Irwin's Journey - The Cardsmith - Chapter 23.2: Back against the wall

Eldraus was once a normal world , peaceful, beautiful and full of life, much like Earth.But everything changed when the Beast Mutation began.Animals started turning into terrifying monsters larger, stronger, and unnaturally violent. Kingdoms fell. Cities burned. Humanity was pushed to the edge of extinction.Then came the System, a mysterious power that awakened within humans, granting them abilities to fight back. Over time, the system became a part of everyday life. Every person now awakens with a System, ranked from the weakest gray to the legendary black and above.This is a world where strength rules, and the weak are left behind.Kaelen Maglor, son of a noble, awakens with a rare black support system. People mock him, expecting him to be a healer. But Kaelen has no intention of following their path. He chooses to walk his own.With danger rising and powerful enemies lurking, Kaelen enters a deadly academy that trains the next generation of fighters. There, he will uncover secrets, face deadly trials, and learn that the system that grants power... might also be hiding a terrifying truth.In a world where monsters roam and only the strong survive, Kaelen must prove that even support can become unstoppable.

My name is Chen Huaian, and I’m dying of cancer.In my final days, I became obsessed with a game where you raise a virtual girlfriend.I spent all my savings buying her cultivation manuals and magical artifacts. Though my wallet was empty, I smiled like never before.I always thought it was just a game—until one day, my virtual girlfriend sent me a mystical pill.The next second, the pill materialized in my hand.I… might not have to die after all?——————————————————My name is Li Qingran. I was stripped of my cultivation, had my spiritual roots torn out, and was exiled from my sect, left to die in a broken-down hut.Just as I thought my life was over, I encountered a mysterious benefactor who never showed their face.This enigmatic figure healed my wounds, guided my cultivation, and helped me grow stronger until I became the most powerful sword cultivator in the Cangyun Realm.But the Cangyun Realm is on the brink of collapse. Spiritual energy is drying up, and the path to immortality is fading. Rumors spread that a mighty immortal from the Celestial Realm plans to merge our world with another on the verge of a spiritual resurgence.A great era of chaos is coming.And even immortals may fall.Desperate to find my benefactor, I scour the world for their traces.I will protect them—and become their eternal partner in the Dao!

During her cultivation practice, Nie Yinzhi encountered a mishap and nearly fell into qi deviation. After emerging from seclusion, she discovered she could see floating subtitles above her head.From these danmu (bullet screen comments), she learned that she was merely a substitute supporting character in a novel.Everyone in her sect doted on and loved her only because her eyes resembled those of the beloved senior sister who had perished ten years ago.And in three days, that blind senior sister would return to the sect—Nie Yinzhi would have her core forcibly removed by her master, her eyes gouged out by her senior brother, and ultimately die alone.Armed with spoilers from the danmu, Nie Yinzhi set up a forbidden array, sacrificing her soul to summon the novel’s antagonist – the great Demon Lord.Covered in blood, amid everyone’s terrified gazes, she coldly smiled and said, “If that’s how it is, then none of you shall live!”The Demon Lord appeared slowly in his dark robes, reaching out to wipe blood from the corner of her mouth: “You’re so young, why harbor such deep resentment? If there are any misunderstandings, we can sit down for tea and talk things through. Why resort to violence?”Nie Yinzhi: “???”Is this the ruthless, evil Demon Lord everyone spoke of?![The Demon Lord says no with his mouth but his actions prove otherwise. Don’t worry, it’s not frustrating, feel free to dive in.]Gu Jiang: Today my wife is asking me to kill againNie Yinzhi: Today the Demon Lord is preaching virtue to me againCultivation World: Being persecuted again todayLaid-back retired veteran couch potato Demon Lord male lead VS grudge-holding can’t-take-any-grievance female lead[[Warning: As you can tell from the synopsis, the female lead isn’t designed to be morally good! She has character flaws! She’s not a perfect victim! She won’t wait until they actually remove her golden core and gouge out her eyes before fighting back! Proceed with caution if this bothers you!] ]

Become a prophet? Recruiting the most outstanding individuals to eradicate demons? Leading the holy army in the extermination of evils? Growing stronger until you finally defeat the demon lord?

Or you can choose to become the demon lord itself. Create your own subordinates, even shape them according to your wishes. You can also build a dreaded kingdom of darkness and make an army of chaos.

In the VR game “Mistrea: A Fantasy Management Sim Game of Light and Dark,” both options are available.

And the second choice appeals to Ethan Alexander more. To be a good citizen in the real world, he had to follow the rules; why would he do so in a fantasy realm?

Thus, in the world of magic and fantastic creatures, he was reborn as Vorn, the demon lord. But that doesn't mean he'll make the world fall into an era of darkness right away. He will not launch campaigns of heinous human slaughter.

It would be no fun for him to rule over a ruined world. That means that those who worship him will be scarce. He wanted to be adored, hailed and regarded as equal to God by many people.

He will keep using methods that are not constrained by any rules. The evil way, but not always violent, and more fun.

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This story will have some steamy scenes, but those are not the main focus.

Main protagonist's girls won't get cucked by others.

I consider this novel a multiple protagonist story. So, there will be POV switches.

Some parts feel slow, but I guarantee it will be worth your time.

There will be some dark jokes, so don't be surprised.