"Xia Lun, what do you think of this one?" Liyana held up a short skirt, comparing it against Aina's figure.
It was a rather provocative piece—one that would inadvertently reveal glimpses of pale thighs—with a stylish, modern cut.
Though Aina had come along, she showed little interest in the surrounding garments, sitting primly on a chair as she waited for Liyana to finish.
"Hmm... It looks nice, but I don’t think Aina would like it," Xia Lun offered a fair assessment.
"Oh? Really?" Liyana raised an eyebrow before skipping over to Aina.
"Aina! Xia Lun said he wants to see you in this!" Liyana grinned, handing her the skirt.
Aina glanced at the garment, then shot Xia Lun a look reserved for trash and vermin.
"Pervert," she murmured, though there was little reproach in her tone.
Xia Lun: "..."
Fortunately, Aina wasn’t genuinely upset. She must have overheard Liyana’s earlier exchange with Xia Lun and knew it was just a joke.
Otherwise, her reaction would have been far colder—she wouldn’t have even bothered speaking to him.
Liyana, however, seemed even more amused, as if she’d caught onto something, her lips curling into an unconscious smirk.
"Aina, since we’re here, why don’t you pick out something new? You wear that same black robe every day," Liyana coaxed.
"Unnecessary."
"Even if we don’t fuss over appearances when traveling, we’re still girls. We should dress up now and then... Who knows how smitten Xia Lun would be if you changed outfits?" Liyana pressed.
"Hey... Liyana, I’m not the type to be easily swayed. My will is steel," Xia Lun retorted.
"Hard to say. Our Aina is so beautiful—even if you’re the Hero, Xia Lun, you’d still fall at her feet." Liyana gave him a discreet thumbs-up behind Aina’s back.
That did sound intriguing.
A new idea took root in Aina’s mind.
She was the Demon King, after all. If she could bewitch the Hero into infatuation... the moment he discovered her true identity would be priceless.
Then, she could crush Xia Lun’s emotions and pride in the cruelest way—leaving him desperate to live yet longing to die, even willing to perish by her hand.
Truly, she was born to be the Demon King. What a terrifying thought.
Slowly, Aina rose from her seat and approached the clothing rack, her expression stern as she scrutinized the garments, though her icy demeanor remained, as if the fabrics had personally wronged her.
"So?" Liyana grinned, eager for praise. "Did I do you a solid?"
"Weren’t you the one who wanted to see Aina try on clothes in the first place?"
"Nonsense! I’ve given up on Aina—she’s your target now." Liyana clapped Xia Lun’s shoulder boisterously.
"D-don’t say things like that, Liyana. Aina is our teammate..."
"Oh?" Liyana arched a brow. "Are you seriously claiming you don’t feel anything for her?"
Xia Lun’s face stiffened slightly.
"We’ve been together since childhood. I’ve never seen you act like this around other girls—you think I don’t know you?" Liyana scoffed.
Xia Lun took a deep breath. He knew lying would be futile.
"...I do. A little."
"Still, I’m curious. Why Aina? What’s so great about her? Most people wouldn’t tolerate her temper—well, at least not at first."
Once she confirmed Xia Lun’s feelings, Liyana felt an inexplicable twinge of irritation, as though something precious had been snatched away.
With a derisive sniff, she added, "Don’t tell me it’s just her looks. Silver hair and crimson eyes are rare, sure... Tch, men really do think with their lower halves."
"Of course not. I’m not that shallow."
"Ah, so you’re a masochist who enjoys being scorned by Aina?" Liyana gasped, covering her mouth in mock surprise.
Xia Lun’s eye twitched. "What? No. What’s wrong with you, Liyana?"
"Doubt it. You looked pretty pleased when Aina called you a pervert earlier."
"Ahem." Clearing his throat, Xia Lun pondered before answering, "If I had to say... it’s her mystique. At first, it was just curiosity—she’s always hiding something. But then I realized I cared... I wanted to know more about her."
