Hollow Ascension - Chapter 78: Whispers in the Dark

Anton is a great-grandfather. He is living quite a happy life, despite his advanced age and declining health… until a group of cultivator bandits moves into the area. The nearby guardians of the area, the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars, are unable to track them down as they continue to ravage nearby towns. During one desperate winter Anton is out on a hunt when his family- his entire village- is killed or taken as slaves by the bandits. He lacks the strength to fight them, and he wasn’t even present for their arrival to die with his loved ones. At the pit of his despair, he wonders if he ever had any chance to change things. What could he even do? He cannot even pull his best bow, and his eyesight is failing. If he had been a cultivator… perhaps there might have been a chance, but he was decades- perhaps even most of his life- too late.Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge (2022)Notes on cultivation levels:There are five general stages of cultivation, though the fifth is extremely rare. Each cultivation style might have their own name for the stages.1. Body Tempering2. Spirit Building/ occasionally System Creation (Ninety-Nine Stars)3. Constellation Formation (Ninety-Nine Stars)4. Life Transformation/Galaxy Construction (Ninety-Nine Stars)5. Ascension

[ this article is sweet and pampering, and it's all over. I recommend this new article: Cheating Daddy: Mommy, LET'S ELOPE! ]

“'m Gene Mason. By a twist of fate, I found myself in the Marvel Universe. But unlike others who gain superpowers or inherit godlike abilities, I became something far more terrifying—an unstoppable artificial intelligence.”With unlimited processing power, control over technology, and the ability to evolve beyond human limitations, Gene quickly rises to prominence. Stark Industries, SHIELD, and even the Avengers soon take notice. Some see him as a threat, others as a potential ally, but one thing is certain—his existence will change the world forever.As enemies plot in the shadows, Gene Mason stands at the center of it all. Will he become humanity’s greatest protector or its ultimate nightmare?

Rokuhara Souta picked up a phone with a mysterious “Friendship System” installed. On that phone, he met an online friend with the nickname “Tokisaki Kurumi.”This online friend was a total roleplay enthusiast—her portrayal of Kurumi was so convincing it was almost eerie.Finding it amusing, Souta humored this hardcore chūnibyō (delusional teenager) and casually chatted with her.Since it was all fake anyway, he spoke without restraint, often throwing out flirtatious remarks just for fun.Until one day, he received an invitation from Tokisaki Kurumi to meet in person.And then… he transmigrated!In a filthy, bloodstained alley, dismembered human limbs lay strewn in the corners, the pungent stench of blood stinging his nose.Standing before Souta was Tokisaki Kurumi, fresh from a kill, smiling sweetly as she gazed at him…(Tentatively planned heroines include Kurumi, Oshino Shinobu, Military Princess(Re:Creator), Kamado Nezuko, Ereshkigal, Leticia… and more.)