Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria - Volume 2 Chapter 1

In the year 2022, gamers rejoice as Sword Art Online-a VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) like no other-opens its virtual doors, allowing players to take full advantage of the ultimate in gaming technology: NerveGear, a system that allows users to completely immerse themselves in the game world by manipulating their brain waves to create a wholly realistic gaming experience.

But when the game goes live, the elation of the players quickly turns to horror as they discover that, for all its amazing features, SAO is missing one of the most basic functions of any MMORPG-a log-out button.

Now trapped in the virtual world of Aincrad, their bodies held captive by NerveGear in the real world, users are issued a chilling ultimatum: conquer all one hundred floors of Aincrad to regain your freedom. But in the warped world of SAO, “game over” means certain death-both virtual and real…

Wang Ran transmigrated a year into the past when zombies had first appeared in the world.

He initially wanted to use his knowledge of future events to gather resources and then find a reliable Awakened camp to spend his days.

However, to his surprise, he seemed to have also become an Awakened after he transmigrated.

Yet, he felt that his Awakened ability was somewhat…unique. Others gained greater speed and strength, but he seemed to have gained the ability where his blood could cure zombies.

Wang Ran, who was rejected by the survivor camp, could only build his own camp.

However, why was it that he was surrounded by mutant female zombies?

Wang Ran wailed, “Sister, I know you’re very beautiful, but I cannot take in any more recruits. I am about to be sucked dry.”

Xie Chaochao was originally the daughter of a wealthy family who was supposed to grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth.

Yet, her good fortune ended when she met her evil stepmother. When she was less than a year old, she was thrown into a ravine by her vicious stepmother and left to fend for herself!

However, a newly released murderer picked her up and brought her home. From then on, the two of them depended on each other for survival. Xie Chaochao grew up among the animals.

Tigers and snakes were all her friends.

In the eyes of outsiders, Xie Chaochao and her adoptive father, Xie Zhou, were a pair of weirdos. Everyone in the village avoided them.

Xie Chaochao, who did not know her background, grew up without any worries.

When she was five years old, she met a rich and knowledgeable old man and learned a lot from him. Even her adoptive father who was once a murderer became a business magnate. Xie Chaochao had become a true rich daughter, but it was at this time that Xie Chaochao’s family came knocking on her door.

When Xie Chaochao learned of the truth behind her mother’s death, she decided to return home and avenge her mother.

Afraid that the cat would be out of the bag, her evil stepmother tried to kill Xie Chaochao several times. However, Xie Chaochao was no longer the baby at her stepmother’s mercy like she once was.

She had Xie Zhou, her adoptive father who doted on her, and her military advisor grandfather with her this time! There was even a mysterious man who always helped her when she was in trouble…

Persona:

Xie Chaochao: Optimistic, kind, and smart

Gu Pei: A mysterious man who was mesmerized by Xie Chaochao’s ray of innocence

“Ugh…enough with the threats, sourpuss.” I huffed. He wasn’t the only one that was good at giving people funny nicknames. “And in case you don’t know…having to be in a fake relationship with you is already making life a living hell for me.” I dropped my voice to a small whisper just in case anyone was eavesdropping.We were in an open place after all.“Speaking of our relationship, I’m not sure if you know who Naomi is but she’s already suspecting that something’s off so you better do something about it. If you would have listened to me when I told you how ridiculous this idea was then maybe we wouldn’t have to be dealing with all of this.” My eyes drooped.“What are you talking about?” His brows dipped as he took a step back.Oh wow, he couldn’t even understand a few words. Who would’ve thought that he’d be so dumb?“Naomi thinks it’s unusual for us to be in a relationship.” I drawled with air quotes. “You better do something about it if you don’t want people to doubt you.” I said sizing him up and I was just leaving when I had barely even taken a few steps and something yanked me back.My back hit the wall, and before I could even process what just happened, a warm hand landed on my waist, fingers pressing just enough to make my breath hitch. My eyes snapped up…only to find Liam’s face hovering way too close to mine, his blue eyes sharp and calculating.“What…” My voice came out weak. Embarrassingly weak.“Where do you think you’re going, four eyes?” His voice was low, his breath tickling my cheek.My stomach flipped and I swallowed hard. “Liam, what the hell are you doing?”He didn’t answer.Instead, he leaned in…his lips nearly grazing my ear.Panic surged through me. He was too close. Way too close.“Didn’t you just say I should do something about this girl’s suspicions?” he murmured, his voice dropping into something almost dangerous.I blinked, confused. “What?”He ignored me completely, his fingers tightening slightly against my waist. “And what better way is there to clear someone’s doubt than not giving them room for it?”My heart stuttered and I suddenly became hyper aware of the way we looked…his body caging me in, my hands pressed flat against the wall, his head dipped low, his mouth close enough that if I moved even an inch…Oh, crap.~~~~~~Eleanor is a 23-year old woman who was involved in a car accident on her way to her interview. Unfortunately she doesn't make it and assumes she's going to find herself in the afterlife but instead finds herself in the body of a college student named Theodora. And this college student happens to be a side character in one of the books she read in her past life.Having found herself in this body, she decides to find out why she's there and try to return to her old world. On her quest for answers she realizes she has to play her part as Theodora in this world which however lands her in a lot of problems.