Every man once dreams of becoming the ultimate final boss.
Incomprehensibly evil, absolutely invincible, and…
Uh…
My limited knowledge fails to provide me with the right four-character idioms to describe this further, but anyway, something along those lines.
I, Duke Erwick, woke up one day realizing I had been granted this very opportunity.
Why was I reborn? That didn’t matter much.
It wasn’t because I died accidentally spilling cola on the power cord while playing a game, though that is an embarrassing memory I would rather not recall.
It’s something else entirely.
I, Duke Erwick, am a man who doesn’t dwell on the past.
Instead, I decided to focus on the present.
This world, identical to the game I was playing just before my death, differs from Earth drastically due to its accessible magic system.
The scale of entertainment here isn’t even comparable to that of Earth.
Consider this—if a single territory here equals the size of a whole country, like South Korea, you’d understand.
We haven’t learned enough about the sciences of Earth to speculate on this world’s planetary size, but it is certainly on a different scale altogether.
The problem is that everyone has access to magic, meaning everyone harbors the potential to become a tyrant.
Imagine a world where one extraordinary individual can replace an entire nation and everyone carries a pistol in their pocket.
In such a world, do equality, law, and morality hold any value?
‘Of course not.’
Just as the value of a Red Dragon and a Goblin cannot be measured on the same scale, this world is extremely unfair.
In fact, this is a world where killing others reliably enhances one’s power—stabbing the person behind you isn’t just a possibility but an expectation.
I’ve been reborn into such a world.
Ordinary people wouldn’t choose this as a place of rebirth, especially if they had the option.
But I’m different.
‘This is an opportunity. To become the strongest being on Earth.’
For me, it was a chance to become the final boss everyone sees in games or movies.
The relaxed state of law and morality allows for even greater growth without restrictions.
Of course, another choice could have been to lead a peaceful, slow life using a combination of fortunate accidents.
But…
‘Honestly, claiming that as a man I never once dreamed of this would be a lie.’
I’m just another person with slightly elevated adrenaline and testosterone levels, brimming with drive and determination.
‘In the next 400 years…’
Once you break through a certain level of training, you become a superhuman. As you progress further in power, aging slows to the point where it’s akin to ascending to immortality.
With such slowed aging and about 800 years of practice, one often reaches the rank of the greatest power in the typical universe.
That’s the standard for the locals.
But I am a reincarnated soul, armed with a knowledge cheat and some talent—not based on much evidence, though.
Exclusive to myself, the optimal growth path, and the best opportunities could reduce my 800 years needed to reach the final boss status to a mere 400.
To be honest, 400 years is plenty for me to dominate without much strain.
“Wait for me, world!”
For the first time since playing at the playground as a child, a man’s heart began racing, unbecomingly so.
– “Duke!!! Come and eat!”
Before anything, I have to grow enough first.
The 30th year of training to become the ultimate boss.
I obtained information that was about to completely upend my life.
According to this information, the premise of my goal was off—slightly.
No, not slightly.
Very. Off.
I wasn’t reborn into a simple game world.
‘Or rather, it’s not exactly just the game world… It’s not, but it kind of is too… Ugh, my head hurts.’
The shock almost caused a temporary glitch in my thoughts, but I regrouped and rethought it clearly.
This isn’t merely the world of the action game I used to play.
To be precise, it matches the setting 200 years before the events of the “I Don’t Want to Be Emperor” novel that I’ve been following.
From the novel’s title, <I Don't Want to Be Emperor>, one can infer its protagonist—an emperor wanting to retire—is the central theme.
It’s the kind of story where the protagonist starts off as a commoner, rising to become the emperor.
The realization that this world falls under the universe described in <I Don't Want to Be Emperor> came unexpectedly: My long-time adventuring partner of about twenty years turned out to be the same character from the novel—Master Peter.
‘Why the hell does his name have to be Peter?’
I’ve met at least ten Peters so far, making it a name so common that I didn’t even suspect anything over 20 years.
Upon discovering this shocking truth from Master—now grown up as Peter—I returned home and buried my face in my hands on the bed.
I threw impotent punches at the pillow, directing my anger and frustrations toward the original author of the novel.
‘Why didn’t you include that detail!!!’
I am blameless.
The game gave absolutely no indication that this world was intertwined with the mentioned novel.
Strictly speaking, there was a hint—the action game I played was created by the author of the novel after getting a job.
But expecting someone to draw connections between the two based solely on that is akin to wild speculation.
‘Of course, there was mention…’
The game dropped some Easter eggs, and the novel had a few fourth-wall breaking punchlines.
Certainly, no fan took these seriously as definitive links between the two worlds.
‘Who would earnestly consider those as foreshadowing?’
Thus, my grievance is legitimate.
But, there’s no point in crying over spilled milk now.
I quickly regained my composure and evaluated my current situation.
One. I’ve been reincarnated in the game world.
Two. The era I currently inhabit is long before the protagonist of the novel begins their journey.
Based on this information, after a short reflection—
It was a brief contemplation, and my decision came swiftly.
‘If you can’t beat them, join them.’
My original goal was to become the most powerful being in the world, unrivaled by anyone, spreading chaos wherever I went.
This dominance would allow me to eventually lose to any protagonist that catches my fancy, reinvent my identity, and travel on to find a new purpose.
However, in the universe of delusion-based protagonists, the rules change.
‘The plan to become the Demon King must be abandoned.’
If I antagonize the world and end up tangling with the protagonist due to a miscalculation, it’ll all be over.
Delusions operate under a kind of divine power.
