Freedom Jumper - Chapter 20: A Deeper Understanding

In the wake of the first wave of shadow creatures, the world was plunged into ruin, a desolate yet enchanted wasteland. Humanity, driven underground, clung to survival while desperately plotting to reclaim their shattered world.But from the abyss of darkness, something miraculous stirred—a mysterious tree, shimmering with ancient power, appeared overnight. It chose only the strongest of heart, those with unbreakable will, gifting them extraordinary abilities. With these powers, humanity rose from the depths, waging war against the shadows.Yet beneath the surface of their heroic deeds lay a hidden rot. Corruption seeped into their ranks, and arrogance clouded their judgment. As their powers grew, so did the whispers of betrayal. The true battle may not be against the creatures lurking in the shadows—but against the darkness festering within their own hearts.A question lingers: When heroes fall, who will rise to take their place?

Birth rates are decreasing. Hope is vanishing. The world has gone gray.Humanity, drifting in quiet collapse, receives an email.Every person on Earth. Simultaneously.The Aegis Mandate.Disguised as a cosmic aptitude test, it triggers The Incident of Separation—a global psychic cataclysm that erases identities, wipes memories, and divides all survivors into three factions: Law, Neutral, and Chaos. Overnight, cities become battlegrounds. Apartments become dungeons. Ordinary people become monsters—or the ones who hunt them.Ragnar Vhagar was just a loner university student. Now, thanks to a system he didn’t ask for, he’s a newly minted Demon King, locked in a crumbling apartment with goblins under his sofa and a glowing soul crystal next to his frozen peas. His new job? Build a deadly domain, defend it from invading “Heroes,” and somehow level up fast enough to not die.Alongside him is Isabelle Thorne, a razor-sharp warrior of few words and one very sharp sword. Their reluctant alliance, born in blood and snark, evolves into trust—and maybe something dangerously close to affection—as they rise together through the layers of the game-like world they’re trapped in.With each conquered domain and defeated boss, Ragnar realizes the truth: the dungeons aren’t meant to crown a winner. They’re meant to break the players. The Law faction wants control. The Chaos faction craves destruction. But Ragnar? He wants something they’re all too afraid to say out loud:Freedom.In the ruins of Kanta’s ogre stronghold, Ragnar and his misfit warband take their biggest step yet—claiming a kingdom, unifying a fractured system, and preparing for what comes next. The Heroes are watching. The gods are stirring. The world is watching a war.And somewhere deep beneath it all... Ragnar is rewriting the rules.

The most dependable (sarcastic) assassin -- Gao Xuan.Developing himself with an inventory of powerful gear. A master of biding his time, backstabbing, and brutalizing weaklings.Don’t love me. Nothing would come out of this.I am an assassin without feelings.

As a real young master of a wealthy family who was taken away by mistake, Chen Mo has never understood why it was him who was lost outside for seventeen years, and everyone still liked the fake young master Yang Shule, so he fought hard to fight, to grab, and to rob. In the end, his parents hated him, he was abandoned by his relatives and friends, and he died unexpectedly. So after rebirth, Chen Mo thought it over. Laughing makes you ten years younger, and going to bed early can help you live till old age. Not long after returning home, his biological parents asked him: “Chen Mo, do you think your brother… Can he still live with us now?” Chen Mo said sincerely: “As long as you are happy.” Aunts and uncles praised the fake young master during festivals. Chen Mo drank the wolfberry and red dates mixed soup and nodded repeatedly: “Yes, you have good taste.” The people around him openly and secretly compared the two of them, mocking him for not being worthy of the identity of a real young master of a wealthy family. Chen Mo slept soundly while soaking his feet in medicinal water: “Isn’t this a fact? Just keep talking about it, you can even go out on the streets with a loudspeaker.” Others: “…” Later, people found out that this real young master picked up by a wealthy family is best at three things. Eating, sleeping, and being gay. Not only is he gay, he also dumped the excellent student in his grade, who was the childhood sweetheart of the fake young master. Chen Mo felt extremely wronged. Xi Siyan, the cold-faced devil, didn’t like him in his previous life. How did these people came to think that he dumped him. “How about I explain it for you?” Chen Mo tried one day. The person leaning against the wall looked down at him and raised his eyebrows: “What do you want to explain?” “You, Xi Siyan, will have nothing to do with me, Chen Mo, in this life, the next life, and another next life.” The person in front of him kissed him with his hands in his pockets, and said coldly: “Now I do.” Chen Mo was shocked; Xi Siyan! You dog forced me !