The Dreamer's POV - Chapter 296: A Fiery Turn

With the advent of steam power, mankind has advanced and ushered in the industrial revolution. This is the age of steam locomotives, guns, and cannons, as well as curses, magic, artifacts, and the supernatural.

Hidden in the shadows are a group of extraordinary people who wield enormous power and strange abilities that normal people cannot even begin to comprehend. They are known as Transcendents!

Bryan lost his parents at a very young age and was forced to live on the streets. That is until his whole life turned around when he was shown the Path to becoming a Transcendent.

The Theft Path specializes in deceit and illusions. It can steal everything under the heavens. Even the powers, thoughts, and dreams of others.

Follow Bryan on his journey through this dangerous and treacherous world as he steals from gods and robs the mortals.

This is the story of The Deceitful One.

CONTENT WARNING:/This novel contains mature themes, explicit sexual content, strong language, and adult situations. Reader discretion is advised./She was born to lie.He was born to enjoy it.Vivienne was raised by thieves.Seduction was her weapon.Stealing was survival.Lying? Second nature.Trust? Never an option.Now her debtors want one final job: sneak into the home of a reclusive duke, pose as his maid, and steal a golden horse worth a fortune.They promised her freedom—if she hands it over.But Vivienne isn’t handing over anything.She’s stealing the treasure, scamming the bastards who raised her, and disappearing into the wind.Simple plan.Until she meets Duke André.He’s not sick.Well—maybe a little in the head. And definitely bored.But dangerous? Oh, yes.Handsome? Unfortunately.Unbothered by her lies? Very.Every time she lies—he smirks.Every time she plots—he leans closer.And every time he touches her… she loses a little more control.He’s strange.He’s dangerous.And he’s onto her.But Vivienne’s not the type to fall.She’s the type to steal your gold—and leave you gasping.Unless, of course…He steals her first.

Birth rates are decreasing. Hope is vanishing. The world has gone gray.Humanity, drifting in quiet collapse, receives an email.Every person on Earth. Simultaneously.The Aegis Mandate.Disguised as a cosmic aptitude test, it triggers The Incident of Separation—a global psychic cataclysm that erases identities, wipes memories, and divides all survivors into three factions: Law, Neutral, and Chaos. Overnight, cities become battlegrounds. Apartments become dungeons. Ordinary people become monsters—or the ones who hunt them.Ragnar Vhagar was just a loner university student. Now, thanks to a system he didn’t ask for, he’s a newly minted Demon King, locked in a crumbling apartment with goblins under his sofa and a glowing soul crystal next to his frozen peas. His new job? Build a deadly domain, defend it from invading “Heroes,” and somehow level up fast enough to not die.Alongside him is Isabelle Thorne, a razor-sharp warrior of few words and one very sharp sword. Their reluctant alliance, born in blood and snark, evolves into trust—and maybe something dangerously close to affection—as they rise together through the layers of the game-like world they’re trapped in.With each conquered domain and defeated boss, Ragnar realizes the truth: the dungeons aren’t meant to crown a winner. They’re meant to break the players. The Law faction wants control. The Chaos faction craves destruction. But Ragnar? He wants something they’re all too afraid to say out loud:Freedom.In the ruins of Kanta’s ogre stronghold, Ragnar and his misfit warband take their biggest step yet—claiming a kingdom, unifying a fractured system, and preparing for what comes next. The Heroes are watching. The gods are stirring. The world is watching a war.And somewhere deep beneath it all... Ragnar is rewriting the rules.