All the Dust that Falls - Chapter 14: I Suck at Reading the Room

A story about a history teacher gaming-addict with familial trauma, and a peculiar woman seemingly stuck out of time and beyond out of touch.The two have been thrust into the weird and whimsical world of Altros, a planet with divides born of very real superhuman strength cursory of an odd ranking system, and, naturally, species differences.Not exactly the best of news for our resident Scottish history teacher whose ears have changed into fox ones alongside his nine new fluffy tails.First though, Darren, or Lone, or whatever else the weird system claims he's called, has to figure out how to live with his new companion Sofia, for seemingly forever while also just barely managing to survive being stranded on a monster-infested island with a self-proclaimed former-immortal who can see despite being blind, can freely teleport, and who also, of course, seems prone to experience bouts of extreme depression.Not an ideal situation when he himself hasn't been in a great headspace for over a decade now. But hey, at least there's an incredibly expansive litRPG system to keep the both of them entertained, right? That'll fight off the fear of death, surely.

Cloud raising is an emerging form of entertainment.It generally refers to people who are unable due to certain restrictions to raise cats, dogs, or other pets; instead, they engage in taking care of these pets remotely through the internet, thereby deriving psychological pleasure.During this nurturing process, they also feed or tip the pets, participating as though they truly owned the pet.However, professional player Chen Yan unwittingly played a game called 'Cloud Girlfriend Raising'.By feeding the cloud girlfriend or splurging on purchases, one could receive a 'tenfold cashback'.By raising affection levels, one could obtain various 'magical items' and even 'meet in reality'?It was supposed to be a lovely 'romance game', but... the unconventional Chen Yan turned it into a money-making game to fuel his business ventures.Chen Yan says, 'What's so good about having a girlfriend? Do they smell nice or are they soft to hug? How could that be more interesting than making money!'Meanwhile, the cloud girlfriend thinks...'He put so much thought and so much money into surprising me; he must love me a lot...'

I have given up power that can make the strongest of men tremble. I bore scars very few can imagine; loved women, very few had the gall to talk; and tread paths with chaosfiends.

“And I'm still standing.”

- - -

Gale was summoned into a mysterious world of magic and monsters for no particular reason. Thrown into squabbles of beings vastly higher than him, Gale strived to make a place for himself in the vain dream of immortality and a better world.

That was six years ago.

Beaten and battered from years of brutal war, Gale finally had enough and resolved to start over a new peaceful life in a totally unremarkable town with his trustworthy companion, Vale. Give up the weapon of slaughter and take up a hoe? That seemed like a fine deal to him.

Unfortunately, the valley wasn't as unremarkable as he thought it to be. Dictatorial governing bodies, suspicious practitioners, an exceedingly unwelcoming guest, and a secret that would change the entire world, all impeded his peaceful life. Gale will need all his mental stability to keep his temper in check, lest he brutalises his way out of trouble. Again.

A little ruffian who fought recklessly without any morals and bottomline accidentally time-traveled to parallel space and became a Key Case Investigation Team agent. The huge change in identity had him creating chaos in the police station. However, a strange miracle system helped him repeatedly solve mysterious cases, turning him into an impudent ruffian detective!