Punished by his hidden love - Chapter 31 - The Good-for-nothing Friend

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

Chen Wu, an ordinary man from Green-mount Town, never expected his life to end in tragedy—or to begin anew in a treacherous world called the Ten Thousand World. Here, humans are prey to powerful Demonic Beasts, and survival hinges on cultivating Spiritual Energy and forming bonds with formidable creatures. For ten years, Chen Wu struggled to make a mark, his dreams of discovering a “”Golden Finger”” fading into despair.But fate takes a cruel turn when Hu Wang, a ruthless Demonic Pet Master, learns of Chen Wu’s rare Contract Spiritual Talisman—a legacy from his father. Ambushed and gravely injured, Chen Wu plunges into the deadly Gold-sand River, escaping only to find himself cornered, starving, and on the brink of death.When all hope seems lost, an electronic voice suddenly rings out:“”Ding! The Super God Evolution System has been activated!””With his Golden Finger finally in hand, can Chen Wu turn his misfortune into triumph and rise to claim his destiny as a Demonic Pet Master?Or will he succumb to the perils of this unforgiving world?

Can you get used to dying? Not really.

When a particular universe was born, its seven primordial Concepts acquired an ego. Omniscient and omnipotent, they seek since to enrich their home. To do so, they plunder other universes, capture young civilizations and plagiarize ideas. Many monsters, gods, civilizations, and races are competing for the eighth throne.

Eons later, it is Earth's turn to be torn away from its Sun.

Humanity begins its integration by participating in a Tutorial. Priam has the luck and the misfortune to finish the Tutorial first. Luck because his reward is a form of pseudo-immortality. Misfortune, because as the champion of his civilization, he is transported to Elysium, the most dangerous world created by the Concepts. Nine out of ten champions lose their lives there on their first day. Fortunately for Priam, he has many lives.

[ Warning: Mature Content R-18 ]What to expect: Revenge, a bit of comedy, some pretty dark humor, an overpowered MC (He worked and suffered for it of course), billionaire Playboy, very cold and ruthless FL, Manipulation, Blackmail, MILFs... lots of them, lots of 'We shouldn't be doing this sex' and more steamy sex scenes.You can skip the sex scenes if you're not willing but if you're a Man (or Woman) of Culture like me, Enjoy.--------------------------------------------------------This book is quite unique, because it breaks the 4th wall quite a lot of times so be prepared for that. I think that's rare to find on webnovel these days and that's part of what sets this book apart from others.___________________________________At 18, Danladi moves to the city to live with his wealthy but neglectful uncle, hoping for a fresh start. A computer genius and gaming prodigy, he’s roped into his uncle’s shipping business, but life in his uncle's household is anything but easy. Constantly belittled and mistreated by his uncle’s wife and her sisters, Danladi endures in silence—until one fateful night changes everything. A betrayal at a Christmas Eve party sets off a chain of events that catapults him into a world of power, deception, and revenge.With the help of his cunning best friend, Eric, Danladi seizes an unexpected opportunity, stepping into wealth and influence overnight. But rather than reveal his newfound fortune, he plays a long game, exacting quiet vengeance before vanishing from their lives. Years later, he re-emerges—this time as the head of a groundbreaking gaming empire, a billionaire at just 23.But success comes at a cost. Lured into a dangerous business deal, Danladi finds himself entangled with the ruthless Italian Mafia, losing nearly everything and barely escaping with his life. Just when he thinks all is lost, he crosses paths with Jenn Carter—a brilliant but relentless MI6 agent hunting the very people who deceived him. She offers him a deal: his skills in exchange for her resources. Together, they embark on a high-stakes mission for justice, deception, and survival.As Danladi is thrust into a world of espionage, undercover operations, and a deadly game of cat and mouse, he and Jenn must navigate their growing feelings for each other while staying one step ahead of those who want them dead. But when a $50 million bounty is placed on their heads, the hunt intensifies, forcing them to fight not just for vengeance—but for their lives.Betrayal made him ruthless. Revenge made him powerful. But will love make him vulnerable?