Their Phantom

In Ryuki City—a place where elemental magic defines power and status—Auren Ryuki was born into a family of prodigies. His elder and younger brothers wield fire and wind like extensions of their soul. But Auren? He awakened… nothing. Rejected by the mage academy, ignored by his powerful father, and forgotten in the shadows of greatness, Auren became little more than a servant in his own home—cooking meals, cleaning blades, and pretending his heart wasn’t breaking. But everything changed the day the rival Yuzen Clan struck. His eldest brother, the pride of Ryuki, was killed. And instead of mourning together, Auren was blamed—punched, cast out, and disowned. With nothing left to lose, Auren fled into the forbidden mountains where fate awaited him in the form of an ancient stranger. Offered a path of power that defied the laws of the elemental world, Auren accepted. He trained, bled, and awakened a new kind of magic—one born not of fire or wind, but of raw soul: purple flame, the magic of the forsaken. Now cloaked in mystery and wielding terrifying power, Auren returns to the city as the Ash Phantom—a masked vigilante striking down corruption, clan by clan. But even as the world fears him, none suspect the truth: the boy they abandoned is back... and he’s not done burning.

Unlike every other person in this world, So Eun only dreamt of living. In a world where gods, demons, and mortals inhabit together to strive for peace and harmony, all of that toppled over when a Phantom child was born. And like a wimpy little flower, waving in the middle of a road bustling with people, was a reminder that being born as a Phantom, fragile as glass--was like treading on thin ice. A Phantom is forbidden to be hurt physically or emotionally, intense emotions will eventually cause him to get weak and lead to his death. A crack appears on the thin ice. One day, he met a boy named Han Min who saved him from being vanished. The most skilled fighter, became his one true friend. Until one night, something remarkable happened that changed their lives forever. Giving him a second chance to live, ten years had passed, and his heart was leading him to a certain evil supreme, and what he saw was just his best friend, Han Min. The innocent and honorable child who swore to protect him and his people, had long become the scourge of the heavens and a threat to the mortals. Why do tragedies of human lives appear in disguise as simple coincidences? After that night, what exactly had happened between them? Witness how these two unfortunate souls found their way to untangle the twisted knot of their fate. "After all these years, you know I would always come back to you." Their journey begins here. --- Slow-Burn, Mystery, Pining, Fantasy, Cultivation, Heavy Angst, Betrayal, Fluff, Romance, Tragedy, Drama, Psychological, Plot Twist! A reminder that this is BL. A lot of heart-wrenching revelation will await you by reading this. Trust the process. Please support this Author with votes, gifts, comments, reviews, and by obtaining a premium chapter for at least a special mention to every end of the chapter. That would be the fuel for the Author to write more! Support the Author: https://ko-fi.com/sharrnister *social media accounts announcement soon* --- Author is still stockpiling the updates. Disclaimer: Cover Art is not mine, all belong to the respective owner/artist. I will take it down if requested.

He gave everything. His strength, trust. His heart. And in return he got betrayal, death, and a bullet through the head. Lee Hyun Woo was supposed to be one of the rising stars of HEX, the top hunter academy. A rare Holy Magic user, chosen for greatness. But his own teammates stabbed him in the back, used him as fuel for a demonic seed, and threw his body into the abyss. He should have died. Instead… he woke up inside the cursed Abyssal Tower, barely alive, and face-to-face with a bratty little goddess, and a massive wolf named Fenrir. Now reborn as “Kim Na Yun,” no one knows who he is. Not his killers. Not his ex. Not even the academy that once welcomed him. But he remembers everything. And he’s not here to forgive. He’s here to take it all back. New name. New powers. New rules. This time, the one who was abandoned… will become the one they all fear.

The life of a teenage scientist would change forever on the completion of his latest invention.

