Not praying for ten strings

In a world dominated by seven super-corporations, the Longevity Species that always occupied the pinnacle of power didn't allow for the enactment of written laws. The Floating Islands of prisons delimited by lines on the map, where resources would inevitably run out in the future...
People yearned for the birth of a true "Hero," yet they cynically awaited the fall of a Hero from grace.
As long as one was hailed by the media as a Hero, even murder could be forgiven, and every word they said would be adored. Even high and mighty Elves dared not provoke the edge of a Hero.
But if a Hero of the past committed even a minor offense, the moment their image crumbled, the forgiven sins would flare up like an inextinguishable furnace, and the stars of yesterday would instantly become unforgivable criminals...
"—Come become a Hero, Russell."
The most vicious criminal in the world thrust a knife into the boy's hand, whispering a low enticement.
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Solo female lead, Beast Ears, Spiritual Energy, Mechanical Angels, and other elements. Cyber-fantasy. Please refrain if not to your liking.

Tower of Overturn

If Russell were to make a comparison...


the process of being "forged" by Zhong Xiang was like experiencing a gua sha on the realm of consciousness, but intensified countless times over?


Russell was repeatedly immersed in the River of Fury, where the impurities in his thoughts... those impure elements were gradually dissolved in fury.


It was as if grease was being dissolved by an organic solvent.


The "fury" in the River of Fury, containing an entire world, could easily dissolve all the restlessness, unease, timidity, and sorrow in Russell's heart, assimilating them.


Turning all impurities that could evolve into anger, fully catalyzing them into "anger".


Then, he was pulled out for his entire body to be forged with the Painful Hammer.


Every strike was like enduring, in that instant, all the pain brought about by a session of harsh penance and interrogation.


With each hammer blow, he underwent a metaphorical penance in his mind.


Chapter 28 Painful Wedge (End of the month, asking for monthly votes!)