MTL - The Stepmother is Unkind - Chapter 8

I died in my world… and woke up in someone else’s story.But not as the hero. Not as the villain. Not even as a side character who mattered. I’m… an NPC—a nobody, a background observer, invisible to everyone.At first, I thought I was powerless. But then I discovered something strange: I could leave notes, whisper hints, move objects… small nudges that subtly changed the story. Every tiny action rippled through the plot, shaping outcomes, saving lives, and altering the fate of heroines, heroes, and even villains.The catch? The story is alive. It resists interference. Push too hard, and accidents happen. Plot twists turn against me. Minor disasters loom. The more I try to influence, the more the story fights back.So I play carefully. I study. I manipulate quietly. I watch the heroines, heroes, and overlooked side characters, weaving invisible threads that guide them. I don’t fight. I don’t cheat. I survive—and maybe, just maybe, I can change the story from the shadows.From an unnoticed NPC to the hidden hand behind the world, I’ll prove that even a nobody can rewrite the story.

In 2025, Avalon the most legendary MMORPG that had reigned for two decades, announced it would shut down its servers on July 12th.Rian, the Guild Master of Avanheim, decides to stay loyal until the very end, accompanying his guild in the Throne Room of Avanheim Castle until the servers are completely shut down.However, when the final second passes, a miracle occurs. He isn't forcibly logged out by the system. Instead, he remains within Avanheim. The NPCs, once mere programs, begin to show consciousness, and the digital world feels entirely real.It seems he has been summoned to another world, just like in the fantasy novels he so often reads.This time, Rian swears to himself: he will no longer be a loser. In this new world, he will become a winner.To establish an empire. To conquer the world. This is the beginning of the Great Path of Conquest....Or maybe he'll just keep a low profile and live in peace?AUTHOR NOTE :Other Tags: Reverse Isekai, Shadow Leader, Corporate Building, Evil Organization Leader, Genius Protagonist, World Domination, Politics, Slow Burn, Detailed, Romance, Magic vs. Technology.This novel features a slow-paced plot, making it unsuitable for readers expecting fast-paced action like intense battles against equal foes, massacres, or starting a war early in the story.- Volume One: Focuses on world-building.- Volume Two: Centers on corporate development, building a criminal empire, controlling a nation from the shadows, generating wealth, and a touch of romance.- I update every day, but if something comes up on a particular day, I’ll post two chapters together the next day.Support me with reviews, votes, or a Golden Ticket gift—it would help me a lot!

A Low-Stakes, Cozy, Slice-Of-Life Travelogue AdventureJohn, a 37-year-old widower, discovers the extraordinary power to travel between worlds via dimensional Gates. Overwhelmed by the sorrow of losing his wife and the pain of his past, he wants to leave Earth behind. After some research and training, he embarks on a journey to explore different worlds.Though John’s class could become incredibly OP, he doesn’t care about fighting, becoming a hero, or gaining power. His journey is about healing, rediscovering life’s simple joys, and exploring the magical wonders of the multiverse. Traveling at a slow, steady pace, he meets new people, helps others as a healer or doctor when he feels like it, and reflects on his experiences through a diary-style narrative. This is a tale of introspection and self-improvement, focused on exploring both the multiverse and Earth.This isn’t a story of epic battles, grimdark themes, or becoming a superhero. Instead, it’s about traveling with friends, trying new foods, learning magic, and shopping—lots of shopping. Through these adventures, John’s story highlights how small moments bring joy and purpose, proving discovery doesn’t require grand conflicts but thrives in the extraordinary and the everyday.

In the past when someone mentioned getting married, Du Lei Si (Durex) would feel fearful enough to flee.

What is so good about getting married? Organizing a wedding ceremony is akin to spending money like running water. After giving birth, you must also raise the child. If you don’t maintain yourself well, you will get out of shape.

As a result, maybe a vixen will grab your husband and take your baby away.

Not getting married! Definitely not getting married!

However, fate is like this. Whatever you are afraid of, unfortunately, it will be given to you.

I was walking on the street, minding my own business, yet, impossibly, I encountered a stranger proposing marriage. He placed a dazzling diamond ring right in front of me. This handsome guy knelt down on one leg and looked at me with such a sincere expression: “Miss, would you please marry me?”

This, isn’t this like some drama?

After pondering over it, I decided that this surely must be a stunt from some television station’s new program. Invite a celebrity to pretend to be a passer-by who proposes marriage. This year, with the economic crisis, being a producer is not easy.

Thus, out of kindness, I accepted the diamond ring. Only to find out that all of this was actually real! The diamond ring is really and truly a genuine diamond from South Africa. Moreover, the groom is also a genuine rich man!

Actually, wasn’t this just like the legend of marrying into a rich and powerful family? I always feel that in front there is the belly black President who is like a ruthless wolf watching me attentively, and if I am not careful, he will tear me apart and swallow me into his belly. Whereas behind there is the crowd who do not know the truth, standing in a circle and watching as the drama unfolds. I still have not explained clearly but Mrs. President’s fame has already spread quickly from mouth to mouth.

This time, Du Lei Si really feels regret.

Who can tell me, can I not marry ah?