Chapter: Choose your fate“I never really thought the boy had it in him to keep going after he lost his home,” someone observed in a calm, benevolent voice. “I must admit his resilience is quite impressive for a mortal. Were it anyone else in his shoes, the ending would have been a lot different.”“I knew there was something about him right from the day he was born. Alas, his mother never got the chance to see him grow up,” a feminine voice stated wistfully. “The question remains, what must we do with him now?” the male voice questioned.“I think it is time to leave the choice in his hands,” a second feminine voice spoke aloud. “Wake up, my dear child. Your mortal troubles cannot touch you here. Wake up and choose.”Groggy and disoriented, Ezra slowly parted his eyelids and immediately squinted as the bright white light flooding the room smarted his eyes. Still dizzy and weak, he somehow rolled over and gasped.“Where am I? What happened?” “You are safe inside the Hall of Wandering Souls,” a measured feminine
Last Updated: 2025-03-23
Chapter: Sins of Thy Father“The hour of darkness descends upon this world like a shroud, and the bleeding moon beckons the Lord of Decay to reclaim his lost domain. Come forth and ascend the throne of darkness, my Lord!”Ezra’s heart pounded inside his chest like a caged animal, and his head throbbed in pain as he heard muffled words shouted in the distance. Lying in a bloody puddle on the black marble floor, he parted his droopy eyelids and saw Lord Wilhelm standing behind the altar and Lady Lillian facing him on the other side.Though Tanya’s face was hidden from view, Ezra could see her supple white fingers tingling as her delicate arm dangled from the stone altar. She was still alive, but Lord Wilhelm was already anointing the ceremonial dagger forged from infernal obsidian and preparing to plunge it into her heart.“You…cannot do it. You need the crimson moon to…summon Zepheroth,” Ezra said, fighting the pain.“The hour of our Lord is nigh. And all celestials shall obey his will,” Lord Wilhelm continued cha
Last Updated: 2025-03-22
Chapter: Heroes never winThe enchanted nock gun vibrated with elemental energy as Jasenki loaded it with enchanted rounds. The glyphs carved into its stock shimmered and dazzled as he aimed at Ezra.“Scream for me, Ezra!” Jasenki yelled, pulling the trigger.Bang! Fwoom!A fiery barrage lit up the dark pavilion as fifteen fireballs erupted from the silver-dusted barrels. The first hit burned Ezra’s left sleeve, setting his tattered leather jacket ablaze, and the rest of the fireballs charred his white shirt, burning his skin.“This gun was forged by the best Gunsmiths in Stonewell, and enchanted with the rarest of ancient glyphs. No one can withstand its power!”Jasenki reloaded his weapon and fired again, unleashing another flaming barrage.But this time, a barrier of flames erupted around Ezra, cocooning him within an elemental shell.All fifteen fireballs exploded into sparks as they collided with the flame barrier, leaving Ezra unharmed.“Damn you, Ezra. Keep trying your tricks and see how long you can su
Last Updated: 2025-03-21
Chapter: Lovers in CrimeEzra looked at the two Spectral Companions hovering behind Jasenki and Cecilia and realized these spirits weren’t obtained from their ancestral artifacts. “I see you have abandoned your family relics,” he said, carefully analyzing the two specters with his Dragon Eye skill. “These spectral entities are gifts from the Lord of Decay,” Jasenki replied, raising his head with arrogance. “I bet you have never encountered anything so powerful before.”“Go on, Ezra. Call your little Spectral Basilisk, and let us see if it can stand up to our companions,” Cecilia mocked, casting a disdainful glance at Ezra’s tattered brown jacket and muddy black boots. “You still look as beggarly as before. I suppose some things never change. I am so glad I rejected you when I did.”Suddenly, Ezra’s eyes glinted, and his pupils brightened with a bright blue flame that blazed with magic energy. The scar on his chest glowed through his shirt, revealing his true power.Reaching inside his jacket, Ezra pulled out
Last Updated: 2025-03-21
Chapter: Hour of JudgmentFollowing the glowing trail left behind by the Spectral Beholder, Ezra avoided the rot vines squirming in the mire, and the Medallion of Purity hanging over his chest shielded him from the swamp's corrupting influence.Dark geysers erupted around Ezra, spewing molten tar several feet in the air and filling the swamp with a sulfurous haze. The choking odor brought tears to his eyes, but he pushed on through the vaporous veil.The Spectral Beholder led Ezra to a small patch of dry land surrounded by rotting oak trees. As he stepped onto the elevated mound, he spotted a fiery blue orb floating in the distance.Ten more orbs appeared out of thin air, floating through the foggy darkness. At first glance, they looked like glowing power crystals, but as Ezra took a closer look, he realized these orbs weren’t floating crystals or fireflies, but Elven Wisps.The Elven Wisps were unique spectral entities only found in the Violet Everglades. Unlike Banshees and Spectral Wraiths, the Elven Wisps w
