Leveling up the World - Chapter 69: Metal Thorns

The Great Human Civilization has crumbled apart, falling into the Abyss. A hell with no escape. To survive there, some rules must be followed blindly.1: Be wary of the dead for they don't rest even in death.2: Always be on the lookout. Danger lurks everywhere in the Abyss. Nowhere is truly safe.Lastly, if you hear something unusual like a voice that shouldn't be there, do not investigate. Just run. At least then you might get to keep your life.***Kev's adult life was suddenly upended when he was pulled into a nightmarish world along with countless other humans. To survive he had no choice but to perform a ritual he chanced upon through a series of inexplicable events. The ritual promised great power. He gave in to the temptation, performed the ritual and stepped into the realm of mysticism. At the same time, he unknowingly put himself at great risk. Since the moment he performed the ritual, He faced the risk of losing his humanity or himself entirely.He didn't know then that performing the ritual demanding a great price. By the time he realized it, it was already too late to turn back.You have performed a Great RitualGained class:- Corpse Collector in the DarkTrait unlocked: esoteric mutation of the soulGained skill: shadow manipulationAssimilation rate: 0%Collect corpses to growIncrease in assimilation rate unlocks new skillThe power comes with a great pricePay it obediently like a law abiding Abyss Dwellers or risk losing yourself to the evil brewing within...

Gray was just a normal guy. No powers. No family. No future.In a world where strength and status decide everything, he was at the bottom.He worked hard just to survive, taking care of his little sister after their parents were gone.But no matter how hard he tried, life never gave him a break.And after losing his only job, Gray was ready to give up completely.Then something strange happened.Just as about he was to end his life, an unknown voice echoed in his ears.[Welcome to the Great Tycoon System.]And for the first time, Gray had a way to fight back.From being weak and broke, he’ll rise to the top—one coin and one job at a time.Because in the world where money can buy power, Gray is about to become the richest and strongest man alive.

Li Feng found himself in a dangerous demonic sect where he could be killed at any moment. But he was worried as he had his ultimate upgradation system.Blood Essence Pill -> Blood Origin PillTurtle Breathing Mantra -> Xuanwu's Great IsolationPhantom Spirit Fox -> Nine Tailed Celestial FoxJust like that, Li Feng was confident that he would be able to become stronger at a very fast pace and would be able to survive in this dangerous demonic sect. Not only that but as his parents were killed by some of the disciples of this demonic sect, he was also going to take his revenge on them. With his system's assistance, Li Feng was confident to reach the pinnacle of cultivation.

The year he was fifteen, Ling Ke realized he was gay, and that he fell in love with a hot guy the same gender he was! Ling Ke spied on the other’s online friend group, payed attention to that person’s every move, and privately, started his fanatical fanboying actions. Unfortunately, the hot guy he liked was someone who changed girlfriends like he changed clothes, a pretentious and straight male.

A few years later, Ling Ke and the hot guy he was secretly in love with got into the same university and became good friends. In order to prevent his beloved from hating him, Ling Ke repressed his true feelings and forced himself to pretend to be a 24k, pure gold straight guy.
……

Having high-spec looks, Qi Feng was a networking expert, but in order to preserve his all-around shining and popular hearthrob image, he always hid his true sexuality, that he was gay. He got himself (fake) girlfriends all throughout school, literally playing himself into being branded as a skirt-chaser.

Until one day, he met his true love. The other looked delicate and gentle, cold and out-of-reach, as if the ideal lover he’d dreamed of in his heart.

Except, there was just one thing. That guy also looked completely straight……

In short, this is the love story of two scared, in-the-closet gay guys pretending to be straight while mutually trying to feel the other out.

- Description from Novelupdates