Night of Despair - Chapter 1: Shadow

'Divinity Online'. The new breakthrough in the Full-Immersion Virtual Reality technology. After decades of work, Divinity Corp had achieved the impossible. Creating a massive video game world that people can enter and live in as if it were Earth. Their goal was clear, to create a world other than Earth that we can call home.A place where the laws of reality vanish, and the true ceiling of power shifts completely.Naturally, the shockwave Divinity Online created across the entire globe was unlike anything else. Every single person has heard of it, even those who have had no interest in video games before.Giant corporations and even governments immediately rushed to start planning to invest in this new world and just like that, billions of people had their eyes on one single date: the 19th of July.***Arthur, like everyone else, had heard of the game and was as excited as everyone else to try it, if not even more. With how much he grew bored of his life on earth, this fantasy world was like the divine call he had been searching for. However, there was a very small problem.He had no money to buy the machine required to access Divinity Online. His wretched life had turned him into a broke teenager with no parents, and no relatives. But, by some kind of luck, he got his hands on one of those machines.Not knowing what was awaiting him in that world, Arthur was simply seeking one thing... A new opportunity in life and to find a purpose he could work for when he had none so far.[Welcome to 'Divinity Online'.][Assimilation Started...]

I, Aristides Castro G Morris Brooklyn Washington Napoleon George I, doth proclaim myself as the sovereign of this realm. Our untimely demise hath been the consequence of preserving our people from impending doom. To reward our noble deeds, the gracious goddess hath bestowed upon us the gift of rebirth. Yet, alas! Why have we been transformed into a maiden, and a princess of dragons, no less?!This extraordinary story follows a man haunted by Eight-Grade Syndrome, now reborn as the dragons’ princess. However, his chuunibyou tendencies come with a price—a curse cast upon him by a vexed goddess. Every time his symptoms flare up, lightning strikes, an electrifying consequence of his behavior.Prepare for a captivating journey as this chuunibyou princess navigates the realms of dragons, adventure, and self-discovery. With lightning crackling at every turn, our protagonist must embrace their newfound identity, face formidable challenges, and uncover the secrets that lie within this enchanting world. In this tale of curses and resilience, embark on an enthralling adventure where destiny and the whims of the divine intertwine.

(Popular female lead + Pretending to be weak to beat the strong + Fast-paced + Slightly sour then sweet romance + 1 male lead and 1 female lead + No face-slapping + Female lead and female second lead are good friends)

Jiang Yan was originally a scheming, sweet girl, but the system told her that she was actually a vicious female second lead who would never be loved.

Jiang Yan prepared herself to become a lonely beauty, but the characters in this mission world did not act according to the plot!

Jiang Yan wondered: “How did he agree to my pursuit?”

“Wasn’t he supposed to take the initiative to break up with me?”

“Why doesn’t he dislike gold-digging women and even gives me money to be with him?”

The vicious system crashed: “The characters of this world are out of control!”

1. Fake rich young miss vicious female second lead ✔ (Extra ✔)

2. Attention-seeking, money-crazy internet celebrity vicious female second lead ✔ (Extra ✔)

3. Pampered little princess vicious female second lead ✔ (Extra ✔)

4. Poor gold-digger vicious female second lead ✔ (Extra ✔)

5. Online dating scammer vicious female second lead ✔

6. Forcefully snatching sugar daddy vicious female second lead ✔

7. Ex-national sweetheart vicious female second lead ✔

8. Frail and delicate young miss vicious female second lead ✔

9. Childhood sweethearts ✔

10. Vampire little count vicious female second lead ✔

11. Blind young miss vicious female second lead ✔

…To be continued

Mainly lighthearted and heartwarming

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

*****

He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.