Show Me the Money - Chapter 20 – Willowinthewinds

“In a realm where cultivators command the elements, bending mountains and traversing celestial rivers, their power is unmatched. Among these mighty beings, the body refiners are renowned, their mere presence capable of rending the heavens and reshaping landscapes. Their skill in crafting transformative elixirs commands respect and admiration. A legend in the Upper Realm, known for an ascension gone awry, suffered the loss of his physical form. Yet, in a stroke of fortune, he discovers a way to regain his corporeal existence. Embarking on a rejuvenated journey in this mystical land! Resolved to surpass his past achievements, he vows to ascend beyond the ranks of experts, charting a path filled with power and ancient mysteries.”

Ethan's head throbbed violently as he opened his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused. A dull ringing filled his ears, drowning out his thoughts.“What’s happening…?” he thought, his mind sluggish, struggling to catch up with reality. One moment, he was asleep—or at least, he thought he was—and the next, searing pain forced him awake.His vision swam, shapes blurring together in a disorienting mess. But then, muffled noises filtered through the haze—frantic, panicked sounds. Someone was trying to scream, their voice smothered, choked by something.A cold shiver ran down his spine.As his sight gradually sharpened, Ethan's breath hitched.He was on all fours, looming over someone. A girl.Her body twisted and writhed beneath him, ropes biting into her wrists and ankles. Her mouth was gagged, muffling her cries. Her wide brown eyes, brimming with fear and fury, glared up at him.Ethan's body locked in place, his blood running cold.“What the…?” His mind reeled, thoughts slamming into each other in chaotic disarray. “What kind of bizarre dream is this?”Panic clawed at his chest. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps as he scrambled backward, only to realize his limbs felt sluggish, uncooperative, like they didn’t belong to him.“Is this… is this some kind of twisted fantasy I never knew I had?” A sickening thought slithered through his mind, making his stomach churn.The girl's frantic squirming slowed for a moment, her gaze flickering with confusion as she took in his expression—his trembling hands, his wide, horrified eyes. But the fear returned just as quickly. She struggled harder, her body arching, her muffled screams rising in pitch.Ethan wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but before he could force out a word, a glowing blue window materialized before his eyes.His breath caught.A translucent, hovering screen?“What…?”Lines of glowing text scrolled across its surface.---[System Activated…][Host Confirmed.][Simulating Previous Data…]Ethan awakens in a mysterious world, shackled by a curse that clouds his judgment and drives him toward choices he never wished to make. Burdened by guilt and responsibility, he must navigate the fallout of his actions while unraveling the truth behind the curse—and his place in this enigmatic new reality.

Vincent Strider was a gun for hire who made a living by killing whoever it was his clients wanted dead. But during one mission, he died in a fierce gunfight. However, death was not the end for him. Vincent found himself reincarnated in another world, facing a floating interface that flickered before his eyes.[Synchronizing Host!][Military System initializing.]Vincent found out that in this system he received, he can summon soldiers, tanks, aircrafts, and even warships! This is going to be exhilarating.

One day, unfortunate news flew all the way to the Mage’s City. The mage, Solar Xing Ayra’s, entire family had been killed in an accident. Thus, he must now become the next Lord of the Solar family. The childhood home he returned to felt unfamiliar and strange. He barely managed to conduct a funeral with advisors that regarded him with suspicion. After fainting from various stressors, he woke up and… “Hello, Master. Nice to meet you!” ^o^ From now on, I’ll be the cute GM spirit fulfilling Master’s dreams: ‘Adventuring the world!’, ‘Fun estate management!’ I’m so happy to be with Master from now on, yay! “Enter a name ______” … What is this pebble-like spirit that calls me ‘Master’? No matter how you look at it–these level-up quests and these system windows…they were similar to a game’s user interface from his previous life. What is this… thing that seems more suited to modern civilization? Reminiscing on the games he had longed to play, Ayra worked hard on the quests. And, slowly, he also began exploring the territory. However, the territory… [D-234 days until the fall of the Solar estate.] “There are 234 days left till ruin…?” Alright, let’s start with the coronation ceremony. Things will work out somehow.