Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord - Chapter 52: Extraordinary Curse

[You’ve awakened the “Heroine Netori” ability.] [Go ahead and f*ck a bunch of heroines].

Koi Niles has always been alone. Quiet halls and empty lunchtimes are his familiar companions. Grades matter to him; they’re his way out.Ashley Miller owns the school corridors. Captain of the ice hockey team, confident smile, and a name everyone knows. When a class project pairs them together, Connor sees a chance. But Ashley disappears, leaving Connor to carry the weight.Days later, under the harsh lights of Connor’s part-time job, Ashley returns. This time, it’s different. He stands up for Connor, turns the tide against the bullies. A simple act of kindness that feels new and warm.They share moments—short walks, brief talks, the understanding of two worlds colliding. Friendship grows where none was before.But Ashley holds a secret behind those bright eyes. One evening, worry leads Connor to Ashley’s door. What he discovers there changes everything he thought he knew.

Where does the game end? Where does reality start?

When one very anticipated VRMMORPG was about to be launched, and Jake was one of the first players to have a chance to access it, he had a weird dream of himself fighting massive beasts and then seeing a world being destroyed.

Without knowing any better, Jake assumes that it was just a weird dream, but then he begins to have those weird dreams again and again until they become even more vivid, and much to his surprise, whenever the dream changes, he obtains a new power inside the game.

It doesn't take long for Jake to realize that he isn't the only one who has those dreams, and soon enough, Jake realizes that the game and reality are a lot more connected than he thought.

Alexander Blackwell has always been a man of taste, charm, and relentless ambition—traits he inherited alongside the world’s largest fortune. When his legendary father, a trillionaire who built an empire from nothing, passes away, Alexander wakes up to a reality most could only dream of: unlimited power, endless wealth, and a blank canvas to shape his legacy.But Alexander isn’t content with simply inheriting the Blackwell name; he’s determined to redefine it. From purchasing private islands to creating monuments of vanity, hosting the most exclusive events, and launching ventures that blur the line between brilliance and indulgence, he sets out to make himself unforgettable.To Alexander, ambition and excess go hand in hand. After all, what’s the point of having everything if you’re not building something bigger? What’s the point of having it all if you aren’t living like it?Disclaimer:This work is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All trademarks, brand names, and other proprietary rights mentioned or depicted are the property of their respective owners and are used for illustrative purposes only. This work is not affiliated with or endorsed by any brand, company, or individual mentioned. All rights reserved.