Captured Hearts: The Substitute Bride's Gambit - Chapter 186 - You Also Deserve to Like Her

Waking up in an unfamiliar world with no memories, I had only one advantage—a mind filled with knowledge of fictional tropes, clichés, and common sense learned from countless novels.At first, I thought I was trapped in a romcom nightmare when I started triggering events like “Helping a Girl on a Rainy Day”, “Damsel in Distress”, and “Tripping Into the Heroine’s Arms.” Naturally, I shut those nonsense down before they could escalate. No forced romances. No misunderstandings. No cringe.But something was clearly off.The world wasn’t just a slice-of-life comedy.Beneath the cliché academy setting, there were whispers of awakening powers, hidden dangers, and a brutal magic academy entrance exam.And every challenge I prevented or manipulated was an opportunity to grow stronger.[Title Earned: Background Character.][Achievement Unlocked: Firm Mind.][New Skill Acquired: Background Character's Aura.][New Ability Acquired: Anti-Narrative Influence.]I may be just a background character, but if fate insists on throwing these events at me, I’ll turn them into stepping stones.Let the protagonists play their scripted roles—I have my own path to power.

A hero must be compassionate, selfless and courageous.But that isn't all. Because a hero must also be powerful.In this world, power is everything. Strength decides who gets to save lives and who's left with community service. That’s why I was nothing — a rank 50 E-Class reject, skating through the streets, saving what little I could while the real heroes battled gods and monsters.Then one day, I died. Almost.Dragged into the abyss, I was given a second chance: the Forever Core. An armor that evolves. A system that never stops adapting. Every battle, every hit, every mistake, I come back stronger.Now, the monsters that once crushed me can’t kill me the same way twice.I must adapt. Evolve. I must grow stronger and fight harder. Because humanity is worth fighting for.Even if I have to burn every villain alive to prove it.

Summoned after an unfortunate accident in hopes they could protect the world from a coming threat, Ben and his classmates are gifted another chance at life. With fame and fortune promised to whoever is willing to fight for the sake of the world it doesn't seem like a bad deal, there's just one small problem. Ben wasn't blessed with any magic or combat skills, just crafting and enchanting. While the skills themselves aren't useless they also aren't seen as being necessary to the coming war. Now not needed and alone Ben tries to find a place in the world while meeting some of its colourful characters along the way.

When Shen Yu woke up, he had accidentally gone into a ridiculous dog-blood novel.

In the novel, he is a poor cannon fodder character:

– dead father and mother

– his fiancée had run away

– he is disabled (in a wheelchair)

– he lives a lonely life in a 20,000-square foot mansion.

Later, in order to compete for the female lead, he died under the opposition.

In order to save his life, Shen Yu had to stay as far away as possible from the leading and supporting roles and concentrate on enjoying the luxury life.

As a result, one day, the servant brought a 10-year-old villain with bruised eyes: “Sir, this is the orphan of Tang’s family.”

Shen Yu: “…”

Shen Yu decided to adopt the small villains and change his fate.

Ten Years Later.

The villain pushed Shen Yu to the corner: “Who is that woman?”

Shen Yu: “… Who do you say?”

The villain: “The woman who seduced you at last night’s banquet!”

Shen Yu: “…”

The villain: “Hehe, I’m going to kill her.”

Shen Yu: “My son… That’s the female lead you forgot by the lake…”