Ankoku Kishi Monogatari ~Yuusha wo Taosu Tameni Maou ni Shoukansaremashita~ - Chapter 123.2: Banquet of The Beasts

The Great Human Civilization has crumbled apart, falling into the Abyss. A hell with no escape. To survive there, some rules must be followed blindly.1: Be wary of the dead for they don't rest even in death.2: Always be on the lookout. Danger lurks everywhere in the Abyss. Nowhere is truly safe.Lastly, if you hear something unusual like a voice that shouldn't be there, do not investigate. Just run. At least then you might get to keep your life.***Kev's adult life was suddenly upended when he was pulled into a nightmarish world along with countless other humans. To survive he had no choice but to perform a ritual he chanced upon through a series of inexplicable events. The ritual promised great power. He gave in to the temptation, performed the ritual and stepped into the realm of mysticism. At the same time, he unknowingly put himself at great risk. Since the moment he performed the ritual, He faced the risk of losing his humanity or himself entirely.He didn't know then that performing the ritual demanding a great price. By the time he realized it, it was already too late to turn back.You have performed a Great RitualGained class:- Corpse Collector in the DarkTrait unlocked: esoteric mutation of the soulGained skill: shadow manipulationAssimilation rate: 0%Collect corpses to growIncrease in assimilation rate unlocks new skillThe power comes with a great pricePay it obediently like a law abiding Abyss Dwellers or risk losing yourself to the evil brewing within...

Easily cowed and bullied, she was the useless, ugly woman with no talent in medical skills. Supported by millions, he was Tianning’s most respected duke with the power to move all under Heaven. On their wedding day the bridal sedan was carried to the front doors, but the Duke of Qin’s gates were shut tight.

Honjou Kaede was invited by her friend, Shiromine Risa to play a VRMMO.

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!