The Strange Adventure of a Broke Mercenary - Chapter 342: From Exhaustion to Breakthrough (1)

Ethan Cross was just an ordinary college student in his past life—until he died trying to save a banker playing hero. Now, he finds himself reincarnated in “New World”, a realm plagued by Dread Beasts, where only those who awaken Aethermarks can become Heroes.But there’s a problem.Ethan has awakened as an E-rank Hero, the weakest tier, cursed with only one ability slot—a death sentence for any aspiring warrior. With no powerful clans willing to recruit him and the world already looking down on him, his future seems bleak.Until he discovers his Innate Talent: Sanctum of Beasts.This mysterious power grants him access to a personal dimension, where he can hunt endless waves of Dread Beasts. Unlike the real world, slaying them in this space drops Ability Fragments, which he can combine to gain abilities without slot restrictions. Even better? Time flows differently—he can train for days, yet only an instant passes in reality.Determined to rise from nothing, Ethan embarks on a secret journey to accumulate power. But as he completes missions and unravels the truth about the Black Pits, he realizes there’s something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.The Hero Association hides dark secrets. Villains roam freely in the shadows. And Dread Beasts may not be the mindless creatures everyone believes them to be.With powerful enemies watching his every move, Ethan must play a dangerous game—remain unnoticed or become the hunter of both beasts and men.But one thing is certain:In this world, strength is everything. And Ethan Cross will carve his own path to the top—no matter the cost.

A hero must be compassionate, selfless and courageous.But that isn't all. Because a hero must also be powerful.In this world, power is everything. Strength decides who gets to save lives and who's left with community service. That’s why I was nothing — a rank 50 E-Class reject, skating through the streets, saving what little I could while the real heroes battled gods and monsters.Then one day, I died. Almost.Dragged into the abyss, I was given a second chance: the Forever Core. An armor that evolves. A system that never stops adapting. Every battle, every hit, every mistake, I come back stronger.Now, the monsters that once crushed me can’t kill me the same way twice.I must adapt. Evolve. I must grow stronger and fight harder. Because humanity is worth fighting for.Even if I have to burn every villain alive to prove it.

Li Xiaofei, thrust 500 years into the future, finds himself as a young orphaned man in a harsh, post-apocalyptic world. Raised by a woman only slightly older than himself in the unforgiving slums, he quickly learns that survival requires both strength and cunning.In a world ravaged by alien star beasts, where gangs rule the streets and political factions vie for control, chaos is the order of the day. Amidst this turmoil, Li Xiaofei must carve out his own destiny. Armed with the mysterious Moonlight Treasure Box, he embarks on a perilous journey to make a name for himself and protect the ones he loves.Will Li Xiaofei rise above the chaos to bring peace to his world, or will he be consumed by the darkness that surrounds him?Official BlurbThe star beasts invaded, and Earth’s civilization collapsed. A young man, wielding the artifact Moonlight Treasure Box, drew upon the legacy of three thousand martial arts techniques from various worlds. He protected humanity, won the hearts of beautiful women, slew star beasts, suppressed myriad races, ruled the universe, and commanded the heavens. In the vast cosmos, he was invincible!