[Warning: Contains dark humor, shamelessness, comedy. Pure romance fans should stay away] ... more>>

Jiang Che transmigrates into the role of a villainous rich second-generation kid in an urban fantasy novel, and gets bound to a god-tier choice system. Right at the start, he catches the female lead stealing exam papers! This triggers the villain's choice options!

[Choice 1: Pretend you didn't see anything]

[Choice 2: Loudly call her out, drawing everyone's attention]

[Choice 3: ...]

And thus, a twisted villain is born. To avoid getting killed by the protagonist, he has no choice but to take down all the protagonists first.

Jiang Che: Nobody understands being twisted better than me! <<less

I was once reborn as the protagonist of a crappy galgame, only to meet my end by overworking myself to death trying to save the world. But when I opened my eyes again, I found myself reincarnated once more—this time as the female protagonist in the sequel. Determined not to become a wage s*ave again, my familiars, who shared my disdain for working overtime, came up with a cunning plan. ... more>>

By becoming the childhood sweetheart of the original male protagonist, creating perfect memories together, and deepening our bond through our youth, I could turn him into someone who couldn’t imagine living in a world without me…

Familiars: Now, for the final step. On the night of his proposal, when the ring is slipped onto your finger, a monster will appear and tear you apart before his very eyes. This will surely leave him with a lifetime of regret.

Nagine: ???

Congratulations. You’ve created the strongest protagonist, who will now ruthlessly eradicate all evil. <<less

Just like how everyone adores heroes in their childhood, a certain boy adored those who hid in the shadows. One day, after living the mediocre life of a side character while undergoing frenzied training by night, he reincarnates in a different world and gains ultimate power. The young man who is only playing at being a secretive powerhouse, his misunderstanding subordinates, and a struggling, giant, shadowy organization…... more>>

This is the story of a boy who adored shadowy manipulations who might possibly reign over the dark side of another world. <<less

In an exhilarating twist of fate, Jiang Chen traverse into a fantasy realm novel he read, taking on the role of the notorious Holy Son in a riveting tale. But here’s the catch – he’s pegged as the female lead’s obedient doglicker. Or so the story initially wanted…... more>>

Unleashing the ‘Slack Off System’, Jiang Chen flips the script! Each act of slacking off spectacularly rewards him. Doglicking duties? Jiang Chen smirks at the thought. “Not in a million realms,” he declares.

As the system chimes melodically, rewards rain down like immortal gifts:

Ding, for successfully slacking off, you receive: the Emperor Weapon, All-Heaven Mirror!’

Ding, another round of slacking off earns you: the Immortal Technique, Great Daluo Heaven!’

Ding, for successfully slacking off you received: Immortal Emperor Cultivation!’

But wait, there’s a twist in the tale! The world around Jiang Chen starts to unravel in the most unexpected ways.

The character settings of the female leads have all collapsed.

Junior Sister Ye Qingcheng: ‘I can only repay your life-saving grace with my body!’

Cold and aloof master: ‘Disciple, I allow you to defy your master.’ <<less

Su Chen transmigrated into a Xuanhuan novel, fortunate enough to become the only son of the Su Family, the most prominent clan in Donghua Region. Unfortunately, he was the villain.... more>>

In this world of Xuanhuan, where Sons of Destiny walked everywhere and Chosen by Heaven were as common as dogs, his Su Family, despite being the largest power in the Eastern Region, could lose everything with a single misstep!

Fortunately, Su Chen knew the original plot like the back of his hand. Let’s see how he seizes every protagonist’s fortuitous encounters, power, women, and resources step by step…

Eventually, he shockingly discovered that he had been betrayed by his good brother, Heavenly Dao Great Emperor, and cast into the cycle of reincarnation.

Moreover, a web of traps had been laid out, waiting for him to fall into them.

How could he endure this?

So what if it was the Heavenly Dao!

He would defy the heavens!

***

In the world of Tianxuan Continent, where power reigns supreme and destiny is predetermined, Su Chen awakens as the villain of a cultivation novel. Knowing his fate is to be a mere stepping stone for the protagonist’s rise, he vows to shatter the narrative.

Armed with the knowledge of the original plot and the resources of his powerful family, Su Chen embarks on a ruthless journey to rewrite his destiny.

