The watcher saw Rudeus fail. Saw him lose friends. Saw him get crippled, broken, and humbled. But each time, Rudeus got back up. Not because he was brave. Because he had promised himself: This time, I will live properly.

The first thing he did was not open a browser. Not log into a game. He picked up the phone and called his sister—the one who had kicked him out.

He watched Rudeus take his first steps. Saw him master magic with terrifying ease. Watched him use perverted tricks (stealing panties, grooming a childhood friend, lusting after his tutors) and felt a strange, sick pride— that’s exactly what I would have done.