Order of the Elements - Chapter 73: The Art of Deception

[2022 Science Fiction Starlight Award Word-of-mouth Good Book]

[Third Prize of 2022 Science Fiction Essay]

When a photo of the North Pole taken by a satellite was sent back to various countries, people on earth were shocked by the content of the photo.

They saw thousands of wolves in the North Pole, including hundreds of polar bears and arctic silver foxes, all bowing their heads in unison.

On the top of the snow-capped mountain, a giant arctic wolf whose size exceeds everyone’s imagination is overlooking the arctic ice sheet.

- Description from novelbuddy

From infancy to maturity, what Ye Zhou dislikes the most was “two”.

The reasons were: he was ranked second at home, he had been forever ranked second at school, no matter how diligently he worked and tried, he couldn’t shake off that “second” curse. What was more exasperating was that, at University, not only was he ranked second, but even his appearance that he was proud of had to be classified as second best!

Why can’t I obtain the first place!

The eternal second will rise!

Then, Ye Zhou, after his vigorous efforts finally rises and the result was… the first became his boyfriend.

This is the story of a man who has been forced to be “second” and how he became the first, most popular.

- Description from Novelupdates

Betrayed. Starved. Left to die alone in a world that chewed up the weak and spat them out.Gu Qingran trusted the wrong people, loved the wrong man, and paid the ultimate price.But fate? Fate gave her a second chance.Reborn 30 days before the apocalypse, she refuses to be the naive fool she once was. This time, there are no attachments, no kindness—only power.With the Omni-Alchemist System, she can create weapons deadlier than an arsenal, fortresses stronger than steel, and medicines that could cure or kill with a single drop.While the world slept, she stockpiled.While they wasted time..she built an empire. When the world burned, she rose from the ashes—untouchable, unstoppable and unchallenged.Let the apocalypse come. Let them beg for mercy.Because in this life, Gu Qingran is no one’s prey.She is the storm.

Everyone dreams of being summoned to a magical world.Everyone… except me.I’m Alan. Thirty-something, white-collar worker, zero hobbies, one annoying best friend named Bob. Bob’s an anime-obsessed otaku whose life goal is to become the hero of an isekai world. I just wanted to go home, take a shower, and sleep.But then Bob opened a portal to another world in his living room.And guess who got sucked in with him?Now Bob’s the Chosen One, blessed by world and received legendary weapons and magic.Me? I’m the guy carrying his bags, dodging fireballs, and wondering if fantasy world have proper sewage system.This is the story of how my best friend became a hero……and how I accidentally became his sidekick.