Elliot was the perfect example of a nerd who never truly tasted what life had to offer before death claimed him.

Because of his brilliant mind, he easily married the most coveted girl from his school—though it was purely because her father wanted to exploit him, and he remained completely oblivious.

However, everything came crashing down when he realized how much of a fool he'd been for all the wrong people. But he wasn't entirely hopeless. Elliot was rather indifferent about death.

A second chance, however, shattered that indifference entirely.

Due to a heated disagreement between a god of trickery and a mysterious old hag, Elliot was reborn into a strange new world as Northern—a completely different realm.

This world had forged its own voice, birthed its own calamities, and crowned its own heroes. In a world where people awaken talents, Elliot strangely awakens the ability to copy those very talents.

But with that power came crushing responsibility—burdens far too heavy for a young, inexperienced boy like Northern to shoulder.

Still, he'd rather walk through the flames of hell than shatter.

***

This novel spans over a thousand chapters, so let me give you a heads-up about what to expect.

The MC will be insufferable at first. This is a story where the MC has mountains of growing to do, and yes—he'll be grating for the first few hundred chapters. Whether you stay or bail is entirely up to you, but trust me: he will evolve, and watching that transformation will be incredibly rewarding.

You know that feeling when your roommate who wore the same crusty hoodie for a week finally learns to do laundry like clockwork? You watch them folding clothes like it's sacred ritual, guarding that laundry basket like a dragon's egg. Or when your favorite author—who never used to reply—suddenly starts responding to every single comment with genuine care.

You realize you could've missed witnessing their complete transformation if you'd given up on them. That's exactly what this is.

This will be a brutal but captivating ride—just don't abandon him too quickly.

Oh, and the grammar starts a bit rough around the edges but smooths out significantly in later chapters.

Thank you, and I'll see you on the other side of a thousand chapters.

Northern's claws dug deeper, magma seeping from where his grip melted stone. The Soul Strings vibrated, straining. Through his connection, he felt the Bulwark's soul—ancient, vast, patient. Six cores pulsing somewhere within that massive body.


The Crimson Leeches struck through the chaos. They launched themselves through the gravitational stream, surging faster than their bulk suggested. One latched onto Northern's flank. Acidic mucus seared through his scales.


Northern's flesh hissed and bubbled where the leech attached, but the Slag Wyrm's regeneration surged. New scales formed even as old ones dissolved. The leech tried to burrow deeper.


Northern dropped his body temperature. Frost spread from the contact point, racing across the leech's body. It spasmed, trying to detach, but the ice spread faster. Within seconds, it was a frozen sculpture.


Chapter 1195 - The Crimson Bulwark [part 2]