MTL - The Age of Giant Ships and Cannons - Chapter 289 Dilemma

Word went around that no one that had ever knocked on the esteemed Eleazar family’s doors seeking shelter were turned away.Fleeing the prince of Lustris no less, Arabella Sterling held out hope that those weren’t mere rumors as she crossed the border over to Umbraria, home to all creatures of the night. A land where noble blood like hers was a highly coveted delicacy.As such, she wasn’t turned away, but since the Eleazars ran no charity, Arabella was compelled to become the sole blood provider to the heir of the family in exchange for safety.Though never, in a million years, did she imagine that what had started as a simple trade off, could morph into a swirl of tangled passion when the cold and stoic vampire she served showed interest in the young woman beyond the crimson nectar coursing her veins.

“Will you marry me, Anais?” The male lead proposed to me. “What about Selena?” “Selena doesn’t matter. You’re the only one I’m interested in now.” Even without a hint of interest in the female lead. “I’m sorry, but I…” Before I could even utter my refusal, the refreshing sound of coins rang in my ears. [asdf has donated 100 points!] Accept and get ten thousand points “Shall we go pick out a ring first?” Forget about conscience; if it’s fun, that’s all that matters.

Life is a clash of desires, of wants, of musts…What is good?What is evil?Is one who saves his sister in place of hundreds, evil?Is another who sacrifices his sister to save hundreds, good?Life is no idealistic fairytale.Unique, it so easily gives and takes opportunities.For me? Life had taken one, and given another— two lives.This was no longer earth.On Sanctum, the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ decides how we start, but not where we go.As I woke, I knew not who I was, where I was, nor where I came from… Even my name eluded me… Yet I did not care.I knew my purpose.To find her...To find the strength to protect her...To build a reputation she would embrace, as the hero she'd always envisioned...On the 22 floating islands of the Arcane, knowledge is one’s most powerful weapon, and at the same time, greatest vulnerability. The web of lies and deception spread far in this world, some even woven and hidden by the very gods. The abyssal mysteries— those who near them get swallowed within the endless fogs that speak tales of Sanctum’s inevitable doom.For the sake of the world, I envision. This won’t do…Dearest Nina…___Dearest Joseph…********THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO HAREM IN THIS NOVEL!!I actively despise it as it slows down the story for no reason and serves NO purpose other than self insert fantasy slop.If you're here for diabolical activities that make sense, a smart MC who isn't naive for the sake of plot, where everything has meaning, leads to things without downtime and empty chapters, a story not about just an OP MC self insert fantasy, character development and morality, a mysterious world and plot twists, you've come to the right place.AUTHOR NOTE:Hey, It's Drip again. You may know me from my work on The Great Demon SystemThe first few chapters will be on earth, then it will transition into fantasy after where things will really pick up (before chapter 10). The MC will be very unique in the way he interacts and develops, things aren't always as they seem on the surface, so I hope you look forward to it :))As is common with my novels, my MC is NOT a morally ideal person, but it all has meaning so be prepared, or excited!I've been really busy with university work lately and have been cooking this novel up. I feel like it'll be something special.5 Chapters a day until around chapter 50, then I'll post daily

In a world where power is marked by glowing runes and monsters bleed through the fabric of reality, **Ryu** is nothing—an orphan with no name, no status, and no hope. Beaten down by nobles who wield their divine-given strength like a whip, he survives on scraps and stubborn defiance.But when a black rift—an anomaly unlike any ever recorded—appears in the dead of night, Ryu faces a choice: die a beggar, or risk everything by stepping into the unknown.Inside, he finds a nightmare. Kolasis, a legendary predator, hunts him through a twisted forest. The rules here are simple: kill or be killed. To survive, Ryu must forge himself into something sharper than the claws of monsters and crueler than the nobles who cast him aside.Yet the rift has its own secrets. The same power that could make him a legend might also break him—if the monsters don’t tear him apart first.