OLD-WORLD EXTRA - Chapter 22: Long night

I used to think obsessive male leads were kind of hot. You know—the intense stares, the undying devotion, the way they’d burn the world for the woman they love? Swoon, right?Wrong.That fantasy went up in smoke the moment I woke up in the body of Sonia Mitford—the heroine of The Crimson Devotion, the first obsessive romance fantasy novel I ever read. The one that ended on a mysterious hiatus. The one with Marius Wittelsbach—a charming, possessive psychopath who thinks an ankle shackle is a love language.Now I’m trapped in a velvet-draped prison, shackled to a bedpost like some porcelain doll in a gothic fairytale. And Marius? He’s worse than I remembered. Sweet, soft-spoken... and utterly unhinged.“You don’t need to be afraid. I’ll take care of you.”Translation: I’ll murder anyone who blinks in your direction and serve you tea over their corpse.“Anyone who bothers you... anyone who looks at you the wrong way... I’ll get rid of them for you.”I thought I was playing the role just fine—smiling, nodding, pretending not to be horrified.But then—plot twist! Alessio Slovene, the forgettable side character, walks in looking like a golden retriever knight and drops this bomb: he’s actually the crown prince in disguise. And he’s investigating Marius.Finally—a lifeline. Maybe.Because people are vanishing. The body count is rising. And every time Marius kisses my forehead and calls me “Nia,” I feel one step closer to becoming the tragic heroine in a blood-soaked love story.Obsessive male leads aren’t dreamy.They’re terrifying.And I might be in way over my head.

Jeon Eun-woo has lived for almost thirteen years in isolation in a cell at the Blackwood Research Center.He doesn't remember who he is, he doesn't know who locked him up, and he doesn't know why he's still alive.The apparent calm with which he has lived is shattered when he is assigned a cellmate.Rhys, a young man with invisible scars, appears in Eun-woo's cell with one goal: to kill him.Because Eun-woo is not just any person.He’s the last living Esper.But upon coming into contact with Eun-woo, Rhys unexpectedly bonds with him, something that shouldn't be possible because Rhys isn't a Guide.Or is it?

I want an S-Rank skill too! I want it so badly, I could die for it![You have awakened an S-Rank skill.] [But it only works when you die.]Eh !? WHAT IS THE POINT OF GETTING ONE IF I DIE !?

Ding [congratulations you have acquired the Celestial{God of speed}System][Do you accept the term and conditions of the system]With a huge claw at his face ready to take off his head, sending him back to the dark abyss from which he had just arrived not so long ago, already accepting his fate for a second death.Henry saw a holographic screen flash in front of him, one that would change his new life for the better... or worse, seeing no other option in his current dilemma and with nothing else to lose.“Yes, yes i accept!” he screamed out with determination and hope that this might just be a miracle here to save him from certain doom,and indeed it was.[You have successfully acquired all the functions and priorities of the system,including its benefits and disadvantages]Henry saw the screen again but that wasn't all he saw to his disbelief everything in the surroundings including the ferocious beast trying to kill him, were now completely still with the lion's claws just a few centimeters away from his head.“Wow, i guess this must be part of the benefits the system granted,” he exclaimed with surprise“But what about the demerits?”I guess we'll find out soon enough as this was only just the beginning.Now with his newly acquired “cheat” system in a new world he had just been reincarnated to. From an urban civilization to an even more futuristic, civilized urban utopia where magic and technology are well versed, Henry must find his true purpose in the new world as he discovers more beings like him both good and bad.And as he navigates his way to a better second chance, making new friends and encountering old foes courtesy of his predecessor.Going against both celestial entities and monsters from other realms and doing as he pleases, defying rules of the multiverses and discovering worlds beyond.“Or maybe I'll just kick back and relax in this New World.”SNEAK PEAK!Henry stood face to face with the mysterious figure, their suits a stark contrast to each other. Henry's white and gold suit gleamed in the sunlight, while the other figure's black and purple suit seemed to absorb the light around them. A mask covered the figure's face, making it impossible for Henry to discern their identity.“You're quite the legend, Henry,” the figure said in a low, gravelly voice “I've heard a lot about your skills.”Henry's eyes narrowed. “Who are you?”The figure chuckled. “Someone who's been watching you. Someone who's been waiting for the perfect moment to strike.”Henry's grip on his fists tightened. “What do you want?”The figure smiled, their mask glinting in the light. “I want to see how fast you really are.”Without warning, the figure took off, their black and purple suit blurring as they sprinted away. Henry's eyes widened, and he grinned.“Game on!” he exclaimed, taking off after the mysterious figure.The two speedsters tore through the city streets, their suits leaving trails of distorted air in their wake. As Henry left a trail of gold lightning so did the figure leave one of purple. Henry's Nitro suit glowed with a brilliant white light as he pushed himself to his limits, his feet pounding the pavement in a blur.The mysterious figure was fast, but Henry was determined to catch up. He focused all his energy on the chase, his senses heightened as he navigated the crowded streets.The city became a colorful blur as the two speedsters clashed in a battle of velocity and agility. Henry's heart pounded with excitement, his mind racing with the thrill of the chase.Who was this mysterious figure, and what did they want? Henry was determined to find out.Crap! I wanted to write more but looks like I've reached the word limit. Sigh* Well I hope I've gotten your attention with all this, i like my summary to always look like a trailer, that's why it's so long.Anyways check more of these when you read my book and support, I'll appreciate. Gracias!Check my discord link in bio, join for more info.