Start With Contracting Sprites - Chapter 28

DESTINY GAMES. It has been 85 years since Earth-11 became aligned with Yggdrasil and 73 years since Icon became the first demigod from Earth. Icon, as the first demigod, was privileged to weave the thread of fate for everyone. He was supposed to cut off Yggdrasil and free Earth-11 from the grasps of the other Earths and their god kings. That’s why everyone helped him climb the tower of Destiny. But instead of ridding earth of Yggdrasil, he turned the destiny of mankind into seven rings of immortality. The first ring was for the immortality of power. The second was for the immortality of the knowledge. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth were for the immortality of the mind, energy, body, and soul. The last ring, the ring of the paragon, was made to rule them all. Icon kept the ring of the paragon for himself and became a dictator. He ruled with an iron fist for many years. His was a reign of terror. But he was eventually vanquished by the collective effort of the world. It has been 62 years since then. Icon is no more, but the damage he had done still remains. Earth-11 is still connected to Yggdrasil. The deadly games of the Tower of Destiny still remain, and the fight for the seven rings of immortality still continues. Kelvin Thorn has just awakened his ability. It came at a good time too since he is running for his life. The ability he awakened saved him, but it came with a cost. He must climb the tower of destiny under the witness of the whole world and accumulate destiny, or he will die. His situation is not unique. Everyone that awakens, which is mostly everyone, must climb the tower of destiny. It is one of the curses that Icon left behind before he died. But Thorn is different because the seventh ring found him. The tower of destiny is where everyone granted power by destiny, be they humans, non-humans, or otherworlders, must fight in games of might, skill, and knowledge to gather the power of destiny. They will either die or eventually overcome death. Kelvin will be one of the latest in the line of billions of others in this struggle.

Birth of the Biomancer:Mio was the worst healer in Tokyo. F-grade, dead weight—her party kept her around out of pity until they did the math and left her bleeding in a ruined cathedral.Something ancient was waiting there. It offered her a Class that devours its hosts—a path of power that claimed the lives of the three Biomancers who came before her. Mio said yes anyway. She’d already felt the sting of a slow death; what was one more monster in her veins?Now pain is currency, death is fuel, and the hunger grows with every kill. The Bureau wants a weapon. Her sister wants her home for dinner. Mio agreed to both.In a world of Systems and Dungeons, power isn't a gift; it's a trade. And Mio is finally ready to pay the price.════════════════════What This Is:[1] This is a progression fantasy with system elements, but the system serves the story, not the other way around. Expect meaningful numbers, not stat spam.[2] Romance is not the focus. Mio has bigger problems. But expect a slow-burn later down the line![3] The story gets dark, but it's earned. No grimdark for shock value.

[ Milestone Reached: Unlocking Chaos Dragon ][ … Unlocking Dracula][ … Unlocking Zeus ][ … Unlocking Demon King of Shadows ]----It was a normal day on Earth. Suddenly, the sky turned dark, and massive tower-like structures descended from above. A loud, robotic voice announced the beginning of a chaotic apocalypse.With less than two minutes on the clock, everyone was given a chance to select from a list of mystery newbie packages designed to assist them in the impending apocalypse—each package containing classes, abilities, special boosts, and powerful relics.In the midst of the chaos, Dorian, an avid reader of 'Ethereal Descent', an unpopular apocalypse novel, was stunned to discover that everything was unfolding exactly according to the novel’s kick-off plot.THE NOVEL HAS MERGED WITH REALITY!WHO IS THE PROTAGONIST?Like the others, Dorian was presented with a list of special rewards to choose from.[ You have been chosen to partake in the VIP Newbie Package ][ Select one ]DING![ You have awakened special ability: CHARACTER BIND ][ You can bind with gods, devils, monsters, mythical creatures, favored sons of heaven, etc. ][ You've unlocked: Reader's Viewpoint ][ You've unlocked: Copycat ][ You've unlocked: Energy Parasite ][ You've unlocked Index Of Myth ]With his special ability, Dorian vows to dominate the novel’s world and its protagonist, while also unraveling the mysteries of the apocalypse.

At the Edge of the Void…A soft blue light hums, pulsing with energy, its robotic voice ringing with purpose.> “Do you accept me, System 0404, the Harem-Building System?”A young man in his twenties, eyes shining with excitement, eagerly responds:> “YES!”The blue light flares—The universe shifts—The binding process begins—DING!> [System Successfully Bound to…]…Daphne Han???????***System: “If you’re going to RUIN the harem-building mission, I’m not helping you!”Daphne: “Okay, I’ll just win without you.”System: “…Wait, what?”***World one:Male Lead: “Why are my offers disappearing?!”Daphne: “Oh? Maybe you just weren’t talented enough.”System: “YOU CAN’T JUST DELETE THE PROTAGONIST!”Actress #1: “Wait, I actually love acting, not this forced romance subplot?”Actress #2: “Oh wow, working under Daphne is way better than chasing ML’s validation.”Male Lead: “WHERE DID MY HAREM GO?!”System: “DON'T RUIN THE PLOT!”Villainess: “What do you want in return for everything?”Daphne: “You.”System: “NOOOO, SHE’S SUPPOSED TO BE HIS FINAL LOVE INTEREST!”World two:Emperor: “You were supposed to compete for my favor!”Daphne: “Nah. I’m the one with favor now.”Heroine: “Can I join your court instead?”System: “THAT'S NOT HOW HAREM DRAMAS WORK!”***CEO: “I was supposed to be her fate!”Demon Lord: “SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO REDEEM ME!”Imperial Prince: “What do you MEAN she’s not interested in me anymore?!”System: “THIS IS NOT HOW THESE STORIES WORK.”