Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 22: Son’s wail(1)

Ethan Cross was just an ordinary college student in his past life—until he died trying to save a banker playing hero. Now, he finds himself reincarnated in “New World”, a realm plagued by Dread Beasts, where only those who awaken Aethermarks can become Heroes.But there’s a problem.Ethan has awakened as an E-rank Hero, the weakest tier, cursed with only one ability slot—a death sentence for any aspiring warrior. With no powerful clans willing to recruit him and the world already looking down on him, his future seems bleak.Until he discovers his Innate Talent: Sanctum of Beasts.This mysterious power grants him access to a personal dimension, where he can hunt endless waves of Dread Beasts. Unlike the real world, slaying them in this space drops Ability Fragments, which he can combine to gain abilities without slot restrictions. Even better? Time flows differently—he can train for days, yet only an instant passes in reality.Determined to rise from nothing, Ethan embarks on a secret journey to accumulate power. But as he completes missions and unravels the truth about the Black Pits, he realizes there’s something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.The Hero Association hides dark secrets. Villains roam freely in the shadows. And Dread Beasts may not be the mindless creatures everyone believes them to be.With powerful enemies watching his every move, Ethan must play a dangerous game—remain unnoticed or become the hunter of both beasts and men.But one thing is certain:In this world, strength is everything. And Ethan Cross will carve his own path to the top—no matter the cost.

WINNER: 3rd Place, 2021 Werewolf Competition

[Mature Content]

After escaping suicide forest, August Moon finds that she has only gone deeper into the mysteries it holds. Lycans exist. But maybe she is something even stranger...

With a clandestine experimental pandemic, a decade-old murder mystery, and a timeless prejudice against strange members within the lycan community all simmering in the periphery of her newfound surroundings, August must fight to discover her own truth alongside a fierce and possessive male who claims to be her mate.

“Mr. Zhang, it is said that you often make zombies work overtime without pay, is that true?” Zhang Ye, enraged, snatched the microphone that was pushed to his mouth and said righteously: “Who said that?” “I’ll sue them for defamation!” “Someone’s defaming me, you know!” As he spoke, he turned and grabbed a zombie, “Did I force you?” The zombie, silent, just went “Ugh ahhhh—” Zhang Ye immediately said, “See! He said no!” The next morning, the headlines of the Sanjiang Apocalypse Morning Post read: Zhang’s Group Chairman, Zhang Ye, not only admitted to making zombies work overtime, but he also abused a zombie in front of reporters, truly a man without conscience! Our newspaper expresses strong disdain for such a person! This book is also called “Who Let You Bring Zombies into the Factory”

After seeking pleasure in the nightclub and a night of romance, he discovered there’s a seed in his stomach;