primordial Void Bloodline.
Obtained: Void Emperor Sword.
Obtained: Divine Eyes of Destiny.
Obtained: 100,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones.
Obtained: One Legendary Investment Token.
Lucien slowly exhaled.
"I've just become... much stronger."
His crimson-gold eyes flashed.
The world suddenly changed.
Every object around him became wrapped in faint streams of colored light.
"So these are Destiny Auras..."
A servant outside the palace glowed with pale white light.
Ordinary destiny.
A royal guard carried green light.
Talented.
Nothing special.
Then—
Far beyond the palace walls...
A pillar of blazing golden light shot into the heavens.
It was so brilliant that even the clouds seemed to bow before it.
Lucien narrowed his eyes.
The system's voice rang again.
[Warning.]
A Heaven's Chosen has entered the Imperial Capital.
Name: Lin Tian
Hero Destiny: SSS
Heaven's Favor: Maximum
Current Luck Value: 100,000
Future Achievement: Heavenly Emperor
A smile slowly spread across Lucien's face.
"So..."
"The protagonist has already arrived."
His gaze turned cold.
"In every story, the hero enters the capital dreaming of changing the world."
He stood before the palace window, overlooking the endless imperial city.
Millions lived beneath his rule.
Yet somewhere among them walked the man destined to kill him.
Lucien chuckled.
"Unfortunately for you..."
"I've already read this story."
His fingers gently tapped the hilt of the Void Emperor Sword.
"This time..."
"The villain knows the plot."
Outside, thunder echoed across the heavens.
Far away, an ordinary-looking young man entered the Imperial Capital with nothing but a worn sword on his back and unwavering determination in his eyes.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But from this moment onward...
The battle for destiny had begun.
End of Chapter 1