Dancing on the golden ashes - Chapter 168: This has to be a joke right?

For as long as he could remember, life had always been cruel.A young man in his early twenties—his name now lost to the past—was dealt a life filled with misfortunes.A cold, empty apartment, a soul-crushing job, and, finally, a terminal diagnosis.With nothing left to live for, his only comfort had been escaping into the fictional world of Path of the Elemental Sage, a story of heroes, magic, and survival.But fate had other plans.When death finally came for him, he didn’t fade into nothingness.Instead, he awoke in the world he had only read about—a world of chaos and danger where death lurked around every corner.The air smelled of magic, the sky was filled with possibilities.{«[Status Window]»}[Name: Lyrium Blackwood][Age: 16][Rank: D-][Skills: None][Elements: None}At first, confusion filled his mind.Who was Lyrium Blackwood?Why was he here?And why did this body feel so different?But as his memories returned, so did the realization: this wasn’t some blessing or second chance.He wasn’t reincarnated as the protagonist.No destined savior.No cheat abilities.No grand fate.He was just another mob, a face in the crowd meant to exist and die without leaving a mark.But this young man—the one who had left his old name and life behind—wasn’t the kind of person to roll over and accept his fate.“This world is dangerous. The protagonist isn’t the only one fighting for survival here,”he muttered, his red eyes deep and sharp.Unlike the naïve characters in the story, he knew the stakes.He’d read the web novel.He’d seen the carnage, the betrayals, the disasters that wiped out entire cities.And if there was one thing he refused to be, it was a pawn in someone else’s game.“I don’t care about glory. I don’t care about saving the world. All I care about is surviving—no matter what it takes.”Lyrium Blackwood wasn’t planning to live quietly or avoid danger.The only way to survive in this brutal world was to rise to the top.To be strong enough to stand above both heroes and villains.Using his knowledge of the story’s events and his iron will, Lyrium sets out on a relentless path to surpass the protagonist.Whether through clever manipulation, brutal training, or sheer desperation, he’ll climb higher and higher, leaving nothing to chance.But the deeper he gets, the more he realizes that this isn’t just the story he once read.As fate pushes him closer to the heart of the narrative, Lyrium begins to suspect that his reincarnation wasn’t an accident—and the world itself might be watching him.“I don’t care who or what stands in my way. If the story wants to kill me, I’ll rewrite the ending myself.”----------------------------------I apologize for any mistakes in this story, as it’s my first attempt at writing a novel.

Wei Fan traversed to a world filled with Evil Spirits. Fortunately, he could kill enemies to steal their Power.Ten-year Power Golden Bell Shield: Golden Bell Body Protection, Copper Skin and Iron Bones.Hundred-year Power Golden Bell Shield: Tiger Roar and Dragon's Chant, sound echoes through the demons.Thousand-year Power Golden Bell Shield: Vajra Indestructible, sun and moon shine together.

Setting in the fictional world of Gaia, where special individuals can awaken certain powers within their soul. They are called Arcana Masters.

Some awaken beasts, some awaken weapons, while some awaken the power of plants.

Some people train to become stronger so that they have the power to protect loved ones, some wish to use it for revenge, some wish to live longer, while some want to be free and use their power however they wish.

Yet, there exists a clan, where the descendants only exist to grant death to others so that life and death remain balanced.

Follow the journey of Azrael Garcia, the heir of the cursed clan of Death, as he forms friendships, facing betrayals, meeting love, and cutting down the enemies in the process.

Ivy had a perfect life thanks to her wealthy parents, until she became the victim of bullying by Aidan - a boy who despised her for her privilege. Ten years later, Ivy is the CEO of her father's company and seemingly has it all.But when she is kidnapped by The Red Vipers, a notorious Mafia organization, she discovers that the boss is none other than her childhood bully, Aidan Blackwood.Forced into becoming his mistress, Ivy must navigate her conflicting emotions towards Aidan as they both struggle with their past traumas and unexpected feelings for each other. Will Ivy hate Aidan forever, or will she give in to the twisted love they share?