MTL - Ascending, Do Not Disturb - ~ 153. Finally

A modern-day antihero, who was infamous for his devious acts, dies in an explosion meant to take down a powerful criminal syndicate. Waking up in a world of sword and sorcery, he finds himself possessing a fragile, powerless body with a strange “System” that seems broken. Initially thinking he's doomed, he learns that by pretending to be weak, he can manipulate others into revealing their secrets, granting him abilities they possess. As he rises in power, he discovers that the System was intentionally sabotaged—by none other than his own future self.

“Devouring Lifespan to grow stronger!!”When Ricky Stormwind—a washed-up office worker—drank himself to death, he expected eternal nothingness. Instead, he awoke in a new world… as a mosquito.Weak as an ant. Fragile as a piece of paper. Prey to everything.But this world is no ordinary one. Magic, monsters, and powerful beings dominate the land, with ruthless forces waging war for supremacy. And Ricky? He possesses a terrifying ability—he can drain lifespan from any living creature and use it to evolve.A single bite can grant him hours. A feast?..... Years!!Now, in a forest filled with predators and beside a village on the brink of destruction, Ricky must climb the evolutionary ladder—from insignificant pest to a calamity that could devour the world itself.But when his first real meal triggers a mass sacrifice, the world mistakes him for a rising Demon Lord. Bounties are placed on his head. Armies march to hunt him down. And lurking in the shadows, a forbidden power calls to him, promising a path beyond mere survival—one that could reshape reality itself.In a world where everything is prey to something greater, something horrendous… he will rise to become the apex.

Having dealt with malicious fans and sasaengs, promoted major celebrities, and brought down rival stars in her years in the entertainment industry, Mu Qianli accomplished a huge feat today.She, by complete accident, became involved in an indescribable relationship with the entertainment industry's rising star, Pei Jinxi.Pei Jinxi, who started acting at six, is the top cash cow under a rival company.Only 20 years old with countless fans.Mu Qianli could only cautiously and fearfully seek help online:Asking for advice on being forced to date a top trending idol, please respond (ps, fans are super fierce, and it'd be even worse if they knew I was from a rival agency)Much later, Mu Qianli accidentally posted and quickly deleted a photo of them holding hands from the wrong account.The fans immediately came for her: Here she comes, here she comes, she's back with her publicity stunts.“An agent so desperate to be famous is a first.”“If you want to debut, just say it, don't drag my brother into this.”“Is it that being an agent doesn't pay as much as being a star? Are you crazy for money?”......A certain company's chairman: I hope the fans drive her out of the entertainment industry, she's my daughter that stubbornly refuses to come back and inherit a fortune.A certain top star: I don't want to be famous, having one celebrity in the family is enough for us.Fans: ????