Young Master in the Apocalypse - Chapter 156 Responsibility

Almond Crowshade was the last surviving human in a dying world whose people failed to conquer the Grand Abyss Labyrinth’s 30th floor in time. The world was getting destroyed, and Almond was the last one challenging the 30th Floor multiple times despite the imminent destruction of the planet. He ultimately defeated the Floor Boss on his dying breath by achieving a true awakening, acquiring an X-rank Trait that signified limitless potential. Alas, he won but there was no home or future for what he fought. But a mysterious figure arrived there, feeling pity and amusement. “This is too precious and fun of a toy to let it rot here. You shall reincarnate and climb up to make things interesting.” [Transfer to another world commencing…] [Your memories will be sealed, and you will reincarnate in another world that has welcomed Grimworld’s tutorial like this one. Clearing each floor of the Grand Abyss Labyrinth will unlock a portion of your memories, until the 10th Floor upon which you will gain your full memories.] ‘I’m giving you a second chance. This time, you must clear the Grimworld’s tutorial and step onto the big game to make things instresting and entertaining.’ [Good luck.]

[Warning: Mature Content, R18+] [Detailed Smut] [Strictly for Adults Only]Mixed POV: 3rd & 1st POVGeorgia Lewis had a carefully planned future. Her longtime billionaire boyfriend proposed marriage, promising protection and financial freedom.But everything was shattered in an instant.Her brother’s tragic death at sea was initially pinned on a disgraced ship captain. Then, the case was closed and declared a drunken accident, but the wounds never healed on either side.Georgia was left to pick up the pieces: Left with an orphaned niece, a dying family business, and dealing with the angry people whom her father and brother owed money that was used to revive their agency… in fear.To make things worse, she was pushed overboard into the midnight sea before her wedding. Thought dead by everyone on the ship, she survives... barely... only to be rescued by the last man she ever wanted to see again—Captain Nicholas Knight, the man once accused of her brother’s murder.Georgia is forced to trust Nick as she recovers. He is intense, stoic, and shockingly kind—nothing like the killer she imagined.As the days pass, she learns more about who Nicholas really was, but Georgia remains haunted by betrayal and secrets.Nick risks his life for her, and despite his hunger for her, he vowed to protect her, not use her. He teaches her how to fight, how to survive—and how to trust again.Determined to protect Georgia, Nick finally steps into his destiny. But enemies are everywhere.As passion and danger collide, Georgia and Nick must fight for their future, outsmart powerful enemies, and uncover a murderous conspiracy hiding in plain sight.But revenge comes at a price, and so does love.Yet the more she resists him, the more addicted she becomes.And when the world wants to silence her…He’s the only one who’ll burn it down to save her.Excerpt:“Goddammit, wake up! Don’t you dare die on me! I swear, if you make me regret jumping from that fucking moving ship—!”Her lashes fluttered, blurred by seawater and tears.“Are you awake?” the voice came again. He was closer now, his breath warm against her cheek. “Can you hear me?!”“I’m begging you… Don’t tell anyone you found me… Someone tried to kill me…”His brows furrowed. “What…? Were you pushed overboard?”Georgia barely managed to nod. But her body had had enough.“Yes…”Then the memories crashed back. Salt water, freezing winds, her body going numb in the ocean…“Don’t come any closer!” she hissed. “I swear to God, I’ll scream if you come one step closer, you pervert!”“I know you...”Nick stiffened. “What now?”“You murdering son of a bitch!” she roared.Georgia grabbed the nearest pillow and hurled it at him.“What the hell? Are you insane?!” he barked, dodging the pillow. “You’re Nicholas Knight! You killed my brother!”Seeing her trembling, he lifted her effortlessly.“Let go of me!” she shrieked, squirming violently.“Stop—shit!” Nick lost his balance.“Maniac!” she declared.That’s when he felt it. Something soft. Plush.His head dropped like a guillotine blade, fast and sharp. His eyes locked on his right hand, which was currently cupping her like he was holding a fragile fruit from the gods.His soul left his body. But his body betrayed him. He was as hard as rock in an instant…Eyes bulging, jaw dropping, Nick choked on a curse. “Fuck.”Too bad he whispered it directly into Georgia’s face.Georgia's knee rocketed upward like a heat-seeking missile.“How dare you touch me, you Captain Pervert! Murderer!” she hissed like a vengeful sea witch.Nick wheezed in pain, clutching his groin. “I saved your life…”

