Deep Sea Embers - Chapter 820: Forgery

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!

Michael, formerly a military veteran turned mercenary, was living quite a peaceful and slightly eventful life. That was until an accident happened that caused him great misfortune, rendering him unable to continue being a mercenary. After that point, his life spiraled into that of an alcoholic, eventually leading to his demise. Before he died, he saw something odd; it was a blue hologram with the words ’Do you wish to start anew?’ Michael readily accepted and was thrust into a fantasy world with a mysterious system companion that seemed to be hell bent on making him the best healer in the world. However, as he began unraveling mysteries, he found out his identity was not as simple as it seemed.

They hunted my kind for extinction but I came back as their nightmaresnon human mcDarian once the strongest Dragon Knight in the Empire, died protecting the last dragon from extinction. Betrayed by his comrades and burned alive by holy fire, he vowed vengeance with his last breath.But the gods answered—with a curse and a gift.Darian reincarnates hundreds of years later... as the last dragon egg hidden in a cave deep beneath the earth.Now, inside a fragile shell, he remembers everything. The betrayal. The genocide. The lies told by the human kingdoms. And as his body slowly grows, so does the power of ancient draconic magic—and the System embedded into his very soul.> [Draconic Evolution System Activated]Choose Your ElementUnlock Ancient MemoriesDevour Magic Sources to Accelerate GrowthHatch When Power is ReadyHe must hide from dragon hunters, manipulate desperate adventurers, and absorb mana from the dying world to hatch once more—stronger, darker, and more terrifying than ever.And when he emerges?> The world that burned him will feel true fire.

He is powerful, aloof, and selfish, but he has a hobby of renting a venue solely to listen to her play the pipa. His friends were curious and asked him why. He said, “She's beautiful.” Thus, the pipa player became his girlfriend.[Highlight 1]Brought up under strict parenting, his family pays great attention to his conduct. Yet, he was known for his vigorous actions, from breaking family rules that garnered media attention to recklessly manipulating the venture capital market. Consequently, he was sent to a temple to copy Buddhist scriptures as punishment. Obediently, he did so, but his pages were filled with nothing but her name.[Highlight 2]Gazing into her eyes as she lay in his arms, he asked, “Have you ever been afraid of being with me?” Of course, she did. He was a tycoon who possessed the world and would not easily fall deeply in love with her.On the day they broke up, everyone knew and was surprised.She packed her suitcase and left the city, saying, “Since he said he would never marry me, I shall return him to the world.”[Highlight 3]Three years after their breakup, they met again at an international financial summit. He had become the head of the family. His suit was well tailored, with silver-rimmed glasses resting on a tall nose bridge, exuding undeniable charm.Encountering each other at a corner, she fled, and he pursued...