Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance - Volume 4, Chapter 9 - Brand of Darkness

The world had changed when the System arrived, alongside the Cataclysm that filled the world with monsters. The technology was gone, replaced by classes and skills that allowed the people to fight back. When Devon ended up as a Blacksmith, a class that didn’t grant Intelligence, he had to face the reality, that his old career that he loved - mathematical sociologist - was over. Instead, he had ended up as yet another discarded member of the production class, overshadowed by the existence of the System Shops to the point of total marginalization. But, what if all he needed was to reapply his scientific thinking to the System...

Yan Xi, a medical prodigy who obtained a doctorate at the age of 22, never expected to end up transmigrating into a novel. Her husband was the female lead’s fourth brother, Gu Shen. He was a bigshot in the business world who had suffered from disability from a young age and could only move in a wheelchair.

However, he was a handsome man full of schemes. Yan Xi became the cannon fodder wife of a bigshot in the business world.

Her first love, Zhang Ming, had stabbed her husband’s subordinate with a knife.

To force Gu Shen to release Zhang Ming, she had unhesitatingly to stab herself to threaten Gu Shen.

Eventually, Gu Shen released the man and gave her a large sum of money.

She took this money and eloped with Zhang Ming.

After that, Zhang Ming planned for a car accident that ended her life as they hit the road, which allowed Zhang Ming to conveniently take her money and run far away.

When she transmigrated over, Yan Xi found out that she had just stabbed herself with a knife and was in the critical stage of deciding her future fate! Therefore, when Gu Shen threw her the divorce agreement, Yan Xi decisively refused.

“Hubby, I won’t divorce you.” Gu Shen was surprised by her change.

“Have you thought it through? I’ve left you some real estate and cash. It’s enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life.” Yan Xi revealed a confident smile.

“I’ve thought it through. Zhang Ming stabbed your men with a knife. You should hand this matter over to the law. I won’t interfere anymore.” The surprise that Yan Xi’s change brought to Gu Shen did not end there.

After that, she tore off the mask of her hypocritical best friend and calmly dealt with her scheming family members.

She personally treated Gu Shen’s chronic illness for many years. Bit by bit, she managed to shock everyone around her who was once prejudiced against her.

{System Online} {System Activating} {System Activation Complete.} {User Detected: Jake Lucas.} * {Main Quest: Grow strong enough to defeat your foes.} *{Warning: Darkness Approaches. No One Is Safe.}* 200 years ago, humanity almost faced extinction at the hands of the werewolves. The world survived, but the cost was unimaginable. Victory was hard-earned—and the price paid is still unknown. After seeing the war wasn’t heading anywhere, the werewolves receded to grow their strength while letting the humans recover. Now, sixteen-year-old Jake Lucas is thrust into a battle he never wanted. Weak, outcast, and haunted by his parents’ brutal deaths, Jake is just trying to survive at Aurora Academy. But when a strange orb activates the Slayer System, everything changes. Quests, skills, and powers that could make him stronger than he ever dreamed. But power comes with a price. With each new level, Jake uncovers dark secrets—about the werewolves, the academy, and the shadows lurking beneath them all. The world is more dangerous than he imagined, and a hidden force is stirring, ready to rise once again. Jake’s only hope lies in mastering the Slayer System—but as the stakes grow higher, he’ll learn the real question isn’t how strong he can become, but *how far he’s willing to go* to stop an ancient evil from being unleashed. **But the system has a final warning: Jake isn’t the only one unlocking power. And the clock is ticking.**

Zephany Draven is a shy, clumsy celebrity journalist who is constantly ridiculed for not getting the big scoops. She is soft-spoken and easily intimidated, so she looks weak. However, behind closed doors, she's Eclipse, an altogether tougher, loud-mouthed agent and quite ruthless and efficient.Kendrick Montclair is a gentle, positive artist who loves his family and remains optimistic despite his struggles. His gentle nature makes him easy to take advantage of. But secretly, he's Obscura, a cold, ruthless agent who is efficient and silent.Both work as partners in a secret organization that preserves hidden truths erased by governments, yet they remain completely unaware of each other's true identities.Their goal is to reach the highest level of clearance to access classified information. But just when they're on the verge of success, they fail.Then, a mysterious man appears with an offer—a contract marriage in exchange for the information they desperately seek. Trapped with no alternative, they sign the deal.But neither expected what would happen next.-------------Kendrick and Zephany sat by the glass wall, waiting for their food when a car suddenly crashed through. Kendrick pulled Zephany to safety just in time, but both got small cuts from the broken glass.“Are you okay?” they asked, checking each other.To their astonishment, the cuts healed before their eyes.Their minds raced. “Beside me, the only person I know who has that ability is.”“No! She can't be that loud, short-tempered woman!”“No! He can't be that silent, obnoxious man!”“Did I marry my secret partner in crime?” They both shuddered at the thought.