MTL - Number One Player - Chapter 281 sky-high budget

“What does it feel like to be a shadow?”People say it's bondage — the absence of light, of freedom. But what is freedom, really?The ability to choose whatever you want?Or... just a beautiful illusion masking the void?Strange question, I know.But you'll understand soon enough.Because my lives?They've always been a little... enlightening.— Kaiser

In a post-apocalyptic world where humanity survives in fortified cities, only a lucky few awaken Talents, supernatural powers that allow them to level up.Isaac believed he was destined for an ordinary life—until he awakened the Bonded Blessings System.This system granted him a unique ability: he could share the talents, abilities, and progress of his wives.[Your wife, Sword Empress, has reached Overlord rank. Sharing progress…][You have leveled up 10 times and reached Overlord rank!][Your wife, Ghost Queen, has unlocked the full potential of her Nether Eyes. Sharing progress…][You have awakened Supreme Demonic Nether Eyes!][Your wife, Dragon Saintess, has purified an Ancient Dragon Heart and absorbed it. Sharing progress…][You have awakened the Ancient Dragon God's Bloodline!]Killing monsters? Grinding for levels? Why bother when his wives could do it for him?As long as they grew stronger, so did he!

Civilizations change and the era restarts.

The world returned to the age of steel and steam is full of chaos, madness, twist and evil.

Among them, a group of sorcerers called truth followers have done all their bad things.

They sacrificed to evil gods, besieged the Pope, assassinated the emperor, and even provoked the First World War…

All of this had nothing to do with the transmigrator Melon. When the world was in turmoil, he was the one who squatted aside and watched the show.

Until one day, this group of people came to him and insisted on recognizing him as the leader, and also said that he was the son of destiny. Everything they did before was because they followed his instructions…

- Description from novelbuddy

In a world of countless enemies, the right talent is all it takes to thrive. Freddy Stern, a twenty-one-year-old cashier, has lived a plain, albeit harsh life. Having been orphaned—twice—he’s spent the last ten years working and staying out of trouble. His only aspiration is to save enough money to become an archhuman. His dream gets the jump on him when he barely survives a near-death encounter and finds himself with 1% Lifesteal, a bizarre talent with numerous contradictions and just as many uses. With every dead enemy, he becomes a bit stronger, a little wiser, and a lot more ruthless. And no matter how much damage he takes, he can always put himself back together. Physically, at least. But on his path to power, after having to look at the rotting guts of archhuman society again and again, can his talent keep his mind and soul as pristine as his body? Or will that part of him simply remain broken?