MTL - The Emperor Reigns Them All - v9 Chapter 12 fear

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.

[Entering the Dungeon: Scarlet Premium Choice][Dungeon type: Solo][Please choose the position you wish to apply for][1. Delivery Driver][2. Stock Clerk][3. Shipping Clerk][4. Receiving Clerk][5. Loader][Detection of host entering the Dungeon, cheat loading successful][Please host, choose one of the following three cheats][1. Purification Template: Possess purification abilities, immune to any pollution][2. Super Brain: Photographic memory, brain processing capabilities multiplied by ten, immune to mental damage][3. Zombie Template: Impenetrable skin, immense strength, bloodthirsty, fearless]...[Entering the Dungeon: Bloody Train][Dungeon type: Large-scale multi-player Dungeon][Number of participants: 30][Detection of host entering the Dungeon, cheat loading successful][Please host, choose one of the following three cheats][1. Infinite Soul Coins: Start with 1000000000000 soul coins, spend at your leisure][2. Hundredfold Amplification: Can amplify a single attribute of yourself by a hundred times, can switch to any attribute at any time][3. Stone Man: You become an ordinary, unremarkable stone with no presence, you can safely pass this instance]Murru Feng realized that his cheats could be refreshed with every Dungeon World.

“Is Fate the excuse of the forsaken, is Free Will the delusion of the chosen?”Such was a question that Xavier, the Demon King, never had the chance to ask himself. As he lay defeated, awaiting his death, he wondered about the wretched life he lived.'The hero who killed me, the one who held the same ambitions as me. We both wanted good for the people, for the world. We are both two sides of the same coin, yet, fate decided that he will be the one the light will shine on.Perhaps it was me too, perhaps it was my karma for flowing the rivers of blood with my sword. But still... It was fate that squashed the humanity in me first!Damn fate, if I had one more chance, I would've lived for myself more, I wouldn't have taken this arbitrary role of being a necessary evil... This world, this game of destiny... It can burn to ashes for all I care.'As he sunk into the cold embrace of death, a certain [REDACTED] heard his dying wish with amusement and cast their die, reversing the wheel of time one last time and going all in on him on a risky gamble with the stakes of their world.

Have you ever seen a hunter spamming infinite meteors?

That’s me.

It is now 40 years after monsters started appearing in the world and with it, Awakened. Min-Cheol feels that life is unfair, comparing his life to the ones which the Awakened lead. After a scuffle with one of the Awakened, he gains an ability which allows him to have infinite mana.