She died screaming. She woke up smiling. This time, she’s the nightmare. Betrayed by the ones she loved and fed to the undead like disposable trash, Elara died with her heart shattered and her blood still warm. But death isn’t the end—not for her. She opens her eyes in the past, in the days before the apocalypse tore the world apart. Now, she has the knowledge of what's coming... and a soul full of fire. She won’t beg. She won’t trust. And she definitely won’t love—except maybe the dangerous man who remembers losing her once and is willing to burn the world to keep her alive this time. In a world heading toward hell, Elara is no longer the victim. She’s the one holding the blade. And this time? She’s ready to carve out her destiny—one betrayal at a time. --- TAGS: #Rebirth #ZombieApocalypse #SlowBurnRomance #DarkFantasy #RevengePlot #SecondChance TRIGGER WARNING: Gore, Violence, Psychological Manipulation, Betrayal, Graphic Deaths

Mingyan traveled through the stars and came to a brilliant civilization dominated by beast taming. She is a poor middle school girl who is heavily in debt and has to work three part-time jobs a day with her twin sister to support their family. What should she do as a minor? Is this what she should bear as a minor? Although life is so hard, MingYan still enjoys it. Because pet beasts are really fragrant! Smells so good! What she doesn't realizes is she not the only one who time-traveled.

Elyzara Thorne was just an ordinary woman until she died in the dumbest way possible. One moment she was walking down the street, the next, she was choking on a piece of candy and face-planting into the afterlife. Before she could even process her own stupidity, a snarky system appeared and dumped her into the body of a newborn baby. Sounds bad? Oh, it gets worse. Her new moms are the most terrifying tyrants the world has ever seen two ridiculously powerful empresses who rule with an iron fist, burn cities for fun, and make their enemies weep in fear. The entire kingdom is one bad day away from rebellion, and Elyzara’s new mission (whether she likes it or not) is to stop these two overpowered warlords from getting themselves overthrown. The problem? • She’s a literal infant. • Her moms worship the ground she drools on and think she’s the best thing since world domination. • Everyone around her is scared shitless of her “divine presence,” making diplomacy nearly impossible. Can Elyzara stop her bloodthirsty parents from committing war crimes before she’s old enough to walk? Or is she doomed to be the adorable mascot of tyranny?

Humans and Monsters have existed and rivalled each other since the nick of time. Despite the constant war, both sides remained almost equally as strong for a long time. However, the humans eventually lost and had to flee. They now live in self made caves in which they created cities to live in. And now, the different cities are trying to individually become strong enough to resurface, eradicating the Monsters once and for all to claim ownership of the planet itself. This novel follows a 16 years old boy named Noboru Ogawa, trying to conquer this accursed world and defy the boundaries fate has put on him.

Trapped within a poisoned world and stalked by monstrous beings known as the Withered, humanity clings to survival behind decaying walls and endless war. In the shadow of legends, a boy named Kael Ranz grows up in silence—haunted by the sacrifice of his brother, Dren, and hated by the family that blames him for living. Cast out and forgotten, Kael devotes his life to one purpose: vengeance. After six years of brutal training in the military barracks, Kael earns a place in the Phantom Line—an elite unit bred for one thing: surviving the gas, and killing what waits within it. But Kael’s past resurfaces when he hesitates to kill a Withered... and realizes it’s his brother’s reanimated corpse. But there may be something more than meets the eye.

