MTL - Tomb Raider: Storytelling and Writing, The Mystic Nine is Confused - Chapter 232

A sound, deep and unearthly, cracked across the sky — like the world itself had been struck with a sledgehammer. The stars flickered, then vanished behind creeping waves of ash and violet light. A fracture spread across the heavens, jagged and violent.And from that wound in the sky... they fell.Shapes. Twisted. Wrong. Crawling, jerking — no longer human.But inside a secluded estate tucked behind electronic gates and manicured hedges, the world still slept.Ryan stirred beneath the sheets, tangled in warmth. Jane Blackwood lay beside him, her breath calm and even. For a fleeting moment, the illusion held.Then—Bang! Bang! Bang!“Ryan!” Maggi’s voice, sharp with panic. A second slam, louder. “Open the door! Now!”Ryan groaned, still half-dreaming. “What the hell’s going on…”He slid out of bed, eyes heavy, limbs slow. When he opened the door, Eleanor nearly collapsed into him. Her hands were streaked with blood, her eyes wild.“They’re here,” she whispered. “The sky cracked open. Something came through. People are changing. Dying. Tearing each other apart—Ryan, this isn’t a dream. This is real. It’s happening.”He turned, pulse hammering. “Get dressed. We’re leaving.”Outside, the world had ended.And the dead had begun to rise.He reached for his clothes, yanking on a shirt. But just as he stepped toward the hallway. The ceiling of the household collapses on their bodies and they died instantly but the pendant given to him by his mother started flickering and next second, In the world unlike Earth, Ryan instantly opens eyes with a gasp and when he sees himself in the mirror. He got reincarnated in another world.Disclaimer : This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Thank you !.

The Six Prefectures of Zhongbo were ceded away in surrender to the external enemies, and Shen Zechuan was taken into custody in the capital, reduced to *a drowning dog loathed and condemned by all. Xiao Chiye followed the scent of the furor and made his way over. But instead of setting others on him, he kicked Shen Zechuan with his very own leg that rendered the latter an invalid. Who would expect this invalid to turn around and bite him in a counterattack until he was all drenched in blood? That was the start of an epic feud between both men who tear at each other every time they come face-to-face with one another.

“Fate wants to bind me here for life, but this is not the path I choose. The yellow dust engulfed my closest kin whole. I have no wish to bow in submission to an illusory fate. The imperial edict couldn’t save my troops, and the imperial court couldn’t fill the stomachs of my mounts. I’m no longer willing to lay down my life for them all. I want to conquer that insurmountable peak. I am going to fight for myself.”

1v1, HE, HE, HE.

◆ Main Couple: Xiao Chiye (gong) x Shen Zechuan (shou)
◆ There’s a yuri cp that are both important characters.
◆ Gong is even more of a scoundrel than the various gege in the author’s earlier novels.

Note: a drowning dog is someone who is down and out having lost favor or power.

- Description from Novelupdates

In the dawn of a new world, only six beings remained—witnesses of the cataclysmic war that reshaped existence.They were the Six Primordial Dragons, the architects of reality’s six fundamental forces, entrusted as guardians of this reborn world.But power breeds corruption.One of them—the Dragon of Chaos—succumbed to the madness of bloodlust and betrayal. His unrelenting thirst for conflict fractured the fragile peace, sparking a rift between dragons and humans. Distrust grew into enmity. War returned.And then, the Dragon of Chaos vanished.Among those who rose to resist the dragons was a young man named Hades—a prodigy among Dragon Slayers.Famed for his flawless record and unmatched resolve, Hades had never lost a single comrade on the battlefield. With the promise of becoming the youngest official Hunter, he was a symbol of hope.Until everything crumbled.A mission went horribly wrong.His closest friend perished.The world that once praised him turned its back. His comrades pointed fingers. His fiancée, once his anchor, returned his ring with silent condemnation.Abandoned. Shattered. Branded a failure.Standing at the edge of despair, with the world far below and nothing left to hold on to…He heard a voice:[I think it's about time you wake up.]°°°°°°°A/N:- Istg this was a cliche synopsis, but the novel isn't. Try a few chapters before you decide.Additional tags: Possessive characters, revenge, anti-hero protagonist, serious character development, broken engagement, betrayal, strong to overpowered.

The most precious things in the world are priceless. Ordinary men tend to turn a blind eye to this fact. Apart from the treasured air, sunlight, and familial love, there is still one more thing that’s extremely valuable. It’s right beside you and can be easily obtained. But… I wonder whether you can see it?