Otherworld Dagashi Shop Yahagi - Chapter 4: 10-Rim Chocolates

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.

Zhao Feng works hard to prove himself better than peers in the Martial Arts Training Ground, but just when he's about to give up, a mysterious black, marble-like, object fuses with his left eye, granting him the powers of the ancient gods.With his newfound powers, Zhao Feng embarks on the journey toward becoming the greatest martial artist of all time.

Survival is easy. Life is very difficult. My family wants not to live in humility, but to live a proud and glorious life. My family, will not be slaves!

- Description from Novelupdates

After being flogged to death for a crime she didn’t commit, Calista received a second chance when a system contracted her. It was simple: complete tasks and she could earn a second chance in life. After completing several of them, the chance to reincarnate in her original world and body was finally granted to her.However, unlike others, she didn’t want revenge against the people who killed her or wanted to unmask what truly transpired back then. All she wanted was to live peacefully and enjoy the bounty benefits which came with the reincarnation.And that was something she found when she met a man she fell in love with in some backward village. Unfortunately, all that was broken when her husband of five years perished at the hands of bandits.Things went downhill when Calista married her second husband, Orson, an amnesiac man whom she scammed into marrying her. But things weren't as simple as they seemed— Orson might be hiding some secrets of his own.Led on a path of revenge that Calista never thought she would be on, she soon realized that Orson might have more to do with her first life and death than he led on. If he knew she was still alive, he might kill her again.That meant that this time, Calista might have to strike first.