Myriad Paths of the Dragon Emperor - Chapter 1

[You have been killed by the Hero of Light.]

[You have died.]

I had died at the hands of the main character in the novel I had read before.

But I got another chance. I regressed and returned to the time when I first entered this novel world.

Once again, I live in this novel world as an extra character.

Since I have experience and knowledge, especially my World System which had upgraded, I'll do what I want to do.

I will become stronger than the main character.

“Mana to breathe, mana to eat, mana to fucking live,”Inhale: -0.001 MP… oops! You're out of mana points.(Pay-to-breathe RPG.)Humanity's last walled stronghold._____In the world Elio lives, every gasp of air comes at a price.A floating indestructible book for every human, a magical system that turns survival into a pay-to-breathe RPG.Here, poverty isn't just being broke, it's choking.Surrounded by barren land and a sea of monsters on top of it (No water, just literal monsters), each day is a suffocating dance of survival, a balancing act between mana for air and mana for food.In this economy, holding your breath isn't just a game, it's a retirement plan.Driven by desperation (and the city's miserly rulers that don’t cut anyone a break), Elio dives into the Book System’s trials to save his family.Along the way, he unlocks powers he didn’t ask for and starts to figure out... Who he really is.Immerse yourself in an adventure where one young man's stubborn refusal to become a statistic could spark a revolution. Who knew being a pain in the system's rear could change the world?Because in Elio's world, breathing is just the beginning of the revolution and... he's gasping for change.But hey, who said saving the world had to be all doom and gloom? Join Elio as he kicks monster butt, uncovers ancient secrets, and maybe, just maybe, figures out how to grow a tree or two along the way.__________Warning:May contain traces of world domination, an unhealthy obsession with the periodic table, damage points, progression math, and yes, even a sprinkle of that old “power of friendship” magic. Because sometimes, you need a buddy to help you remember which element does what or even help you calculate those sweet, sweet stats.A quick heads-up:Despite what the cover might suggest, this isn’t a hack-and-slash adventure. Think more along the lines of a turn-based RPG, where strategy and choices matter as much as action. Get ready for a different kind of challenge!If you want to know more about the cover:Yep, that's our first FL crying and crossing the transparent barrier straight into a pixelated, indistinguishable sea of monsters. Because why not mix emotions with chaos? She's crazy like that! (Not really... or is she?)Discord to check the visuals: https://discord.gg/W3CjfC2cw4I’m still working on it in the little moments I find between writing, editing, making more character images, etc.Little by little, we’ll have a Poked... uh, a full SummonDex! Meanwhile, you can check out the ones on Fandom with their... funny descriptions? Or at least I hope so... orzWarning 2 (Privilege 4 and 5):I just wanted to stick to the novel’s level system, so I had to add those '0s'!!! Don’t be an elephant... unless you’re an enormous one... A whale! Seriously, nooooo!You’re going to make me die from the pressure, and I’ll feel terrible!! It’s just one chapter!!! You can wait... But if you’re dirty rich and really, Really, REALLY want to support, well... okay, though I’ll still feel bad!!! orz

Astri White has always felt like an outsider, never truly belonging to any group or place in the world. Raised in an orphanage, she yearns for a sense of belonging and the feeling of genuine love. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself mysteriously transported to another world, the enigmatic and magical realm known as the Beastmen World.In this strange and fantastical land, Astri encounters a diverse array of beings known as beastmen—creatures possessing both human and animal traits. As she navigates this unfamiliar world, she discovers that she possesses extraordinary powers, unlike anything seen before. Her unique abilities set her apart from both humans and beastmen, marking her as an exceptional and crucial figure in the realm.As Astri interacts with the various beastmen she meets, she begins to learn about the different facets of love. Through their diverse experiences and perspectives, she gains insights into the depths of love and the connections that bind individuals together. As her relationships with the beastmen grow, Astri discovers the true meaning of family and friendship, experiencing the warmth and support she had always craved.However, not everything is idyllic in the Beastmen World. There are dark forces at play, threatening the delicate balance of the realm and putting Astri and her newfound family in jeopardy. With her remarkable powers, she becomes a target for those seeking to exploit her abilities for their own nefarious purposes.As the danger escalates, Astri must embrace her role and harness her powers to protect the world and the ones she loves. In the process, she uncovers secrets about her own origin and the significance of her presence in the Beastmen World.“Beastmen Love” is a captivating tale of self-discovery, acceptance, and the transformative power of love. Astri White's journey from feeling like an outsider to finding her place in a fantastical world filled with extraordinary beings will resonate with readers as they follow her on a thrilling adventure of magic, romance, and personal growth.

(Third Person Limited PoV.)Betrayed by his fiancée, mocked by his siblings, and disowned by his family—that was Lev’s fate.Even when he regained memories of his life on Earth, where he realized that his world was strikingly similar to his favorite novel, it still didn’t help him change anything.How could it be?Because the protagonist of the story had already achieved his happy ending—gaining a beautiful wife and living a blissful life. Meanwhile, the world continued to move forward.What do people usually do with a novel that has ended? They tend to stop caring about the world within it, even if it falls into ruin, especially if the novel isn’t particularly popular.The world Lev Razanov lived in shared a similar fate—it was destroyed.[Hero’s System successfully installed.][Critical condition detected.][Do you wish to return to the past?]Lev was given a chance to return to a time when the story of his favorite novel had just begun.Although he was destined to become an extra villain—a pawn of the pawns serving the real villain, he vowed to end the lives of anyone who had caused him suffering: his siblings, his fiancée, the main character, or anyone else.[Hero’s System inherits your desire from your life on Earth—the desire to do good.]“Who said killing your enemies is an evil act?”