He sets his sights on Ye Fan’s cultivation opportunities, seduces his destined companions, and manipulates the intricate web of family politics to his advantage.

From the Xianjian Sect to the Xiao Family, from the Heavenly Dome Auction House to the Tianmo Sect, Su Chen leaves a trail of disrupted plans and broken hearts.

But as his power grows and his enemies multiply, he must navigate treacherous alliances and face the consequences of his actions. Can a villain truly usurp the protagonist’s role, or will fate ultimately have its way? <<less

"Mr. You Xuan, many people believe that the current state of the dueling world has become increasingly unhealthy, with heavy trap decks and overly defensive strategies dominating the mainstream. As the new King of Duelists, how do you respond to claims that this negative trend was sparked by you?" a journalist asked during an interview.... more>>

"Slander! Pure slander!" You Xuan angrily responded to the accusation. "How can they say I’m the one who led this trend astray? Dueling has always been like this!" <<less

In order to make money, the young man "Kiwi Alaya" was running a clinic as a dark healer in the kingdom. However, with the outbreak of war between the kingdom and the demon kingdom, he was labeled a heretic.... more>>

Threatened by the kingdom's army that he would be burned at the stake for heresy unless he closed his clinic and assisted in torturing captured demon soldiers, Kiwi immediately decided:

"If that's the case, I'll just defect."

Since he couldn't make money in the kingdom, he devised a plan to defect and decided to work in the demon kingdom. Although his initial motive was purely self-interest, his sincere and responsible work ethic, along with the demons’ favorable misunderstandings of him, allowed Kiwi to steadily build trust and wealth in the demon kingdom.

Meanwhile, in the kingdom that let Kiwi slip away, the soldiers of the demon kingdom, who seemed to recover quickly from their injuries, began to pressure them, causing the once advantageous war situation to gradually shift...? <<less

The zombie virus outbreak throws the world into chaos. After the Blood Moon, everyone awakens special abilities, but Ji Chuan finds himself unchanged!... more>>

Betrayed and driven out by his girlfriend's family, Ji Chuan, besieged by zombies, can only resign himself to despair and falls. When Ji Chuan wakes up, he discovers he has become a zombie but retains his consciousness.

It turns out his special ability is actually the Zombie King, only usable after becoming a zombie.

This world gradually becomes unfamiliar. Unknown creatures, fantastical special abilities, Gates of Unusual Activity—it seems a greater secret is about to be unveiled...

***

The world drowned in chaos when the zombie virus struck, but for Ji Chuan, the true horror began after the fall. Having survived the initial outbreak in his parents' secluded villa, his compassion became his downfall. Answering the desperate pleas of his girlfriend, Su Wanwan, he braved the undead hordes to rescue her and her family, bringing them to safety.

But when the Red Moon granted powers to humanity, Ji Chuan awakened nothing. Deemed useless, he was brutally betrayed – cast out by Su Wanwan and her secret lover, Liu Hao, left broken and bleeding outside his own sanctuary. Bitten and left for dead, Ji Chuan expected oblivion.

Instead, he awoke. His body was monstrous, decaying, yet his mind remained sharp. A horrifying realization dawned: he was a zombie, but one unlike any other. He was the Zombie King, possessing the unique ability to sense and consume the crystal cores embedded within the undead, absorbing their powers and growing stronger with each kill. Fueled by the chilling memory of betrayal and an insatiable hunger for power, Ji Chuan embarks on a dark path of vengeance in a world teetering on the brink. He is the monster they created, and now, he's coming back for them. <<less

Lin You, the legitimate son of the Lin family, was kidnapped as an infant and not reunited with his family until he was twelve years old.... more>>

By the time he returned, the Lin family had already adopted a boy named Lin Tianyang. Lin Tianyang, who had ingratiated himself with the family, took every opportunity to suppress, manipulate, and frame Lin You, eventually leading to Lin You’s tragic death.

In his previous life, Lin You was humble, cautious, and eager to please, yet he was constantly criticized and used as a foil to highlight Lin Tianyang’s supposed excellence.

“Look at Tianyang, and then look at you. Are you even close to being as good as him? Why are you still trying to compete with him?”

“If you were even half as sensible as Tianyang, we wouldn’t treat you like this. But look at what you’ve done.”

Fine! After being reborn, Lin You resolved to stop trying to please the Lin family at all.

But why did they cry after he left?

