What defines a protagonist?

A protagonist is someone who is always at the center of attention. To be precise, it's an existence where the world is revolving around the main character rather than the other way around.

Then, what makes someone be a protagonist?

Usually, most main character faces the enemy without tricks or attract people due to their nice personality. Then, they will solve most problems with the power of friendship and love.

A charming, likable person, right?

Well, if that's the criteria for a hero, then Rein is the polar opposite of it.

"Wh-what the hell!? Where did these guys come from!!?"

"Shit, we are surrounded!!"

One flick of a finger.

Just with that small gesture, the situation is overturned completely. Now, the thieves have become the prey for the victim.

To make it worse,

"Th-these guys.... they are the front line players!!"

"Why....why are they here!!?"

...Their skills are wide apart. No matter how many of the hyenas gather, it is impossible to beat the lion easily. Moreover, the lions group themselves up to eradicate the hyenas.

In other words,

"You all are finished."

Rein declares the death sentence to each and every single one of them. Even Rosalia, who has the face of absolute arrogance crumbles immediately, becoming pale blue. Silica, who is wary of the situation a moment ago open her mouth wide open for this unexpected situation.

"Re-rein-san...wh-who are these people?"

"Hmm? Ah, right. I need to explain it, do I?"

"Explain? D-don't tell me...."

Instead of answering her question, Rein only smiles faintly. However, that smile only is enough to answer her doubt.

(We are the bait!?)

Worse, she is a poor bait to fish out the preys without knowing the plan at all. Well, if she wants to describe it badly, she's just an innocent passerby involved without receiving any consent.

What a sadistic bastard he is.

Sure, if you consider the gap between the two parties, it is clearer than the blue sky for who will be the winner. The problem is, he 'uses' Silica to accomplish it who isn't supposed to be here at all.

And that's why Rein couldn't be a proper protagonist.

He never believes in something vague with the likes of love, friendship, and trust even once, No. Although he may want to walk a different kind of path from his previous life, that doesn't mean his habit, personality, and attitude will disappear too.

He acts like the worst schemer using the money, authority, and trickery to accomplish own goal.

"Sorry for staying silent Silica. If I say it, then they would get suspicious."

"...Uhhh....."

Now she could only groan for how absurd all this 'farce'. Sure, she understands Rein's motive for staying silent. If he just spills the beans and Silica couldn't keep a poker face, then everything will disappear with a 'poof!'

But still, using someone like this? There's no way she could feel good.

Knowing her complaints and feelings, Rein could only put a bitter smile.

"I know this wouldn't compensate it but I would treat you anything when we go back. I promise."

"Haahhh... I understand."

In any case, the bottom line in this trip for Silica is to safely return while having Pneuma Flower in her possession. Looking at the situation, it is like a done deal.

Finishing talk with SIlica, now Rein faces to Rosalia who is trembling with fear and anger.

"Now then, "An individual is hopeless in front of the absolute number," was it? I absolutely agree. There's nothing better in beating someone by ganging up."

....That's certainly not a line for someone who is praised as a hero.

Ahh.... but, how should Silica describe this? Why does the sight of Rein saying that words while smiling is so fitting and picturesque to her? Never would have thought she feels pity toward that irritating woman.

(I must be crazy.)

She could feel that way because she is safe from danger. No matter what form it is, there's no denying the fact that Rein saves her albeit in a sneaky way.

The winner takes everything, but the losers will lose everything.

If she comes to this floor alone...

*Brrr*

(.....I will be dead already.)

She shudders from realizing that fact. Well, the other side is also feeling the same way.

However, nobody would want to face own demise willingly just because it's hopeless. Every living being has a desire to survive.

*Fwish!*

Rosalia immediately turns her tail and run without looking back her past comrades. It doesn't take a genius to realize that she already falls into that guy's trap. So, she took her chance for escaping while her subordinates are busy saving their own asses.

(It's now or never!)

What a typical action for a third-rate villain. Moreso when she doesn't feel any speck of remorse when betraying her own.

