Desolate Era - Book 3, Chapter 2 - Comprehending The Way by the Pond

“Destiny is a matter of Choice not Chance,

It is not a thing to be waited for but a thing to be Achieved”

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The story sets in a mana blessed world, Planet Vermillion, where every being possesses a System.

At the edge of his life, Zero, a man without a System, finally loses everything and embraces his death with a tired yet relieved expression.

As if by fate, the owner of the system approaches Zero through a screen and gives him a chance to connect with the System, however Zero denies it in exchange for a chance to change or undo all the mistakes he has done in his life.

The owner of the System accepts Zero’s wishes but at a certain price and sends Zero back into the past.

Still without a System, but with the knowledge of the future and various skills honed over the years, Zero begins his new journey to change everything he could.

Save everyone who needs to be saved and kill everyone who needs to be killed.

However, the more he moves forward, the more he realises that the ‘truths’ which he had known in his previous life are much more complicated than what they seem.

Balancing his previous beliefs and the new found mysteries that could shatter his perspective, he still keeps moving forward despite things getting more chaotic with every step.

As if fate itself wanted him to fall, an unknown disaster approaches him from behind and a familiar screen comes in front of him

[Ummm… Zero. It might be a bit late but… Looks like I have messed up big time]

Coming back from the magic world, Riya rebuked her shameless stepmother.She was back to her first life with the world treasure and thought that her life would be smooth sailing.But…What was happening with the environment?Why did the mana suddenly recover on this Green Planet?And why did those magic beasts also appear?Riya: ???Ah, Riya silently swore to secretly become stronger to deal with these magic beasts that went on rampage. She would use her runes to make a better life while watching the world recover from the destruction.Unfortunately, things were not so simple.Her best friend’s brother suddenly locked his attention on her.“Ah, ah, ah, you don't have to mind me….”“The runes you make are really interesting. Can you show me more?” The man smiled and stepped closer.“I…I can, but can you please not come too close?!”Riya just wanted to meditate silently, so how did she suddenly attract this big boss’s attention?

“I will make you my queen.”

He grabbed the chains attached to the bed and closed the shackles around her wrists.

“I'm the High Priestess. You can't—”

Fear trembled through her mind and body.

She couldn’t consummate this marriage if the Blood Beast truly decided to make her his queen. Luna must remain a virgin High Priestess in order to remain a vessel for Hecate's magic.

“What are you planning to do?”

“I will make you mine no matter what so that I can take control of the Vampire King's consciousness forever. He won’t be back anytime soon.”

Luna thought the Blood Beast was out of his mind for wanting to make the virgin High Priestess his mate. The consequences of that would…

Her mind raced through all of the possible consequences.

There was no way she could allow the Blood Beast to gain any more power. Especially if he gained that power by drinking the blood that was, laced with Hecate’s magic, running through her veins.

She needed the Vampire King back.

The Blood Beast moved on top of her body. He stopped when he was eye-level with her. The sudden intimacy was shocking, especially since she was tied down. Chest to chest, he removed her cloak and peeled off her flimsy dress.

He growled. “If you struggle, I will rip your head off.”

+++

Luna was one of the few remaining Amazons who worshipped the goddess Artemis.

As an Amazon, her ordinary life took an unexpected turn when a pack of rogue werewolves took over their home--the Sacred Valley. Left with no other choice, Luna flees into the nearest kingdom, the Vampire Realm, where she was captured to be part of the Vampire King’s Consortium.

To avoid the fate of living and dying as a Harem girl for vampires, she offers to become the High Priestess and study dark magic in order to break the King's curse. If she is successful, she could request the King to grant her her well-earned freedom.

There has not been an official High Priestess in the Vampire Realm for centuries. Not since the first High Priestess cursed the King to become the Blood Beast.

When the Blood Beast tries to take the reins of the Vampire King's consciousness, the King was cursed to drain the blood and his victims' life force in order to pacify the other immortal inside of him.

In order to try and maintain some semblance of control, the Vampire King is forced to maintain his strength and immortality by kidnapping women from all over the realm to be used for food and sex.

But, what will he do when he finds a woman worth keeping, but he can't even touch her?

Will he be able to control his hunger for blood and lust when he looks upon her delectable body?

Shen Weiyi has a younger, boy-next-door boyfriend whose allure lies in his height, long legs, and strong torso. With a wild mind and a talent for flirting, the eighteen-year-old Jiang is impulsive, fun-loving, and fickle, exhibiting both innocent and wolf-like traits at the touch of a button. Beloved by countless girls, he always thought Shen Weiyi, who would do anything at his mere call of 'sister', would forever indulge him, only to find she suddenly doesn't want him anymore.Breakups are breakups; whoever regrets it is a dog.Shen Weiyi, once red-eared and compliant to his every whim, now won't look back, leaving an eighteen-year-old Jiang's genuine liking turning into a resolute declaration of disinterest. 'Jiang,' she says, 'I date for happiness, not for extra headache.'Later, a desperate Jiang tries everything for her, getting injured in the process and lowering himself to the dust, only to see her blooming in another man's arms, which drives him to a jealous rage.Sheng Ting, the genius of the Z University, untouchable and seen by everyone as the embodiment of purity and restraint, had decided the names of their unborn children upon his first glimpse of Shen Weiyi.[Childhood friend VS Sudden love, not seeking the adoration of the whole world but asking to be your one and only exception in life.]