RAVEN. - Chapter 9: Beginning Of A Misery

Winner of the 2017 Joara Novel of The Year Contest-

In a world plagued by Morgellons, a deadly disease that turns humans into non-human creatures, people have chosen to abandon their humanity in order to fight against the bloodthirsty corpses. In the end, there will be no humans left on Earth.

But that harsh world is, in fact, a world fabricated merely for entertainment. A world for humans to live in exists neither inside nor outside.

This is the story of a boy who, while living a miserable life, stares at the stars as he desperately tries to keep his humanity.

(Alternative title: I Can Cut Through Anything)...After dying from overwork, Riven is reincarnated into a war-torn world where holy power and arcane magic clash for dominance. Born into poverty and orphaned at twelve, he survives with his younger sister by scavenging weapons from the corpses of fallen soldiers.That is, until he finds a gravely wounded woman in front of his house.Moved by a strange sense of compassion, Riven saves her life—unaware that she is the infamous Mad Queen, a ruthless monarch who slaughtered her entire royal bloodline.In return for his kindness, she teaches him how to wield a sword—an art that awakens a terrifying power within him: the ability to cut through anything.But power comes at a cost. Her gaze shifts from gratitude to obsession. And now, bound by a twisted marriage to a queen whose love is as dangerous as her blade, Riven must decide: will he run from her... or embrace the madness she offers?---Author's NoteHi everyone, I’m a new author here.To be honest, I got tired of the same old harem tropes—stories where the male lead collects girls like trophies without any real emotional depth. So I decided to write something different.This is a dark fantasy romance centered around one woman only: a yandere queen whose love is as dangerous as her power.Yes, the story contains R-rated scenes—expect some heat.But it’s not just about that.This novel will dive into:Deep character development,The twisted yet intimate relationship between Riven and the Queen,A complex world filled with arcane powers and divine magic,Royal politics and war,And Riven’s journey to become the strongest swordsman in the world.As a beginner, I genuinely welcome any feedback, comments, or even low ratings. Whether you give me five stars or just one, it’ll help me improve—and I truly appreciate it.Thank you for reading.I hope you enjoy the madness.

Her ex-boyfriend was snatched by her step-sister. Not only that, she accidentally lost her virginity to him due to her step-sister’s schemes.She was nearly confined to her home until he came along. He rescued her from that nightmarish place, if that place can even be called a “home.”He, dashing and powerful, seems to have everything. Yet he suffers from an odd illness where he feels nauseated whenever a woman is within three meters of him. She, however, is an exception. From that fateful day on, their paths cross. He strives to win her heart, and she, too, starts to develop feelings for him.But as the story unfolds between the two, her ex-boyfriend’s growing mixed feelings and the appearance of his fiancée threaten to put an end to the budding love between them…

Can't a man maintain his dignity while preparing for the end of the world? Is that too much to ask?

The Tower was all I knew... all any of us knew, and just like that, it was gone. Monsters the likes of which I'd never seen ravaged the land of my ancestors. They burst through the outer walls and stormed the city. No one could have been ready for that. But now... Now I have a second chance.

After the collapse of the known world, I woke up to find myself on the First Floor of the Tower. I was young and healthy, 18 again, and sitting in the same classroom that marked the worst days of my life. Confused and excited, I accepted this gift, deciding to use my vast knowledge of the future to climb the Tower in preparation for the end of the world.

Maybe I'll help some folks along the way? Who knows. Survival comes first.

The clock is ticking, and I'm left with only a century to build a Deck powerful enough to survive the end. Things to do... What's first? I need Essence, and I need power. I'll have to climb the Tower to acquire both of these. Some of the zealots will try to stop me, need to look out for those. What if-

“Hey, kid! Hand over the pouch or-”

Stab

Sorry, where was I? Ah... there's a spot of blood on my suit. What a lousy morning.

In this world of blood and fantasy, century-old Rowan Wilder has to not only survive, but thrive as he powers his way to the top of the Tower. The Demonic Plague that has twisted the creatures on the upper Floors is the least of his worries. Cane in hand and Summons by his side, he'll have to tear his way through the monsters, as well as the humans who want to stop his ascent. Of course, he can maintain a sense of decorum while he faces these trials, right?