A Painting of the Villainess as a Young Lady - Chapter 285

Elias “Grim” Kingsley, a nine-year-old orphan with a hardened heart and sharp tongue, dies alone from pneumonia in an overcrowded orphanage. Known for his perpetual scowl and biting remarks, he's labeled a “problem child” by caretakers and “damaged goods” by potential adopters. Years of rejection have built thick armor around his young heart.In death, he encounters the God of Balance who offers him a second chance at life in a different world—this time as Grim Van Ambrose, son of a noble house. Balance explains that every soul deserves to know love and connection, something Elias was cruelly denied in his first life.Promised the family and belonging he never experienced, Grim begins his new life only to suffer an immediate tragedy: his mother dies moments after his birth. This cruel twist of fate reinforces his belief that loss is inevitable, leaving him with a distant father and the mysterious voice of a “Guidance Assistant” in his head.As Grim grows into his new identity, he struggles with his dual nature—the emotional scars of his past life bleeding into his present one. His difficult personality and sharp tongue remain, now paired with noble privilege and expectations. Despite his outward brashness, he carries the deep wounds of his first life and the fresh loss that welcomed him into his second.What begins as one orphan's second chance evolves into an epic journey through a world of ancient beasts, elemental magic, and deadly political intrigue. As Grim uncovers the truth about the Ambrose Clan's fall from grace and the conspiracy that framed them for treason, he faces increasingly dangerous adversaries—both human and monstrous. His quest for revenge against those who destroyed his family's legacy will challenge him to master forbidden techniques, forge unexpected alliances, and ultimately decide whether to rebuild the Ambrose Clan as it was, or transform it into something entirely new.In a realm where power determines survival and ancient secrets lurk beneath noble facades, Grim must learn that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with swords, but with the choices that define who we truly are.

Lin Mo transmigrated to an eastern fantasy world.

He started off with a classic “zero to hero” opening.

Because of the [God Devourer] special attribute that he was born with, he used up countless resources, yet his cultivation level wouldn’t rise even one bit.

Finally, he was chased out of the clan by the chief.

He became responsible for managing the market place meant for newcomers at Initial Heart Village, which is a small town in the countryside.

He thought that he would live the rest of his life uneventfully as a businessman.

He didn’t expect that he would awaken the [Auction Rebate System]

As long as the auction house sells items, Lin Mo would receive rebates several times the value of the item sold.

[Ding! The host had auctioned off leftover bits from an elixir cauldron. Rebate give: Ninth Level Ultra Elixir: Heaven Forge Restoration Pill!]

[Ding! The host had auctioned off the basic cultivation method: Strength Training Long Fist. Rebate given: Ninth Level Ultra Cultivation Method: Ancient Dragon Mammoth Method!]

[Ding! The host had auctioned off a rusty bronze sword. Rebate give: Ninth Rank Ultra Weapon: God Slayer Sword!]

[Ding! …]

As such, Lin Mo’s insane path to greatness has begun!

An ultimate warrior, the one and only Alchemy Emperor, Ling Han, died in his quest to achieve godhood. Ten thousands years later, he, with the ‘Invincible Heaven Scroll’, was reborn in the body of a young man with the same name. From then on, winds and clouds moved as he set himself against the uncountable geniuses of this new era. His path of becoming a legend has begun once more. Of all eras underneath the heavens, I am the strongest!

- Description from Novelupdates

Adam begins as an ordinary high school student whose life is shattered when his parents vanish. The police later declare their deaths a double suicide, a conclusion Adam refuses to accept.His persistent quest for a real investigation leads him into a dark conspiracy when two corrupt police officers kidnap, torture, and murder him. In his final moments, they reveal his parents were also murdered by an untouchable, powerful entity.Instead of dying permanently, Adam awakens with a new reality: he has been granted a 'System' and the supernatural ability of 'Return by Death,' forcing him to relive his final days.Confused, Adam tries to confide in his trusted teacher, only to be betrayed and killed once again. This time, he learns the staggering reason for his persecution: a $100 million bounty has been placed on his head, making everyone a potential enemy.Dying again and again is horrible. The pain changes Adam completely. The sad, normal boy he once was is gone. He becomes a cold and ruthless killer. He trusts no one. If he even suspects someone might be a threat, he will kill them without a second thought. His only goals are to survive this deadly game and get revenge for his parents.During one of his loops, while investigating, Adam crosses paths with a female classmate being tormented by bullies. He saves her in a moment of detached action and quickly forgets the incident, focused only on his own war. For the girl, however, this act of salvation ignites an intense and devoted love.This devotion becomes a tragic and recurring element in his nightmare. The girl, willing to do anything for him, repeatedly throws herself in harm's way to protect him, often dying in his place across multiple loops.Adam is now trapped not only in a fight against a vast conspiracy but also in a cycle of watching an innocent person die for him, further cementing his transformation into a hardened protagonist who has lost nearly everything, including his own humanity.