Card Room (Rebirth) - Chapter 4: Rose Funeral (End)

In the heart of the Azure Continent lies a legendary establishment known as Origin Mall.This extraordinary store offers goods beyond imagination: a sip of its cola can instantly replenish one's vitality; its spicy snacks grant the strength to overcome powerful foes; the games it offers can accelerate cultivation progress; and its novels impart profound techniques and insights.Origin Mall boasts a vast array of offerings, catering to leisure, entertainment, dining, and training needs alike.However, there’s one rule that all visitors must remember: never cause trouble in the store. The owner, though unassuming, is unimaginably powerful.

competitive career in his sport, and his only solace is the daily training sessions with his coach, Sterling. At school, Winter keeps to himself, focusing on his studies while avoiding any unwanted attention. However, his life is turned upside down when a mysterious phenomenon engulfs the world.During class, an eerie black cloud blankets the sky, and a strange message appears in front of people around the world, announcing that humanity is about to face an apocalypse. Infected beings, known as 'The Stranded,' will rise—mutants, zombies, and other horrors with a single purpose: to eradicate mankind. At the same time, humans will undergo an awakening, gaining abilities based on their potential.As chaos erupts in his classroom, Winter witnesses classmates transforming into horrific monsters, and the world outside seems to fall apart. With survival instincts kicking in, Winter is forced to use his combat skills to defend himself and others, battling through his former classmates-turned-creatures. As he kills the 'walkers' and gains experience points from his victories, Winter realizes the stakes have changed—he must level up, survive, and adapt to a new, brutal world.But as Winter confronts the deadly new reality, he is faced with not only the horrors of a decimated world but the cold truth that his choices, abilities, and past will shape the fate of humanity.*******What's up, Author here. So I plan on releasing a chapter every 1-3 days as to not overwork myself, knowing that if I do, I might drop it the novel as a whole. So be patient with me.

30-year-old Jo Minjoon has always wanted to become a chef. He started his culinary career late in life, however, and is currently chopping onions at a restaurant. Regretting his life choices, he wishes he could go back to change it all and falls asleep. Meanwhile, someone out there is willing to give him another chance and send him back in time. How will he use the new powers he obtained from this mysterious being?

The person who was locked away inside the thorn-covered tower was not a princess, but a witch who employed the powers of darkness.

A brave young hero came searching for the tower in order to kill the witch.

– Light would force the darkness to recede, and grant it eternal rest

The witch wished.

That things would end with, ‘and the hero lived happily ever after killing the witch,’ like in the fairy tales.

And so, she had devised everything to happen in accordance to her wishes.

But the boy, who had grown up in but no time at all, would make the unfamiliar face of man’s from time to time.

“You want me to kill you? ……Do you really think I’ll let you go?”

Reality was very different from the fairy tales.

“The people don’t know of the precious treasure locked away in the tower.

I won’t let anyone else have this god given treasure, this crown of god surrounded by thorns that no one else could recognize.”

The hero gave the witch a slow and deep kiss.

“I am the true victor, and no one else.”