The ML didnt actually date his partner because he likes them or anything. He's using the partner to trap the bad guy. They're not lovey dovey as portrayed in the earlier chapters. ML has been in love with the MC since they were kids and he's basically doing all this to clear up the MC's parents name. One thing I like about the ML is that he's not the 'I'll die and for you' type of ML. He's more of 'it's better for us to die together than only one of us being alive and leaving the other to be sad but i'll also do anything for you'. It's rare to see this kind of couple who are more inclined to die together instead of leaving one another behind. Im sick of novels where the MC or ML decides to sacrifice themselves just so one stays alive. Also, the ML eventually knows what MC was feeling like when he saw him with his *fake* partner and he basically regrets it so much for making MC feel that way. ML even develops some trauma due to the MC dying and running away he has to keep checking MC's heartbeat and brething when MC is asleep. There was also a part where the ML kneels down and kisses MC's feet when he was trying to stop the MC from hurting himself.

Tldr; MC runs away, ML catches him, they fight slash talk and eventually f**k. They get together.

Also at the end ML and MC shares their life forces. So if one dies the other dies too. They dont get into detail with how much time left for both of them since theyre sharing it now. But I guess it's a happy ending since both of them made up and decided to live together

Im just gonna put it out there, but I must be a masochist for reading so far into the story. Throughout the chapters, I found myself yelling "GET UPP!! YOU RLY WANT TO BE GASLIT AND MANIPULATED BY THIS b*tch? REALLY???" to the MC. Not to mention, every s*x scene was very uncomfortable to read (and theres a LOT). The MC and ML are both pathetic in every sense of the word, you cant change my mind abt this, argue with the wall.

If you've read "kill the villainess", thats what I was hoping the story would go. In case you dont know how ktv ended

At the end of the day, this story really isnt my cup of tea. I kept reading bc I was intrigued.... just as you would watching a car crash.

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Edit!

Addressing the review above about the ml

One reviewer said ppl are turned off by the ML bc he was "dating" another guy....

No bbg, we're not JUST turned off by that, we are turned off by how he was treating the MC like tr*sh, gaslighting him by saying "oh but I did so much for you and I love you but you wont like me back?🥺" or "yk im gonna die if you die right?🥺🥺", taking advantage of mc's feelings for him, chasing him around the world bc he couldnt take no for an answer, and eventually shackling his (mc's) life (literally) to his own???? Hes just a shitty person and I regret reading this so so much😭

that three years prior to the beginning of the series, the MC had over 11, 000 of life force left - that's actually 30 years. MC only begins to spiral on his birthday that year because ML is carrying out a Xanatos Gambit and playing with the MC's feelings, not realizing he was also gambling with MC's life.

the ML has a partner but it’s pretty obvious something else is going on. I’m not far into the novel but it’s clear as day the MC is an unreliable narrator. He’s powerful, kind, respected but he doesn’t think so highly of himself. His narration reflects his poor self esteem and in turn makes him unaware of certain perceptions others have of him. Aka ML being absolutely obsessed with him and even offered to kill someone who hurt MC when they were young, before he was a guildmaster. Or how ML was hostile to another guild member because MC dotes on him yet MC isn’t aware ML foul mood is due to him being nice to another (who most likely has a crush on MC and ML is aware of his competition). He chalks it up to ML being his temperamental cold anti-social self (which aligns with his true personality so can’t really fault MC for not being aware).

MC doesn’t seem to realize how much ML is possessive over him. I’m not sure what’s going on with ML and his lover, but it smells like a fake contractual relationship. MC is in so much pain of his love being unrequited. I wouldn’t say ML is a kind person considering he’s clearly has manipulative, obsessive, calculating, and controlling tendencies. I have a feeling ML may be saying things callously on purpose and his selfish actions/words are hurting MC. I do wonder how he’ll behave once he discovers MC has a limited lifespan that’s due to him sacrificing himself for the guild aka ML’s career