My name is Stan Jude…Or, well, it used to be.
As of about…an hour? Maybe two hours ago, I became Layfon Drogo.
Who is Layfon Drogo? He's this annoyingly good-looking, rich, athletic, and intelligent young man of nineteen-years-old. The third son of some large company, he has two older brothers. The oldest was groomed to be the company successor. The second oldest was groomed as his right hand. Additionally, he has an older sister who heads an affiliated company. Lastly, he has a younger sister as well.
What does this mean? It means that he has no pressures or expectations put on him. He is not expected to head the family nor is he really pushed to support them all that much. And, with a baby sister, he isn't the youngest so he isn't really pampered all that much either. The guy has spent the last fifteen years basically being allowed to do whatever he wants. That's right. He's one of those 'young masters' you read about in some novels.
Layfon is someone whose spent his whole life wanting for nothing with the money and means to do just about anything. If someone opposes him, they could meet a fate worse than death, and if they have something he wants, there's nothing they can do to stop him from simply taking it. Furthermore, he doesn't just hide behind his family's money and status. He has the skill to back up his big talk. He isn't a genius, but he's willing to put in the effort to make sure he's just as superior to everyone as he thinks he is.
Prideful, greedy, and lustful, he doesn't just think he's superior to others. He needs to make sure they know it. This has caused him to covet other people's things and led him to be quite envious. If he sees something making someone happy, he will endeavor to take it for himself. Not just get the same thing, but actively take it from another. Toys, money, lovers, etc. Conversely, this also led to him being quite jealous in fear of people doing the same to him and further fueling his need to be better. Likewise, his envy and jealousy cause him to be short-tempered. He makes sure not to let his emotions get the better of him, but he will never forget a slight against him or perceived act of defiance and will bide his time to have his revenge.
His family is well aware of this personality of his and – if anything – support it. As a member of the Drogo Family, so long as he keeps his head on straight and does not offend someone he shouldn't, he should be allowed to lord over others, and they should be happy to serve their better.
It isn't just the Drago family that thinks that way. Most people in positions of power – companies, world leaders, government officials, etc. They're all like that. I know what you're thinking. The typical 'government and big corporations are evil' setup. But there's more to it. This society…No. This world isn't like the one we know.
On the surface, things are the same. But the upper echelons of society are radically different. It's almost like crossing over into another world. For example, polygamy and polyamory – like his father having two wives. To the general public that's not a thing, but for the elite…It really comes down to whether or not you have the money, power, and resources. If you do, you can basically do whatever you want. Even there own rules are more guidelines to keep the peace. The only had 'laws' they have is in regards to the thing that caused this world to deviate from the real one. The Great Divide.
The Great Divide is how the people of Earth – at least the ones who know about it – refer to the dimensional fissure separating their world and the world of Alber. Tears leading into the Divide started to appear some time ago and began causing all sorts of strange phenomenon. The government took action and began investigating which in turn led to the wealthy and elite becoming involved and lending 'funding'. They eventually discovered the world of Alber on the other side of the Divide.
Alber was a world of monsters and magic. Humans began taking advantage of this. Collecting resources, gaining power for themselves, etc. Maybe one day these things will begin making their way to the common people, but for now it is strictly held in the hands of the upper class – granting them supernatural powers and all manner of other things.
Alber itself is not unaware of human involvement in their world. Diplomatic relations have been formed, but for the most part, it's largely a 'stay on your side of the fence' situation. Most interaction between the worlds occurs within the Great Divide.
Tears can appear anywhere; so, when the monsters of Alber make it into the Divide, they could pop out anywhere. It's worse for the people of Alber as monsters might just appear in the middle of town. It's not sure why, but when the same happens on Earth, it causes the area around it to distort – becoming an isolated space. It's still a problem but a contained problem. Either way, it prompts both sides to regularly deal with the threats lurking in the Great Divide. Not just the monsters from Alber who find themselves here, but from the things who seem to call the Divide home.
Now, why am I providing exposition for something that sounds like a fantasy novel? Because that's what it is! And I've woken up to find myself as a character within that story!
