Swallowed Star - Chapter 78 — Phone call with his little brother

Japan – National News BroadcastThe polished news anchor sat upright, her gaze sharp as she adjusted the stack of papers before her. The newsroom behind her hummed with quiet urgency, the weight of the moment settling over the broadcast.“Authorities are baffled by a sudden and unexplained surge in sleep-related deaths across Japan,” she began, her voice steady yet tense. “More and more citizens are passing away in their sleep without any prior health concerns. Experts are working tirelessly to determine the cause, but no clear explanation has emerged. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual symptoms before bedtime.”A graphic appeared, displaying the spike in fatalities over the past month. Behind her, unsettling photographs flickered across the screen—blurred images of individuals found in their beds, their faces frozen in expressions of terror.The anchor’s tone shifted. “Health officials recommend citizens avoid excessive fatigue and maintain healthy sleep habits. More updates will follow as investigations continue.”---United States – Paranormal PodcastIn a dimly lit podcast studio, the host leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. Across from him, a rugged man in a worn flannel shirt, gripping a faded photograph in one hand and a beer can in the other, leaned back in his chair.“So, you're telling me you saw this creature firsthand?” the host asked, clearly intrigued.The man scoffed, shaking his head. “Damn right, I did. Ugly thing had wings bigger than my body—slow but sneaky. Thought it could steal my pigs again, but I was ready this time—camera in one hand, shotgun in the other.”He slammed the table for emphasis, then shoved the blurry image toward the host. The photograph depicted a small, red-skinned humanoid figure with large, bat-like wings, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.“Spit, the thing didn’t know what hit it when I fired!” the man chuckled, his voice full of excitement.The host held up the picture to the live chat. “Alright, what do you think? Mothman? Demon? Or is our friend here just seeing things?”The chat exploded with theories—some skeptical, others eager for the investigation to continue.---China – Liangyuan Street MarketSurveillance footage from a bustling night market in China captured a chilling scene. A woman in a red qipao walked gracefully through the crowd, her figure striking in the soft glow of lanterns.Suddenly, she paused. Her body flickered—like a glitch in a video—before vanishing completely, as though she had never existed.The footage zoomed in, replaying in slow motion. In the final frame before she disappeared, her face distorted unnaturally, her eyes hollow and empty.The screen cut abruptly to black.

Everything has to be studied to understand its meaning.

The traveler Chiba Shiroishi picked up a book called “The Will of Fire”.

When I opened it, the things on it had no nourishment, and the history of Konoha Village had no age, but the words ‘Will of Fire’ were written on every slanted page.

Shiraishi couldn’t sleep, so he took out the book “The Will of Fire” and read it carefully in the middle of the night, only to see the words in the cracks. The whole book was written with two words – pyramid selling!

Shiraishi felt hesitant and fearful for a while, and he decided that sooner or later, he must escape from this MLM brainwashing organization called Konoha!

(PS: Anime, Doujin, Naruto, Slow Heat, Not Brainless, Pseudo-Invincible)

- Description from novelbuddy

Shu Shi has been the villain in the book from time to time and had to play by the plot in order to become the protagonist in another book.

According to the plot, he must eventually die under the heroine’s sword.

When he was about to die, Zhan Qingchen stood up with her sword and asked him what his last words were.

Looking at the indifferent beautiful face, Shu Shi, who was lying in a pool of blood, was timid.

He pulled Zhan Qingchen down hard and gave her a forced kiss!

“This is the last time we meet anyway!”

Shu Shi closed his eyes in satisfaction.

Zhan Qingchen hated men so much and now her chastity had been taken away! This kiss was the best revenge for his nemesis!

After this he would be reincarnated and become the real ‘Favored son of heavens!’

But what Shu Shi did not expect was that Zhan Qingchen actually used the treasure to save him from the gates of death!

Now that they were sitting in silence, the atmosphere had become extremely awkward.

Zhan Qingchen: “Explain, why did you kiss me?”

Su Shi: “…”

Identity background: Fifteen years old, biological mother died, father unknown, holding a large legacy, poor performance in entrance examination, please choose a guardian.
↓
Candidate one: birth mother’s brother, not close, but eloquent, very gentle, reliable and sincere.
Option two: The eldest son of the father who has never been seen. His occupation is unknown. His age is unknown. Nothing is known.
In the last life, Yu Shulin chose his uncle, his mother’s funeral was all done by him, and he promised to take good care of him.
The selection is completed, and the result is being read …
After the choice was made, open the [pit you pit you pit you till you die] ending, please accept.
Yu Shulin, who was counted by his uncle’s family for his inheritance, was eventually released from prison, but immediately got killed …
@ # ￥% & * …… Restore the file.
Identity background: Fifteen years old, biological mother died, father unknown, holding a large legacy, poor performance in entrance examination, please choose a guardian
↓
Candidate one: birth mother’s brother, not close, but eloquent, very gentle, reliable and sincere.
Option two: The eldest son of the father who has never been seen. His occupation is unknown. His age is unknown. Nothing is known.
After the rebirth, Yu Shulin, whose negative energy exploded, said to hell and chose option 2!
The selection is completed, and the result is being read …
After reading the results, open the ending of [Just want to love you with the overbearing film emperor], please accept.
Yu Shulin, who was captive and was boiled like a frog in warm water: (╯ ‵ □ ′) ╯︵┻─┻WTF!

- Description from Novelupdates