Advent of the Archmage - Chapter 9: The Dark Elf Magician – Holmes

Themes: Black Market Trading, Global Crime Networks, Boundaries of Human Nature and Morality, The Struggle Between Truth and SurvivalStory Background:In a modern metropolis, the surface level of prosperity conceals the darkness and corruption lurking beneath. Ethan, a highly skilled detective, spends his life navigating the shadowy corners of the city, uncovering the hidden secrets buried beneath the mundane facade of everyday life. When he is drawn into what initially seems like a simple suicide case, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the global black market, power struggles, and transnational crime.Main Characters:Ethan (Protagonist): A seasoned, calm, and intuitive detective who excels at finding the truth in complex cases. On the surface, he is a quiet, solitary man who prefers to avoid social interaction, but deep down, he is haunted by unresolved cases from his past. Faced with dark forces, he is both determined and full of doubt.Lila (Female Protagonist/Key Ally): Ethan's investigative partner, an intelligent and resourceful intelligence officer with a mysterious background. Her past is also shrouded in secrecy, and she seems to have an undisclosed connection to the “Black Angels” organization. She provides crucial assistance in Ethan's investigation, but her motives remain unclear, casting suspicion on her true intentions.Victor Saville (Antagonist/Main Adversary): A charismatic yet dangerous businessman, who appears to be a successful entrepreneur but is, in fact, one of the central figures of the global crime syndicate “The Black Angels.” Cold-hearted, clever, and ruthless, he controls a global black market network, overseeing arms trafficking, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. He is not only a key figure in Langley's death but also the biggest obstacle in Ethan's investigation.The Mysterious Woman (Key Character): An elusive woman who repeatedly appears during Ethan's investigation, warning him not to delve deeper into Saville and the “Black Angels” organization. Her identity is unclear, but it is evident that she holds vital secrets about Saville and his network. Her appearances leave Ethan bewildered—whether she is an enemy or his only ally remains uncertain.

Humanity achieved dominion over the galaxy long ago.Once that was accomplished, they turned their ingenuity inwards. With their prowess over biological engineering, they transformed themselves into deific beings now called the Gene Tyrants. For centuries, the Gene Tyrants terrorized the galaxy, designing and abusing their genetically engineered servants and serfs as their whims took them.No tyranny can last forever, though, and the Gene Tyrants were eventually overthrown. The rebels discovered a strange light of the mind called Aether, which gave them the strange and fantastical powers they needed to eradicate their creators. Once that was done, however, that by no means meant peace.In the thousand years since, the face of the galaxy has changed. The most powerful human civilization is called the Supremacy, the homeland of 'might makes right'. In the Supremacy, a crime committed by the strong is no crime at all. With their military strength and mastery of Aether, the Supremacy has spread across the galaxy -- with the other powers able to do little but stall their advance. This struggle has developed into a cold war, and that cold war has frozen over for years now.Dragan Hadrien, a low-level administrator in the Supremacy, cares nothing for any of this. Dragan's primary concern is getting himself a promotion and taking it easy for the rest of his days. When a mysterious prisoner is brought aboard his ship, he thinks he has found the means to do just that.How naive of him.

Holographic viewing technology allowed audience members to enter a movie and personally experience it for themselves. Naturally, romance movies were the most popular and well-received, while nobody was interested in horror movies.

Su Min was the first of the viewers to experience a horror movie.

Later–

Malicious Spirit: I dare not scare or frighten my sweetheart…

Su Min: Actually, horror movies aren’t scary at all.

Audience: No, no, no, you are playing in a love movie! (Loudly)

The audience suddenly discovered that the recent rerelease of the horror movie was much better than the original. Furthermore, to everyone’s surprise, the ghost was very sweet…

- Description from Novelupdates

Chen Mo was told by a fortune teller that he had a suffocating aura, and was ordered to commit murder, and then inexplicably traveled to a world of high martial arts and became a fake eunuch serving the queen’s concubine in the harem of the Song Dynasty.

One day finally ushered in his golden finger…

Immortal Cultivation Simulator!

[Choose the talent to complete, do you want to start the simulation? 】

“Yes.”

[Day 1: The great turmoil came, and the horns of uprisings were raised throughout the Song Dynasty. The sky is dead, and the yellow sky stands. You are in the palace, which is the safest place in the Song Dynasty. You are ready to grow up in a dreadful way, and then surprise everyone. 】

【Day 2: You were promoted from the third-class eunuch to the first-class eunuch by the empress. 】

[Day 3: A palace maid accidentally discovered that you were having an affair with the Empress, and you died. 】

…

- Description from novelbuddy