Mark of the Fool - Chapter 18: Using What You Have (Interlude)

I am but a traveler in a foreign land, with no desire to become an immortal.After cultivating Daoism in the deep mountains for twenty years, Master sent Song You down the mountain to witness the demons, ghosts, spirits, monsters and myriad aspects of life, to explore the famed mountains and rivers, and seek the legendary immortals. She said that was the true path of cultivation. Who would have thought, after traversing every corner of the land, the immortal I sought turned out to be myself.Original Blurb:In the remote wilderness, amidst the whispering winds and ancient trees, Song You, a wanderer from a foreign land, treads a path of solitude with no intention of becoming a celestial being.For two decades, Song has immersed himself in the rigorous discipline of mountain cultivation under the guidance of his master. Unexpectedly, his master instructs him to descend from the secluded mountains and explore the world of demons, monsters, and the myriad facets of human existence. Song embarks on a journey to witness the diverse landscapes and encounter the supernatural, seeking out renowned mountains and mighty rivers rumored to be the abodes of true immortals – the epitome of authentic spiritual cultivation.Little does Song realize that his quest will lead him far and wide, traversing the vast expanse of the land. In a surprising turn of events, he discovers that the celestial being he seeks is none other than himself.As Song journeys through the bustling regions of the north and the serene landscapes of the south, he unravels the mysteries of his own existence. The people he meets, the challenges he faces, and the secrets he uncovers become integral parts of his transformative journey. The pursuit of enlightenment becomes an odyssey of self-discovery, and the boundaries between mortal and immortal blur.

Together with the shocking death of a famous gamer, a new VRMMORPG was launched.

“This is not just a game, this is about building a second life.”

Said Dr. Jeff Johnson, the founder of Ninecent, when he announced the new game.

[LAST SHELTER ONLINE]

It quickly became the number one wanted game that even affected the global cryptocurrency market.

However, after the mysterious death of his brother. Hiro’s life had been wrecked with no money left to spend and no place left to live.

That is, until he received a surprise late birthday gift from the deceased.

While other gamers around the world were scrambling to get the limited edition of full-dive VR, Hiro received the mysterious beta-testing access.

Being an expert gamer himself, Hiro soon found something unusual about the new game, and it seems that there’s much more to it than a simple game.

Will Hiro find the truth behind it all?

[System linked.]

[Welcome to Last Shelter Online]

Initially, the four elder brothers of the affluent Sang family disapproved of everything about their biological sister, their hearts and eyes solely focused on their foster sister.The eldest brother said, 'Stop embarrassing yourself with your acting, just retire from the industry.'The second brother remarked, 'Your life is less significant than Jiaojiao's movie premiere.'The third brother declared, 'Didn't buy you a gift, you are an outsider after all.'The fourth brother insisted, 'Don't come to my game, Jiaojiao will be there.'After repeated disappointments, Sang Qiao carried her bag and left, not only setting up her own company to make money but also participating in a dating show with her ex-fiance as her partner. Just when she finished the show diligently, thinking she could gracefully retire from it, she suddenly felt a pair of large hands encircling her waist, and a man's voice murmured deeply: 'Where do you think you're going, naughty girl? Were you just leading me on this whole time? Hmm?'Sang Qiao: '!' I was taking the dating show seriously, and you actually fell in love???'From then on, she gained a powerful supporter, reaping the rewards of both a flourishing career and a love life.However, the four brothers, betrayed by their foster sister and realizing how wrong they were in their treatment of Sang Qiao, deeply regretted their past actions, attempting every means to reconcile.Facing the eldest brother she said: 'Stop squatting at my doorstep begging, you're affecting the city's appearance.'To the second brother she said: 'You've only lost a leg, if I take care of you, I'd be losing five million!'Confronting the third brother: 'Keep dumping trash at my doorstep and watch how unpleasant I can be.'And to the fourth brother: 'Tomorrow I'm going to visit a friend's dog, so I have no time for your competition.'

Sometimes we think we have life all figured out, till love shows.

We set our eyes on our goals, so much that we refuse to be distracted, until someone steps in and we need a whole new plan.

~~~~~

Eun-Sun, a petite and beautiful girl who has a crazy temper and a huge load of pride to go with it, has her life completely planned out. All she needed in life was a good paying job to take care of her drug addicted mother, achieve her dream of being the design director of the country’s most leading real estate company and also look for her 10 years missing father.

Her first rule: Never owe a debt.

Second rule: Never accept help from people, they’ll always ask for a refund.

What happens when she gets hit by the cold and aloof president of PK corporation, Lee Dan, and not only did this accident break her first rule it also broke the second.

What happens when the aloof President finds something interesting for the first time and begins to look forward in claiming a debt owed by her? Did she ask for interest? He’ll surely grant her wish.

........

Excerpt

“Just let me court me you. You’re delaying the whole process of courting you by being difficult to me.” He told her as he tucked a stray strand behind her ear.

“But what if I don’t want you to?” She asked back......

“Then I’ll court you the nonetheless.” Dan-Han shamelessly declared. In this relationship he wasn’t giving her much of a choice.

It was either, “You love me or pay your debt with your heart.” He added.