JACKAL AMONG SNAKES - Epilogue 4.2: Family Dinner

Elias “Grim” Kingsley, a nine-year-old orphan with a hardened heart and sharp tongue, dies alone from pneumonia in an overcrowded orphanage. Known for his perpetual scowl and biting remarks, he's labeled a “problem child” by caretakers and “damaged goods” by potential adopters. Years of rejection have built thick armor around his young heart.In death, he encounters the God of Balance who offers him a second chance at life in a different world—this time as Grim Van Ambrose, son of a noble house. Balance explains that every soul deserves to know love and connection, something Elias was cruelly denied in his first life.Promised the family and belonging he never experienced, Grim begins his new life only to suffer an immediate tragedy: his mother dies moments after his birth. This cruel twist of fate reinforces his belief that loss is inevitable, leaving him with a distant father and the mysterious voice of a “Guidance Assistant” in his head.As Grim grows into his new identity, he struggles with his dual nature—the emotional scars of his past life bleeding into his present one. His difficult personality and sharp tongue remain, now paired with noble privilege and expectations. Despite his outward brashness, he carries the deep wounds of his first life and the fresh loss that welcomed him into his second.What begins as one orphan's second chance evolves into an epic journey through a world of ancient beasts, elemental magic, and deadly political intrigue. As Grim uncovers the truth about the Ambrose Clan's fall from grace and the conspiracy that framed them for treason, he faces increasingly dangerous adversaries—both human and monstrous. His quest for revenge against those who destroyed his family's legacy will challenge him to master forbidden techniques, forge unexpected alliances, and ultimately decide whether to rebuild the Ambrose Clan as it was, or transform it into something entirely new.In a realm where power determines survival and ancient secrets lurk beneath noble facades, Grim must learn that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with swords, but with the choices that define who we truly are.

When the natural disasters come, the whole people travel through the wasteland world and face the challenge of death and survival!

Horrible acid rain, monstrous floods, sky-burning cities, global glaciers, super radiation…

No one is immune!

To survive, human beings can only build shelters and accept rounds of baptisms of natural disasters.

Fortunately, Somo awakened the doomsday survival system!

His refuge can be upgraded infinitely!

【Wooden Door】→【Iron Door】→【Alloy Gate】→…..

【Wooden Spear】→【Literwood Spear】→【Electromagnetic Spear】→…..

【Diesel generator】→【Bio generator】→【Thermoelectric generator】→…..

When everyone was rushing to prepare for the next disaster, Somo was already fully equipped and rampaged through the wasteland world.

“We’re still lighting the oil lamp, and they all use the refrigerator!”

“His refuge is said that the walls are tens of meters thick and it is the safest place in the world.”

“In my lifetime, I want to live in the Sushen Refuge for one day”

- Description from novelbuddy

Due to unfortunate circumstances, “Ari” Ariel Matisse lived in the slums of Los Angeles, also known as Skid Row.One night, on his way home, he was killed while witnessing an old man getting beaten.When he woke up, he had been thrown into a dumpster, and a strange screen flashed across his eyes, and no matter how he looked at it, it reminded him of a status window in a game.[System Integration Complete!][Become a Global Music Superstar!]For some reason, he gained a system that wanted him to join a survival show and become a globally famous idol.If he refused to complete his given tasks, he would die.But if he succeeded, he would have the money and power to change his life as well as get revenge against the person who killed him.P.s. this story is kind of a love letter to LA and the amazing blend of cultures (American, Asian, Hispanic, African, etc) that can be found there. I hope you all fall in love with the area as much as I love it.

The reborn Prince Hechingen of the Swabian branch of the Hohenzollern family, sees the situation in Europe, and the war is about to start, so Europe doesn’t wait. Enclosure in East Africa, immigration development, and agricultural foundation, step by step, with the help of the crisis to achieve industrialization.

- Description from novelbuddy