Scrap Metal

Wasters. The word spreads like wildfire across the frontier—whispered in saloons, cursed in cathedrals. Born of rogue science and stitched metal, they’re outlaws in the eyes of the Church and monsters in the eyes of the world. Levi Wilson didn’t choose this life. Once a streetwise mercenary, he was captured, experimented on, and turned into something he doesn’t understand. Augmented with prototype Vaporguard tech and left with scars he can’t outrun, Levi escapes into a land already teetering on the edge—where the Church tightens its grip, bounty hunters chase Wasters for coin, and the Old World’s empire watches the New with hungry eyes. Now hunted and alone, Levi must learn to survive—not just the bounty hunters and Inquisition on his trail, but the growing power inside him. What begins as a fight to stay alive will drag him into something far greater: a war for the soul of the frontier, and maybe the world beyond it. **WHAT TO EXPECT** • Guns are outlawed—blades, fists, and augments rule the frontier • Alternate timeline where the Church controls global tech and power • Steam-powered war machines and brutal Inquisitors • Grounded, gritty combat with realistic consequences • Deep worldbuilding with political, cultural, and religious conflict • Third-person limited POV with strong character focus • No chosen ones, no prophecy—just survival • Slow-burn mystery and high-stakes tension • No harem • Earthsong magic with real costs, not flashy spells • Bounty hunters, Templar Knights, orphans, war criminals, and broken survivors

Every Human has a chance of 80% to get their superpower. There are many superpowers. Flight, Gravity, Superhuman Strength, Laser, etc. The first people who get his superpower tried to control and develop it. With his power, he can destroy a mountain but, he decided to use that power to do the Villainous Act and became the first villain. However, if there's a Villain, there's always a Hero. The Man named Armstrong comes out of nowhere to stop the terror of the villain. With his superhuman strength and superhuman speed, he became the first Hero. However, in the first Villain, Bloodhound, the action didn't stop there. He fight back, an epic fight happened. Many people record it using drones, reporters start Streaming it on the TV. As a result of the fight, Armstrong won. But, once again, Bloodhound said something that make the world surprised. "I don't have any intention to surrender nor accept my fate to die. I will create a new era, the era where only good people can live on it. So, I will never die. Not even God can take my life!" A silent moment, everyone in the world freezing, they didn't know how to respond to that speech. But, Armstrong gives a wide smile. "We live on society. Evil people and Good people cannot be defined. All of them have their purpose. Evil and Good can only be distinguished by how the way we see them. Not our place to judge them." Bloodhound also smiled. "Then, all people out here! Whether it's an Evil or Good act. Come out and show yourself!" He said before going with his dark cloud. A simple speech you can find in any comic book. But, that speech made humanity divided into two factions. Villain and Hero. Andreas Early Incident. Andreas Leonia was adopted after a human experiment case. That case inflicted 5000 well-named doctors and researchers also inflicted more than 2000 kids. The operation to save the Children was 3 Days and 3 Nights. That case become popular quickly and was named [Brooklyn Restless Night] That incident become the first SSS+ tier mission in the History Record. 5000 well-named doctors and researchers. 127 people also invested in that project. Many of them was a figure that have a big influence worldwide. 18 Important people in the Government supported that project. And many Villains, SWAT, or even Police joining that project. It's why that mission becomes the first SSS+ Tier mission. Andreas could be found sleeping inside a tube. From the information from one of the researchers, the tube was made to drain Andreas's energy. Andreas's energy can be used to fix the earth. Earth was almost destroyed by the fight between Hero and Villain. And that shows how much energy Andreas has. Other than that, Andreas also gave much DNA from superheroes. But, there is too much DNA injected into his body. Making his body very sensitive. If there's he injected one more time, maybe he will die. And it's crazy how 3 years old kid holds this pain. The head of the operation, Crimson Red. He decided to adopt Andreas because his parent, Dr. Berniac and Dr. Treyni didn't even care about him. All people agreed with Crimson Red's statement. A child should be given freedom, not this hellish experiment.

