Afterlife Department - Chapter 10 - Foul

Ethan's head throbbed violently as he opened his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused. A dull ringing filled his ears, drowning out his thoughts.“What’s happening…?” he thought, his mind sluggish, struggling to catch up with reality. One moment, he was asleep—or at least, he thought he was—and the next, searing pain forced him awake.His vision swam, shapes blurring together in a disorienting mess. But then, muffled noises filtered through the haze—frantic, panicked sounds. Someone was trying to scream, their voice smothered, choked by something.A cold shiver ran down his spine.As his sight gradually sharpened, Ethan's breath hitched.He was on all fours, looming over someone. A girl.Her body twisted and writhed beneath him, ropes biting into her wrists and ankles. Her mouth was gagged, muffling her cries. Her wide brown eyes, brimming with fear and fury, glared up at him.Ethan's body locked in place, his blood running cold.“What the…?” His mind reeled, thoughts slamming into each other in chaotic disarray. “What kind of bizarre dream is this?”Panic clawed at his chest. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps as he scrambled backward, only to realize his limbs felt sluggish, uncooperative, like they didn’t belong to him.“Is this… is this some kind of twisted fantasy I never knew I had?” A sickening thought slithered through his mind, making his stomach churn.The girl's frantic squirming slowed for a moment, her gaze flickering with confusion as she took in his expression—his trembling hands, his wide, horrified eyes. But the fear returned just as quickly. She struggled harder, her body arching, her muffled screams rising in pitch.Ethan wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but before he could force out a word, a glowing blue window materialized before his eyes.His breath caught.A translucent, hovering screen?“What…?”Lines of glowing text scrolled across its surface.---[System Activated…][Host Confirmed.][Simulating Previous Data…]Ethan awakens in a mysterious world, shackled by a curse that clouds his judgment and drives him toward choices he never wished to make. Burdened by guilt and responsibility, he must navigate the fallout of his actions while unraveling the truth behind the curse—and his place in this enigmatic new reality.

For ten years, Ryn lived in quiet exile with his wife Mira, far from a world overrun by supervillains. But when the flames of chaos reignite, he’s forced to return to the battlefield, stronger and deadlier than ever.By his side is Mira, his unwavering partner—devoted, ruthless, and hiding a darkness Ryn can't see.Enemies rise, old ghosts return, and war looms on the horizon. Ryn seeks justice, while Mira seeks to protect him... even if it means drowning the world in blood.Let them come.

When the bird race wanted to flatter the king of the wolf race, he was thrown out directly by his parents. After that, he had been tossed like a toy by others from one place to another, numerous times. Finally, he ended up in front of the black wolf.

There was a rumor saying that the black wolf was the most ferocious existence in the wolf palace. And the black wolf’s favorite food was raw chicken!

He always excitedly gnawed the chicken, there was a possibility that blood could splatter everywhere!

Qiao Xi: I feel like I’m going to die.

And when Qiao Xi fell in front of the black wolf—

The black wolf had sharp fangs, fierce eyes, and a terrifying aura. The black wolf opened his mouth and approached Qiao Xi…

“Auwoo! Auwoo! Auwoo!”

Qiao Xi was frightened out of his wits and immediately fell onto the ground. He unmanageably changed into a human form. His body was shivering uncontrollably, thinking to himself that he was going to die.

However, just when the black wolf saw Qiao Xi’s human form, he unexpectedly turned silent.

After standing still for a while, he suddenly lifted his paw and touched Qiao Xi’s pretty little face, he stated calmly: “From today onward, you’re my little brother.”

Qiao Xi, whose eyes were filled with tears: “…?”
…

Later, the black wolf ascended the throne in the wolf race.

Someone saw the black wolf carrying a chicken in his arm, and couldn’t help but say with a smile, His Majesty, the Wolf King surprisingly carried a ration with him, which was really interesting.

Suddenly, the Wolf King’s face darkened. He said calmly without any smile on his face: “This is my wife.”

He also ate this small one every day, but not as a ration, because this was his little treasure.

- Description from Novelupdates

It’s been 11 years since I’ve lived for others and not for me.

The moment I cried out wanting to get away from my exhausting life, I opened my eyes in the body of some Count’s 20-year-old daughter.

Since this happened, I decided to live my life freely as a single woman.

But…

“I need a lady to act as my fake wife for a certain period of time.”

“A contract marriage?”

“The term is one year. When the time is up, I’ll give you divorce with no strings attached.”

The Duke of the Empire whom I had happened to meet at a ball was hitting on me.

Turns out he’s no other than the Emperor’s beloved brother, Duke Scade!

Hold on, it’s just going to end in a clean divorce with no strings attached?

“You should also give me alimony. Give me one of the best lands of the Ducal household with 10 years’ worth of profit.”

“…..What?”

“If you don’t want to do that, then we cannot get married.”

This time I’m going to live a life taking care of the things I need first!

***

“I’ll escort you since it’s late.”

Where to? My bedroom is just around the corner.

“Tonight, I’ll do my best.”

No, I don’t need you to do that.

“Did you just look at that man?”

Excuse me, Duke, you said it’s for a limited time only, so why do you keep obsessing over me?