Reborn as the bastard son of a Duke - Chapter 57: First Mission

In a world where power is marked by glowing runes and monsters bleed through the fabric of reality, **Ryu** is nothing—an orphan with no name, no status, and no hope. Beaten down by nobles who wield their divine-given strength like a whip, he survives on scraps and stubborn defiance.But when a black rift—an anomaly unlike any ever recorded—appears in the dead of night, Ryu faces a choice: die a beggar, or risk everything by stepping into the unknown.Inside, he finds a nightmare. Kolasis, a legendary predator, hunts him through a twisted forest. The rules here are simple: kill or be killed. To survive, Ryu must forge himself into something sharper than the claws of monsters and crueler than the nobles who cast him aside.Yet the rift has its own secrets. The same power that could make him a legend might also break him—if the monsters don’t tear him apart first.

Starting as a fallen noble? Struggling with hunger? Having to pay high taxes to the king? If you don’t pay enough, your head will be chopped off?Romon activates the Lord Simulator and begins with a village...[Your subjects discover a large amount of magic crystal ore while digging on the western side of your territory!][Your territory's culture improves, and your rapid-fire mage develops: Orbital Magic!][You successfully expand your territory and discover an underground labyrinth city on the new land!][You annex the land and gain a new title: Duke of Thune!][The king passes away, war breaks out, and you decide: to annex all lords and establish a new kingdom!]Romon: “Annexing the world is for better simulation, leading the world to ascend efficiently—how can you call it personal ambition?”

Once, because of a pair of purple eyes he was scorned. He is a wangye known across the land, cold and bloodthirsty, looking disdainfully upon the world.

Once, because of a mother’s death she received a father’s resentment. She is a publicly known junzhu whose looks have been destroyed, pitiful and weak.

In reality, he has a pair of this world’s most beautiful eyes, the most formidable background, the most imposing strength.

In reality, she has a peerless face, the most unshakable background, and the most ingenious medical skills.

She, Lan You Nian, aloof and cold-hearted, underneath the appearance of a celestial maiden is a battered, wounded heart.

When the cruel and ruthless him met the indifferent her, who adores who most deeply? Who once again puts a smiles on for whom?

- Description from novelupdates

Despite having found Mingxi, the Zhao family continued to favor the fake daughter, saying that Mingxi was not as kind nor as graceful as Zhao Yuan.

Mingxi didn’t mind. She continued to work hard to please her family although they would always say that she was trying to rob their attention away from Zhao Yuan.

Until she died because of a terminal illness.

It was then that she realized that Zhao Yuan was the actual lady blessed by luck while she was merely this novel’s evil supporting character with a tragic ending.

Zhao Mingxi who was given a second chance at life was bitterly disappointed. She no longer cared about her family. Screw her family and her fiancé. She immediately packed her bags and left home, off to complete the task given by the system named ‘Becoming Friends With Fashionable and Valuable Characters’.

After she left, the house suddenly became cold and quiet.

By right they should feel at ease, but–

Her parents, her indifferent elder brother, her brash younger brother, Chen Liyao who was used to her pursuits were all successively feeling… unused to it?