World of Alber is a novel series written by same guy I found online. It wasn't anything terribly good. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if it was plagiarized. It's an original story, sure, but I just know it's copied from something. I don't know if it breaks any laws, but it's basically a situation of I know the story is based on an existing, popular work and I think the writer tried to do it but better. Then again, maybe you could say the same thing about any of the fuck ton of isekai stories that are out there. Read one, you've read them all.
Anyway, I read the story. I finished the story – or at least what was released of it, maybe there's more. And then, I wake up in the story.
Now, someone might wonder why I seem to be upset about it. It sounds like I've taken possession of someone who lives the perfect life. And, honestly, you'd be right. When I first woke up, dragged myself to the bath room, and washed up only to see the face of a fictional character when I looked in the mirror, I was ecstatic. I do not live a great life. Not a bad one. Hell, people have it so much worse than me that I bet I should go to hell just for complaining about anything. But not a great life. Now? I'm young, I'm rich, I get supernatural powers, and I can basically do whatever the fuck it is I want with virtually no consequences. So, why am I at all upset about this?
Because. Layfon Drogo is the opening villain of the story. Not even the villain of an arc. He's the guy who get's his ass handed to him by the main character in the first few chapters to show how powerful they are. The one used by the author to be a convenient punching bag for the MC.
The starting plot is pretty clique. Boy accidently finds himself in one of those pocket dimensions I mentioned. He gets attacked by a monster. He gets saved by our heroine while on a mission to deal with the subspace. Now, this is where things could happen. When a normie discovers the supernatural, the elite handle it in one of three ways: kill them, erase their memory, or recruit them. Fortunately for our MC, our heroine takes the third option.
And so, our MC is pulled into the world of supernatural, elite politics. Working as part of his new mistress's group, he is transferred to the special school for these individuals. That's where he comes into contact with Layfon. Curious to see if this random guy had anything special about him, Layfon tried to interact with him. However, our MC had yet to really know up from down and upset Layfon. But Layfon wasn't too much of a bastard and tried to instruct him on what he was doing wrong.
The MC, on the other hand, did not like his arrogant attitude and became abrasive. This caused Layfon's mood to sour. Then, it happened. The MC bought a soda can from a vending machine, and when he went open it – because he opens them backwards for some reason – it proceeded to spray all over Layfon. Apparently, the can had gotten shaken up somehow? Either way, this spelled doom four our MC as Layfon was now enraged and vowed vengeance.
Layfon tried to use his usual methods, but unfortunately, the heroine's family is the superior one. Thus, he received pushback from his family about upsetting another group way above their paygrade. Apparently always getting his way meant that this being the first time, he became unhinged. His reputation quickly sank and in the end he tried to jump the MC and murder him a few chapters later. But by that point, the MC had learned a thing or two and demolished him.
There's a passing comment later in the story how Layfon had bin instigated by the actual antagonist of the story arc, but I generally found it a bit lame. I've read plenty of 'young master' antagonists, and Layfon's part in the story just felt underwhelming. There was a lot of hype and buildup about how capable he was and how he had the means to back up his attitude, but it all amounted to basically raving like a lunatic and getting killed with one punch. At that point the MC was way weaker than the heroine but she specifically warned him to be careful of Layfon because he was not too inferior to her, but he loses so easily?
Even if he was being manipulated, Layfon could have easily been an arc villain. Plus, his loving family – even if a little twisted – just up and abandons him? No revenge. No hostility. The younger sister even develops feelings for the MC despite idolizing the brother. Sure, I get that this twisted perspective has a big 'might makes right' and 'follow the strong' or 'strength is attractive' thing, but just the way the story is written, it felt so…underwhelming? Missed opportunities. Poor payoff. Just all-around failed execution.
…And, now I'm that bastard.
After coming to terms with my new situation, I retreated to the overly luxurious, silk bed and plopped myself on it. There had been a few knocks at the door asking if I was up. I confirmed I was before sending them away and telling them I needed to be alone for a while.
Oh well, after deciding I'd spent enough time wallowing. I decided to get up. I've read stories like this one before and I know how to avoid most issues. The main thing is just leaving the MC alone. If I don't confront him or try to have vengeance, then I'll be fine. It won't even mess up the plot of the story. You can literally take Layfon out of it and the rest of events happen exactly the same. His villain status was just so he could get clapped by the MC and show how he was adapting to supernatural life
Could have used a random monster with like half a chapter of buildup, but sure, write a good character and do him dirty. Same difference.