Why did the sisters run away from home, one after another, begging Lin You to forgive them? <<less

The world only knows that Xiao Yang and Qin Fei fought over the position of Sect Master of the Azure Sun Sword Sect for a thousand years. Yet, only Xiao Yang truly understands just how despicable, shameless, insidious, and ruthless Qin Fei is.... more>>

Why? Because Qin Fei is the young master of the Demonic Sect, a spy planted by them.

However, no one, not even his master, parents, junior martial sister, younger sister, or any of his fellow disciples, believed Xiao Yang. Everyone chose to believe Qin Fei.

Everyone condemned Xiao Yang, claiming he was jealous of Qin Fei, accusing him of slandering and framing Qin Fei.

Qin Fei was simply too good at pretending. He feigned a pitiful background, acted weak, and staged being bullied, gaining people’s pity, sympathy, and protection. With his innate Dao physique, he was hailed as the chosen one of the heavens.

Fine, in this second life, Xiao Yang resolved to show the world how this so-called “chosen one” would massacre the Azure Sun Sword Sect, use the blood of cultivators across the world to break the seal of the Abyss of Demons, and plunge the entire world into a living hell for the demon race! <<less

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, I prepared a table full of dishes, waiting for my wife, Lin Muyao, to come home and celebrate together.... more>>

However, she sent me a message saying, "Hubby, I promised my parents I'd go home to celebrate with them. You eat by yourself, okay? Next year, I’ll definitely spend Mid-Autumn Festival with you."

But her first love had already posted on his social media moments earlier—not only did he share a nine-grid collage of the two of them, but he also added a caption: "True love means that even if you can't be together, your hearts will always remain connected."

Lin Muyao not only lied to me but also liked his post.

I ate my meal in silence, then casually left a comment: "Wishing you both a happy ending."

The next moment, Lin Muyao called me, her voice urgent and sincere as she explained, "Hubby, I didn’t mean to lie to you. I was just afraid you’d be upset... I just felt sorry for Wang Chuan being alone..."

I let out a soft scoff and, for the first time, hung up on her first.

Since her heart and mind were entirely focused on her first love, I chose to let go and give them my blessing.

Yet, when I no longer loved her, she was the one who regretted it the most... <<less

In my past life, I, Lu Chen, a disciple of the Profound Spirit , endured three hundred years in the Demonic Abyss. To protect the sect’s peace, I sacrificed my spiritual roots and severed my cultivation. Yet, I was despised by my fellow sect members, treated with cold disdain, and ultimately met a tragic end, perishing with deep hatred!... more>>

Now reborn, I decisively leave the sect. From this moment on, I am peerlessly invincible!

All sects rush to win me over, igniting a battle to recruit me!

As the truth gradually comes to light, the sect master is struck with deep remorse and leads the disciples to kneel, begging for my return.

"My good disciple, I was blind and foolish. Please… come back!"

Senior Sister: "Junior Brother, I was wrong. The one who was ungrateful and heartless was me!"

Little Junior Sister: "I deserve to die! Senior Brother, please give me a chance to atone for my sins!"

Now, as the Supreme Emperor, I narrow my eyes, my voice shaking the heavens—

"You want me to return to the sect? That will only happen when the sun and moon reverse, and rivers flow backward!"

The sect? I will never return!

My enemies? I will never save! <<less

Wang Zhenxing found himself transmigrated into a world composed of numerous urban fantasy novels. ... more>>

To his surprise, he became a handsome and wealthy "diamond king" admired by many.

At the very start, he discovered that the protagonist's stunningly beautiful mother secretly harbored feelings for him. However, the plot's setting painted a grim picture—he was nothing more than a disposable supporting character, meant to serve as cannon fodder for the novel. Even worse, he lacked any remarkable abilities!

Damn. What a situation.

Just as despair loomed, a system appeared and presented him with a choice.

[Option 1: Follow the original plot and play the role of the kind-hearted character who supports the protagonist’s mother. Maximize your usefulness, and then meet your inevitable end. Reward: "A grand funeral," complete with the protagonist personally engraving the words "Good Brother" on your epitaph.]

[Option 2: Defy the plot. Reject the role of a mere supporting character. Embrace your destiny as a villain and eliminate the protagonist! Reward: "Regain your abilities" and acquire the "Villain Aura."]

Was there even a need to deliberate? 

