Heaven Refining physique - Chapter 15: Invitation

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

[Ding!][Your pickpocketing skill increased by 5. Reward: your PP increased by 50.]“System, use my Pop-star Points to increase my singing skill!”…[Ding!][You had won 1st place in the Californian Young Star contest. Reward: your CP increased by 400!]“System, put all these Criminal Points into my martial arts skill. Now I will crush anyone who stands in my way!” Tristan was born with everything he needed to become a star: rich parents and musical talent. However, after a car crash destroyed his handsome face and voice, everybody turned away from him.With his dreams burned, Tristan ran from home and became a small-time criminal to survive. Then, his own gang mates betrayed him, throwing him to the cops.But Tristan is saved by a sudden stroke of luck.[Congratulations, Tristan Hayes! You won the Heavenly Lottery. Your prise is ‘Second Identity System’.][Increase skills and status of one identity to obtain 10x rewards for the other one.]Mafia and showbiz may appear far removed from each other, but both are united by money and ruthlessness within.Now it’s Tristan’s time to navigate both realms to become the world’s first mafia superstar!

Zhou Rui had just turned 20 when his life took an unexpected turn. He was hit by a truck one day. Just as he was convinced he was about to die, something strange happened. Instead of waking up in the afterlife, he opened his eyes as a baby. Later, he learn he had reborn as Lumien Ofnir, the youngest son of a baron.As Lumien grew up, he realized this world was nothing like Earth. Magic was real, and creatures like goblins, orcs, dragons, titans, and other mythical creatures were part of everyday life.Fortunately, in this dangerous world, Lumien received another blessing. It was a system.Follow Lumien's journey as he begins to explore this new world with the support of a Harem System. The mysterious cheat that allows him to copy and develop the magical powers of any woman he has slept with.[Author’s Note: The earlier chapters might feel slow and boring, but I promise it’ll all be worth it once the pace picks up.]

When the goddamn story leaves you no choice but to walk the path of the villain,The heroes aren't enough to save the world, as the calamity ultimately kills everyone and everything.Then, only by becoming the demon king can you survive, and only the demon king can save the world, but how?Of course, by conquering every other race, obviously.Can Axel become the demon king and survive, maybe save the world in the process?