Tunnel Rat - Chapter 81: Story time

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

In order to marry a good husband, Liu Yuru had been a model lady for 15 years; but on the eve of her engagement, she was forced to marry Gu Jiusi, a well-known playboy from Yangzhou.

To marry such a person was to ruin one’s life.

Especially because after marriage, she learned that this person was also forced to marry her.

Liu Yuru was heartbroken, and after locking herself in the room for three days, she came to a realization.

Marrying such a dandy, why should she remain a perfect young lady?

So on the third day of marriage, the famously gentle lady shook her hands, carried a knife, and used all her courage to go to the brothel.

To the drunken Gu Jiusi, she said –

Get up!

After that, Gu Jiusi’s life was full of ups and downs.

Whether he was a miserable dandy or a great official, this woman stood beside him.

She supported him with her weak and delicate body, and told him, “get up.”

So even if he was cut to pieces, he would struggle from the mud, grit his teeth, carry her on his back, and walk through this life.

For the first 15 years of Liu Yuru’s life, she thought she was living only to find a good man.

It wasn’t until she met Gu Jiusi that she understood that a good man would help you realize that you live only for yourself.

— May this body of flesh and blood shield her from the wind and rain, protect her dress from dust, and protect her temples from frost.

- Description from Novelupdates

*WSA Entry****Alex, born into the illustrious and undeniably gifted Blackwood family, was a stark anomaly. While his siblings excelled in everything from music to sports, h e was a blank canvas, utterly talentless. This ostracized him, making him a target for his family's disdain and bullying from his classmates. Finding solace only in the world of anime, Alex retreated into his room, spending days in a state of squalor, fueled by ramen and the fantasy worlds on his screen.One day, while attempting to microwave a plastic container filled with ramen (because even basic kitchen skills were beyond him), the microwave exploded, turning Alex's room into a scene of hilarious destruction. Instead of dying tragically, he finds himself resurrected…in the anime he loved the most, “Swords and Sorcery,” a fantastical world brimming with magic and adventure.As Alex, now a fresh-faced young adventurer in this new world, he discovers he can wield the powers of any character from any anime he's ever watched. Suddenly, his days of being mocked for his lack of talent are a distant memory. He can summon the mystical powers of a powerful wizard, the strength of a legendary warrior, or the agility of a skilled ninja. He even discovers he can tap into the magical abilities of characters from lesser-known anime, like a charming witch from a forgotten shoujo series or a cunning strategist from a tactical mecha anime.Armed with his vast anime knowledge and newfound abilities, Kai embarks on a life of self-discovery and adventure. He'll navigate the complexities of this magical world, forge alliances with unlikely heroes, and face off against powerful foes, all while striving to prove his worth and overcome the trauma of his past. But as he dives deeper into this fantastical world, he'll face a new challenge: can he learn to be happy and find his place in this world, free from the shadow of his former life?***“HAHAHAHAHA! All those useless Isekai animes animes I watched was not for waste after all...Stupid old man! Why don't you laugh at this?”

Eighteen. The age of Awakening. An important moment where every human in the desolate maga-cities unlocks their Talent, a unique ability to carve a path in this monster-plagued apocalyptic world. Alister Hazenworth, a graduating student, and a rising star at the prestigious Aegis Academy, was destined for greatness. His exceptional athleticism and magical aptitude promise a powerful Talent – a guarantee for a secure life and social status.But fate had different plans. During Alister's Awakening ceremony, it's revealed that he's a Summoner. Instead of admiration, he faces mockery. His once bright future turns bleak as his “friends” desert him for Talents they see as more “useful.”left alone, Alister awakens a system.[Host found, system binding...][System binded successfully.][Congrats, you have gain the status of 'player'.][Ding!! Congrats to the player for awakening The Dragonforge - an overlord system.][Ding!! it has been detected that the player possesses a latent draconic aspect, and as such will only be able to summon dragons!!][Will the player like to proceed with their first summoning?]Cast aside and underestimated, Alister becomes a force to be reckoned with. He embarks on a journey, building his own dragon army – a crew of majestic wyverns, fearsome drakes, and ancient wyrms. He raids the wastelands, reclaims lost resources, and dismantles the prejudice against summoners. Every day, his power grows, his bond with his dragons deepens, and his legend spreads like wildfire.