MTL - Martial Arts From Bandits - Chapter 296 Holy Patriarch! (seeking subscription)

Ethan Blackwood wasn’t used to being defied. As the CEO of a global empire, he crushed obstacles with a single glance. But when Lily Anderson stood before him, her chin lifted in quiet defiance, and something in him snapped. “Sign the contract,” he said, his voice like ice. “30 days. You’ll obey every command. After that, you’re free.”She hesitated, her fingers trembling as she gripped the pen. “And if I refuse?”His smirk was cold, but his eyes burned. “Then you’ll spend the rest of your life paying off your father’s debts. Your choice.”Trapped, Lily signed. But she vowed one thing: she wouldn’t let him break her.From the first day, their clash was electric. He demanded perfection; she gave him rebellion. “You think you can control me?” she spat, after he criticized her for being late.Ethan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I don’t just control you. Lily, I own you.”But as the days passed, the lines between them blurred. Late nights in his penthouse turned into whispered conversations. His cold demeanor cracked, revealing glimpses of a man haunted by his past. One night, after a heated argument, he pinned her against the wall, his breath hot against her ear. “Why do you fight me so much?”Her voice trembled. “Because I’m afraid if I stop, I’ll lose myself to you.”Their connection deepened, but danger loomed. Secrets from Ethan’s past resurfaced, threatening to destroy everything. When Lily discovered the truth behind his obsession with her, she confronted him. “Was I just a pawn in your game? A way to settle an old score?”His eyes darkened with pain. “You were never just a game, Lily. You’re the only thing that’s ever felt real.”As the final days of their contract approached, their bond was tested like never before. Enemies closed in, and trust hung by a thread. Could they overcome the shadows of their pasts, or would their love crumble under the weight of secrets and pride?

11-year-old Jung Si-woo always had to play alone during PE class.

“I’m excluded from any ball games.”

“Are you kidding me? Why are you the only exception?”

“If I play with the rest, everyone will be excluded. Physically.”

The strength that Jung Si-woo has is not from any hard training but just a power he was born with.

When he turns 16 years old, the world faced a cataclysm, a huge castle appeared over the Earth out of nowhere. It began selecting special humans to grant them wings making them a Player and that soon changed the world.

10 years passed.

Jung Si-woo with a supernatural strength has still not been able to forsake his dream to be a Player. While he was enjoying his jobless life, he saved a falling Player and unknowingly met the requirement to be a ‘Underground Player’.

He became more special than anyone ever is! Now, Jung Si-woo brilliant dungeon strategy play begins.

“Evil God of the Universe, You are in every space and time. Present in every dimension of reality and govern the darkness of our world.Oh, almighty Atticus! Hear our plea and grant us your presence tonight, awaken my Lord!”The rain had completely stopped and the strong gale had subsided into the fading raindrops. The night had turned eerily silent and only the sizzling and cackling of the fire entered their ears.Suddenly, they all felt like floating from their feet despite setting foot on the watery, hard ground, as if they were traversing into space. The darkness of the night gradually turned darker, enveloping them, morphing into everyone, like a void eating them slowly. Sequentially, their breathing turned oddly slower. Despite exaggeratedly inhaling air to breathe, it was to no avail, as if a higher entity was limiting them from breathing.Nolan felt his throat and tried to open his mouth to gasp more air but failed. Everyone but him was in a state of indignation and panic as they struggled to breathe to fill their lungs with air. Nolan tried to calm his heart. He closed his eyes and stopped inhaling air in pure panic, instead, he put his heartbeat and breathing into a rhythm. It was hard at first, but after a minute, he found his breathing gradually went stable.His whole being was in pure anticipation of what was going to happen next.After a couple more minutes, the storm completely subsided, the night turned to normal. Nolan remained standing, taking in his surroundings with his eyes closed. Everything turned silent. The eerie atmosphere and the crackling of the fire from the hay figure didn’t even enter his ears. Nolan waited for a couple more minutes, his breathing turning normal. He was reluctant to open his eyes, afraid he might ruin their ritual.“It’s alright now, Young Master. You can open your eyes now.”Nolan’s breathing hitched. He jolted on his feet as he fluttered his eyes open.“Atticus? W-why are you here?”The butler, standing in front of him, a raincoat hung on his arm, smiled. “I am everywhere, Young Master, in order to best serve you.”****Atticus, a demi-god from the underworld, was cast out of his parents' realm and banished to the human world. The reason? He had yet to give them any grandchildren.Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction and is purely the product of my imagination. Any resemblance to real people, events, or beliefs is entirely coincidental. The intention is not to disrespect or diminish any faith or tradition, but rather to explore ideas within a fictional context. Reader discretion is advised.

“I believe that if you have a problem, we just need to solve it with firepower. If the problem isn't solved by then, it just means we weren't using enough firepower.”In a world of swords and magic, Lucen Thornehart, the eldest son of the Iron Duke, was considered the shame of the noble knight bloodline. No talent, weak, and worthless.Until one day, when a fever awoke his previous life's memories and the knowledge of the class from an old game he used to play, Gun Mage.More than just guns, he creates weapons that have never been created in this life and the last.A sword that heats up, turns crimson, and could melt metal.A rune-engraved gun that mages use to amplify their spells.A giant sword that you would only once see in a video game, which makes an explosion every time it hits an enemy.A gun that is powered by mana and shoots out condensed amounts of mana.Airships, steam trains, and boats.Lucen Thornehart isn’t here to play fair. He’s here to redefine warfare, with overwhelming firepower.