Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System! - Chapter 22: Hermes Arrives & The Start

A struggling businessman on the verge of bankruptcy finds himself drunk one night, only to wake up in the past—specifically, in 1943 London, amidst the chaos of World War II.This is an era of both immense danger and unprecedented opportunity. It is a time when the British Empire, once the unrivaled superpower where the sun never set, is finally witnessing the dusk of its dominion. Meanwhile, the United States is rising to claim the mantle of global leadership, reshaping the world's balance of power.This is the era where everything begins—where old rulers step down and new powers rise to take their place. This is the era where Pierre finds himself, an era filled with the kind of opportunity he never had before. A small, precious chance to rise, to become a giant, to seize the throne of power, to become a ruler, a world hegemon.

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.

“Finally, the owner has appeared. You read me.”The Archmage’s legacy, the Book of Truth.Binair Dalheim, a dropout of the Elfenbein Tower, accidentally discovers the Book of Truth.“I will awaken your magical talent. In return, complete me.”The dropout boy, whose dormant talent has been awakened, begins his journey to retrieve the Book of Truth as requested.

'A self-centric Female Lead, lost-in-love Male Leads, and useless extras who will die. On top of it, this world will not be here for long because of that ancient threat. So, what should I do now?'What kind of world was a world of Female-Oriented Fantasy romance? One filled with tinted glass and roses? Life should have been easy here, right? Wrong! Layla had read this book before, and she knew what happened.“Those useless leads left this world in a shamble! I need to do something about it before it gets destroyed. If I am going to live here, I need to ensure this world stays alive long enough. Who has time for romance when the world will end soon?”Her goal was set, and her life was laid out. Layla was going to use whatever she could to secure her second life.Everyone was a useful piece from here on, and Layla used them well to achieve her end goal. This might be a world based on a fantasy romance, but she would ensure it would not repeat it's ending.______Note: It has a strong Female Protagonist as the MC. No romance, no harem, no yuri.