Ascendance of a Bookworm - Volume 5, Extra 2: An Apprentice Chef in the Temple

William was once a gamer ranked in top 20 worldwide. After his death, he found himself in the body of an insignificant NPC in the game “God's Apocalypse.” This NPC was doomed to die early in the game, filling William with dread because he knew he had only three months to live.The game world of “God's Apocalypse” was rich with many different fantasy races, from elves to dwarves, each offering unique opportunities for him to make use of, as well as challenges to home oneself.William was terrified because he had the knowledge of the game's future but lacked the power to change his fate.However, he was not without options. He retained his game panel and the unique talent “[Jack of All Trades],” which allowed him to learn skills from various professions.William realized that when the game's beta opened, players would arrive. As an NPC, he could assign quests to them and use his knowledge of the game's future to manipulate them to do his bidding.He began to leverage the abilities of the players to alter his fate and grow stronger.William made alliances with various races, gaining their trust and learning their secrets. This enabled him to transcend the boundaries of his initial condition and steadily increase his power.As William's power grew, players in the game started to complain: “This boss is impossibly strong and keeps getting stronger, we demand a nerf!” They were frustrated by his rapid progression and the unique challenges he posed.In contrast, the elves venerated him: “Lord William is the ultimate chosen one, bringing an unparalleled peace to our realm.” They saw him as a savior who brought stability and hope.The mages revered him as well: “He is the trailblazer of magic, our protector. His name, William Cain, is synonymous with the god of the arcane.” They admired his innovative approach to magic and his role in advancing their knowledge.When asked how he managed to achieve such feats, William simply responded, “Knowledge is power, and it's the one thing I don't lack.”

Kage was born a talentless bastard into the mighty Ironstorm Clan. Cast aside for his worthlessness, he was abandoned in a fortress reserved only for failures.Despite the sting of being branded a Talentless Bastard, Kage found contentment with his mother, his loyal servant Taro, and Shinro—his one-armed, fallen Purist guardian.But the fragile thread tethering him to happiness severed on his eighteenth birthday when assassins murdered them all. Though powerless, Kage devoted his entire life to pursuing vengeance.And vengeance wielded by a boy with nothing left to lose became the ultimate weapon that brought a mighty clan crashing to ruin.Yet at his death, Kage discovered his entire crusade for revenge had been misdirected—aimed at the wrong target.Fortune smiled upon him as he gained the power to return to the past. But not alone.Kage emerges in the past alongside twelve Sovereign Gods who had each, in their era, ruled the world as peerless Purists and Weavers.Now he is fifteen again. Taro breathes again. Shinro lives again. His mother lives again.But he remains that same talentless bastard.However, he now carries within him the souls of the twelve greatest gods humanity has ever witnessed.Follow Kage as he protects his loved ones and ascends from Talentless Bastard to Revered Heaven.

I became a scientist for an evil organization.…But I’m too competent.

Life Demon, Law Demon, Knowledge Demon, Fate Demon, War Demon…

When various strange forces invaded, the world has since been divided into two distinct ends.

Some people worship him as a god and walk on the earth as a spokesperson.

Some people choose to drink a glass of strong wine on the scarlet night and raise the shotgun in their hands.

- Description from novelbuddy