A Record of Ash & Ruin: The Grieving Lands - Chapter 23Book 2: : The Coming Storm

William Medici was not born into this world—he was reborn into it. But fate has already decided his role. He is not the hero. Not the noble king who rules with honor. He is the villain.A system lurks within him, not as a guide, but as an ever-present spectator—one that delights in chaos. It grants no power freely, offers no redemption, only a whisper:The world is a stage. Your role is the villain. Play it well.In a realm where betrayal is currency and power is the only law, William does not resist fate—he embraces it. Every alliance is a move on the board. Every rival, a piece to be sacrificed. Every betrayal, already foreseen.But even a villain is not invincible. Enemies rise. Shadows scheme. And the system watches, amused—waiting to see if he will fall...Or if he will burn the world to prove that even fate can be rewritten.But one question remains:“Who summoned him… and what do they want in return?”--------------------------------AUTHOR HEREWilliam Medici starts off seeming wholesome—but don’t be deceived. He’s selfish, cunning, and manipulative to the core. This is a true villain’s journey.What makes this story stand out isn’t just the dark MC, but the deep world-building, unique power system, and layered, three-dimensional characters that evolve with every twist.more things(1) the first arc is introduction of the world so other is no deep manipulation or action but from the second arc the main chaos starts manipulation. killing and obviously charm.(2) The mc is cunning not because I say so but because he is.(3) the will be new chapters regularly.

You’re a struggling young doctor, barely making ends meet with a measly $2000 monthly income. Life’s pressures and trials weigh heavily upon you!But lo and behold! One fine morning, you wake up to find yourself equipped with some sort of cheat codes…You’re scheduled for an appendectomy, so you roll up your sleeves and get ready to explore the abdominal terrain:You touch the cecum: “Cecum: Healthy!”You palpate the colon: “Colon: All clear!”You reach the appendix: “Appendix: It’s an inflamed, pus-filled appendix monster, level 15, rare creature. Recommendation: Perform an appendectomy!”With a decisive hand, you wield your scalpel and skillfully remove the troublesome appendix.“Ding! Rare appendix monster eliminated! Rewards: +100 experience in appendectomy, +$100, and a shiny white suture needle!”And thus, your journey begins as an emergency surgeon. But remember, with great healing powers comes great responsibility!

Lin Bei reentered the “Second World” and awakened an SSS-grade talent, the Unlimited Buff.

[Unlimited Buff: SSS-grade. The duration of the buffs that the player has received will not expire.]

With that, Lin Bei embarked on a path of god-sealing.

When he used a health potion, his health would permanently recover by 100 points every second.

When he used the Earth Escape Technique, he permanently gained the effect of Earth Escape.

When he used the Stealth Technique, he permanently gained the ability to stealthily move around.

When he used the Speed Scroll, his speed was permanently increased by 25%.

When he used the Berserk Spell, his critical rate increased by 30%, and his critical damage increased by 100% permanently.

“Hah! With this talent, the world is mine!”

(A fierce and adorable female lead VS an obsessive and sinister male lead, sweet doting + metaphysics + slight fantasy)

Jiang Xiaoxiao, the great master of the Mystic Sect, was born with an incomplete soul. Every full moon night, she would also turn into a tiny three-inch tall person.

The Grand Master said that in the sixteenth year of her life, she would meet a nobleman. The purple gold dragon aura on the nobleman’s body could lift her curse.

Xie Xun, the King of Chu, had his dragon aura taken away at the age of three. Plagued by bad luck, he was exiled from the capital.

The first time he met his adorable wife, his adorable wife shrank with a swoosh in front of him into a tiny three-inch being, standing in his palm dozing off.

Later, the King of Chu sewed a small pouch on the sleeve of each garment. When going out, he would put his adorable wife in the pouch.

And he told others, “My little one is weak, pitiful, and helpless.”

The little ghost shivered in fear: Have you seen someone using a kitchen knife to hack ghosts at a mass grave? Yes, it’s your weak, pitiful and helpless Queen!

The ghosts wailed at the mass grave: Have you seen a living person who could scare the ghosts to tears? Yes, it’s still your weak, pitiful and helpless Queen!

The entire netherworld exploded: Have you seen a newly wedded bride escorted by two Ghost Emperors and two Ghost Kings? Yes, it’s still your weak, pitiful and helpless Queen!