A Record of Ash & Ruin: The Grieving Lands - Chapter 15Book 2: : The Gauntlet

Odelia Grace, a beautiful and smart woman, a secretary of a big company, had to give up the career she had at a young age for a marriage with the CEO of another company, Vincent Percy.The marriage was filled with love and support for each other for 4 years. However, they did not have a child.Vincent's family became furious, and continued to demand and pressure Odelia. A beautiful marriage turned into a nightmare because of their abuse.“You barren woman! My son is jinxed because of you, he shouldn't have married you in the first place!” snapped her mother-in-law.Until one day, Odelia was kicked out of her own house and went to a hotel for the night. She accidentally met a man who was drunk.Unintentionally, there was a hot night between the two of them.And after that night, Odelia finally realized that she was not barren and that she was carrying a baby.The baby of her ex-husband's enemy, Sean Osbert.

In a realm where power is determined by affinities—elemental forces that shape magic, combat, and survival—Ethan is an anomaly. While most people are born with a single affinity, Ethan stands apart, wielding a vast range of abilities granted by a mysterious Ancestral-line System. This unique system taps into the untapped potential of his vampire and dwarven bloodline, unlocking ancestral powers far beyond the norm.At just 18 years old, Ethan's journey begins when he accidentally awakens this system, discovering that he is the heir to a forgotten lineage that blends the strength, resilience, and mysticism of both vampire and dwarven ancestors, a perfect hybrid of both. Though he must awaken and evolve to harness their power. However, the more power he gains, the more he learns about the dark secrets of his lineage—secrets that others would kill to possess.Unlike everyone else, Ethan's affinities are not innate; they are granted by the system based on his bloodline’s ancient heritage. As he levels up, he acquires abilities that no one in the current era has ever seen: the Psychic powers of telekinesis and telepathy from ancient vampire lords, the earth-shaping skills of dwarf warriors, and a host of hidden abilities that challenge the world’s very understanding of magic.But power comes with a price. Ethan quickly finds himself targeted by powerful factions and hidden enemies who fear what his bloodline could mean for the balance of the world. Ancient forces tied to his ancestry awaken, each with their own agenda—some seeing him as a threat to be eliminated, others as a tool to be used.Accompanied by a diverse group of companions, each with their own affinities and secrets, Ethan embarks on a perilous journey. Together, they traverse beast-filled forests, ancient ruins, worlds and perilous dungeons, all while facing foes who seek to exploit or destroy Ethan’s unique powers. Along the way, bonds are forged, fates are entwined, and the line between friend and foe blurs as Ethan learns that his destiny is far greater than he ever imagined.But with every new ability comes a deeper question: What is the true purpose of the Ancestral-line System? As he battles monstrous creatures, rival affinity users, and ancient curses, Ethan must confront the reality that his bloodline holds the key to either the salvation or the destruction of their world or something else entirely.In a world governed by affinities, Ethan’s unmatched power sets him on a path that could change everything—or lead to his downfall.Will he master the secrets of his ancestry and forge his own fate, or will the weight of his heritage drag him into the depths of a history best left forgotten?

Damien Julian is an 18-year-old loser, who has been bullied and mistreated his entire life, at home, he has to deal with his abusive father, and at school, he is constantly been bullied by delinquents, and to make things worse he is always looked down upon by his peers, till one day a mysterious screen appear before him as it said.

[The world has seen the lingering evil in your heart]

[Would you like to be one of the nine demon kings of this world]

[If so what are you willing to sacrifice?]

In the heat of the moment, Damien made a deal with the world, that he would give up everything he owns, or do anything it wants, and in exchange, he shall be reborn as a new Demon King, and what the world required from him as payment was.

[In exchange for power, become a slave of the world, and act as an anti-body for all eternity]

At that moment, Damien agreed, but little did Damien know, that becoming a slave to the world meant he has to be its immune system, what that entail is, that anything that threaten the world must be destroyed even if he has to wipe out humanity, to save it, or assassinate historical figures to bring fort balance or even manipulating events that can potentially end the world, to save the world, this is the story of a necessary evil, not the story of a hero who cares for others.

After slumbering for years in the darkest pits of the abyss, Haruki Shin is awoken by the demon lord of lust. She tries to remind him of a contract he signed with her in exchange for the power that would help him exact his revenge in the mortal world.

However, who or what he wanted to get revenge on? He couldn’t remember. Replaced with a hazy mist, his memories had long since faded. But to the mistress of lust that didn’t matter as she forced him back into the mortal world with the demonic body of an incubus.

Feeling lost he’s forced to adhere to each of her commands, and despite his refusal, he can’t resist the binds of the contract. Eventually, however, as he learns more about his tragic past, and the existence of the lustful system he’s been blessed with for his revenge, his path to becoming a monster finally begins.

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