Tyranny of Steel - Chapter 59: Render unto Caesar

In a world where six once-allied nations now stand divided, the kingdom of Myralis, a symbol of self-sacrifice, has fallen into oblivion. Centuries after its mysterious downfall, Caelum, the last disciple of a forgotten deity, embarks on a perilous journey to restore his nation's honor.Guided by the enigmatic teachings of his vanished mentor and armed with the legendary Seal of Abnegation, Caelum must navigate treacherous politics and face champions from rival kingdoms in a deadly tournament that will decide the fate of the world.As ancient secrets resurface and alliances crumble, Caelum discovers that every truth hides a lie and every ally could become an enemy. His quest could either unite the Six Nations—or precipitate their destruction.Will he master his heritage and fulfill the prophecy that marks him as Myralis’s savior, or will his choices doom the world to chaos?

But things seem to be different from the history that he knows.In this strange land, ancient legends walk the earth. Here Witches, Manticores, Vampires, Werewolves, Sirens, Dragons and Krakens are all terrifyingly real.As if that weren’t enough, this is also the age of legendary rulers—Baldwin, Saladin, and Richard the Lionheart —each destined to shape history in a new wave of Crusades.Amidst bloodshed and glory, Lothar must use his only advantage—his Gacha System—to build his territory, summon legendary units, and carve out his legacy in a world where ambition reigns and power speaks.

As Mingguang Sect’s esteemed Immortal Master, Yi Ning had never experienced much heartbreak and suffering. He had always expected his life to be smooth-sailing, and was only waiting to ascend before marrying his disciple with whom he shared mutual affection.

However, he had never expected that on a rainy night, his disciple brought back a childhood friend.

They were close and intimate, to the point… of sharing a bed.

Standing before the bed where they were entwined, Yi Ning’s heart was as cold as sunken ice. He had wanted to end it all cleanly and straightforwardly, yet had never expected that his disciple not only wanted his childhood friend, but wanted his Shizun too.

His disciple shattered his spiritual core and laid down a hex, throwing him into the main hall to await nightfall to consummate their relationship.

Just as he had fallen into despair and wanted to end his life, he unexpectedly discovered a strange book. The book detailed his life, and the him it described, from beginning to end, was nothing more than a tool used to satisfy his disciple’s desire to conquer, lowly and wretched as a cultivation furnace.

Yi Ning’s head spun, and his heart gave birth to a strong hatred. He dragged his wrecked body to the back of the mountain and released the Demon Venerable Yan Xuan, who he had personally sealed nine years ago.

In return for undoing the seal, Yan Xuan would aid him in escaping.

After the man heard the reason why, he leaned against the wall and smiled with a hint of mockery. Yi Ning had thought he was going to ridicule him for having deserved it, being betrayed by an ingrate who bit the hand that fed him.

Yet, what he never expected was for Yan Xuan to reach out and tug him into his embrace, and the words that left his mouth were instead:

“You fool, I’ll help you take revenge.”

After this, he killed all those who wronged him, and cradled him close to his heart.

He wants to shatter your cultivation and mangle your limbs, to turn you into a bird in a cage, free for him to humiliate.

Yet, with this lowly and dirty heart of mine, I want to pull you from the swamp and cut down the heavens for you.

- Description from Novelupdates

When Simon dies, it turns out there's more to combat than lightning reflexes with his controller, and the path to becoming a hero is more brutal than he can imagine as he descends into The Pit. Death after Death is a dark, time loop/Isesaki story with roguelike elements, that explores some of the common tropes in a different light.