Cruelty Squad Tropes

Lumière Croft is a show magician in the middle borough of the city-state of Leiden- rather, an illusionist. A career liar. Responsible for making money to help out at the monastery he lives in, he can only curse the dreadful circumstances around him, and wish desperately that something would change. Although, that change is not always a good thing. Only when the shadows around him begin to creep, and when the sky grows burgeoning eyes, and when blood is spilled, does he find hope of fulfilling his wishes. To have sunlight, the world must be balanced with cruelty. To have power, one must lose their soul, humanity, morality, or sanity. One must ultimately balance the scales of their debt, or fall eternally to suffering, and have the scales corrected by force. This is the story of balance, of hope, and of the tragedy of a liar. —- “We’re all liars who pretend that the world is okay, and as liars we adopt philosophies and ideologies to cope with its cruelty. Because the world has hope, as long as we speak these lies loud enough, they’ll surely become true.” - Lumière Croft. --- Cover illustration done by @i_evuuu/Everest

In a world ruled by humanity's iron fist, all non-human kingdoms, elves, vampires, goblins, dragons and more, are labeled as monsters and exterminated without mercy. Backed by brutal technology and propaganda, the Human Empire sends elite units called Exterminators to wipe out any village that dares resist. Axel 26 is one of the best. Clad in his lethal Black Wolf exo-suit and armed with the greatsword Iron Howl, Axel has erased countless lives in the name of peace. He doesn’t question orders. He doesn’t feel guilt. Not anymore. Until one mission changes everything. When his squad slaughters a goblin village, Axel stumbles upon a crying child clutching her dead parents and something inside him breaks. For the first time, he disobeys. For the first time, he protects a "monster." Now branded a traitor, Axel is hunted by his own squad, the very people he trusted most. With the goblin girl in tow, he must journey through the shattered kingdoms he once helped destroy, uncovering lost truths, forbidden love, and the real monsters hiding beneath polished human steel. Expect: A gritty, emotional story of redemption Dark worldbuilding with shades of political horror Explosive action and futuristic weapons Unexpected comedy in the middle of chaos Slow-burn romance and heartbreak Morally grey characters you’ll love and hate Moments of beauty in a brutal world He was trained to kill monsters. Now he’ll die to protect one. I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

Content Warning: Godsplit contains scenes of violence, child endangerment, psychological trauma, and religious themes that may be disturbing/hurtful to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. "They say divinity is a blessing. But what if God's greatest regret became humanity's curse?" In the days of Noah, when the world was drowned to cleanse it of sin, God watched in regret. Swearing never to interfere in human affairs again, He shattered Himself into seven fragments—Archons—each embodying one of the seven virtues. These Archons were destined to live as humans, tested through trials to understand the true meaning of their virtues. Now, in the modern world, one Archon named Obil has broken the sacred oath. His faith twisted, Obil defies divine punishment and becomes a threat not only to humanity but to the fragile balance between gods and mortals. As ancient powers awaken and secrets unravel, the struggle to restore order and humanity itself begins. What to Expect: -A mix of divine mythology and modern-day fantasy -Complex characters wrestling with morality and faith -High-stakes conflicts -Thought-provoking explorations of virtues What Not to Expect: -Simple black-and-white good vs. evil tropes - Fluff or filler - Harem tropes -Overpowered mc Release Schedule: I will try to release new chapters after every 3 days.

Thorns of the Bastard is a dark, mature medieval fantasy steeped in cruelty, lust, and vengeance. It follows Cairon Blackthorn, the bastard son of a crumbling noble house, raised as a servant and tormented by his father’s venomous young wife, Lady Isolde. Humiliated, beaten, and treated as little more than filth, Cairon endures a life of degradation within the cold walls of Blackstone Keep. But beneath his silence festers a hunger for power, for revenge, and for the twisted justice only fire and blood can bring.

Villain System: Activated > Alignment: Chaotic Evil Objective: Obey the plot, serve the empire, die like a good villain. Yeah, no thanks. I woke up as Dorian Valen—sadistic noble, arsonist, war criminal, mid-tier villain with a face everyone wants to stab. The story wants me to beg for my life, cough up secrets, and die at sunrise so the hero can get a shiny new power-up. Been there, read that. But I'm not here to follow the script. I'm here to flip the table. I’ll expose the cracks in the empire, dismantle the hero’s halo, weaponize every trope, and corrupt the system that tried to cage me. And if I have to burn the world down to do it? Well… I’ve got the villain system. Might as well make it earn its name.

