DIVINE BANE - Chapter 42: its better this way

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!

Three Days of Happiness is a novel by Sugaru Miaki, also known as Fafoo. It’s a rewritten version of the story originally posted to 2ch.

The premise of the story revolves around a shop where one can sell away the remaining years of their life, and the consequences of doing so.

“I Say A Little Prayer” is a short related story which was posted along with the novel’s release. It spoils some things about the main story, but nothing major.

Li Ling, the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo, was a good man with great talent and courage.

However, his beloved wife Shen felt that living with him was boring. After five years of marriage, she was submissive to him in every possible way, but he was not the least bit enthusiastic about her.

If it was just because of his cold temper, she would admit it.

But when the Huns invade, the ninth princess will be forced to get married. Li Ling was so angry that he asked for an order to go to war for the sake of his princess cousin.

She finally understood the reason why he treated her coldly.

She was so angry that she didn’t want to be with him.

The letter of departure has been drawn up, and we are waiting for Li Ling to return to sign it.

Unexpectedly, after waking up, she went back to the time when she was newly married to Li Ling…

—

Li Ling married a well-behaved little wife who was completely obedient to him. After being married for more than a month, she served him comfortably.

In the past few days, Li Ling discovered that something was wrong with his bride.

She stopped dressing him in the morning, and she stopped serving him dishes and soup at dinner. She turned away as soon as he approached her at night.

The dignified and solemn Li Ling couldn’t help it.

He came forward and said, “Madam, what’s wrong with you?”

She just gave him a roll of her eyes.

Li Ling scratched his head: “It’s your first time coming to the mansion. Madam, you don’t feel comfortable with it?”

She bowed her head and said nothing.

Li Ling was so itchy that he had to pay attention to her every move in order to pry into his wife’s heart.

One day, while watching a polo match, he saw her hiding her face and smiling at a man on the field; another day, he saw her resting her chin in her hands, reading a poem by a talented man in a daze; and at a palace banquet, he actually saw the prince. I smiled at her…

Li Ling’s heart became more and more confused day by day.

- Description from novelbuddy

Xia Zhiyi just opened the door and was sent directly to another world.
Besides her, there are other people here, even her ex-girlfriend Jing Ruyu who just broke up.
Then a mysterious voice fell in their ears——
【Are you regretting your choice?
【Do you feel pain because you can’t control your body?
【Have you seen death and feel unwilling because life is short?
[It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter, this is the ‘new world’, the new life you are looking for is here, and it is waiting for you not far ahead!
[Lucky ones who have been selected, you only need to complete the task and live until the end, and you will be able to welcome your new life! 】
At the end, I added two sentences.
[Don’t die, you will never have another chance if you die.
[Treasure life is everyone’s responsibility, I wish you all the best, hee hee. 】
Everyone was horrified, but Xia Zhiyi was different.
“This voice,” she turned her head to look at Jing Ruyu, and commented objectively, “It’s so yin and yang.”
Jing Ruyu: “?”
What is your focus here? ?
After everything that happened after that, Xia Zhiyi realized that this “new world” was not only yin and yang, but also a game of death.
Facing the monsters and ghosts in the dungeon, in order to survive, she decided not to be a human!
Later, she discovered that her ex-girlfriend Jing Ruyu had a secret.
An unknown and unspeakable secret.

[Eating guide for this article]
○ Sand Sculpture｜Raising Cubs｜Not a particularly scary infinite stream
○ The private setting is like a mountain, it is purely made up｜Logic serves the plot｜It’s just a story, don’t force it if you don’t like it
○ Scarf: @咕咕Is it too hot to pass out today?

Content tags: supernatural, supernatural, special liking, infinite stream, cool text
Search keywords: Protagonist: Xia Zhiyi, Jing Ruyu ┃ Supporting role: ┃ Others:

- Description from novelbuddy