Close Combat Mage - Chapter 43 – Sacrificing Everything

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.

In a world where 80% of humanity has awakened supernatural talents, life is a brutal competition.College loser Kim Do-hyun is barely surviving on game bots, instant noodles, and debt. That is, until a government-mandated awakening throws him into the spotlight… only to declare his power total trash.Cloning? Level one? Cooldown? One body? What a joke.But this clone is real. It sweats. It works. It eats. And when it trains… Do-hyun's stats increase.Now, while the clone grinds 24/7—running, working, even getting beat up—Do-hyun chills in bed, reaping the rewards.His strength rises. His body transforms. His life begins to change.But power attracts attention.And when an S-Rank hunter known only as The Jumper starts watching, Do-hyun realizes something terrifying:He might not be the only one cheating the system.

Zhen Bao was the village belle in the gully village.

Fu Mingshi suddenly appeared in a suit and leather shoes, claiming to be her childhood betrothed groom.

Zhen Bao was a little confused and went with him to the big city, only to find out that this slender-waisted and long-legged groom-to-be was extremely, extremely rich!

Reading tips:

1. The heroine has off the charts affinity with animals.

2. Tall, cold business elite & sweet veterinarian beauty, sweetness all the way!

3. Also known as “You Are My Destiny”

The interview begins:“Boss Gu, what is your view on pursuing women?”“The most important thing is loyalty and protection.”The man turned his head to look at the petite woman beside him, his deep-set eyes glowing with utmost affection.“He's obviously cunning and shameless, relentlessly dealing with both friends and in-laws, without any limits...”Shang Xixia's smile was brilliant, but her slightly twitching lips betrayed her silent complaints.“Boss Gu, why did you choose to inherit and manage the Gu Group?”“There are many ways to live life, I want to...”Gu Jingchen's lips curved slightly, exuding a calm elegance.“If I couldn't be at home all the time,”Continuing her inner complaints, Shang Xixia glanced with great grievance at the man beside her....The most beautiful love is when, after growing up, you are still my beloved childhood sweetheart.