Embers Ad Infinitum - Chapter 38: Price

Alex Jin was just another overworked nobody until a truck crash sent him into the body of Valerian Nightshade—the cold-blooded villain from a popular fantasy novel. Destined to die early as the stepping stone for the “hero,” Valerian was powerful, rich, and feared… but ultimately doomed.That is, until the Villain Evolution System activated.Now, every villainous act rewards Alex with unimaginable power. Crush a rival? +100 Strength. Manipulate a noble house? Unlock a rare bloodline. Kiss the heroine meant for the hero? Well... let’s just say the rewards aren’t all measured in stats.To survive, Alex must outwit plot armor, bend fate, and ascend to the throne of power in a world that expects him to lose. But the deeper he goes, the more he realizes—being the villain might be the only way to save this twisted world.This time, the villain won’t die early. He’ll rewrite the story, one ruthless step at a time.

Content Advisory: Some scenes may be intense or disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.Three hundred years ago, in the Empire of Elarion, the Goddess of Resentment, Khaeren, cursed humanity for their greed of power and lust while the Goddess of Healing, Mirath, blessed certain souls with the power to heal.Duke Alaric Davenmore, a famed swordsman, is tasked with leading a unit to fight the monsters born from this ancient curse along with his twin brothers Lyric and Sylas, and the youngest prince Cael. In search of a healer, they find Soren, a quiet commoner persuaded by a friend to apply. But they only see him not as a true healer—only a substitute.Even as an exceptional healer, not only did the nobles ignore but even the temple doesn't want a commoner inside their sacred ground.Soren cannot feel physical pain, but his heart carries a lifetime of emotional wounds. As they fight monsters and face the dangers of the empire, will their differences keep them apart, or will they finally acknowledge the feelings they've been trying to ignore?And for Soren, who has never truly felt before—will he finally discover what it means to be healed, or sink deeper into the abyss within his heart?

“Where do you think you are going with those bags?” Xander interrogated as soon as he cornered her.“Of course, I’m leaving you!” She said, standing her ground, despite the fear in her eyes.“Why?”“You forgot to mention how dangerous you were.”Xander let out a deep throaty chuckle. “Sweetheart, you didn’t ask.”“I don’t care! I don’t want to be a part of this anymore!” She insisted.Xander shook his head. “Too late. We are already married. You now belong to me, and divorce is out of the question.”—Aurora Swift’s world shatters when Owen—her boyfriend of five years—breaks up with her via text. The betrayal deepens when she finds out he’s also getting engaged to her half-sister, Olivia Swift on the same day.Heartbroken and filled with rage, Aurora has a one-night stand with Xander Scott, Owen’s enigmatic uncle and the youngest billionaire in the country. When the fling leads to a marriage proposal from Xander with a promise to help her get her revenge, Aurora finds it hard to refuse.However, Aurora soon realizes that this is anything but a whirlwind romance.Xander Scott hides more secrets than Aurora knows, and the dangers that follow his mysterious identity soon bring about complications in their marriage.When Xander’s secret identity comes to light, will Aurora choose to remain in the marriage as her love for him has grown in depth, or let it drive them apart?

After I defeated the Demon King, I was executed for false accusations by the heroines.When I came back to life, this was the first thing they said.“I know it’s shameless, but would you help us one more time? Without you, the world will be destroyed.”…Would you help them if you were in my shoes?