An Owl's Rise - Chapter 19 Evelyn’s Evolution

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!

They say Love is blind, but no one is ever truly blind in love. We see everything; we just choose to ignore them because we're scared to move on or start afresh.Twenty-eight years old, Emma Winters has her dreams clearly defined. To have a loving family, a beautiful home, and a stable, fulfilling life.Not only do those dreams come crumbling down when her husband hands her divorce papers just when she tells him she's pregnant, but her pride and dignity are questioned when Jake announces that Emma was unfaithful to him.Emma loses hope in everything she believes in. However, hope comes to her when the enigmatic billionaire Alexander Sterling offers her a way out: A contract marriage to him.Will Emma accept this way out of her predicament even when this savior is none other than her ex-husband's uncle?What happens when she accepts the contract and is only chased back by her ex? Will she return to her once lover, or will she accept her growing feelings for her contract husband?Find out as we unravel Emma's story together!*****Excerpt********“Why would you help when I was put in this mess by my own husband?” Emma cut in, now crying.“Because your husband is my nephew, and not only do I want to salvage the situation my nephew put you in, I want to escape his plot,” Alex said, and Emma’s heart stopped for a moment, a cold chill running down her spine as she replayed the words in her head.Nephew? His nephew? Jake was this man's... Alex's nephew? She mused, and then the realization of what that meant dawned on her like a crashing wave, knocking the breath from her lungs.Her eyes widened as she stared at him, the shock evident on her face. “Your nephew? You’re Alex Sterling, Jake's uncle?” she asked, unable to believe it herself.Alex nodded, his expression unchanged. “Yes. I'm his uncle,” Alex confirmed, and Emma shook her head.

You, yes you! It's you! Why are you running? Run, keep running! Why don't you run anymore!Do you have an Otherworldly Affairs Office pass?And selling this world’s goods, did you pay the taxes?I don't care if you're the head of an Immortal Sect, put your hands on your head and squat by the wall! Prepare for inspection!

Amid the silence of the aftermath, a sealed envelope was found resting beside the fallen Infinity Blade. Its edges were worn, as though it had been carried for many years, yet the seal remained intact. Gok, known for his stoicism and strength, had written it long before the final battle, anticipating that one day his journey would reach its end.