Last Updated: 2025-03-20
Chapter: Lady of the SwampA weary traveler lost inside the Violet Everglades was an easy prey for the creatures of the dark, and Ezra had just encountered one such nefarious entity. But instead of fear, his eyes lit up with a strange hopefulness.“You called out to me in Tanya’s voice, so you must have seen her passing through. Point me toward the Fountain of Chaos, and I won’t kill you,” he spoke in a cold, emotionless voice, without even turning to look at the creature creeping toward him.The creature laughed at his words and rushed through the darkness, moving like a shadow to play with his mind. Her voice echoed from different directions as she disappeared like smoke and danced around Ezra.“You are in my home, youngling. The dark ones told me you’d be coming,” she cackled. “But you won’t be walking out alive. So, forget about your friend and save yourself if you can!”As Ezra stood there motionless, a howling shadow rushed past him and gathered on a dry patch of grass overgrown with violet tulips that glo
Last Updated: 2025-03-19
Dominance of the Forgotten God of War
Alex Verlaine was a walking, talking blood-bag who only existed to donate plasma to his ailing brother-in-law. His selfless love for his wife is repaid by betrayal and his sacrifices mocked and ridiculed by his mother-in-law.
But when Alex discovers his wife never loved him and is already in the arms of another man, he casts his veil aside and reveals his true identity as the Legendary Miracle Maker.
They treated him like a servant, now he is back to make them kneel like slaves.
They called him a penniless loser, only to discover that he was the wealthiest man in Alexandria.
"Just who are you really?" Felicia asked in a trembling voice, her face rapidly losing color.
Alex looked into her hazel eyes and breathed like a man possessed, "I am the God you will kneel to from tonight, or watch your whole world burn to ash. I am Alexandria's beating heart, and the only one who can save your dying brother."
Felicia clasped her hands, falling to her knees in submission. "Please forgive me. I was wrong to insult you. My family needs you. Please give me another chance!"
Alex grabbed her face, squeezing her flushed cheeks, and whispered in a husky voice, "Then beg me like you mean it!"
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Chapter: 504. The Trial TurnsTwo days later, as Xavier Cortez appeared for his second hearing, Governor Morton felt confident about finally getting him thrown into prison for good.The cops had scoured all the cartel hideouts for evidence and managed to retrieve several contraband items as well as crates filled with dirty cash.To add to that, the witnesses were ready to testify against Xavier and expose all his criminal dealings to the court.However, tables quickly turned in Xavier’s favor once the trial began.The public prosecutor first put Martha Wilson on the witness stand.“Mrs. Wilson, please tell the court what you saw that day while passing the departmental store near your house. And be sure not to leave out any details.”Martha Wilson wiped her forehead with a kerchief and replied, “It was really dark…and I have bad vision. I think I saw people selling something in the parking lot. But I don’t know who it was.”The prosecutor’s face distorted at once.“But you already gave a statement to the police in
Last Updated: 2026-06-06
Chapter: 503. Home InvasionEnrico held his breath and stuck to the chair like a terrified lizard.He still wanted to believe that no one would notice if he just stayed quiet, but his heart kept thundering inside him.“Whoever you are, come out with your hands in the air, or I will shoot!” The guard yelled, slowly moving in the direction of the couch. “This is your last warning! There is no way out!”Enrico opened his eyes and took a deep breath.He realized staying silent was only going to get him in more trouble.He was ready to get up and surrender when suddenly there was a noise on the other side.The guard turned around and caught a glance of a black bobcat as it knocked a vase off the table before bounding out of the window.“God damn it!”The guard radioed in to his team again.“No need to come upstairs. It was a false alarm. It was a damn cat!”Behind the couch, Enrico thanked his lucky stars and breathed a sigh of relief.Once the guard had walked out of the room, the lights went out again, plunging the
Last Updated: 2026-06-06
