The Place You Called From - Volume 1, Chapter 4: One Who Sees the Stars

In a fascinating new world, Sam finds himself reincarnated as a developer of unique simulations for a society of monster hunters known as “Hunters.” These skilled individuals employ advanced simulations to sharpen their abilities and acquire new skills essential for their dangerous profession. Drawing from the popular video games of his past life, Sam crafts immersive experiences that challenge and prepare the Hunters for the perils they face. As he navigates this thrilling realm, he discovers the impact of his creations and the true essence of bravery in the fight against formidable monsters.

The Ning family finally found the sole granddaughter after she disappeared for ten years. Grandpa Ning was overjoyed! He embarked on the search for a grandson-in-law in River City. With a raise of her finger, Ning Dai pointed at the Mo family's disfigured Second Young Master, Mo Chen. Everyone thought she was crazy, but only Ning Dai knew that when she was kidnapped, Mo Chen risked everything he had—even with a broken leg and disfigured face—to rescue her from the devil's lair after her elder brother died tragically. Ning Dai returned to repay Mo Chen for saving her life, and also to exact revenge on her uncles for her elder brother's death. Everyone claimed that the Mo family fell from grace after Mo Chen's injuries while Second Young Master Mo Chen became paranoid and ruthless too. No one dared to get close to him. However, Ning Dai insisted on clinging to him. "Second Brother, your medicine won't taste bitter today because I'll give you a kiss to go with it." Mo Chen was about to lose control of his emotions. "Scram. I don't love you." Ning Dai gave him a cheeky smile, "Two kisses, then." Eventually, Mo Chen kissed Ning Dai's forehead shakily, his resolve shattered into a thousand pieces. After seeing how profound Mo Chen's love for her was, Ning Dai was convinced that he would once again stand up for her and stay by her side at the top of the world.

Theodora is the Queen of Polis, a city-state that lost the war against the most powerful empire in the continent.

She is sure that they'll execute her immediately but, somehow, she survives the meeting with the Emperor, and she finds herself... Married?

Tossed in a new world without connections and allies, she has to either accept her fate or lose the chance to help her people once again.

She soon finds out that her new husband knows more about her than she does herself, and that his purposes are often far from what she expects.

A fallen queen that doesn't know how to be anything else. A handsome Duke who's the cause of her ruin. And their efforts to find some happiness in a marriage that's been forced on them.

WARNING: there are contents not suitable for a sensitive audience.

The smut scenes are half-censored at the beginning, but the amount and details will increase after a few dozen chapters (according to the Queen's mood .-. )

***

«I'm sorry for lying to you, your grace...»

«You're a Duchess. No one will dare to consider your words a lie: if you say that you were painting souls, then it's the truth.»

«I will remember it.»

«No, you have to understand it, Theodora. You're not a prisoner, but my wife. I'll protect you when you need it, and I'll help you with any issue you have. You're not just a Duchess in the name. You're my Duchess.»

«It's hard to believe in such a short amount of time.»

«For now, stop shaking like a chicken. I won't hurt you.»

***

Veyne came from the life of sewer rats.The world saw him as a failure. He called it belief. Others called it stupidity. Either way, it was the only thing he had left.Even at rock bottom, Veyne never stopped believing in himself.Betrayed by his lover and brother, treated as a burden, and forced to slave endlessly in the game to chase his dream—he endured it all.Though late, his obsession was finally rewarded with an opportunity. But the sewer rat in him was too weak to hold onto it. He had fought the world and lost.Actions have consequences. And when he failed in the game, those consequences caught up to him, leading to his death.But the universe wasn’t done with him yet.Given a second chance, he returned to a time when the game had already been out for two years. This time, he rushed to obtain the Template Wilder class—the very class that led to his downfall.One of the game’s rarest hidden classes, the Wilder class, allowed him to switch into different forms based on the monster templates he possessed. An overpowered ability—but it came with a fatal catch.A hidden template forced him into the form of an ancient baby creature, one so cursed that players, monsters, and even NPCs would hunt him down. If he died in that form, his character would be permanently deleted.In his past life, he underestimated the class’s dangers. And the world tore him apart for it.This time, it wouldn’t be just hollow belief.This time, he’s not here to survive—he’s here to dominate.No emotional ties.No second chances.The entire game is his enemy, and he will crush anyone who stands in his way.He failed once. He suffered. He died. He was erased.Not this time.This is the beginning of his legend. The era of Veyne Draven.