"It's back again…"
In a luxurious, sunlit office, a striking young man let out a sigh. With sharp features and clear eyes that betrayed both intellect and experience, he leaned back in a leather chair, deep in thought.
His name was Rayden Wolfe, twenty years old. But his identity was far more complicated than it appeared on the surface.
Rayden had transmigrated.
Not just into any world, but into one forged from countless urban webnovels—stories overflowing with drama, face-slapping encounters, rich heirs, domineering CEOs, and protagonists who always rise from the ashes. In this twisted literary cosmos, Rayden found himself cast as a stereotypical villain: the arrogant, clueless rich boy designed to be trampled by the story's male lead.
According to the original script, Rayden was a walking disaster. He squandered his parents' wealth, was involved in scandal after scandal, and constantly butted heads with the protagonist over the female lead—only to get humiliated, over and over.
He fell in love with the heroine Sophie Quinn, and made a fool of himself trying to win her heart. Meanwhile, the male lead would swoop in, say something clever, do something heroic, and make Rayden look like a clown. Again and again. Until eventually, after losing everything—his mind included—he ended up in a mental institution.
Classic villain arc. Predictable. Boring. Tragic.
But Rayden was no fool.
Upon entering this world, he quickly realized he wasn't just stuck on the same painful trajectory. He'd been given a second chance—thanks to the Wishing System.
This mysterious system granted him one wish a day. Just one. And only for himself. He couldn't use it to help others, couldn't grant power to friends or doom to enemies. Only wishes related to his own body, mind, or circumstances would work. And those wishes had to make sense within the modern setting of the story. No eternal life, no divine powers, no punching planets.
Oh, and one more thing—the wish only lasted 24 hours.
Yet even with those limitations, the Wishing System was absurdly powerful. With it, Rayden had upended countless protagonists' lives in the previous cycle. He played them all like puppets and emerged as the true final boss villain—smirking at their misery.
But fate wasn't willing to let that slide.
As punishment for altering the storyline and derailing the "natural order," the world's governing force—known as Heaven's Will—put a curse on him.
The new rule?
Every wish Rayden made would also be granted to his enemies—at double the strength.
Wish for strength? The protagonist would get twice the power.
Wish for wealth? The protagonist would strike gold—twice as much.
Wish for genius-level intellect? The protagonist would become a certified super-genius overnight.
It was a vicious cycle. The better Rayden did for himself, the more he boosted his greatest rivals. He was being forced back into the villain role—used as a stepping stone for the so-called "chosen ones" to shine.
Rayden smirked at the irony. "Trying to trip me up again, huh?" he muttered. "Let's see who outplays who this time."
Just then, the heavy office door opened. A graceful woman in a fitted business suit stepped inside. She was tall, elegant, and wore thin-rimmed glasses. The kind of woman who balanced allure and competence.
"Young Master Wolfe," she said politely, "Miss Sophie from Quinn Medical has invited you to dinner this evening. The venue is the Ocean Restaurant, at 8 PM. What shall I tell her?"
Rayden raised an eyebrow, amused. Sophie Quinn—the original story's main female lead. One of the two "golden flowers" of Mohaven City, she was brilliant, composed, and known for her beauty and business acumen. Her family ran a prestigious private hospital.
Due to budget constraints, her company was looking to replace some of their aging medical equipment. Rayden's family just so happened to own one of the largest medical tech suppliers in the country. The dinner invitation? Clearly an attempt to negotiate equipment procurement—preferably on credit.
Rayden recognized the event immediately. This was the very dinner where, in the original story, he first met Sophie and fell head over heels. Unfortunately, it was also where the protagonist appeared out of nowhere, saved the day, and left Rayden humiliated.
But this time… things would play out differently.
"I'll go," Rayden said, smiling. "Please tell her I accept the invitation."
"Yes, Young Master Wolfe."
At precisely 8 PM, Rayden arrived at the Ocean Restaurant, a lavish rooftop dining experience overlooking the sea. The scent of the ocean breeze mixed with soft music as he stepped into the reserved private booth—and there she was.
Sophie Quinn.
Even though he'd seen her before—in another timeline—he was struck all over again. She was tall, about 5'8", with an elegant figure wrapped in a crisp white suit. Her long black hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders. Pale skin, delicate features, intelligent eyes. She radiated class.
Sophie was equally surprised when she laid eyes on Rayden.
He was nothing like the rumors. His appearance was breathtaking—clear skin, deep eyes, and a refined demeanor. More importantly, his gaze was calm and respectful. Not a trace of arrogance or lust.
Was this really the infamous "rich playboy" everyone warned her about?
"Miss Quinn," Rayden greeted her with a smile. "Apologies if I kept you waiting."
Sophie returned the smile. "Not at all. I just arrived as well."
"I haven't ordered anything yet. Do you have any preferences?"
"You're the guest tonight. Please order whatever you'd like," she offered graciously.
Rayden nodded and glanced at the waiter. "One filet mignon, medium rare. Foie gras as a starter. Two cups of black tea—hot, please. Thank you."
Sophie's eyes widened slightly. "That's… those are all my favorites! How did you know?"
Rayden chuckled inwardly. Of course he knew—he'd once memorized everything about her, from her childhood to her favorite nail polish shade.
But now wasn't the time to reveal that.
"I suppose I guessed," he said lightly.
"Well, you guessed perfectly!" she laughed. "Although… I usually drink iced black tea."
Rayden's expression remained calm. "Not tonight. Your stomach's acting up. Hot tea is better."
Sophie's gaze sharpened. "How did you know I had a stomach issue? Don't tell me that was a guess too?"
"Not quite," he said confidently. "Your complexion is slightly pale, your lips are dry, and I noticed you've adjusted your coat a few times even though it's warm inside. Also, your hand hovered near your abdomen at least three times while walking in. Classic signs of gastric discomfort—probably from stress, irregular meals, and working late hours."
Sophie blinked, caught off guard. "That's… incredibly accurate. Have you studied traditional medicine?"
Rayden shook his head. "Not formally. Just picked up a few things here and there."
They began their meal, and conversation flowed effortlessly. Sophie found herself drawn in by Rayden's presence. He was thoughtful, eloquent, and—above all—knowledgeable.
No matter what topic she brought up, from economics to modern medicine to art history, Rayden had an insightful opinion. He made her laugh with smart jokes and challenged her ideas with respectful debates.
Was this really the same man she had dismissed as a spoiled heir?
According to gossip, Rayden Wolfe was a disaster—lazy, ignorant, and impulsive. But the man in front of her? He was articulate, charming, and downright brilliant.
Sophie couldn't help but ask, "Have you been hiding your talents all this time?"
Rayden only smiled. He couldn't tell her the truth—that in the last timeline, he had made a wish to acquire superhuman learning ability. Over the years, he'd absorbed countless books, lectures, and experiences across every academic field. Now, even after his rebirth, those memories remained intact.
In essence, he was a walking encyclopedia.
But tonight wasn't about flaunting knowledge. It was about setting the stage. He needed Sophie to trust him, to be intrigued, and more importantly—to question the rumors.
He had already made his wish for the day: "I wish to impress Sophie Quinn tonight."
Which meant—according to the curse—the protagonist would impress her twice as much.
That was fine.
He just had to make sure that tonight's "impression" wasn't romantic. He needed to shift her perception—not win her heart.
That way, the protagonist's doubled charm wouldn't help him where it mattered.
Rayden raised his teacup and offered a toast. "To good conversations and unexpected friendships."
Sophie clinked her cup to his, her smile thoughtful. "To intriguing mysteries."
And thus, the game had begun.