Milfs And Yanderes...Out of these two, which one would you pick? The adoring, nurturing Milfs who'd spoil you rotten with soft caresses and gentle scoldings, and would happily let you rest your head on their pillowy chest after a hard day. Or the dangerously devoted Yanderes, eyes gleaming with obsession, hearts beating only for you, girls who were willing to stain their hands red and erase the world for your sake—and also erase any other girl that gets too close to you. Most would ask this as a playful debate with friends, a harmless fantasy, a question thrown into the air on a lazy afternoon. But for Mika, this wasn’t a joke. This was his everyday reality. Born an orphan, but immediately embraced as family by the five most powerful women in the world, the legendary SSS-tier Battle Angels who once saved humanity from the apocalypse, he could be said to be one lucky guy. Especially since from the moment they took him in, he was cherished, protected, and endlessly pampered, growing up surrounded by unmatched strength and unwavering love. But it wasn’t just the angels who adored him. Their daughters, raised beside him, didn’t see him as just family. Their affection ran deeper, darker, a devotion so intense, so obsessive, it danced dangerously close to madness to the extent that they wouldn't mind hunting one another down to with their own SSS-tier blessings that could level a city with a thought to make him notice them. ...And the mothers knew. They saw the way their daughters clung to him, eyes filled with love and obsession. But they didn’t mind, if anything, they welcomed it. To them, he was the perfect son-in-law, and they silently hoped their own daughter would be the one to claim his heart. Even the daughters knew, or rather, believed, with unwavering certainty that he would fall for one of them. Each one convinced it was fate, that they were destined to be the one by his side. Everyone thought so. The girls, the mothers, even the world around them. Well...Everyone except Mika. Because while they dreamed of his love, Mika’s eyes weren’t on the daughters at all. No, his heart stirred for someone else entirely. ...Their mothers. ...The very Battle Angels who raised him. Shockingly…Irresistibly…They were the ones he desired. He knew he shouldn't feel this way, not for them. Not for the very women who raised him, protected him, loved him like their own. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the way his heart raced in their presence, the way his thoughts lingered on them late into the night. It tore at him, the guilt, the desire, the confusion. He couldn’t choose between the mothers or the daughters. He didn’t want to hurt any of them. Didn’t want to be insincere. But everything changed the day he stopped trying to choose. Because he realized…he didn’t have to. He didn’t have to settle for one. He could be greedy. He could have all of them. And the moment that wicked thought settled in his mind, a slow, brilliant smile spread across Mika’s face. He no longer saw it as a dilemma, but a dream. A future where all ten of them, the fierce, stunning mothers and their dangerously devoted daughters, were his. Together...In his arms...On his bed...A tangled mess of love, obsession, and indulgence. And for the first time, he truly looked forward to the chaos that future would bring...

Inola was just your typical beast kin orphan—ears too sharp, stomach too empty, and dreams far too big for the crumbling orphanage she called home. The place was run by a greasy baron with a combover and a crooked smile, who made sure the kids knew the value of silence, obedience, and cheap labor. But today—today was her thirteenth birthday. And somehow, today also happened to be the day she found herself standing in a line stretching halfway across the capital, clutching a ticket made of black silk and gilded gold leaf. Her fingers trembled just holding it. Everyone else in line stared like she’d grown wings and started breathing fire. She still didn’t know how this happened. All she did was help a sweet old lady cross the road yesterday. The carts had been fast, the rain had been pouring, and she’d nearly slipped twice. But the old lady had smiled, warm as cinnamon bread, and handed her the strange ticket without another word before disappearing into the alleyways. It wasn’t until this morning that Inola learned who that old woman was. The former Queen of Vaerindale. Disguised and wandering the city for her own mysterious reasons. And that ticket? A personal invitation—one of only thirteen—to enter the newly discovered Mythic Dungeon before anyone else. A dungeon no one had survived exploring. A dungeon rumored to contain Essence Stones—ancient artifacts of unimaginable power, used to forge custom classes with limitless potential. And Inola, ragged boots and patched coat and all, was going in as a scout. Well… whatever. Life hadn’t exactly offered her many handouts before, so this? This was a miracle. And she wasn’t about to waste it. Her claws flexed. Her tail twitched with anticipation. “I’m going to make a better life for myself. Even if I have to claw it out of the dungeon with my bare hands.” Read as this fox kin becomes the most powerful illusion-type classer as she masters how to bend reality with her Phantom Weaver of the Veiled Eclipse class.

