Worm (Parahumans #1) - Chapter 268: Arc 26: Sting - Interlude

An AI calling itself Schema has assimilated earth into its system. As a consequence, everyone gained access to status screens, power-ups, and skills. This AI turned these concepts from fiction to fact. It's easy to become intoxicated with leveling up and becoming stronger. To some, it's too good to be true like living out a dream.

For Daniel, however, it's closer to a nightmare.

He's in a bit of a predicament. Cracks in our dimensional fabric have unleashed terrifying beasts from dark, abyssal places. Schema organizes these cracks into dungeons, giving the native species of the planet a chance to fight back. Daniel finds himself trapped in one of these dungeons. Not long after, he discovers there's only one way out.

I have given up power that can make the strongest of men tremble. I bore scars very few can imagine; loved women, very few had the gall to talk; and tread paths with chaosfiends.

“And I'm still standing.”

- - -

Gale was summoned into a mysterious world of magic and monsters for no particular reason. Thrown into squabbles of beings vastly higher than him, Gale strived to make a place for himself in the vain dream of immortality and a better world.

That was six years ago.

Beaten and battered from years of brutal war, Gale finally had enough and resolved to start over a new peaceful life in a totally unremarkable town with his trustworthy companion, Vale. Give up the weapon of slaughter and take up a hoe? That seemed like a fine deal to him.

Unfortunately, the valley wasn't as unremarkable as he thought it to be. Dictatorial governing bodies, suspicious practitioners, an exceedingly unwelcoming guest, and a secret that would change the entire world, all impeded his peaceful life. Gale will need all his mental stability to keep his temper in check, lest he brutalises his way out of trouble. Again.

【1V1 Male Lead Is Aloof, Female Lead Is Soft and Adorable, Also Sly】Leo Grant of the Grant Family picked up a soft and adorable amnesiac girl, Holly Sawyer, and cherished her dearly. The little girl is soft, adorable, and lovely, can be both sweet and salty, but knows nothing except her name, Holly Sawyer.“Leo, can we not go to the party tonight? Holly is scared to be home alone.” That night, an assassination attempt occurred at the party, and Leo successfully avoided danger.“Leo, would investing in this company be a good idea? They seem so poor.” A few days later, the invested company turned around, and Leo gained huge profits.“Leo, I want to eat ice cream, can you go and buy it for me?”Leo came back with ice cream and saw his silly, adorable little cutie sternly scolding two men in suits.“Leo, I...”Little by little, Holly Sawyer's secret identities were revealed, astonishing everyone and leaving them in disbelief.“Little fool, hiding so deeply, huh?”Leo gently tapped Holly's nose with his finger.Holly Sawyer, hiding her true identity as a formidable force, pretended to have amnesia to repay Leo Grant's unintentional life-saving act. She let Leo take her home, helped him avoid numerous dangers, and gradually sparks flew between the two during their time together.【Sweet Story.】

At the far north of the Atherno Continent, in an unknown village, Kyrian was born as a mere mortal. Weak, insignificant, and destined for oblivion.But he was anything but ordinary. Upon opening his eyes for the first time, they revealed an absolute white eyes without pupils or irises… and with them, an inexplicable innate talent.The ability to see what no one else could.His eyes didn’t just see the particles of spiritual energy, they could steal them. And more than that.Whether intentions, laws, concepts… everything before his vision could be taken by his eyes.When he stole his first Sword Intention, his eyes awakened to the path of the blade. Upon taking the Intention of Ice, another ocular pair was born.With every new stolen intention, his eyes changed, and new ones appeared.Kyrian does not hide them from the world, no, heeding his mother’s last wishes. He uses his gift without fear, with only one goal.To become strong by any means.