Seeking the Tao in the Mortal World - Chapter 125: Door

In a world where strength determines one’s future, William, an orphan with no extraordinary talents, faces a grim destiny—until a brutal attack leaves him clinging to life. Instead of death, he awakens to a mysterious and powerful entity lurking within his mind: the Shadow System, a game-like interface that promises him unimaginable power. But this power comes with dark secrets, and refusing it would mean his death. Forced into a pact with a voice that can hear his every thought, William must navigate a dangerous new reality where shadow abilities and celestial power collide. As he enters the prestigious military academy, his newfound abilities draw both allies and enemies, all while a deadly conspiracy brews in the shadows. With the odds stacked against him, William must unravel the mystery of the Shadow System and decide whether to embrace the darkness within—or be consumed by it. His journey from a bullied outcast to a potential god will challenge not just his survival, but his very humanity. Power always comes at a cost—will William be able to pay the price? “What am I?” William asked the system. The system’s voice echoed in his head, cold and indifferent. “You are nothing.”

Year 20XX, the world was thrown into chaos when the Tower of Yxthar appeared...A colossal structure reaching beyond the sky, its countless floors each a gateway to a different world. These realms, seemingly connected to distant universes, spilled their dangers into Earth, unleashing monsters, invaders, and unknown horrors that threatened humanity’s survival.But from this catastrophe emerged an era of superhumans.... individuals awakened with extraordinary abilities.They became known as Stream Hunters, a title with dual meaning:“Hunter” for their combat prowess and “Streamer” because they broadcast their battles not just to Earth but across the multiverse.Through their streams, Stream Hunters gained viewers from other worlds, earning gifts and, if fortunate, the backing of a powerful Main Sponsor.Adam, an average ranking Stream Hunter, was just a background figure in their adventures... until the unimaginable happened.He woke up fifteen years before the catastrophe that would doom the world!Resigned to enjoying what little time he had left, Adam prepared for an arduous journey...But fate had another twist: he unlocked the Multiversal Livestream System...Granting him the power to copy the skills of his viewers.

Notice: This story contains R18+ themes, including violence, sensual and sexual content, blood-related addiction, and dark psychological elements. Reader discretion advised.I died in a library, crushed under centuries of forgotten knowledge. Fitting.Now I’ve woken up in a coffin, starving, undead, and very much not human.They call me a Fledgling—a bottom-feeder vampire barely above a ghoul. I’m weak, hunted, and tethered to a world straight out of a cursed tabletop campaign. It’s a classic fantasy realm—elves, knights, guilds, and dungeons—but twisted by a dark, rotting magic. The moon shines red, the gods are silent, and every town smells like fear.To make matters worse, I’ve been bound to a LitRPG system called the Blood Codex.Level up by draining blood.Unlock skills by embracing your monstrous nature.Resist Corruption... or don’t.There's no prophecy. No chosen one nonsense. No noble title. Just fangs, rot, and whatever I can steal, trick, or kill to survive.But the deeper I sink into this world’s underbelly, the more I realize something is watching me through the system. The rules are breaking. Dungeon bosses are going mad. Entire towns are disappearing.And I think I’m supposed to fix it… or maybe finish the job.

The Mayan ceremonial dagger had an inscription in the ancient language that read: “Offer thy heart”. It's obviously an instruction left by the past inhabitants of this forgotten place, but who would be stupid enough to stab himself in the heart with a rusty old knife found inside a tombstone?After activating my battery pack the dagger shimmers brightly in a cyan light, the creatures are coming, I can hear their steps.