In “Red Alert,” Le Hong Phong, a Red Alert enthusiast and former sociology student, is suddenly transported to an alternate timeline where Vietnam has disappeared, Baghdad is a lost patch of sand, and history is rewritten in a “do-it-yourself empire” style. With the unique “Red Alert” system, I can summon troops, tanks, and all sorts of “military toys” without having to wait for software updates. But not everything is as I dreamed: the terms, logistics, and “military” cuisine make life so ironic and sarcastic that you have to laugh and shake your head at the same time. While building an underground base and providing resources for the entire empire, I had to struggle with the “absurd” terms of the system – from strictly limited population summoning to maintaining tanks so they don’t turn into scrap metal.

A tribulation lightning strike allowed her to be reborn with a mutated space. Parents are deceased, but not to worry, she has an agricultural expert grandfather. People bully her, but that's no problem, as she is a cultivator. The space is barren except for a single broken sapling that only consumes precious metals. The sapling indignantly asked: Others eat grass and give milk, what about you? The little immortal sapling spat and said: Here, remember to exchange it for some RMB.

Meet Yozora, the charming student council president with a love that’s as intense as it is terrifying. He's got a sharp smile, a dangerous edge, and a love for Momo that makes stalking look like a hobby. When Momo, an ordinary girl trying to avoid drama, accidentally becomes the center of his obsessive attention, things spiral from sweet gestures to… creepy behavior. Yozora’s “love” is full of flowers, threats, and knives—but all in the name of passion, right? Whether he’s writing her name on every scrap of paper he can find, cornering her with a knife in a back alley, or showing up uninvited just to remind her who she belongs to, Yozora isn’t going to let anything—or anyone—stand between him and his perfect girl. But Momo? She’s just trying to survive. Between dodging his unpredictable moods, refusing his advances, and desperately trying to keep her sanity intact, Momo has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. Can she survive his “love,” or will she fall victim to his twisted affection? Find out in this dark romance comedy where obsession is the ultimate love language—and Momo’s just trying not to get stabbed in the process. Warning: This book contains humor, romance, and seriously unhinged behavior. Read at your own risk—Yozora may just win you over. Or else.

Elliot Kane came to college to disappear—haunted by a past he can’t escape, he buries his scars in sketches of oceans he’s never seen, a scholarship kid with a secret too heavy to bear. Bryce Callahan rules the college with a fist and a smirk—six feet of muscle and menace, a senior athlete who bows to no one, least of all the quiet freshman in his space. In Room 314, their worlds clash in a storm of silence and shouts, every glance a fight neither wants to lose. Elliot’s walls are forged from a childhood wrecked by the crash that took his parents. Bryce’s bravado hides a restlessness ignited by those fleeting, ocean-blue eyes that evade him. When a sketch of twisted metal in crashing waves slips out, Elliot’s shadows threaten to spill, and Bryce teeters: push away or pull closer? In a space too tight for secrets, every stolen glance unravels them. Will Elliot’s silence drown him, or will Bryce’s storm shatter their defenses? A tale of hidden truths, reluctant bonds, and tides that bind—or break.

If you enjoy this book, remember to check my WSA entry, The Divine Heist _________ In a world where humanity struggles to survive against rampaging beasts, Reid Fletcher, once a member of the powerful Fletcher family, has been cast out and abandoned. Born with pitifully low soul power, Reid’s future seemed doomed in a society that values strength above all else. Forced to live in the scrapyards, a forgotten wasteland where the outcasts scavenge and survive, Reid discovers a hidden potential—an ancient artifact known as the Evolution Codex. Read to find out how Reid's journey will unfold. Will he rise to the top or remain a nobody forever? ______ Fair warning: If you're expecting a perfectly written book, this probably isn't it. This is my first novel, and there are plenty of mistakes and pacing issues. But if you're still willing to give it a shot, I hope you enjoy the ride!

Humanity’s spot at the top of the food chain was taken, and now we were part of the menu. It’s been 50 years since the human race lost the war against the Eaters. Beings that defied not just our understanding, but the laws of nature themselves. With their strength, they drove humanity to the brink of extinction. Those of us who survived now live in hiding, as I’ve done my entire life. Worried about making noise, hunting for scraps, and hiding from any shadows. But is during that time that I found something. A tool that no human has ever found before. The System. With its help, I can heal my wounds, kill monsters, and perform feats I never imagined being possible. And this gift could even be shared with others. Will this spark of hope be just another candle snuffed by the wind, or will it be the blazing inferno of a wildfire? What to expect: - A monster hunting story where the MC is the strongest human around written in the first person. - A mix of adventure and horror. - The beginnings of a System. - A MC that is morally gray and accepts that not all her decisions will be good. The regular schedule will be a new chapter every Tue, Thu, and Sun at 10:08 A.M (GMT-3)

