Master Smith Under Ministry of National Defense - Chapter 136: Checkmate

The year was 2026, and the world wasn't what it used to be. Ever since the Abyss Gates cracked open three years ago, spilling monsters and dungeons across the planet, life had turned into a chaotic mess. Cities were half-ruined, half-rebuilt, and people clung to whatever normalcy they could find. Hunters—those brave or crazy enough to fight the monsters—became the new heroes. Everyone else? Well, they just tried to survive.Fin wasn't a Hunter. He wasn't a hero either.He was just… Fin. A lanky 19-year-old with messy brown hair, a chipped front tooth from a dumb skateboard accident, and a power that everyone called useless. Absorption. Sounds cool, right? Like he could suck up energy or steal someone's strength. Nope. All it did was let him “feel” things he touched a little more than normal. He could tell you the exact texture of a brick wall or how warm a coffee mug was—big whoop. No fireballs, no super strength, no flashy moves. Just a glorified touchy-feely trick.“Fin, you gonna eat that sandwich or just stare at it like it's gonna confess its life story?” Meg's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.He blinked and looked across the rickety table at his best friend. Meg was short, loud, and had a wild mop of dyed purple hair that she swore made her look “intimidating.” It didn't.

Liu Fang, a manager, died suddenly at work due to being too diligent.
She thought that she would turn into a wisp of dust and dissipate after her death, but she never imagined that – the new century, the new underworld, even if she became a soul, she would still be a worker!

Liu Fang has become a newcomer to the underworld Quick transmigration Department. In order to wait for a good reincarnation, she strived to accumulate merit and traveled into one world after another to repair the way of heaven.

- Description from Novelupdates

Apollo Kaiser, a boy who bore the unlucky fate of being unable to grow strong, was condemned by his family.

Discarded by his mother and abused by others, Apollo gives in to his rage.

However, this action results in his death. Many would believe it to be the end, but Apollo's death was a required catalyst.

The Demon Monarch System finds its heir and attaches to his soul, bringing him to a new world where he starts his journey to supremacy.

This difficult journey rife with conflict, conquest, and brutality shall serve as Apollo's temperance.

Watch as the heir of the Demon Monarch rises above all, conquers Sin, subjugates unthinkable enemies, and even brings about the destruction of worlds!

The rise of the next Demon Monarch begins...

In the year 298 from the era of the gods, elementary school girls Sumi Washio, Sonoko Nogi, and Gin Minowa are tasked with an important mission. They are to become heroes and fight Vertex, a mysterious enemy that is attacking Shinju-sama, the god tree that protects Shikoku, the only area in the world that is still habitable. What they don’t know, is that this fight will cost them more than they could have ever imagined.