Journey Towards Greatness - Chapter 1152: The Knockouts (2)

Cha Myung-jun, a sergeant who neared the end of his military service, found himself confined in the Ministry of National Defense’s bas**ent for over three decades due to his newly awakened abilities, just before the outbreak of war. Spending thirty years as the world’s most formidable blacksmith, wielding nothing but hammers, he skillfully outwits the watchful eyes of the Ministry of Defense to serve the war effort and reset the course of time. Now given a second chance at life, can he lead a successful campaign to avert humanity’s downfall and secure its salvation?

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.

One day, when a novelist woke up from a restless sleep,he realized that he had transformed into his 12-year-old self.

“Alpha Troy! Over here!” I yelled, raising my hand for help. I was under attack by a monster while saving my mates.The four of them heard me cry out as the creature clawed me and slammed me against the wall.“Help me!” I gasped, but their attention shifted when a soft cry came from the other side.It was Oriana, the gentle princess and a warrior, a combination most men lusted after.But not my mates.They were in my troupe, my friends, my lovers. We shared a bed, a bond. I knew they would save me.“Ohhh! I’m going to die,” she whimpered again, though she could have stood up easily. The monster’s focus was on me.“Yorick!” I screamed, reaching for another of my mates, struggling to escape, my leg tangled in silver chains.My mates looked at me and then at her—and I saw it. The shine of love in their eyes.In a heartbeat, they ran to her. My heart slowed. Tears welled up.Oriana had warned me: when it came down to it, they would choose her. She told me they only used me to pass time in the dorm room because I agreed for gangbang while other she-wolves did not.And now, right before my eyes, they were leaping into battle—for her.“We’ll come back for you, don’t worry,” Haiden shouted, as if that erased the betrayal.At that moment, the monster turned back to me. And I knew there would be no saving me.So I prayed they’d live long enough to regret their choice.---Clementine had spent her life as the insufferable daughter of an alpha—tough, rebellious, and uninterested in love, especially in a world where male wolves were allowed multiple mates. Tired of her attitude, her stepmother forced her into an academy built to train fighters against deadly monsters.On her first day, Clementine was shocked to find her roommates were the worst people from her past:-Alpha Yorick, her bitter ex-boyfriend-Alpha Troy, her ex–best friend who believed she betrayed him-Alpha Haiden, the bully who had made her life hell-And Alpha Ian, her former cellmate who thought she manipulated him into punishmentThey all seemed to want revenge.But when they fought side by side on the battlefield, something strange happened–Clementine felt a mate bond with all of them.At first, things turned steamy. Hatred became desire. Tension turned into passion.But then, Clementine saw the truth: when it came down to it, they would always choose someone else over her.To them, she had only ever been a distraction, a toy to share and throw away.