Depthless Hunger - Chapter 389: A Trial of Poison

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

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He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.

Su Mu has awakened in a world where survival hinges on a single truth: each person must build and defend their own shelter against an onslaught of supernatural forces.In this apocalyptic realm, revived Yin energy has unleashed ghosts that roam freely, turning the world into a perilous place where only the strongest, most resourceful shelters can withstand the darkness.In this grim struggle for survival, all are equal—but the cost of a single meal or a sip of water is often paid with one’s life.Yet, Su Mu discovers a unique ability: he can enhance every aspect of his shelter through attribute farming. With this advantage, he constructs the most fortified walls, establishes workshops to mass-produce weapons and tools, and cultivates fertile fields that yield rich harvests season after season.While others battle hunger and bitter cold, Su Mu finds himself thriving, leading a life of relative peace—almost like a vacation—in the midst of the apocalypse.Note: This novel and its characters are fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

“Boss. Aren’t you too greedy? You are selling this husky mutt for 500,000?”

A cute girl in a ponytail held a husky puppy, whose eyes looked exceptionally wise, in her arms as she glared at Lin Ye. Her gaze was accusing him of being a dishonest trader.

Lin Ye explained, “Miss, I have to formally inform you: this is not a husky mutt.”

The girl retorted, “Don’t you dare trick me.”

“I’m serious. It has the bloodline of Cerberus. Its potential is limitless.”

The girl was stunned by Lin Ye’s words.

After pondering for a moment, she realized that what he said was absurd. Agitated, she yelled, “Are you sure? I don’t believe it!”

Lin Ye gestured at the husky in her arms as he said, “Little fella, get down and show your future owner what you can do. Go!”

“Woof!”

The girl shrieked in horror as she witnessed the little husky spit out a fireball the size of a fist.

……

Many years later, Lin Ye has crowned the Father of Beast-taming of the Blue Planet. When he was interviewed, he said forlornly, “It all started with a husky mutt.”

At the same time, in a mansion, a gigantic red dog with three heads sneezed. Then, it barked at the television before it.

“Woof!”

Yukima Azuma—charismatic, confident, and utterly unforgettable. He was the man every girl wanted but could never truly keep. One by one, they fell for him, only to be left with memories they couldn’t erase.Kasumigaoka Utaha: “I was his first, the one who taught him love… only for him to use it on other women.”Sawamura Eriri: “If I hadn’t been such a tsundere, maybe things would have been different.”Yukinoshita Yukino: “He was my light in the darkness, the only one who ever truly saw me.”Yukinoshita Haruno: “That bastard ran away after taking everything from me.”Hoshino Ai: “My only true love. The one I can never replace.”And when asked about their relationship with him?“Ex-girlfriend.”But to the women still in his life?Sora Ginko, Kato Megumi, Sagiri, Bocchi, Shinomiya Kaguya, Kirisu Mafuyu, Suou Yuki, Alya—“Thieving cats.”Because no matter how much time passed, no matter how far he went—one truth remained: Yukima Azuma was the one man they could never forget.