Short, Light, Free - Chapter 179: Heaven on Earth II

Anton is a great-grandfather. He is living quite a happy life, despite his advanced age and declining health… until a group of cultivator bandits moves into the area. The nearby guardians of the area, the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars, are unable to track them down as they continue to ravage nearby towns. During one desperate winter Anton is out on a hunt when his family- his entire village- is killed or taken as slaves by the bandits. He lacks the strength to fight them, and he wasn’t even present for their arrival to die with his loved ones. At the pit of his despair, he wonders if he ever had any chance to change things. What could he even do? He cannot even pull his best bow, and his eyesight is failing. If he had been a cultivator… perhaps there might have been a chance, but he was decades- perhaps even most of his life- too late.Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge (2022)Notes on cultivation levels:There are five general stages of cultivation, though the fifth is extremely rare. Each cultivation style might have their own name for the stages.1. Body Tempering2. Spirit Building/ occasionally System Creation (Ninety-Nine Stars)3. Constellation Formation (Ninety-Nine Stars)4. Life Transformation/Galaxy Construction (Ninety-Nine Stars)5. Ascension

Good news: someone found a sheepskin that emits text when picked up.Bad news: that person is not me.Good news: the old man downstairs can see the death countdown above people's heads.Bad news: the old man is about to die.Good news: the landlord's daughter has been reborn with memories of the future.Bad news: I am still clueless.As reality becomes more bizarre, the game's situation continues to evolve.The 'Seeking Demon' game service begins, and Fang Yu enters the game, only to discover that this game does not display health bars.Yet, he is able to see them!”Big Demon King: 1/21999.“”Let go of that demon, let me handle it!“”Sky Fang Tiger: 29481/29482.““Brothers, charge! Massive blow! Whoever gets a kill, it counts as theirs!”Fang Yu retreats while shouting loudly.

This is the tale of Arin, a once kind-hearted and gentle child, now a man hardened by the cruelty of society and the brutal trials of life—a man transformed into a ruthless criminal, devoid of mercy. As his world was collapsing, fate transported him to a new realm. This world, more vicious and savage than his own, was steeped in magic and dark mysteries.Ironically, it was in this fearsome world that Arin, now an undead being, began to rediscover his lost humanity. Through battles and bloodshed, amidst the clash of sorcery and steel, he started to reclaim the compassion he once hated. This is not just a story of survival but a saga of transformation. Follow Arin’s journey as he rises to power, determined to become the ruler of this harsh world. In a twist of fate, he now seeks to save the very humanity he once wanted to destroy.