Netherworld Retrograde - Chapter 481 - 227: The Deal

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.

“If fate wants me to suffer, it should have picked someone else!” —Raven.Raven wakes up as the protagonist of his favorite novel. He knows the brutal storyline that makes grown men weep.The original protagonist endured it all, but Raven has no plans to play along.He has a system, but that broken thing has everything locked.He has knowledge of the plot, but no clue what twists the author hid beyond what he read.He has a choice to suffer like before or rewrite everything.The tragic twists? Fuck themThe heartbreaking losses? Skip themPointless sacrifices? Save themNo more misery for the sake of character growth.This time, he is writing his own legend and a story worth remembering!

Youyou is a mother’s precious daughter. The word she often talks about is: “My mother said…” Therefore, many people laughed at her for not being weaned, but Xu Youyou didn’t care, she still went her own way, determined to be the best mother’s baby girl.
In high school, Xu Youyou was pressed by the domineering school grass against the wall to confess. Xu Youyou frowned and refused: “No, my mother said that the most important thing for students is to study! Otherwise, they will become the scum of society in the future!” Someone who has a single-digit score and hates studying: “….”
In college, a rich and handsome president He wanted to use favorable conditions to help Xu Youyou, but got a contemptuous look from Xu Youyou: “My mother said, there is no such thing as getting something for nothing, if there is, there must be a conspiracy!” The president who wanted to find white moonlight substitute: “….”
*5874 is a system whose mission is to change the miserable fate of the abused heroine Xu Youyou and make her happy. But, look at the little beany who is only three years old in front of her, and look at the terrible environment of the orphanage. The system decides to tell a lie “Youyou don’t be afraid, I’m your mother.”
After fifteen years of conscientious teaching, the system fell into a deep sleep due to a lack of energy. When it woke up again and found Xu Youyou living in a beautiful villa with countless jewels and beautiful clothes. The system was heartbroken: “Baby, why are you still …” Xu Youyou is excited: “Mom! You finally woke up! You were right! The best money in the world is money earned from loving a brainy man! System: “… Did I say that?”

- Description from Novelupdates

The heiress to a powerful tech company, Diane Lily Hoffman, had a tough childhood filled with lies and mistreatment.At 14, her cruel stepmother tricked her into thinking her father had sold her to his enemies. From there, the family who adopted her abused her physically and emotionally.Using her as a ploy to get rich, her adopted family forced her into what she thought was a loveless marriage with a plastic surgeon named Gabriel.Despite what she perceived as a lack of love, she found solace in her married life until her path was chosen for her again and lies were made to drive a wedge between her and Gabriel.The divorce was painful and she realised all too late that everything was not what it seemed.Unfortunately, the lies her family crafted were too much for Gabriel to ever give her a chance again.Just as she was about to die, Diane was given a second chance to fix her mistakes.Now reborn, Diane is ready to find her real father and ex-husband, seeking revenge on the family that betrayed her and taking back the life and justice she deserves.