No matter how much I try, plan, or prepare, everything I work for falls apart before the protagonist’s sheer luck.
Plus, there’s another reason.
‘You can’t ignore Bitcoin at its lowest point, can you?’
If it’s a sure-shot to skyrocket, who could stay away?
I’m not that kind of gamer.
Truthfully, fearing conflict with the protagonist is just an excuse; this motivation is the real deal.
I’m not interested in the doomed position of being the Demon King. But I’m not giving up on the idea of being a Final Boss concept.
‘The target now is the protagonist’s ultimate weapon.’
As well as someone who can be absolutely trusted—a No. 2.
‘Conveniently enough, the protagonist needs brute force too.’
The original protagonist excels in governance, statecraft, and strategizing, but martial prowess? Not so much.
A monstrous powerhouse like me is essential for him.
‘The role: No. 2.’
The first companion, the one that makes the story plausible, the supporting character that deepens the protagonist’s misjudged greatness.
‘This kind of Final Boss could be interesting.’
Isn’t it something like a reverse promotion, after all?
Come to think of it, the character who shows up most frequently in many stories isn’t the No. 1, but the No. 2.
There are times where the No. 2 is even more famous than the No. 1.
Since my goal is to be a Final Boss who makes frequent appearances in style, this new target might actually be better than the original.
‘Later on, when I’ve made it, I’ll just fold my arms during state conferences.’
All the administrative and tedious paperwork can fall on the protagonist, allowing me to focus solely on cool and thrilling displays.
The concept is set.
Stern, perfect, shrouded in mystery, and undeniably charismatic.
‘Ah, can’t forget the part about being incomprehensibly evil either.’
I added the over-the-top evil charisma.
Satisfied with revising my plans, I fell asleep.
After that day, I sprang into action immediately.
The plan is solid.
‘201 years.’
The estimated time left before the beginning of the novel, deduced from the master’s age.
‘Everything must be ready before the original story begins.’
Once the protagonist from the novel starts their journey, they’re surrounded by individuals who grow at an unimaginable pace.
They’re all extremely talented, but paired with the protagonist’s bad luck and operational brilliance, they skyrocket even further.
‘In comparison, my talents are…’
I don’t overestimate my abilities.
If I start on the same level as them, I can confidently say I’d end up not even as the No. 2 but stuck at the very bottom.
‘Two hundred years…’
It’s dangerous.
Compared to the 400 years I originally planned, it’s an incredibly short period.
While 400 years is comfortable, 200 years demands a risky approach.
Bone-grinding effort is a given, and I might even have to risk my life.
I thought it over for a while.
‘Is it worth it?’
Yes, it is.
This is a man’s second life. Risking one’s life is worth it for this extent.
‘Time to push forward.’
No compromise. The time spent considering was wasted, so I immediately acted.
The process of growth was incredibly painful.
I avoided interfering with the novel’s plot twists, focusing solely on monopolizing the game’s plot devices. As a result, I accumulated quite a bit of karma.
Before even a century had passed, I became a named superhuman, attracting the contempt and vigilance of the existing superhumans.
– “I apologize, Duke, but I did warn you, did I not? In the world of superhumans, one must be willing to kill their own child to ascend. Do not resent me too much.”
– “Duke, vile creature! You killed your master to ascend? Can a man with such actions truly be called human? I will avenge my master by killing you!”
– “Your strength may be high, but your years are short. How delicious it would be to take your power. Is your name Duke Erwick? Consider this your misfortune.”
Thus, with people older than me trying to extend their lifespans by killing me, even a peaceful rest was a luxury.
As I washed blood with blood in the process of surviving, my relationships and backstories grew complicated, but I didn’t mind much.
In this world where one does anything to ascend, expending emotional energy on such shameless people wasn’t worth it.
‘Positive mindset, positive mindset.’
I simply regarded this as a seasoning for the complex backstory of my future No. 2 role.
With that thought in mind, dealing with my enemies even made me feel somewhat better.
Another century passed.
It marked 200 years since I made this resolution.
We are now one year away from the start of the original story.
*
With a year left before the main story begins, I initiated the <First Companion to the Original Protagonist Plan>.
‘I must absolutely be the first one the protagonist meets and becomes allies with.’
The first experience of anything is crucial for everyone.
The “first companion” title carries enough narrative weight to counterbalance any skill discrepancy.
So, I meticulously planned.
‘How do I meet before the main heroine? Impossible.’
Knowing the protagonist’s past, too many uncertainties and risks would disrupt the main plot, so I rejected this idea.
To avoid interfering with the original timeline and minimize variables, I’ll have to meet the protagonist around the same time as the main heroine.
‘Sorry, friend. I can’t give up the No. 2 position.’
Regrettably, I had to make this compromise.
By rights, the No. 2 spot ought to be the main heroine’s.
But as soon as I claim the No. 2 position, she will naturally revert to No. 3.
‘I’ll be the bridge in apology.’
The time was set, and next, the place.
‘It definitely started in a mad scientist’s lab.’
The protagonist gets dragged into the lab somehow, and the story kicks off when they escape together with the main heroine who was in another room.
I intend to insert myself into this narrative.
‘I’ll be the earlier experiment subject.’
The plan is simple.
Before the protagonist arrives, I volunteer as an experiment subject, becoming the lab’s senior guinea pig.
I build rapport with the protagonist and escape together.
Simply securing the title of the “first companion” puts the No. 2 project half-successful.
‘Apologies, protagonist. It’s unfortunate that your first companion isn’t your spouse.’
For compensation, though it feels otherwise, I’ll elevate you to the emperor role.