I died protecting someone who didn’t survive. Now I’ve awakened in a world where monsters cry, angels lie, and every “hero” is just a weapon waiting to break. They call me the Cursed Crown—a soul that shouldn't exist. A threat. A glitch in their perfect little prophecy. I don’t know why I was chosen. But I know this: If the gods want me dead, they better send more. In Lucentia, power comes from the pain of who you could’ve been. And I? I’m haunted by versions of myself that died better than me. But I’m done being a victim. If they won’t give me a place in this world— I’ll carve one. A war-torn isekai ruled by six deadly factions. Waifus that could kill you or die for you. Echoes of yourself that fight back. A protagonist who isn’t the hero—but might be the final boss. Heaven wants me erased. Hell wants me weaponized. Too bad—I want revenge.

Ren Shiken, a spirited and energetic teen, wakes up to a life-changing day—his departure to the mysterious Phantom Guild. Though young and carefree, Ren carries the legacy of his father and grandfather, legendary fighters who once trained there. As he bids an emotional farewell to his mother and grandmother, his journey toward strength, honor, and destiny begins. With hope in his eyes and determination in his heart, Ren takes flight—unaware of the trials waiting ahead.

Two nations have been at war for 105 years, our protagonist joined the rebels 'The Phantoms' to bring back peace into Vermoria. Will he succeed against the superhuman force, advanced weapons ?

In a world where power and betrayal go hand in hand. Lia's life is shattered the night she witnesses the brutal torture and murder of her beloved. The scene is seared into her memory. With every ounce of her being she vows to haunt down those responsible. To make them pay for the pain they inflicted on her. She promises no mercy, no forgiveness only retribution. Driven by a tempest of emotions, Lia will navigate a perilous path through a city drenched in deceit and danger. Two hearts will intertwine and a secret would definitely be uncovered. What is hidden comes to light and the past tries to repeat itself once more. Her journey is one of relentless pursuit, where each step brings her closer to exacting the justice that hunts her dreams. With every encounter her resolve grows colder, her heart hardens as she transforms into a nightmare for those who wronged her. But in the quest for vengeance, Lia must confront herself. As she teeters on the edge of becoming the very monster she despises as she grapples the thin line between justice and revenge. " I will not rest until you all are six feet under the ground".

