Ancient Eden - Chapter 52

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

After her rebirth, Yun Shifei returned to her fifteen-year-old self, just when she became the true daughter of a wealthy family.The well-behaved and timid Shi Fei only wanted to live her own small life well.Who knew she would get involved with the Great Demon King.In her memory, this big shot was extremely ruthless, squandering the family fortune, watching his brother die coldly, and sending his father to prison.But now, the big shot is quiet, obedient, easy to bully, and loves sticking to her.Yun Shifei's heart softened, and she tried hard to protect him.Yet one day, the little poor thing she sheltered pulled her into his arms to kiss her.She was utterly shocked.He looked innocent and said: 'I heard this is a way to express liking. Don't you like me?'That's what it means, but why does something feel off?!

There came a sudden ravage by monstrous creatures in a civilian world, leaving humanity's hope to lurk in shadows. Hunters, trained in special schools, wield potential and abilities that enabled them keep the beasts at bay.For Buji, life’s difficulties stem not from being an orphan, but from relentless bullying. Nicknamed “the weakling,” he detests the label but bears it forcefully since he could do nothing.When he transfers to a new school to join his foster sister, Buji thought things would be different. But, during the Awakening Ceremony of the school, he find out a shocking truth: he's was going to be an S-Rank hunter without a talent.Awakening no talent only added more difficulty to his life struggle as he was branded an outcast.On the verge of death during his first raid, Buji awakens an enigmatic system.[Host Found][Survival due to inheritance][Congrats, you have gained the status of a 'player'.][The player, upon leveling up will awaken a potent monster][Class: Animagus | Type: Snake | Aspect: Venom][Do you accept?]Given the choice to embrace a monstrous path, Buji seizes it with unyielding resolve.'If becoming a monster is my only path to strength, I’ll take it—and the world will regret casting me aside. Fighting against these hunters was going to be a job, but imagine a world where I had control over monsters, had my own monster kingdom, and becoming the strongest of all. Stepping on these hunters won’t be a deal anyway.'“Yes!”

【Double C1V1】A certain gossip magazine exposed that the newly crowned actress Mu Yan spent the night at the villa of a certain already-married business mogul,accusing her of being a mistress intruding into someone else's family.Mu Yan posted on Weibo, “I went back to my own home, what business is it of yours?”Young Master Jiang from the Jiang Family, known for his immense power and noble grace in Upper City, reposted the Weibo, causing a city-wide uproar.At home, Mu Yan looked at the man beside her who kept refreshing her Weibo on her phone.“Since when did you learn to direct and act all by yourself?”The man was displeased, “You won't acknowledge me, and you won't let me fight for it myself?”Mu Yan, “...”She really couldn't tell who had been the domineering one forcing her to sign the marriage papers back then.If love were a poison, when he first met her, he was already poisoned to the core, with only her being the antidote.A secret love story in the entertainment industry.