Nagisa’s mind raced. The memories of the game flooded back. She was at the final scene—where Aeris, after years of scheming and manipulating, was sentenced to death.

But this wasn’t how things were supposed to end! She couldn’t die. Not like this.

As the guards dragged her towards the gallows, time seemed to slow. The air grew thick, the world around her freezing in place. A soft, ethereal voice echoed in her mind.

“Is this how you want to die?”

Nagisa blinked. “What…?”

The voice, calm and melodic, repeated, “Is this how you want to meet your end?”

Her heart hammered in her chest. “No!” she screamed. “This isn’t fair. This whole world is cruel, and I’ve been dealt the worst hand!”

Silence followed her outburst, but then the voice returned, softer this time. “You have been given a choice, Aeris Garland. Will you seize it?”

“What choice?” Nagisa’s voice trembled.

“The Villainess System. Take it, and you will have the power to rewrite your fate. But beware, power comes potential consequences.”

Without hesitation, Nagisa’s mind latched onto the only thing that mattered—survival.

“I accept.”

The world unfroze. But as time resumed, the executioner’s blade did not fall. Instead, she found herself standing not on the gallows but back in her grand chamber, six months before her execution date.