Nemesis. Start on the End.

David returned home after securing everything. He locked the door behind him, taking the keys and placing them in his pocket. Aunt Elisa, as always, was a bit too comfortable with teasing him.

"Seems like you've got a tight grip on your flock, David," Elisa said with a smirk, poking fun at how he had taken such careful control over the situation. "Making sure your sheep stay close?"

David chuckled softly, trying to dismiss the comment. "It's safer this way," he said. "We need to keep a low profile for now."

Elisa raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Well, just make sure you don't overdo it. You've got a lot on your shoulders."

David knew the tension in the air wasn't just about locking doors and protecting his family. The looming disaster, the game, and the weight of his growing responsibilities were on his mind. But he couldn't afford to think too much about that now. He had to stick to the plan.

After settling down, David excused himself and logged into the game. He needed to start getting the players' attention—particularly those who could help him with the crypt. He had to make himself known, but in a way that was calculated. He didn't want to be too forward or too obvious. The NPC route was still in play for now.

His first task was to gain the trust of players. He decided to take the persona of a skilled hunter, someone who could teach others the art of survival in the harsh world of the game. David, now fully immersed in his role, stood near a village entrance, acting as if he were waiting for someone to approach him.

Sure enough, it didn't take long for a group of players to wander into his vicinity, most of them low-level newbies with nothing but curiosity and hope in their eyes. David played the part well, speaking to them in a way that made him appear knowledgeable, yet distant—like an NPC with a purpose. He gave them simple but practical advice, instructing them how to gather materials, hunt for small animals, and survive in the wild.

But as he was speaking, one player caught his attention—Gilia. She wasn't like the others. She wasn't naïve or easily fooled. Gilia was a human priest, a woman with an aura of quiet confidence and intelligence. She was wary of Revsha, her eyes scanning him as if trying to discern whether he was really an NPC or a player pretending to be one.

Revsha noticed her hesitation but didn't falter. He kept up the charade, offering advice and guidance on how to hunt for wolves and collect valuable resources. The others followed along, eagerly hanging on to his every word, but Gilia kept a distance, observing him with sharp eyes.

As they went on their hunt, Gilia still didn't let her guard down. But Revsha could tell she was intrigued, even if she wasn't ready to fully trust him. After a while, she approached him quietly, lowering her voice.

"I know you're a player," she said, almost as a whisper. "But why are you pretending to be an NPC? You could teach others normally, help them out directly instead of hiding behind this... façade."

Revsha was taken aback but kept his cool. He had to be careful, smooth with his responses. He smiled and leaned in closer, lowering his voice to match hers.

"Sometimes it's easier to teach people when they don't expect too much from you. NPCs have their way of interacting, but I've found it allows me to observe without them questioning too much."

She eyed him, as if trying to piece together his motives. Revsha, however, was already calculating his next move. He wanted her to trust him, to believe in him as more than just a teacher. But more than that, he needed her to become his—someone he could manipulate, control, and eventually bend to his will.

Over the next few days, Revsha made a point to approach Gilia after their hunts. He never pushed her too hard, always keeping his distance, yet showing just enough interest to pique her curiosity. He would ask her subtle questions, like where she lived, or what her plans in the game were, making it appear as though he was just another friendly NPC trying to help out.

She was cautious at first but began to open up. There was something about her—her sharp wit, her kindness, her beauty—that made her stand out in a world filled with faceless avatars. Revsha found himself drawn to her, not just for her usefulness in his plans, but because she was clever. And that made her dangerous.

He knew, though, that he couldn't rush things. If he wanted Gilia to fall into his grasp, he needed to go slow, make her feel comfortable with him, like she was confiding in a friend. He didn't let the other players see what he was doing. He wanted to keep the illusion intact, to remain an NPC to the rest of them while building a connection with her.

Each conversation, each shared moment, brought Revsha closer to his goal. He knew he couldn't push her too fast—he had to make her trust him. And eventually, when the time was right, he would turn the tables. He would make Gilia his, in a way that no one else would suspect. She would become his ally, and eventually, his pawn.

