The Masked Virtuoso - Chapter 32: Into the Heart of Shadowspire

** A Light Novel featuring a weak protagonist tasked with the impossible mission of saving a Virtual Reality world that has moved on without him. This post-apocalyptic sci-fi is brimming with drama, conspiracies, and action. **As the Santa María spaceship travels the galaxy in search of a new home for humanity, all passengers must remain in cryosleep and log into The Novus, a Virtual Reality MMORPG designed to train the younger generation in building a civilized society.Not only is this place a utopia, but it’s also a fresh start for seventeen-year-olds Alan and Astrid, who have just started dating.“Life in The Novus will be awesome with you by my side!”But an emergency pulls Alan out of the system—a catastrophe that endangers the lives of the Santa María's population and their mission.What will he find when he returns?Three years have passed. Astrid has become one of the strongest warriors, and Alan... is now the weakest User in the virtual world.

In a world governed by cultivation and power, Li Tian was once a formidable warrior, feared and respected. However, betrayal led to his untimely death. Reborn in a new realm, he awakens as a 17-year-old bastard child of a powerful family, ridiculed and ignored by those around him. Retaining the memories of his past life, Li Tian is determined to seize this second chance.As he navigates the treacherous waters of his new existence, Li Tian finds himself entangled with numerous captivating women, including his alluring stepmother, Xu Fang, and his charming fiancée, Zheng Wei. With a system that reveals his hidden desires and offers him tasks to complete, he must confront his inner struggles while forging bonds and gaining strength.Will Li Tian rise above the stigma of his birth and carve out a destiny worthy of his past glory, or will the shadows of betrayal continue to haunt him? Join him on a journey of self-discovery, love, and conquest as he seeks to transform from a mere bastard into a legendary figure of the cultivation world.

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!

Jerlina struggled hard to get out of the small town filled with gangs not only to improve her life, but also to get away from 'him' - the one she calls 'The Monster'.

No, he really was not a monster... He was 'her monster'.

'He' had devoted his life for his little sister. She had offended him by breaking the friendship with his little sister.

She thought she escaped it all when years passed and she settled in the city. A nice job, a lovely boyfriend, a small home for them... She thought she had what she needed.

She almost forgot about 'him'.

But then he came back in her life for his sister, and took everything away from her. Her boyfriend, her little home, her freedom, and to her dismay he even took the child in her belly.

And he forced her to marry him! Why?

Will she escape his clutches?

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He is a self-made man although he is from a powerful family. He has attained everything he has, working hard with his own hands. He has plans, He has secrets.

But for him, she is the moon.

She is his first love. She came to him one noisy night and he couldn't forget her from then. But every time he tries to get close to her, she suffers as if they are not meant to be. He wanted to stay away from her to not see her suffer.

He did stay away from her for years.

But when a chance presented itself pushing her to him, he couldn't stay back and tried to get close to her.

And he got close to her to help her, but then he made her lose her child unwittingly.

What should I do?

I can't just give up on her!

-----

One heart filled with resentment and another filled with remorse...

What will be of them?

Can his love make her resentment go away? Or will his remorse consume him?

Will she see his remorse over her resentment? Will she forgive?

Will there be romance?

Or will there be blood?