Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 39: Insecurities

Xion Aijawa thought his life was finally coming together. That is, until he tried saving a cat stuck in a tree, fell into a pit, and... diedIn his disoriented sate of “Freshly dead” the silly Xion accepted a strange request and ended up transmigrating into the world full of dungeons and Mana.He became illegitimate child of Marquis family hated by his three siblings.According to the memory of the original owner of the body, Xion only had a month to live.So, taking the cover of the banquet, Xion ran away. Aided by a mysterious Mall System, he makes his way to the distant borderlands, hoping to put his past behind him.But fate has other plans-. Xion ends up saving Darius Rael Darkhelm, the feared Archduke of the North, notorious for his ruthless and deranged nature.The silly Xion tried to run away but...Xion's heart thumped loudly as Darius effortlessly pinned his wrists using only one hand.“I've heard you tried to run away.”Darius gently caressed Xion's pale cheek, “That must be a lie... After all, I've given you things even the royal family can't have. Isn't that right, my dear healer?”Xion gulped when Darius's thumb brushed his lower lip as a chilling smirk remained on his handsome face.“I-I think I should leave, Your Grace. I've overstayed my welcome...”The room grew cold, and struggling Xion shivered.Darius's green eyes dimmed before lighting up with a dangerous glint.Xion felt a pit growing in his stomach when he saw the deranged archduke smile. Darius never smiled. And whenever he did, it only meant trouble.“You're right,” Darius said calmly. “So, let's get married.”Xion “...!!!!”

【The latest update for 'Age of Ice' has been completed, heralding the era of open beta testing for all. In one minute, every human on Blue Star will be thrown into this game.】Starting with a small bonfire, this is your range of activity.You must continually gather materials and upgrade the level of your bonfire.Bonfire → Large Bonfire → Furnace → Energy Tower → Super Energy StationBy unlocking more buildings and recruiting various troops, build your power in this extremely harsh world.Having just crossed over, Cao Xing accidentally activates the sole hidden SSS-grade talent: Eternal Power.At that moment, he discovers a beautiful Saozi (sister-in-law) accompanying him...With their hidden talent, they cooperate and gradually expand and strengthen their territory!As they explore the vast world beyond, more secrets of this expansive world come to light...

What happens when a 20-year-old ordinary young man transmigrates into America with a daily sign-in system, that gives rewards from most insignificant things like chewing gums, noodles to priceless things like shares of top companies, talents, future news etc...Follow how this young man slowly but step by step conquers the......“Maate! Wait, stop, stop, time out, time out.My goal is to live a leisurely and carefree life. Why should I do the thankless job of conquering the world?Shouldn't I spend that time flirting around with beauties or trying new foods and cultures? ““In my last life, I died as a single dog, and in this life, I finally became a rich 2nd generation and got a system, shouldn't I enjoy it? “Shut up! Stop him, and make him shut up! ahem… so, where we were… Yes!But can he truly achieve his dream of a carefree life amidst the treacherous world of business with high-stakes investment and the dazzling entertainment industry?Witness his rise to legendary status, as he becomes a godfather of investment and a titan of entertainment.He only wanted a carefree life, but how did he end up as the most powerful and richest man in the world?

Ethan's head throbbed violently as he opened his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused. A dull ringing filled his ears, drowning out his thoughts.“What’s happening…?” he thought, his mind sluggish, struggling to catch up with reality. One moment, he was asleep—or at least, he thought he was—and the next, searing pain forced him awake.His vision swam, shapes blurring together in a disorienting mess. But then, muffled noises filtered through the haze—frantic, panicked sounds. Someone was trying to scream, their voice smothered, choked by something.A cold shiver ran down his spine.As his sight gradually sharpened, Ethan's breath hitched.He was on all fours, looming over someone. A girl.Her body twisted and writhed beneath him, ropes biting into her wrists and ankles. Her mouth was gagged, muffling her cries. Her wide brown eyes, brimming with fear and fury, glared up at him.Ethan's body locked in place, his blood running cold.“What the…?” His mind reeled, thoughts slamming into each other in chaotic disarray. “What kind of bizarre dream is this?”Panic clawed at his chest. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps as he scrambled backward, only to realize his limbs felt sluggish, uncooperative, like they didn’t belong to him.“Is this… is this some kind of twisted fantasy I never knew I had?” A sickening thought slithered through his mind, making his stomach churn.The girl's frantic squirming slowed for a moment, her gaze flickering with confusion as she took in his expression—his trembling hands, his wide, horrified eyes. But the fear returned just as quickly. She struggled harder, her body arching, her muffled screams rising in pitch.Ethan wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but before he could force out a word, a glowing blue window materialized before his eyes.His breath caught.A translucent, hovering screen?“What…?”Lines of glowing text scrolled across its surface.---[System Activated…][Host Confirmed.][Simulating Previous Data…]Ethan awakens in a mysterious world, shackled by a curse that clouds his judgment and drives him toward choices he never wished to make. Burdened by guilt and responsibility, he must navigate the fallout of his actions while unraveling the truth behind the curse—and his place in this enigmatic new reality.