Roaring Dragon - Chapter 9: Inverted Candle Pour

Themes: Black Market Trading, Global Crime Networks, Boundaries of Human Nature and Morality, The Struggle Between Truth and SurvivalStory Background:In a modern metropolis, the surface level of prosperity conceals the darkness and corruption lurking beneath. Ethan, a highly skilled detective, spends his life navigating the shadowy corners of the city, uncovering the hidden secrets buried beneath the mundane facade of everyday life. When he is drawn into what initially seems like a simple suicide case, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the global black market, power struggles, and transnational crime.Main Characters:Ethan (Protagonist): A seasoned, calm, and intuitive detective who excels at finding the truth in complex cases. On the surface, he is a quiet, solitary man who prefers to avoid social interaction, but deep down, he is haunted by unresolved cases from his past. Faced with dark forces, he is both determined and full of doubt.Lila (Female Protagonist/Key Ally): Ethan's investigative partner, an intelligent and resourceful intelligence officer with a mysterious background. Her past is also shrouded in secrecy, and she seems to have an undisclosed connection to the “Black Angels” organization. She provides crucial assistance in Ethan's investigation, but her motives remain unclear, casting suspicion on her true intentions.Victor Saville (Antagonist/Main Adversary): A charismatic yet dangerous businessman, who appears to be a successful entrepreneur but is, in fact, one of the central figures of the global crime syndicate “The Black Angels.” Cold-hearted, clever, and ruthless, he controls a global black market network, overseeing arms trafficking, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. He is not only a key figure in Langley's death but also the biggest obstacle in Ethan's investigation.The Mysterious Woman (Key Character): An elusive woman who repeatedly appears during Ethan's investigation, warning him not to delve deeper into Saville and the “Black Angels” organization. Her identity is unclear, but it is evident that she holds vital secrets about Saville and his network. Her appearances leave Ethan bewildered—whether she is an enemy or his only ally remains uncertain.

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

*****

He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.

Alex Hunt was a smart man. By no means was he a genius, but he stood solidly in the above-average class of society. He thought that when he died, he would at least go with a bang.

Sadly for him though, his death was as generic as they came. Struck to death by a truck driven by a drunk driver who wasn’t looking. ‘At least there’s a bang…’ He thought as his head banged on the concrete.

He thought that that was it for him, but destiny had other plans.

He was reborn. Reborn as a Symbiote in a version of Earth that was definitely not the MCU. And with a system to boot.

He didn’t know what he was going to do. But his first priority was to survive in this chaotic world that he’d just found himself in. One that’s far more chaotic than the MCU but similar at the same time.

……………………………………………………………

Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

In the hospital, Fang Ya lay on the cold bed. As she did not have the money for surgery, she could only watch as her life slowly faded away.

On her deathbed, looking back on her life, she relived all of her regrets.

What she regretted the most was that she had chosen to leave her marriage with nothing and refused all the assets given to her by her nouveau riche ex-husband.

Darkness enveloped her. When she woke again, she found herself reborn.

She was reborn in the year when her nouveau riche ex-husband abandoned her and making ends meet with their daughter.

She could not believe it. She had once prayed to God, and God seemed to have answered her prayers—He gave her a second chance!

This time, she did not reject the property distribution from her nouveau riche ex-husband. She took the nine-digit sum of money as well as a set of courtyard houses in the capital city.

In this life, she would give her daughter a luxurious life. They would no longer be homeless and destitute. She would no longer have to give up her life because she had no money.

Not long after the divorce, she met He Feng coincidentally.

At this time, He Feng had just returned from the European battlefield. He returned home with dazzling military achievements, only to receive a divorce agreement from his wife.

In the few years that he was on the battlefield, his wife had already fallen in love with someone else, and that person was rather rich too.

He Feng brought his child to the city where Fang Ya was working and took up a position in the Public Security Department.

Someone introduced him to Fang Ya and wanted to matchmake them.

Fang Ya, who was reborn, knew He Feng’s entire life experience. In a few decades, he would be a five-star admiral with immense power and battle achievements.

Moreover, after the divorce, he never remarried. It was said that he was hurt by love. His loyalty would not allow him to trust any other woman.

During the blind date, the tall and stern man appeared to be a little taciturn.

Fang Ya knew that He Feng only planned to remarry because of his child. He did not want his child to follow him everywhere on his military travels.

Once he settled down, he probably would not even consider marriage anymore.

Without much hesitation, Fang Ya agreed. He Feng was a good man and was worth marrying.

Female protagonist: Reincarnated in her later years and experienced all the vicissitudes of life. After marriage, she assisted the male protagonist to overcome obstacles based on memories from her past life. She also assisted him to ascend to the peak of power smoothly.

The male protagonist: An ordinary man who was a member of the special forces. From the most ordinary soldier, he transformed into a man who eventually became the general of the Empire.