ShadowBound: The Need For Power - Chapter 2: Into The Abyss

The Scattered Arts, lost pages of manuals gathered from scattered archives from all across the world. Known also as the Old Arts, these are what remained from a vast collection of knowledge that was destroyed during the war that almost wiped out all of mankind. But we prevailed. Mankind rebuilt and reached for the stars.

Wang Xuan, a student of the Old Arts Research Department, had read about tales of individuals capable of inhuman feats, of practitioners ascending to the realm of immortality. But in an age of technological wonders, not many would believe in such tales. Only the truly desperate, and with the wealth and resources at their disposal, could even dream of unlocking the secrets behind these tales.

Corporate greed. This was how the research into the old arts started. But with new discoveries made in the New World, and the Old Arts declared obsolete in the way of the ‘New Arts’, the studies into the realm of the ancients is coming to an end.

Are the immortals real? Can mankind truly break its shackle of mortality and escape death? These are questions that Wang Xuan desperately sought to answer. He was determined to walk down the path of the Old Arts even as he reached for the stars beyond.

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Ethan Yagami, the lazy, gentle, and carefree young master of a powerful noble family, only wants to enjoy life and relax.But on the day of his awakening ceremony, the most cliché thing imaginable happens to him…[Ding! The System is bonding to you.][Bonding successful! Congratulations, Host! You have awakened: The Divine Benevolence System.][Please, Host, give more and be more benevolent.][Because the more you give, the more you shall receive.]Ethan blinks.“…So I’m basically a Saint now?”With a smile as lazy as ever, Ethan realizes his path to power isn’t through grinding or killing monsters—it’s through giving things away.Money? Skills? Weapons? Even trash? As long as he gives selflessly, the rewards return a thousandfold.And so, while the world expects a humble philanthropist, Ethan casually breaks the balance of power, amassing wealth, strength, and influence—all while doing as little work as possible.Because, after all…Why struggle when generosity makes you overpowered?

Vergil, a 21-year-old young man, leads an apparently simple life in a somewhat troubled world. His family is also simple—although his father is no longer alive, his mother has always been by his side, despite being a bit... aggressive. But that's not so unusual nowadays, right?Everything changes drastically when Vergil, after an unexpected death, awakens as a demon. To his surprise, he discovers that he has accidentally married beautiful Pure-Blood demonesses.Now, he will discover how the world really works from a Demon's perspective.

Version 1:

Jiang Mianmian time traveled.

Her father had an insidious scholar’s face but a sinister heart.

Her mother had a merciful bodhisattva’s face but a vicious mind.

Her elder brother looked honest but was evil inside.

Her second sister was selfish and foul-mouthed.

They were destined to be villains from birth, to contrast the protagonist’s righteousness, kindness and greatness. They did all kinds of bad things, were covered in filth, fell into an abyss, and came to no good end.

Jiang Mianmian – With the magical spring in hand, weak and timid, she could only let her family live a bit longer…

Version 2:

In her previous life, Mianmian’s family died out early.

In this life:

She married the most popular duke.

She became sworn sisters with the rebel leader.

Ungrateful and unfilial.

Disloyal and unrighteous.

No integrity.

But they all lived, with the family intact.

…

Version 3

Reader’s summary: Father is Medusa, mother is polar bear, brother is evil wolf, sister is coyote, heroine is panda, moving mountains and overwhelming the world, only selling cuteness.