First Contact - Interlude

The protagonist of a war fantasy novel, Theo, competes with his rival and antagonist, Luke, for the position of Supreme Commander. Having been reincarnated into Luke’s role, he struggles to fulfill his duties as the villain. “It seems like principles as a soldier, the duties I should uphold, don’t matter to you at all.” Even if misunderstood by Theo, Luke silently remained faithful to his role as the antagonist. After completing all his duties, Luke successfully gave Theo his happy ending, cast aside his military uniform, and retired from the army. Now, Luke planned to create his own future story without interference from anyone. That was the plan, at least… “Why go this far? I’m no longer a soldier, and if you really think about it, we were never on good terms anyway.” To make matters worse, not only had he unexpectedly reunited with Theo, but now, Theo was persistently and seriously pressing him in a way he hadn’t imagined. “I want to know you better.” It was a completely incomprehensible statement, and it wasn’t even an appropriate answer to the question. The protagonist came to the antagonist and suddenly asked for help, simply because they wanted to know him better?

A college student was returning home after studying abroad for several years when the end of the world happened. A dragon appeared out of nowhere and attacked the plane he was in, thanks to an incredible amount of luck and his quick-thinking, he managed to survive the plane crash only to get stuck on a tropical island. A weird system took over the world and brought monsters to Earth. While nations collapsed and the world as a whole was being destroyed by ridiculous monsters, Leon was stuck on a godforsaken island with no chances of being rescued. What will happen to him? How will the world change while he is away? Will he even manage to return? The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

[Fireworks in the world are the most soothing to the hearts of mortals!]

“There is no temple at the age of eighty-two,”

“Sixty-nine years of worry.”

“The world is hard,”

“Long life is not easy.”

“Yin and Yang are reversed in a dream, and in the next life… I beg!”

【Name】: Lu Chen

[Identity]: Master of Changchun Temple

【Repair】: None

[Cultivation method]: Immortal Changchun Kung Fu (can be upgraded!) +

[Spell]: Control swordsmanship (upgrade conditions can be expanded!)

“Expand!”

“upgrade!”

……………………………..

PS: Upgrade, relax, cultivate immortals, demons, ghosts…

- Description from novelbuddy

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.