The choice was clear. 

Option 2, without a doubt! <<less

“This Holy Son of the Absolute Void Holy Land is way too pathetic, isn’t he? Is it really worth it to grovel like this for a woman?”... more>>

Su Mo was curled up under his blanket, holding his phone and reading a novel while criticizing its content.

But in the next moment, a blinding white light flashed before his eyes, and the scene around him suddenly changed.

When Su Mo regained his senses, he realized he had become the Absolute Void Holy Land’s Holy Son from the novel!

He had transmigrated? And into the body of a simping Holy Son, no less!

Su Mo was stunned for a moment but quickly came to his senses. He wasn’t someone who would grovel! There was absolutely no need to follow the original plot of the novel!

Grovel before the Saintess? Ha, no way!

Now that he was here, not only would he not grovel, but he’d go all in with this Saintess!

After all, he was a villain! Living as he pleased was the best way to go!

With that thought, Su Mo approached the Saintess.

“So, you’re the Saintess, huh? I’ll show you what it means to be indifferent! I’ll show you what it means to give me the cold shoulder!”

Su Mo charged forward with all his might and boldly went for the Saintess!

When the protagonist of the novel heard the news, he instantly lost his composure, feeling as though the sky was collapsing.

That woman was supposed to possess a divine physique, and now she had been ruined just like that?

From that day on, Su Mo’s journey down the path of a great villain only became more intense. <<less

Cen Xun is a folklore professor at H University—beautiful, young, and captivating countless students in every class. ... more>>

His life follows a monotonous routine, calm and uneventful, until an unexpected fall from a building. After resurrecting, Cen Xun suddenly discovers the secrets of this world.

For example, his life is actually repeating in a daily cycle: his husband prepares breakfast on time, drops him off at the university precisely on schedule, and in the evening, their time spent in intimacy is accurate to the second.

For example, he can hear the thoughts of those around him and learns that a group of individuals calling themselves “players” has infiltrated his students.

“Awooo! Our professor is just too stunning—third time checking in! Gotta take a selfie!”

“I can’t bear to part with our gorgeous professor. It’s rare for the dog game to have such a beautiful model, but sadly, H University is about to become a B-rank Eerie Domain. The professor isn’t a main character, so he’ll probably be cannon fodder in the end, wuwuwu.”

Cen Xun sneered. Cannon Fodder? Impossible.

At last, his dull life encounters a ripple. Amused by his own dark sense of humor, Cen Xun decides—why not stir the waters even more?

—

Holographic Horror Game [Nightmare World] Forum

Player 1: “Can the officials explain the B-rank Eerie Domain ‘Lost Campus’? I teamed up with a top-100 ranked expert to run it three times, and we got completely wiped out every time. How is this fair?”

Player 2: “Are you living under a rock? This instance was upgraded to an S-rank instance ages ago. Apparently, the boss absorbed other Eerie Domains and even allied with several Domain Lords. The monsters from different instances now visit each other like neighbors—winning is a joke.”

Player 3: “I’ve lost all hope. The Dean of the Media College is the S+ level ‘Thousand-Eyed Reporter’ from the TV Station instance, the Dean of Computer Science is an infamous entity with game-wide bounty, and even the cafeteria worker at the food window is an S-level Domain Lord! So, tell me, what rank is the Chancellor?”

Player 4: “My beloved Professor Cen is kind, gentle, and weak—surrounded by all these powerhouses, he’s definitely going to be bullied, wuwuwu.”

In 《Nightmare World》, all players share one common White Moonlight.

Before transformation, he was a cold-faced yet warm-hearted folklore professor who willingly sacrificed himself to save students from the corrupted Chancellor—earning the tears of countless players.

After transformation, he became a mysterious and eerie existence, yet still showed goodwill toward players. To protect his students, he dared to challenge Domain Lords alone, taking on high-level monsters in extreme battles.

He was the one pure and noble soul among demons and ghosts.

Players, deeply moved by their professor’s kindness, swore to repay him—rushing to the front lines, willing to spill their blood in his name.

As the game progressed, the system announced the final mission: all players were about to face the ultimate boss—"Gui Sun" level Eldritch God.

On the day of the final battle, players stood ready for war, eyes locked on the highest point, where top-tier nightmare entities gathered.

Then, a familiar figure appeared with elegance.

