Shroud Arcanum - Chapter 2 - - Into the Shroud

Will you forgive them or seek revenge? Forgiveness and revenge are, after all, the two inevitable outcomes when faced with betrayal—rather, the two sides to behold of the same coin. No matter how many times forgiveness surfaces, revenge is equally likely to occur.This is the tale of a man who has endured countless betrayals throughout his life. One might even say he's been betrayed by his own fate. Yet, he has always chosen to forgive and move forward with a cheerful smile. Revenge never really occurred to him— not even once.However, his life took a dramatic turn when he gets involved in a tragic accident, meeting a miserable end. But fate had other plans, and he was reincarnated in a different world. With his newly acquired body, he starts his life as a Mage Class Adventurer, only to face the dark reality of the world. The atrocities he witnessed—enslavement, smuggling, trafficking, and so on—were nothing but the tip of the iceberg. The Dark Morals of the world remained untouched.What secrets lie hidden? What darkness shrouds this world? One must join him on his journey to discover the truth. As he continues surviving in this new world with certain ambition and purpose, he also acquires a 'System' to enhance his potential. With each level and skill upgrade, he conquers the chaos and earns a title no one ever will ever be able to attain.[“Do read if you feel like reading my creation. Your support is what gives me inspiration to carry on”— El Sandra.][Note: My novel contains violence and harmful events. Reader discretion is strongly advised]

Many islands dotted the vast oceans of this world. However, some of the islands were a lot more sinister than the rest. Those islands, known as Nightmare Islands, were true nightmares to all but the strongest and most fortunate. Children were kidnapped and thrown on these isolated islands by the Nightmare Palace, forced to sign soul pacts with evil soul pets: Nightmares. These devils slowly devoured the souls of their trainers to grow stronger. If the children did not cultivate fast enough, their souls will be devoured whole, leaving only an empty husk behind.

Chu Mu, the protagonist, was an heir to the Chu Clan, but due to a plotted murder, he was thrown on the island, sentencing him to almost certain death. Dancing on the edge of life and death, he struggled to survive with a small Moonlight Fox he captured. When he finally escaped the devilish foremen on his island, he couldn’t help but let a breath out. But little does he know, the experience was only a beginning to a fated journey with his little Moonlight Fox…

William and his college class are ripped from Earth and thrown into Aethel, a world on the brink of collapse. Everyone gains incredible magical powers – except William. Mocked and underestimated, he’s an outcast among heroes. But William has a secret: an SSS-ranked skill that lets him travel to Aethel’s past. Learning lost magic from ancient masters, he’ll surpass his classmates and become the true savior Aethel needs. But can he overcome the dangers of the past and present to forge his own destiny? While others studied about the first mage, William could go back in time and see the first mage himself! While others dreamed of seeing a dragon, William could go back in time, hatch a legendary dragon egg and turn it into his puppy. While others used common materials to craft their items, William could go back in time and mine materials that weren’t find anywhere in Aethel anymore. Is it unfair? Perhaps, but William was not the type of person to not use the powers the universe gave him.

“Hah..Hah..”

In the midst of what seemed like a battlefield, a young boy with white hair knelt on the ground, struggling to catch shallow breaths. A short sword pierced his heart, his arms and legs were broken, making him unable to stop the crimson blood from coloring the ground.

“That's what you get for betrayal,” a red-headed teenage boy sneered as he stood before him.

“A pathetic person like you could never be my brother,” added a purple-haired girl, her voice seething with anger, as she stood alongside the redhead.

With great effort, the young boy shifted his gaze forward. He could see many familiar faces in front of him—his so-called family, his so-called friends but his gaze remained fixed on her.

“Wh..y, A.nna,” he uttered with immense difficulty and sorrow in his voice, his vision blurring as he locked eyes with the blonde-haired girl, who regarded him with emotionless eyes.

“I did that so I could save you,” he said, his voice gradually growing louder.

“I DID THAT SO YOU COULD LIVE!” he shouted, making everyone present flinch in fear.

“I never asked you to do this” the blonde-haired girl replied, her words crushing the very soul of the boy.

“A...nn.a,”

the young boy whispered one last time, a small tear slipping down from his eye as he breathed his final breath.

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Neil survived eight grueling years in a post-apocalyptic world only to die and be reincarnated in the body of Eden Morton, a character from a game he

used to play as a teenager, by an unknown entity for unknown reasons.

Eden's life was a pitiable one, plagued by the constant manipulation and betrayal of those around him – whether it was the princess, the famed hero, or even his very own family. Eden died without ever experiencing genuine love. Now, as Neil took over, he was determined to embark on a new journey, seeking the one thing he and Eden never had : a life worth living.