A Top Scholar in Everything - Chapter 35: The Gamble

[WPC April Entry] Check out my second book: Born from stardust! Support the novel with your reviews, power stones, collections, etc. It will be greatly appreciated.

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In a fantasy world shrouded in a veil of mystery and darkness, a sinister threat lurks among the shadows, weaving its plan from the depths of a forgotten past. In a realm where magic and wonder coexist with the persistent presence of an ancient evil, Anthony finds himself immersed in an intricate web of mysteries that seem to intertwine around him.

The emergence of this voracious darkness threatens to devour everything in its path, and as Anthony embarks on a desperate quest for truth, he faces moral dilemmas that tear at his soul, betrayals he never imagined, and sacrifices that defy all logic.

On his journey, every shadow seems to hide a secret, every step towards the light reveals a new layer of darkness. Who is friend and who is foe in this dangerous game of power and deception? What ancestral forces stir beneath the surface, waiting for their moment to emerge and lay waste to everything in their path?

With each discovery, Anthony delves deeper into a maze of intrigue and danger, where the very future of his world hangs by a thread, and the only certainty is that the truth is even more elusive than the shadows that conceal it.

Zaiyila thought she had suffered enough—betrayed by her own mother and sold into marriage with a wealthy, aging man. But on the night of her pre-wedding ceremony, everything takes a dark and unexpected turn. A swarm of deadly snakes descends upon the gathering, killing her groom-to-be and throwing the hall into chaos. Fear spreads as the people recognize the serpents as the servants of the enigmatic and terrifying Snake King, Everett.When Everett himself arrives—a striking, horned man of unmatched beauty and power—Zaiyila finds herself drawn to him in ways she cannot explain. Despite the fear he inspires in others, she feels an unshakable connection to him, one that transcends the realm of logic. The moment she defies the fearful kneeling of the crowd, she unknowingly seals her fate.Taken into Everett’s domain, Zaiyila is forced to confront not only the dangerous, supernatural world she’s been thrust into but also the awakening desires she cannot deny. As she unravels the truth about her past and her connection to the Snake King, she must decide—will she resist the pull of destiny, or will she embrace the darkness and passion that Everett offers?A tale of betrayal, power, and an irresistible bond, Bride of the Serpent King explores the fine line between fear and desire, fate and choice.---

Ethan Yagami, the lazy, gentle, and carefree young master of a powerful noble family, only wants to enjoy life and relax.But on the day of his awakening ceremony, the most cliché thing imaginable happens to him…[Ding! The System is bonding to you.][Bonding successful! Congratulations, Host! You have awakened: The Divine Benevolence System.][Please, Host, give more and be more benevolent.][Because the more you give, the more you shall receive.]Ethan blinks.“…So I’m basically a Saint now?”With a smile as lazy as ever, Ethan realizes his path to power isn’t through grinding or killing monsters—it’s through giving things away.Money? Skills? Weapons? Even trash? As long as he gives selflessly, the rewards return a thousandfold.And so, while the world expects a humble philanthropist, Ethan casually breaks the balance of power, amassing wealth, strength, and influence—all while doing as little work as possible.Because, after all…Why struggle when generosity makes you overpowered?