“My dear students, and my… husband. I hope you have been well.”

Every player’s pupils shook in horror.

Wait, my gentle and delicate White Moonlight Professor is actually the Final Boss?!

—

One night, after discovering the truth about this world, Cen Xun hurried home, intending to take his husband and escape.

But as he packed their clothes, he suddenly heard his husband’s thoughtful inner voice:

“His behavior has suddenly changed. Could there be a bug in the program? Should I have the team work overtime to fix it?”

…

Cen Xun slowly stopped packing, lifted his head, and gave his husband a deadly smile.

“He smiles so beautifully… I want to keep him trapped in this game forever.”

His seemingly upright and abstinent husband was secretly thinking such things.

—

[Max acting crazy beauty villain shou x abnormal brain circuit mad dog gong]

Pre-Reading Guide:

1. The shou belongs to the antagonist faction, with questionable morals—don’t enter if you dislike.

2. Age gap (younger gong × older shou).

3. Non-human. The shou is not human.

4. Over-the-top shuangwen. The couple has a love-hate relationship script, and the hate is rather intense (but the love is also super strong). <<less

If life could repeat itself, what would you do?... more>>

Would you repeat your first life and stay a normal average joe? Perhaps your gaze will betray the life you’ve already lived, but you remain insignificant and unknown, stretching your neck up high to watch the furling clouds roll by?

Or will you make the world your stage, stir up every cloud and wind under all the heavens, making the entire world your captive audience as you dance, making people’s hearts pound with your every move?

Composing my own laws, establishing the order I desire…a human life is a measly ten decades, so why don’t I light the candle that is my life and set this world ablaze!! <<less

“Dear, it’s time for your medicine!” The beautiful and pure holy maiden brought the medicine to treat his wounds.... more>>

On this day, he witnessed betrayal with his own eyes and experienced despair with his soul…

From this day on, the brave hero was dead, if there’s anything, burn paper offerings! <<less

Two years have passed since dungeons appeared in the world.... more>>

After causing chaos and upheaval, the world had finally begun to stabilize.

Kaede Obata, age thirty-two, made a bold decision—to walk away from his stable job and debut as a dungeon explorer.

As a hardcore otaku, Kaede had always dreamed of diving into a dungeon. But at the same time, he had no desire to die, nor did he believe he could achieve the kind of heroic feats seen in stories.

That was precisely why he waited.

He waited for the day when information had been gathered, when the risks had been assessed, and when he could explore safely with confidence.

And now, that day had come.

With his resignation finalized, Kaede took his first steps as an explorer—joined by two friends who, by sheer coincidence, had the exact same idea.

He had no grand ambitions of becoming a millionaire. No aspirations of becoming a hero.

A little thrill here and there, days off when he felt like it. Work when the mood struck, play when he felt like it.

His goal? A stress-free, carefree lifestyle.

He paid no mind to how others saw him—just a laid-back thirty-something dungeon explorer living life at his own pace.

(Note: Of course, just because that’s how he sees himself… doesn’t mean everyone else agrees.) <<less

Dam-Ho, the sole survivor of a raid on his village, has a lame leg, the worst possible condition for a martial artist. Nonetheless, he refuses... more>> to stop training. Whilst everyone around him tells him he cannot become one, Dam-Ho refuses to give up on this dream. Will he really be able to overcome his misfortune and become the best martial artist? <<less

Transported into the world of Hunter x Hunter as a member of the Zoldyck family, he is Illumi’s twin brother and the older brother whom Killua looks up to with awe. From the age of three, he began training in assassination, and by six, he was already carrying out missions. With blood-stained hands and mountains of corpses beneath his feet, his legend began as an assassin.... more>>

---

Crossover: Hunter x Hunter, Demon Slayer, One Piece. <<less

Ning Bei transmigrates into a novel as the cannon-fodder villain who’s destined to be milked dry by the “Child of Destiny,” lose his family fortune, and die a dog’s death.... more>>

Lucky for him, the moment he arrives, the “Revenge System” boots up and the plot derails spectacularly.

The protagonist’s little sister goes berserk?

Before the hero can rush in to save her, Ning Bei is already there, smirking: “Remember, you begged me for this.”

Protagonist’s Sister: “Y-Yes, I begged you…”

The two-faced fiancée wants to break off the engagement to threaten him?

