Chapter 2 ….
“Don’t say something so ridiculous!”
A quest? For Asili Ort — a powerless supporting character?
In The Price of Sacrifice, most of the main characters each possessed powers befitting their roles. The protagonist, Frederick, and Cordelia were aura users, fitting their identities as swordsmen. The villain, Adrian, was a mage who wielded magic.
But Asili…
“Did she even have anything…?”
In the novel, there wasn’t a single line that mentioned Asili possessing magic.
The main setting of The Price of Sacrifice, the Freuten Empire, was a place where every citizen supposedly had at least some kind of power. So she must have had something, no matter how little…
But Asili’s body was in no condition to lead a side story. The proof was how just getting momentarily angry at this absurd system left her short of breath.
“A side story with a body like this…!”
Eventually, my frustration exploded and I started throwing punches into the air.
I knew that whatever existed behind the system would probably find the scene amusing—but I had to do something to vent my frustration.
I complained and resisted against the system multiple times. It didn’t take long for exhaustion to set in, and I fell asleep.
When I opened my eyes, it was close to 1 o’clock. Less than an hour remained before the quest started.
“I can’t believe I actually fell asleep like this… This body, Asili Ort’s body, is seriously the worst….”
I grabbed my head in disbelief, then forced myself to calm down and think about the quest.
Even if it was a side story, it would still involve the main characters. There was no way they’d need the pathetic abilities of Asili Ort.
That meant there had to be something only Asili Ort could do.
But what on earth could that possibly be?
This utterly useless supporting character was the kind of person who was a blessing if she didn’t become a burden.
Tick-tock—
The sound of the clock in the room suddenly felt louder and more irritating.
When I checked the time again, there were only five minutes left until the quest began. I clenched my fists in nervousness, and at that moment, a window appeared.
[Intruder Alert!
An intruder who may harm you has appeared within the mansion.]
As soon as I read the system message, the lights in the room went out with a whoosh.
Startled, I tried to get up, but I heard a rustling sound right beside me. Slowly turning my head, I saw a masked man standing right next to me.
I tried to scream, but I was so shocked that no sound came out.
Wait a second. I don’t have any weapons or power—what am I supposed to do when an intruder suddenly shows up in front of me?!
I opened my mouth to scream with all my might—but before I could, the masked man clamped a large hand firmly over my mouth.
Then he put a finger to his lips.
Instead of struggling, I glanced back at the system window that appeared again.
[A Main Quest has arrived.]
Right now? Are you insane? Look at the situation!
The system, completely indifferent to my circumstances, began calmly forming words from the top line.
[Main Quest Triggered! <Kidnapped by the Villain.>]
You crazy system!
**[Main Quest: <Kidnapped by the Villain>
The basic law of romantic fantasy! Someone among the characters must be kidnapped!
And the lucky protagonist this time… is you!
Survive the kidnapping and stay alive.
(See Details)
Reward for Success: The Future
Penalty for Failure: Death]**
The absurdity of the system made my brain go numb.
Kidnapped? And I could die? By a villain, no less…
The main villain of the novel, Adrian, was already dead. The rebel forces who followed him were also wiped out.
The protagonists had completely annihilated them, and their heads were displayed on the castle walls — everyone except their leader, Adrian.
They hadn’t been able to recover Adrian’s head, but two people confirmed he had definitely burned to death. He had committed suicide right in front of Frederick, and they had even shown part of his charred corpse afterward.
So the villain in front of me must be another villain — a new one for the side story.
But I didn’t know anything about the side story. I wasn’t even sure if one existed. Honestly, I’d finished the novel out of sheer loyalty…
If this was a new villain, my chances of survival were basically zero.
At this point, they might as well have just told me to die…
Frustration bubbled up. How much more did the author want to torment the readers by introducing another villain?
Grinding through a side story this harshly—was that even fair?
Alongside my indignation, a stubborn determination rose up.
