Infinite Divine Gears in the City - Chapter 746 - 744-writing a mythic_1

Dane Harper's life was a monotonous grind. Stuck in a soul-sucking 9-to-9 job with barely any time to breathe, his only escape was the world of visual novels. From anime to manga, light novels to webnovels, Dane had consumed it all, but nothing compared to his ultimate obsession: Harem, Dragons, and Deities (HDXD).This legendary visual novel was a masterpiece of high fantasy, packed with detailed lore, jaw-dropping twists, and, of course, an insane harem of monster girls and powerful women.Dane had spent nearly 7,000 hours playing it, chasing every ending possible, especially the legendary [Overlord of Humanity Ending], where the protagonist builds a massive harem and spreads his superior genes across the HDXD universe.But when a cosmic accident caused by a mischievous witch-in-training, Beatrice, wipes out the entire human universe, Dane's life takes an unexpected turn.As the first soul to be reincarnated, Dane is offered two wishes by Beatrice: a world of his choosing and a fragment of her power. Without hesitation, Dane chooses the world of HDXD, a place he knows inside and out, and a unique ability to help him survive: the Omni Harem System. This system not only helps him level up and gain unique powers but also guides him in building the ultimate harem.Now, reborn as some random extra of this hellish game, Dane is ready to live out his wildest fantasies. His life goal, walk over the MC, and replace him... But this isn't just a game anymore; it's real life, and the stakes are higher than ever.From battling dragons and deities to navigating the complex personalities of the women around him, Dane must use his knowledge of HDXD and his new powers to carve out his destiny without getting curve stomp by the overpowered people around him.But let's be real, becoming the Overlord of Humanity isn’t going to be a walk in the park. This is HDXD we’re talking about; a world where one wrong move can lead to a bad ending so messed up it'll haunt your dreams.As such, every step towards that ending requires heart, commitment, and sheer will, and you best believe Dane is aiming for that ending at all costs.

The amiable looking patriarch is gazing at a stone monkey: “Wukong, what do you want to learn from me?” “It’s all up to master’s instruction.” The stone monkey respectfully replied: “As long as I will be able to beat up Tathagata, then it’s alright.” One hundred years later, the stone monkey defeated Tathagata and ascended the throne, becoming the Jade Emperor.

- Description from rhadoko

...[Inside an underground basement]“You are going to die for nothing, hahahaha,” the old man's voice thundered through the room, sending chills down my spine.Step.With a swift and ruthless motion, he lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air and slashing my throat, crimson droplets staining the darkness.“We'll see,” I whispered defiantly, my final words escaping as a mere breath against the impending darkness.Slowly, inexorably, my consciousness slipped away, and I descended into a deep, unfathomable slumber.“Huh!?” My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself seated in a bustling tavern, the air thick with laughter and the clinking of glasses.In front of me stood a captivating lady, her beauty juxtaposed with an angry furrow upon her brow, threatening to shatter the harmony of the jovial scene.“Don't follow me around!” Her words pierced the air like shards of ice, the intensity of her emotions palpable as she cast a resentful glare in my direction, before swiftly departing from the tavern....Am I trapped within the confines of a game? The fragments of my shattered common sense scattered before me, leaving me to question the very fabric of my reality.

Ethan Blackwood wasn’t used to being defied. As the CEO of a global empire, he crushed obstacles with a single glance. But when Lily Anderson stood before him, her chin lifted in quiet defiance, and something in him snapped. “Sign the contract,” he said, his voice like ice. “30 days. You’ll obey every command. After that, you’re free.”She hesitated, her fingers trembling as she gripped the pen. “And if I refuse?”His smirk was cold, but his eyes burned. “Then you’ll spend the rest of your life paying off your father’s debts. Your choice.”Trapped, Lily signed. But she vowed one thing: she wouldn’t let him break her.From the first day, their clash was electric. He demanded perfection; she gave him rebellion. “You think you can control me?” she spat, after he criticized her for being late.Ethan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I don’t just control you. Lily, I own you.”But as the days passed, the lines between them blurred. Late nights in his penthouse turned into whispered conversations. His cold demeanor cracked, revealing glimpses of a man haunted by his past. One night, after a heated argument, he pinned her against the wall, his breath hot against her ear. “Why do you fight me so much?”Her voice trembled. “Because I’m afraid if I stop, I’ll lose myself to you.”Their connection deepened, but danger loomed. Secrets from Ethan’s past resurfaced, threatening to destroy everything. When Lily discovered the truth behind his obsession with her, she confronted him. “Was I just a pawn in your game? A way to settle an old score?”His eyes darkened with pain. “You were never just a game, Lily. You’re the only thing that’s ever felt real.”As the final days of their contract approached, their bond was tested like never before. Enemies closed in, and trust hung by a thread. Could they overcome the shadows of their pasts, or would their love crumble under the weight of secrets and pride?