When I Finished Playing the Terminally-Ill Villainous Omega C6

Chapter 6

…Why is he opening his mouth instead of eating it himself?

The thought flashed by, but I quickly remembered—he had been riding. His hands were probably dirty from holding the reins so long. That made sense, so I casually placed the candy into his mouth.

Then, without warning, Aiden playfully nipped my fingertip.

“Tastes good. Or maybe it’s better because you fed—”

“You trying to kill a perfectly healthy tree?!”

A roar from not far away cut Aiden’s words in half. We both turned our heads toward the sound.

“You thick-headed brat!”

Locke was clutching a large pruning shears in his left hand, being scolded by the gardener. Even while being struck on the arm and back, he caught sight of me and bowed briefly.

…Huh?

In that instant, a chilling memory surfaced.

This—this is that scenario!

In the past, Aiden had visited the mansion early for a hunting arrangement with Cassian.

Servants and household members were gathered in the central hall to greet the guest, and right then, the system window appeared.

**[Mission: In front of gathered people, violently shove your servant Locke away. Grind your boot into his thigh as if wiping filth, and deliver one of the following lines:

1. I meant to wipe dirt off my shoe, but it only got filthier touching you.

2. Remember—your place is crawling at my feet, scrubbing my shoes like the trash you are.]**

Physical harm was one thing, but the missions that trampled dignity in public were the worst. They shattered the mind.

I had one heart left. If a mission popped up now, there was no escaping it.

Just as I decided it was safer to leave, Aiden cheerfully strolled right toward the scene—utterly unaware.

“You dare look away while I’m talking to you—?!”

Locke lifted his gaze. The gardener, mid-rant, flinched and fell silent.

Understandable. Even now, his eyes were oppressive enough to steal breath.

Flustered by his own momentary fear, the gardener brandished his sickle wildly.

“You think you can stare back like that?! Try it again and see what happens!”

This mansion was full of people—like that gardener—who disliked Locke.

Even without awakening, he radiated an Alpha’s presence. In this world, traits dictated power; knowing a former beggar could become a living symbol of dominance someday must have eaten at them.

Idiots. If anything, they should curry favor. It would save their necks later.

“You cut down a perfectly fine tree and dare glare like that?!”

Whether by mistake or malice, the gardener swung the sickle toward Locke’s arm. Startled, I took an involuntary step forward.

Locke moved just a fraction—barely perceptible—sidestepping the blow. The sickle sliced air, close enough to taste danger.

Jaw clenched, one eye narrowed—he looked exactly like Emperor Varzeron.

Oh. He was the same person.

I stepped back.

At this rate, the gardener’s head will roll before another branch does.

I wanted to intervene, but couldn’t risk going near him. If the system window appeared now, I would be forced to complete the mission right in front of everyone.

So I called from afar:

“Hey! We have a guest, and you’re shouting like that?”

“Y-young master! I didn’t see you—”

The gardener blanched pale, bowing frantically.

“What, hoping I’d stay inside so you could bully my servant more? Try it again and see what happens.”

If he ignored my warning, Locke would remove him eventually. I was doing him a favor.

“Cedric, they have their own rules. Why stick your nose in?”

Fanning himself lazily, Aiden clasped my hand.

“The weather’s getting hotter. Getting worked up isn’t good for you. Didn’t you almost collapse last time? Let’s go in.”

I held his hand tight and scanned around quickly.

To reach the mansion, we’d have to pass by Locke. The ground near him was muddy from watering.

Visiting for hunting. Crowds around. Mud to dirty shoes.

And Locke.

Every instinct screamed danger.

Aiden paused when I pulled him back. “What’s wrong?”

“We should go this way. It’s closer.”

“…Is this a prank? The house is right there.”

He stared as if I’d lost my mind.

“No, I want to show you the daffodils by the pond! They’re gorgeous.”

Aiden snorted. “Daffodils bloom in March. What are you going to show me, the bulbs?”

I had no idea why he knew flower seasons, and I didn’t care. Locke’s gaze had been scorching the side of my face for minutes.

Panicking, I hooked my arm through his.

“Yes! Bulbs. If you like them, take some back to your estate.”

“We already have daffodils.”

“Fine! Then we’ll look at— koi! In the pond!”

He laughed as I half-dragged him toward the pond in the opposite direction.

Later, holding a vase with a daffodil bulb, we returned. I checked thoroughly—Locke was gone.

Thank God…

Barely had I relaxed when Aiden called a butler and handed me something.

A ceremonial dagger glittered like a jewel—opulent enough for a royal ceremony.

Why on earth…?

He smiled warmly. “See this blue gem? A magic stone. A special artifact made just for you.”

This world had monsters immune to ordinary weapons; only magic or magic-stone arms worked.

I widened my eyes, then feigned delighted excitement.

“Wow, it’s amazing. I’ll treasure it!”

Truthfully, it was useless to someone who barely left his bed, but politeness was required.

Satisfied, I prepared to retreat—but Aiden caught me again.

“Take it and hunt with us! It’ll be fun.”

…Was he insane? I was terminally ill, not a thrill-seeker.

Aiden might be fearless—he used fire magic, after all—but I was not. I feared the outside world second only to Locke.

“Thank you, but you know I can’t ride long or draw a bow. I’d only be a burden.”

“Then ride with me. Cassian and I will kill the monsters. You just get fresh air.”

“Truly, I haven’t been well. I’m sorry.”

“Cassian recruited one more person—if you come, the numbers are perfect.”

“He wants an archer. I heard it’s a famous marksman. They’d be more useful than me.”

Still, regret clouded Aiden’s eyes.

He probably pitied me, thinking I needed sunlight. And that the beasts in Count Alure’s territory were already secured by Cassian—no danger.

Absolutely not.

I was fighting for my life already; I needed peace, not monsters.

I mumbled something polite and escaped to my room, collapsing on my bed as if gravity had doubled.

“Let them hunt monsters. If you’re going to shove me into a terminal body in a fantasy hell, at least let me rest…”

Knock, knock.

A soft, slow knock. I knew exactly who it was.

I kicked off my shoes, slid into soft slippers, dove under the blanket, and shut my eyes tight—just as the door opened.