Pay With Your Heart - Chapter 8

Ethan's head throbbed violently as he opened his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused. A dull ringing filled his ears, drowning out his thoughts.“What’s happening…?” he thought, his mind sluggish, struggling to catch up with reality. One moment, he was asleep—or at least, he thought he was—and the next, searing pain forced him awake.His vision swam, shapes blurring together in a disorienting mess. But then, muffled noises filtered through the haze—frantic, panicked sounds. Someone was trying to scream, their voice smothered, choked by something.A cold shiver ran down his spine.As his sight gradually sharpened, Ethan's breath hitched.He was on all fours, looming over someone. A girl.Her body twisted and writhed beneath him, ropes biting into her wrists and ankles. Her mouth was gagged, muffling her cries. Her wide brown eyes, brimming with fear and fury, glared up at him.Ethan's body locked in place, his blood running cold.“What the…?” His mind reeled, thoughts slamming into each other in chaotic disarray. “What kind of bizarre dream is this?”Panic clawed at his chest. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps as he scrambled backward, only to realize his limbs felt sluggish, uncooperative, like they didn’t belong to him.“Is this… is this some kind of twisted fantasy I never knew I had?” A sickening thought slithered through his mind, making his stomach churn.The girl's frantic squirming slowed for a moment, her gaze flickering with confusion as she took in his expression—his trembling hands, his wide, horrified eyes. But the fear returned just as quickly. She struggled harder, her body arching, her muffled screams rising in pitch.Ethan wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but before he could force out a word, a glowing blue window materialized before his eyes.His breath caught.A translucent, hovering screen?“What…?”Lines of glowing text scrolled across its surface.---[System Activated…][Host Confirmed.][Simulating Previous Data…]Ethan awakens in a mysterious world, shackled by a curse that clouds his judgment and drives him toward choices he never wished to make. Burdened by guilt and responsibility, he must navigate the fallout of his actions while unraveling the truth behind the curse—and his place in this enigmatic new reality.

In Region Three's Nian family, the notorious 'double waste' Nian Shutong and the widely known 'frail beauty' Fu Yunhe got married and were exiled to a toxic, deserted planet to die.'I bet they can live for a month.''I bet half a month.''I bet ten days!'Although the bets continued, unexpectedly this abandoned planet began to produce rice supplying the entire star system, brilliant white fine salt, sweet sugar, and pure meat.Nian Shutong, once despised, soared to become a top-tier planet lord, and started a luxurious, enviable retirement life.As many coveted her success, she encountered trouble today, received flowers tomorrow.The silent big spender Fu Yunhe couldn't sit back any longer. Touching Nian Shutong's back, he said with grievance: 'You are married.''Don't worry, they are not as rich as you; those richer aren't as handsome as you; the handsome ones aren't as obedient as you; those more obedient can't take a beating like you.''?'Fu Yunhe bowed his head and twiddled his fingers, asking again, 'How much more do I need to spend to really deserve it?'Nian Shutong patted his head gently and whispered, 'There, there, spend a bit more.'

Lin Beifan traversed to a world filled with countless nations and masters, becoming the emperor of a nation with the “Empire Sandbox” as his golden finger (Cheat).

This “Empire Sandbox” allowed him to mobilize all domestic resources for rational allocation. The stronger the nation became, the stronger he became.

In order to become stronger, Lin Beifan did many things that seemed foolish to others.

“Your Majesty, the Mo Kingdom is willing to trade the most beautiful woman in their kingdom for an iron mine!”

Lin Beifan: “The Mo Kingdom is truly sincere. Let’s trade!”

As a result, after the Mo Kingdom acquired the iron mine, it collapsed, burying 200,000 troops!

“Your Majesty, the Grand General intends to stage a rebellion!”

Lin Beifan: “I admire those with ambition. Let him fight!”

As a result, the Grand General’s food supply vanished into thin air. His army starved to death on their way to the Capital City, never making it to battle.

In the end, Lin Beifan walked further and further down the path of a foolish emperor, yet the territory kept expanding, the country became stronger, and his harem grew increasingly…

Everyone was dumbfounded: “How did such an incompetent ruler become the legendary emperor throughout the ages?”

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