Wandering Mercenary in an Open World - Chapter 23

Ethan's head throbbed violently as he opened his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused. A dull ringing filled his ears, drowning out his thoughts.“What’s happening…?” he thought, his mind sluggish, struggling to catch up with reality. One moment, he was asleep—or at least, he thought he was—and the next, searing pain forced him awake.His vision swam, shapes blurring together in a disorienting mess. But then, muffled noises filtered through the haze—frantic, panicked sounds. Someone was trying to scream, their voice smothered, choked by something.A cold shiver ran down his spine.As his sight gradually sharpened, Ethan's breath hitched.He was on all fours, looming over someone. A girl.Her body twisted and writhed beneath him, ropes biting into her wrists and ankles. Her mouth was gagged, muffling her cries. Her wide brown eyes, brimming with fear and fury, glared up at him.Ethan's body locked in place, his blood running cold.“What the…?” His mind reeled, thoughts slamming into each other in chaotic disarray. “What kind of bizarre dream is this?”Panic clawed at his chest. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps as he scrambled backward, only to realize his limbs felt sluggish, uncooperative, like they didn’t belong to him.“Is this… is this some kind of twisted fantasy I never knew I had?” A sickening thought slithered through his mind, making his stomach churn.The girl's frantic squirming slowed for a moment, her gaze flickering with confusion as she took in his expression—his trembling hands, his wide, horrified eyes. But the fear returned just as quickly. She struggled harder, her body arching, her muffled screams rising in pitch.Ethan wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but before he could force out a word, a glowing blue window materialized before his eyes.His breath caught.A translucent, hovering screen?“What…?”Lines of glowing text scrolled across its surface.---[System Activated…][Host Confirmed.][Simulating Previous Data…]Ethan awakens in a mysterious world, shackled by a curse that clouds his judgment and drives him toward choices he never wished to make. Burdened by guilt and responsibility, he must navigate the fallout of his actions while unraveling the truth behind the curse—and his place in this enigmatic new reality.

“I won't divorce you, Melissa. Until your last breath, you will live with me in this nameless marriage,” Radulf declared.Melissa Rosetta, the illegitimate daughter of the Alpha King and an omega servant, had no choice but to comply with her father's demand― marry Radulf De Lagrange, the fallen Alpha of the once-powerful Shadow Hunter Pack.Despite being the strongest dominant alpha, Radulf's influence and power crumbled when his father was accused of treason against the crown.As for Radulf's punishment? He was forced to marry a weak, wolf-less omega, who he had nothing but disdain for. To top it off, he was sent to the Western Frontier on his wedding day.Melissa eagerly awaited Radulf's return as she suffered through ridicule, believing that when he did, he would be happy to see how mighty his pack had become under her care.However, after four years, Radulf returned with a beautiful woman, shattering Melissa's heart.“You betrayed me while I stayed loyal to you. I don't want to live with you and watch your affair with another woman. Divorce me, Radulf, and free me from this marriage. If you don't wish to do that, then mark me,” Melissa demanded on the day of his return.“Divorce you, Feisty Princess? Never! If you want to get marked, then beg me or seduce me to do so,” Radulf challenged.On the day of his rut, he said, “Melissa, my mate, allow me to mark you.”

Su Jinyue is a female chairman who owns billions of assets, but she is sent to prison by a couple—her boyfriend of seven years and sister. As a prisoner on death row, she hears the gunshots, and when Su Jinyue sees a familiar figure running towards her through the blood, she smiles sadly. Only then did she realize that she had fallen in love with this man.

If she could start over, she would definitely choose to marry him.

The blessings of fate bring her back to the beginning. Reborn, she returns to the beginning of everything. She swears never to make the mistake of her previous life again. She would never believe in her glib sister and boyfriend. More importantly, she has to figure out what secrets are hidden in her bracelet and background.

She wants power in this life, and so does he.

As for those who owe her and had harmed, she will not show mercy either.

Yun Xiangxiang was a well-regarded celebrity in her previous life.