Valkyrie's Shadow - Chapter 9Before the Storm: Act 11,

You have unlocked the skill Money is Power (MAX)In an unknown land, where towering beasts, malevolent demons, and capricious gods reign supreme, a young man awakens in chains, his past erased from memory. He somehow knows that his name is Raiden, and he finds himself a slave for a ruthless group of bandits that buy war orphans.Raiden's days blur into a haze of toil and torment, his mind a void looking for answers. But beneath his exterior lies a dormant power, a skill that, when unlocked, promises to reshape his fate: Money is Power (MAX). This unique ability allows him to manipulate wealth in many ways, transforming it into strength, influence, and even magical prowess.As Raiden navigates the dangerous world, he discovers the true extent of his power. Gold becomes his sword and shield, enabling him to do pretty much everything he wants. With every coin he acquires, his influence grows, challenging the gods themselves and unsettling the very fabric of the world.

With the memory of a Level 200, Tier 3 Mage. Lu Yang returned back to his life ten years ago. Destiny made a joke with him. He was betrayed and everything he worked for was taken away. He had to get it back.

The game’s money making methods, dungeon strategy, legendary quest, equipment source, secret blueprints, combat skills. He knows all. See how a reborn player with his brothers swept the country, burned the world and created the legend of The Fire God!

- Description from Novelupdates

Adam begins as an ordinary high school student whose life is shattered when his parents vanish. The police later declare their deaths a double suicide, a conclusion Adam refuses to accept.His persistent quest for a real investigation leads him into a dark conspiracy when two corrupt police officers kidnap, torture, and murder him. In his final moments, they reveal his parents were also murdered by an untouchable, powerful entity.Instead of dying permanently, Adam awakens with a new reality: he has been granted a 'System' and the supernatural ability of 'Return by Death,' forcing him to relive his final days.Confused, Adam tries to confide in his trusted teacher, only to be betrayed and killed once again. This time, he learns the staggering reason for his persecution: a $100 million bounty has been placed on his head, making everyone a potential enemy.Dying again and again is horrible. The pain changes Adam completely. The sad, normal boy he once was is gone. He becomes a cold and ruthless killer. He trusts no one. If he even suspects someone might be a threat, he will kill them without a second thought. His only goals are to survive this deadly game and get revenge for his parents.During one of his loops, while investigating, Adam crosses paths with a female classmate being tormented by bullies. He saves her in a moment of detached action and quickly forgets the incident, focused only on his own war. For the girl, however, this act of salvation ignites an intense and devoted love.This devotion becomes a tragic and recurring element in his nightmare. The girl, willing to do anything for him, repeatedly throws herself in harm's way to protect him, often dying in his place across multiple loops.Adam is now trapped not only in a fight against a vast conspiracy but also in a cycle of watching an innocent person die for him, further cementing his transformation into a hardened protagonist who has lost nearly everything, including his own humanity.

It all happened so abruptly. After finally grasping my situation, I found myself in an entirely different world. Looking around, I noticed others in the same predicament… Could this possibly be one of those Hero developments?

Was there a tyrannical Demon Lord needing extermination, or would I be tossed into the maelstrom of war? Whatever it was, I was afraid. I never wanted to be a Hero. I don’t want to harm another…… Ignore the nonsense I was spouting; there was nothing to fret over.

The Demon Lord was slain a thousand years ago, and 800 years had passed since the last war. The nobles didn’t treat us summoned like tr*sh; instead, we were kindly cared for. The Demons have been on good terms with Humans for some time now. Dangers, such as monsters, were being taken care of by the Guild and the Order of Knights. What’s more surprising is the fact that I wasn’t even a hero! Instead, I was unintentionally summoned!

It also turns out that this world was a world in which the three races, the Spirit World’s Magical Races, the Celestial World’s Divine Races, and the Mortal World’s Human Races, are kind neighbors. Here, everyone lives a peaceful and fulfilling life.

In summary, this other world was――at peace.

What’s my plan for the future? For my limited stay here, I will live this world to its fullest; going on a cultural exchange, sightseeing, then, after experiencing the festival that is only held once every ten years, …… I shall safely return home.

However, despite my lust for a peaceful last year before returning, this planet’s heavyweights have begun amassing around me, and……