Apocalypse King: The Return of Lucian - Chapter 40: Shadows of Betrayal

Ethan was betrayed, he was broken, left crippled by those he trusted most: Zachary and Ivy, the people who ruined his life. Stripped of everything, Ethan crawled through three grueling years in the abandoned depths of despair, desperate to regain what he lost.Until one final act of defiance opened the door to something greater.When Ethan completed a hidden quest, fate granted him a miraculous reward: a second chance.He awakens years in the past, on the eve of a revolution: the launch of Ethereal, the world's first fully immersive VR game and humanity’s obsession. Armed with memories of four years in Ethereal, he’s no longer the helpless pawn who lost everything.This time, Ethan knows every secret, every hidden quest, every exploit to climb back to the top. But when he steps into the game, the system unveils a shocking twist: a divine bloodline, legendary abilities, and a class no one believed could dominate.Ethan vows to rise once more, but this time, he knows where the paths of glory begin, where betrayal lurks, and where to find legendary treasures that will crown him king in this brutal new world.The stakes are higher than ever. Factions are forming, alliances are shattering, and the clock ticks toward an event that will rewrite reality itself.The weak will perish, and the strong will thrive.They betrayed him once.They won’t live to do it again.

Gu Shishi, a master of traditional Chinese painting, transmigrated into the role of a cannon fodder in a cliché novel.

The cannon fodder female supporting character was switched at birth. She had barely spent a few days with her biological parents before she was tossed into the wolf’s den by those same parents. Her parents, having no heart to send their fake daughter with a heart disease to live a hard life, forced the real daughter into becoming the replacement. Gu Shishi was sent away to marry the big villain – the rumored evil, cruel, and wife-cursing first young master of the Huo’s.

On the very first day that she had transmigrated, she had to face her fated tragic death….

Luckily, she had also inadvertently discovered the path to altering her fate!

— The more gifts she received from the big villain, the longer she could live and the more cheats she would gain!

System:

(Wealthy Housewife System, Initiated!)

(Remaining Life: 8 minutes and 56 seconds)

(Recharge to extend your life.)

(Method of Recharging: Receive Money or Valuables from Wealthy Husband.)

(Received DIOR Bobbin Net Smock x 1, recharge value: $15,000!)

(Received FENDI Black Hooded Sweater x 1, recharge value: $10,160!)

(Received Givenchy Single Strap Mini Floral Print Pleated Skirt x 1, recharge value $180,695!)

(Recharge Successful!)

(Note: 24 hours additional life for every $1,000.)

- Description from Novelupdates

She was once an heiress, but later her family went bankrupt, and her fiancé betrayed her. Besides, she had to bear the expensive medical expenses of her brother. Therefore, to regain everything, she decidedly married her ex's cousin in a deal. Initially, he was very aloof and didn't care about women at all, but he gradually fell in love with her, protecting her and supporting her...

The Principality of Atall lies between two great powers: the Kingdom of Allion to the west, and the Holy Dytiann Alliance to the east. Leo Attiel, the second-born prince, was sent to Allion as little more than a hostage, where he studied and trained in the military arts under a frontier general. And now, the times have reached a turning point.

Relations between Allion and Conscon Temple, a neutral land adjoining Atall, have worsened. Percy, sent from Atall as reinforcement; Camus, a warrior monk; and Kuon, a mercenary from a remote region, join forces to resist the looming threat of Allion’s army.

At the centre of the fighting, the three of them and Leo are about to have their fated encounter.