Forsaken Hunter - Chapter 28: The Price of Resistance

The Xie Family all studied law, possessing the fine qualities expected of a scholarly family. Xie Shang too had them: elegance, deep learning, a Fragrance Connoisseur versed in classics, also skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.But he was mad, capable of reciting the scriptures while holding a Buddha statue, as well as breaking people's hand and foot bones, very gentle, yet very cruel.Xie Shang didn't become a lawyer but opened a pawnshop instead, where you could pawn anything as long as the story was compelling.One day, someone came to the pawnshop and told a story:In Fragrant City, there was a family with the surname Wen, where daughters took their mother's surname. The daughters of that family could cast spells, the kind that bewitched men, leaving their lovers either buried with them or taking vows of celibacy; in short, either dead or destined for a lonely life.Xie Shang's uncle had died in Fragrant City, which is why he accepted this particular pawning business.Bewitched, confused, thrilled, deeply in love, but love unattained, and a pain so intense it made life unbearable. — This was the script Xie Shang had prepared for the deaf boy Wen Changling.In the end, it was Xie Shang who ended up with this romance-addled script.Wen Changling: Are you surprised, Mr. Xie Shang?(This isn't a book transmigration story, it's a contemporary sweet romance. The 'script' in the book title implies deliberate plotting.)

“I’m gonna live with Irene for the rest of my life.”

“….. What?”

“I said, I won’t get married and I’ll spend the rest of my life with Irene!”

I wish I heard it wrong. Regrettably, I couldn’t stop Claudia.

“As long as I have Irene, I don’t need anything else.”

The three men looked at each other, then glared at me with angry eyes.

The insane obsession of The Crown Prince’s possessiveness, the smiling Duke yet something malice hid underneath him, and the cold eyes of The Knight that sent chill to my bones. It’s as if they regarded me as their rival.

“Shit. What kind of situation is this?”

Welcome to the world that has shed its old skin.

It's an age of avant-garde technologies that break common sense. Science that transcends fantasy. And yet, it has lost its charm in the face of something even more fantastical.

The presence of mana is for those who are blessed by their origins. The Rankers are the true elites of their circles.

A long lifespan is possible. Gaining superhuman powers is feasible. But what use is personal power when the entire existence of your species is on the line?

Things on Earth are much more serious than the general populace is aware of. A threat of the unknown looms over the existence of everything living and otherwise.

Humanity may soon need to leave the only place it calls home. And seek shelter somewhere else in the infinite universe.

Who would find the Oasis for humans who have never been so powerful or as helpless as they are now? Will it be the hero they asked for? Or will it be the not-a-hero they need?

What happens when that not-a-hero gains one of the most broken powers?

===

I am lost and found

In the world of dreams

My serenity awaits

Amid the banshee screams!

Within mayhem, I'll find my reason

Within sorrows, my bliss

In the darkness, I'll see my light

In the desert, my oasis!

- Grayback

The Third World War has been ended by the efforts of Kamijou Touma. With that, he vanished. With the Magic Side regrouping, the Sabbath for their followers has arrived.

In the headquarters of the Science Side, Academy City’s strongest Level 5 Esper Accelerator has washed his hands off the “Darkness.” Along with Last Order and Misaka Worst, his days pass by peacefully with no sign of GROUP.

Hamazura Shiage has formed a new ITEM with Kinuhata, Takitsubo and Mugino. Peace has come to the hands of the alumni who have “graduated” from Academy’s Dark Side at last… at least until a new evil “first year student” appears before them.

— This is a follow up to the popular Toaru Majutsu no Index light novel series, where Kamachi-Sensei has promised to deliver new premises and give a totally new flavor to the fights and plot developments