The Stonehearted Knight - Chapter 1: Crystal of Hope

Betrayed. Ridiculed. Killed.That was my past life.I trusted the wrong people, and they buried me for it. But fate wasn’t done with me yet. When I opened my eyes again, it wasn’t in my old body—it was in a world overrun by the undead. And this time, I was one of them.A fucking zombie!But I’m not like the others. I think. I feel. I remember.What’s this voice in my head?[Welcome to the Silent Requiem System!]The system feeds me power, unlocking missions and skill buried within this body. I have one goal: rise in rank, take control, and make sure no one ever tramples me again.The humans I move with have no idea what I really am. To them, I’m just another survivor, clawing my way to the top. But in battle, I use my abilities in secret—manipulating the undead, eliminating threats, and turning every fight in my favor.But rumors are spreading. There’s talk of an undead hiding among them, unseen and unstoppable. If they find out the truth, they’ll hunt me down like a monster.And my past? It’s here too. The people who betrayed me in my last life are standing right beside me, unaware of who I am. But I remember them. They turned on me once—I won’t give them the chance to do it again.Then there’s him. The commander of the city, sharp-eyed and ruthless. He’s watching me too closely, asking too many questions. If he figures out the truth, I’ll have to make a choice: eliminate him, outplay him… or pull him into my trap before he can destroy me.Because in this world, power is the only thing that matters. And this time, I refuse to be at the bottom.***“How did you survive when everyone else died?”I guess death just didn’t want me.“Why do the zombies ignore you?”Maybe I just have a face they don’t like.“You were just a nobody yesterday—how are you suddenly so strong?”Hard work, luck… and a little bit of hex.“Why do I feel like I've seen you somewhere before?”Déjà vu’s a funny thing, isn’t it?“What are you?”Wouldn’t you like to know?

Alpha Kane is notorious in the werewolf world—a ruthless leader whose enemies tremble at his approach. Known as the “Ladykiller,” he has left a trail of satisfied women, all yearning for a taste of his intense passion. With a reputation for electrifying encounters, he reigns supreme in the realm of desire, leaving a legacy of pleasure in his wake.At 28, Kane has resigned himself to a life of dominance and pleasure, convinced he will never find his mate. That is until fate introduces him to Elena, a captivating and naive young woman whose purity stands in stark contrast to his dark desires. When their paths cross, he is struck by the intensity of their connection but is equally horrified by the idea of tainting her innocence with his brutal needs.Kane grapples with a tumultuous dilemma: Should he protect her from the dark passions that define him, or will she ignite a fire within him that challenges his very identity? As he struggles to reconcile his predatory instincts with the tender bond forming between them, the stakes rise. Can he tame his ruthless nature to embrace the love he never expected? Or will his fears drive them apart, leaving them both unfulfilled?As desire collides with innocence, Elena must decide: will she surrender to the alpha’s intoxicating allure and explore the depths of her own passions, or will she find the strength to confront his demons and demand the love she deserves?In this gripping tale of power, submission, and redemption, witness a love story where dark desires collide with the purity of the heart, challenging the boundaries of pleasure and passion. Will Kane become the prince charming he never thought he could be, or will he forever remain a prisoner of his own dark legacy?

He Bai won the lottery, became rich, and reached the pinnacle of life. Then, he inadvertently took a picture of the Film Emperor Di Qiuhe being killed. And after reporting this case to the police, he was reborn in a midst of confusion.

He Bai: I don’t have any horrible relatives to abuse. Why was I reborn?

Di Qiuhe: But I do.

He Bai: I also haven’t been betrayed or harmed by anyone. Why was I reborn?

Di Qiuhe: But I have.

He Bai: I just want to have some money to live freely and eat well. I already achieved that goal, so why was I reborn?

Di Qiuhe: I have money, but don’t live freely or well.

He Bai angrily flips the table: So what’s the use of my rebirth! Just to make me suffer again?!

Di Qiuhe (Holding and Touching He Bai): Be my lover, you’re only responsible for eating “lollipops,” you won’t eat any bitterness.

He Bai: Leave!

Thousands of years ago, the First Expungement came. The world changed, and humanity was nearly wiped out. Thankfully, with the paracausal power of Angelicas, humans was able to push back the Ghost tide and rebuild their civilization.

Now, however, it was time for the Second.

Finn Thresher was just a normal university student at first. He, like the rest of the public world, had no idea what was coming for them — but sometimes, just because you don’t know, doesn’t mean you can’t be harmed.

His family… his sight… his purpose. All lost to the paranormal.

It was time to abandon his beliefs. To throw away his morals.

After all… if these creatures weren’t human anyway, there was no point in showing them humanity.

In the first battle of this war, the Ghosts won, nearly driving the human race to extinction. In the second, the humans fought back with the power of Angelicas and managed to secure a victory.

Now, the third and final round was approaching — and this time, it’s personal.