As the days went by, Gilia grew more comfortable with him. Her suspicions faded, but Revsha remained careful, watching and waiting. He kept his distance from the others, playing the role of the NPC perfectly, while secretly moving closer to Gilia.

She still didn't know the truth. And that was exactly how he wanted it. For now.

I see what you're asking now. Let's adjust it so that the game character **Revsha** is the one who talks to Gilia, and **David** is his real-life name. Revsha would be the one making up the lie about having a cousin named David. Here's a revision of the scene to make it clearer:

---

Revsha, the player in the game, had spent days building trust with Gilia. She had shared the struggles of living alone, her financial difficulties, and how her villa was the only thing she had left. His mind was working, quickly figuring out how to exploit this information to his advantage.

Now was the moment to execute his plan. With practiced ease, he spoke to Gilia as if it were just a casual conversation.

"You know," Revsha began, his tone smooth, as if it was just an offhand remark, "I have a cousin who's been looking for a place to stay. He just came back from abroad and needs somewhere to live. He's got some money saved up, so he could help with the bills and rent."

Gilia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She trusted Revsha, even though she knew he was a player. He had been teaching her the ways of the game, and she felt a connection to him—he was someone who had helped her and was always there for her in the game world.

"He's a good guy," Revsha continued, weaving his story. "He's been through a lot, and he's looking for a fresh start. I think he could help you out, especially with the bills. He's got the means, and he's just looking for somewhere safe to settle in."

Gilia thought for a moment. Revsha had been a reliable presence, someone she could trust. The idea of having someone help her out, especially someone who was close to Revsha, seemed like a good deal.

"He's just coming back to the country," Revsha added, "and he needs a place for a while. I told him about your situation, and I think it would work out. He's a decent guy, Gilia. You wouldn't have to worry about him."

Revsha carefully crafted the image of his "cousin" in Gilia's mind. He painted him as a dependable, trustworthy person who could fix her problems.

"I think it's a good opportunity for both of you," he said. "He's just trying to get back on his feet, and he'd be grateful for a place to stay."

Gilia was now considering the offer. After all, it was a chance to have someone there who could help with the rent, someone who wasn't a complete stranger.

"Well," she said, "if he's really someone you trust, I guess it could work. I don't want to turn it down, especially if he can help with the bills."

Revsha smiled inwardly, knowing that he had planted the seed in her mind. He continued to play it cool, making it seem like the offer was up to her, but in reality, he was carefully controlling the situation.

"I'll let him know," Revsha said. "He'll get in touch with you soon."

As they spoke more, Revsha could already feel the wheels of his plan turning. Soon, Gilia would meet his "cousin"—and that cousin would be him. He was already thinking about how to play the part: he would dress a little differently, maybe change his posture, and keep just enough of a resemblance to make it believable. The plan had to be perfect.

Revsha knew the next steps would be crucial. Once he was in her house, the situation would shift in his favor. He wasn't looking to win her affection—he just needed to get her to trust him completely. Once he had that, everything else would fall into place.

He couldn't afford to hesitate. His family needed him, and this was his way of ensuring their survival. It was cold, calculated, but necessary. As he began preparing for the next stage of his plan, he realized that this wasn't just about getting by in the game—it was about controlling everything.

And he would stop at nothing to get what he needed. He helped others and got free experience, with her by his side people trusted that he is the NPC.

Day before disaster strike he finally got to level 2. Thinking what skill he will get it surprised him a lot.

Class skill acquired: First wife system.

Without reading description of that skill he just tried it on Gillia because he didn't know it will work.

---

Today is the day. The disaster is here. I feel the tremors in the air, the weight of the world shifting. I'm prepared, but I know that preparation doesn't always guarantee safety. The city is about to be swallowed by chaos, and I've been planning for this moment for weeks, even before the disaster began to show itself. This time, my family won't die like they did in my past life.

Elena is asleep, her head resting in my lap. Her peacefulness contrasts sharply with the panic that's creeping through the city. My mother, Aunt Elisa, and I are the only ones who know the truth. My family has to move, and they need to understand why.

"We need to get out of here now," I say firmly to my mother. "The disaster is beginning, and we're not safe here."

