The Academy’s Time Stop Player - 197 - #196

Being second best is practically in my DNA. My sister got the love, the attention, the spotlight. And now, even her damn fiancé.Technically, Rhys Granger was my fiancé now—billionaire, devastatingly hot, and a walking Wall Street wet dream. My parents shoved me into the engagement after Catherine disappeared, and honestly? I didn’t mind. I’d crushed on Rhys for years. This was my chance, right? My turn to be the chosen one?Wrong.One night, he slapped me. Over a mug. A stupid, chipped, ugly mug my sister gave him years ago. That’s when it hit me—he didn’t love me. He didn’t even see me. I was just a warm-bodied placeholder for the woman he actually wanted. And apparently, I wasn’t even worth as much as a glorified coffee cup.So I slapped him right back, dumped his ass, and prepared for disaster—my parents losing their minds, Rhys throwing a billionaire tantrum, his terrifying family plotting my untimely demise.Obviously, I needed alcohol. A lot of alcohol.Enter him.Tall, dangerous, unfairly hot. The kind of man who makes you want to sin just by existing. I’d met him only once before, and that night, he just happened to be at the same bar as my drunk, self-pitying self. So I did the only logical thing: I dragged him into a hotel room and ripped off his clothes.It was reckless. It was stupid. It was completely ill-advised.But it was also: Best. Sex. Of. My. Life.And, as it turned out, the best decision I’d ever made.Because my one-night stand isn’t just some random guy. He’s richer than Rhys, more powerful than my entire family, and definitely more dangerous than I should be playing with.And now, he’s not letting me go.

Kaius just wanted to unlock his class - instead, he restarted the apocalypse. After years of training, Kaius has barely acquired the first two of his family’s legacy skills. Powerful and vanishingly rare, the method of creating them is a secret people would kill for. Now they might be the only thing that keeps him alive. Narrowly surviving a bandit ambush, he gets trapped in the Great Depths- a world spanning dungeon. To escape, he will have to slay one of the Guardians that defend the exits; a feat no one without a class has survived. Ever. If that wasn’t bad enough, if he succeeds he will reignite a forgotten trial that nearly ended civilization. -Runic-Tattoo Wizard/Spellblade in a world of sorcerers -Exceptional MC, with some initial Slow Burn elements -Large scope, inspired by epics such as Azarinth Healer, BTDEM, PH, and more. -Third Person POV, with a 99% MC focus -Numbers go brrrr -Attack Badger (Friendly?) -Battle maniac MC who is not a murderhobo -No harem, romance, or VR

She, the second daughter of the Bluen consortium, a figure of envy among the rich second generation. No matter who she mentioned, they were all figures that others flocked towards. However, her boyfriend was getting married, but she was not the bride. She, who had always been so noble and lofty, was cruelly abandoned.He, the CEO of Valence Group, the intimidating young master of the Horne family and a prime example of the rich second generation. Little did people know, his bride ran away on the day he planned to register for marriage. He too, was cruelly abandoned.Laughably so, He was her soon-to-be brother-in-law.Seeing her angry and lonely future brother-in-law, she suddenly jeered, “We both have been abandoned. We would make a perfect pair.”He pursed his lips in silence.The next day, he took her to the Civil Affairs Office to go through the marriage registration process, having her replace her runaway sister as his bride.(Declaration of Ownership Chapter)“Julia, I now realize that I have always loved you. Do you know that I think of you all the time? I married her just so I could have a secure footing in the company.” Her ex-boyfriend, gripping her hand, whispered this soft confession of his misguided actions in the past.Before she could react, a strong hand appeared out of nowhere, fiercely grasping her ex-boyfriend's wrist. He cried out in pain, causing a stir among the guests at the wine party.He stood by her side, one arm draped across her shoulders, gently and passionately smiling while saying, “Wife, tell him, who am I to you?”Gazing at his handsome appearance, noble aura, and two bodyguards following him, her ex-boyfriend's face quickly drained of color, as if he had just realized something.(Cherishing Her Chapter)“Young master, the young mistress said something strange today.” The housekeeper, trailing behind him, was reporting her daily activities.“What did she say?”“The young mistress said she wonders if snow flying in June would be beautiful.” The housekeeper finished his report and carefully observed his reaction. After all, how could it be possible for there to be falling snow in the scorching heat of June?Once again, he pursed his lips in silence, then silently went upstairs.The next day.As soon as she stepped out of the main house, she was stunned. The sunrise filled the high sky while the expansive courtyard was covered in white snow. It was a vast expanse of white, as if it were midwinter, and countless snowflakes were dancing in the sky. The snowstorm was of extreme beauty.

Beings that create and control monsters and demons, beings that build and reign over malicious labyrinths, the chosen individuals to possess an overwhelming Unique Skill… They are the Demon Lords.