The Villainess is a Marionette - Chapter 16

Rokuhara Souta picked up a phone with a mysterious “Friendship System” installed. On that phone, he met an online friend with the nickname “Tokisaki Kurumi.”This online friend was a total roleplay enthusiast—her portrayal of Kurumi was so convincing it was almost eerie.Finding it amusing, Souta humored this hardcore chūnibyō (delusional teenager) and casually chatted with her.Since it was all fake anyway, he spoke without restraint, often throwing out flirtatious remarks just for fun.Until one day, he received an invitation from Tokisaki Kurumi to meet in person.And then… he transmigrated!In a filthy, bloodstained alley, dismembered human limbs lay strewn in the corners, the pungent stench of blood stinging his nose.Standing before Souta was Tokisaki Kurumi, fresh from a kill, smiling sweetly as she gazed at him…(Tentatively planned heroines include Kurumi, Oshino Shinobu, Military Princess(Re:Creator), Kamado Nezuko, Ereshkigal, Leticia… and more.)

In the residence of the Duke of Zhenguo, the legitimate young miss, known for her icy demeanor, had transformed overnight.She, who usually regarded no one, woke up to confront anyone she saw with a few harsh words, using her frail body to intimidate so much that no one dared to touch her.Afterwards, this legitimate young miss began taking on retainers, nurturing powerful officials, engaging in commerce, and recruiting troops… Every act so shocking and audacious, it defied the norms and provoked fear in all who spoke of her!Yan Wanqing was seen as an enchantress and a disaster by the people, a thorn in the flesh and a nail in the eye that the ministers wanted desperately removed, an entity everyone shunned as if she were a venomous snake.Only the Crown Prince Mingyue, descending from the divine altar, in the dark, godless alleys, grasped her neck and repeatedly asked her, “Will you marry me or not?”

Song Zhong’s parents were the geniuses of the sect. But they were apparently killed while on a mission when he was barely 6. As he apparently did not excel in any of the 5 elements, in fact, all 5 elements are in balance in his body. Thus, our fatty is deemed to be trash and does not deserve the respect his parents had.

He is allowed to have one task, to collect garbage of the sect until he reaches the initial test-age where he has to prove that he is worthy to stay in the sect.

Our fatty has no choice but to cultivate the only heritage his parents gave him. A mysterious black pearl.

Unfortunately for him, this pearl seems to be only useful for… collecting garbage…

- Description from Novelupdates

Plot Summary: This novel combines the popular “villainess” genre with the contemporary concept of VTubing, where the protagonist, a typical villainess character, becomes a VTuber—an online persona using a digital avatar. As she navigates her dual life, her influence extends beyond the virtual world, leading to increasingly violent and chaotic consequences in reality. The story delves into the psychological impact of living a double life and explores themes of power, manipulation, and the dark side of internet fame.Why Read It: The novel offers a fresh and thrilling take on the villainess trope by incorporating modern digital culture elements. It’s particularly appealing to readers who enjoy stories that explore the darker aspects of fame and influence, with a unique blend of fantasy and real-world issues. The narrative's intense and sometimes graphic nature sets it apart from more conventional stories in the genre, making it a compelling read for those looking for something different.