I'm a villain within the hero's party - Chapter 35: Flasback

Ethan possessed everything one could desire, wealth, happiness, luxury cars, and a loving girlfriend.He had never fought a day in his life, but then suddenly, he woke up in a different world.A world were destruction and bloodshed was the norm. A world where the weak had no place to survive.Ethan now possessing the body of a boy who had failed his awakening twice and was on his last try, now stood in this world.Can Ethan who never fought a day in his life survive in a world where battles and death occurs every second, minute, hour and day.Would he rise through the ashes of the world, or would he burn with it.

Chen Mu, a low-level officer, thought he could only live a cautious life, but unexpectedly he got a system panel that could accumulate experience, and he could master all the skills with just one practice.

[Blast Knife + Gale Knife + Wind Chasing Knife = Blast Artistic Concept]

[Jade skin grinding method + sand iron method + coarse salt method = skin of copper and steel]

A peerless martial saint with unparalleled swordsmanship, bronze skin and iron bones, and a body of pure gold was born step by step.

- Description from novelbuddy

Facing extinction, humanity seeks salvation in the Astral Verge, a dangerous dimension accessed via portals that threatened to wipe out the entire planet.Few years later, aspiring recruit Daniel Vance enters the Verge for his final assessment, hoping to Awaken a Talent and secure his future. While others gain common abilities, Daniel secretly Awakens the mythical SSS-Grade Talent: [Soul Assimilation]. This allows him to absorb essence, enhancing gear, gaining stats and EXP from slain creatures, and crucially, absorbing attributes and skills from fallen Awakened.Witnessing the swift death of the arrogant Jaxon Rex, Daniel makes a grim choice: he assimilates Jaxon, gaining his first skill, [Kinetic Pulse]. This sets his path: scavenging the aftermath of others’ battles. He enhances gear and, after achieving his first kill on an injured beast, waits patiently to assimilate two more fallen recruits, acquiring [Quick Step] and the invaluable passive [Aura Sense].Starting as average, Daniel rapidly gains power in secret, enhanced gear, multiple skills, and boosted stats , far exceeding his peers while remaining outwardly unremarkable. He navigates the lethal Verge alone, using its inherent dangers to fuel his growth, wrestling with the moral cost of his unique, overwhelming power.

The once revered Alchemy Emperor returns to his fifteenth year. In this lifetime, he not only seeks to rectify all past regrets but also aims to achieve the pinnacle of martial arts!Compared to cultivation techniques? My lackeys have divine-level technique in hands.Compared to elixirs? My top-tier elixirs are fit only for feeding dogs.Talents? Any genius who encounters me will find their fate crushed!Prosper under my lead, oppose me and meet your demise!