Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System-Chapter 6: The Gift Box and the Shadow of Fate

The Gift Box and the Shadow of Fate

Footsteps still echoing where Veena had gone, the air near Julian hadn’t quite calmed before someone else closed in fast.

A tall figure moved forward without delay - Shera, lead among protectors. Respect showed in his face, spine aligned like a drawn line. Two hands held something precious: a container made of redwood, shaped with care. Light danced across its smooth finish. A soft aroma, earthy and warm, began to rise.

With slow hands, he lowered the box onto the table - like it held a sleeping bird. Then silence settled around the room.

"Young Master Julian," Shera said solemnly, lowering his head slightly. "This is a gift from Madam. She asked you to bring it to Patriarch De Dominicis."

Okay. He said it plainly, a small nod following as if settling into silence.

Patriarch De Dominicis - that phrase brought back his mother’s voice without warning. One of Valemont’s four leading families carried that name. On top sat D’Aurelius, unchallenged. Right behind came De Dominicis, steady and watchful. Next in line: Valquin, holding its ground. Last stood Aurevale, quieter but never absent.

Families D’Aurelius and De Dominicis stayed tightly linked, year after year. From early years on, young Julian found in Patriarch De Dominicis a steady presence - open-hearted, quick to offer advice, generous with approval.

Last Tuesday, the elderly gentleman collapsed without warning. A stroke hit him out of nowhere.

Lying still. Not awake. Breathing faint, like a whisper behind glass.

That instant the idea appeared -

"Damn it," Julian muttered under his breath, his pupils tightening. "Isn’t this the plot from Chapter Fifty-Nine?"

Something cold moved along his back.

Out of nowhere, news hit that Patriarch De Dominicis couldn’t move a single muscle after his stroke struck hard. Doctors from Valemont were tracked down one by one - some came from places far past Valcenza - all pulled in by the family’s relentless reach.

And then -

He would appear.

Into the story walks Evan, main character of this uplifting tale, carrying wild healing powers that seem almost too much to believe. Healing Patriarch De Dominicis? For him, it’s like tying a shoe - simple, routine. The moment arrives without fanfare, yet everything shifts.

Of all the times Evan acted full of himself, this stood out clear. A moment people still talk about when he got way too fancy for comfort.

Right there in front of the crowd, he’d heal the old man completely. That act would shatter the arrogance of those titled experts. The De Dominicis family would owe him forever. From that moment on, his grip on Valemont began to take shape.

Julian’s lips twitched.

"Damn... am I going to get beaten up again?"

Downward spun his mind. Could it really be that he was just a tool for every big story around him?

Finding stillness took effort, yet he breathed deep to clear his mind. A slow pause helped him face what came next.

Right now, based on how things were first planned, he’d be gone.

This moment carried weight - the person about to be crushed was someone else entirely.

A figure claimed to be a top physician arrived early, stumbled badly, then stood aside just as Evan appeared - calm, certain, different. His presence shifted everything without effort.

Down went the so-called master.

The shadow ruler stood tall after silence broke. A cold presence filled the air next, slow but certain. Stone cracked beneath his first step forward.

A familiar frame takes shape. Shame slips into place, quiet but sure.

A sigh slipped out before Julian even knew why. Only then did it hit him - his chest felt lighter.

If nobody stepped on him, it stayed under control.

What if skipping this story path entirely just isn’t an option?

He didn’t dare.

Once before, he tried it out.

Fleeing the story by force brought no escape - just a wall with no way around. It ended there, stuck without motion.

The Tyrant System Enforced Its Rules Without Mercy

Fighting just to stay alive might be harder than you think.

You could adapt.

Yet the story always caught up with you in the end.

Relief flickered across Julian’s face, then tension, then something sharper - calculation. Shera kept her eyes on him the whole time. Out of nowhere, his voice broke the quiet, edged with worry.

"Young Master Julian... are you alright?"

His eyes flickered open. A slow breath came out. He moved his head side to side. "No problem here."

"That’s good." Shera visibly relaxed, then smiled faintly, as if eager to be praised. "Young Master, I know you’re still upset about what happened today. Don’t worry - I’ve already sent people to deal with that Evan kid."

"...???"

Frozen wide, Julian’s eyes flew awake.

His voice dropped dangerously low. "Who did you send people to deal with?"

"That little bodyguard," Shera replied proudly, chest lifting. "Didn’t you say he was a master? I specifically called over thirty people to make sure he pays the price this time."

Julian inhaled sharply.

Good heavens.

What if I make it all the way through - would that scare you?

Fingers bent, one by one, knuckles tightening as nails pressed deep into skin. Teeth clenched tight, voice pushing through, every syllable sharp, deliberate, rushed

"Call them back. Immediately. Don’t touch him."

Huh?" Shera stood still - just for a beat - before bobbing her head fast. "Alright."

A sharp ring cut through the silence when he grabbed his phone fast, typing quick. Then came that look - tight forehead, puzzled yet doing what was needed.

Just after a moment, his gaze lifted. They’ve returned

Fog lifted from Julian’s chest, breath spilling out slow. His shoulders dropped, weight sliding away like sand.

Good," he said, his voice steady now - almost.

Crap... nearly messed up once more.

Over Shera his eyes moved, taking their time, sharp with judgment. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Shows loyalty at first glance. Always keen to make others happy. Yet acts too far ahead without warning.

This man looked like a shield -

Fuse-like behavior took over instead.

Far too risky to leave him here.

A flicker crossed Julian’s gaze - golden, sharp - when he stood taller. His voice came measured, the air between words tightening like a coiled thread.

"Captain Shera - "