Chapter: 502. The Final WitnessConvincing the first two witnesses had been fairly easy, but the last one presented a whole different challenge.Not only was Alfred Walsh under the witness protection program, but he also had no close friends or family members who could be used as leverage.This complicated the situation, leaving Enrico with very few ideas.Alex, however, had already planned ahead and made all the necessary arrangements.“What’s the plan?” Enrico asked, still uncertain.“Alfred Walsh cannot be pressured with familial ties. However, as a retired judge, he still has a reputation to maintain. What we are going to target is his public image.”“How?”“I’ve spoken to one of my old friends named Godrick. He only needs to access Alfred’s personal computer to get the ball rolling. Once he is in, he can dig up any and all dirt on Alfred Walsh. And that is where you come in.”“I am listening,” Enrico replied, focusing his attention on the plan.“My man is going to hand you a pen drive. Your job is to reach Alfr
Last Updated: 2026-06-05
Chapter: 501. Confessions of a Rotten HeartDorris felt a little surprised upon hearing the unfamiliar voice. It wasn’t the same bishop she was used to conversing with.“Where’s Father Modric? Who are you?”“The old Father has fallen ill. He needs to rest. But I am here to fill the void,” Enrico replied. “My name is Ezio Marlone.”“I haven’t heard of any Ezio Marlone before,” Dorris replied skeptically.“That would be because I am new to this church. I joined last night.”Dorris had mixed feelings about this one.She was used to Father Modric and had developed a closeness to the old man. He had been her confidante all along.However, she wasn’t averse to the idea of confessing to a stranger since it was better to spill her secrets to someone who didn’t know her than to a person close to her.“What gives, my child?” Enrico asked, putting on his most austere voice. “Is your heart still confused?”“I…just haven’t confessed to anyone else before,” Dorris mumbled.“There is always a first time for everything. But I am a man of the c
Last Updated: 2026-06-04
Chapter: 500. Witness ProtectionGetting to Martha Wilson had been a walk in the park, and convincing her was nothing more than snatching candy from a child.But Dorris Green presented a far more difficult challenge than what Enrico was prepared for.Not only was she under the witness protection program, but she was also an active member of Nuevo Durango’s Revolutionary Party.This was the same party that had dared to oppose the Boheco Cartel in its early days and was hell-bent upon eradicating all gangs operating within the city.Even though Dorris’ ideologies differed markedly from the Governor’s, she was more than happy to join hands with the government to deal with her original enemy.As Alex sent Enrico a picture of Dorris Green and her personal background, Enrico realized he had seen that woman plenty of times in the past.She had started as a frustrated protester taking part in mass agitations, but over the years, she had turned into an icon for the people who detested the cartel.“This sounds like a terrible
Last Updated: 2026-06-04
Chapter: 499. The First WitnessEnrico returned to his farmhouse hideout with the list in his pocket.There were three names: Martha Wilson, Dorris Green, and Alfred Walsh.He had never met any of them, and didn’t even remember Xavier ever mentioning their names.Yet, here he was stuck with them.Gilford Holland had already done his part, and now it was up to Enrico to get to these three witnesses and find a way to get them off the case or change their testimonies.The first name on the list was Martha Wilson, currently under zero protection. She was living in Hannington with her elder daughter and son-in-law in a rented house on 39th Chatterton Avenue.As Enrico was wondering how he was supposed to deal with the first witness, his phone rang.“Have you checked the names?” Alex asked from the other side.“I did. But I have no idea what to do with them. My only job for the cartel was maintaining accounts and overseeing high-level transactions,” Enrico replied. “I am not a killer…or some thug with a habit of intimidat
Last Updated: 2026-06-03
Chapter: A delicate friendshipAs Zi Han and his friends left the restaurant, Feng Xiao thanked him for the treat and wished him good luck for this upcoming match. “I am confident that you can pull off another magnificent win, but you must find your edge before the match begins,” he advised, before bidding him good night.Once the boys had left, Bridgette and Daisy cosied up to Zi Han again.“It’s already too late. My house is pretty far from here,” Bridgette said, making a puppy face at him. “You wouldn’t mind if we spent the night at your place, would you?”“I…could just drop you off if you—”“I told you he doesn’t consider us as his friends,” Daisy cut in, pulling Bridgette by her arm. “Zi Han still thinks we are trying to take advantage of his kindness.”“I understand.” Bridgette looked away and turned to go. “Wait. It’s nothing like that!” Zi Han called them back. “You can stay the night. I have plenty of extra rooms at my place.”Bridgette smiled faintly, with her back still toward Zi Han. Her act had foole
Last Updated: 2025-07-09
