The Slacker Stepmother and the Non-Domineering CEO - Chapter 58: Double-Sided Idol

Xiao Chen was once a great soldier of Huaxia known for his strange, unique but effective tactics and plans during operations. He would always assume command and orchestrate highly-dangerous missions and would lead his unit to success.

He was known for being a great commander which made his military rank soar, from being a young lieutenant freshly graduate from the academy to becoming one of the youngest general that Huaxia had ever seen.

Sadly though his military career was cut short when he was deeply involved in the older generals politics. He died a tragic death when he was murdered by the men who he trusted so much and considered his brothers.

His soul wandered through the river of time and space still seeking vengeance and was soon swallowed up by a swirling light.

He soon found himself in the body of a monster or that’s what others consider him to be. He had a hulking figure pack with muscles,towering nearly 7ft tall, a pair thick tusks jutting out from his mouth and lupine ears along with the great desire for battle welling up inside him.

He begins his new journey as a green hulking monster or an orc as what his kind was called, a monster born for war and lived for war.

Balthazar was just a random giant crab enjoying his life in a fantasy world full of bothersome human adventurers, but then he had to go and accidentally discover the secret of attributes and levels. And also pie. With baked goods and coin as his new life goals, he turns to the competitive business of trading the random junk adventurers loot every day.Follow Balthazar as he does everything to find a baker... except leave his pond, because exploring the dangerous world out there is for suckers. Witness how adventurers just can't seem to stop dying around his home. And cheer for a crab who makes great new friends by simply buying them.Book 2 is out now, with new chapters every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, fresh off the bakery!What to expect from this story:- No harems, not unless they're a harem of gold coins.- Silliness, lots of it. The story doesn't take itself too seriously, so you shouldn't either.- The only kind of OP here is how “overpriced” the crab's deals are.- A system simple enough for a crab to use, but still conveniently complex when necessary, for some odd reason.- Proper realistic adventurers: they're not very bright, and they make very poor decisions.- Did I mention there will be pastries?

An ordinary high school student wakes up in the World of Gods—a realm where divine power decides life and death. He has no allies, no strength, and one relentless enemy hunting him at every step.But this boy is no ordinary prey. With sharp intellect and careful observation, he begins to analyze his enemies, predict their moves, and turn even the smallest advantage into a deadly strategy. Every encounter becomes a game of wit, every choice a calculated risk.As he navigates a world of gods, betrayals, and hidden conspiracies, he learns that strength alone cannot save him—but a clever mind can rewrite fate. To survive, to grow, and to eventually challenge the most powerful beings, he must outthink every opponent… before they outthink him.In a world ruled by omnipotent beings, only the one who plans several steps ahead can rise.

There exists eight hardships of human life- living, aging, being sick, dying, resenting, parting with loved ones, being unable to let go, and being unable obtain something.

In each life, each person will experience their own hardship. Once they obtain happiness, they are furthermore unable to let go. Whether it would be heartfelt love or resenting someone down to the bone, would it matter? As long as that person’s bone has my name, it would be good.

- Description from Novelupdates