The Villainess turns the Hourglass - Chapter 233: There Is No Mercy, Part IV

For as long as he could remember, life had always been cruel.A young man in his early twenties—his name now lost to the past—was dealt a life filled with misfortunes.A cold, empty apartment, a soul-crushing job, and, finally, a terminal diagnosis.With nothing left to live for, his only comfort had been escaping into the fictional world of Path of the Elemental Sage, a story of heroes, magic, and survival.But fate had other plans.When death finally came for him, he didn’t fade into nothingness.Instead, he awoke in the world he had only read about—a world of chaos and danger where death lurked around every corner.The air smelled of magic, the sky was filled with possibilities.{«[Status Window]»}[Name: Lyrium Blackwood][Age: 16][Rank: D-][Skills: None][Elements: None}At first, confusion filled his mind.Who was Lyrium Blackwood?Why was he here?And why did this body feel so different?But as his memories returned, so did the realization: this wasn’t some blessing or second chance.He wasn’t reincarnated as the protagonist.No destined savior.No cheat abilities.No grand fate.He was just another mob, a face in the crowd meant to exist and die without leaving a mark.But this young man—the one who had left his old name and life behind—wasn’t the kind of person to roll over and accept his fate.“This world is dangerous. The protagonist isn’t the only one fighting for survival here,”he muttered, his red eyes deep and sharp.Unlike the naïve characters in the story, he knew the stakes.He’d read the web novel.He’d seen the carnage, the betrayals, the disasters that wiped out entire cities.And if there was one thing he refused to be, it was a pawn in someone else’s game.“I don’t care about glory. I don’t care about saving the world. All I care about is surviving—no matter what it takes.”Lyrium Blackwood wasn’t planning to live quietly or avoid danger.The only way to survive in this brutal world was to rise to the top.To be strong enough to stand above both heroes and villains.Using his knowledge of the story’s events and his iron will, Lyrium sets out on a relentless path to surpass the protagonist.Whether through clever manipulation, brutal training, or sheer desperation, he’ll climb higher and higher, leaving nothing to chance.But the deeper he gets, the more he realizes that this isn’t just the story he once read.As fate pushes him closer to the heart of the narrative, Lyrium begins to suspect that his reincarnation wasn’t an accident—and the world itself might be watching him.“I don’t care who or what stands in my way. If the story wants to kill me, I’ll rewrite the ending myself.”----------------------------------I apologize for any mistakes in this story, as it’s my first attempt at writing a novel.

World DescriptionA sprawling, untamed cosmos reshaped by the Supreme Empress, a cosmic entity poised to ascend to an unknown plane. Before leaving, she transformed her cosmos into a merciless proving ground—a Lord World where beings from countless races and factions fight for supremacy. Lords awaken on infinite continents with a single talent, tasked with forging empires from humble beginnings. The twist? The Supreme Empress and her council of 10 Major Beings (all female, just below cosmic power) observe from the shadows, seeking a successor to rule the cosmos. Magic thrums beneath the surface, invisible to the weak, while ancient factions—elves, dragons, humans, and more—wield vast advantages. Kael El, an Earth transmigrator, steps into this chaos with two unparalleled talents, his sights set on total domination.Power System OverviewThe Lord System rules all: each lord gains one talent at birth (F to SSS, S+ being unique), driving exponential growth through conquest and kingdom upgrades. Kael’s talents—SSS: 100% Drop Rate (every loot drops, from talents to bloodlines) and EX: 10,000x Drop Multiplier (boosts quality or quantity per item, including summons)—shatter the system’s limits. Stats (Strength, Speed, Aura/Magic) scale across Three Planes of Existence: Mortal Ascension (Initiate to Infinite Lord), Universal Mastery (Universe to Omniversal Architect), and Void Transcendence (Void Seeker to Nihility Incarnate). Kingdom levels cap a lord’s potential (e.g., Territory Lv. 2 limits Kael to Mighty Lord, Lv. 30), unlocking higher tiers via rank-specific conditions. Subordinates benefit from loot, fueling Kael’s rise.MC’s Starting PointKael El awakens on a modest plot, Territory Lv. 1, with a rickety hut (upgradable), basic resources, and food for 8 days—no Summoning Altar yet. A former Earth gamer, he’s chill yet relentless, radiating unwavering confidence and a cool, dominant vibe. The 7-day peace period bars attacks on rival lords, forcing him to strategize with what he’s got. His 10,000x Drop Multiplier triggers on summons once unlocked, promising an explosive start. Calm under pressure and fiercely determined, Kael aims to build the ultimate kingdom, crush all rivals, and claim the cosmos, his flirty smirk hiding a “don’t mess with me” edge.

He was the Son of Dragon!

However, he was titled as the ‘Sinned Prince’ when he killed his mother.

She was supposed to marry her childhood lover but stepped forward to marry the Sinned Prince, whom every woman from the noble families has rejected.

With one motto in her mind— ‘To end the Qiu Royal Family.’

~~~~~

Qiu Lóng Wei is the youngest prince of the Qiu Kingdom. He was prophesied as the Son of Dragon, but his acts made him the Sinned Prince.

Xu Li Hua, the daughter of a Low-rank official, was forced to leave her town when her family was massacred on one deadly night.

The gentle and petite woman, who hardly has seen the world, enters the most dangerous place where a small mistake can take her to the door of death and get entangled with Lóng Wei.

~~~~~

Li Hua fell on the mattress while Lóng Wei hovered over her.

.....

“Whose ring is this?” Lóng Wei asked, looking at the red jade ring on her finger.

His palm went on her nape, and he pulled her face up, forcing her to look at him.

Li Hua pulled her hand back, but Lóng Wei didn’t let it go. Instead, he took out the ring from her finger.

“You are my official wife now. In your life only one man shall exist, and that’s me!” Lóng Wei authorized, clenching his fist which was holding the jade ring.

“The Prince cannot force his decision on me. Even if he takes my body, he can never take my heart,” Li Hua said, with a stern tone.

Lóng Wei clicked his tongue and twisted his lips into a smirk.

“Watch your words, Li Hua. Not only your body will be mine but your heart and soul too. I go crazy for the things that are precious to me. You are my wife, so my craziness for you is beyond description.”

Finally caught up with the trend of crossing. Wait, everyone else has a golden finger when they cross, how can I become a little beggar after crossing!

Fortunately, the memory is still there, watching how I transformed from a little beggar to a top rich man!

- Description from novelbuddy