Corrupted Bonds - Chapter 24: Stormfront

Hace 24 años, el mundo colapsó. Un virus conocido como Eclipse transformó a la humanidad en criaturas mutantes, llevando a la sociedad al borde de la extinción. Las ciudades se convirtieron en ruinas, los asentamientos luchan por sobrevivir, y la verdad sobre el origen de la infección se ha perdido en el tiempo.En este mundo roto, Kai, un viajero solitario y mercenario de intercambio, sobrevive negociando Obsidianos, la única moneda de valor en la nueva era. Su vida cambia cuando cruza caminos con Lía, una misteriosa joven perseguida por mercenarios. Su única posesión es un antiguo colgante de Obsidiano, cuyo secreto podría cambiar el destino del mundo.Juntos, se ven envueltos en una conspiración que los lleva hasta el Laberinto Ancestral, un lugar prohibido que esconde la verdad sobre el Eclipse. Perseguidos por un ejército liderado por el despiadado Voss, enfrentándose a infectados más allá de la comprensión humana y descubriendo que su pasado está conectado al desastre, Kai y Lía deberán decidir si la verdad merece ser revelada… o si es mejor que permanezca enterrada.Cuando la última puerta del Laberinto se abre y los ecos del pasado despiertan, solo una pregunta queda en el aire:¿Es el Eclipse el fin de la humanidad… o su evolución?

Born and raised as a nameless shadow guard for his kingdom’s crown prince, his life’s purpose was to be used and discarded at the whims of his liege.

And his meaningless life ended when the gaze of a princess lingered on him for too long. The crown prince had him beheaded without a second thought, as if throwing out trash.

Transmigrating into the body of a baby girl, the nameless shadow finally had a name, a family, and a place to call her own. Throwing away his past, the shadow guard was now called ‘Emilia’, and walked on a new path to seek fulfillment.

It was not meant to be, however, as the girl whom she had loved with all her heart and soul ended up mercilessly plunging a dagger through Emilia's love-struck heart at the highest point in her life.

The crowd clamored at the ‘deserved death of the villainess’, and at that moment, the shadow could only wonder… why?

Why am I always the one to dedicate myself fully to someone, only to be thrown away like trash in the end?

And thus, as her soul floated away while cursing in resentment, ‘Emilia’ vowed to herself that in her next life she shall never be the one to fully dedicate herself.

Whatever she likes shall be held in her palm, and shall never escape.

The moment the vow was made, a self-proclaimed villainess system proposed to partner with her, to explore and conquer the worlds through their anchors—the heroes and heroines.

And by cultivating this energy, she shall one day go back. Back to the world she was born as ‘Emilia’ in, and face the so-called heroine once more.

The second time they meet, Emilia won’t be the one drowning in regret!

...

Author's Note: The heroines are not just trophies she’s collecting, only to be forgotten once she collects them. Each of them will remain relevant throughout the story. And it won’t become a mess, promise!

Renji Kurozawa was just another nobody—until he died and was reincarnated in a world of swords and magic. Summoned alongside other “Chosen Heroes,” he hoped for a second chance at life.But his gift was different. “Death Claim”—the power to steal abilities from those he kills.Betrayed by his allies and left for dead, Renji embraces his dark power. With every enemy he slays, he grows stronger, turning from a forgotten outcast into the most feared force in the kingdom.Now, hunted as a villain and pursued by gods, Renji must carve his own path—one kill at a time.If fate wants a monster, he’ll give them one.

Following the death of his popular online persona, seventeen-year-old Suzuki Mato decides it's time to retire from professional VR gaming. However, his plans are abruptly cut short when he's kidnapped from his high school and forced to be a guinea pig for Genaco Gaming, the world's largest esports and entertainment company. Armed with nothing but his wit and a new online persona, he's thrown headfirst into the virtual reality of “Live No Evil,” a VRMMORPG littered with overpowered bosses, secretive NPCs, and backstabbing gods. His mission? Find a way to conquer this new world and get back at the company that took over his life, all while avoiding 'Parallel' -- a condition that would make it impossible to separate his real and virtual personalities. Because in a world obsessed with VR gaming, Parallel means death, and Suzuki just doesn't have time for that...