The Returner - Chapter 8: Ah, is that so? (5)

Set in the Shadow Slave world...a time before Sunny was born...this story follows a simple soldier who must survive in a dystopian, apocalyptic landscape where magic and gun warfare collide.In a far-off Quadrant known as North America, a young soldier named Hope is 16 years old when he gets infected by the Nightmare Spell. He passed! But...he feels a bit scammed...?A flaw that makes him fade from people's memories...A cursed attribute that makes him remember everything endlessly in eternal wakefulness...It's as if the Spell is twisting his future and existence into an almost improbable one.All he has ever known his purpose to be was to serve as a simple soldier. Not too powerful. But not so weak either. And maybe, just maybe like some others, become an Awakened. Although he never dreamt of being one.Now that his whole life is compromised after his First Nightmare, his first objective is to survive on his own. But as he tries to escape his fate, his actions seem to lead him further from his goal.He struggles against obstacles that slowly grow bigger and out of proportion.Maybe the Dream Realm and the Real World aren't so different than one may think.Hope's journey involves uncovering secrets and gaining knowledge about his true nature and his new role in the world.Is he fit to be a hero?Could he redefine it?***Please read the READER DISCLAIMER in Volume 0.This is my spin-off novel of “Shadow Slave” by Guiltythree.But please don't expect the same writing style, setting, and characters, especially the main character.This story reveals more about how people/cities/governments operate after the Spell’s arrival. I always find it interesting how maybe one country handles it fairly, but how others handle it with desperation to the point that you question humanity.There will be easter eggs pointing to the original novel either intentional for the plot or unrelated to it, but all for fun.I am a new author so props to all who bear with me and helps me improve my writing. If it is not for you, please don't leave outright hate comments. Eat wassabi instead if you want pain. Critique and advice would be great too.

International negotiator Jiang Fu was framed and died.

Waking up to find himself reborn in the body of a newly engaged female college student.

When confronting his fiancé for the first time, Fu Xiting’s tone was cold and murderous: “If you are obedient, you will keep it. If you are not obedient, you will abandon it.”

Confronting again, Jiang Fu stood in the auditorium of the Capital University to participate in the International Collegiate Debating Competition. Looking at Fu Xiting, who was the referee, she asked in a straight voice, “Mr. Fu, what is marriage to you?”

Fu Xiting replied: “Benefits.”

Rumor has it that Fu Xiting, the prince of the business world, married a charming wife.

Unexpectedly, on the wedding night, his wife held a cold knife to his throat, and her voice was comparable to that of King Yama: “In 2009, Jiang Fu, an international negotiator, and her team went to Dongguo for negotiations, and the plane crashed on the way back. What does it have to do with you?” relation?”

Fu Xiting’s heart trembled. After many days of guessing came true, he looked at Jiang Fu with a bit of helplessness: “My handwriting.”

Before marriage, she was an abandoned child in her hands.

After marriage, she couldn’t give up the medicine.

Rumor has it that the youngest daughter of the Jiang family has no talent.

Jiang Fu:? ? ? How should I act?

[From being indifferent to being obliged to you, the heroine is online, step by step approaching the truth to find the cause of her death]

Conception: Loving yourself is the beginning of being loved

- Description from novelbuddy

Ally level 8,6,6,6! Enemy level 6,5,4…0?

As a human, I should be miles away from any large shifter event. Especially the annual Mate Hunt.A hunt for mates. Doesn't that sound barbaric? Yeah, it's as bad as it sounds.Several packs in the area gather as their newly minted adult wolves shift. Females are let into the woods first and are given an hour's head start, just before sundown. Then it's time for the males, ostensibly thrown out to hunt down the scent of their fated (or chosen) mates.It isn't an event for the faint of heart, and it's definitely no place for someone who can't shift. So why the fuck am I here, running my little human heart out, chased by what sounds like an entire pack of wolves? Great question. I don't know, either.But I'm here.Surrounded by howls fueled by the thrill of the hunt.Feet bleeding. Lungs freezing.I am so fucked.----R18. Dark themes, including but not limited to: Murder, attempted murder, a stack of dead bodies, betrayal, mild sociopathy, an ML who appears to bathe in red flags despite his favorite color being green, an unwarranted hatred of blueberry muffins, and pillow thievery.