The Runic Alchemist - Chapter 682: Only the Worthy Raise Their Voice

Cha Myung-jun, a sergeant who neared the end of his military service, found himself confined in the Ministry of National Defense’s bas**ent for over three decades due to his newly awakened abilities, just before the outbreak of war. Spending thirty years as the world’s most formidable blacksmith, wielding nothing but hammers, he skillfully outwits the watchful eyes of the Ministry of Defense to serve the war effort and reset the course of time. Now given a second chance at life, can he lead a successful campaign to avert humanity’s downfall and secure its salvation?

In a world of countless enemies, the right talent is all it takes to thrive. Freddy Stern, a twenty-one-year-old cashier, has lived a plain, albeit harsh life. Having been orphaned—twice—he’s spent the last ten years working and staying out of trouble. His only aspiration is to save enough money to become an archhuman. His dream gets the jump on him when he barely survives a near-death encounter and finds himself with 1% Lifesteal, a bizarre talent with numerous contradictions and just as many uses. With every dead enemy, he becomes a bit stronger, a little wiser, and a lot more ruthless. And no matter how much damage he takes, he can always put himself back together. Physically, at least. But on his path to power, after having to look at the rotting guts of archhuman society again and again, can his talent keep his mind and soul as pristine as his body? Or will that part of him simply remain broken?

The world is made up of the five elements, and it could be divided into Yin and Yang.

Beneath the heavens, on the ancient divine center continent, billions of lives thrive in the prosperous era of the cultivation.

Across its vast lands, happiness, sadness, reunion, and separation played out in the long lives of those seeking immortalhood.

Light is always accompanied by darkness, and under the radiance of the heavens, there are silent shadows moving about…

- Description from Novelupdates

Cho Kang-hyuk, the owner of a large fitness center, woke up to find himself a young disciple at Shaolin Temple.