She nods, though her eyes show the uncertainty I can't afford to indulge. Aunt Elisa's face is grim as she listens, but she doesn't argue. The three of us gather what little we can carry, and I gently wake Elena before we rush out.

We pile into the car, and I don't wait for questions. I just drive. There's no time to explain everything now. The city's trembling, cracks in the streets starting to widen. It's already too late to stop this, but I can still protect the people who matter most to me.

"David, where are we going?" My mother's voice is tinged with panic, but I can't afford to give her false hope.

"To the villa. It's the only safe place we have."

Aunt Elisa looks at me with disbelief. "You knew this was going to happen? You've been preparing for this?"

I nod. "Yes. We need to stick together now."

The car ride is tense, the rumblings of the ground beneath us intensifying. The sky grows dark, the atmosphere heavy with dread. We don't speak much as we make our way to the villa. There's no time for anything except getting to safety.

When we finally arrive, I feel a momentary sense of relief. The villa is secure, isolated, and far enough from the heart of the disaster that we can survive here, at least for now.

"David, what's really going on?" My mother asks again, the anxiety clear in her voice as she looks at me. "How did you know this was going to happen?"

I don't answer right away. I know I need to tell her more, but not now. There's still something I need to take care of.

Gillia.

I walk inside and leave my family in the safe confines of the villa. My mind is already focused on her. I've been preparing for this, but I can't keep her waiting. She'll be here soon enough.

I don't know how she'll react to all of this, but she has no choice now. She was part of the plan from the beginning, and whether she likes it or not, she'll be an integral part of my future.

---

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. I step forward and open it. There she is. Gillia, in the flesh.

She's standing in front of me, a mix of anger and confusion in her eyes.

"David…" She says, voice cold but quiet. "So, it's you, huh?"

I nod. "I'm sorry for keeping things from you. I know you've been wondering about my cousin, David. The truth is, there is no cousin. It was always me."

She freezes for a moment, taking in the weight of what I just told her. She probably knew something was off before, but hearing it out loud is different.

"I should have known." She sighs, crossing her arms over her chest. "But you really went that far, huh? Using the cousin story, hiding everything from me. And then the skill... What exactly is going on, David?"

I look her in the eye, feeling the pressure of the moment. "I had no choice. I used it because I needed to secure a place for us. For my family."

Gillia's eyes narrow as she takes a step toward me. "You used me. You really used me to get to this place, didn't you?"

I don't try to deny it. "Yes. But we need to work together now. You're part of my plan, whether you like it or not."

Her expression hardens, the anger bubbling to the surface. "You think you can just tell me what to do after all this? I don't trust you anymore, David. You're a liar and a manipulator. But for now…" She pauses, clearly weighing her options. "For now, I'll comply. I'll help you, because I'm not sure what else to do."

I feel a flash of relief. She's angry, but she's not walking away. Not yet.

"But understand this," she continues, her voice cold and serious. "You've lost my trust. I don't know who you really are anymore. And if you think you can keep lying and using me like this, you're wrong. You'd better be careful about what you choose to do next."

Her words sting more than I want to admit, but I know I deserve it. I can't undo what I've done, but I can't stop now. I need her—whether she trusts me or not.

"I'll prove to you that I'm not lying. That I'm doing this to protect everyone," I say, trying to sound convincing. "I'll make it right, Gillia. Just… for now, let's focus on surviving this."

Gillia nods, though there's still a sharpness in her gaze. "We'll see," she mutters, turning away. "But I won't forgive you for this."

I can't blame her. But there's no time for regrets. The disaster is just getting started. And I have a family to protect.

---

The ground shakes violently. The sky darkens as lava begins to pour from the earth's cracks. My family is in danger, and I know Gillia will be key to helping us survive. But she doesn't know the full extent of my plans yet. And for now, I'll keep it that way.

We're in this together now. But that doesn't mean she's going to trust me anytime soon. I'll have to work hard to earn it back.

For now, we survive. And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure we all make it through.

---

This chapter shows David's realization of how far he's gone in manipulating those around him, especially Gillia. She's no longer fully on his side but is still willing to help for now, though there's clear tension between them. David now has his family safe, but the road ahead is going to be even more difficult as the disaster unfolds.