The Extra becomes the Villain's Bodyguard - Chapter 23: Bee and Bear

The young man of the Qin Residence, Qin Qing, suffered a brutal betrayal by his beloved, his Martial Soul was consumed.Yet, by a twist of fate, his Soul Palace was rebuilt, and the Dragon Soul awoke within him.From then on, the young Qin Qing stepped out of Tianjue City, Sky Stepping the proud sons of heavens and defying fate, he overpowered his contemporaries, ascending to the pinnacle of Martial Arts one step at a time.

The story revolves around Charles Karino, a Levaamu Empire mercenary aerial pilot who mans the twin seater reconnaissance seaplane Santa Cruz. One day, he receives a preposterous assignment: to fly solo over 12,000 kilometers of enemy waters to protect a girl named Fana del Moral. Fana happens to be the next in line to the empire’s throne and a girl possessing beauty “equal to 5,000 beams of light.”

This is a standalone book. There’s another series under the name “To Aru Hikuushi e no Koiuta” (Love Song for a Certain Pilot) set in the same world, but in a completely different place and with different characters.

– Ulrezaj @ Mazui

Adapted to anime as “The Princess and the Pilot”

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.

Ananya never expected death to bring her into another life.One moment, she was running her parents’ restaurant in the modern world.The next, she opened her eyes in silk robes, surrounded by hostile stares — the Queen Consort of the empire.But this body was cursed in everyone’s eyes.The Emperor loathed her.The mistress laughed at her.And the court whispered behind her back.Only she wasn’t truly alone.> “Finally, someone can see us!”“What kind of Queen Consort are you, so calm even with ghosts in your chamber?”“Shut up, Wei Rong, let her breathe. She looks like she’s about to faint.”Three ghosts — a stoic scholar, a brash general, and a mischievous noble girl — lingered at her side. They were invisible to all but her. And with them, she learned to survive the poisonous palace.When rumors spread that she was cursed, Ananya stood before the empire’s court.Instead of tears, she offered proof. Instead of fear, she offered dignity.> “If Heaven believes I am cursed, let the fire and smoke betray me. I will not hide.”And Heaven sided with her.Outside the palace, crises struck — starving soldiers, missing supplies, merchants growing fat from stolen grain. Inside, Lady Zhen, the Emperor’s favored mistress, grew bolder by the day, flaunting her beauty and mocking Ananya’s quiet grace.> “Sister, do you still dream of winning His Majesty’s heart? Look at you — plain, dull, unworthy.”“If simplicity is a crime, then let it be mine,” Ananya answered, unshaken.The Emperor indulged Lady Zhen openly… but in the silence of night, he tasted Ananya’s food, lingered at her table, and found himself unsettled by her calm.> “This is not palace fare,” he muttered.“It is lighter,” Ananya replied softly. “Easier to sleep after.”Step by step, conspiracy thickened. At a grand banquet, a poisoned cup was placed in Ananya’s hand. But a ghost’s laugh echoed in her ear — and the cup was swapped. A dancer collapsed instead.From that night on, the Emperor’s gaze changed. He began to notice the woman who never begged for favor, never fought for attention, yet always endured.Still, war brewed at the borders. Betrayals reached even the throne. Assassins crept through the palace halls. And the one person who seemed weakest became the calm at the center of the storm.Through whispered secrets, mischievous hauntings, and quiet resilience, Ananya carved her place in the empire.She would not simply survive.She would rise.And the Emperor who once despised her would one day whisper only her name.