Crown of Thorns - Chapter 26

The most popular game worldwide is Ancient Arena Online, a high-octane PvP fantasy game where teams fight for supremacy in mythical arenas. Millions of fans watch livestreams, bet on matches, and follow their favorite players like celebrities. The game’s competitive scene is so fierce that professional teams are treated like esports royalty.At the heart of it all is Kai Ashford, one of the top players and captain of the pro team Phoenix Edge. With lightning-fast reflexes and strategic brilliance, Kai leads his team to countless victories. But success breeds jealousy. Sabotaged by a teammate he thought was loyal, Kai is not only kicked off his team, but also humiliated in front of millions of fans. With his reputation shattered and confidence at rock bottom, Kai retreats from the public eye.However, Kai's competitive spirit is not easily extinguished. He stumbles upon a group of amateur players—a ragtag bunch who show raw potential but lack the finesse needed to win at the highest levels. Their quirky personalities clash with his no-nonsense attitude, but something about their passion reminds him of why he started gaming in the first place. Deciding to put his past behind him, Kai agrees to train them into a professional team.Along the way, Kai builds unexpected connections with his new teammates, including romantic entanglements with a fiery mage, an eccentric hacker, and a mysterious assassin player, all while juggling his personal feelings and growing attraction for multiple women. As his new team rises through the ranks, they gain attention from fans and sponsors, putting them back on the radar of the professional scene.But Kai’s past doesn’t stay buried for long. His former teammates—now rivals—plot to sabotage him once again, while jealous contenders within the gaming world aim to tear him down. However, Kai's return to the spotlight will be on his terms this time. With a darker, more calculating approach, he plans to not only dominate the game but also to get sweet revenge on those who betrayed him.

A Webnovel Author who died after installing a strange farming game was reincarnated into a brutal, apocalyptic world. Armed with only his wit and a quirky farming system, he finds himself surrounded by ruined cities, mutated beasts, and desperate survivors. The world is on the brink of collapse, but his system insists on growing crops and raising livestock in the middle of the wasteland.At first, he thinks it’s a joke—a farming system in the apocalypse? But soon he discovers the hidden potential of his system. The crops he grows can strengthen his body, grant unique abilities, and even repel the deadly monsters that roam the land. However, the system has a mind of its own, and not everything is as it seems.Now, balancing survival and farming, he must build a haven in this hostile world, gathering strange allies along the way, all while uncovering the secrets behind his reincarnation. As his farm flourishes, so does his power—making him a target for dangerous factions and ancient forces that lurk in the shadows.Can a peaceful farmer rise to become the hero this broken world needs? Or will his fields of hope be crushed by the horrors that await?

Keith, a vieux riche, spoiled and cherished, heir to the Demiliore Consortium, lives his life at large. Power, Wealth, Fame; He has it all.

But is it all just a dream?

With a set of memories, the knowledge of the future, in a play orchestrated by the destiny, knowing well that he is born to be a Villain, will he prevail? Or is he going to fall at the hands of the Child of Destiny just like he did in the nightmare that haunts him?

***

Author's Note:

Yes, the story is heavily influenced by Urban-Fantasy Chinese Novels. Don't read if you have a problem with those types of plots. 'Cliche' plot elements are bound to appear, so if you easily get triggered by such things, keep away. And I would advise you to not even start the story if you are the ardent believer of 'Good shall prevail over the Evil'. Keep away! MC here is a Villain! But yes, he is not someone deprived of emotions, even though he is a Scum. So, do not expect an outright Evil MC either.

I don't write Netorare. Don't worry about it!

***

Update Schedule:

Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday on WN, SH, MSB. Coming soon on RoyalRoad.

As for the Patrons, almost Daily updates with guaranteed 25 Chapters each month with a possibility of a few more Chapters.

Warnings:

> Incest
> Dark Elements
> Sexual Content
> Traumatising Content
> Gore
> Manipulative MC
> Sexual Abuse
> Parallel World (Almost a new World)
> Fantasy Elements (Full-fledged Fantasy later)
> System
> Slavery

In his last life, he was a superstar that dominated the entertainment circle. In this life, he is a rebellious second generation wastrel.

Confronting the aunt and uncle who wants to seize the family property and getting rid of those slag friends who only know how to eat and drink…

Rong Xu: To not speak out means to perish in the silence!

From starting out as a third-rate celebrity, he had to rely on his own efforts to rise to the top of the entertainment circle, aspiring to once again sit on the throne!

Their first meeting —

Rong Xu: Hello, I’m Rong Xu. This would be our first time meeting, I would appreciate your guidance.

Qin Cheng: !!! (…Aahhh, He’s so cute! I really want to sleep with him!)

- Description from Novelupdates