Chapter: The Oriental ConnectionZi Han read the name again before glancing at the details scribbled under it. Ingrid wasn’t just a smart businesswoman, but a cultivator as well. And shockingly enough, her Sacred Art was also Elemental Manipulation.“Do you know why I asked Bridgette to suggest this restaurant for our celebration?” Feng Xiao asked.Zi Han’s brow furrowed, and his voice turned dead serious as he looked at Feng Xiao. “Why?”Feng Xiao leaned over the table and whispered, “Because your opponent owns Oriental Delights. She uses the restaurant to source rare ingredients required for brewing her most potent potions. It’s an easy way to keep things out of the public eye and conduct business with utmost secrecy.”Zi Han couldn’t believe that Ingrid not only owned a restaurant in Zhuxin but also carried out her secret business deals right under their noses. It was just the perfect front for smuggling rare herbs and spices without causing a stir.All this new information made Zi Han realize that even though the
Last Updated: 2025-07-09
Chapter: Flipping the scriptLisa’s wild accusation infuriated the manager. He couldn’t believe a mere waitress like her could insult such a high-profile customer.“That's enough! You’re fired! Don’t freaking show your face in this restaurant again!” he shouted, showing her the door.“But I did read them the menu!” Lisa cried out indignantly. “Just listen to her lie. She has been standing here like a mute mannequin for ten minutes now,” Bridgette joined in, taking Zi Han’s side. More than defending her friend, she enjoyed watching the lowly waitress make a fool of herself in front of the manager.Even Yutai and Lefan got in on the game without any invitation.“I don’t think a waitress has been this rude to us before,” Yutai said.“Perhaps she is too lazy to attend tables,” Lefan quipped. “I am surprised more people haven’t complained about her till now.”Seeing all her friends joining the fun, even Daisy got down and dirty.“You should teach your waitress how to behave with customers. She is the most obnoxious an
Last Updated: 2025-07-07
Chapter: What goes around, comes around“Why the hell are you staring at Han like you’ve never seen a good-looking guy in your whole life?” Daisy scoffed, giving Lisa the condescending side-eye.Bridgette noticed Lisa’s shell-shocked expression as well. But she couldn’t tell if she was genuinely astounded by Zi Han’s appearance or if it was something else.“Hello!” She snapped her fingers in front of Lisa. “Aren’t you supposed to greet the guests and guide them to their table?”“I think this one is still under training,” Yutai sneered. “We should ask for another waitress who knows basic etiquette.”Lisa quickly came back to her senses and snapped out of her stupor. “I am so sorry. I just thought your friend looked awfully familiar to someone I used to know.”“Who was this friend of yours?” Zi Han asked, stepping forward. “Tell me about this friend. Did he used to work here with you?”At first, Lisa had thought she was just thinking too much, but hearing Zi Han’s voice, she realized it wasn’t a case of mistaken identity. This
Last Updated: 2025-07-07
Chapter: A dish best served coldBefore the next lecture could start, Zi Han excused himself and walked out of the classroom. Making his way to a quiet corner overlooking the cafeteria, he dialed Chef Roland’s number.“Hello. Who is this?”Since Zi Han had switched to a private number, the chef had no idea who was calling. However, since the name was hidden, he automatically assumed it was someone important.“Hello? Can you hear me?” he repeated. “I am Chef Roland Jenkins from Oriental Delights. How may I help you today?”Zi Han waited a while longer, testing the man’s patience just for fun.“I am going to disconnect if you have nothing to say. It’s the middle of the day. We are awfully busy here, so please—”“Good afternoon, Mr. Roland,” Zi Han spoke at last. “I was hoping to make a reservation at your restaurant. I hear it’s a pretty upscale establishment.”The head chef cleared his throat and put on his best behaviour.“You have heard right, sir. Oriental Delights is among the best fine dining experiences in the ci
Last Updated: 2025-07-05
Chapter: Campus HeartthrobThe next day, as Zi Han returned to college, the whole campus greeted him with roaring cheers and a loud round of applause. By defeating the cultivator from the School of Lunging Shadows, he had brought honor to the entire college and proved his worth as a martial artist.Even the principal came out to greet him with a friendly smile. “That was some incredible performance. The best I have seen in years,” he said, shaking Zi Han’s hand. “We are honoured to have a cultivator like you study in the Argos College of Commerce. You have already made our hearts swell with pride, but I am confident you are made for even greater things.”“I just did my best,” Zi Han replied politely, showing little emotion.This gesture broadened the principal’s smile, and he patted Zi Han on his shoulder. “I like your confidence. Keep training, and the college promises to support you in every way possible. You can skip your lectures whenever you deem fit, and I will find someone to do your assignments as well.
Last Updated: 2025-07-04