Moving to the side of the bed, I throw my legs over it and sit up. I run a hand through my now black, wavy hair that Layfon kept mostly short except for a fringe he let hang over his face. I can feel the handsome but sharp features of my new face. Looking over my new body, I can't help but marvel at how much more toned and muscular it is compared to my original one. I'm not big and more lean and slim, but if someone saw this body without a shirt on, they'd be cautions about fighting them.
Layfon really is someone to be envied in every possible way.
Letting out a sigh, I stand up to look for something to wear. Looking around the room, I can't help but bask in the luxury. I'd say this one room is as big as my house…minus the basement. Point is: big ass room with its own big ass bathroom – one of these other doors has to be a walk-in closet…
What I find is…a minifridge…a fucking guest bedroom attached to his own…a foray…It was never elaborated on but does he live in a fancy apartment or some sort of hotel suit…Ah! Walk-in closet. Found it.
Looking at all the fancy-ass clothes I'd never even want in my old life, I realize a few problems. One, I may know the story but that doesn't mean I now Layfon. More specifically, I don't know how to properly dress or act like him. I'd rather wear something more casual, but what if he's a suit and tie guy? I'm not sure why I'm here or what exactly I'm going to do, but I should avoid drawing too much attention to myself. Also, I have no idea if he's supposed to be doing something important today. Is it a school day? He's not dead and his place isn't trashed from his growing psychosis, so I know it's at least before or soon after he meets the MC.
…
Whatever. I'll just put on something that looks classy. Can't go wrong with that.
I grab a long-sleeve, button-down, white shirt, a black tie, a black blazer with crimson lining, and a matching pair of dress pants. Adding a pair of red with black stripe boxers, black socks, and black dress shoes, I put everything on except the tie and blazer. I don't really want to wear them and I figure if I need to someone will tell me. So, for now, I just leave them slung over my shoulder.
Now that I'm dressed, I leave the room and step into the foray. The whole place is white with red carpeting and red upholstered furniture with gold accents. Decorative…but living plants are situated in the corners. One of the biggest TVs I've ever seen is hung…correction, seemingly built into the wall above a fireplace. The other walls all have large, double doors on them. There's the side doors leading to my bedroom, similar doors on the opposite side, and a third pair on the wall opposite the TV.
Checking where each of these doors lead, we have: a long hallway leading to an elevator and a small hallway leading to a big kitchen that looks like it belongs in a restaurant. Honestly, the kitchen kinda makes sense. I remember reading that Layfon sometimes threw parties. So, a kitchen to prepare for guests makes sense. I'm more surprised by the lack of servants. But I figure I did tell whoever to leave me alone. Guess they figure I'll come down when I want to.
I wander around the foray as it settles in that all this. The wealth, the luxury, all of it. Is now mine. No more money troubles. Or worrying about whether I'll lose my house or not. No more annoying job. No more shit pay. I can just live off the Drogo family for the rest of my life. And, they'd let me! I never even have to leave this…apartment? Suit? Whatever it is. Plus, all this comes with supernatural powers.
As I wander around, my eyes fall on a glowing cube sitting on the coffee table situated in front of the couch facing the TV. Guess it's some magic junk Layfon got. The guy wasn't really a collector, so I doubt it's anything really important. And, there's no way his loving family would let something dangerous approach one of them.
Sitting on the couch, I reach forward to pick up the cube. My first contact with the supernatural of this world…I think.
Leaning back, I examine it to figure what it could be. About the size of a softball, there are no seams or anything. I would assume glass but it doesn't have the right texture of something made of glass – or plastic for that matter. It's solid like glass but has this…softness, I guess you could say. It's white at the center but blue otherwise. I can feel a sort of energy flowing through and swirling within.
Gazing upon it, I wonder aloud, "Just what ar-"
It is then that things take a turn. The chipper voice of a young girl was suddenly heard. "Start up completed. Host identified. Beginning initialization."
Too stunned to react, I'm caught off guard as the cube suddenly expands and swallows everything in its path.
Still situated on the couch with the coffee table in front of me, I now find myself assumably inside the cube. The space is about as big as I think the apartment was and it has this odd cyberspace-design to it. Everything is mostly white save for the rainbow-colored – but predominantly blue – energy coursing through everything as if it were running through circuits.
