So I'm a Snake, Who Cares? - Chapter 359: Growth by Absorption (2)

[This story takes place in a parallel world, so please don’t compare it to the real world—it’s not meant to match reality].[Note: I'm writing this after Chapter 248, so you don't need to worry about comments related to the original novel]Haruki Yuuki—a hardcore otaku, a shut-in to his classmates, but to his fans? A mysterious man and brilliant mangaka with a cult following.One fateful night, Haruki stumbles upon a strange system that grants him access to legendary manga from a parallel version of Earth—stories never seen before in his world. With this power, he begins his unexpected journey as a rising manga creator in Japan's competitive industry.As his works soar to stardom, so does the pressure—and the fanbase that won’t let him rest.Fan A: “Sensei! Please just finish Hunter x hunter before starting a new series! It's been three years already. My son is in high school now—will he see the final chapter before graduation?!”Fan B: “Damn it, Haruki! If you kill off Furukawa again, I’m sending you a replica katana in the mail!”[Note: This is my first time translating a novel, so the earlier chapters may contain some inconsistencies. I've identified and corrected most of these issues. Since I changed the setting, there may be minor inconsistencies in the earlier chapters, but after Chapter 150, I believe most of the problems have been resolved.]

Octavius, misled by friends, embarks on a quest to clear his father's name, ultimately facing a tragic end with his sister.Their journey results in devastating loss, leaving him powerless and yearning for revenge against those who harmed his family. Spirits offer him a chance to reincarnate, but he refuses, saying;“What’s the point of a new life if I keep running from my problems”The entities are taken aback by his unwavering decision, having never encountered a spirit who refuses to escape their troubled past. They warn him about the evil being that now resides in his old body, but that only motivates him. He believed In the saying - to defeat a monster, you have to be twice as monstrous.Embracing his fate as The Phantom's Gambit, they traverse the shadowy path of retribution, their identities blur, secrets unravel, and the line between savior and monster fades.This is a tale of darkness and redemption, where justice is a blade, and revenge is the only way forward.

In the City of Crime, one law stands above them all: Only the strongest can live.

“Block him.”“He's technically still my boss.”“Then block him with dignity.”The call ended again.And then started again.I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt.“Yes, Mr. Walton?”“Have you changed your mind yet?”I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough.“Do you ever take a break?” I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand.“You're avoiding the question.”“Because it's a dumb question.”He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. “It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer.”“It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to.”There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker.“You are acting unreasonably.”“ Unreasonable?” I sat up. “I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday.”“Isabella-”“Certainly not, Mr. Walton.” I mimicked his tone perfectly. “I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with.”SYNOPSISIsabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story.But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger.Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not.Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position.Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival.So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend.No feelings attached. No drama. Just business.Or so she thought.“Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes,” he said, passing by without a glance.The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud.I opened it. The contract. All of it.---Enemies to lovers? Check.Slow burn? Hmmnyea.Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes.Delicious workplace tension? Of course.Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely.Smut?? Wanna find out?Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.