Within a Hollow Heart - Chapter 21: Volume 1, : "Shattered Threads"

Ethan is a man nearing forty who has squandered his life behind a screen. Since his teenage years, he has poured everything into online games, chasing digital achievements while real life quietly passed him by. Now, with reality finally weighing on him, he realizes how empty his existence has become.Despite decades of obsession, he has only one thing to show for it: the #1 account in the world’s most popular MMORPG, Lost World Online—a fully immersive virtual game operated through neural-link technology. It is an account powerful enough to guarantee fame, sponsorships, and a second chance at life.But overnight… it vanishes.No warnings… No errors… His account simply ceases to exist.Ethan spends the entire night frantically searching for answers, contacting the developers through official forums, only to be told that nothing can be done. Without the account, even streaming or professional contracts are impossible. Exhausted and hollow, he finally gives up and falls asleep, deciding to forget his regret, half hoping everything would be a dream when he wakes up.When Ethan opens his eyes, he finds himself standing before the character creation screen of Lost World Online.It feels like a dream, yet his mind is clear, his body well responsive, not even like a game. Paying little attention, he goes ahead and creates a character and initiates the game.Then, his vision is swallowed by darkness.A violent rush of wind slams into him, and when his senses return, he is standing inside a bustling town from the game. Before he can question the missing opening cutscene—something that should always play after character creation—his attention is seized by the scene around him.The town was celebrating an Annual Festival. This was a festival that only ever occurred once, a festival that marked the first day Lost World Online was launched.Realizing the impossible, Ethan hurriedly calls up his system interface—only to find that there is no options menu, no settings, no log-out button…“This cannot be real.”

In old times a boy named Luis had lost his parents at a very tender age, he never even got to know who his parents were. With his parents gone he had to be taken care of by his wicked aunt who hardly fed him once a day, in effort to get food Luis was adviced to steal by a strange book without minding the punishment of burning given to thieves. When Luis was caught he ran into the forest and the villagers including his aunt chased him down with torches.

“I think it's best I surrender now” Luis stopped running and was panting now.

“I think I can see him!” he heard the village blacksmith shout.

He took a little step backwards and down a hole he went.

“Noooooo!!!” Luis screamed as he went down the hole, the last thing he saw was a red glowing light and then it was lights out for him.

“What happened?” Luis groaned. “Where am I? And why is my body so cold” he said touching his arm

A screen appeard in front of him.

[ System revived ]

“What?”

That was where the true journey began.

Now the fate of mankind lies in his hands as he keeps completing tasks and quests to get stronger.

Luis keeps getting stronger but the question is:

Will he be able to stop Lucifer?

Warning this novel contains explicit content!!!I’ve always been invisible. Just another face in the crowd. The kind of guy who gets overlooked, dismissed, and forgotten.And she? The woman I’ve always had a crush on? She doesn’t even know I exist. To her, I’m just the guy who picks up her coffee at the café, the guy who runs errands, the guy who’s nowhere near her league.But then, everything changed.One day, out of nowhere, I’m granted a system. A tool that promises to transform my life.[Ding! New Mission: Seduce and Conquer a MILF – Reward: $10,000 + Charisma Skill Unlock]A MILF? I had no idea what I was getting into. But when I started, it was clear: the game wasn’t just about women. It was about power.The system gave me everything I needed to start my ascent: confidence, charm, skills, and soon, I was stepping into the world of the rich, the influential, the women I once only dreamed about.With every conquest, I get closer to something bigger: wealth, status, connections. Each MILF I win over not only elevates my life but also unlocks new opportunities, new tasks, and new challenges.[Ding! New Mission: Win Over the Wealthiest MILF in Town – Target: A CEO of a Multi-Billion Dollar Corporation]The rewards are insane. The women? Gorgeous, powerful, and oh so willing. But the deeper I dive, the more I realize the stakes. The wealthier the MILF, the more dangerous the game.I’ll use my new skills to rise higher, becoming a man of influence and power. A force that can’t be ignored. From one conquest to the next, I’ll build my empire of women and riches.Money, women, power- nothing will stand in my way. Not even the world that once looked down on me.[Ding! New Mission: Secure an Elite Position in a Fortune 500 Company – Reward: Unlock Elite Social Status + Advanced Influence Abilities]They thought I was a nobody. Now, I’m the man they’ll never be able to forget.

Qiu Qiu was born into a scholarly family. He possessed great looks and a kind heart. His outstanding grades were just as praiseworthy as the cute dimple he exposed each time he laughed. His melodic singing moved the hearts of all, and his guitar-playing skills were down-right godly. It wasn’t long before the overbearing president, Fu Ruien, fell for him, hard.

Fu Ruien: Qiuqiu, I would like to ‘support’ you.

Qiu Qiu: Oh, so you’re going to support me financially?! Like a scholarship?! Yay, that’s great!

And so, the two happily made arrangements, utterly oblivious to the fact that they both weren’t on the same page…

…..Three months later.

Fu Ruien: Are you a numbskull?! If you’re not being ‘kept’ by me, then why the hell would you call me ‘Daddy’?!

Qiu Qiu: In my defense, I saw that you were a 40-year-old uncle who still hadn’t been married, so I just wanted you to actually experience the warmth of a family!

Fu Ruien: …???

Qiu Qiu: But even if you don’t have a partner, at least you have this bright, talented and handsome eldest son who’s there for you. I mean, just where in the world would you be able to find such a perfect son like him!

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