Lord Shadow - Chapter 490: The immortal sword hut (4)

“Look at him,” someone snickered from a few rows over. “Smells like he sleeps in a dumpster.”“Probably does,” another voice added, louder this time. Nox just stared at his textbook, the words blurring. He had heard it all before.Then, Mark, one of the main reasons his life was a living hell, swaggered past his desk. Mark always had a smirk on his face. “Oops,” he said, not even trying to sound accidental, as a full cup of bright orange juice tipped over, splashing all down the front of Nox's already ruined shirt. The cold liquid soaked through instantly. Laughter erupted around the room. It was loud, clear, and mocking. Nox slowly looked up. His eyes landed on Ms. Joy, who was watching the whole thing. She had seen Mark deliberately pour the juice on him. He raised his hand, a small, tired gesture. “Ms. Joy,” he said, his voice flat. “He just poured juice on me. Are you just going to ignore it? Again?.” Ms. Joy looked at him, then at Mark, who was now theatrically wiping his hands. A small smile played on her lips. Then she chuckled. Just a little airy laugh.“Oh, Nox, don't be so dramatic. Boys will be boys, right Mark?” Mark puffed out his chest. “Yeah, Ms. Joy. He's just sensitive.” The class laughed even harder at that. Ms. Joy joined in, her laughter ringing out with theirs. Hearing them all, hearing her laugh, something in him finally snapped. It wasn't a loud break, more like a quiet, final click. He realized it then, with a cold, hard clarity. No one was coming to save him. No teachers, no police, no parents he never had. No one cared. If he wanted this to stop, he would have to be the one to stop it. He was the only one who could.His face remained blank, but his mind was suddenly very clear. He reached down slowly, his hand going into his worn-out school bag. The laughter died down a little as a few students noticed his deliberate movement, a strange stillness about him. He pulled out a gun.The classroom went silent. Utterly, completely silent. Mark's smirk vanished, replaced by wide, terrified eyes. Even Ms. Joy stopped laughing, her face paling. “What… Nox, what are you doing?” she stammered, her voice suddenly shaky. He didn't answer. He looked around at their faces, one by one. Fear. He saw fear now. Good. He was ready. He was going to make them all pay. He was going to end it, all of it.Just as he was about to raise the gun properly, a bright blue screen appeared right in front of his face. It was translucent, and only he seemed to see it. [Congratulations! You have met the requirements!] [1st Player Chosen!] [You have won the System!]

This is a story about a badass,

**[Status: Remaining lifespan 29 days 17 hours 32 minutes]**After reincarnating into a modern fantasy novel he had read in his previous life and enduring all sorts of hardships, Ryu Seo-ha awakens as a precious S-class healer. However, he also sees in his status window that he has less than a month left to live. Then, after an unexpected encounter with Choi Gang-hu, the protagonist of the original novel, Seo-ha discovers that physical contact with Gang-hu increases his magical power. And Gang-hu begins to show a peculiar interest in Seo-ha.“Do you intend to repay me?”“Yes.”“With your body.”[Preview]As Ryu Seo-ha was leaving the bathroom to contact the Awakened Management Bureau, he stumbled back in surprise. Choi Gang-hu was leaning against the entrance wall.“Why are you here…”As he hastily stepped back and stumbled, Gang-hu grabbed his arm to steady him.[Magic Power 9]At that moment, Seo-ha’s magic power stat began to skyrocket.[Magic Power 17] [Magic Power 25] [Magic Power 33]The numbers increased dramatically with each blink of an eye. It was an impossible situation. Seo-ha’s eyes widened in shock. Gang-hu also seemed to sense the anomaly, raising his handsome eyebrows high.For some unknown reason, a chill ran down his spine. Reflexively, he shook off the hand holding his arm, and the feeling of every cell being filled to the brim suddenly stopped. Feeling dizzy, Seo-ha shakily leaned against the wall for support.[Magic Power 41]In that short time, his magic power stat had surpassed 40. This was a level that could only be barely achieved by investing all stat points gained up to level 40 into magic power. It was an astounding situation.Gang-hu, looking down at him with eyes as dark as an abyss, didn’t seem to have intentionally infused him with magic power. There was no reason for him to do so, and it was impossible for the stat itself to increase like this. Even if it were just an increase in magic power capacity, it would be enough to make him a research subject.“I thought I was imagining things,” Gang-hu muttered in a low voice as he slowly reached out his hand again. His long fingers lightly touched Seo-ha’s pale cheek. As he shrank his neck at the cool sensation, Gang-hu’s large hand cupped his entire cheek.

Takahiro Nao, a 25-year-old drowning in debt and despair, lives only for his struggling family. Every sacrifice he makes is for them—until a selfless act costs him his life. Instead of the end, Nao encounters a Goddess of Benevolence who offers him a miraculous deal: “Live in a new world, and your efforts there will support your family back on Earth.”Reborn into the dead body of Naoki von Blackmore, the so-called “Failed Hero,” he finds himself burdened with the daunting task of saving the world by defeating the Demon King—all while supporting the family he cherishes. Armed with formidable powers yet haunted by his past failures, Nao steps into a dangerous realm of swords, magic, and ferocious monsters. Facing relentless enemies, harrowing trials of life and death, and an unyielding fate, he’s forced to confront the ultimate question: how far is he willing to go to protect the people he loves?Filled with emotional struggles, determination, unexpected humor, and a touch of romance, this story asks a powerful question to the readers: What would you sacrifice for the people you love?