Within a Hollow Heart - Chapter 173: Volume 2, : "Shadows in the Archive"

In the year 2000, the System arrived on Gaia and changed the world of mankind. The environment became volatile and organisms evolved. To the humans, the System offered a class-base progression with a myriad of skills just like in old RPG games. From magic to bloodlines, as long as people immersed themselves in their passions, the System would incorporate their interests into classes and skills. And with the rise of new powerhouses, old nations were brought down and new ones rose from the ashes, stabilizing and governing their evolved populace.Around 500 years later since the dawn of the System, the story of our MC began. Drai was a musclehead, and his days were mostly spent for two purposes: becoming stronger and tougher! With his single-mindedness and crazy trainings he was finally offered a special class on the Revelation Day. From there on, his journey began. Starting from a prestigious academy and meeting his mentor and new friends, each with their own peculiarities, Drai steadily walked the path of power and invincibility. Party adventures, dark schemes, and veiled threats would accompany Drai throughout his journey.

[Matured Content]Saving an injured Fae in the forest had not been Islinda's plan, and worse, he turns out to be royalty, Prince Valerie of the summer court, heir and crown prince to the throne of Astaria.But then, humans were wary of those otherworldly creatures while the Fae looked down on the humans, thinking of them as lesser creatures. Islinda and the prince were worlds apart but that didn't stop them from falling in love. Unfortunately, Prince Valerie couldn't stay in the human realm forever and had to return to his kingdom with a promise to come back for her. And she believed him. But then, the other one comes instead. Dark, broody, ruthless yet dangerously handsome, everyone feared Prince Aldric. Even as a fierce warrior and son to the king of Astaria, Aldric is denied his right to the throne and cursed never to take his place because of his dark heritage. Twisted from the inside and starved of affection, Prince Aldric does what he is best at, causing misery. He captured Islinda - the woman who has drawn his brother's attention. He stole her from her home for his cruel purpose. If he couldn't have the throne, he could at least play around with his brother's love interest. His new prize. Islinda hated him. Loathed him for taking away everything that she could have had with the summer prince. He's the villain. Now she has been dragged into the middle of the dirty politics played in the courts of Astaria, not to mention surviving the cold games played by the prince. But all hope wasn't lost because the cruel prince could tempt her all he wants but he was never going to get the one thing he wants the most. To be loved. He would never have her heart! Or could he? ________“What can you offer me, little human,” He grinned, slow and cruel. She would make such a wonderful plaything. “Please,” She begged him, tears now gathering in her eyes, “Just let me go.” “Fine,” He shrugged as if it was an easy request, “You can go.” “W-what?” She croaked, finding it hard to believe. “Little human, you would find out my mind changes very easily.” Those words sounded merciful yet she could sense the threat beneath. But did he really mean? Islinda didn't sit around to find out as she broke into a sprint. If there was even the slightest chance of him changing his mind, then she would take it. She would not give up hope yet. She didn't know why but Islinda spared a look over her shoulder after a while and the blood drained from her face at what she saw coming. Oh no, she just made a terrible mistake. This was never freedom. It was a hunt. And she just became the prey.

