Badge in Azure - Chapter 99: The Bell of Holy Rock City (Part 2)

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?

“Block him.”“He's technically still my boss.”“Then block him with dignity.”The call ended again.And then started again.I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt.“Yes, Mr. Walton?”“Have you changed your mind yet?”I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough.“Do you ever take a break?” I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand.“You're avoiding the question.”“Because it's a dumb question.”He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. “It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer.”“It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to.”There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker.“You are acting unreasonably.”“ Unreasonable?” I sat up. “I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday.”“Isabella-”“Certainly not, Mr. Walton.” I mimicked his tone perfectly. “I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with.”SYNOPSISIsabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story.But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger.Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not.Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position.Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival.So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend.No feelings attached. No drama. Just business.Or so she thought.“Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes,” he said, passing by without a glance.The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud.I opened it. The contract. All of it.---Enemies to lovers? Check.Slow burn? Hmmnyea.Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes.Delicious workplace tension? Of course.Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely.Smut?? Wanna find out?Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.

In a world where 99.9% of all men were wiped out and future births only had a 0.1% chance of being male, the role of men in society became that of celebrities graciously donating their seed to the masses. With the world population declining, pregnancy has become a social status, affording women government assistance, health insurance, and citizenship should they find a man to bless them with seed. With an only 1 in a 1000 chance of finding a guy, many women will do anything it takes to get close to a man and become pregnant. And should those women bear a male, it’s like winning the lottery, the remainder of their lives set as they receive massive stipends and no responsibility but to nurture their sons. Clyburn was reincarnated into such a world. Can a former unsuccessful business man properly navigate a female-centric world full of woman who just want to use him for his seed? With an overprotective mother, two caring sisters, and the mind of an adult, he might just.

【showbiz】【Faceslapping】Da Yan’s first female emperor has transmigrated! When she opened her eyes, she had become an 18th-tier actress who bore the same name as her and was participating in a variety show about surviving in the wilderness. Netizens: Do variety shows not have any standards? They let just anyone participate nowadays, huh?Su Yangyang: I’m indeed incompetent.However, when the camera turned to her…She opened up wastelands and made farming fields. She set up traps, made musical instruments, caught fish and tore through wild boars with her bare hands, climbed trees to pick fruits, weaved fishing nets, learned traditional medicine…The result of that was a massive increase in viewership! Netizen 1: What the heck did she mean, “incompetent”?!Netizen 2: Miss Yang is amazing!!! As the program went on, there was a sick actor by her side who was always weak for no reason, and often fell into her arms. Su Yangyang: Men are so troublesome. Until one day, the top star covered the camera and changed completely. Instead of his usual sickly and weak demeanor, he pressed her up against the wall and kissed her. The next day, Su Yangyang became one of the top searches on the Internet due to the marks she sported. Su Yangyang: It was just a mosquito bite. A misunderstanding. Actor King Bo tweeted: @Suyangyang I heard my name changed and is now Mosquito? That night, the entire Internet was paralyzed with shock.