Hell's Consort - Chapter 581 - Mission

I am currently re-writing the first chapters of this story. They are quite rough and bounce around a lot and I can do better. At some point, I will replace these with the better chapters.Sometime in 2024 Aethon Books will publish the first volume of this story on Amazon, KU, and audible. This will mean the story will be stubbed. I will notify people far in advance of that.In the dystopian world of the future, life is rough when you live at the bottom. Jobs are non-existent. Far too many people live in poverty, crammed into huge buildings called Habitats. With no jobs in the real world, many people can only find work online in VR worlds as servants to the very rich. And it's getting worse. The old internet is unusable and hacked to pieces. The new system needs AI to run things, but all but one of them were destroyed. The last sentient AI is ordered to create a new game world so the rich can have a playground, and the corporations that rule the world can have a new global market place. Everyone wants a piece of the new game. The guilds are competing to be the first to find the dungeons and kill the biggest monster. The corporations are claiming land and putting in their online market places. Ozzy and his friends just want a paycheck.Four friends sign five year contracts as virtual serfs in a small village, and can't go adventuring at all to gain money. They don't have many choices. They can work as a blacksmith, barmaid and shepherd for all those years....or they can cheat and find ways to take advantage of the system and carve out a section of the game world for themselves, and earn a fortune in the real world.When they give you a mop and not a sword, you have to find the loopholes and change the rules.

In the vast and boundless continent Cangtu, there were ancient sects governing the Ten Old Domains, unworldly immortal clans beyond the Blue Sky, and primordial demon gods dominating the dark abyss that together created a great number of brilliant stories over the long course of the history.

In this very world, there was a boy, named Lin Xun, who embarked on his journey to the pinnacle of strength alone through cultivation and spiritual tattoo inscribing.

Escaping alone from the Mine Prison where he had been living since he was adopted by Master Lu, Lin Xun knew nothing about his identity but the little information his adopter, Master Lu, had told him. With two ancient spiritual tools Master Lu gave to him before the destruction of the Mine Prison, Lin Xun started his journey to Ziyao Empire, where he is supposed to find out the truth of his lost Spiritual Vessel and the person who slaughtered his family, leaving him orphaned.

Will he be able to unlock the mysteries of the two magic treasures, unveil the secrets of his identity and create a legend of his own?

- Description from Novelupdates

Reminiscent of no mere illusion within a world of urban supernatural abilities, the art of magic herein is one of rigorous objectivity and precision!The Magician's Code:1. Unwavering belief in science2. Never perform magic in front of muggles3. Never break the magician personaRemember, if someone asks, tell them it's sleight of hand, that magic is surely a farce, a complete farce!One day, Jiang Shu discovers he can gain corresponding supernatural abilities through his magic performances. Thus, on stage, he believes in science, but off stage, he strikes with mighty blows.Simple magic tricks, solving minor mysteries, this is the ordinary day-to-day life of an average magician in a cyberpunk world.(This cyberpunk setting has no direct connection with any game and doesn't present any barriers to reading)(This story includes logical reasoning, magical detective work, magic analysis, and a light-hearted everyday routine, all of which will be featured.)

Version 1:

Jiang Mianmian time traveled.

Her father had an insidious scholar’s face but a sinister heart.

Her mother had a merciful bodhisattva’s face but a vicious mind.

Her elder brother looked honest but was evil inside.

Her second sister was selfish and foul-mouthed.

They were destined to be villains from birth, to contrast the protagonist’s righteousness, kindness and greatness. They did all kinds of bad things, were covered in filth, fell into an abyss, and came to no good end.

Jiang Mianmian – With the magical spring in hand, weak and timid, she could only let her family live a bit longer…

Version 2:

In her previous life, Mianmian’s family died out early.

In this life:

She married the most popular duke.

She became sworn sisters with the rebel leader.

Ungrateful and unfilial.

Disloyal and unrighteous.

No integrity.

But they all lived, with the family intact.

…

Version 3

Reader’s summary: Father is Medusa, mother is polar bear, brother is evil wolf, sister is coyote, heroine is panda, moving mountains and overwhelming the world, only selling cuteness.