Reborn as a Side Villain in an Otome Game

Ken, now fully assuming the role of Victor Hale, stood frozen as his mind raced. "What do I do? What have I gotten myself into?" he muttered to himself, his voice low and shaky. "This isn't a game anymore… I'm in it. And not just as anyone—as a freaking villain's minion!"

He clenched his fists and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the rising panic. His eyes darted to Celeste, who was sobbing uncontrollably. She was yelling, her voice cracking with desperation. "Please! Stop this! Don't hurt him anymore! Jaxon's already hurt enough! Just let him go!"

Ken's gaze shifted to Jaxon Hale, who was a battered mess on the ground. His face was bloodied, his breathing labored, and he struggled futilely against the grip of the two men holding him down. Jaxon's voice was weak, but his determination was clear. "I'm not… afraid of you… You can do whatever you want to me, but you won't win."

The villain, Kieran Malchior, let out a deep, menacing laugh, his smile spreading wide. "Ah, Victor. You finally look ready to do something useful for once. Go on, teach this so-called hero a lesson. Show him what happens when he dares to cross me."

Ken's stomach churned, but he forced himself to play along. "I have to stay in character," he thought. "If I don't, Kieran might figure out something's wrong, and that'll make everything worse."

He began to walk toward Jaxon, cracking his knuckles as he moved. The sound echoed ominously in the tense silence. He tilted his head, rolling his neck with a sharp pop, and his expression shifted into a dark smirk. 

The minions around him laughed, egging him on. "That's the spirit, Victor! Show this fool what happens when you mess with the boss!"

"Yeah, make it hurt!" another added, their jeers blending into a cruel chorus.

Celeste screamed again, her voice filled with anguish. "Victor, don't do this! You don't have to listen to him! Please, stop!"

Ken glanced briefly at her, her tear-streaked face pulling at his conscience. But he couldn't afford to break character. "I have to make this look convincing," he thought, gritting his teeth.

As he reached Jaxon, he crouched down slightly, leaning close. His smirk widened as he taunted, "Hey, pretty boy. You better close your eyes—it's about to hurt." He let out a mocking laugh, his tone dripping with menace.

Jaxon glared up at him, his voice strained but defiant. "Do your worst. I won't give you the satisfaction."

The scene seemed to hang in suspense, the air heavy with tension as Ken prepared to act.

Ken smiled, his grin widening as he loomed over Jaxon. He straightened up and mockingly tilted his head. "Here it comes, pretty boy," he sneered, his voice dripping with menace.

Celeste's cries grew louder. "No! Stop it! Victor, you don't have to do this! Please, don't hurt him!" she screamed, her voice raw with desperation. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded.

Jaxon turned his head slightly to look at her, his battered face softening despite the pain. He gave her a weak smile and said, "It's okay, Celeste… Don't cry. I can handle this."

Celeste shook her head violently, her sobs breaking through. "No! You can't! This isn't fair! You shouldn't have to go through this because of me!"

Ken raised his hand high, his fingers glowing faintly as he summoned his magic. "Blazing Strike!" he roared, his voice echoing through the tense courtyard.

"No!!!" Celeste shrieked, her voice piercing the air as she cried uncontrollably.

Jaxon winced and closed his eyes, bracing himself for the impact. He waited, his body tensing, but the blow never came. Instead, he heard two heavy thuds hit the ground. His eyes flew open, confusion washing over him. He looked up to see Ken standing over him, still smirking.

Jaxon turned his head, looking behind him. The two men who had been holding him down were sprawled on the ground, unconscious. He stuttered, "W-what… What just happened?"

He turned his gaze back to Ken, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Why…? Why did you…?"

Celeste's sobs turned into gasps as she watched the scene unfold. "Victor… What are you doing?" she cried, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and hope.

The villain, Kieran Malchior, stammered, his confident demeanor faltering. "Victor! What is the meaning of this? You… you traitor! Explain yourself!"

Ken's smirk widened, his voice calm but filled with defiance. "Skill: Shadow Surge," he declared. His form flickered, then vanished into the darkness.

Kieran's voice turned into a furious yell. "What?! No! Where did he go?! Victor! You'll pay for this!"

Before anyone could react, another loud thud echoed. Kieran and Jaxon turned to see the man holding Celeste collapsing to the ground. Standing in his place was Ken, cradling Celeste in his arms. She stared up at him, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

Ken's white hair fell across his face, one side obscuring his eye while the other revealed a piercing deep blue gaze. He smiled softly at her. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice gentle, a stark contrast to the menace he had shown moments ago.

Celeste's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Y-yes… I'm okay."

