Worm (Parahumans #1) - Chapter 285: Venom 29.4

Mo Yan was an illegitimate child of a rich family and was arranged by her mother to take the place of her sister in marriage to a poor man in order to fulfill the marriage contract set by the previous generation, allowing the Mo family to get their hands on that substantial dowry.

Lin Yin was an unfortunate girl who lived in the slums for eighteen years because of mistaken identities at birth.

Even though she was brought back to live with her real parents, there was no place for her amongst them.

She was constantly bullied and scolded for no reason; her own biological parents would leave her in the dirt just because Su Fei shed a tear.

Swindled, and betrayed the very person she fell in love with, she was finally going to escape her dark life when she realized that it was all a setup — that she was just a clown.

She dragged her poisoned body as she tried to escape, but she was killed regardless at the loud crack of a gunshot.

Her departed spirit watched as her biological parents coldly said, “She has never been our daughter. Burn her, throw her into the dirt — you can do whatever you like.”

As the guest left, a man stood sighing with sympathy. “Take her to a funeral home. Let’s hope that in her next life, she can live for herself and not suffer so much grief.”

How laughable it was that she had lived for so long, but a stranger turned out to be the one who gave her a proper funeral!

Soon, Lin Yin lost consciousness, and woke up to find that she had gone back in time, to the first year after she returned to the Su family!

This time, she decided to live for herself without compromise! Still, just as she thought she would have to do this alone, she never imagined that she would be reunited with three brothers, although they never showed up in her last life!

They were Mu Heng, the magnate, Mu Qing, the prodigious doctor, and Mu Ran, the heartthrob and movie star!

In her last life, she gave her heart to the wrong people and suffered a tragic end, but in this life, her brothers were pampering her to death! Mu Heng: She’s my sister! I’ll protect her!

Mu Qing: Who dares bully my sister! Mu Ran: She’s my sister! I’ll spoil her!

Lu Ming: She’s my wife! I’ll watch over her! Mu Heng, Mu Qing, and Mu Ran: Get out!

How long will it take for a murdered thief to distill into something monstrous? In this story the darkness only grows stronger, and its reach only grows wider as it expands by devouring the life that surrounds it. This is a dark fantasy where evil is a where, not just a who that focuses on slow progression, undeath, and atmospheric storytelling.

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.