COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya - Chapter 178: A Truly Useless Teammate

Have you ever thought about cheating in real life?That’s exactly what happened to Eryke—one fateful day, while lazing on the couch, his life changed forever.Because he Awakened the SSS-Rank Clone Talent and everything became possible.From Dragon King to Telekinetic Grandmaster, from Heavenly Demon to Jiangshi King to Martial Lord, Book Taming!?...Eryke didn’t just gain power; he became the power itself.With titles stacking like second nature, the world became his playground.“With this broken cheat in my hands, anything is possible!”

Caleb Zane was a genius geneticist from Earth living a normal life until he met an unfortunate accident that claimed his life.But as fate would have it, he was given another chance at life in a magical world he could only imagine.Unlike what he saw and read in popular literature, he didn't score some rich family who would give him a good starting point.He did, however, get the ultimate gift of all....................[Host Detected...]“What...?”[Analyzing magic potential of host][#Error... #Error. No potential detected. Analyzing past memories...]Caleb watched with bated breath as the system did its thing...[Past skills analyzed. Creating suitable skill...][Skill created: Congratulations, host has awakened the skill: Genetic Manipulation.]“The fuck?”..................Armed with a skill unlike anything ever seen before, Caleb must explore its limits and carve a path for himself in his new world.He discovers shocking secrets of his new world and the origins of his transmigration as well as the reasons he got the genetic system.....................First thing first...This is a passion project of mine so updates will be inconsistent and will only be updated as and when I have time.If you find this novel interesting and wish for more chapters, show your support and maybe, I can write more.

The footsteps sounded closer, and closer, and closer, until he faintly heard Siri's voice welcoming someone into the house, but before he could open his eyes to see who it was, he felt a large hand gripping his neck, his legs were locked tightly between much larger ones, and, he felt the cold metal of a gun placed directly on his...gun.Zeno quickly opened his eyes from instincts, ready to fight off his attacker, but the moment he did so, he was met with mesmerizing dark grey orbs, staring dangerously at him.The face of his attacker was too close, he couldn't make out his features, but he knew they were sharp, even from a closed look.He didn't bother fighting, he didn't want to lose his junior member down there, and his Nana still expected grandchildren from him. He couldn't disappoint her.“Who. Are. You?” The voice of his attacker was so deep, dark, and commanding.Zeno was a fighter, but he felt a chill run down his spine from the sound of the voice.The hand around Zeno's neck tightened, but he endured it, he was a fighter.Judging by his attacker's looks and actions of confidence, this was his boss.~~~After losing his parents and being faced with an unbelievable medical bill, Zeno Evander finds himself working as a Manny for a mysterious Billionaire, but it doesn't last long; after almost being killed by the Mafia billionaire, Zeno swore never to return to that place again.But after a week of escaping the Mafia billionaire, Zeno finds himself kidnapped and Blackmailed into signing a year's contract as the Mafia's Manny and bodyguard.Could Zeno escape his evil and monstrous boss? Or would he be consumed by him? Consumed by the forbidden passion he felt build up between them? Would he risk his life just to experience the burn of forbidden love?After the betrayal from his family, ex-wife, and friend five years ago, Sebastian Orion became a totally different being.He became cold, aloof, and dangerous as he rose to become the most feared Mafia king of the underworld, and everyone who heard his name shivered from fear.He distrusted everyone and hated any form of human relationships, building a thick wall around himself.But, not until his son's manny came into the picture.Zeno irritated him in every way, he hated the mere sight of his bodyguard and would have chosen to kill him if not for the sake of his son.Sebastian always tried to push Zeno away by treating him in the lowest way possible.But when the contract was coming to an end, were his feelings still the same? Or did he suddenly realize that it wasn't only his son that needed Zeno?~~~“What are you waiting for? Leave!” Sebastian snarled bitterly.He would have to speak with Butler Nicole to find out why he brought back this stupid clown to his house.He had just returned from yet another trip, just to find this nuisance in his house again.He hated Zeno so much; he was classless and looked extremely dangerous to be near his son; who knew if he was sent as a snitch by an enemy?“I'm sorry, boss, but I can't,” Zeno said and stood his ground.Leaving would mean he wanted his Nana to die; no, he'd rather stay here and take all punches that came his way; he was used to it.“What?!” Sebastian couldn't believe that such stupid people were still existing in the world.“I can't leave,” Zeno repeated.

Broken-hearted and drunk, Yoshida, a 26-years old salaryman, stumbled upon a runaway-from-home high-schooler on his way back from the bar.

“Hey, you. JK.”*

“What the heck are you doing out here. Go home already.”

“Uncle, let me stay at your place for the night.”

“You can do ‘that’ to me if you let me stay.”

“If you meant that as a joke, it’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking. It’s fine by me.”

“Then allow me to tell you that I have no interest in brats.”

“Hmm?”

“Then, just let me stay.”

Notes:

[*] JK is slang for Joushikousei (high school girl)