Ken gently set her down, his attention snapping back to the chaos around him. "Stay behind me," he murmured. He turned his gaze toward Kieran, his expression darkening.

The courtyard erupted into chaos. Kieran screamed, his composure breaking entirely. "Victor, you worthless traitor! How dare you defy me!" he bellowed, his voice trembling with fury.

Ken glanced back at Celeste, his voice steady as he reassured her. "It's going to be okay. Just trust me." His thoughts swirled as he prepared for the next move. "I'm playing a dangerous game here. But I can't just stand by and let this happen. Not to them."

Kieran's laughter returned, though now tinged with desperation. "You think you can stop me, Victor? You're nothing without me!"

Ken's smile turned into a smirk as he stepped forward. "We'll see about that," he said under his breath.

Victor Hale and the villain, Kieran Malchior, locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. Kieran's face twisted with fury, while Victor's expression remained calm but defiant, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.

Celeste, standing a few feet away, stared at the scene with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. "What's happening? Why is Victor doing this?" she thought, her mind racing. "He was supposed to hurt Jaxon, but instead… he's hesitating? Why?"

Unable to stand idle, Celeste ran over to Jaxon, who was still slumped on the ground. Dropping to her knees beside him, she placed her hands gently on his shoulders. "Jaxon! Are you okay? Please, say something!"

Jaxon winced but managed a weak smile. "I'm fine, Celeste," he said, his voice hoarse. "Just… a little banged up."

Celeste shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have gotten you involved in any of this. If it weren't for me—"

"Stop," Jaxon interrupted, his tone soft but firm. He reached up, placing a hand over hers. "This isn't your fault. None of it is. Don't blame yourself."

She bit her lip, looking down at him, her voice trembling. "But I… I can't stand seeing you like this. It hurts so much."

Jaxon sighed, his gaze shifting to Victor, who stood unflinching in front of Kieran. "Victor… What's his deal? Why is he hesitating now, of all times?" he thought to himself. "It doesn't make sense. He's Kieran's right hand, isn't he? What's stopping him?"

Jaxon's thoughts continued to swirl as he glanced back at Celeste. "One thing's for sure," he murmured to her, "whatever's happening with Victor, it's keeping Kieran off us for now."

Celeste nodded hesitantly, her eyes flickering back to the two men standing face-to-face. "Do you think… he'll turn on us?" she asked quietly.

Jaxon frowned, his expression pensive. "I don't know," he admitted. "But whatever he's planning, it's dangerous. I just hope he knows what he's doing."

As they exchanged worried glances, the air between Victor and Kieran seemed to thrum with unspoken tension. Both sides waited for the other to make the first move, the suspense tightening like a coil ready to snap.

Victor Hale and the villain, Kieran Malchior, locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. Kieran's face twisted with fury, his voice rising to a roar. "Victor! What the hell are you doing? Why are you turning against me now? Have you lost your mind?"

Victor stood calmly, his hands casually stuffed in his pockets. His smirk widened, and he shrugged nonchalantly. "Well," he said, his tone light and mocking, "I can't just stand here and let the pretty girl over there cry her eyes out, can I? I mean, I am your right-hand man, Kieran. Maybe it's my job to make sure you don't, let's say, blow off your hot head."

Kieran's face turned a furious shade of red, his composure completely shattered. "You dare mock me?! You think you can just turn this into some kind of joke? I'll make you regret this, Victor!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the courtyard.

Celeste, still kneeling beside Jaxon, gasped. "What is he talking about? Victor… Why is he acting like this?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "He's Kieran's second-in-command! Why would he…?"

Jaxon, his breathing still labored, glanced between Victor and Kieran, his expression a mix of confusion and pain. "I don't get it either," he admitted, his voice hoarse. "Victor's been Kieran's most loyal enforcer. This isn't like him at all."

Celeste's hands clenched into fists. "But… He just said… Is he really trying to help us? Or is this just another game to him?" she said, her voice rising in a mixture of fear and hope.

Jaxon frowned, his thoughts racing. "Victor's not the type to act without a plan," he thought. "But whose side is he really on? And why is he suddenly so concerned about Celeste?"

Victor's gaze flicked briefly to the two of them before settling back on Kieran. "Oh, come on, boss," he said, his smirk never wavering. "Don't tell me you're getting all worked up over this. Maybe you need to cool off a bit." His tone was laced with sarcasm, further fanning the flames of Kieran's anger.

Kieran clenched his fists, his entire body trembling with rage. "You'll pay for this, Victor," he hissed. "I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me!"

The tension in the air was thick, the standoff between Victor and Kieran poised to explode, while Celeste and Jaxon exchanged nervous, uncertain glances.

