Ruinous Return - Chapter 52

Three years ago Conquest was released, redefining virtual reality and gaming.

Synopsis one: “The people here aren’t innocent. They’re cunning, they’re greedy, they’re ruthless.” “The nobles here aren’t noble. They’re selfish, they’re arrogant, they’re schemers.” “I was once furious about this. But now, I just pity them. This is a dark world, from the moment they were born, they had no choice but to live life like this. Now, I will give them a choice.” “I want to bring them food so they can be freed from hunger, that will give them morals. I want to bring them peace, so they can have beliefs. I am a transmigrator who has come from a faraway world, I want to bring the fire of civilization to this dark and barbaric place. I know I’m doing the right thing. Eliminating hunger, eradicating plagues, suppressing evil, and ending wars. I will give a second chance to anyone who wants change.” “Then, I’ll kill all of those shameless, brainless idiots.”

Synopsis Two: Kang De transmigrated. He didn’t expect this new world to have sorcerers, dragons, and even gods who were mythical beings that only existed in legends. To protect himself, Kang De had no choice but to train and fortify his body consistently. Soon, he realized that malicious intent didn’t just come from those who possessed extraordinary powers, but also the greedy aristocrats and the king, who was a ruthless dictator. “What? Did I overthrow the nobles? I just wanted to lead the people in my territory to live better lives?” “Why are you guys calling me the king? I don’t want to be a king!” By the time Kang De realized what was happening, his territory had already become the most powerful human kingdom on the continent. The Dragon Emperor called him a brother and powerful sorcerers formed his army. The only targets left now were those gods who saw themselves as superior beings!

Anton is a great-grandfather. He is living quite a happy life, despite his advanced age and declining health… until a group of cultivator bandits moves into the area. The nearby guardians of the area, the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars, are unable to track them down as they continue to ravage nearby towns. During one desperate winter Anton is out on a hunt when his family- his entire village- is killed or taken as slaves by the bandits. He lacks the strength to fight them, and he wasn’t even present for their arrival to die with his loved ones. At the pit of his despair, he wonders if he ever had any chance to change things. What could he even do? He cannot even pull his best bow, and his eyesight is failing. If he had been a cultivator… perhaps there might have been a chance, but he was decades- perhaps even most of his life- too late.Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge (2022)Notes on cultivation levels:There are five general stages of cultivation, though the fifth is extremely rare. Each cultivation style might have their own name for the stages.1. Body Tempering2. Spirit Building/ occasionally System Creation (Ninety-Nine Stars)3. Constellation Formation (Ninety-Nine Stars)4. Life Transformation/Galaxy Construction (Ninety-Nine Stars)5. Ascension

WSA 2025 ENTRYIn the Grand Land of Baltalaha, the Awakening Ceremony is the most anticipated event of the year, where 15-year-olds from across the kingdoms discover their innate powers. Morvane, an orphan raised by a healer grandmother, eagerly joins the celebration with his best friends, Luna and Esmael, each dreaming of the abilities that will shape their destinies.As rulers from the six kingdoms display their awe-inspiring powers, the arena buzzes with excitement and wonder. One by one, children receive marks signifying their newfound abilities, the crowd erupting in cheers with each display of elemental magic, healing, and unique gifts.However, when it’s Morvane’s turn, silence falls over the arena. No mark appears on his shoulder. Confusion ripples through the crowd, and Morvane’s heart sinks. In a moment meant to define his future, he faces an unimaginable question: What does it mean to have no power in a world where everyone else awakens?Unbeknownst to all, Morvane’s fate is tied to a mystery that could reshape the balance of Baltalaha forever.