MTL - Starting with Real Madrid - Chapter 13 The invisible boss and the glass man

It was the turn of the 20th century, and in the Philippine Islands, the fledgling Philippine Republic waited to be crushed by the overwhelming superiority of the American colonial forces.But John McClain, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, dies and finds himself in the body of the governor of a remote Philippine province in the year 1898. Initially reluctant to take up arms against his former country and skeptical of the chances of success, he eventually decides to fight for the Republic.Now living his second life as Martín Lardizábal, politico-military governor of Marinduque and armed with modern military knowledge, he will change the course of the Philippine-American War.

The royal bastard of House Vasquer, Argrave, changed after his stay studying magic at the Tower of the Gray Owl.

The sickly man's awkward posture and cruel behavior have been replaced with a neat dignity and acerbic wit.

Though once listless, he now strives towards his goals with a life-or-death tenacity.

Most come away thinking he seems to know too many details about too much. Few can claim to know his motives or his goals.

Yet behind that confident appearance, the primary contributor for an open-world RPG's wiki battles existential dread and things far beyond his ken as he struggles to adapt to a grim, gothic fantasy world mirroring his favorite game.

The prospect of fighting against a world-ending calamity loses all of its appeal when it transitions from entertainment to reality.

Argrave is spurred towards unwanted heroism to preserve his life as he struggles desperately to keep this sinking ship afloat.

Jian Tian transmigrated into a Mary Sue school novel and became the cannon fodder female supporting character.Although she is cannon fodder, her entire family is full of villains.The villainous eldest brother opposes the male lead and leads the company to bankruptcy.The villainous second brother opposes the female lead and ends up with crippled legs.The villainous third brother is a love-struck fool and ends up on the streets.And she has it worse, being implicated and sent to prison.Why should she be the only cannon fodder in a family of villains? She wants to turn the tables! She wants to rise!However, just as she ignites her fighting spirit, she discovers she’s bound to a system that will obliterate her soul if she doesn't slack off.Jian Tian: “...”Lies down.And she even persuades her whole family to slack off collectively.Seeing the eldest brother working overtime at the company: “Stop working overtime; after all, the company won't be yours in the end! Trust me, first lose 1 billion!”Seeing the second brother busy with his medical career: “Don't work too hard, after all, you're ultimately making wedding dresses for others. Why not research a cure for crippled legs instead?”Seeing the third brother running errands for the female lead: “Isn't being a happy bachelor nice? Why must you suffer for love? Wake up, licking the boots will get you nothing in the end!”The three brothers of the Ji family: “...”Has our little sister gone crazy?Later, after experiencing the joy of slacking, the three brothers: “Hmm, this is nice...”However...We agreed to slack off together, so how did you quietly become a top boss?!Jian Tian awkwardly scratches her head: “There’s too much development in my field; I can't help it.”And the dark villain lurking in the shadows, aggressively wrapping his arms around her waist: “Hmm? How about including me too?”Jian Tian: “...”Don’t come near me!

“Isn't this the weak young master of the Valhalla family?”“Hahaha! I heard he only knows how to waste money... Completely useless.”Another voice, dripping with false pity, chimed in.“Both his sister and brother are Tamers, strong ones at that. While him... the eldest... pathetic!!”The final word, spat out like a curse, hung in the air: “Useless!”In this world, where the bond with powerful Beasts dictated one's standing, where strength was synonymous with the ferocity and strength of your companion.Christopher Valhalla was an anomaly. He found solace not in the thrill of battle or the acquisition of monstrous power, but in the simple, fleeting joys of life. He enjoyed partying, clubs, and women.He offered no retort to the cruel rumors that trailed him like a shadow. Because, truth be told, a knot of fear tightened in his stomach at the mere sight of the majestic, often terrifying, creatures that others commanded.But every life, regardless of its perceived worth, eventually finds its end. For Christopher, it came not in the jaws of a wild Beast, nor in a duel he was ill-equipped for, but in the insidious grip of a rare and incurable sickness.Some days later his flame flickered and he died, leaving behind a void filled with the echoes of scorn.Yet, where one life ended, another began. In the silent stillness of Christopher's vacant shell, a new consciousness stirred. A soul, bearing the weight of unmatched power and a reputation that sent shivers down the spines of even the most formidable Tamers, had arrived.This was the Supreme Tamer, a legend whispered in hushed tones across the world, a force of nature who had inexplicably perished at the hands of betrayal.Given this unexpected second chance, the Supreme Tamer, now inhabiting the frail form of Christopher Valhalla, felt a strange sense of acceptance. He looked upon the unfamiliar yet familiar faces of his new family – the concerned worry etched on their features – and a flicker of something akin to kinship sparked within him.A silent vow formed in his mind, hardening into an unbreakable resolve.The rumors that clung to this body like a shroud would be torn away. And the five Master Tamers who had orchestrated his demise in his previous life… They would learn the true meaning of fear.Their betrayal would be answered, not with petty revenge, but with the full, terrifying might of the Supreme Tamer, reborn. The world was about to discover that “useless” could be the most dangerous disguise of all.