As I begin to adjust, something begins to materialize opposite me. I can see the energy gathering together in the air as it slowly takes the form of a person. Once it's complete, the energy disperses and they fall to the floor. What now stands before me is a little girl.
The girl has big, unnaturally blue eyes with no clear pupil and flowing, silky cherry-blonde hair that curls around her face and reaches halfway down her back. She has a dainty, slim figure suggesting she can't be more than ten-or-eleven if that. She wore a strapless, thigh-long white dress with red, diamond-shaped accents and detached white sleeves that reached halfway up her biceps. Poking out from under her dress, she wore a poofy pair of blue shorts with thin black stripes. A pair of black, fishnet stockings overed her legs with a pair of white and red shoes with a thick, fur lining.
Her unnatural yes locked onto me and she smiled. "Greetings, Host," she said in the same voice I heard just a moment ago.
I should be panicking. But given the fact I'd been isekaied into a throwaway character in a fictional story I'd read, I was honestly expecting this. The cube thing was a surprise and I wasn't positive, but still, once I got past that, I was handling things fairly well. The advantages of being a nerd who prefers the world of fiction. Useless in real life, great here.
"I assume, you're going to explain what exactly is going on," I ask.
The girl nodded. "Correct. A new initiative of the Creator is to create 'Invaders'. Upon investigation, you were chosen for this role due to your personality, detachment from your own life and society, questionable morality, comprehension, and other factors."
"Okay. Why are you just appearing now?"
"Host needed to make contact with THE CUBE. Then, THE CUBE needed to establish a connection with Host requiring you to hold it for a set period. Once it was properly calibrated and a connection was made, Host would be drawn into THE CUBE and could receive the system and other particulars."
"Wait…What if someone found it before me or took it?"
"Once THE CUBE is calibrated, it will form a connection to the person it has calibrated to. Though Host was the intended recipient, that does not prevent someone else from claiming THE CUBE for themselves."
I stare blankly at the girl happily explaining all this. "Seems like a bad set up. Why not just give it to me to begin with if this 'Creator' is so powerful?"
The girl just tilted her head in confusion. "Because why not?"
Okay, so either it was intentional or this girl doesn't know and assumes there's a reason. I may like religion from a creative standpoint but I'm a cynic who sees the bad in things. Christianity? 'You shall worship me and no other and cast aside these false idols.' To me, that sounds like a narcissist flaunting his junk around. People can have their own beliefs, but Old Testament God sounded like a petty narcissist with a short-temper and a parchment for tantrums or mean-spirited pranks disguised as 'tests of faith'. So, I'm willing to buy them being all-powerful and just setting it up this way for shits and giggles.
"Okay. Whatever. So, I'm supposed to be an 'Invader'? What's that about?"
The girl perked up at my question. "A concept you may be familiar with is 'Dungeon Maker' or 'Dungeon Management' type of systems. An Invader is a similar concept where an individual is either transported to a world or has their consciousness transferred into an inhabitant of that world. From there, you are granted the 'Invader Dungeon System' to create a dungeon and use it to spread your influence across the world."
"Okay…To be clear, am I conquering it? Destroying it? Somehow saving the world? What's the shtick here?"
"The dungeon will draw energy from the world and the people who enter it. Whether this is a symbiotic relationship of you trying to support the world with people entering it to gain reward and boons or a parasitic one of the Dungeon leaching off the world to where people are forced to confront you to save it, is your choice. As an Invader, you have a natural understanding of this world and the events as they are currently set to transpire. The main point is to intercede, disrupt, and alter the course of events."
"Alright. So, basically, I'm supposed to take the MC or main villain roles of the story, or I could be the sort of wise mentor or traveling merchant type who's responsible for the MC's rise to victory. You mentioned how I was chosen due to being 'morally dubious'. Much as I'd like to take offense to that, I can't deny my definition of right and wrong is 'whatever I won't get in trouble for'. So, I'm guessing I'm free to do whatever I want? Total freedom?"
"Host is connected to the Invader Dungeon system. The health and prosperity of the Dungeon you create will become synonymous with your own. This is to encourage you to fulfill your task as Invader. But otherwise, there are no set parameters for what you are to do."
