Dungeon of Knowledge - Chapter 145: From the Brink of Death

Welcome! If you want to jump in without any spoilers, feel free. Otherwise, here's a story primer, with a list of more specifics on what to expect from my work further below.Our story follows a fallen knight haunted by his past, in a world afflicted by war and supernatural wounds. Alken is the Headsman of Seydis, an executioner tasked by the divine powers of his homeland to hunt dark sorcerers, warlords, and traitors of all varieties, lest they drag the world into calamity.Once a paladin, this role ill suits him. Forced to cross lines that shake his beliefs, tempted by dark forces, and seen as an ill omen wherever he wanders, his path is often a bloody one. The longer he spends in the shadows of his world, the more he comes to realize just how many have been disenfranchised by the existent order. During his lonely battles through a land haunted by the restless dead and ancient magics, his journey becomes increasingly strange and personal.Enter a realm where the dead stir in every shadow and brooding demigods wage a millennia long war for a ruined heaven, where blessed knights wield gilded flames and sorcerers battle with weapons forged of their own souls. Enter a world of faustian alchemists, of saintly demons, and of time-weary elves.From Oathbreaker you can expect— A setting heavily inspired by Forgotten Realms, Planescape, Fromsoft games, and authors such as Michael Moorcock and Kentauro Miura. — A first person POV from an older protagonist who already knows a lot about his world’s history and cultures, who shares this information with the reader as it becomes relevant.— A mix of action adventure and quieter moments where the focus is on character development. Lore is shared piecemeal, usually only as it relates to a particular arc or character beat.— A heavy focus on mystery, both with the setting and the protagonist. The main character’s backstory isn’t shared up front, and a lot of the narrative involves learning about him a bit at a time, either from his own narration or other characters interacting with him.— A semi-soft magic system where many mages manifest unique powers tied to their own soul, or gain unique powers through eldritch pacts.— Romantic elements. These don’t crop up much until later in the story.— A variety of supernatural beings, such as elves, vampires, gargoyles, chimera, and trolls. Many are familiar, some are not, and most of the familiar ones have my own twists put on them.—Nobledark fantasy. This means that the world is often themed around tragedy and horror, but it’s not dedicated to being gritty. There are elements of high fantasy intermixed with the scarier stuff.—Episodic arcs. Each story arc usually has a specific locale and antagonist or set of antagonists, but certain overarching plots tie them together.— A long running narrative. I don’t have a specific projection of how long or how many arcs or books, but you should expect this to be equivalent to a long running serialized work.This is my first web serial! I hope everyone enjoys it. For trigger warnings, readers should beware that there are some heavy topics in here. When I think something might upset certain readers, I’ll put a warning in the author notes above a chapter. If I miss or overlook anything, feel free to let me know in the comments! I am currently publishing the same story on my wordpress, which is linked below and in my profile. I release three chapters a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Thanks for reading!(I originally had a link to a wordpress, but I'm in the process of overhauling that space. It's not a priority since my readership is all here, but just in case anyone noticed and was wondering)

Bai Jing transmigrated into a book and became the male protagonist’s first love. She sacrificed herself for the male protagonist and the female protagonist got all the benefits.

Bai Jing, who wore the book, said, “Hehe, who wants to be the Virgin Mary?”

The male lead: “Jingjing, as long as you accompany President Wang for drinks, our company will be rich.”

Bai Jing kicked him away. “Get out. You’re not fit to depend on me!”

The female lead: “Jingjing, how could you break up with him when he’s broke? You are too materialistic!”

Bai Jing smiled lazily. “Are you envious? I’m more beautiful than you. I have the right to be willful.”

Bai Jing wanted to start her own career, but the male and female leads kept chasing after her.

She could not take it anymore and found a handsome man to marry.

“Let me introduce you, this is my husband. I’ve liked him for a long time.”

The male protagonist was stunned. “G… Greetings, President Si.”

The female protagonist trembled. “Si… Si Qian…”

Bai Jing was silent.

The villain in the book was also called Si Qian?!

That night, Bai Jing forbade men from going to bed. “Divorce. I’m not interested in villains.”

“Sure.”

Si Qian leaned forward. “Before the divorce, give me one last night.”

The next day, Bai Jing didn’t manage to get out of bed successfully…

After countless “last night”, Bai Jing finally created her own technology empire.

Reporter: “Ms. Bai, can I ask you about your secret to success?”

Bai Jing held her aching waist and smiled mysteriously. “Treat every night as your last night.”

Persona:

Bai Jing: Beautiful and cool, technology big shot.

Si Qian: Handsome and mysterious, wise and powerful, deeply attracted by Bai Jing’s charm.