Ning Bei goes public at once: “You all heard her, she asked for it, and I accept.”

The fiancée instantly panics.

The Ning Bei who used to dote on her to the bone and worship the ground she walked on… actually agreed?

“Brother Bei, I forgive you, okay? Let’s start over?”

“Why won’t you even look at me? I was wrong, all right?”

“Ning Bei, tell me this is a lie, you said you’d never marry anyone but me!”

Sorry. Ning Bei never looks back. The farther away, the better.

The heroine finally wakes up: she must’ve been brain-dead to think the novel’s protagonist was better than Ning Bei. Ning Bei is the best man under heaven!

She tries to win him back, only to see the protagonist’s sister holding her swollen belly: “This child is Ning Bei’s. Please stay away from my man. Oh, and… thanks for handing him over to me.”

“No!!!” The heroine collapses in tears.

The Child of Destiny himself is driven to despair:

“Monster! I only tried to steal his connections, and now my own sister’s carrying his baby!”

Years later, Ning Bei stands invincible over the world.

The original protagonist can only wail, “I’ve spent my entire life living in his shadow…” <<less

After transmigrating into a xianxia world, Yan She found himself as a villain in a novel.... more>>

Even worse, this villain was a total simp.

What kind of unfair setup was that? Just bullying an honest man!

Luckily, the "Strongest Slacker System" activated—

As long as he lazed around like a good-for-nothing, he'd become stronger.

With that, why even try to please anyone? Whoever wants to simp, let them!

I’m off to slack off first!

[Ding! Host has successfully slacked off and obtained the Immortal Weapon: Six Paths Sword!]

[Ding! Host has successfully slacked off and obtained the Immortal Technique: Karma Art!]

[Ding! Host has successfully slacked off and ascended to immortality on the spot!]

Slacking off feels good, and staying lazy feels even better!

But strangely enough, the heroines started acting weird...

Little Junior Sister: "Senior Brother... do I really have to do it myself?"

Beautiful Master: "My disciple... go faster!"

Fairy from the Upper Realm: "Young Friend Yan, I need you... to help me with my cultivation!"  <<less

In his past life, to save all living beings, Lu Hengge burned away his divine soul, shattered his body, and with his own strength alone, stopped the protagonist of destiny from activating the Heaven and Earth Furnace. He even went so far as to destroy the path to immortality and sever the threads of karma.... more>>

But in the end, he was betrayed by the very beings he sought to protect... The master he revered crushed his divine bones, the junior sister he cherished stole his life-bound weapon and gifted it to the protagonist, and the childhood sweetheart he was betrothed to revealed the flaws of his cultivation technique to the protagonist.

Lu Hengge perished in the battle at the Heaven and Earth Furnace, his Dao vanishing. The vast world then worshipped the protagonist and branded Lu Hengge as a demonic, evil enemy.

Fine!

In this life, I, Lu Hengge, will let you dogs and pigs witness what true demonization really means!

You beasts... <<less

When he was young, Ryan accidentally devoured the memories of a transmigrator, memories from another world, and eventually became the captain of the infamous Darkbite Knight Order. After fulfilling his duties as a knight, Ryan receives word that his foster father has fallen gravely ill. Fulfilling his foster father's dying wish, Ryan inherits his final "job"...... more>>

But who would have thought that job would be serving as the personal butler to an adorable and spoiled loli?

Nanali Axi, aged 9, adorable, is the golden-haired daughter of a count. Cute as she may be, this little lady has a stubborn, tsundere personality.

Thus begins the daily life of a top-tier knight turned private butler, and his new life caring for a proud, lonely, and shut-in loli ojou-sama! <<less

He’s a demon lord, exiled from his realm and stranded on Earth. All he wants is a quiet life—or at least, something less humiliating than this.... more>>

She’s a human girl, a high schooler with a cold face, messy bangs, and a gaze that could kill.

One morning, after a fateful encounter, Qin Jing wakes up in the same bed as Li Lian.

He thought she was the distant, aloof type. Turns out she’s worse: ruthless, sharp-tongued, and completely uninterested in playing along with his supposed “charm.”

“I’m not saving the world with you,” she says. “Go save it yourself.”

As threats loom and strange powers stir, the demon lord finds himself entangled in a life he never asked for—with a partner who wants absolutely nothing to do with heroism… or him. <<less