Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria - Volume 7 Chapter 1

[The 3000th issue of mysterious arrival is about to open! 】

【This is your only chance to redeem yourself! 】

In the global crisis, Wang Teng opens up his unique talent!

SSS-level talent – unequal exchange!

We are not zero yuan purchase!

But we are not equal exchange!

【The exchange is successful! You exchange half a box of instant noodles for endless extraction of SSS-level talents! 】

【The exchange is successful! You exchange a bottle of Sad Crisp Breeze for Douzhuanxingxiao! 】

…

Since then, Wang Teng has opened a new mode of exchange.

- Description from novelbuddy

# rapiddevelopment

Li Hao mumbled, “Huh? Someone escaped from prison? Hmm? Why is there an exclamation mark on the bounty notice?”

[Pay 200 yuan and you will receive information about the prison breaker’s location. What are you waiting for?]

Li Hao wondered, “There is an exclamation mark on this scratchcard too?”

[Scratch this card and you will receive a grand prize. Don’t miss it!]

Li Hao exclaimed, “A question mark above this box of pills?”

[This is a box of life-saving pills. It can save the life of an old man. Accept the mission and head to the location and you will receive an unexpected surprise!]

She was stupidly in love with him. Because of him, she became rude and unreasonable, overbearing, jealous, insane. But he did not spare a glance to her. Married for two years, he didn’t favor her once, letting her become the laughing stock of the whole world. Eventually, she ended up in an affair, leading to her tragic death.

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.