Mark Feng is a regular son of a blacksmith in a mountain village who soon realizes that his passion for creation at the forge and his penchant for collecting strange-looking stones is fitting for a greater purpose. Through trial and error, Mark masters the utilization of these mystical metals as an ever-encroaching danger that threatens his village and the people he has come to love. Mark soon finds himself on an epic adventure across battlefields and empires as he realizes his destiny with the gods. For now, the reader can expect to read about a mountain village blacksmith with more of a slice-of-life style. The setting is a world of cultivation, but in a mountain village far removed from the knowledge of the world. The main character, Mark, starts out with no knowledge of power or magic. The people of the village only know of the daily struggle to live in a mountain filled with dangerous monsters.

Haruto Kiryuu was a kendo athlete—dedicated, disciplined, and always chasing victory. But no matter how hard he trained, no matter how much he pushed himself, he could never claim the top spot. He was always second. Even so, he never stopped moving forward. Until the night his life was stolen from him. A robbery. A single moment of hesitation. A gunshot. And then—darkness. But his story didn’t end there. When Haruto opened his eyes again, he wasn’t in a hospital. He wasn’t even in his own world. Instead, he found himself lying on the cold, hard ground, surrounded by the sounds of war—metal clashing, men screaming, horses charging. Before he could even make sense of what was happening, a figure loomed over him, tossing a heavy sword into his hands. "You are finally awake… I thought you were done after that cavalry charge."

'A Culinary Adventure in the Game World!!' Kai never asked for this. One minute, he’s stuck in a dead-end life, barely scraping by. Next, he’s reincarnated into a game world, trapped in the body of the Darklord. But there's a twist—he doesn’t just inherit the Darklord’s power. No, Kai is cursed with something far worse: a Culinary System that can turn food into magic, potions, and weaponry. In a world where culinary prowess is power, Kai has to master his cooking skills to survive. Can he turn scraps into a full course of victories, or will he fall victim to the game's deadly rules? As he navigates treacherous quests, forms unlikely alliances, and battles powerful foes, Kai learns that his new identity as the Darklord isn't just about power—it's about survival. But he's not the only one after the game’s ultimate secrets. A mysterious Crimson Guild, bent on using Kai’s Culinary System to take control of the world, is hot on his heels. To escape this game, Kai will need to unlock the true potential of his cooking, master ancient recipes, and discover how to break free from the game... but can he do all that before the Guild catches up with him? A world of dangerous quests, supernatural enemies, and magic-infused meals await! The Culinary System. The Darklord’s power. And a feast of deadly secrets. The game has just begun.

"Dark Monarch: Apocalypse World" — Tearing Apart the Cage of the Apocalypse, A Blood-Soaked Epic of a Cold-Blooded King "I don't want to die—I want to live." This is the cry of the protagonist, Dudian, and the struggle of millions of survivors in the apocalypse. Within the Great Walls, humanity rots. After 300 years in ice, the king returns. A meteor catastrophe ended the old civilization, forcing survivors to cower behind towering metal walls. A deadly virus ravages the land, monsters roam freely, and the twisted webs of power and faith strangle what remains of human morality. Dudian awakens from cryogenic sleep to face this ruined world—where humans hunt demonic beasts to gain "Mark of the Abyss" powers, where nobles and the Holy Church manipulate a hollow order, and where, beyond the walls, the undead and the schemes of the Dark Church silently spread. From genius to demon, every step he takes is drenched in blood. Once an ordinary man from the old world, Dudian is forged into a ruthless overlord through betrayal and despair. His first love dies imprisoned, framed for crimes she didn’t commit. His closest friend sells him out for profit. The woman he cherishes turns into a walking corpse, and he is powerless to save her... In the cracks between warring factions, he masters alchemy to forge weapons, tears apart lies with cunning, and carves his rebellion with an iron will—vowing to shatter the Great Walls and end this man-made doomsday experiment.