Seeing her action, Rein only chuckles to himself. It feels too comical for how exactly accurate his prediction is.

"You think I don't expect you to do that?"

For these kinds of bastards, Rein truly knows them because he always confronts them in his past life. After all, running away is a necessary skill for a villain.

*Fwishhhh*

*Click!*

"Hii!?"

"Release your weapon and raise both of your hands. If not, I will immediately take that head of yours."

One single player stops Rosalia's movement immediately while pointing her neck with a spear. If the players who currently fight with the thugs are elites, then 'she' is the literal cream of the crop.

Elite out of the elites. The 1 percent out of the 1 percent.

"I-Iron Maiden..."

That is the nickname given to the latest member of Familia Myth. However, the difference between her past with the present is outrageously huge.

Her face, which was full of concern and fear is replaced with a resolute expression. Her body gesture, which always looked scared and timid becomes proper and rigid like an immovable boulder. Lastly, the girl who can't even wield a proper weapon has 'evolved' into a warrior who fights the enemy without mercy nor batting an eyelid.

Iron Maiden.

It is the most fitting name for the current Sachi.

"Wow, you raise your skill again. Isn't it faster compared to a week ago?"

"!?"

(What the!!?)

Surprised by the unexpected voice in Rosalia's back, she turned her head, only to find Rein standing while gripping her shoulder ve~~~~ry strong.

"Guh!! You bastard!"

"Thanks for the compliment. As a reward, I will give a slight 'massage'."

*CRACK!!*

"GUAHHHH!"

After adding a little stronger force to his hand, Rosalia's pretty shoulder becomes compressed, resulting in a tragic and ugly shape. Even if the pain system isn't set on 100 percent, what hurts still hurt.

Ignoring her anguish cry, Rein smiles to his pupil who had already lowered her weapon after he comes to subdue the criminal.

"Thanks for responding on my sudden call. I never thought you will come."

He truly meant that. After molding her physical and mental endurance to the best he could for these few months, Rein suggested her to join the front line players' activity. Alone, to boot. Experiencing with own body is the fastest way to grow.

So, she and the groups are supposed to be quite busy. He could persuade the others because they are from Diabel' guild, who has a huge favor owned to him.

As for this girl?

"Hu hu, how couldn't I? it's a request none other than you."

"....Geez, please don't say it like that. It makes things awkward, you know?"

"My, I never really mind though? Rein-san, you are still shy as ever, I see."

"..."

Now that makes things more awkward to him. He couldn't muster a response from that.

(....Hah, goodness gracious...never would have thought that meek girl in the past, will call me 'shy' now.)

Recently, he has an absurd thought about his guild. Usually, isn't it supposed to be the guys who will be the pillar to support the 'house'? Looking at her and Asuna, it feels like the role is reversed.

*cough*

Dispersing his ridiculous(?) thoughts, he faces toward the woman who is still crying and cursing from this damned predicament she's facing right now.

Instead of feeling sympathy or guilty for making a lady cry, he mercilessly gives the final strike to end this.

"Now, you have two options. Would you like to get stabbed to death by me personally or get a one-way ticket to the nice, cold jail?"

In other words, it's like saying 'Want to die right now or lose your freedom for eternity?'

Originally, Rosalia would dismiss the former option, disclaiming it's ridiculous for a green player to kill another green player for gaining animosity. But well, this man in front of her is not exactly what you call....normal.

".....Kuh, fu*k this shit....."

So, she could only choose the latter. Rather, that's the only option to take. Sadly, there's no such thing as the third choice since she and her subordinates are all subdued cleanly without missing a single one.

"I'll take that you want to move to the prison then. Hope you won't catch a cold."

*Bak!*

*bruk.*

After saying his piece full of sarcasm, he knocks down the villain by giving a clean chop to her back neck. When she'll wake up, only a dark, dim jail will face her without the chance to escape.

Then, every day she will curse her rotten luck.

In her point of view, she could only explain this moment to the other prisoners in one line.

"I've been beaten black and blue by a greater evil instead of a hero."

In a way, it was more accurate than anything else.