Childhood Friends With Benefits - Chapter 17

“Isn't this the weak young master of the Valhalla family?”“Hahaha! I heard he only knows how to waste money... Completely useless.”Another voice, dripping with false pity, chimed in.“Both his sister and brother are Tamers, strong ones at that. While him... the eldest... pathetic!!”The final word, spat out like a curse, hung in the air: “Useless!”In this world, where the bond with powerful Beasts dictated one's standing, where strength was synonymous with the ferocity and strength of your companion.Christopher Valhalla was an anomaly. He found solace not in the thrill of battle or the acquisition of monstrous power, but in the simple, fleeting joys of life. He enjoyed partying, clubs, and women.He offered no retort to the cruel rumors that trailed him like a shadow. Because, truth be told, a knot of fear tightened in his stomach at the mere sight of the majestic, often terrifying, creatures that others commanded.But every life, regardless of its perceived worth, eventually finds its end. For Christopher, it came not in the jaws of a wild Beast, nor in a duel he was ill-equipped for, but in the insidious grip of a rare and incurable sickness.Some days later his flame flickered and he died, leaving behind a void filled with the echoes of scorn.Yet, where one life ended, another began. In the silent stillness of Christopher's vacant shell, a new consciousness stirred. A soul, bearing the weight of unmatched power and a reputation that sent shivers down the spines of even the most formidable Tamers, had arrived.This was the Supreme Tamer, a legend whispered in hushed tones across the world, a force of nature who had inexplicably perished at the hands of betrayal.Given this unexpected second chance, the Supreme Tamer, now inhabiting the frail form of Christopher Valhalla, felt a strange sense of acceptance. He looked upon the unfamiliar yet familiar faces of his new family – the concerned worry etched on their features – and a flicker of something akin to kinship sparked within him.A silent vow formed in his mind, hardening into an unbreakable resolve.The rumors that clung to this body like a shroud would be torn away. And the five Master Tamers who had orchestrated his demise in his previous life… They would learn the true meaning of fear.Their betrayal would be answered, not with petty revenge, but with the full, terrifying might of the Supreme Tamer, reborn. The world was about to discover that “useless” could be the most dangerous disguise of all.

A young man plagued by recurring nightmares finds himself visiting a blind fortune teller, who sends him to a world of martial arts that looks a lot like the wuxia stories he used to read.

In the sky of this world, a tome shines every now and then, revealing the hierarchy of mighty beings that seek power amid troubled times. Determined to unravel the mysteries of his involuntary journey and the secrets of the world he has ended up in, he endeavors to ascend the tome’s rankings, all while looking for a path back home.

Official Chinese blurb

Wandering the jianghu with a blade and wine, where beauties’ grace is filling one’s mind.

A youth, saber on his back and wine gourd at the waist, strides forth, yet the jianghu of his heart seems only more elusive;

With each flipped page of the Tome of Troubled Times, decades of nights soaked in rain pass over the jianghu.

As he suddenly turns to look back, he finds that the mortal world has shattered in his wake.

Adeline Smith's life took a sudden and dangerous turn when her grandmother’s will named her as the sole heir to her massive fortune, leaving her uncle with nothing. But the rules that came with the inheritance only made her a target, as her uncles would stop at nothing to claim what they believed should have been theirs.When one of her uncle’s murderous schemes left her gravely wounded and on the edge of death, she was found by Enzo Laureati, an annoying, yet breathtakingly handsome man. What she did not know was that Enzo was no ordinary man—he was a vampire prince who had abandoned his world and royal duties to live among humans just for fun.The moment he saw Adeline, he knew she was his mate, as his heart that had remained dormant for hundreds of years suddenly began beating. But despite knowing what she meant to him, he felt no love or attachment toward her.Out of curiosity, Enzo saved Adeline’s life and proposed an unusual deal: he would become her fake fiancé, help her expose her uncles for trying to murder her, and secure her inheritance. But he didn't propose this deal because he wanted to help her, but because he was simply bored. Adeline agreed, unaware of the chaos that was about to come her way.At first, their partnership was nothing more than a random deal. Living with Enzo wasn’t easy, as he was infuriatingly confident, annoyingly flirty, and had a knack for driving her crazy with his nonchalant attitude.When Adeline finally discovers who Enzo truly is, will she see him as a monster or the man who had always protected her from her uncles? And will Enzo be able to embrace their mate bond, or will secrets tear them apart?(PS: I'm not sure if one would consider this novel slow burn, but the REAL romance between my MC and ML begins at chapter 74.) Thank you so much for supporting my book!

Forget about moving to the other side of the world and starting over.The Apocalypse is here!As the only survivor of the Tutorial Quest in his area, Elijah awakens the Class of “Depraved Hero”, an ominous-sounding Class with a Legendary Rank!Additionally, because of the insane difficulty as well as his Clear Rank, he gains the Skills that, according to the mysterious figure that is the Administrator, he needs most.[You have Developed the Skill “Absolute Authority[A]”.][You have Developed the Skill “Slave Mark[C]”.]