The Cunning Treasure Hunter - Chapter 44: A Shadow Over Mount Suncrest

After the ‘100-Year War’ between the Necromancers and Priests, an all-time genius who’ll shake the power structure was born. “Am I a rare case or something? Do I have talent?” A potential beyond all imagination. He obtained his father’s undead army and entered the great Necromancer school of Kizen that divided the continent. Geniuses are geniuses, even when gathered among the elites. The research community was flipped on its head by the appearance of a new case. Professors wouldn’t leave him be alone, wanting to make him study directly under them. Officials from all over the kingdom and heads of organizations fidgeted over whether to scout him. “Professor! When can I make a Lich?” “Gimme a break. How talented are you? You’re crossing the line, honestly.” A genius among geniuses had appeared.

In a world where strength determines one’s future, William, an orphan with no extraordinary talents, faces a grim destiny—until a brutal attack leaves him clinging to life. Instead of death, he awakens to a mysterious and powerful entity lurking within his mind: the Shadow System, a game-like interface that promises him unimaginable power. But this power comes with dark secrets, and refusing it would mean his death. Forced into a pact with a voice that can hear his every thought, William must navigate a dangerous new reality where shadow abilities and celestial power collide. As he enters the prestigious military academy, his newfound abilities draw both allies and enemies, all while a deadly conspiracy brews in the shadows. With the odds stacked against him, William must unravel the mystery of the Shadow System and decide whether to embrace the darkness within—or be consumed by it. His journey from a bullied outcast to a potential god will challenge not just his survival, but his very humanity. Power always comes at a cost—will William be able to pay the price? “What am I?” William asked the system. The system’s voice echoed in his head, cold and indifferent. “You are nothing.”

In her previous life, she rose from a country girl to become a CEO, working diligently until she died of overwork at 38, only to find that she had been greatly betrayed by her useless husband, who even had a child outside their marriage.When she opened her eyes, she was back to being eighteen years old, facing grandparents who favored boys over girls, a father who was honest and kind but dared not resist his parents, her mother who loved them deeply but was easily bullied by others, and her brother who still loved her despite her coldness.In this life, she decided to take her family away from those greedy relatives, save her brother from a fate of disability, and stay away from her useless ex-husband.Unexpectedly, she saved an even more important person by the roadside.“Your husband is just a country bumpkin; he didn't even get into university. How could you live well with him?” her ex-husband said.One day, a Bentley stopped next to her. A driver got out and bowed to her, saying, “Madam, the Boss is waiting for you for dinner.”“I know that car! It belongs to a rich family!” someone exclaimed.“Did he just call her Madam?” another person asked....“Did you hear? He brought a country girl home?”“They say that girl is his wife. Isn't it funny?”“Madam has arrived!” said the steward.“OMG, it's the talented girl from the famous university!”“Dear lord! She is the legend of the A-shares!”“I'm just so shocked...”“Hey, guys, she is my wife,” he said.

Broken-hearted and drunk, Yoshida, a 26-years old salaryman, stumbled upon a runaway-from-home high-schooler on his way back from the bar.

“Hey, you. JK.”*

“What the heck are you doing out here. Go home already.”

“Uncle, let me stay at your place for the night.”

“You can do ‘that’ to me if you let me stay.”

“If you meant that as a joke, it’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking. It’s fine by me.”

“Then allow me to tell you that I have no interest in brats.”

“Hmm?”

“Then, just let me stay.”

Notes:

[*] JK is slang for Joushikousei (high school girl)