Victor Hale began walking toward Kieran Malchior, his hands still in his pockets, his posture relaxed and nonchalant. His calm demeanor only served to enrage Kieran further.

"What are you doing, Victor?!" Kieran bellowed, his face contorted in fury. "You think you can just stroll up to me like this? You're nothing without me! NOTHING!"

Victor smirked, tilting his head slightly as he continued his unhurried approach. "You sure talk a lot for someone who's supposed to be in charge, boss," he said calmly. "Maybe all that yelling is why you've got such a hot temper."

Kieran's fists clenched at his sides. "Don't you dare mock me, you insolent fool! I gave you everything! Without me, you'd be a nobody—a pathetic, useless rogue!"

Victor shrugged, his smirk widening. "If you say so. But let's be honest, Kieran. You're not exactly a beacon of leadership, are you?"

The students who had gathered around whispered among themselves, their voices filled with confusion and awe.

"What's he doing?" one student muttered. "Isn't he supposed to be on Kieran's side?"

"I don't know," another replied. "But he doesn't look scared at all."

Celeste, watching anxiously, clutched at Jaxon's arm. "What is Victor trying to do?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Is he really going to fight Kieran?"

Jaxon winced but kept his eyes fixed on the scene. "I don't know," he admitted. "But whatever it is, he's got everyone on edge."

Kieran's voice roared again, snapping their attention back to him. "Stop playing games, Victor! If you think you can intimidate me, you're dead wrong!"

Victor stopped a few steps away, his smirk never wavering. "Games? Come on, boss, I'm just getting started," he said, his voice laced with mockery. "Besides, isn't this what you wanted? A little excitement?"

Kieran's face turned crimson, veins bulging at his temples. "You dare speak to me like this?! You ungrateful wretch! I'll crush you with my bare hands if I have to!"

Celeste gasped, her voice shaking. "He's going to attack Victor. Jaxon, what do we do?"

Jaxon frowned, his gaze locked on Victor. "I don't think we can do anything right now," he said quietly. "Victor's not exactly asking for help."

Victor sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "You know, Kieran, all this shouting can't be good for your health. Maybe you should take a deep breath."

Kieran let out a guttural scream of rage. "I don't need advice from you! You're nothing but a traitor—a backstabbing snake!" He took a step forward, his entire body trembling with fury. "I'll make you regret this, Victor. I'll—"

"Unique Skill: Phantom Step," Victor interrupted smoothly, his voice cutting through Kieran's tirade.

In an instant, Victor vanished. The crowd gasped, their eyes darting around frantically. Kieran spun in place, his rage boiling over. "Where are you?! Show yourself!" he screamed. "Victor! Stop hiding like a coward and face me!"

Celeste clasped her hands to her chest, her heart racing. "He disappeared… How did he do that?" she whispered.

Jaxon, his brows furrowed, muttered, "Phantom Step… That's an advanced skill. He's more dangerous than we thought."

Kieran's screams echoed through the courtyard. "Victor! You think this is funny? You think you can humiliate me?! I'll destroy you!"

Suddenly, Victor's voice rang out, calm and mocking. "Humiliate you? I think you're doing a fine job of that all on your own, boss."

Kieran whipped around, trying to locate the source of the voice. "Where are you?!" he yelled, his eyes wild.

"Right behind you," Victor's voice teased, causing Kieran to spin again.

Before Kieran could react further, he felt a sharp, searing pain in his stomach. He gasped, looking down to see Victor's fist buried deep in his abdomen. The air rushed out of him, and his legs buckled slightly.

Kieran's gaze slowly lifted to meet Victor's piercing blue eyes. "You… traitor…" he managed to choke out, his voice weak and rasping.

Victor leaned in slightly, his smirk fading into a cold, calculating expression. "Traitor? No, Kieran. I just finally decided to stop being your pawn," he said, his voice low and firm.

With that, Kieran collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach and struggling to breathe. The courtyard fell silent, the students staring in stunned disbelief.

"He… He took down Kieran," one student stammered. "I can't believe it…"

Celeste's hands flew to her mouth, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Victor… He just… He actually…"

Jaxon shook his head slowly, his own expression one of amazement. "That guy… He's on a whole different level," he muttered. "But why? Why now?"

Celeste glanced at Jaxon, her voice soft. "Do you think he's on our side? Or is this just another game to him?"

Jaxon sighed, his gaze returning to Victor. "I don't know. But for now, it looks like he's keeping us alive."

The crowd remained frozen, their eyes darting between Victor and Kieran's crumpled form on the ground, as the tension in the air lingered like a storm cloud.

To be continued...