Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute - Chapter 140: Lifelong Enemy

The first time they meet, she bumps into him. The second time they meet, she agrees to a marriage contract in exchange for his help in her bid for revenge. But… he becomes addicted to loving her.

During his first attempt, he flies a helicopter domineeringly; in his second attempt, he arrogantly removes all his love rivals; in his third attempt, he tries to tie her down using a cute child. Youxuan replies with a plain resounding ‘no’ all three times.

In the end, Shan Hanjie takes one look at her, grits his teeth, and plops onto the ground. “Babe, you dropped your prince charming, please bring him home!”

Lucas Arthur was nothing more than a weak and struggling C-rank hunter, barely getting by in a world where power dictated everything. Forced to participate in a risky raid in a Class B cell, he found himself abandoned by his comrades when a deadly ambush left one of them, Andre, mortally wounded.As Lucas stood beside his dying comrade, the impossible happened. A glowing blue screen appeared in front of him.[Congratulations! You have earned the unique skill: “System Maker (SSS Rank)”]Before he could realize the absurdity of it, another prompt followed.[You have met the requirements to grant Andre the System: Evolutionary System]Driven by instinct, Lucas agreed and watched in shock as Andre's wounds healed, his strength rose, and his eyes shone with new power.Then, with unwavering loyalty, he spoke:*“Your orders, sir?”*It was then that Lucas realized he had the power to create systems for the Hunters, growing stronger with each follower.Each follower and each hunter Lucas gave a system that could evolve and increase in level and powerBut as Lucas grants more systems, powerful enemies take notice—ones who would do anything to control or destroy a System MakerWith every hunter he empowers, Lucas steps closer to becoming an existence that defies the very rules of this world.

See you for the first time.
In front of the teaching building, fourteen-year-old Xu Can was sitting in front of the steps crying uncontrollably, when a voice suddenly came from overhead and asked, “What’s the matter with you?”
She was so frightened that she raised her eyes, and was amazed again.
With tears in his eyes, he sniffed and held it for a few seconds, not wanting to tell the truth, “Teacher, I… I didn’t do well in the exam.”
Tong Mingyue sat next to her and chatted with her.
The next day, Tong Mingyue passed by the school’s display board.
I saw that Xu Can, who spent a long time in teaching her classmates who didn’t do well in the exam, ranked first in the overall ranking list, and almost got a perfect score in every subject.
“…”

After working hard all his life, he was still unable to cope with the drag of his background. Before Xu Can was forced to jump off the building, he regretted that he could not see Tong Mingyue again.
When I opened my eyes again, the computer was lit up with a blank document.
Back to sophomore year.
Failed subjects, no money, there are still two professional exams in sight…
In this life, Xu Can walks without heart and heart, with eyes full of eyes, only Tong Mingyue.

Edible guide: 1. Sweetness ++++
2. Abstinence and gentle professor X lunatic attribute fake and well-behaved fairy

- Description from novelbuddy

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.