The Villainess’s Guide to Winning the Male Lead

[Manager: You can’t just give away things like that. Use your heads, kids.]

[Gold2: This is so irritating…]

[asdf: Lol]

[LLoading: Ah, just once pleaseㅠㅠ]

[Manager: Nope]

The manager was very firm.

From the way he spoke, it seemed like the manager had the capability to obtain such an item. I thought that maybe with a bit more prodding, I could get it from him.

“Manager, we can’t just sit here doing nothing, right?”

[Manager: What?]

“Think about it. If we can’t proceed, there’s no point in starting the broadcast, right? Just sitting here won’t make anything happen. The broadcast becomes interesting when I start moving.”

[LLoading: Exactly!!]

[Gold2: Lol]

[asdf: Lol]

[Isaac: Agree, agree]

[KongKongCorin=3: Want to see the male lead tooㅠㅠ]

[NyamNyamoo: Agreed!!]

[OnlyFinley: Look at this diversion, lol]

The chat agreed, and public opinion was leaning in one direction.

[asdf: Why is the manager so quiet?]

[Isaac: Did he bail?]

[Gold2: Scared?]

[Manager: -_-]

[Gold2: There he is lol]

[Manager: I’ll suggest it, but not today]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Ooh―]

Seeing that he didn’t flat-out refuse like before, I was relieved that there was a possibility.

Still, I had to remain in the duke’s residence today. It was a bit disappointing for me, as I’m someone who likes to act on my decisions right away.

‘Should I move a bit more, or just rest?’

It was still early in the evening. I had plenty of energy left, but since it was the first broadcast, I didn’t feel the need to stretch it too long.

“Since it’s the first day, I’ll end it early.”

[asdf: Bye bye]

[Gold2: What time are you on tomorrow?]

[NyamNyamoo: Have a good rest!!!]

[PleaseShakeACarrot donated 300 points!]

– Today was fun!

[LLoading donated 100 points!]

– Turn it on again tomorrow! 〉〈

It seemed somewhat heartwarming. Although we weren’t close yet, the initial awkwardness was gone.

With that, I pressed the broadcast end button, and the chat quieted down simultaneously.

“……?”

Although I had ended the broadcast, one person was still on the connection list.

“Manager?”

[Manager: Yes?]

Unlike the others who disappeared as soon as I ended the broadcast, the manager was still there.

“Are you not getting disconnected, Manager?”

[Manager: I’m the manager, after all]

It seemed that, given his role in managing the broadcast, he was a bit different from the other angels.

I stared blankly at the chat window.

“…Are you planning to stay on?”

[Manager: No]

[Manager: I’ll just pass on a message and then let you rest]

“A message?”

[Manager: The one who sent you here didn’t explain everything properly -_-]

He must be talking about that woman. The moment I agreed to take on this task, she handed me a book and vanished.

I thought I had heard everything I needed to. But it seems there were still some details left to be conveyed.

“What are they?”

[Manager: From midnight to 8 am, broadcasting will be forcibly ended for 8 hours]

[Manager: You can’t start a broadcast during that time]

“……?”

I tilted my head in dissatisfaction.

There could be a lot of interesting events happening at dawn. I didn’t like the idea of being completely cut off during that time.

Seeing my expression, the manager explained.

[Manager: What -_- You need to sleep, don’t you?]

[Manager: You and them both]

[Manager: If you stay up all night watching broadcasts and it affects your work the next day, it defeats the purpose]

Since the whole point of doing this was to recharge the angels’ morale. It made sense to have such a rule.

“So during the early hours, the angels won’t know what I’m doing?”

[Manager: They can’t see if you’re not broadcasting, not just at dawn]

[Manager: Except me]

“Why can you see, Manager?”

[Manager: I don’t want to, you know? ;]

The manager seemed to stay on after the broadcast ends, just in case. That’s why he was still on the connection list even after I ended the broadcast.

[Manager: Don’t worry about your privacy unless I show up on the connection list]

[Manager: If you tell me to leave, I will immediately]

His tone was quite blunt, but surprisingly considerate. I was starting to see why he was assigned the manager role.

[Manager: And don’t tell them that you’ll be reincarnated once you gather all the points]

“Why not?”

[Manager: If they know you’ll leave once you’ve gathered all the points, do you think they’ll give them to you?]

That made sense. I probably wouldn’t give them either. It’s like running away with their money.

[Manager: The closer they get to you, the less likely they are to give points. Anyway, revealing it will only bring you disadvantages, for sure]

“…Right, I’ll keep it a secret.”

I readily agreed. Thankfully, I hadn’t slipped up today.

[Manager: That should be enough]

[Manager: Now go rest]

“Yes, thank you for your hard work today, Manager. I look forward to working with you.”

[Manager: Yeah, whatever]

The manager replied and then disappeared from the connection list. A very cool exit.

Finally, everyone was gone, and it was my time alone.

I flopped down on the bed.

‘…I’m tired.’

I thought I was full of energy just a moment ago, but now that I’m alone and lying in bed, fatigue washes over me.

I might not have realized it, but adapting to this new environment must have taken its toll. I didn’t resist the heavy eyelids that were closing and calmly shut my eyes.

