Behind the bustling facade of Allenson City lay foul, sewage-ridden alleyways.
The wreckage of steam machinery.
Discarded materials from magical experiments.
And all manner of household waste, mingled with unidentified flesh and blood, fermented relentlessly in the rainwater, emitting a putrid, eye-watering stench.
Passersby would often walk past with faces twisted in disgust.
Their boots hurriedly clattering over the stone steps.
Not even sparing a second glance.
No one noticed the small figure curled up in the shadows of the alleyway walls, trembling, her face numb and vacant.
Her hair was matted with filth, soaked through with grimy water.
Disheveled. Reeking.
No joy, no sorrow—only hollow emptiness and an unnameable fear.
Hunger and pain struck at once, tormenting the girl’s frail body.
"...So hungry."
Her eyes were dull and lifeless, gray with numbness. Clutching her aching, burning stomach, she sat in the mud, waiting for death.
"...It hurts."
Her hand reached up, brushing the wound on her neck.
A rope burn, left by a noose dragged behind a galloping carriage.
Hated for her demonic bloodline.
Alive because of her demonic bloodline.
A paradoxical, suffocating torment, like invisible shackles.
Too heavy for the young witch to bear.
"...So tired."
She curled tighter into herself.
Retreating further into the alley’s shadows.
Maybe death would let her sleep forever, free from hunger.
But then—
Footsteps echoed in the alley. The sweet scent of fresh bread stirred something primal in her.
She was starving.
She needed to eat.
Against her will, her parched throat managed a weak swallow.
Torn between guilt and desperation,
the young witch forced herself up, dripping with mud, her bruised hands clutching a small knife as she brandished it at the unsuspecting stranger entering the alley.
"S-Stop!"
"Give... give me the bread!"
Would she get the bread?
Or would she be killed on the spot?
Moments later, the witch stared blankly at the loaf in her hands, then at the outstretched palm offering it to her.
"Come with me."
The man’s voice was gentle.
Krisha was confused. She couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
Was he asking her to be his slave?
If so, that might be a good thing—at least she wouldn’t have to wander anymore.
She braced herself.
Whether as a slave or a disposable tool, being "needed" meant she could keep living.
But the man named Xu Xi was strange.
He washed away her filth.
Gave her clean clothes.
Prepared a room for her.
And in a voice soft with warmth, he asked for her name.
"Krisha..." The young witch murmured, her hollow eyes lifting to meet his. "Krisha Christina."
Xu Xi smiled.
Gently, he patted her head.
"That’s a beautiful name," he praised.
It was the first compliment the witch had ever received.
Inside the room, Xu Xi busied himself arranging her space, preparing bedding for her to sleep.
"Such a strange master..."
Watching him, Krisha felt even more lost.
This wasn’t what she had expected.
No beatings. No scorn. No harsh words.
The young witch had prepared for the worst.
Yet what she received—
was something she had never dared imagine.
"Krisha, today we’ll learn this," the man said softly, seating her across from him as he taught her basic knowledge and writing.
Yes.
The witch was learning.
She didn’t understand why someone as ugly and worthless as her was being educated.
But she obeyed.
Even confused, she followed Xu Xi’s instructions without question.
She learned letters, common sense, how to speak properly.
The twisted horns on her head, the patchy scales on her skin—those monstrous traits no longer tormented her within these walls.
Yet sometimes—
the memories still haunted her body.
When Xu Xi raised his hand, she would flinch away.
A terrified whimper escaping her.
Colliding with chairs and tables in panic before huddling in a corner, arms wrapped tightly around her head.
"N-No... please... don’t..."
The young witch trembled, bracing for pain.
But it never came.
Slowly, she dared to open her eyes.
And saw only regret in his expression—concern, guilt, and unmistakable tenderness.
"I’m sorry, Krisha."
"...I’m so sorry."
Her [master] had apologized to an [object].
The words washed over little Krisha, leaving her silent and bewildered.
with Taming My Adopted Niece) (Multiple Heroines + Power Fantasy) Before transmigrating, Wang Jianqiang suffered greatly from novels with no female leads. Holding firm to the belief that "women only slow down my blade," he stubbornly maintained his virginity even after decades in the Sect of Dual Cultivation. In his twilight years, with his cultivation stagnant at the third level of Qi Refining, he finally succumbed and "rewarded" himself once—triggering the awakening of the Godly Cultivation System. From then on, he realized women might actually be his lucky stars on the path to immortality. Deciding to indulge freely and savor life, he found his ungrateful adopted niece knocking at his door...
agon king storylines. At the start, I obtained the "Ultimate Lackey System" - the more I act as a lackey, the stronger I become. What else could I do? I chose to become the personal henchman of the ultimate villain, Su Muwan. I provoke all sorts of chosen ones, snatch away their opportunities, and commit every evil deed imaginable. You ask who's behind me? Hmph! You're not worthy of knowing my lady's name! ...... ....... I am Su Muwan, the eldest daughter of the Su family. Since childhood, I've possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, which led to my arrogant and domineering personality in my past life. I was even foolish enough to repeatedly challenge those favored by heaven, ultimately resulting in a tragic death. In this life, I must behave and absolutely cannot walk the same path again!! However... SLAP!! "So you're the Dragon King, huh?!" When I saw my little lackey swagger over and viciously slap the Dragon King who was hiding his identity, I felt my heart sink. Su Muwan's suspended heart finally died as she watched Qin Luo, her utterly loyal lackey, standing before her. She fainted on the spot from shock. Heaven is determined to destroy me!! (Pure love 1v1, light-hearted, no angst, single female lead, villain, reincarnation, lackey)
lities. One day, Qi Yuan was buying groceries when he unfortunately came face-to-face with a monster. Just when he thought he was going to die on the spot, he suddenly heard the monster's thoughts... "This aura, he's definitely not an ordinary master!" "So terrifying, so terrifying." "A fight with my back against the wall, I can't take it anymore." Qi Yuan: Ah, no one told me that my awakened ability isn't telepathy, but rather the stronger my enemies imagine me to be, the stronger I truly become. PS: Zhou Hai in the first chapter is not the protagonist.
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
