"Congratulations, v.0429. You have been selected for the Villain Rehabilitation Program, an immersive correctional initiative designed to offer high-risk offenders the opportunity to change their way of life," a voice that was hard to identify whether it was male or female, echoed around my head. "Reflect. Rehabilitate. Reintegrate. This is your chance to rejoin society as a new you or end your life as a spectacle."

My lips curled up into what I hoped was a challenging smirk. Never once had I believed I would be the one listening to this spiel. I had to laugh at myself. I realised I never once saw any of those who died in the simulations as actual people. They were just like game avatars playing out the stories I created. 

And now here I was. What else could I do besides laugh?

"Your assigned role: Lilian Viermont. Tier four antagonist. Current fate trajectory: feared, hated, killed."

Yeah, don't sugarcoat it. Tell me what's really going to happen to me.​

"Are you going to keep pretending I have any other fate trajectory?" I screamed, not expecting an answer, but when the voice actually responded, I staggered back, sending the chair skidding across the carpet before crashing to the ground.

"You always have a choice," the voice answered. "Your fate trajectory will change based on the choices you make."

"So, how do I change my fate?" I asked.

"First, you will need to obtain strength in this world to survive," the voice said. "To start, you will now be introduced to your Character Status Interface. This may be accessed at any time by mentally focusing on the word status. Please do so now."

"Why is this set up like a game?" I folded my arms and groaned.

"This system is designed to give a visual understanding of strength, skills and redemption possibility," the voice continued. "Now, mentally focus on the word status to access your Character Status Interface."

[VILLAIN REHABILITATION INTERFACE v3.91]​

NAME: Liliane Viermont

TITLE: None

VILLAIN POINTS: 0

DISPOSITION: 25% Redemption / 75% Irredeemable

KARMA: Neutral

REPUTATION: Hated / Feared

STATS

HP: 70 / 120

MP: 25 / 25

STR: 6

DEF: 9

DEX: 9

AGI: 12

INT: 14

CHA: 3

MAG: 15

SKILLS: None

STATUS EFFECTS:  Mild blood loss, disorientation, trauma onset (suppressed)

I stared at the screen. What the hell did any of these numbers mean? I played a few games before but didn't pay too much attention to what any of the stats meant; I just ground levels until the numbers were maxed out.

"So what does any of this mean?" I grumbled.

"These numbers represent your current strengths," the voice said. "To increase these numbers, you must fight, kill and earn Villain Points. By spending your Villain Points, you can unlock new skills."

"So, how exactly do I get these Villain Points then?" I asked.

"The Villain Points System rewards actions consistent with your assigned persona," the voice continued. "Deeds such as cruelty, cunning, manipulation, coercion and blackmail will give you points. The more points you obtain, the better the skills that can be unlocked."

"Of course, I need to be the villain to get stronger; how the hell am I supposed to redeem myself?"

"Through the choices you make, you will have the ability to gain redemption," the voice continued as if reading from the advertising brochure. "Your current Villain Points are 0. Increase it to begin unlocking skills. But be warned: the more Villain Points you score, the fewer paths you have to redemption."

I actually laughed at that. No wonder no villain survived to gain redemption. I needed strength to survive, but I had to be a villain to gain strength. How the fuck can you still say I have a chance at redemption?​

"Your Redemption path is unique, and to give you an advantage, you will have time before the program is set to begin," the voice continued. "Use these 180 days to grow familiar with the Villain Rehabilitation System. During this tutorial phase, you will not be viewed by the audience. Take this as an opportunity to level up, obtain skills, and adapt to the character and narrative that has been designed just for you."

Designed just for me? You're fucking joking, right?​

​My breathing became ragged as panic threatened to overwhelm me. Did they always know I was to become Liliane? Did they want me to make her story tragic and deadly because they wanted me to suffer? No, that would be impossible. I had been working on Liliane for the past 6 months. They couldn't have known. But they did select this story for me. That made their intentions very clear. They wanted me to die.