* * *

The next day arrived, and after getting ready, I started the broadcast.

Unlike yesterday, a lot of people came in as soon as the broadcast started. Word must have gotten around, as the number of viewers was more than double compared to yesterday.

[OnlyFinley: Hi hi!]

[KongKongCorin=3: Love morning broadcasts haha]

[TheQueen: Wow lol]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Hi Jiha noona!]

[Gold2: Morning hi]

[FlowerFlute: Good morning!]

[LLoading donated 100 points!]

– Good luck with today’s broadcast!

Seeing their responses, it seems that yesterday’s broadcast was quite enjoyable. Though I haven’t really started anything significant yet.

Today, just wandering around the duke’s residence might bore the viewers quickly. I needed to create some event.

Instead of greeting the viewers, I called the manager.

“Manager.”

[Manager: Yes]

As expected, the manager appeared immediately when called.

“Is it possible to provide the scroll you mentioned yesterday?”

[Manager: Yes]

[Gold2: Wow, this is possible? lol]

[LLoading: Good good]

[Manager: But it’s not for free]

[Manager: See the purchase icon next to the broadcast end button?]

Following the manager’s words, I shifted my gaze.

There it was, the purchase icon that wasn’t there yesterday.

I touched it without hesitation, and a new window appeared on the right.

‘…Did they make it like a real store?’

It was well-organized like a shop window in a game. And in the list of purchasable items, there was a magic scroll.

I wasn’t sure if the shop window was visible to the viewers, but the chat quickly filled up.

[MadelineTastesGood: Oh]

[FlowerFlute: Wow haha]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Did the manager make this??]

[OnlyFinley: This heat]

[asdf: So that’s what you were doing till dawn lol]

[Manager: -_-]

[LLoading: You worked hard, Managerㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

Did the manager personally add this feature? Adding a new function in just a day was impressive.

[Manager: I’ll fill up the item list as needed]

[Manager: The scroll is just for tutorial purposes, so it’s set at 100 points for now]

[Isaac: This place is generous]

[Gold2: The boss is really kind^^ Highly recommended]

[Manager: This is just for once -_-]

The points I received just yesterday were substantial, so 100 points was a bargain.

Pressing the purchase button deducted 100 points.

Then a small light appeared, and a scroll fell from thin air.

‘Good.’

I picked up the scroll and was about to tear it open.

If it weren’t for the viewers’ dissuasion in the chat.

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Just going like that? With nothing?? lol]

[Gold2: The house will be upside down lol]

[AsparagusChamp: lololol]

[FlowerFlute: At least leave a noteㅠㅠ]

I wonder if the duke and Finley will worry. Both of them tended to be overly concerned about Anais.

I pondered for a moment and then headed to the desk. Picking up a quill, I wrote a note in elegant handwriting on a piece of paper.

[I’m running away. Please don’t look for me.]

It was a neat and satisfactory runaway note.

* * *

As I tore the scroll, the scenery before me changed.

What I saw first was the blindingly white snow. As soon as I opened my mouth, my breath fogged up in the cold air.

I wrapped my arms around myself.

“It’s cold……”

[asdf: Of course, it’s the North]

The territory of the male protagonist, Kabir, was a very cold place.

I came here unprepared. I had dressed somewhat warmly, but it was still not enough.

As I shivered alone, the chat started to fill with sympathetic messages.

[Manager: Is this a joke?]

[OnlyFinley: Why like this lol, let’s just call it a silly charm lol]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Noona… lolㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

[PongDang: Looks really coldㅠㅠ]

And of course, it had to be in the middle of a forest. If I had teleported to a village, I might have received some help from the locals. But there was nothing around but trees.

[asdf: Who sets these coordinates?]

[Manager: I just said inside the territory; you all want too much]

[Gold2: Isn’t there some basic common sense, like don’t send someone into the forest lol]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Yeah… Manager messed up this time…]

[Manager: -_-]

[LLoading: Guys, don’t be too harshㅠㅠ We all know the Manager is a bit eccentric, how will we copeㅠ]

[LLoading has been chat banned for 5 minutes.]

[OnlyFinley: Reason for ban- stating facts]

[Manager: Be quiet]

He really is eccentric. I decided I’d better not provoke the Manager in the future.

Putting aside the cold, Heyward territory was infested with dangerous creatures. Being in this forest, I could be attacked by monsters at any moment.

I timidly raised my hand.

“Um, I have a question. If I die here, is it the end for me?”

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Nah, that wouldn’t be the case haha]

[Gold2: Where in this era do you find a game that only gives you one life?]

[Isaac: Resurrection pass, go go]

[Manager: You ask for too much, be ready to pay ten thousand points -_-]

Fortunately, it seemed I could be resurrected if I had enough points.

‘It’s best not to encounter them in the first place.’

Even in a virtual world, the experience of dying would be quite unpleasant.

It would be best to move cautiously, but not knowing the way, I was unsure where to go to avoid monsters.

I had to move, so I started walking.

Then a loud noise erupted nearby.

“……!”

I covered my ears at the tremendous sound. It sounded like the roar of a beast, but it was a painfully piercing noise.