OP Absorption - Chapter 10: Reality

Betrayed by his closest ally, Caleb Ellise was forced to settle for third place in the world’s most prestigious RTS gaming tournament, Lord of Empires.Disheartened but resigned, he accepts his prize, delivered via email. But just as Caleb thought his journey had ended, fate had other plans.BLAST!A sudden explosion leaves him critically injured. When he regains consciousness, Caleb finds himself not in a hospital bed—but in an entirely different world.[DING! Welcome to Izoya Continent, Earth #212][Welcome to the Grand Tournament: Season King Lord of Empires][Host has been designated as Lord of Kingdom #9845007]Caleb quickly realizes the impossible: he has been transported into the very game he spent years mastering. Now, the stakes are higher than ever.[Main Mission: Build your kingdom, dominate the economy, forge alliances, and conquer the world][Congratulations, Host! You’ve unlocked the Lord Talent: Vision Fog (Rank: S)]Fueled by his expertise, a newfound determination ignites within Caleb. No longer just a player, he is now a lord destined to rise.As he navigates treacherous alliances and strategic battles, Caleb vows to reclaim his crown—not as a gamer, but as the true King of Kings.The game isn’t over. It has only just begun.

A question I often ask myself, is the human desire for self-destruction never going away?

Travel through the endless apocalypse world, and find the answer behind every kind of demise!

- Description from novelbuddy

Wang Li thought dying would be the end of his troubles. Instead, it was just the beginning.After his untimely death, he finds himself reborn in a world of powerful cultivators, ancient sects, and deadly rivalries. With a mysterious Primordial Rebirth System, he has a second chance to reach the peak of cultivation. There's just one problem…All of his ex-girlfriends from his past life are here too!From the cold and ruthless Mu Yuechan, the Ice Demoness of the Frozen Lotus Sect, to the fiery and unpredictable Lin Ruoyan, the Scorching Sun Saintess, and even the cunning and seductive Feng Yuling, the Fox Demoness of the Thousand Illusions Pavilion—each of them remembers their past with Wang Li.And they all have unfinished business with him.Some want revenge. Some want redemption. Some… might even still have feelings for him.But in a world where love can be deadlier than any sword, Wang Li must navigate sect politics, ancient grudges, and divine conspiracies—all while trying to survive his vengeful, jealous, and ridiculously powerful ex-girlfriends.Can he mend broken relationships? Can he avoid being frozen, burned, or seduced to death?Or will he somehow turn this chaotic mess into the greatest cultivation harem in history?One thing’s for sure—cultivation has never been this complicated!

Sirens: a name derived from an ancient creature, used to describe those who could charm, lure, control, and heal others by singing.

Subjected to live the life of a siren, Aria had experienced, seen, and heard many horrific things. Broken beyond repair, Aria resigned herself to death, when suddenly…

The Grand Duke, Lloyd Cardence Valentine, arrived and whispered, “Should I kill everyone here?”

“If you need me, just call me. Your song will always reach me, wherever you are.”

In the end, Aria called the devil, bringing death to all those present, along with herself.

“Let’s fall down to hell together.”

And with that, Aria breathed her last and died… only to return to her 10-year-old self.

Now that she had a second chance at her life, Aria was determined to change her fate, as well as the cruel fate of her saviour, Grand Duke Valentine.

And so… Aria proposed to him with a marriage contract.

She sold her soul to the devil and vowed to protect him.

The young duke took the contract from her hand.

“So, where should I stamp the seal?”

* * *

“You said you’d divorce me within 10 years.”

The grown-up villain leaned in, hovering his head before he kissed her tenderly over her crown.

“Now that we’re adults, we should sign another contract.”