To Be a Power in the Shadows! - Chapter 144

Behind the calm smile lies a heart riddled with scars.Beneath the weight of fate burns an unyielding gaze.A body trapped in the abyss of despair—if it reaches out, can it grasp the light called hope?A soul locked upon the rack of destiny—if it prays sincerely, can it embrace the future called redemption?

As monstrous invaders ravage the world, Ryzen Kael— a man shattered by a tragedy ten years ago— faces his final moments. But just as death closes in, a mysterious system awakens within him, offering a path beyond his limits.Now, with nothing left to lose, he steps into a dangerous journey of survival and power, defying fate and unlocking abilities beyond imagination. Follow his rise as he challenges destiny itself, carving his name into history!Author's other storiesThe Unrivaled Holder: Rise of the Dragon Monarch - 3rd Season Ongoing

In the year 2031, the earth has further advanced in its technological developments. Though there are democracies, republics, and several other systems of governance followed by various countries, there is still one country that adheres to the feudal system—the Arinphiam Empire.The empire is divided into three parts, where the royal family coexists with the central government to control the empire, keeping it as one of the strongest nations on planet Earth.The richest man on this planet belongs to this empire, where noble families still exist, governed by laws specifically made for them by the royal family instead of the central government.Marquess Avendial Croceaus has finally returned to the past, to the year 2031—a year before the tower's arrival—on the date where his downfall began.As he returns to the past, he discovers himself facing the initial setback of his life, where accusations of treason are soon to fall upon him.This world-building novel presents a completely fresh story with new ideas and plots, where the efforts of the main character lead him to become the one who changes his fate as a villain.Content warning: Adult R-18 Chapters without any warning, as they could be part of the story, a slow but well-paced story to provide the detailed idea about the world-building, a weak main character with the debuff of seven curses, making him even cut off from the chances of growth.

I found myself inside the bleak BL novel Silence, where both the protagonist and the antagonist perish. And I became the oppressed omega, Seo Heemin, who tries to escape, ends up breaking his ankle, and even suffers a miscarriage. As expected, as soon as I come to my senses, I am sold to Cha Yiheon, who harbors a deep grudge against the original protagonist. “Why don’t you hit me?” “…Do you want to be hit?” Fortunately, he is a revenge-driven character who loves Seo Heemin dearly. To return to reality, I have to gently seduce him and achieve a happy ending. *** “Hyung, it’s Heemin.” —…Where are you now? Are you crazy enough to want to die? The raw emotion of his anger was palpable. His rage was at its peak, more intense than ever. But, as I had expected this reaction, I calmly responded to him. “I’ll be done with my appointment in an hour, so come pick me up. Let’s go on a date at our lake park.”