Is this really a Game?! - Chapter 1078: The Elite Trials Await: The Gauntlet

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

Luca, killed by the Demon God, woke up to find himself back on the day the “Eternal Game” launched.At this time, the game has just started, and Earth hasn't turned into a monster's paradise; everything is back to the beginning.Determined not to let the tragedies of his previous life repeat, Luca, armed with ten years of gaming experience, re-enters the world of Eternal, only to awaken the unique SSS-level talent!Starting with maxed charm!As he enters the game, pondering how to enhance his strength.A cold voice suddenly calls out: “Adventurer, wait a moment...”

Born crippled with a rare disease, abandoned by his indifferent father, and hated to the core by his half-siblings, Xylen’s life was nothing but a tragedy.His mother died searching for a cure, and the only person who ever cared for him was cruelly taken away.Betrayed. Schemed against. Left with no way out.Lured into playing Fallen Realm Online with the promise of earning money for treatment, he fought desperately, doing nothing but living in the game and failing over and over again—only to be killed by his half-siblings right before completing a crucial quest. His reward stolen. His last hope shattered.With nothing left to lose, he ended his own life in the real world… only to wake up on the day the game was released.Armed with future knowledge, Xylen vows to seize this second chance. He will become stronger. He will protect the only person who ever mattered. And he will make those who wronged him pay.But fate had other plans.Instead of a normal start, he is forced into a demon fief as a baron—with an uncle who wants him dead. If he fails to kill his uncle and defend his land, his character will die, and he will be permanently banned. Worse, he is given a race despised by both NPCs and players—and given a class that should not exist.A mystery, fearsome, and despised character to the world. Feared by gods and demons alike. A walking catastrophe in the making.Yet, the more he learns about his new power, the more he realizes…This is no curse. This is his greatest weapon.And when the world finally learns the truth about Fallen Realm Online?Xylenia will be the name that shakes reality itself.

I don’t need companions. I don’t do party play. But… the game forces party play?