I Am A Prodigy - Chapter 9: Exposed

The prosperity is about to come to an end, and the poor boy quietly rises.

Traveling across time and space, seek the leader of the world.

- Description from novelbuddy

He used to think Death was the end.He was wrong.Death was but another beginning, a new adventure.Reborn into this strange and familiar world, he should have been dead, his soul fading into nothingness, but he found himself in a completely new existence. Now, as a Primordial instead of a human, he must find his place in this wondrous world.

Ethan Cross was just an ordinary college student in his past life—until he died trying to save a banker playing hero. Now, he finds himself reincarnated in “New World”, a realm plagued by Dread Beasts, where only those who awaken Aethermarks can become Heroes.But there’s a problem.Ethan has awakened as an E-rank Hero, the weakest tier, cursed with only one ability slot—a death sentence for any aspiring warrior. With no powerful clans willing to recruit him and the world already looking down on him, his future seems bleak.Until he discovers his Innate Talent: Sanctum of Beasts.This mysterious power grants him access to a personal dimension, where he can hunt endless waves of Dread Beasts. Unlike the real world, slaying them in this space drops Ability Fragments, which he can combine to gain abilities without slot restrictions. Even better? Time flows differently—he can train for days, yet only an instant passes in reality.Determined to rise from nothing, Ethan embarks on a secret journey to accumulate power. But as he completes missions and unravels the truth about the Black Pits, he realizes there’s something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.The Hero Association hides dark secrets. Villains roam freely in the shadows. And Dread Beasts may not be the mindless creatures everyone believes them to be.With powerful enemies watching his every move, Ethan must play a dangerous game—remain unnoticed or become the hunter of both beasts and men.But one thing is certain:In this world, strength is everything. And Ethan Cross will carve his own path to the top—no matter the cost.

'When the heart is talking, the head has no choice but to shut up!'Chin-hwa always had everything done and solved for him.He was a loved and adored omega child who was spoiled rotten by his three parents, his two elder siblings, his grandparents, uncles, and aunties... Basically everyone.Chin-hwa never lacked and always had his problems solved for him by someone else. But he felt he stood out too much.So, he decided to be a wallflower after entering college. He wouldn't be on top of the class but wouldn't be in last either.The middle spot was just right for him.He had friends like everyone else, wasn't a loner, and was good at communicating, just that he often kept his words in his mind and nodded in response.He was the kind of guy in a friend group who just went with what everyone else was doing, making little to no suggestions and listening to their gossip with just the right amount of interest to make him less visible.He felt this was perfect.But then one day, 'he' arrived. And at the same time, one of his friends asked him for help.Ah, it was the first time anyone was asking for his help, so he was dedicated to helping out to the best of his capabilities, to give that feeling of satisfaction, just as he felt when anyone helped him out, only... The kind of help he was asked of was a sorta... Complicated.His friend wanted him to link them to 'him' his close childhood friend... Ah, his first crush, in fact.Byul.His sweetheart to whom he had given most of his firsts.The young Alpha he grew up with, the young Alpha that shone like stars as his name entailed... had suddenly become so tall and handsome and... Irresistible. Such dominance of an Alpha.And so Chin-hwa finds himself secretly longing for his childhood Sweetheart, all while trying to hook him up with his friend.Great, how was that gonna work out for him?Will he decide to help out for the first favor ever asked of him despite his feelings, or will he give it up and fall heavily for Byul's charms?Hm, either way, he's still gonna fall, so let's find out together and see how it goes.#fluffy with misunderstanding #green flag ML #slow and steady