"Do you have any questions about the system?" the voice asked. "I will answer three questions, but be aware that there are some answers I cannot tell you."

Three questions. Just three questions, what should I ask? 

"How can I use this system to gain my redemption?" I asked.

"I am not permitted to answer that," the voice said. "You have two questions left to ask."

Shit, I needed to think. I turned my attention to the stats screen and tried to think about what I needed to know. 

"Okay, so give me a full explanation of the Villain Point System, like how I gain points and if I can lose points," I said, folding my arms in front of my body.

A long silence filled the room, which made me feel absolutely ridiculous standing here just looking into space. Yeah, I bet if someone saw me talking to myself, that would be one way to label me as a crazy villain.

​The silence dragged on and made me wonder if the voice would answer me, but I sighed when it finally decided to answer my question.

"Villain Points are awarded for behaviour consistent with your alignment, which is that of a villain. You can gain points by performing evil deeds, including cruelty, violence, elitism, betrayal, manipulation, intimidation or murder. Non-aligned behaviour may result in negative points and system penalties such as increased pain or loss of senses."

"What the hell do you mean by penalties?" I screamed. "I get punished for not acting like a villain?"

"Would you like me to answer that question?" the voice asked. "Reminder that you only have one more question to ask."

"No, don't answer that," I said in a rushed voice. Shit, don't take everything so literally, you damn system.​

"Sorry, I can only respond to the questions you ask," the system responded even though I didn't speak that complaint.

"Fine, tell me about this disposition stat," I said, feeling the back of my neck burn. If I could smack this system, then I would.

"Disposition informs you how close to becoming a true villain you are. The lower the redemption percentage, the fewer chances you will have to reenter society. If that number reaches 0%, you are considered narratively irredeemable, and all redemption routes will be locked. Death will become the only valid resolution at that point."

I exhaled slowly through my nose. I wasn't seeing many paths to exit this fucking simulation. If I acted good, then the system would punish me, but if I acted too evil, then I die. How the fuck was anyone supposed to survive such a rigged system? I stared at the screen as if it personally offended me, and at this point, it pretty much did. You're absolutely useless.​

"Well, I do apologise for my incompetence," the voice said, sounding regretful. As a hint to help you start your progress, I will tell you how to increase your stats."

"Are you sure?" I asked, not wanting to get the system into trouble. Then I remembered this was not a real person. I was having a freaking conversation with a voice inside my head. 

The system ignored my dilemma and said, "Combat, dialogue and narrative progression can increase your basic stats. Strength, defence, agility and dexterity can be increased through action or skill usage. Intelligence and magic may increase through spellcasting, studying, or acquiring magic skills. Charisma can also be increased through dialogue and character interactions. Stat boosts may be purchased from the skill shop with Villain Points. If, by the end of the assigned narrative, you demonstrate sustained growth and have a high redemption score... you may qualify for reintegration into society."

"So, if I don't meet this criteria, I'll die?" I asked, not expecting an answer.

"Yes, death within the simulation is final. There are no extra lives or second chances. Keep that in mind."

"Why are you giving me so much information?" I wondered if someone was feeding me this information from the tech desk.

​There was a long stretch of silence. I started to wonder if the voice had left me, but then it said, "Just someone who wants you to survive."

"Why would you—" I started asking but couldn't finish before the voice cut me off.

"That is all I can say," the voice said in a rush. "I wish you luck in the simulation. Do your best to survive."

Then silence—true silence—surrounded me. I knew the voice had vanished, that whoever was watching me was no longer there. With a wave, I dismissed the stats screen and turned back to the mirror. The blood on my face had dried and started cracking, making me look even more villainous.

So, they expected me to just lie down and die. Well, fuck that!

You should know my personality by now, you bastards. I don't like to lose, and you have just given me the best chance to show you that no one gets to screw around and live to tell about it.​

They expected me to die, but I was Rein Ashlin. I knew this story. I knew this character. I knew every death and tragedy. And I would get out of here. When that happened, I'd show them a real villain.