In humanity’s final war against the Demon Lord, the strongest heroes fell—not by the enemy’s hand, but by their own, twisted into madness by a cruel illusion. Betrayal. Bloodshed. Despair… and then, silence.Only one person remained: Riley—the weakest warrior of them all. Powerless. Ignored. Forgotten.But he saw through the Demon Lord’s deception. The tyrant was on the brink of death—so weak even a fly could’ve finished him off.And Riley did just that, drawing every last ounce of strength to bite off the demon’s head.Victory? Not quite. A final, desperate strike from the Demon Lord pierced him from behind, killing him instantly.But fate wasn’t done with him yet.Riley awoke ten years in the past—when the online game [Apocalypse] was launched. Before demons descended. Before monsters overran the world.And this time, he wasn’t starting from nothing. He had a decade of experience—and a second chance.Even more shocking, he didn’t awaken his old D-rank Strength Boost talent. This time, he received something far more terrifying: an SSS-Rank Gluttony talent!He could now devour anything—monsters, items, talents, even traits—and gain their power.Ding![You have devoured: Iron Fang Wolf][Acquired: +4 Strength, +2 Agility, Skill: Bite (F-rank)][You have devoured: Goblin ShamanAcquired: +8 Intelligence, Skill: Mana Bolt (E-rank), Talent: Minor Spellcasting Efficiency][You have devoured: Flaming Salamander Drake][Acquired: +22 Endurance, Trait: Dragon’s Resilience, Skill: Flame Breath (C-rank)]Now, there is no demon, no god, no monster who will stand in his way. He will devour everything—and save the world.But the power of Gluttony was a double edged sword. If he wasn’t careful… he could be the one getting consumed.

[Warning!!! Contains Explicit Scenes, extreme gore, heart-pounding fight scenes, and a combat loving MC!]Two centuries ago, Earth underwent an earth-shattering change.The gods were slaughtered by an unknown terrifying existence, and their potent blood spilled through the entire solar system, corrupting all life on various planets along with Earth.As a last resort, the gods created the Galactic Tower. Their inheritances, strength, and relics were placed as rewards for those who cleared each floor, proving themselves worthy.Thus, the Awakening Era arrived.…Lucian Morningster, the golden boy of the city. He had a perfect life, had the prettiest girl, a good best friend and a very bright future.Noticing his potential, The Mayor took him in, everyone respected him, his classmates envied him and the Mayor took him as a son.However, everything ended when he awakened an F-rank talent instead of the S-rank talent everyone thought he would awaken.Lucian’s smile froze. He mumbled to himself, “It must be a mistake?”The whispers started again. This time they weren’t nice or joyful; no, they were sharper and carried a cruel edge.“See? I told you he would awaken a trash talent.”“All that potential, for an F-ranker?”His girlfriend who awakened a C-rank talent, “What a waste, Lucian. My father took you in for nothing,” Her voice as cold as the ice on the tips of her fingers.His best-friend who awakened an A-rank talent, “You know, seeing you so weak and vulnerable is kind of refreshing. She always hated your endless confidence, so do I. It’s no wonder she comes to me after being done with you.”Lucian, who was respected and envied now turned to a joke to the entire school and town.“Boom!”Those who he called friends attacked him, leaving him for dead in the Galactic Tower.It was then his chance for vengeance arrived.[Ding!][Would you like to Reroll your talent?][Congratulations! 100,000x Reroll has been triggered!][Self Regeneration (F-Rank) has evolved into Ungodly Regeneration (SSS-Rank)!]────────────────────────[Ungodly Regeneration]▪ Class Rank: SSS▪ Class Perk:— +∞% Vitality | +300% Mana (SSS)▪ Class Skills:➤ (SSS) Ungodly Regeneration: Instantly regenerates from any injury. [Upgradable]➤ (SSS) Blood Shadow: Use your blood to awaken a blood shadow of slain enemies. [Upgradable]➤ (SSS) Blood Extraction: Absorb the blood of the dead to gain random stat enhancements. [Upgradable]────────────────────────[Rerolling Standard Combat Spear...][1,876x Reroll has been triggered!] [Standard Combat Spear → Blood Shadow Devourer(Legendary)]────────────────────────[Rerolling Mana Sorage Necklace[Bronze-grade).][5000x Reroll has been triggered!] [Mana Sorage Necklace[Bronze-grade)→Celestial Essence Amulet (Mythic-grade)]────────────────────────[Rerolling Tresure Chest[Bronze-grade).][5000x Reroll has been triggered!] [Treaure Chest[Bronze-grade)→Treasure Chest (Mythic-grade)]•••With extraordinary power: comes extraordinary responsibilities.Lucian: “Fvck that! I just want vengeance!”