A Background Character's Path to Power - Chapter 204: In the Heart of the Monster

After suffering from a heat stroke while working under the scorching heat of summer, Lu Zhou, a hardworking but poor university student, somehow becomes the owner of an advanced technological system. With the cheat given by the system, his university life changes overnight.

A Master’s degree? Easy.

PhD? Not a problem.

From a nobody, he quickly becomes a huge celebrity in the world of science. With the missions given by the system, he is on his way to winning a Nobel Prize.

“System, can points be exchanged for money?”

“No.”

“F**k, what use are you then!?”

“This system will make you the ultimate scholar, the kind that lords over all of humanity. What use will money be to you?”

For as long as he could remember, life had always been cruel.A young man in his early twenties—his name now lost to the past—was dealt a life filled with misfortunes.A cold, empty apartment, a soul-crushing job, and, finally, a terminal diagnosis.With nothing left to live for, his only comfort had been escaping into the fictional world of Path of the Elemental Sage, a story of heroes, magic, and survival.But fate had other plans.When death finally came for him, he didn’t fade into nothingness.Instead, he awoke in the world he had only read about—a world of chaos and danger where death lurked around every corner.The air smelled of magic, the sky was filled with possibilities.{«[Status Window]»}[Name: Lyrium Blackwood][Age: 16][Rank: D-][Skills: None][Elements: None}At first, confusion filled his mind.Who was Lyrium Blackwood?Why was he here?And why did this body feel so different?But as his memories returned, so did the realization: this wasn’t some blessing or second chance.He wasn’t reincarnated as the protagonist.No destined savior.No cheat abilities.No grand fate.He was just another mob, a face in the crowd meant to exist and die without leaving a mark.But this young man—the one who had left his old name and life behind—wasn’t the kind of person to roll over and accept his fate.“This world is dangerous. The protagonist isn’t the only one fighting for survival here,”he muttered, his red eyes deep and sharp.Unlike the naïve characters in the story, he knew the stakes.He’d read the web novel.He’d seen the carnage, the betrayals, the disasters that wiped out entire cities.And if there was one thing he refused to be, it was a pawn in someone else’s game.“I don’t care about glory. I don’t care about saving the world. All I care about is surviving—no matter what it takes.”Lyrium Blackwood wasn’t planning to live quietly or avoid danger.The only way to survive in this brutal world was to rise to the top.To be strong enough to stand above both heroes and villains.Using his knowledge of the story’s events and his iron will, Lyrium sets out on a relentless path to surpass the protagonist.Whether through clever manipulation, brutal training, or sheer desperation, he’ll climb higher and higher, leaving nothing to chance.But the deeper he gets, the more he realizes that this isn’t just the story he once read.As fate pushes him closer to the heart of the narrative, Lyrium begins to suspect that his reincarnation wasn’t an accident—and the world itself might be watching him.“I don’t care who or what stands in my way. If the story wants to kill me, I’ll rewrite the ending myself.”----------------------------------I apologize for any mistakes in this story, as it’s my first attempt at writing a novel.

People talk about Kwon Ihyeok and Hyeseong. The two must have been married in a past life. For 6 years, until the gangster became a respectable company CEO, Hyeseong was always by Ihyeok’s side. They were perfect partners. Until Hyeseong dropped a bombshell.“I’m going to become a farmer.”Hyeseong abruptly announced his resignation and left Ihyeok’s side.“Hyeseong. I can’t let you go.”But Ihyeok, unwilling to easily let him go, begins actively investigating the reason for Hyeseong’s departure.“Sir, by any chance…are you living next door to me?”“Yes.”There must be some scumbag who lured Hyeseong to a place like this. Ihyeok is convinced, and even does background checks to uncover Hyeseong’s secret, but he is missing a very important point.“Strange. Why do you smell so sweet?”>> A Taste“How much have you been drinking?”“I don’t know. As much as was given to me?”Ihyeok’s voice seemed normal, but Hyeseong knew. He was drunk now.“I’ll bring you a blanket so sleep here.”As Hyeseong got up to get bedding from his room…“…?!”Suddenly, Ihyeok sat up and grabbed Hyeseong’s arm, pulling him down. Caught off guard, Hyeseong fell onto the sofa.“What are you doing…?”He tried to break free but couldn’t.“Strange. Why do you smell so sweet?”‘Could it be…my pheromones are starting to flow?’That was not a good sign at all.“Sir. Step back for a bit.”Then, out of nowhere, Ihyeok pressed his lips to Hyeseong’s neck. A tingling sensation began burning through his body.“Sir, wait…ah…”Ihyeok, who had been brushing his lips against him, slowly started licking and sucking his neck.

Kyōsuke got reincarnated into the world of Naruto in the Warring States period and became an ordinary member of the Uchiha clan.At this time, Uchiha Madara was still just a teenager, the God of Shinobi was still pondering how to make World Peace, Black Zetsu was plotting how to split the moon to save his mother, and the enigmatic Jigen was quietly chanting sutras in a secluded temple.The young Kyōsuke stepped onto the battlefield, but fortunately, he awakened a Point Redemption System, allowing him to trade points earned by killing enemies for various abilities.[Tenseigan, SSS-level item, requires 200,000 points to exchange.][Divine Tree Seed, SSS-level item, requires 200,000 points to exchange.][Truth-Seeking Orbs, SSS-level ability, requires 200,000 points to exchange.][Yamotsu Hirasaka, SS-level ability, requires 100,000 points to exchange.]Uchiha Madara: “Kyōsuke, you and I as brothers can surely annihilate the Senju Clan together!”Senju Hashirama: “My friend, let’s realize the dream of building Konoha Village together!”Black Zutsu: “Help me save my mother!”Uzumaki Mito: “You promised to marry me—are you trying to go back on your word?”Otsutsuki Kaguya: “This is bad! The clan’s law enforcement team is here. Kyōsuke, defend against them with me!”Otsutsuki Isshiki: “Impossible! How do you know my unique eye technique?!”Uchiha Kyōsuke: “Impossible? Please, I can even hit the moon!”