I was going to survive. There was no way I was going to die pointlessly in this wretched story.
Romance fantasy “laws”? Who cared about those.
I glared up at the villain who was covering my mouth. He seemed to be communicating with someone, murmuring softly and signaling as if through a communication device.
I twisted my body with all my strength, trying to pry his hand off.
Then the man leaned down and whispered:
“Please stay still. You’ll get hurt.”
His voice carried genuine concern — not exactly what I expected from a villain.
Don’t act like you care.
I glared at him, then started pinching and hitting his arm. But he didn’t budge.
In fact, my palm hurt more from hitting his ridiculously muscular arm.
He gave me a slightly pitying look, then turned his attention back to his communication.
I continued to resist for a while, but unsurprisingly, I was the one who got exhausted first.
Damn this weak body.
As I started panting, the man glanced at me. Our eyes met.
And then—suddenly, my eyes started to sting.
What the… Why am I tearing up?
It startled me. Sure, the situation was scary, but not to the point of tears.
My vision blurred, and tears started streaming down my cheeks.
I wasn’t the only one surprised—his eyes widened too.
“Are you hurt…?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
His unexpectedly worried tone only made my tears flow harder.
Whatever. Let’s just cry my way out of this.
I decided to go all in and started bawling, nodding my head vigorously.
The man seemed to hesitate for a moment, then muttered something—and suddenly, my mouth was sealed shut. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t open it.
I looked up at him with wide eyes, and he kindly explained:
“It’s a silence spell. It won’t harm you.”
“…!”
“I’m sorry. I have to kidnap you. If you stay still, I promise I won’t hurt you any further.”
His polite tone and gentle voice were so strangely familiar that a ridiculous thought crossed my mind:
Why… does this kidnapper smell so much like my favorite character?
When I didn’t resist further, he seemed to take it as agreement and whispered:
“I won’t hurt you.”
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness and moonlight spilled through the window, I finally saw his eyes clearly — a cool, icy blue.
That’s… the same eye color as Adrian’s…
I stared at them, entranced, memories of my favorite character — who had died — flooding back. At that moment, the system window started blinking violently, as if demanding my attention.
When the man briefly turned his head away, I quickly checked it.
The previously black “See Details” text had turned red.
Is it telling me to press it?
I didn’t have time to hesitate. I had to try something.
Pretending to stumble forward, I pressed the red text.
“What the…?”
The man looked puzzled but caught me swiftly as I “fell,” asking if I was okay.
I ignored him, focusing on the system window.
Thankfully, I’d pressed it correctly—ding!—and the details updated.
**[The former villain of the main story, the rebel leader ‘Adrian,’ is alive.
Some of the rebel forces remain, and Adrian is destined to kidnap you.
You are an excellent hostage in their eyes.
Survive this fate and make it out alive.]**
After reading everything, I looked at the man — no, the kidnapper — no, wait.
The rebel leader.
No.
My favorite character, Adrian.
How had I not realized sooner? Those large, slightly double-lidded blue eyes were unmistakable. And that oddly polite tone — too refined for a villain.
My favorite character, whom I thought was dead, was standing right in front of me, alive.
Seeing Adrian safe and sound, a single tear rolled down my cheek again.
Memories of all his suffering in the main story flooded back.
I knew his circumstances better than anyone. And suddenly, my mind was filled with one thought: I want to help him. I have to help him.
BEEP—BEEP—
At that moment, the emergency alarm installed in the mansion started ringing. Someone must have discovered the intruder.
Adrian focused for a moment, then met my gaze. Reaching out his hand, he said:
“I’m sorry, but I must kidnap you now.”
“….”
“Please sleep for a little while. It won’t hurt.”
Before he even finished speaking, my eyelids grew unbearably heavy. It was probably his magic.
Moments ago, I’d been terrified. But now that I knew the kidnapper was Adrian…
Why… does this actually feel kind of nice…?
Haha. Same tho. Enjoy your new nap.