Penitent - Chapter 32: Festival of Blades

Ryzel, a nineteen-year-old guide, was expecting to marry Dwight, but the man changed his mind a month before the wedding.“I’m sorry, Ryzel.I wanted a nice and compassionate wife, so I am going to marry Sean instead.Unlike you, who were usually preoccupied with other things, he always showed concern for me.Not to mention how highly compatible we are with one another.I've actually met him before, but he persuaded me to date you because he feels sorry for you.”Without even waiting for Ryzel's response, the man left.Ryzel, who was left behind, can't even bother caring about his heart because he's been dealing with a lot of issues as a result of the sudden rejection.He was turning 20 in a month, which meant he had to be married according to the federation's laws.After he reaches the age of 20, the government's assistance will cease, leaving him to fend for his own expenses.If he is not married to a powerful sentinel, he will not be able to reclaim his inheritance and will be forced to die on the front lines.He instantly began looking for solutions, but his hope kept dwindling as his birthday approached without a proper solution to his problems.On the day he felt all hope was lost, his ex’s superior, General Lewis, proposed to him.“I'm not gentle and kind; my priority probably won’t be you; our compatibility may not be high; do you still want to marry me?” Ryzel questioned, fixing his gaze on the general.“It's okay, I don't need my wife to be gentle and kind. Our compatibility is also high. You can focus on your studies, job, or dreams. As long as you remember that you are my guide.”“Okay, let’s get married.”------------------------This is the story of Ryzel's advancement in career and love life, even with all the troubles surrounding him.

Climb the Tower.The path to power is ever growing, immeasurable. A peak above a peak, above a peak. There is always the next peak to look up to. A place where dragons eat dragons.In this world where a catastrophe known as “Global Awakening” gave humans different magical abilities to fight the dungeon and monsters that invade earth, Jael is among the weakest—one of the Half Awakened, struggling to survive through odd and humiliating jobs.However his dream of climbing the Dungeon Tower won't be forever buried because a WILL has been left behind. An intent put into a spellbook that's been waiting for just who to claim it.In this golden era of worlds, all eyes are on the Dungeon Tower, where everyone seeks to become its master. “What do you desire? Money and wealth? Honor and pride? Authority and power? Revenge? Do you want to reverse your failures? Or something beyond them all? Whatever you desire—it is here. If only you climb.”Follow Jael’s journey as he ascends the Dungeon Tower, determined to create a new legend for himself.

At six, Jiang Huai stubbornly clung to the thighs of the fairy in white and wouldn’t let go. She took him back to the mountain and made him her only direct disciple.At fifteen, he changed his way of addressing his master from ‘mother’ to ‘sister,’ and after being severely beaten, he corrected himself to ‘Master’. Jiang Huai harbored a grudge in his heart for a full six years.At twenty-one, he learned how to talk back to his master.

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.