Subdued Soul Chronicle - Chapter 43: Lion Dance (11)

“Come not between the Dragon and his Wrath.” — William Shakespeare The year was 2140, and Earth was nothing but a distant memory. Humanity now drifted through the galaxies aboard colossal ARKs, massive skyships that served as the last bastions of civilization. Yet, these ARKs were more than just floating cities; they were humanity’s last containers, preserving what remained of their species. A century before Earth’s final collapse, humanity discovered a gateway to a realm known as Eternia — a fantastical world straight out of myth and legend. Reaching this realm required more than just advanced technology; it demanded a complete departure from the physical body and entry into a mysterious process known as the Dream Weave. In the present day, Cloud lived aboard ARK NO. 427, where he had been training from a young age to step into the Dream Weave. He was a standout among his peers, excelling in every tasks that came his way. Everything seemed to be on track for him — until the pivotal day of the Class Selection process.

Samuel, a high schooler, got summoned with his classmates to another world as prophesied heroes. He expected glory, adventure, and a chance to save a kingdom. But those hopes were shattered when he discovered the truth, they were sacrifices, the gods who summoned them are no saviors, but monsters that feed on human souls. Among the victims is his little sister, dragged into the summoning by accident while she was delivering his lunch. Betrayed and marked for sacrifice, Samuel survives andmade a deal with (Arithmos) the God of war, with its power, he now vows to destroy every god and declares to take everything from them.

Lu Zheng possessed a jade seal which allowed him to transmigrate to an alternate world freely.Initially, he thought that the alternate world which he frequented was but an ordinary ancient civilization. With no particular ambition in mind, he planned to become a merchant and enjoyed the casual life of a rich man. He would find a few pretty maidens to accompany him while he explored the place and enjoyed various delicacies. That would be his ordinary and mundane life.His boring life lasted until the day he gave a beggar who showed up at his doorstep a meal. His jade seal obtained a strand of luck because of his action.Since then, he encountered a fox demon visiting him during the day and a beautiful ghost looking for him at night.The members of the Quanzhen Sect paid him tribute while some Buddhist monks stood in his path.So, it turned out that this world was not ordinary.

A fourth chance at life. The last chance.Zarek remembered when he first experienced the Godsfall Apocalypse. Those tears of red and sparkling rouge that split the skies, opening up one dangerous realm after another.That feeling of helplessness had been palpable, heavy... suffocating. It hung above his head like a guillotine, an edge graced by death's kiss...He grinned at it.One last ride, no Talents left on his stat screen, and nothing but a dull machete and his girl by his side. What was a better thrill than that?How could he possibly fail a fourth time?Unfortunately, there were others. Other Rebirthers. Some that might have been on their last attempt just like him, or some that still had more to give to this cruel world.None of it mattered, though. He had planned everything out meticulously, each life playing its own role.He would come out on top this time. How could he not?He was Zarek Ashborn.