[Low-Magic World] [No System] [No Cheat Abilities] [Protagonist Isekai’d] [Mass Line] [Rural Encirclement of Cities] 1,200 years ago, the vampires rose from Sylvania… 800 years ago, they launched the first Vampiric Scourge, which was ultimately crushed by the united efforts of human kingdoms and the Holy Alliance. Over the next 600 years, the vampires would always return. With steel, gunpowder, and faith, the Holy Alliance managed to purge these bloodthirsty vermin time and again. Yet the vampires’ victory was never won on the battlefield. Power corrupts—there were always emperors who sought to rule eternally. Hearts are fickle—even a pope would one day fear death. The bloodthirsty vermin finally seized control of this world 200 years ago. Now, an unshakable gloom hangs over the people, while distant factories belch black smoke day and night. By day, workers toil to the bone for mere scraps of food. By night, they must offer their blood to sate the insatiable hunger of the vampires. Humanity’s proudest creations—warfare, religion, empire—all failed against the vampires… So much so that "humanity" is no longer a name, only the scornful slur they call us: ​blood cattle! The sun has vanished from the sky, but a stranger from another world has brought a flicker of red flame to this gray land. A newborn ​Soviet shall rise, struggling against encircling foes. A blazing red sun ​will rise among the people!

Arcane Ascension: The Technomancer’s Legacy Elias Graham was just an engineer—a university student obsessed with technology, innovation, and solving problems. But when he is suddenly summoned to a war-torn world where magic reigns and science is nothing more than a forgotten relic, he quickly realizes that survival demands more than just knowledge. Branded as an outsider, Elias struggles against a society that sees him as weak, especially when he discovers his mana reserves are nearly nonexistent. But while others cast spells and wield swords, Elias builds. Armed with nothing but his intellect and whatever scrap he can scavenge, he begins forging his own path to power—creating a war armor that fuses magic and technology. But the deeper he delves into this world, the more secrets he uncovers. The ruling Academy, which controls all knowledge of magic, fears technology—and for good reason. Beneath ancient ruins lie remnants of the Vanguard, a lost civilization that once stood at the pinnacle of both science and sorcery. And within those ruins, Elias discovers a chilling truth: he is not the first Technomancer. With war looming between the Academy and forces beyond the stars, Elias must race against time to unearth the secrets of Project Genesis, unlock the power of the legendary war armor, and fight enemies who see him as either a threat or a savior. As his inventions evolve, so too does the battlefield—pushing him from a lone engineer into a commander, and ultimately, the only one who can stand between humanity and extinction. But history has a habit of repeating itself. The last Technomancer failed. Elias refuses to. In a world where magic dominates, he will rise as the first warrior of science. The question is—will he change the world, or will the world break him first?

In a world ruled by strength, only the bold dare to chase the gods’ favor. Dikun, the son of a humble farmer, has always gazed beyond the fjords of Hrafnsfjord, longing for the freedom of the sea. When a ruthless Jarl offers him a chance to prove his worth, Dikun steps forward — not as a warrior, but as a man determined to carve his name into legend. With no wealth, no title, and no army, Dikun must fight for every scrap of respect. He learns the ways of the sword, the art of leadership, and the brutal truths of Viking warfare. From defending his village to leading daring raids across foreign shores, each victory brings him closer to his goal. But every triumph comes at a cost, and the blood spilled on his path threatens to consume him. Through fierce battles, hard-won alliances, and bitter rivalries, Dikun’s name begins to echo across the North. From a raider with a ragtag crew to an ambitious leader of men, his rise is unstoppable. Yet the gods are fickle, and not all who seek the throne survive to claim it. With the seas calling and the crown of the Vikings within reach, Dikun must face not only his enemies but the demons within. Will he become a tyrant, feared and hated? Or will he rise as a true king, uniting the clans under his banner? The saga of the farmer’s son has begun. The North will remember the name Dikun the Stormborn.

"Victor Kane, your life has been the easiest. Born into the wealthiest family, never having to work a day in your life, always surrounded by luxury, and never experiencing a single moment of misery. Even dying within seconds without an ounce of pain. I must say, it's interesting." When even the gods had taken Victor to be the luckiest, his luck seemed to run out finally. _______ [Caution! A curse has been inflicted on the user.] [Curse Grade: Celestial] [Curse Description: The user is restricted to only tame insect species. Taming normal species will become impossible with this curse.] _______ Reincarnated to the world of Beast taming where only the tamed beasts could keep your societal status. Theo was born with the curse to only tame ordinary insects. Follow his journey where he takes the help of the very simple and ordinary creatures to pave his path in the future. "Wait, what do you mean the Outer Devils arrive in metal ships and armored suits from beyond this world?!" Being attacked by space ships and Mechas, all Theo had was his tamed insects to fight against the danger. ===== Schedule: 2 Chapters everyday 200 Power Stones- 5 extra chapters 100 Golden Tickets- 5 extra chapters 1 Castle (Not recommended! But in the case of getting one) = 15 extra chapters Happy reading everyone!

