Soaring the Heavens - Chapter 4: Boundless Secular World (4)

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

Yong'an City Publicity Department:“Once again, we remind all citizens that a Level 4 Demon Nest has appeared outside Yong'an City in recent days. Currently, it is being suppressed by a team led by the President of Huayan Martial Arts University, [Dragon-riding Guanyin·Zheng Yulan].During this period, the municipality urges everyone not to travel at night unless necessary! Life first, safety most important!”The appearance of the Celestial Demon disrupted the world's original progress, with technological innovation no longer leading the mainstream, and Martial Arts exploration taking the global stage.Day Character Punch, Eight Steps to Catching a Cicada... many ancient martial arts have been continuously studied and innovated, evolving into Cultivation Techniques better suited to contemporary people's physiques.Nine Paths of Qi Blood, Eight Great Restrictions, Martial Arts practitioners gather immense power, only the Martial Arts will can suppress Celestial Demons and shatter darkness!Tianshan Mountain Martial Arts Conference, River Gathering, the world's number one Martial Arts tournament! All for the sake of determining the strongest Martial Arts practitioner to lead the world in safeguarding our civilization and homeland.“Here's a piece of good news: our country's [Great Saint Zhao Linyuan] has once again won the top spot in the world's number one Martial Arts tournament! This further cements our country's dominant position in the global Martial Arts development arena.”“Zzzzz...”Meng Chuan turned off the television and, as usual, practiced the [National Obligation Basic Boxing]【National Obligation Basic Boxing: Perfection (99%) Awaiting Limit Breaking】【Limit Breaking Feature: Once Proven, Forever Proven (Super) Awaiting Activation】

Catastrophe erupted, it was the end of the world.

Survivors were surrounded by the impregnable wall, a new order was established…

The desire for power, faith, and darkness pervaded each other, layer upon layer of brands imprinted in every corner of the heart.

The virus wreaked havoc, were these humans’ true colors?

“I unexpectedly survive, I want to live.” –Du Dian

[Ding! Sign-in System Installed!][Ding! 10x Rewards System Installed!][Ding! Mythical-Rank Ice Mana Circulation Technique Acquired!][Ding! Legendary-Rank Blazing Sun Holy Physique Acquired!]He spent all his life caged in a hospital because he was born with something special. Within those thick walls of concrete, he yearned for freedom and love, but he only found freedom in his death.But that wasn't the end.Reborn as Aegon Valeria Augustus, he awakened not one, but two systems.A Sign-In System that rewards him depending on where he is.A 10x Rewards System that multiplies whatever he gains as rewards.One day it’s mythical techniques, the next it’s… bricks. But whether it’s legendary physiques or useless sandals, Aegon takes it all with a grin.Why?He finally had the freedom and love he had always wanted, and along with that came the desire to explore this fantasy world and its culture.But there were a lot of things he missed from Earth, so the system helped him with that too.[Ding! Skill: Master Chef Acquired!][Ding! Skill: Professional Author Acquired!][Ding! Skill: Barista Arts Acquired!][Ding! Skill: Modern Medicine Acquired!][Ding! Skill: Entrepreneur’s Insight Acquired!][Ding! Skill: Musician’s Touch Acquired!][Ding! Skill: Tech Crafter Acquired!]Each reward gave him the knowledge, instincts, and muscle memory of those professions. Suddenly, he could cook dishes no one in this world had ever tasted before, write stories in a style completely alien to their culture, brew strange drinks that hooked nobles with their unfamiliar taste, or even treat injuries with precision no healer had ever displayed.“Who cares about conquering the world when you can explore and enjoy it? Or even help it become something better?”Aegon wasn’t worried about his strength, because his systems were already making him invincible.He only wanted to enjoy the freedom his new life gave him and protect the love he had never experienced before....What to expectVery Slice of Life. Yes, it’s mostly focused on SoL, so if you want tension-filled battles, this isn’t the novel for you.Low stakes.Some drama.Good fights, but low stakes and fun in tone.Light-hearted story.Modern professions introduced in another world.Comedy mixed with character development (which means you need to give some time for MC to develop too before calling out names for him.)Slow paced