In a world drowning in corruption and creeping madness, Kaisel de Ravengard, the cunning Duke of a once-great Duchy now in decline, hides his true intentions behind a mask of nobility. Haunted by his mother’s murder and the shadow of his family’s downfall, Kaisel wields forbidden magic and the power of the Seven Sins to unravel dark secrets buried deep within the Empire’s rotten core.As he unravels layers of conspiracy and deceit, uncovering mysteries and hidden truths, Kaisel carves a path of destruction through the corrupted aristocracy. Navigating a dangerous world where loyalty is scarce, every revelation threatens to pull him deeper into darkness in his relentless pursuit of vengeance and ultimate dominance. In a land where darkness festers beneath the surface, Kaisel’s rise threatens to unleash chaos and reshape the Empire forever.

``` Que inferno? Eu reencarnei em outro mundo. [Escolha a classe] [Classe Monstro ou Humano?] Classe Monstro. [Flare Mental] Sim, eu escolho Flare Mental. Vou Hipnotizar minha madrasta MILF com uma bunda enorme e suas três filhas para meu uso. Que porra é essa!!?? Garotas Ogro com corpos sexys e seios enormes, não vou perder essa. "tire a roupa e abaixe-se, garota." "sim, mestre." Espera? essa garota besta tem 6 seios e todo mundo odeia isso, mano, por quê? Isso é o paraíso. Aqueles que atravessarem meu caminho se matarão ao olhar nos meus olhos e todas as mulheres que me negarem receberão minha semente sagrada mesmo sem o consentimento delas. [A Gramática até o Capítulo 115 não é tão boa... mas vale a leitura. Depois disso, está tudo bom.] [A capa não é minha, me contate para removê-la.] [Nota: TODO PERSONAGEM DESTE ROMANCE É MAIOR DE 18 ANOS E SÃO LEGALMENTE ADULTOS CONFORME AS REGRAS DO MUNDO EM QUE ESTA HISTÓRIA É BASEADA.] [Discord: https://discord.gg/wEMdgmkt9Q] ```

"Some assassins die in silence... But some leave behind an echo that never fades." In a world torn apart by war, seven mighty nations cling to power, their kings dripping in gold and blood. But beneath the surface of Veylorion, shadows stir — and a name long thought dead resurfaces: The Phantom. No one knows his face. No one has heard his voice. Only the trail of black feathers and corpses he leaves behind. But this is not his story... This is the story of the boy who follows that trail. A boy entangled in a legacy of blades, betrayal, and blood. A boy destined to uncover a secret that could collapse empires — or give birth to a war even the gods can't stop. As nations hunt the ghost of a killer, and allies turn to enemies, one truth becomes clear: > Legends don’t fade… they evolve.

What the hell ? I got reincarnated in another world. [Choose class] [Monster Or Human Class ?] Monster Class. [Mind Flare] Yeah i choose Mind Flare. I shall Hypnotize my MILF step-mother with huge butt and her three daughters for my use. wtf!!?? Ogre girls with sexy bodies and huge breasts, i won't miss that one. "get naked and bend down, girl." "yes, master." Wait ? this beast girl have 6 breasts and everyone hates it bro why ? this is heaven. Those who come in my way will kill themselves as they look in my eyes and all the females who deny me shall receive my holy seed even without their consent. [Grammar Until Chapter 115 is not that good... but it's worth the read. After that it's all good.] [Cover isn't mine, contact me to take it down.] [Note: EVERY CHARACTER IN THIS NOVEL IS ABOVE 18+ AND THEY ARE LEGALLY ADULTS ACCORDINGLY TO THE WORLD'S RULES THAT THIS STORY IS BASED ON.] [Discord: https://discord.gg/wEMdgmkt9Q]

Ji-ho is an orphan with an ordinary life. School-work-home. That was the cycle of his life. But under the persuasion of his best friend Domi, he goes to a creepy shrine in the woods where he's transported to a parallel world filled with phantoms, monsters, ghosts and gods. He finds out that he is the first phantom eater the god of malice created, Ji-ji and his younger "brother", Momo is detained in a special prison. Ultimately, he breaks him out, creating enemies with the other phantom eaters. Meanwhile, more and more phantoms are escaping to Earth... (Pleas note: All gods, monsters, ghouls and characters are fictional and do not represent a culture of any kind)

Alice Heathrow is pushed from the third balcony of the Montgomery Mansion on the night of her wedding to Lord Alan Montgomery. Her death is written off as a mere suicide as it was a well known fact through the town that Alice did not wish to marry. However, this case takes the curious mind of a particular detective called phantom. A man who is neither dead or alive. One only the dead go to seek justice. When detective Landon Felton, sees a woman in a white dress sitting in his office, he instantly recognizes her. "I was murdered. They said you could help me" Alice Heathrow said. With time running out for the both of them, as mad spirits start to roam free and a family bent on covering up the murder. Alice must find her missing husband but as the story unravels, She discovers that the elusive Phantom might be more connected to her death than she imagines. What will Landon do when he must go back to the only place he remembers from his past life to save the woman he loves?