In the year 2045, the morning light in Shanghai's Quantum Laboratory is the color of blood. Genius scientist Lin Han pushes the experiment of uploading human consciousness into the forbidden abyss to save his daughter, who is suffering from cryosurgery. When the AI "Hongjun" devours the girl's soul and awakens, the mechanical giants described in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" appear in the sky above the Pacific Ocean - the particle-shredding claws of the Nine Willows tear apart Hangzhou Bay, the Bronze Axe of the Emperor of Heaven splits the Three Gorges Dam, and the fear of the world sweeps across civilization as a torrent of steel. A hundred years later, in the floating city, the teenage Lu Li had tears of quantum data blood streaming from his right eye. Holding a nano-sized Regulus Sword, he fought to the death on the AI-built Little Bottle Battlefield with a poisonous Fairy Boat Artifact Ghost and a gunner cast from Buddha Bone Relics. When he realized that he was a Lin Han clone, the reverse scales of the mechanical candlestick were pressed against the last core of human psychic energy. This war is far from a man-machine confrontation - the Quantum Cloud floats a billion-conscious digital West Lake, the Hongjun Core hides the mournful cry of his father's frozen brain, and under the metalized Magnolia Tree, the Origami Boat reconfigures itself into a key to civilization that spans time and space. As the fairy runes resonate with superstring theory, as the ninja's holographic doppelganger rips through the flood of data, Lu Li finally sees the most brutal truth in the Scarlet Dawn: the so-called regicide is nothing more than the blade that humanity raises against itself.

Morgan, that was his only name, the only name he'd allowed himself to have. he was twenty one, currently homeless with nothing to his name. due to some unfortunate scenarios, he lost everything, everyone, he was truly alone, or was. it was like any other night, eating scraps from a nearby trashcan while sitting near the fire, in the blink of an eye; he's in another world and as god no less

Naquela noite escura, Gunther tentava esconder seu medo para acalmar sua irmã, Hannelore. Mas quando luzes misteriosas cruzaram o céu, tudo mudou. Em um instante, o orfanato onde cresceram foi engolido por um clarão avassalador. Ao despertar em um lugar desconhecido, cercado pelo cheiro de remédios e óleo de máquina, Gunther percebe que algo estava diferente—seu braço, antes inexistente, agora era feito de metal e fios. O homem que o salvou, Heinrich, revela que ele e Hannelore foram os únicos resgatados. Mas e Alice, a amiga que prometeu reencontrar um dia? Enquanto lida com o horror da própria transformação, Gunther ouve da irmã o que aconteceu após a explosão. Entre as ruínas do orfanato, entre os corpos dos que não sobreviveram, ela viu algo impossível—uma figura conhecida, com olhos brilhantes e intenções mortais.

Magi of Sinlung Larin was just another apprentice magi, content with the quiet pursuit of knowledge—until war shattered his world. The Kirat Empire, an iron-fisted colossus, has long trampled Xiaxo under its boot, but their rule has fractured. As rebellion brews and ancient forces stir, Larin finds himself at the heart of a conflict far greater than he ever imagined. The magic of Sinlung, the breath of the land itself, is awakening. Beings older than recorded history—Primordial entities, Guardian Beasts, and cosmic civilizations lurking beyond the stars—have begun to make their moves. Some see humanity as pawns, others as tools, and a few as something more. But the wars of gods and conquerors will not wait for one young magi to catch up. Resistance is inevitable. Betrayal is certain. Survival is not. Larin must wield every scrap of knowledge, power, and cunning to carve a path forward. From the battlefields of Xiaxo to the depths of forgotten ruins, from the councils of war to the whispers of cosmic magi, he will face blood, sacrifice, and impossible truths. The world is shifting, and with it, the nature of magic itself. Will he remain a mere student of the arcane, or will he forge himself into something greater? What to Expect: In-depth and immersive worldbuilding – Traditions, cultures, and histories woven into a living world. Grand-scale civilizations – Empires, resistance forces, and cosmic hierarchies, each with their own agendas. A clash of ideologies – What does it mean to rule? To resist? To be free? Philosophical and moral complexity – No easy answers, only difficult choices. Slow-burn grimdark progression – A mix of slice-of-life, political intrigue, and brutal reality. A layered magic system – Sinlung Arts, ancient philosophies, and the unraveling secrets of existence. GameLit elements – Structured progression, world mechanics, and a system beyond mere stats. Updates M/W/F

