Back Then, I Adored You - Chapter 8

Escaping from the wedding she dreaded with Crown Prince, Aed Ruad, Princess Anastasia ended up becoming the captive of the Lore's most dangerous man, Prince Ileus.

In the residence of the Duke of Zhenguo, the legitimate young miss, known for her icy demeanor, had transformed overnight.She, who usually regarded no one, woke up to confront anyone she saw with a few harsh words, using her frail body to intimidate so much that no one dared to touch her.Afterwards, this legitimate young miss began taking on retainers, nurturing powerful officials, engaging in commerce, and recruiting troops… Every act so shocking and audacious, it defied the norms and provoked fear in all who spoke of her!Yan Wanqing was seen as an enchantress and a disaster by the people, a thorn in the flesh and a nail in the eye that the ministers wanted desperately removed, an entity everyone shunned as if she were a venomous snake.Only the Crown Prince Mingyue, descending from the divine altar, in the dark, godless alleys, grasped her neck and repeatedly asked her, “Will you marry me or not?”

The most popular game worldwide is Ancient Arena Online, a high-octane PvP fantasy game where teams fight for supremacy in mythical arenas. Millions of fans watch livestreams, bet on matches, and follow their favorite players like celebrities. The game’s competitive scene is so fierce that professional teams are treated like esports royalty.At the heart of it all is Kai Ashford, one of the top players and captain of the pro team Phoenix Edge. With lightning-fast reflexes and strategic brilliance, Kai leads his team to countless victories. But success breeds jealousy. Sabotaged by a teammate he thought was loyal, Kai is not only kicked off his team, but also humiliated in front of millions of fans. With his reputation shattered and confidence at rock bottom, Kai retreats from the public eye.However, Kai's competitive spirit is not easily extinguished. He stumbles upon a group of amateur players—a ragtag bunch who show raw potential but lack the finesse needed to win at the highest levels. Their quirky personalities clash with his no-nonsense attitude, but something about their passion reminds him of why he started gaming in the first place. Deciding to put his past behind him, Kai agrees to train them into a professional team.Along the way, Kai builds unexpected connections with his new teammates, including romantic entanglements with a fiery mage, an eccentric hacker, and a mysterious assassin player, all while juggling his personal feelings and growing attraction for multiple women. As his new team rises through the ranks, they gain attention from fans and sponsors, putting them back on the radar of the professional scene.But Kai’s past doesn’t stay buried for long. His former teammates—now rivals—plot to sabotage him once again, while jealous contenders within the gaming world aim to tear him down. However, Kai's return to the spotlight will be on his terms this time. With a darker, more calculating approach, he plans to not only dominate the game but also to get sweet revenge on those who betrayed him.

Rokuhara Souta picked up a phone with a mysterious “Friendship System” installed. On that phone, he met an online friend with the nickname “Tokisaki Kurumi.”This online friend was a total roleplay enthusiast—her portrayal of Kurumi was so convincing it was almost eerie.Finding it amusing, Souta humored this hardcore chūnibyō (delusional teenager) and casually chatted with her.Since it was all fake anyway, he spoke without restraint, often throwing out flirtatious remarks just for fun.Until one day, he received an invitation from Tokisaki Kurumi to meet in person.And then… he transmigrated!In a filthy, bloodstained alley, dismembered human limbs lay strewn in the corners, the pungent stench of blood stinging his nose.Standing before Souta was Tokisaki Kurumi, fresh from a kill, smiling sweetly as she gazed at him…(Tentatively planned heroines include Kurumi, Oshino Shinobu, Military Princess(Re:Creator), Kamado Nezuko, Ereshkigal, Leticia… and more.)