Ninth In the World - Chapter 689 - Please Help with a Small Matter

Aric Valerian was born a curse.The fourth prince of the Valerian Empire. A bastard. A cripple. A forgotten shadow in the court, mocked as a stain on royal blood.But when the gods reached down, healing his body and allowing strength into his veins, Aric tasted hope for the first time. He fought for honor, clawed for recognition—only to be betrayed by the brother he trusted most. Cast into a slaughter pit, abandoned to die.And in the moment when despair and death should have claimed him, the world offered something else.[Would you like to change your fate?]From that line, Aric Valerian was reborn—sent back to the past not as the forgotten prince, but as a weapon. A sovereign forged in agony, guided by a system of relentless ascension:[Ki Circulation Mastered: Strength +10][System Upgrade: Tactical Genius Acquired][Hidden Fortress Constructed: Security +15%]Every scar became a push. Every betrayal, a reason. With blood-soaked hands, Aric began carving a path through enemies, kin, and gods alike. The empire that spat on his name would kneel or burn. The brother who betrayed him would drown in his own crown.Yet with every victory came sacrifice. Every step forward dragged him closer to the abyss, until vengeance and damnation became one.But Aric does not care.Because the cursed prince has only one destiny left:To rise as the sovereign who will shatter gods, break empires, and tear fate itself apart.Or die trying—and take the world with him.

“Football isn't just a game”—it's life.For 16-year-old David Jones, football is more than a sport; it's an escape, a calling, and the only thing that makes sense in a world full of challenges. The electric thrill of scoring a last-minute winner, the roar of the crowd—it’s the closest thing to freedom he knows.But David's journey is far from simple. Blessed with extraordinary talent yet burdened by fiery anger, he’s fighting battles on and off the pitch. Growing up as the son of a Nigerian immigrant and a British mother, David navigates the pressures of cultural expectations, the weight of his own ambitions, and the scrutiny of a sport that demands perfection.Passion drives him forward, but his temper holds him back. Can he channel his emotions and prove himself worthy of being football's next big star?David Jones: The Next big thing is a gripping coming-of-age story about resilience, identity, and the unrelenting pursuit of dreams.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 to their respective owners.

Athen had always lived a solitary life, as without any family or friends, he struggled to survive in his poor, forgotten hometown. The only escape from this grim reality came in the form of tales of magic told by rare visitors from the distant capital.That was, until one day, Athen discovered that magic wasn't just a dream. It was within him.With his newfound power, Athen completed a desperate heist, stealing a priceless diamond. But his triumph was short-lived when he realized the diamond was a fake.Yet... what seemed like a cruel trick turned out to be a blessing in disguise, for the fake diamond held the key to unlocking Athen’s greatest desire: the chance to truly learn magic.

In the grimy Black Hound Tavern, disgraced hunter Kael Veymar drowns his failures in ale, his father’s shattered crest a noose around his neck. When a Fallen beast attacks him—spewing acid and cryptic threats about the Harbinger—he’s saved by Lyria, a rogue huntress with a deadly smile and a glowing amulet: the Fractalis, stolen by Kael’s father.Their reunion is cut short by Dren, Kael’s former brother-in-arms, who slit Garrik’s throat for the Guild. After a vicious alley fight, Lyria helps Kael escape, but not before a Fallen’s ooze sears his flesh, leaving veins of corruption that **pulse with the Harbinger’s voice.Seeking answers, they flee to Ms. Miller, an old ally who gifts Kael a sword and a warning: “Find Torin. The skulls will whistle your name.” But the Guild is closing in. At Celestis Rise Dren is humiliated for his failure, while the Dozen Vanguards receive a bone-chilling letter—its author dead, its ink fresh.The stakes sharpen:- The Fractalis is not what it seems.- And Garrik Veymar’s shadow stretches long from the grave.Now, Kael and Lyria ride toward Godsgrave, where Hunter blades go to die—and where the Harbinger’s eclipse waits to rise.