A Background Character's Path to Power - Chapter 132: When the Prey Sets the Trap

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.

Shoved into the backseat of his father's car right after graduation, Riley Hale ended up marching toward a company building with a bagged lunch and a pen.Still in his toga, the fresh graduate never thought he’d land in the office of the continent’s top lizard, err, dragon, as his aide.And that would’ve driven any person wishing for a corporate career to tears. After all, who wouldn’t want to serve the fastest ticket up the corporate ladder: Kael Dravaryn, the infamously elegant, unhinged, and extremely overpowered Dragon Lord of the continent?Well, that would be Riley.The same Riley who didn’t expect to spend his days dodging fireballs, dressing his boss in robes more complicated than dark magic, and serving as a literal target during morning sparring.Now trapped in a job he never truly agreed to, the hardworking aide decided to hold out until it was time for his glorious resignation. But leaving a dragon’s clutches could never be easy, especially one with elemental mastery and a finger worth a private army.Yet, as Riley, who longs to quit, attempts to navigate ancient politics, wyvern threats, and other accidents (many of which are definitely not his fault), he might just hallucinate himself into seeing something beneath his boss’s arrogance and molten glares.Maybe he’d actually care if Riley got turned to ash.

Ever since the appearance of the Tower of Genesis twenty years ago, children's dreams began to change. Becoming a Hunter became the most popular aspiration.The same was true for Nathan Cole. But unfortunately, the Tower had yet to summon him. The Awakening he longed for never came.Until one day, he was suddenly summoned into the Tower. He was overjoyed—but the happiness didn’t last long.Nathan had been summoned… because of a bug.

“The new book 'Scolded as the Star of Death, All the Big Shots in the Capital Rush to Spoil Me' is now available!”Also known as “Reborn Era: Getting Rich with the Check-In System.”[A physical powerhouse of a female lead vs. a vindictive, sarcastic, and elegant male protagonist]After a laboratory explosion, Lin Tang returns to that impoverished era and is bound to a check-in system.Before she has time to claim the newcomer gift pack, her fiancé, sporting an air of confidence, comes to break off the betrothal.The reason being, he's about to secure a stable job.Lin Tang looks at the ordinary yet self-assured man, parted her red lips slightly and said, “...break it off!”Less than a month later, her ex-fiancé was fired for some reason.Lin Tang took a stroll around the county and became the executive officer of the Broadcasting Station in the Textile Factory.Ex-fiancé's internal OS: Is it too late to reconcile now?Those times were tough!Despite being treasured by her three big brothers and parents, everything from food to cloth and even soap required coupons...Even living frugally couldn't alleviate the miserable condition.Looking at the black mush in the bowl, Lin Tang fell silent, “......”Thankfully, she had a system!Need anything? Just check in to get it.Many years later.A handsome man looked at his delicate wife with a fair complexion, managing to keep a straight face as he said, “I heard you could knock out a wild boar with just two punches?”Lin Tang's eyes sparkled, her fingers gently exerting force, and the Enamel Jar in her hand deformed. She responded in a stern manner, “Nonsense! Don't believe those rumors. We're civilized people and can't be that barbaric!”