Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Returning to the Past
Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Villain
Kale jolted awake, his chest heaving as if he'd been drowning and had just broken through to the surface. His breaths came fast and shallow, each gasp clawing for air. His eyes darted around wildly, taking in the dim, cramped room—his one-bedroom apartment. The same dingy place he had lived in for years.
But something was different.
His pulse hammered in his ears, and his thoughts churned with fragments of memory. Blood. Screams. A searing pain tearing through his chest. And then… nothing.
"No, it can't be." Kale sat up suddenly, his muscles trembling. The last thing he remembered was death—his own death.
A chill ran down his spine as he looked at his surroundings: the stained couch in the corner, the cracked screen of his ancient laptop, and the faint glow of streetlights filtering through his dirty window. This was his apartment, alright, but this wasn't right. He wasn't supposed to be here.
He reached out to touch the coffee table, his hand brushing against the half-eaten cup of instant noodles he'd left there. The noodles had gone stiff. How long had it been?
"What the hell is going on?" Kale muttered. His voice sounded foreign to him—shaky, uncertain.
And then it hit him.
The apocalypse.
His memories came crashing down like a tidal wave. He'd been there, right in the middle of it, clawing for survival as the world burned around him. Cities had been overrun with zombies and twisted monsters. The weak were hunted, slaughtered like cattle. The strong had ruled, taking what they wanted without mercy.
And Kale? Kale had been one of the weak.
A nobody.
His fists clenched as he remembered how it had ended. Betrayed by those he'd called allies. Cut down and discarded like trash. He could still feel the phantom pain of the blade that had run him through.
But now…
"This is before," he whispered, his voice trembling with equal parts disbelief and dawning realization. "I'm back."
Before he could process the implications, a sharp chime rang in his ears, startling him.
Ding!
Welcome to the Villain System.
A translucent blue screen flickered into existence before him, hovering in the air. Kale froze, his mind spinning. Villain System? The words glowed faintly, almost mocking him.
"What the hell is this?" he muttered.
Before he could question it further, more text appeared on the screen.
Villain System Activated!
Your first mission: Dominate the apocalypse and become the ultimate villain.
Kale stared at the screen, unblinking. His lips twitched into a faint, incredulous smile. "The ultimate villain? Really?"
But the system wasn't done.
Rewards: Villain Points, System Store Access, Talent Enhancements.
Method: Crush the protagonist, seize opportunities, and rise to power.
The words hit him like a thunderbolt. Kale leaned back, a low, humorless chuckle escaping his lips. "Crush the protagonist?"
For a moment, the absurdity of it all nearly made him laugh outright. But as the system's cold, mechanical voice continued, the pieces began to fall into place.
In his past life, Kale had been nothing more than a footnote in someone else's story—a disposable extra crushed under the weight of the so-called 'protagonist.' Asher.
Asher.
The name sent a wave of bitter rage coursing through Kale's veins. The golden boy. The hero. The one who always had luck on his side. In Kale's past life, Asher had risen to power as the world descended into chaos, amassing strength, allies, and unimaginable treasures. He'd become a symbol of hope for the remnants of humanity.
And Kale? Kale had been just another stepping stone on Asher's path to glory.
But now?
Kale's hands tightened into fists, his nails digging into his palms.
"Not this time," he growled. His voice was low, filled with a venom that surprised even him. "This time, I'll take everything from you, Asher. Everything."
A sharp ding interrupted his thoughts.
Ding!
New Mission: Survive the first wave of the apocalypse.
Reward: 100 Villain Points.
Kale's eyes narrowed. "Survive the first wave?" he muttered. He leaned back, his mind racing. Surviving the first wave of the apocalypse wasn't just a goal—it was the bare minimum.
The clock was ticking. He could feel it in his bones. The world had three days left before it all went to hell. Three days before the skies would darken, the earth would quake, and the undead would rise.
But this time, Kale wouldn't be caught off guard. This time, he was ready.
He stood up, his movements sharp and deliberate. His eyes scanned the room, taking stock of what little he had. A battered katana replica hung on the wall, its edge dull and useless. He grabbed it anyway, feeling its weight in his hands.
"This will have to do for now," he muttered.
His gaze shifted to the calendar on the wall. It was an old, tacky thing with cartoon cats on it, but it confirmed what he already suspected. This was exactly three days before the end.
A grin spread across his face—a sharp, predatory grin that bore no resemblance to the defeated man he'd once been.
"72 hours," he whispered. "That's all the time I need."
In his past life, he'd been weak. Unprepared. He'd been blindsided by the apocalypse, forced to scramble for scraps while others—like Asher—seized the opportunities.
But now? Now he had a system. Now he had knowledge. Now he had a plan.
The world may not have fallen yet, but Kale could already see it—the fires consuming the cities, the screams of the dying, and the chaos that would engulf everything.
And this time, when the apocalypse hit?
He would rise.
Kale glanced at the sword in his hand, its dull blade catching the faint light from the window. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. He made a mental checklist of what he needed: food, water, weapons, and most importantly, information.
The system was his greatest weapon, but he needed to understand it.
"System," Kale said, testing the waters, "what are Villain Points?"
Ding!
Villain Points can be used to purchase items from the System Store, unlock talents, and enhance abilities.
A cold smile spread across Kale's face. This was no ordinary second chance. This wasn't just survival. This was a game—and Kale intended to win.
He couldn't help but chuckle as he pictured Asher's face. The protagonist had always been the hero, the one with the divine blessings and the undying luck. But now? Now he was nothing more than a target.
"Let's see how far your luck gets you when I'm the one pulling the strings," Kale muttered, his voice laced with malice.
He turned back to the window, staring out at the city skyline. The apocalypse was coming, and with it, endless opportunities. This time, Kale wouldn't just survive.
This time, he would dominate.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
soloreader96
soloreader96 "Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your support means so much to me as I start this journey!"
{+multi children/wife+lifescript+luck plunder+protagnist hunting will take little time to show up}
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone