Standing Next To You - Chapter 9: Misunderstanding

In a world where fate is dictated by prophecy, heroes are chosen by the gods, and Dark Lords are doomed to fall… Lucian Draeven refuses to play along.Once feared as the greatest Dark Lord in history, Lucian had the world under his iron rule—until the so-called Chosen Hero struck him down in a blinding flash of divine justice. The kingdoms cheered. The world rejoiced.Too bad Lucian isn’t actually dead.Having faked his demise and gone into hiding, Lucian watches from the shadows as a new Dark Lord rises, more reckless and incompetent than ever. Worse, the gods have selected another overly enthusiastic, sword-swinging Chosen Hero to bring “peace” once again.The problem? Neither of them have a clue how to actually rule the world.As kingdoms crumble, wars break out, and the balance of power teeters on the edge of collapse, Lucian comes to a horrifying realization:If the world is going to survive, then it’s up to him—the so-called villain—to secretly fix everything from the shadows.But there's just one little catch…Lucian’s legendary Dominions are still sealed, and the only way to regain his strength is by playing the role of a villain once more—spreading fear, manipulating his enemies, and pulling the strings behind the scenes.Now, as the oblivious Hero and foolish new Dark Lord battle it out, neither realizes that the true mastermind is watching their every move.Because if the world wants a villain…Then Lucian will be the greatest villain it has ever seen.

Takahiro Nao, a 25-year-old drowning in debt and despair, lives only for his struggling family. Every sacrifice he makes is for them—until a selfless act costs him his life. Instead of the end, Nao encounters a Goddess of Benevolence who offers him a miraculous deal: “Live in a new world, and your efforts there will support your family back on Earth.”Reborn into the dead body of Naoki von Blackmore, the so-called “Failed Hero,” he finds himself burdened with the daunting task of saving the world by defeating the Demon King—all while supporting the family he cherishes. Armed with formidable powers yet haunted by his past failures, Nao steps into a dangerous realm of swords, magic, and ferocious monsters. Facing relentless enemies, harrowing trials of life and death, and an unyielding fate, he’s forced to confront the ultimate question: how far is he willing to go to protect the people he loves?Filled with emotional struggles, determination, unexpected humor, and a touch of romance, this story asks a powerful question to the readers: What would you sacrifice for the people you love?

Ethan was living the dream—a loving family, loyal friends, top grades at the academy. Nothing seemed out of place… until he started growing up and found himself drawn to his own mother. That’s when their forbidden affair began. But one event led to another, and soon Ethan began to uncover the truth: the sweet life he thought he knew was nothing but a carefully buried lie—crafted by the very people he called his parents.If the Willows aren’t his real family… then who is he?What’s his true connection to the Willows—the family he once called his own?And what will Ethan do now that the truth is out?One thing’s for sure—he’s not going to play nice.[Disclaimer: This novel does not contain actual incest involving blood relatives or any NTR content.]MC Info:Ruthless • Pervert • Intelligent • Rizz King • Future Mafia EmperorTags:Smut • No NTR • Netori • Milf • Yandere • Mature • R18 • NSFW • Sex • Crime • Mafia • Gangsters • Hentai Vibes • Pregnancy • Domination Play • Psychological Games • Corrupting the Pure • Threesomes • Bloody Messes • Emotional Control

After seeking pleasure in the nightclub and a night of romance, he discovered there’s a seed in his stomach;