Swallowed Star 2: Origin Continent - Chapter 165: Calm

A calculating merchant of noble birth lives a comfortable life managing his guild's business at the Imperial Academy—until lightning strikes him, leaving him with prophetic visions of a disastrous future. In these visions, he's expelled from his family, branded a traitor who aids demons, and worst of all, becomes a penniless beggar. When the supposed “protagonist” of these prophecies enrolls at the academy, he realizes his countdown to ruin has begun. Now he must use his foresight to rewrite a story where he's cast as a third-rate villain, all while navigating ancient dungeons, demonic threats, and the troublesome “hero” who might be the key to changing his fate.#MoneyIsEverything

The royal bastard of House Vasquer, Argrave, changed after his stay studying magic at the Tower of the Gray Owl.

The sickly man's awkward posture and cruel behavior have been replaced with a neat dignity and acerbic wit.

Though once listless, he now strives towards his goals with a life-or-death tenacity.

Most come away thinking he seems to know too many details about too much. Few can claim to know his motives or his goals.

Yet behind that confident appearance, the primary contributor for an open-world RPG's wiki battles existential dread and things far beyond his ken as he struggles to adapt to a grim, gothic fantasy world mirroring his favorite game.

The prospect of fighting against a world-ending calamity loses all of its appeal when it transitions from entertainment to reality.

Argrave is spurred towards unwanted heroism to preserve his life as he struggles desperately to keep this sinking ship afloat.

Sang Jian, who has MAX attributes and abilities, was bound to the Save the Villain System.

Sang Jian: “Is this asking me to abuse the villain?”

- Description from Novelupdates

Li Qi, who originally believed that even after being reborn in another world, he would still spend his life in mediocrity, unexpectedly gained the ability to track his progress on the path of cultivation. This rekindled his ambition and gave him the courage to embark on the journey of seeking The Way. A man with a determined heart should strive to overcome mountains and rivers, creating ripples that stretch for thousands of miles as he pursues enlightenment and mastery over his own destiny.