"Good to know, but what I mean is. What if I just decide to make this world burn for the fuck of it? Or you? What if I was some depraved psycho and decided to try and fuck you?"
I just insinuated sexually assaulting a her, and the little girl's response was a joyous grin like she just got promised the latest, top of the line Barbi house. "Though you are free to behave righteously, the Invader Dungeon System is more geared toward malicious and at least self-serving endeavors." She then did a little stance with her legs together, one arm behind her back, and the other raised into the air. "It is fully understood and expected that Host may try to assault or otherwise use Attendant to satisfy their physical desires. Though, as this may interfere with normal proceedings, Attendants' appearance was designed to dissuade behavior such behavior. However, if Host is a moral degenerate unbothered by this. Attendants are designed to be fully capable and educated in taking care of any of the Host's needs. Additionally, for a Host who is not so morally bankrupt but still wishes to have their Attendant service them, there is an option to customize our appearance, personality, etc. that can be unlocked once reaching a certain stage of development."
Seeing the happy face that just explained all that, I can't help but blink blankly at her. "Okay, then," is all I manage to say as I decide to set this aside for another time. "Moving on. You said I had to establish a dungeon and do this and that. Can I have more information about that? Also, you mentioned needing to interfere with the story. You wouldn't happen to know exactly when that would be?"
Putting her arm down, little miss Attendant nodded. "Of course. First of all…" She raised her other hand as if she was reaching out for something. In a light display similar to what happened when she appeared, a device materialized in her hand. She then thrust it toward me as she proudly declared, "This is your DC – Dungeon Controller. Using this you will be able to navigate the interface and control the Dungeon."
Looking at it…It looked like a stylized PS5 controller. On the menu button there was a pixelated icon of one of the enemies from the classic Invader videogame.
I looked back to the Attendant who just stood there with her arm stretched toward me. I eventually take the hint and lean forward to accept the DC.
Putting her little fists on her hips, the Attendant continued, "You'll need to select a location for your dungeon which can be anywhere in the known world or The Great Divide. From there, we'll be able to create everything. Now, upon analysis of your personality, your Dungeon Room from where you will be able to access the system and make changes to the Dungeon has been designated as this room!"
"Huh?"
Before she can elaborate further, the space around us seems to melt. The apartment foray returns as does the furniture that vanished when the cube expanded. The melted substance of what I assume was the cube pools around my ankles before it begins to stretch outward. It coats the floor, walls, and ceiling – seemingly seeping into them. The circuitry-like flow of energy is visible all around me with it all seeming to lead to and flow into the TV opposite me. The screen briefly turns on with an image of the Invader logo before turning back off – the circuitry along the walls vanishing with it.
The Attendant continued her explanation, "THE CUBE has now integrated with the physical space designated as MY ROOM. Within this space, the Invader cannot be harmed and he can control it through the system with the DC much like he can the dungeon itself."
"So, if I want to do any dungeon-y stuff, I have to do it from here?"
"Yes and no. Additional features are adjusted as you develop. Due to how the system is concentrated on your TV, new abilities are unlocked." Saying this, she lifted her hand and a tied-up cable appeared. "Host's powers and invincibility as an Invader are limited to this space. But you are able to summon your DC to you wherever you are. It will automatically connect to the system and – assuming you can remember the layout without a visual – you can manipulate it as normal. However, this cable will enable you to plug your DC into electronic devices so they may project your system interface for you. You can make some adjustments to the dungeon by physically going there in person, but you will not be able to access the full system."
"So, I can use the controller anywhere but without my TV or the cable to plug it into, I'll be using the system blind. Basically, just use it in your room. Okay. Now, what about my question regarding the story."
The girl grinned. "Would the Host like to receive the Beginner's Gift consisting of Layfon Drogo's memories, Inventory, and other abilities not specifically tied to the interface? Also, I will inform you that 'canon' where the main character encounters the supernatural, is saved by the heroine, and brought into the world is currently set to occur in one month."
Staring blankly at the girl, I ask, "Does inheriting his memories mean I'll pass out or get a mind rending headache?"
"Nope. Though, the influx of information will leave Host in a daze and the interface will not be operational during the process."
"I can live with that," Layfon said. "Let's do it."
"Receiving Beginner's Gift…now!"