The Male Lead's Villainess Stepmother - Chapter 282 - "Yanyan, you are famed!!" (2)

Lucius was a man born to a pair of lowly servants that worked for the Great Demon worshiping Barrom clan. Growing up in the harsh conditions of the Barrom clan where magic and power reigned supreme, he weathered though humiliation and schemes. Knowing that he wanted to be the oppressor than the oppressed, he began his conquest. Not averse to betraying or scheming, Lucius made use of his allies as mere pawns to be sacrificed.

Learning that a powerful artifact lost eons ago was hidden in an ancient ruin, Lucius betrayed and sacrificed one of his closest people, his lover without hesitation.

But he didn’t know that fate had a different plan for him and the artifact he had yearned for would send his soul hurtling across the cosmos, forcing it into the broken body of a young man called Asher Inanis. Coming to his senses he finds the world to be completely different where the magic of his previous world did not exist, but what did was ‘Gifts’.

Witness how he learns about the world, gains power and reigns supreme against all odds becoming the Demonic Sage.

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.

[You have successfully devoured your target.][Your strength has increased by 250.][Your speed has increased by 200.][Your defense has increased by 300.] [You have acquired the Golden Immortal Bloodline.][You have acquired the Chaos Beast Physique.][Your cultivation has increased.][You have accumulated Madness.]The Era of Chaos is upon the Cosmos once more leading to various kinds of Chaotic Rifts spawning randomly.Meanwhile, a 26-year-old actor on Earth, Pascal Margrave, transmigrates into the body of Caelum Goldheart. Upon transmigration, he becomes the host of the World Devouring System - a system that allows Caelum to quickly become stronger by absorbing the power of anyone he kills.However, things are not so simple. Caelum quickly realizes that while he is the [Host] of the World Devouring System, he is not its true [Master]. Failing to complete the system's milestones within the designated time will lead to his soul being tortured in the Netherworld for all Eternity.Join Caelum on his journey as he attempts to take control of his own fate, uncovers the hidden plots around his transmigration and becomes the dominant power of the Cosmos.