"Wow, Xia Lun. I didn’t know you had it in you to say something so embarrassing." Liyana widened her eyes.
Just then, Aina emerged from the fitting room.
Gone was the bulky, shapeless robe. In its place was an elegant black gown.
The graceful curve of her neck traced the arc of a swan gliding over frozen waters. The black silk clung to her shoulders like a butterfly’s wings poised to break free from its cocoon, while the hollow of her collarbone cradled shadows that swayed like candlelight.
Her figure, neither exaggerated nor ostentatious, was exquisitely proportioned—every contour a delight to behold. Beneath the hem, glimpses of slender, alabaster calves peeked out, luminous as moonlit snow.
Xia Lun’s lips parted slightly, admiration flickering in his gaze.
Aina seemed satisfied with his reaction, sweeping a lock of silver hair behind her ear with an air of cool detachment, like a fae bathed in moonlight.
"Thanks for the feast," Liyana intoned solemnly, pressing her palms together. "A sight like this could make even stale bread taste divine."
Aina tilted her chin slightly, her eyes locking onto Xia Lun as if demanding his verdict.
"Stunning... It suits you perfectly," he praised without hesitation.
"Naturally." A faint smirk tugged at her lips, radiating confidence.
She had, of course, overheard Liyana and Xia Lun’s conversation.
And secretly, it pleased her.
The Hero was indeed interested in her—which meant her plan was viable.
After all, she still hadn’t gauged Xia Lun’s true strength... Truth be told, her patience was wearing thin.
If she could break him another way, all the better.
Aina saw no issue with this. Yes—this was the wisdom of a Demon King.
Manipulating events from the shadows, holding all the strings... This was what it meant to rule.
Brute force alone was meaningless. A true Demon King mastered hearts as well.
"The mage lady seems rather pleased," Liyana whispered to Xia Lun.
"So it seems."
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
ng to die together with you." Lin Xuan is dead, his body thrown into the river by his scumbag lover and her accomplice. She, the president of the Su Group, is decisive, ruthless, and ice-cold. For three days and three nights, she had his body fished out of the river, and without hesitation, she kissed the bloated corpse of Lin Xuan. She laid down beside him in a cold coffin, their fingers intertwined, a smile lingering on her lips as she closed her eyes. The noble and cold-hearted woman, only bending for one man—Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan, with his golden finger, is reborn and returns to the day of his wedding to the treacherous woman. Su Qiang comes to steal the bride. Lin Xuan's eyes light up, eager to pledge his loyalty on the spot, but instead, her kiss transfers a glass of drugged wine into his mouth, causing him to pass out... 【Male Protagonist with Single Female Lead】【Yandere Tycoon】【Action-Packed】【True vs. Fake Heir】
y came from. The chests contained supplies, currency, class-change scrolls, skills, talents… and even godhood! The laws of the world were completely rewritten. This became a world where everyone gambled with their fate! Some people, despite having nothing, opened a divine artifact and rose to the top, eventually ruling the world. Others went bankrupt, opened nothing but worthless junk, and leaped from skyscrapers in despair. Lin Ye arrived in this world from another reality, utterly bewildered. “What is going on? Why is everyone a gambling addict?!” “Opening chests? No way. I refuse to gamble. I’ll start with myself!” Until— On his first chest, he obtained a Mythic Talent: Void Incarnation! He could become completely intangible, pass through all things, and reduce everything to nothingness! … On his fiftieth chest, he obtained a Mythic Weapon: Blade of Karma! With a single slash, karma shattered, twisting the universe and overturning the myriad phenomena of creation! … On his ninety-ninth chest, he obtained a Mythic Divine Treasure: Primordial Purple Energy! It could split open the heavens and earth, create all things, and evolve countless worlds with a single thought! Lin Ye: “Now that I think about it… shouldn’t someone have told me that every chest is guaranteed to contain something Mythic?!”
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
