Bear School Astartes - Chapter 11. Mentos, Genetic Seeds

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

With a father as strong as the highest heavens themselves, Gravis wasn't required to step into the cold and ruthless world of cultivation. But when Heaven used him in a scheme to get back at his father, Gravis realized that he needed strength to gain true freedom.

As long as he remained his weak self, he would always remain beneath Heaven’s oppression. Only true power brings true freedom. To gain strength, Gravis ventured into the lower worlds to start his cultivation under true life and death tempering.

Only a strong will, which had been forged in striving for every resource available, would allow him to reach the peak. Heaven’s strongest weapon was Lightning of Divine Punishment, and only if he made this weapon his, would he have a chance.

So, to overthrow Heaven,

Lightning Is the Only Way!

Yet, the path to power is painful.

Not everyone reaches the peak.

But Gravis will!

No matter how much pain he feels along the way!

The year was 2030 when dungeons descended and wreaked havoc across the world.Fortunately, along with the descent of the dungeons was the awakening of various people obtaining superpowers, allowing the world to barely defend against the worldwide threat.Five years later, Desther, a young man that only wants to watch anime and read online novels, awakened the SSS-Grade Talent, Ultimate Thief, allowing him to steal a target’s attribute in battle and making it his own.However, along with the overpowered talent, was an announcement he wished he never got.[You obtained the title, [Chosen One]][Clear the dungeon or Die!]

Discord: https://discord.gg/dWW4RHNXwJ***Let's not pretend like we haven't heard this story before.Mana descends upon an unprepared world. Dungeons rupture reality. Monsters pour out. Humanity awakens in response—some with sparks, some with power capable of leveling continents.Aris Ashborne was born into that world.His problem?He was too damn cute to be taken seriously!Media companies treat him like heaven's favourite mascot. Fellow awakened dote on him as if he isn't ranked among the strongest humans alive. Confessions pile up. Stalkers appear. The title “Cutest Awakened” follows him everywhere.No one seems interested in how he earned his S-rank.It's hard to command fear when people are asking what skincare routine you use.Oh well.Being underestimated has its own perks too.Truth is, Aris Ashborne is one of the few people that has transcended the ranking system entirely. He is among the few that could very well rule the world if he wanted to.But for now, he is contempt with being called a cutie.After all, monsters don't always look the part.