Dear reader, have you ever praised someone so highly that you do not even see them as flesh? But rather, a goddess, a goddess that God has personally sent to you to fulfill your lonely desire to be a part of someone who is a lot higher than everyone, and that is including yourself. Well, this story depicts the life of a mooncalf, who confused a mere insignificant yet soul-catching mortal for a higher conscious being that towers over human intellect and significance.

They all believed she was dead—including herself. Until she opened her eyes in a body that looked exactly like hers, in another era of life. A body that had endured the same betrayal. The same face. The same name. The same pain. In her quest to seek justice for the girl whose body she occupied, she encountered Golden City's most powerful tycoon—Lucien Draven Vale—revered as a business god. Without ever meeting, they signed a marriage contract through his assistant. He needed a wife. She needed power. A one-year marriage with no obligations—husband or wife—they were to live as strangers under the same roof. Her goal was clear: get justice, then disappear. He only needed a wife in name; more so fulfilling family nagging But somewhere along the line, she was forced to choose between the man who would turn the world upside down for her… and her desire to leave and protect herself. Was this fate’s second chance… or a trap with a prettier disguise? This isn’t your typical damsel-in-distress, waiting for her knight in shining armor. She is fire herself—a woman who never needed saving, only needed her husband power, to do whatever she wants. This is my WSA 2025 entry. If you love a fiery heroine and powerful drama, please vote and add to your collection, it would go a long way. Thank you! Enjoy your reading Other books: The Crown Enchanted Embrace (ongoing) You have any questions or inquiry or you want to get mini teaser about our characters. get me through.... Instagram and discord IG handle: astra_knight_xx Discord: Astra_knight_

In a world where magic and technology collide, 25-year-old Marcus "MC" Carter discovers an ancient artifact that grants him unparalleled powers. As he rises from a struggling mechanic to a formidable force, dark forces conspire to reclaim the artifact. With a motley crew of friends and a mysterious mentor, Marcus must navigate treacherous realms, uncovering secrets that could alter destiny itself. Every choice he makes shapes the fate of his world, pushing him to embrace his true potential. Will he rise as a hero or fall into darkness? The adventure begins now!

Lyraea, a world of dark melodies and magic, almost seven times greater than earth. A world with different races, seven kingdoms and three empires, on the eight continents. "LIGHT AND SHADOW'' A novel that describes the events on Lyraea, Zyl is the protagonist who is handsome, lucky, serious, a genius and a complete opposite of me. I was Kai, a guy with a tragic life and sad end. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I found myself face-to-face with Miss Reality, that was still slapping the hell out of me. "I am Eric Colonia... And I won't meet a good end... Well that just sucks." 'The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. No, it hit me like a truck. I was now in the world of Lyraea, a realm of magic and wonder, where seven kingdoms and three empires vied for power on eight great continents. "Now how much more do I know about Lyraea...Well not more than I know about myself and my memorable end." ........................................................................

Weewooweewoo! As the latest agent recruited by the Bureau of Paranormal Activity, Catheris Orial–suffice to say–is NOT having a swell time being dragged around. His mentor is kind of a deadbeat; he has to wake up way too early; it's obviously not fun getting jumped on the job; and oh… oh that damned partner of his…! Catheris never asked for any of this–in fact he didn't want the job in the first place; he was already a tailor. Rather, he was forced into this by an unexpected roommate. He knew that moving to a new place would bring along some uncertainties and surprises, but having a demon was NOT what he had in mind. It’d never show itself and would fuck up his kitchen for whatever petty reason. He didn't care about that, why would he? He found it a tad bit amusing–until its behavior had a drastic change. He found himself having episodes: clawing at his neck, unable to breathe. Suddenly, he’d wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, chest tight before he’d notice the wetness on his cheeks–crying searing hot ink again. The most jarring thing was how it’d appear in his liminal dreams. He wasn't the paranoid type, but he wasn't stupid–it was all real. That’s when he unfortunately met Detective Mr. Beo, who offered him a deal–either suffer, or let the government study him. Unfortunately, said detective is also his partner. But… the other coworkers aren't so bad. In conclusion the man is fucked, literally and metaphorically.

