Standing Next To You - Chapter 568: Favor

Hell's Awakening: The Guardian's RiseIn the fiery depths of Hell, where infernals, demons, and ancient creatures reign, the balance is fragile. At the heart of this underworld stands Azrael, the Guardian of Hell, a powerful being tasked with keeping the infernal realms from chaos and preventing the resurrection of fallen demons. With mastery over fire magic and the strength to command Hell itself, Azrael's existence is defined by vigilance and control.But when a powerful force of rogue infernals escapes their prison, led by a ruthless and vengeful faction, Hell’s foundation begins to crack. As these infernals break free, their goal is clear—to unleash an uprising and bring back the dead. Azrael must face not only these deadly foes but also confront his own inner demons. As the situation escalates, Azrael discovers his own potential for evolution—powers he never knew he possessed that could either save Hell or destroy it entirely.Amid this turmoil, the arrival of deities, including gods of light and purity, threatens to further destabilize Hell’s delicate ecosystem. They believe Hell must be purified, even if it means eradicating the guardian himself. As battles rage, alliances shift, and Azrael’s strength grows, he must decide whether he will uphold the order or reshape Hell in his own image.In this battle of gods, demons, and guardians, Azrael’s evolution is just beginning. The question is not just whether Hell will survive—but if Azrael will become its ultimate ruler—or its ultimate downfall.

Part 1:

On April 3rd, 2019, there was a virus outbreak and the cities were besieged with zombies.

A month later, on the national road outside H City, Shen Shian carried a heavy sword and walked around the vehicles abandoned everywhere.

“Don’t make trouble,” he said while turning back. “Keep up, the sky is becoming dark.”

“Hey!” A child who looked to be only four or five years old answered. He slashed the sword in his hand and cut the head of a zombie. Then he reached in and pulled out a marble-sized transparent crystal.

After rubbing it a few times on his clothes, he carried a Tang Sword that was half the height of an adult human and ran to Shen Shian.

“An An, I’ll give it to you!”

Part 2:

Shen Shian picked up a miserable puppy with dirty and knotty fur and a terrible smell.

The first time he brought the dog into the spirit spring, the dog turned into a child.

The second time the child was brought into the spirit spring, he turned into a man.

On the edge of the misty spring, Shen Shian looked at the man swimming and asked with a frown, “Can you change back?”

“Why?”

Shen Shian pursed his lips. “…You will eat too much.”

The man wrapped himself in a bath towel and emerged from the space with the Tang sword. After a short while, he inserted the sword into the grass and handed Shen Shian a handful of sparkling crystals.

“I might eat more but I am also more capable!”

- Description from Novelupdates

Houjou Yuuji, 30 years old, jobless, hikkomori for 10 years. Using his parents’ death as the impetus, he decides to rid himself of his hikkomori life and leaves the house. What awaited him, however, was a different world that he was not used to, creatures strutting about that he didn’t recognize.

This is the story of a man transported to the another world, as he lives in relative peace with his beloved dog Kotarou – his house, with electricity, water, gas, and the internet somehow still connected.

One day while exploring the forest near his house he finds a girl named Alice, and becomes her guardian. Thus, 4 years after he is transported to this world, Yuuji resolves to venture into his first town.

I am going to die.That’s how the game goes.The less I know, the better—a hardcore otome game where the tragic villain, Johan Von Matilda, is fated to fall by his own daughter’s sword.A mere stepping stone for the protagonist to win the main heroine’s heart.And now? I’m him.“…Are you kidding me? I won’t let my daughter become a simp with no personality!”The problem is, I am just a healer with money and influence; my daughter hates me and is obsessed with him.The protagonist is obviously the one with unlimited plot armor. Blessed with Schrodinger’s Cat—an overpowered skill that makes him literally unkillable.Ding![System: Gambler’s Gambit Initiating…][All choices lead to a different ‘ending’… Choose wisely.][Earn points based on your choices. Points can be used to gamble.]“Hahaha! Be prepared to be broke, system! People don’t call me the Gacha God for nothing!”[Quest 3 Triggered: Fate had another plan][1. Actually become a traitor and betray the kingdom] (Rewards: 5,00,000 points)[2. Start twerking aggressively towards attacking Selene] (Rewards: 1 Million points)[3. Kill yourself dramatically: Yell to Leonard that “they will come after you too old friend” and bite your tongue.] (Rewards: A massive civil war will break, killing millions all over the world)[4. Beg for mercy while calling Leor your father. Kneel and ask if he’s proud.] (Rewards: Two million points and a possibility of survival.)[5. Accept your fate] (Rewards: Death)“...WTF!!”Yet a devious grin appeared on his face.This time, he will decide the ending, no matter what.“What?”“She’s still alive?”“…Wait. This isn’t how it was in the game. Why is the protagonist… changing?”[Warning: Even though at face it appears like any normal webnovel, I will warn ya there are many uncomfortable things and strong topics, grimdark stuff, and tragedy, more like Reverbed Inanity, but with dark humor, not everyone can read it with straight face, so be prepared, but I think even if you never read books like this, you will like this, cause it's done in a pretty fresh way.]