Apocalypse Rebirth: Beauties Surround Me - Chapter 179: Old Acquaintance

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.

Alexander Gray, a fifteen-year-old teenager on the verge of his awakening and subsequent entry into the Hunters Academy is one day taken away in a cosmic mana wave that passes through Earth’s solar system during a school trip from Earth to Mars. A wave that kills a person once exposed to it. Luckily, the displacement wave placed him close to their destination where he was found, alive and well to the disbelieve of everybody. Unbeknownst to him at the time, the cosmic mana wave had awakened a gift within him that would propel him to the ranks of hero hunter and beyond, granting him the strength to lead humanity in their effort to determine the cause of their universe changing and its implications. ............. “For some reason, I can’t level up.” Alex began to feel frustrated as he was stuck at Class F, the lowest rank a hunter could have after awakening, despite his momentum when he first awakened. Even with his awakened talents and the benefits he received from the ’accident’ that should have killed him, he now finds himself stuck and unable to level up as mana does not work on him like everyone else. Follow Alexander Gray as he discovers his abilities and learns about himself in a chaotic universe and beyond.

Abandoned at birth in a humble stable, Shirone was raised by commoners—but he was anything but ordinary. Blessed with remarkable insight, he taught himself to read at a young age. A fateful visit to the city introduced him to the wonders of magic, igniting an unshakable dream of becoming a mage. Yet, beneath the city's dazzling facade lurked a ruthless social hierarchy, where power and privilege crushed those who dared to rise above their station. As Shirone uncovers the world's darkest secrets before even coming of age, one question remains—can he defy fate and claim his destiny as a mage in a world determined to keep him down?