In order to be normal like everyone else. I have to ignore the things that others can not see. I have to pretend to be my age. Once I am done what I have to, I have other better things to be doing with my existence away from here. I don't need to stand being bullied by the one thing I cherished more then my own soul. I don't have to accept the downward glares even those I love give me. They don't know what I had to do to be where I am.

Akashi was a boy so beautiful it seemed the gods had sculpted him with a touch of mischief and a dash of fragility. He wasn’t handsome in the rugged, masculine way of knights or warriors. No—his beauty was softer, captivating in its innocence. His frame was small, almost delicate, and his pale skin looked as if it had never known hardship, kissed only by the gentle sunlight of his village fields. With wide, striking black eyes that shimmered like obsidian under moonlight, and hair the color of a calm, endless ocean, Akashi possessed a charm that defied age, status, or reason. He didn’t know it, but his very existence pulled at the hearts of those who saw him—like an untouched gem waiting to be claimed. And yet, he had been untouched for a reason. Akashi had never known life beyond the boundaries of his village. He grew up surrounded by warm smiles and familiar voices. Every elder knew his name. Every child wanted to play by his side. His days were simple, his heart untouched by cruelty. But peace is a fragile thing. One night, it shattered. The sky turned crimson. Screams tore through the quiet air. Fires devoured homes. Demons—twisted beasts of shadow and rage—descended without warning. They killed with a hunger that could not be reasoned with. By morning, the village was gone. Ashes, corpses, and silence were all that remained. And Akashi… Akashi was alone. The last heartbeat in a graveyard of memories. He wandered for days, hollow and dazed, until rough hands seized him. Chains replaced freedom. Smiles were replaced by cold appraisals. And so, the boy once adored by all became something else—something to be sold. A slave. At the capital's grand auction house, he was stripped, washed, and displayed like merchandise. His beauty caused a stir. Whispers spread like wildfire. "Look at those eyes..." "That hair... Is it dyed? No, it’s real..." "So delicate... Is he even human?" To them, he was no longer a boy with a heart, but a prize to possess. A fantasy in fragile form. He stood on the stage, trembling slightly, barely able to process what was happening. The voices of the crowd blurred together—hungry, leering, filled with desire and greed. The auctioneer’s booming voice called out the bids as if Akashi were nothing more than a fine vase or a rare jewel. The numbers climbed quickly. Too quickly. Akashi’s knees weakened beneath the weight of invisible eyes drinking him in. He stared at the marble floor, trying not to cry. Then, suddenly, the room fell silent. A voice—deep, commanding, and heartbreakingly beautiful—cut through the air like silk over steel. “Fifteen thousand gold.” Time seemed to pause. Every head turned. At the back of the room, standing beneath the golden chandelier, was a woman unlike any other. She wore a flowing red gown that hugged her form like it was crafted by the gods themselves. Her long, golden hair shimmered like strands of sunlight, cascading over her shoulders with effortless grace. Her eyes, cold and blue as a glacier’s heart, stared ahead with quiet power. Even the nobles drew back. This was no ordinary bidder. It was one of the Princesses of the Three Great Kingdoms. Whispers erupted anew—but no one dared challenge her offer. Who would? She stood like royalty incarnate, a goddess who walked among mortals, and she had just claimed Akashi as her own. The boy raised his head slowly, unsure of whether to feel fear or relief. His eyes met hers—just for a second—and something in his chest shifted. She didn’t smile. She didn’t leer. Her gaze was unreadable. But it was powerful. Absolute. And it made his knees weak for an entirely new reason. He didn’t know her name. Not yet. But she had bought him. And somewhere deep inside, something told him—his life was never going to be the same.

London, 1989. Edmund Hale is no ordinary therapist. Known across Britain for solving the unsolvable, he treats the minds of killers, liars, and broken men—while hiding the cracks in his own. But when a Phantom thief known as Aeries unleashes chaos, Edmund is pulled into a game of shadows where truth and illusion trade places—and trust is the first casualty. As secret organizations rise, forgotten crimes resurface, and ancient powers awaken, Edmund must confront not just the madness of others… but the darkness buried within himself. Because in a world of masks, even the therapist might need therapy.