Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute - Chapter 254 - 253: Who Do You Like the Most? (2)

Lenora, an orphaned omega, has always known her place: at the bottom of the pack, toiling away in the kitchen while enduring constant insults. Headstrong and unyielding, she often speaks up for what is right—earning her the ire of her packmates, especially the ruthless Lycan King, Jax, and his confidante, Claire.On her twenty-first birthday, Lenora’s life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that Jax is her fated mate. But instead of joy, the revelation brings humiliation. Jax, embarrassed by their bond, demands secrecy and rejects her outright. When a cruel setup orchestrated by Claire forces Jax to banish Lenora and her closest friend, Noah, tragedy strikes, leaving Lenora shattered and determined to abandon her werewolf roots.Haunted by his actions, Jax tries to bring Lenora back, but she is no longer the omega he once disregarded. Found and manipulated by Jax's estranged brother, Luke—a vengeful outcast—Lenora must navigate a web of lies, uncovering truths about her mate and the dark secrets that threaten to tear the pack apart.As power struggles ignite and betrayal cuts deep, Lenora must rise above the chaos to protect what remains of her heart and her pack. But when love and revenge collide, will Lenora and Jax find their way back to each other, or will their bond be forever broken?

In this world, orphans or just anyone without any hope for this world can apply to become a “walking target”. Their sole purpose is to be a practicing dummy for the students of the sect who train to become “Demon Hunters”. These students need “walking targets” to test their training on living, walking beings of flesh and blood.
In exchange, they will be provided with food & shelter.
Their existence value is lower than a slave, but if they manage to survive a few years they can receive a life long pension.

Xiao Han is such a “walking target”. One time he witnessed a powerful Demon Hunter disposing a demon. When the demon died, a fragment of the demon that managed to escape entered Xiao Han’s heart. No one saw that, and even Xiao Han himself only felt some discomfort for an instant.

But that thing in his heart soon gave Xiao Han visions, and the first one is of a cultivation method which allows Xiao Han to absorb damage to enhance his body. A perfect cultivation method for a “walking target”.

- Description from Novelupdates

Twenty years ago, she was taken in as the Lin family’s young heiress through a twist of fate. But mistakes would eventually be corrected one day. When the real daughter of the family returned and her foster parents begged her to stay, she obliged. Unbeknownst to her, this was actually a scheme disguised as familial affection. They only kept her around to squeeze her dry of all her value!

In a world where strength is measured by the beasts you command, only a few ever reach the peak — and even fewer survive the journey beyond it.Aether was just an orphan in a forgotten city, someone with no family, no background, and no future. During the Beast Contract Ceremony, everyone expected him to fail… or at best obtain a weak creature.Instead, he formed a contract with what appeared to be the most useless beast of all — a Fire Pup.But what no one knows is that Aether possesses a power that should not exist.His beasts can evolve without limit.While others struggle for years and risk their lives to gather rare materials, Aether’s beasts grow stronger simply by fighting beside him. As he rises through factions, battles powerful enemies, and unlocks ancient evolutions, the truth about his mysterious origin slowly begins to surface.Hidden bloodlines.A sister imprisoned by the rulers of evolution.And a secret tied to the legendary Ascension Gates that connect three universes.What begins as the journey of a forgotten orphan soon becomes something far greater.Because the Fire Pup that everyone mocked…Was destined to become a Hell Cerberus.And Aether was never meant to be ordinary.He was meant to become the Beast Monarch.---