Aetheral Space - Chapter 458 - 15.12: The Crawl

A 21st-century tech manager, accidentally thrust into the body of Emperor Commodus—yes, the infamous villain played by Joaquin Phoenix—has one goal: not to die like him.Armed with his wits and a hyper-intelligent AI on a solar-powered laptop, he must navigate the treacherous politics of ancient Rome. Everyone, including his own sister, expects the arrogant, decadent tyrant. Instead, they find a calculating reformer. But as he tries to avert the fall of the empire, he discovers that being a “good” emperor might be even more dangerous than being the monster everyone is waiting for.

In Eylille, a bustling metropolis renowned for its strategic position at the sea’s estuary and vibrant trade, the ambition to thrive attracts many from surrounding counties. However, Limond stands out as a place for those lacking ambition. Amidst this backdrop, Yu Huazang, a high school senior from a challenging background, faces a critical mock exam in Liberty School.Despite the school’s low expectations for his class, Yu’s life is more complicated than his teachers realize. Raised in an orphanage and later by a kind old man, Yu now supports his family by working night shifts, which affects his academic performance. During the exam, he makes a desperate guess on a question, inadvertently activating a mysterious “”God Level Choice System.”” This system presents him with choices that could alter his fate, starting with a simple decision on the exam that promises a novice gift bag as a reward. As Yu contemplates this unexpected turn, readers are left wondering: What is this system, and how will it change Yu’s life?

When a sudden outbreak in a remote village infects 70% of its population, the government swiftly silences any mention of rabies, zombies, or pandemics.University student Yan Cheng dismisses the reports as just another hoax—until his phone dies in a freak accident, electrocuting him in the process.While he struggles to revive his device, chaos erupts on campus as classmates turn into bloodthirsty monsters, the virus spreading like wildfire.As the world spirals into panic, one question remains: can Yan Cheng survive in a reality that seems straight out of a game—or has his luck already run out?

Zaiyila thought she had suffered enough—betrayed by her own mother and sold into marriage with a wealthy, aging man. But on the night of her pre-wedding ceremony, everything takes a dark and unexpected turn. A swarm of deadly snakes descends upon the gathering, killing her groom-to-be and throwing the hall into chaos. Fear spreads as the people recognize the serpents as the servants of the enigmatic and terrifying Snake King, Everett.When Everett himself arrives—a striking, horned man of unmatched beauty and power—Zaiyila finds herself drawn to him in ways she cannot explain. Despite the fear he inspires in others, she feels an unshakable connection to him, one that transcends the realm of logic. The moment she defies the fearful kneeling of the crowd, she unknowingly seals her fate.Taken into Everett’s domain, Zaiyila is forced to confront not only the dangerous, supernatural world she’s been thrust into but also the awakening desires she cannot deny. As she unravels the truth about her past and her connection to the Snake King, she must decide—will she resist the pull of destiny, or will she embrace the darkness and passion that Everett offers?A tale of betrayal, power, and an irresistible bond, Bride of the Serpent King explores the fine line between fear and desire, fate and choice.---