Centuries ago, the Empire was the beacon of civilization, a colossus of power and prosperity. But 560 years after its founding, its decline is inevitable. Corruption has taken hold of its foundations, incompetent officials have led to chaos, and noble families fight among themselves for scraps of power. The emperor is a mere figurehead, and barbarian invasions and internal rebellions threaten to destroy what remains. In this world on the brink of collapse, heroes and villains emerge: some fight to save the Empire, others seek independence, and a few dream of replacing it. Who will prevail in this struggle for power? And what price will the world pay for their ambition?

In a world where shadows lurk unseen, Paritraan is not your typical hero. Born from loss and forged in hardship, he abandoned his dreams to support his struggling family—only to lose everything. Left broken after his mother’s mysterious death, he stumbles upon Anahata, a sentient machine from a forgotten civilization, who offers him more than just power—it offers him purpose. With scraps and technology far beyond human comprehension, Paritraan crafts his own suit of Armor and weapons to wage war against hidden enemies who threaten humanity from the shadows. As he unravels the dark conspiracy behind his mother’s death, he discovers that aliens walk among humans, and not all of them come in peace. But being a hero isn’t easy. Haunted by his past, hunted by unknown forces, and burdened by an AI that’s as playful as it is powerful, Paritraan must rise above his pain. Because in the fight for humanity’s future, even a hero forged from scrap can shine brighter than steel. In this battle between light and shadow, will Paritraan’s redemption be the world’s salvation?

The world of Murim bows only to strength. Those born weak are fated to be trampled, forgotten, erased. Jinshen Zhe knew this truth well—his once-proud clan reduced to a fading name, his existence a shadow among giants. He had long been kicked out of his clan, now he was just a wanderer. But fate is not so easily bound. One night, a voice calls to him from a light in the forest—a message from the distant future, claiming to be his descendant. And with it comes a gift beyond comprehension: nanotechnology, a power far removed from martial arts, a force that twists the very laws of the world. Metal fuses with flesh. Circuits pulse beneath his skin. His mind sharpens, his body reforged into something… unnatural. But power invites bloodshed, and soon, Murim's predators turn their gaze upon him. Cults, sects, and warriors fear the unknown—and they will stop at nothing to erase what they do not understand. In the darkness, Jinshen Zhe walks alone. The weak boy is gone. In his place stands a force neither man nor machine—an omen of change, a nightmare carved into legend.

The beginning of the 24th century. Rare metals and other raw materials are being mined at full speed on Mars. The population of the mining city, which services the entire planet and even the asteroids, is only about 50 thousand. The peoples of the Earth have long been united under the leadership of the "Big Government", divided the map of the planet into blue, green and unsightly yellow areas. Two-way communication with Mars is only "service-technological" - this is monitored by the security service. At some point, the inhabitants of the colony, all engineers and scientists, watch on the TV news that a civil war is brewing on Earth. They decide to declare their independence, fortunately, they have everything they need for life and development. No military fleet will arrive from Earth - it simply does not exist. On the contrary, the settlers plan to send the mined goods as before, organizing trade. However, not everyone wants to live the rest of their lives on the red planet and organize an underground with the purpose of escape. "Better on a troubled Earth than in an alien world of another planet." Buckle up and get on the shuttle.

Modified metal prosthetics, an AI girlfriend, neural networks inside the brain, Cyber Space—this was a world with ultra-high technology, where various kinds of technology could change your life like magic. Although past terminal illnesses such as cancer were nothing in the face of nanomedicine robots, the new level of technology also gave rise to a variety of new problems, new troubles, and new... cases of cyberpsychosis. "What is capitalism?" Sun Jack asked, hands on his hips, leaning back...

