Industrial Strength Magic - Chapter 245: Life, Uh.. Finds A Way

Themes: Black Market Trading, Global Crime Networks, Boundaries of Human Nature and Morality, The Struggle Between Truth and SurvivalStory Background:In a modern metropolis, the surface level of prosperity conceals the darkness and corruption lurking beneath. Ethan, a highly skilled detective, spends his life navigating the shadowy corners of the city, uncovering the hidden secrets buried beneath the mundane facade of everyday life. When he is drawn into what initially seems like a simple suicide case, he becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the global black market, power struggles, and transnational crime.Main Characters:Ethan (Protagonist): A seasoned, calm, and intuitive detective who excels at finding the truth in complex cases. On the surface, he is a quiet, solitary man who prefers to avoid social interaction, but deep down, he is haunted by unresolved cases from his past. Faced with dark forces, he is both determined and full of doubt.Lila (Female Protagonist/Key Ally): Ethan's investigative partner, an intelligent and resourceful intelligence officer with a mysterious background. Her past is also shrouded in secrecy, and she seems to have an undisclosed connection to the “Black Angels” organization. She provides crucial assistance in Ethan's investigation, but her motives remain unclear, casting suspicion on her true intentions.Victor Saville (Antagonist/Main Adversary): A charismatic yet dangerous businessman, who appears to be a successful entrepreneur but is, in fact, one of the central figures of the global crime syndicate “The Black Angels.” Cold-hearted, clever, and ruthless, he controls a global black market network, overseeing arms trafficking, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. He is not only a key figure in Langley's death but also the biggest obstacle in Ethan's investigation.The Mysterious Woman (Key Character): An elusive woman who repeatedly appears during Ethan's investigation, warning him not to delve deeper into Saville and the “Black Angels” organization. Her identity is unclear, but it is evident that she holds vital secrets about Saville and his network. Her appearances leave Ethan bewildered—whether she is an enemy or his only ally remains uncertain.

Draco Xandros, an average young man, awakened an SS-Ranked Copy Talent and a Copy System. With these two strength, he had hope of fulfilling his hidden dream (becoming a hero) but fate said otherwise for him. Betrayed by the person he loved most, he lost his system and talent, his life hanging on a thread. Why? Why me? This question passed through his mind. The paining of getting his system and talent extracted and getting betrayed by his love made him fall in abyss. [Detecting sufficient energy to awaken the system] [Activating the Plundering System] **[Host has successfully awakened the Plundering System]** **[Gained an SSS+ Talent Ability: Plunder]** **[Gained an SSS+ Talent Ability: ????? Dragon Power]** **[Gained an SSS+ Talent Ability: ????? Phoenix Power]** This voice brought a change to his life. Farming EXP, getting stronger, completing missions. This was his daily life. Until a memory fragment surfaced... It turned out his identity wasn’t what it seemed. His past life, his parents—everything was shocking, as he found himself caught in a whirlpool of secrets. Follow Draco’s journey as he uncovers the missing pieces of the puzzle and the hidden truths about his past life.

Jeong Yoo-shin, 23 years old, was suddenly transported to another world.In this world, not only was it impossible to return home, but even survival was uncertain.Black-haired humans were called Barbarian and treated as northern savages.There was only one place where he could gain the strength to survive and find a way to return home: the Great Labyrinth.“I must become stronger to survive. And I will definitely go back.”This is the story of a black-haired human’s fierce struggle for survival in the labyrinth.

Lao Chen was just an old, underpaid security guard in a rundown apartment complex, living a miserable life under a stingy, ungrateful boss.His wife left him, his daughter wanted nothing to do with him, and poverty was his only constant companion.In the end, death came in the form of a drunk driver, leaving him broken and forgotten on the cold pavement.But fate wasn’t done with him. In his final moments, he prayed—desperate, pleading to any deity who would listen.And someone did.The God of Wealth and Love took pity on his wasted life and granted him a second chance.Wake up again as Zhao Yiming, a 25-year-old gambler and alcoholic drowning in debt with nothing but a good face and a strong body to his name, he was given the Affinity Money Maker System—a mysterious power that let him gain wealth and influence by forming relationships, whether as lovers, friends, or even enemies.Before he knew it, he had stumbled his way into unimaginable riches.But things never go as planned. One moment of recklessness—one affair with the wrong woman—led to an unexpected murder.Now, the system has thrown him onto a new path: The Villain Route. With a negative perk that keeps the police off his trail but tightens the noose around his future, Zhao Yiming is faced with an impossible choice.Will he claw his way to the top and become the billionaire he was meant to be? Or will his second life end behind bars, just as tragic as his first?