Sovereign of the Ashes - Chapter 1030: Negotiation

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!

“Sometimes it's about remembering and never forgiving.”Jane Devold, the only daughter of the CEO of one of the most successful tech companies in the country, grew up to be a seemingly happy and spoiled young woman, despite her stuttering and fragile condition.However, her rich and elegant way of living ends in a heartbeat when her father goes missing, leaving Jane alone and with an enormous debt on her hands.That's when she reunites with Vernon Lin, her strange and intimidating senior from college, who claims to be the new owner of her father's company and promises to resolve her financial issues if she agrees to marry him.His offer seems harmless, and Jane accepts his helping hand only to realize that Vernon's intentions are not so pure, and his personality is still miles away from that of a knight in shining armor.But what really does feed Vernon's unhealthy obsession with Jane? Whether it's his desire for revenge, his own twisted way of teaching the spoiled young woman how the real life works, or unresolved complicated feelings, he still succeeds in turning Jane's life into a living hell.Until he realizes that without her, his own life is hell, too.

Rumor had it that Qiao Xi had a weak constitution—a sickly beauty. Rumor had it that she spent a fortune every day on medications—eating them like candy. Rumor had it that ten servants waited on her by her bed every day—a burden to everyone. They were all waiting for the Qiao family to toss Qiao Xi back to the countryside and leave her to fend for herself.Qiao Xi: "They're all saying that I'm weak and can't take care of myself. Apparently, I spend money recklessly as well.”She looked down at her tattered shirt and was exasperated.Qiao Xi: “Are you saying that this wealthy family lets their daughter wear tattered clothes every day?”The Qiao family's rich daughter? She had enough! She would not be it anymore! Therefore…Scumbag guy: "Without the Qiao family, you're nothing."Qiao Xi: "If I'm kicked out of the Qiao family, I'll be done for."Scumbag girl: "Sis, don't be too disappointed. As long as you work hard, you'll be praised one day.”Qiao Xi: "Shut up, I don't know a traitor like you."The scumbag guy and girl: "???"Rumor had it that the Gu family's youngest son, Gu Zheng, rashly married a woman who had nothing but looks.Qiao Xi: "Is someone looking down on me?"One day, Qiao Xi saw one of Gu Zheng's employees racking his brains over a series of numbers on the computer screen. Since she was free, she lent a hand.Did she just crack the firewall created by the joint efforts of top elite hackers?!Gu Zheng inched closer with every step. "Qiao Xi, what else are you hiding from me? Hmm?"Qiao Xi: "Oh, no! I feel dizzy again! I'm so weak. This body of mine is just too weak!"

Shu Wan, the most outstanding daughter of a high-status family from a feudal dynasty, travels a thousand years into the future, becoming the new lady of the Fu family in the capital.------Her husband in name has gone overseas to explore markets, leaving behind a rebellious son whose name resounds throughout the capital.------Upon first meeting, the rebellious son speeds past on a motorcycle with his silver-white hair flying, “Isn't that my stepmother who's 6 years older than me? Skinny arms and legs, but with grand ambitions.”Before he finishes, Shu Wan leaps up and plucks him off the motorcycle with one hand, “Watch your mouth.”------Fu Yang is consistently at the bottom of his grade, especially with his Chinese language scores never passing 50.Shocked by his atrociously written exam papers, Shu Wan asks, “Are you even Chinese?”Fu Yang is defiant, “Aren't you a dimwitted academic failure yourself, what right do you have to criticize me?”Yet the next second, as Shu Wan smoothly writes down 'Ancient Prose Paragon' with a brush, it's Fu Yang's turn to be astonished.Isn't she a walking dictionary?------Fu Siyu returns from his overseas expansion earlier than expected, thinking he would come home to chaos.However, upon entering the door, he sees the usually defiant Fu Yang sitting obediently practicing his calligraphy with a perfect score exam paper beside him.And his reputedly timid wife, in a sleek black high-slit dress, confidently struts to the music, drawing the attention of everyone.But none of that is the focal point. The focus is on Fu Siyu's gaze, sharp as a knife, directed toward the dance partner's hand resting on Shu Wan's lower back, “Let go.”Note: The son is not the biological child of the male lead.