I Made a Pact with the Shadow Overlord in the Apocalypse

In the Age of Star Eclipses, eclipse energy runs rampant. Lu Ran, a blacksmith’s son branded a “useless man with empty meridians,” forms a forbidden blood pact with Mo Ying, a strange beast from the deepest shadows of the Corruption Zone, on a Star Eclipse Night that symbolizes despair.

This is no blessing, but a shackle of fate. The memories of the “Star Whisperer” sleeping in his blood awaken, pointing to the truth behind the Star Core’s shattering a thousand years ago and seven scattered fragments. Pursued by imperial nobles, caught in power struggles within the Federation, and beset by the devouring influence of another dimension, Lu Ran faces one crisis after another. The son of the garrison commander who once bullied him ultimately lays down his life to clear Lu Ran’s path. His childhood sweetheart, who swore to stay by his side, is forced to bear a brand that gives someone control over her soul.

When the Maw of the Void tears through the dimensional barrier and the apocalypse arrives, Lu Ran stands before the Altar of the End. The light of the fragment in his hand reveals three paths: sacrifice himself to seal the abyss, lose everything and return to an ordinary life, or wait among the ashes for a new cycle...

This is the path of a good-for-nothing boy on his way to godhood, and the story of two dying worlds reaching for a glimmer of hope in the shadow of despair.