MTL - The Apocalyptic Master of Synthesis - Chapter 552 Reinforcements are in place (subscription required)

One day, Emperor Wu Ling discovered, every night he would become a stone, kept on the jewellery box of a lady, embarrassing beyond embarrassing.

One day, Zhao Jin Yu discovered, the stone on her jewellery box could actually speak! Awkward beyond awkward.

This stone had a malicious tongue, harsh, two-faced and indifferent, Zhao Jin Yu itched to throw it smashing it to pieces…, who knew one day, wanting to save herself she used it to block a sword, it really did shatter, she cried for a very long time.

Again one day, Zhao Jin Yu was drafted into the palace, she discovered unusually, the emperor was like this he had a malicious tongue, harsh, two-faced and indifferent…

- Description from Novelupdates

Dying and then meeting a giant God in the image of an Impostor from Among us in the afterlife was certainly something I didn't expect would happen.Getting reincarnated by it, was something I expected even less.And awakening in a world where heroes and villains run rampant, was certainly the cherry on top on this whole matter.But well, nothing I can do about it.

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.

200 years after the world has ended, the laws of society have long been forgotten.