Bad news: Xu Yanmiao traveled back to ancient times, but he himself is lazy and uninterested in anything but internet cybersecurity, which is useless in ancient times.Good news: He’s bound to a system.Bad news: The system is called the Gossip System, not the fortune-telling kind, but the kind that contains other people’s private information and scandals. Utterly useless.More bad news: This system is also glitchy, and the extent of the bugs is unknown.Even more bad news: This body is that of a minor official who can attend court meetings, while Xu, the time traveler… doesn’t understand the classics, can’t write with a brush, and is at risk of being exposed for cheating in the imperial exams.Xu Yanmiao: “…”Forget it, just lie low, wait to die, maybe dying quickly could lead to another time travel.…In the court, the emperor was furious about state affairs, and the courtiers trembled in fear.Xu Yanmiao pretended to listen attentively but was actually focused on browsing the Gossip System.[Wow, the emperor just took in a 16-year-old noblewoman yesterday! A beautiful addition! He’s getting stronger with age! And he was tossing and turning in bed all night but still has such a powerful voice now! Amazing!] [This noblewoman used to be the crown prince’s concubine! And the crown prince even knows how to write passionate love letters!] [Wow wow wow! The crown prince sneaked into the grandpa’s harem… hiss—got intimate while the old emperor was attending court! Do it quickly! Why isn’t there any video…] [Huh? Why is there no sound?]Xu Yanmiao cautiously raised his head and glanced around.[What happened? Why is everyone kneeling? Where’s the emperor?]—The emperor went to catch adultery in the harem.The “imperial exam cheating” bomb finally exploded.Xu Yanmiao couldn’t explain why his handwriting on the exam paper didn’t match his usual handwriting, nor could he answer why he didn’t understand the classics.The evidence prepared by the ousted crown prince of the emperor hit the nail on the head, and his personal bodyguard was ready to drag Xu Yanmiao away to the prison, awaiting execution in the autumn.Xu Yanmiao held onto the gossip that proved his innocence but was in a quandary:How do I explain the source of my information…[Say that I secretly met with the Chief Examiner, the Minister of Rites, three nights before the exam? Impossible, that night, the Minister of Rites was dressed as a woman, spent the night at the General’s Mansion, with the general…]The general’s body shook, and he interjected: “Your Majesty!!!!”“Although the evidence of exam cheating is solid, I believe there’s still something fishy about this. It should be re-investigated! Especially Xu… Xu… Xu Yanmiao’s attire is neat and tidy! Someone who cares so much about their appearance, how could they tarnish their reputation!”The crown prince, who couldn’t hear his thoughts: ??[Also, what’s with saying that the examiner faking yawning and tiredness was intentionally leaving me a gap for cheating? He spent the night before the exam in the pigsty without sleeping, how could he not be tired the next day? But, surprisingly, the Imperial Academy lecturer actually believed in pig’s milk…]The Imperial Academy lecturer’s face went pale, and he burst out: “Your Majesty!!!!”“I… I agree with the General’s words! How could Xu Lang cheat in the exam! He… he… he deliberately drank a glass of pure water before the exam, believing that only good-hearted people can use pure things, such a kind-hearted person, how could he cheat in the exam!”Thinking he had everything under control, the crown prince: ??Xu Yanmiao was deeply moved.[They’re all good people, even if their brains don’t work well, they’re trying their best to find reasons and excuses for me.] [But I really have no way to turn the tables, alas, it’s a pity that I haven’t finished watching the TV series I’ve been following. The old emperor angered the empress last night and got kicked out of the bedchamber, and now I’m going to die before seeing the ending. He seems to be planning to paint his face with ink and pretend to be a cat to cheer up the empress…]“Bang—”The old emperor slammed the table, forcibly interrupting the continuous stream of thoughts: “I believe Xu Yanmiao did not cheat in the exam! Release him, innocent!”The civil and military officials couldn’t wait to echo, fearing that if they were too slow, Xu Yanmiao might spill more gossip.“Yes yes yes! Release him innocent!”“Long live Your Majesty!”“Your Majesty, please end the court session! Let Xu Lang go home and rest! You’ve tired him out by making him stand for so long!”The crown prince: ??Did Xu Yanmiao drug them with hallucinogens or something?