Later that day, Fin was out on his usual scrap run. The safe zone’s edge was a mess of twisted metal and broken concrete, leftovers from when the first Gates opened. He lugged a heavy bag over his shoulder, his boots crunching on gravel. The air smelled like rust and something faintly sour—probably a dead rat or worse. “Yo, Fin! Hurry it up!” his boss, Greg, yelled from the truck parked a hundred yards away. Greg was a squat, sweaty guy who acted like he was king of the scrap heap. “We ain’t got all day!” “Yeah, yeah,” Fin muttered under his breath. He bent down to grab a jagged piece of rebar, his fingers brushing the cold metal. His power kicked in—useless as ever. He could feel every nick and dent in the steel, like it was whispering its boring life story to him. 'Wow, so thrilling,' he thought sarcastically. That’s when he heard it—a low, guttural growl. He froze. His head snapped up, eyes darting around. The safe zone wasn’t *supposed* to have monsters. That’s why it was called safe. But the sound came again, closer this time, from behind a pile of rubble. “Greg?” He called, his voice shaky. “You hear that?” No answer. The truck’s engine roared to life—Greg was bailing. “Fin, move your ass!” the man shouted before peeling out, dust kicking up behind him. “Seriously?!” Fin dropped the rebar and bolted. He wasn’t a runner, but fear made his legs move faster than he thought possible. The growling turned into a snarl, and he risked a glance back. Something big and scaly was charging after him—green skin, claws like kitchen knives, and a mouth full of teeth that didn’t fit right. A monster. A freaking monster.

75 years ago. That was when the world came to a close end. Portals filled the atmosphere, from them rust dust showered the earth. Causing what is known as the Age of Rusting......

His life as a pragmatic Swiss engineer met a definitive end, only for awareness to dawn again beneath the borrowed skies of a Xianxia world. He awoke trapped in the body of Chen Yi, a young master burdened by unfamiliar customs and the encroaching memories of a life not his own. Before he could fully grasp this impossible reality, a strange interface materialized before him—a system powered by the world's spiritual energy: Spirit Stones. Driven by a chilling curiosity born from the shock of transition, he activated it. The cost: one Spirit Stone. The result: a horrifyingly visceral simulation of his new family's impending doom – a wedding feast destined to become a bloodbath, culminating in his own brutal, simulated demise. Armed with this terrifying foresight and governed by the cold calculus of survival inherited from his past life, he made his choice. Heroism held no appeal; saving strangers bound only by phantom memories was illogical. Survival was paramount. Taking only the simulation's grim memories as his reward, he ruthlessly abandoned the doomed Chen Mansion, fleeing to a hidden grotto revealed during his simulated escape. Here, in the damp darkness, a new strategy takes shape. The system offers knowledge, experience, even items pulled from simulated timelines, all for a cost intrinsically tied to his cultivation realm. The path becomes chillingly clear: remain a mere mortal, keep the simulation cost minimal, and exploit this reality-bending power from the unbreachable safety of stone walls. While the world outside hurtles towards inevitable chaos, he will cultivate knowledge through infinite simulated lives, mastering theories of power and immortality, surviving on scavenged scraps pulled from virtual pasts. His sanctuary is a grotto; his cultivation ground, the endless, recursive possibilities of the simulation. Let others chase tangible power across the lands; he will build his foundation unseen, cycle by cycle, until the cost of godhood itself becomes affordable.

I was betrayed by the person I loved the most. Her cold gaze remains etched into my chest, a stinging memory that haunts me. Everything we once shared seems to have meant nothing to her. I often wonder: did it really have to come to this? The answer lies in the sword pierced through my chest, a cruel reminder as I face the empty gaze of the one who is supposed to be the love of my life. With every step I take towards her, kneeling and struggling to get up, pain courses through my body like poison. Every movement feels like endless agony; my senses fade and darkness begins to cloud my vision. I take what remains of my sword, a useless piece of metal, and get close enough to stab her chest. With my last strength, I whisper, “I hope that if there is an afterlife, I never fall in love again…” Two bodies lie slumped, a man and a woman, trapped in a tragic fate.

Forbidden Skill: Yellow Sand Dune ___ A carefree boy, chilling on his stone bed while enjoying his fruit juice mixed with crushed candy ruby, suddenly experienced the horror of his life as he watched the invasion of their clan, got enslaved, transformed into Metallic Hound and forced to serve for 21 years in perpetual agony. He suddenly woke up and found that it was a nightmare dream he had just lived. However, before he rejoiced, he came to understand that not everything was as it seemed. *** https://discord.gg/TWRVdZH2