The King's Gambit: The Bastard Son Returns - Chapter 173: Arc 3 Prelude 12

The Sheng Mei Tribe, known for its beauty, has been warring with the Shen Mu Tribe for three years. The men of the Sheng...

The Great Human Civilization has crumbled apart, falling into the Abyss. A hell with no escape. To survive there, some rules must be followed blindly.1: Be wary of the dead for they don't rest even in death.2: Always be on the lookout. Danger lurks everywhere in the Abyss. Nowhere is truly safe.Lastly, if you hear something unusual like a voice that shouldn't be there, do not investigate. Just run. At least then you might get to keep your life.***Kev's adult life was suddenly upended when he was pulled into a nightmarish world along with countless other humans. To survive he had no choice but to perform a ritual he chanced upon through a series of inexplicable events. The ritual promised great power. He gave in to the temptation, performed the ritual and stepped into the realm of mysticism. At the same time, he unknowingly put himself at great risk. Since the moment he performed the ritual, He faced the risk of losing his humanity or himself entirely.He didn't know then that performing the ritual demanding a great price. By the time he realized it, it was already too late to turn back.You have performed a Great RitualGained class:- Corpse Collector in the DarkTrait unlocked: esoteric mutation of the soulGained skill: shadow manipulationAssimilation rate: 0%Collect corpses to growIncrease in assimilation rate unlocks new skillThe power comes with a great pricePay it obediently like a law abiding Abyss Dwellers or risk losing yourself to the evil brewing within...

This is actually the story of a teenager who, after the devastating and spartan-like training of his crazy cool/Gong teammate, turned into a super amazing point guard that could blow up the skies even though he may seem low-key on the surface.

Also, Nie Chuan is Reese’s first love.

Nie Chuan: I’ve decided to promote you to becoming my best friend!

Reese: If I can be your best friend, it just means that you have no friends.

Nie Chuan: Hey! How could you say that! Do you know what it means to be my best friend?!

Reese: I’m sleeping.

Nie Chuan: It means that when I get married, my bride may not necessarily be her, but my groomsman must be…

Reese: The groom must be me.

Nie Chuan: What– you want to snatch my bride away?! You’re too inhumane!

Reese: Sleep.

- Description from Novelupdates

[WSA 2025 Entry]Ivan Mendoza, a world-renowned robotics engineer, met his end at the hands of those who feared his genius. But death was not the end. Awakening in the body of Kael Valtieri, heir to a destitute border territory in the magical kingdom of Ardania, Ivan finds a second chance in an unfamiliar world driven by arcane forces.In this realm, magic reigns supreme, yet it is woefully inefficient and bound by antiquated traditions. Armed with the knowledge of advanced robotics and engineering from his past life, Kael sets out to merge science with sorcery, aiming to revolutionize the very fabric of magic. His quest? To uplift his impoverished territory and safeguard it against the lurking dangers beyond the border.But Kael’s journey takes a thrilling turn when he stumbles upon the remnants of an ancient, forgotten civilization. Hidden within their ruins lies golem technology—astonishing constructs far superior to anything Earth’s science could fathom. Driven by curiosity and ambition, Kael deciphers their secrets, melding ancient ingenuity with his modern intellect to forge unprecedented defenses.As Kael uncovers the dark history of this world, he learns of rifts that once unleashed monstrous beings from other dimensions, nearly annihilating humanity. Though a powerful artifact sealed these rifts, its strength is waning, and an impending cataclysm looms.Now, with time running out and the continent teetering on the brink of another monstrous invasion, Kael must wield his hybrid mastery of science and magic to confront the rising tide of darkness. Can one man, armed with the knowledge of two worlds, avert a catastrophe and carve out a new destiny?Prepare for an epic tale of innovation, mystery, and survival in a world where the past and future collide.