Hero? I've Long Stopped Being One - Volume 1 Chapter 23

He became the Emperor when he was just a boy and was beheaded before reaching adulthood. It was a tragedy brought about by his fate as the first noble wizard.“Ian, don’t be born in your next life.”He thought everything was over, listening to the traitor’s heartless words. He knew, but…“You are a symbol of peace. Where else would you find such honor as a lowly one?”He became the Margrave’s bastard son, whose family went extinct 100 years ago.A lowly, unsophisticated one, destined to be sold as a hostage to the barbarians across the border.

I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay Down My Gun is a Korean web novel that immerses readers in a complex world where the protagonist, after returning from another realm, faces challenges that prevent them from abandoning their role as a warrior. The story intricately weaves elements of fantasy and sci-fi with a strong psychological undercurrent, exploring themes of identity and duty. In this gripping narrative, the protagonist is forced to confront the harsh realities of war and survival in a world that seems familiar yet is fraught with new dangers. Despite having the chance to return to a peaceful life, the protagonist finds themselves unable to lay down their weapon, suggesting a deep internal conflict and a sense of responsibility towards the battles they must still face​​​​. Why Read It: **1. A Unique Blend of Genres: The novel skillfully combines elements of action, adventure, fantasy, and mecha, offering a refreshing take on the traditional isekai (another world) genre. The mecha and sci-fi components add a layer of technological intrigue, making it appealing to fans of futuristic storytelling​​. **2. Psychological Depth: At its core, the story delves into the psychological struggles of its protagonist. The exploration of identity, post-war trauma, and the moral dilemmas of warfare provides depth and complexity, making it more than just a typical action narrative. This focus on character development and internal conflict resonates with readers who appreciate stories with emotional and psychological substance​​. **3. Rich World-Building: The novel is known for its expansive world-building, which blends modern-day elements with fantastical and sci-fi settings. The detailed environment and intricate plotlines create a captivating backdrop for the protagonist’s journey, engaging readers with its vivid and immersive universe​​​​. **4. Engaging Plot: With over 651 chapters and counting, the novel offers an extensive and engaging storyline that keeps readers hooked. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists, strategic battles, and complex character interactions, ensuring that there is never a dull moment​​. Reception and Popularity: I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay Down My Gun has gained a substantial following among fans of Korean web novels. Its blend of action, fantasy, and psychological themes appeals to a wide audience, from those who enjoy fast-paced adventures to those who prefer more introspective tales. Although still ongoing, the novel has already completed its first part and several side stories, providing a satisfying yet evolving reading experience​​. Conclusion: This novel is a must-read for fans of isekai stories who are looking for something with more depth and complexity. Its exploration of post-war realities and the psychological impact of conflict offers a thought-provoking take on the genre. Whether you're drawn to epic battles, intricate plots, or character-driven narratives, I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay Down My Gun promises an unforgettable literary journey.

“And if someday you see me, remember to forget my name, or karma will bow.”****For Awuor’s power, her people had done the unthinkable, in the history of werewolves.Her beta and brother, Dom, murdered their mother, the Sicario luna and blamed it on Awuor. In his grief, her father didn't bother to try and find out the truth, instead, for murdering her mother, he gave his daughter the worst punishment any alpha could ever get.He banished her from home, but Awuor’s wasn’t the usual banishment. Her father neither stripped her of the alpha title, nor did he make her a rogue. Instead, Alpha Sicario forced Awuor to be an exiled alpha, a woman so powerful, but with no one to rule over.Her mate, Jer, a power-hungry bastard, stepped up to rule the Sicario pack, since Awuor, the reigning alpha, was away, and Jer never once sought her out. Just like everyone else, he had betrayed her when he claimed a different woman, without rejecting Awuor.As the gates of Sicario closed on her, as her people watched her in disgust and disappointment, the daughter of Sicario had just one thought.A PROMISE of destruction & vengeance; she would ruin them all.***[EXCERPT]“Either you're from the Dawson pack, the Bluemoon pack, or the Sicario pack, because you're definitely not from our Greyson pack. You must have done something really stupid for your alphas to banish you, even though you have no scent of the ferals.“So that could mean you're not a feral, but you're certainly not that important to your people. You seem to have an attitude and reek of power, that's why you don't appreciate anyone talking to you like a regular wolf.“But all of that doesn't matter right now, because you are the unwanted little wolf. The girl without a home, the rejected wolf who can't be claimed by anyone else. You're dressed in banana leaves because you have no clue how to make proper clothing on your own.“— or even check the feral cloth reservoir on the west of this forest. The fact that you have stayed so close to the other three packs is because you don't want to be away from home and are somehow hoping that they'd want you back.“Allow me to spell it out for you and make it easier for your probably useless brain to understand, little wolf, no one wants you. I'm only taking you to my alpha because your presence here is a nuisance to us, and for some reason, the alpha is interested in you.“And before you get any ideas about mates and whatnot, our alpha is already mated. So will you get up on your own, or do we have to take you stripped? Because I for one have no problem doing that. We could just treat you like the rogue that you're not,” Adolf said to Awuor who still had her angry smirk on.

Two years ago, Lin Chou Sui’s firefighter father sacrificed himself in a fire.

The last conversation between father and daughter ended in a big fight.

Lin Chou Sui woke up crying countless times in her dreams, wishing that if her dad could be reborn, she would obediently listen and never talk back.

Little did she expect that her dad would actually be reborn!

His soul possessed the body of Xiao Yan, the academic god of their high school.

…

Xiao Yan excelled in both character and academics. His total scores never dipped below 700. All the girls at their high school knew: getting into Tsinghua or Peking University was easy, getting close to Xiao Yan was difficult.

But Lin Chou Sui noticed that recently, the way Xiao Yan looked at her was very strange. His aloofness contained deep affection; his affection…was full of fatherly love?

So Lin Chou Sui’s daily life became:

Before exams, Xiao Yan would give her his notes to copy.

During her period, Xiao Yan would brew her red date tea and cook porridge.

Bad boys who blocked her path and harassed her would get kicked flying by Xiao Yan.

Lin Chou Sui was very touched. Other than her dad, no one had treated her this well.

…

On a hot afternoon, Xiao Yan sat with Lin Chou Sui on the stairwell to do homework, his gaze tender beyond words.

A light breeze blew by. The youth was about to lean in to kiss her.

Suddenly, a cold, icy male voice sounded in his mind:

“Young Xiao, may I ask what you intend to do with my daughter?”

Xiao Yan: ……

Xiao Yan crawled out from the mud. Beneath his cold and aloof appearance was a sinister and vindictive nature.

To climb from the lowliest dust to the summit out of reach, the path was filled with thorns. For this purpose he would stop at nothing, sparing no cost.

However, all the darkness and gloom in his life ended with that one strange encounter…

From then on, the skies cleared and his dead end led to new life.

A sinister genius boy meets a muddled Failure girl