Ark (Published Novel) - Vol 1 Chapter 3: The First Dungeon

Power comes with a cost... and it was something she was willing to trade her soul for.A few nights before her wedding, Lauren sought a way to break her fourth engagement. Known for her bad reputation as the rebel princess, she was the only lady who had the guts to step foot on the Everston mansion, the house of a notorious warlord, in the middle of the night.She offered him a wicked alliance that the entire kingdom did not see coming: a marriage.A vixen pretending to be a damsel in distress and a man whose crimson eyes screaming for bloodshed. Could something blossom in this treacherous dance of lies and deception?--“Are you upset?”She eyed him sharply. “Should I be honored that I got tricked by you, milord?”He drank the remaining wine in his glass with one gulp and put it on the wooden table.He stepped in front of her. His hand was on the rail on her side while his other hand grabbed her glass and finished her wine before putting it down.The way his Adam's apple moved with his every violent gulp made her feel a tickling heat around her nape.When he brought his attention back to her, he licked his lips to wipe off the trace of wine.“How shall I make it up to you then?” he asked with his deep voice, like a seductive devil asking his victim how she would like to be killed. Dangerous yet… enthralling.

Palace intrigue? I am able to rewind time!So, as a picky and delicate little Servant Consort, she can live a fulfilling life in the harem even without the Emperor's favor.The dishes from the Imperial Kitchen aren't to her liking?Rewind, and get my favorite steamed pork.The color of the fabric given doesn't suit me?Rewind, and this time, I finally get my favorite lake water green.The Emperor wants to sleep with me?Rewind, life without favor is still enjoyable.…The new Emperor Xie Zhixing has a secret.Since his first selection after ascending the throne, his life would inexplicably return to the past—The memorials he just approved are gone!The martial arts he just practiced were in vain!The concubine who was just brought in to sleep with him was taken away!…Xie Zhixing could never grasp the pattern of returning to the past, only considering it as a huge joke from the heavens.Until one stormy day, he met Servant Consort Yun in the Xianfu Palace.Later, he discovered that he had approved the same memorial 25 times that day, just because the Imperial Kitchen didn't make steamed pork for Servant Consort Yun.

A world where the [Demon King] was defeated by a [Hero] that came from another world. People carelessly forgot about their fear of the [Demon King] and of monsters, living in peace.

In a forgotten and run-down cave in the mountains, a new monster that should not have been born was given birth.

The monster’s name was the [Black Ooze]. It was nothing exceptional other than its black color, an ordinary slime.

However, this slime had the special characteristic of being able to take the abilities of the living things it swallowed. It preyed on an insect that had paralytic poison, as well as other animals. Following that, it attacked a human, obtaining his knowledge and [Desire].

Before long, the monster established its target as the female mage that came to explore the cave.

This world still wasn’t aware.

After 20 years of dedicating his life to opera ever since he had quit the performing arts high school, he had failed at an interview. Losing his motivations, Jo Yunjae depended on alcohol to live out his days until one day, he had been sent back 20 years in time, to the day before his high school admission.