Seraphina's Revenge: A Rebirth In The Apocalypse Novel - Chapter 25: False Comforts

[Warning! Slice of Life at Core!]“Are you trying to tell me that the man who made the entire Northern continent tremble works in a flimsy bar? And he's a Water Mage???” The Emperor asked his knight.“Yes, sir. I saw him with my own eyes. He has two pet dragons and—”“Good gods! The legendary dragons that historically disdain humans as his pets?! We must have this man as our own at all cost!” The Emperor screamed in amusement, “Say, when you approached this man to speak with him, what was his reaction?”The knight gulped.“He... offered my men and I drinks, and told us to tell you, the Emperor, to visit his bar sometime.”The Emperor's eyes widened, and narrowed back as he smiled. “Well, I just might.”______Maxwell Duvon Belognia was once a reject, kicked out of his noble house for his lack of talent.His noble family was one that had produced reputable flame mages for ages, and Maxwell, who had an affinity to the water element, was a good-for-nothing.Disowned by his family, he ventured out into the world to build his own solid ground, and discovered that his talent in the path of water was much more than his family had ever imagined.Along his journey, he made friends that he loved more than his own blood, allies that could give their lives up just for his sake, and the best of all — he fell in love with a woman who gave him her heart and her soul.Until an unfortunate, world ending disaster struck on his world, ending everything dear to Maxwell in just a few seconds, including the love of his life.Luckily — or unluckily — Maxwell and his friend barely survived, thrust into a different, ruthless world where they had to grow stronger and struggle to survive.Years later, they became transcendent beings who ventured into the vast cosmos where they still fought to claim a place.They became gods.During all his years of constant struggling, fighting and ascending, Maxwell never the love he lost.Regret ate at him. If only he was strong as he was now that he steadily approached the end of his being.Just when he thought his soul would fade away without ever seeing his love again...“Why don't we break one of the ten absolute rules proffered by the Celestial King?” His friend suggested.Maxwell's eyes widened.“What rule?”“Regression.”And so, after fighting to go against the will of fate and the heavens themselves, Maxwell's soul finally regressed with eons worth of knowledge to the time when he was just a mortal, kicked out of his noble house.The best part?All his divine authorities as a god — although weakened — were still linked to his soul, including his pocket dimension which held his treasures.And because of this, to the eyes of everyone in his world, Maxwell was a ridiculously overpowered being.As news of this enigmatic, overpowered water mage spread amongst the four continents of the world Cryst, every monarch and every major power desired him for themselves.But the man in question?“I've lived a life full of suffering, battles and wars. Now, with this second chance, I just want to live a calm life. To do that, I'll have to stop the world-ending disaster coming in a few years. But for now...” He opened the door to his bar, smiling as he gazed at his customers which consisted of legendary mages, legendary mercenaries, divine healers, knights and the rest, all waiting to recruit him. Finally, his warm gaze rested on his wife, waiting for him behind the counter. “This is enough.”

In my previous life, I was half a move short and ultimately failed to reach the summit. Having traveled back to the past, this time... I want to become the strongest in this world! To become the strongest in this world, one only needs three simple steps: 1. Pick up a newly-transferred Demonic Sect Enchantress off the streets. 2. Subdue and vanquish the demon. 3. Take her cultivation technique for myself. Awesome! I’m already invincible! ———————— Years later, Yan Yu, who had earned the title of “the strongest,” was interviewed on television: Host: To whom do you want to give thanks for your success today? Yan Yu: I’d like to thank a very important woman to me. Host (eyes lighting up): Oh, is she your wise and virtuous wife? Yan Yu: No, consider her a stepping stone, I suppose. Host (wiping sweat): Then... what about the other members of your team? They must have helped you as well, right? Yan Yu: ... How could there possibly be only one stepping stone on the path to godhood?

Jack Wilson spent his life in a hospital bed — betrayed by his family, forgotten by the world, and kept alive only by the one person he trusted.Then that person put a knife in his chest.He wakes up somewhere else entirely. In a body that can stand. That can fight. That hasn't seen daylight in years.He's inside Savage Awakening, a fantasy VR world he escaped into during every waking hour of his illness.Except it isn't a game anymore.Jack reawakens in the body of a third-rate villain.A Noble Vampire with magic powerful enough to reshape kingdoms — and a hidden curse called A Villain's Fate that guarantees he dies before the story ends.But Jack isn't the Vampire.... He wouldn't die because of some measly 'Villains Fate'Jack knows this world better than anyone alive. He knows every death flag, every hidden mechanic, every secret the game's creators buried in the lore.He also knows the true villain isn't him.The question is whether a man who never had a future can survive long enough to steal one.

Betrayed by her own family, Ye Ningwan is wed to the notorious “blind” warlord Zhan Hanjue—everyone expects her corpse to be carried out within days. Instead, three days later she struts back to the Ye gates draped in priceless gifts.Ye elders salivate; she smiles sweetly: “Only looking allowed—I’m taking these home. After all, you gave me zero dowry.”“Insolent!” they cry.Zhan Hanjue steps in, voice frosted steel: “She’s mine now. Protecting her is my pleasure.”Later, Ye Ningwan stammers, “You’re… not blind?”He tugs her close, whisper hot against her ear: “Play along, my queen, and I’ll give you the world—starting with my heart.”