To Be a Power in the Shadows! - Chapter 1

“She was a demon to begin with, how could she possibly be corrupted by encountering me, a human? Critics always talk about ludicrous things.”In 1798, during an interview with the press, Cardinal Bishop Lanci was asked about his past with the exiled last princess of the Demon Race, as well as recent signs of the resurrection of the demons. He stated:“I have made too many efforts to defend world peace, I am quite sure, there is absolutely no possibility for the Demon Race to revive under her leadership.”......In the winter of 1802, the revival of the Demon Race succeeded.[Based on the above information, please indicate who is the main culprit leading to the revival of the Demon Race, and explain why it is Lanci. (10 points)]—— excerpt from “Classic Examination Questions in Empire History.”

Kyros Steele was the strongest warrior in the Omega Kingdom. But when the Great War of All began, this kingdom fell. Kyros was captured.

Destined to become a slave through necromancy, Kyros could only curse at his led bitter life.

But on his final moments, he meets an eccentric Old Man who claimed to be the God of Time.

Much like Kyros, this Old Man was fated for suffering and defeat. Because the God of Time could not be killed, the Great Gods conspired to curse him and make him human first. And so the God of Time escaped but was now human. Even if he used his powerful magic to send his consciousness back in time, he would still be defeated, for his soul was no longer a god but a man.

Helpless as his time-traveling rebirth would easily fail, the God of Time offers and asks for Kyros's help. He would send Kyros back along with his own consciousness back in time. This would hide the God of Time from his enemies and give Kyros the chance to fulfill his revenge.

Just when the two were about to time travel, a shocking mystery caused the God of Time to marvel in awe. Kyros was not a human but had the bloodline of the most accursed and dangerous race of all.

Kyros is the legendary Nephilim.

And so begins the Ascension of the Nephilim.

Jiang Zhen crossed into ancient times and became the old bachelor eldest Jiang who was neglected by the whole family in the village of Jiang Xihu in Hexi Village.

He was born into a good family and Jiang Laoda is busy in the year but can’t eat a full meal. Two younger brothers can marry a wife, but he is starved to death… Jiang Zhen feels unbearable.

Don’t want to feed me? OK, I kill the chicken myself.

Don’t you give me a glimpse of food? It doesn’t matter, the door of the granary will be opened as soon as it goes down.

Want to tell me that I am not filial? Ok, I immediately took the knife into the county to slash people, and let the county grandfather grab all of us.

Jiang Zhen took the attire of the family’s best products and became a tyrant in the village. He also saw the “ugly” ger who could not get married in the village.

Future father-in-law: “Jiang Zhen is always wandering around our house. Isn’t it necessary to grab our house?”

The future mother-in-law: “What to do, Jin Geer must not beat him!”

Zhao Jinge’s face is hot… Dad, the wild rabbit that I got back today is what he gave…

- Description from Novelupdates

Elias “Grim” Kingsley, a nine-year-old orphan with a hardened heart and sharp tongue, dies alone from pneumonia in an overcrowded orphanage. Known for his perpetual scowl and biting remarks, he's labeled a “problem child” by caretakers and “damaged goods” by potential adopters. Years of rejection have built thick armor around his young heart.In death, he encounters the God of Balance who offers him a second chance at life in a different world—this time as Grim Van Ambrose, son of a noble house. Balance explains that every soul deserves to know love and connection, something Elias was cruelly denied in his first life.Promised the family and belonging he never experienced, Grim begins his new life only to suffer an immediate tragedy: his mother dies moments after his birth. This cruel twist of fate reinforces his belief that loss is inevitable, leaving him with a distant father and the mysterious voice of a “Guidance Assistant” in his head.As Grim grows into his new identity, he struggles with his dual nature—the emotional scars of his past life bleeding into his present one. His difficult personality and sharp tongue remain, now paired with noble privilege and expectations. Despite his outward brashness, he carries the deep wounds of his first life and the fresh loss that welcomed him into his second.What begins as one orphan's second chance evolves into an epic journey through a world of ancient beasts, elemental magic, and deadly political intrigue. As Grim uncovers the truth about the Ambrose Clan's fall from grace and the conspiracy that framed them for treason, he faces increasingly dangerous adversaries—both human and monstrous. His quest for revenge against those who destroyed his family's legacy will challenge him to master forbidden techniques, forge unexpected alliances, and ultimately decide whether to rebuild the Ambrose Clan as it was, or transform it into something entirely new.In a realm where power determines survival and ancient secrets lurk beneath noble facades, Grim must learn that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with swords, but with the choices that define who we truly are.