HALF: Dead nor Alive - Chapter 17

“Look at me,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, like he wasn't just asking her to see him—but to choose him.She did.And oh God.The moment her eyes met his, it was like the floor tilted. His gaze wasn't cold anymore. It wasn't guarded or teasing. It was raw. Fierce. Wrecking. Like he saw through every layer she'd tried to hide.She swallowed hard. Her legs trembled.Her heart betrayed her, pounding so hard against her ribs it seemed like it wanted to break free.Why did his eyes soften like that, as if she was delicate glass, and he'd do anything to keep her from shattering?She swore she was going to melt right there.And he didn't even kiss her.Didn't have to.That one look—his fingers brushing against her skin like he owned the right, it was more than any kiss she'd ever had. More dangerous. More intoxicating.Her lips parted, maybe to speak, maybe to breathe, but nothing came out. Nothing could.The tension between them tightened—thick, electric, blinding.If he moved even an inch, it would be over.But he didn't.And that restraint? That maddening, infuriating, goddamn beautiful control made her want him even more.“Let me handle this,” he whispered. “You don't have to trust Conor. Just trust me.”Her eyes dropped to his lips. They were so close now she could feel the whisper of his breath. Her heart pounded harder, like it wanted to escape.“Please stop doing that,” she murmured. For a fleeting second, nothing moved, then he dropped his hand.His brows drew together. “Doing what?”“Touching me,” she whispered. “Especially when you're trying to make a point. You did it in the restroom too.”“Why do you think I'm doing that?” he asked, voice husky now, softer.Synopsis:At an elite college, falling for the rich, cold son of a bi-llionaire wasn’t part of the plan, especially when his brother is tied to her mother’s mysterious death.But from the moment Merlina steps onto campus, the chemistry is undeniable. He’s detached, arrogant, and everything she should stay away from. Yet no matter how hard she tries, she can’t ignore the pull.She’s here for a degree, but her real mission is uncovering the secrets of her mother’s past at this very school. As sparks fly between her and the guy she should keep her distance from, she’s torn between two things: exposing the truth and protecting her heart from falling for him.The deeper she digs, the more dangerous things get. Anonymous threats, dark secrets, and a guy who’s starting to think her obsession with the past could ruin everything. When the truth finally breaks free, it threatens everything she’s worked for—the truth, her heart, and the fragile bond she shares with him.With everything at risk, she must choose: expose the truth, or hold on to the one person who makes her feel truly alive.

He is handsome, arrogant and is of the elite class. Being straightforward and brave, she shamelessly pursued him, sending him gifts, flowers and tried to get close to him. She was humiliated when his staff gossiped about her and retreated. Then he rejected her and told her they could only be friends. She avoided him but no matter how much she tried, they frequently cross paths.

Suddenly one day he told her. “I want to be your boyfriend.”

What a mess! ! !

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the pinnacle of a Xianxia Cultivation Story appears in the middle of a post-apocalyptic system and tower climbing setting, without having lost her powers, unrestrained, and invincible?Murim, a world of Martial Arts, Cultivation, Brutal Violence, Bloodshed, Vengeance, and where Might Makes Right.Bing Xue spent eleven thousand years in such a world, ascending to become the pinnacle after countless hardships, blood, tears, and sacrificing her own humanity in the process.However, she was incapable of ascending into the Immemorial Primordial Void Realm; incapable of escaping the Heavenly Will's influence, she gambled it all on a single decision, escaping into the Outer Cosmos with her last remaining energies.Despite thinking her long journey was coming to an end, a black hole teleports her back to Earth out of nowhere! However, things on her home planet are much different than before.The Tower now exists, connecting Earth with countless other worlds. Monsters come out of Dimensional Gates, threatening humanity, and awakened people named Players climb the Tower in hopes of saving humanity from destruction.After learning that her mother and her sister are still alive, Bing Xue will use the overwhelming and supreme might she has cultivated for eleven thousand years to destroy the tower, slay the gods that govern it, and save Earth from its untimely demise.The System? She will fold it and make a fashionable scarf with it!The Administrators? They might become her new pets.The Monsters? Nothing but ants that die immediately by merely touching her Immortal Aura.The Hunters? If they behave, she might make them her disciples and teach them to cultivate the Heavenly Dao, so they don’t rely too much on the System.The Hostile Players? Just flies she’ll slap to death with a gentle wave of her hands.And the Gods? Merely aperitives for her ever-growing Divinity!What to expect:-NOT a villain story. OP Returnee from a Xianxia World, she doesn't lose any of her powers. Expect little to no stakes, just awesome showcases of power and a main character that constantly breaks all rules established.-An active main character which will be the main focus and point of view. I dislike passive main characters and I won't give focus to random side characters for dozens of chapters like other OP MC stories do. But there will still be a big cast of colorful characters that will give life to the world, or worlds.-She will be a prideful, arrogant, and ruthless cultivator at the beginning, and will slowly mellow down once she gets used to how Earth society works. However, she takes pride on her own strength and her acomplishments. Though, her love for the people important to her is boundless.-Despite being so strong, she still desires to grow stronger. Our main character will continue cultivating and using the new powers she finds to her advantage. Basic LitRPG Progression combined with Cultivation of the Heavenly Dao and all of that.-Lots of God Slaying.-Girls Love, our Main Character will not actively seek girls, but if the opportunity arises, will not shy away from being with one, or even falling in love. There will be occasional slice-of-life and romantic moments if that's your thing. -Polyamorous Relationships between the main character and many girls. However, it will be more of a side dish rather than the main dish, and I will make sure it doesn't become suffocating to read. Action and Progression are the focus. Nonetheless, a fair warning that there IS romance. And in many ways, and not just traditional ones. After all, some love interests will be from different cultures and worlds. -Ultimately, I am writing this story for my own amusement and fun, so please don't feel offended if something happens that you dislike. I am not writing this story for anybody or for any audience. -Chapters almost every day.My Grammar is not the best, and I am not a native english speaker, so I'm doing my best to improve. I would appreciate anybody pointing out the mistakes.

The Venerable Xiang Yu, an eccentric villainous half-blood demon King was infamous in both the demon and human realm for being a cold-blooded ruthless devil that could kill with no remorse.Demons and humans feared him, cultivators wanted him as a trophy and the immortals saw him as a thorn in their side.The only reason he didn't get smote by the Heavenly King's searing lightning of divine wrath that could kill all mortals and immortals was because he kept the deadliest demons in check maintaining peace between the two realms.Despite his reputation, he had a small cult following in the human realm. They took him as their deity for his selfless acts of benevolence.Such rare selfless acts led him to rescue the fallen immortal Han Xin. But his benevolence became his downfall. Condemned to death, he faced an impossible choice: serve the Heavenly King or die with no marked grave.Xiang Yu: Hahaha... death isn't so bad after all.Heavenly King: You...Han Xin: Wife, you can't escape even in death. At least when you are alive you have a chance to run.Xiang Yu: QAQ...