[You regain your sanity just in time to realize the danger looming over you. Downstairs in the hotel, a furious voice echoed—Luke, screaming and smashing things as he stormed toward you. After more than two and a half hours of struggle, he had finally arrived.]
[The sound of his furious steps grew louder. Somehow, despite the late hour, no one tried to stop him. He headed straight for the supreme suite at the top floor where you were staying.]
Grayson's eyes sharpened as he absorbed the simulation's unfolding events.
Something was wrong—terribly wrong.
[You noticed immediately that none of the hotel staff intervened. Even more shocking, the protector secretly assigned to you by the Grierson family—a formidable Saint-level expert—did not respond to your calls for help.]
[In preparation for your stay in Demonic City, the Grierson family had arranged a seventh-level Saint protector to safeguard your life. With such a guardian, you should have been nearly untouchable in the city.]
[And yet now, in your moment of peril, he was missing.]
A cold chill slithered down Grayson's spine.
[Two possibilities: Either something terrible had happened to the protector, or he had been lured away deliberately.]
[Someone was setting a trap.]
[Luke, the supposed "protagonist of destiny," was just a pawn.]
[The true mastermind aimed not merely to humiliate you—but to kill you.]
[Even Anya's sudden appearance earlier, seemingly random and coincidental, was no accident. She had been used as bait to awaken your hidden potential—the Supreme Emperor Bone—thus exposing you as a target.]
Grayson gritted his teeth, fury and wariness mixing in equal parts.
If not for the simulation, he would have walked blindly into death tonight.
[You sensed Luke's aura surging just beyond the wall—a terrifying fourth-level magical power condensed around him.]
[Under normal circumstances, you would not fear him, especially after awakening the Supreme Emperor Bone.]
[However, the mastermind behind Luke—whoever had manipulated the Saint protector—was the true threat.]
[Without hesitation, you made the smartest choice available: escape.]
Grayson couldn't help but laugh coldly at himself.
Even with newfound power, charging into a trap would be suicidal.
[Before fleeing, you slapped the unconscious Anya lightly across the cheek, waking her up with a confused murmur.]
[Then, activating your "Greased Lightning" talent, you bolted—leaping off the rooftop like a shadow in the night.]
[Sliding along rain-slicked rooftops and blending into the darkness, you vanished without a trace.]
[Luke, arriving seconds too late, screamed in rage: "Grayson, you dare touch my woman! I swear I'll kill you!"]
[You ignored his impotent threats, vanishing into the labyrinth of the city.]
[Still, a chilling sense of dread clung to your soul. Trusting your instincts, you slipped into a murky pool and submerged yourself.]
[The Supreme Emperor Bone resonated within you, masking your aura completely.]
[The haunting chill finally faded away.]
Grayson read the next lines carefully, frowning.
[At that moment, headlights pierced the darkness—a black Maybach pulling into view.]
[Relief flooded you as you recognized the vehicle. It was your driver—Lu Zhong—the loyal protector assigned by the Grierson family.]
Grayson exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
Maybe the protector had simply been delayed.
Maybe there was still hope.
[You emerged cautiously, dripping wet, and climbed into the backseat.]
[Just as you opened your mouth to ask where he had been—]
[A sudden, overwhelming chill engulfed the car.]
Grayson's heart seized.
[The "driver's" head twisted two and a half times in an unnatural, bone-snapping motion.]
[Blood trickled from all seven of his orifices.]
[In a grotesque, slurred voice, he grinned at you and rasped: "Found you."]
[Before you could react, a black, clawed hand burst from the shadows—piercing clean through your chest.]
[Agony tore through your body.]
[The monstrous hand gripped your spine—and with a wet, cracking sound, ripped out your Supreme Emperor Bone.]
Grayson stiffened, gripping the arms of his seat tightly.
The next few lines stabbed into his soul like icy needles.
[Your vision blurred. You glimpsed your own blood splattered across the car interior.]
[Then, a powerful twist snapped your neck like a twig.]
[The last thing you heard before descending into eternal darkness was the horrifying sound of your own flesh being devoured.]
[You are dead. The simulation ends.]
A heavy silence filled Grayson's mind.
The scarlet simulation screen flickered in front of him, bathing the interior of the Maybach in ominous crimson light.
[Final settlement initiated. Please choose three of the following rewards:]
The third level of the Ancient Dragon Elephant Sutra
Awakened Taboo Constitution: Supreme Emperor Bone
Fixed innate talent: Greased Lightning (formerly "Oil on the soles of your feet")
A green hat (Luke)
Partial Destiny Blessing from Anya (lasts three days)
Grayson's jaw tightened.
His fists clenched until the knuckles turned white.
A death trap.
If the simulation was accurate, tonight was supposed to be his grave.
"The mastermind is cunning beyond belief," he muttered under his breath. "They used illusion and manipulation to make me lower my guard."
They had replaced his driver—or perhaps killed him—and sent a monster to ambush him.
If Grayson hadn't triggered the Villain Simulator in time, he would have walked straight into death without even knowing why.
Anya. Luke. Even the earlier conflict at the capital... everything had been orchestrated.
The pieces were falling into place.
Half a month ago, during that minor scuffle at a high-end club in the Imperial Capital, Grayson had fought with a notorious playboy—Garret of the Gu family.
Garret had goaded him deliberately, drawing Grayson into an impulsive act of violence.
In the end, Grayson had shot him twice—in the head and the groin—earning himself exile to Demonic City under the Grierson family's arrangements.
At the time, it had all seemed like an unfortunate but minor political fallout.
Now, however...
Grayson's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"It was all part of the setup," he realized.
"Garret... the Gu family... they're involved."
The Gu family—one of the Empire's oldest and most powerful noble clans—possessed Heavenly-level experts and even a rumored True Immortal among their ancestors.
Who else could dare plot against a Grierson?
If the Supreme Emperor Bone's existence was discovered, even True Immortals would crave it.
They could not let him live.
"And so," Grayson muttered, his voice cold, "they lured me away from the protections of the capital... and tried to butcher me quietly here."
But they had underestimated one thing.
Grayson was no fool.
His mind had been sharpened on the battlefields of Blue Star, and now, with the Villain Simulator, he could see through their tricks.
[Meanwhile, in reality...]
He glanced toward the front seat.
Shawn , the real Shawn, sat behind the wheel, focused and alert.
Grayson studied him carefully—watching for any unnatural signs.
Nothing.
He allowed himself a small breath of relief.
Shawn was still loyal.
Still alive.
Still ready to protect him.
"The fact they needed to lure away my bodyguard means they fear direct confrontation," Grayson deduced grimly.
"If I play my cards carefully, there's still a chance to turn the tables."
A dark, ruthless glint entered his eyes.
This was no longer simply survival.
It was war.
Grayson's gaze returned to the flashing scarlet choices on the simulation screen.
Without hesitation, he made his decision:
"I choose the first, second, and third rewards."
The third level of the Ancient Dragon Elephant Sutra — the foundation for terrifying future strength.
The Supreme Emperor Bone — the core of his monstrous potential.
The innate talent, Greased Lightning — ensuring survival until he could grow powerful enough to crush his enemies.
The die was cast.
The hunt had begun.
And Grayson would make sure he was the predator... not the prey.
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