[Warning: Mature audience only] Shidaken was an ambitious man, driven not by hope, duty, or loyalty, but by the cold weight of reality. Raised in a world that showed him only cruelty and injustice, he matured far too early. Betrayal, oppression, and the brutal truths of human nature shaped him into a man who didn’t believe in ideals, only outcomes. Seeking knowledge and power, he joined the Royal Knight Order not to serve, but to understand how power flows, who controls it, and how to eventually bend it. For ten years, he endured the filth behind the armor: the violence, the corruption, the hypocrisy. He watched as the system he was meant to protect consumed lives without purpose or remorse. Still, he said nothing. He watched. He waited. As ambition means nothing without power. Then came the Lair. Tasked with exploring a newly discovered ruin, Shidaken joined a team of royal knight into the unknown. What followed was slaughter. His entire squad was wiped out by forces far beyond their reckoning. Only Shidaken survived. Trapped within the collapsing boss room, cut off from the world, he was left to die. But the lair didn’t kill him. It changed him. Bathed in arcane energy, Shidaken was remade a fusion of man and vampire with mind and soul of a human and body and powers of the vampire, reborn with power neither holy nor demonic. No longer limited by the chains of mortality. Shidaken has gained the power to match his mind. But brute force alone won’t remake the world. Instead, he chooses a darker path of manipulation, deception, and psychological warfare. With charm, wit, and a sharpened sense of control, he begins his campaign not to conquer the world... but to rewrite it. He is not a savior. He is not a tyrant. He is the answer to a question the world was too afraid to ask. In a world teetering on collapse, can Shidaken bend fate to his will? Or will he, like so many before him, be swallowed by the current he seeks to control?

Harry a brilliant scientist creates a prototype he believes will change lives. But when he tests it on a broken man yearning for power and validation, the result is catastrophic. The experiment transforms the man into a beast. Stronger, faster, and completely unhinged. Haunted by a tortured past and driven by a need to be seen, the creature begins a deadly rampage that shakes the world.

An unrighteous and a cold hearted man. a villain who struggled from the bottom to the top of society. to overcome his foes he chose to be ruthless and immoral. In a world full of cruelty Jon Hardy had no intention to hold back. A story of a man who traveled back to 1945 equipped with his knowledge of the future and his profound wisdom, Jon Hardy is determined to pursue his ultimate goal once again.

If you’ve enjoyed the journey of Tale of Heroes so far, a short review would mean a lot, try helping me with power stones and collections it helps other readers find this story too!” In a world where superhumans walk among us, an Organization was made to govern and control the superhumans, creating heroes to protect the civilians with no abilities. The Hero Association stands as humanity's last defense. When chaos strikes Ultra City, nine young heroes—each with unique powers, dark pasts, and unbreakable wills—are brought together to form an elite unit: the Hero Squad. The story follows nine young men led by the skilled archer Vilex and powered by a bond forged in fire, ice, lightning, and loss, the team must navigate devastating battles, uncovering hidden secrets, learning the truth about the world,mysterious betrayals, and enemies far beyond human comprehension. From facing Uncontrollable monsters like Tide Maw to uncovering conspiracies hidden deep within their own ranks, the Hero Squad learns that being a hero isn’t about power—it’s about sacrifice. But as greater forces move in the shadows, testing their limits and threatening to tear them apart, one question remains: Will they Falter—or will they rise? I will be posting on Royal road [https://discord.gg/8aRxZrHf]

In a realm where suns rise in pairs and dimensions intertwine, Chrizer, a warrior bound to a mysterious Crimson Stone, becomes the last hope of the Omniverse. Following a fateful victory in Castle Verogina, Chrizer joins the elite squad Merophagus to journey beyond the known world. Their destination: Dezivileous, a shattered planet accessible only through the deadly Scourged Path and the forbidden Portal of Drazul. Haunted by ancient memories and tested by the surreal Trial of Will, Chrizer learns that his power stems not just from the stone he bears, but from a forgotten past where he was a knight who conquered god-kings. The Crimson Stone is not just a weapon—it is a legacy. But so too is its dark counterpart, forged by the rising Devils’ Core. At the Gate of Drazul, the squad faces their greatest trial yet: Elligus, a god-devil hybrid blessed with cosmic power and fused with the corrupted Dark Stone. Chrizer, joined by Mizelien—the Sun Core Vessel—and Yuna—the mysterious Moon Core Vessel—must unlock the ancient spell Raeiquis to awaken the ultimate move: Eclipse Oxivian Void. In an explosive final battle of fire, time loops, divine judgment, and universal stakes, Chrizer becomes the vessel of both light and darkness—Relligus and Sallitus—ushering in a new era of balance and burden. But beyond the Gate lies Dezivileous, a world teeming with deeper secrets, and something far hungrier than Elligus ever was. Velion of the Blazing Crown is a saga of cosmic conflict, inner strength, ancient legacies, and the unbreakable will to stand against fate—even if it means becoming the vessel of both salvation and doom.

The gods are silent. The crown drips red. In a realm where faith justifies cruelty and loyalty is bought with blood, a young heir steps into a throne carved by death. Whispers of rebellion rot the court from within, and mercy is a myth best left buried. In the end, no one is innocent. Only useful.

Dearest Reader, this very story is one created for those who like stories. Mary is apparently reborn, despite not remembering her prior life. A voice is ringing inside her head, calling her the protagonist of the world. In the fantasy world she is living in from this point on, Mary is taking on a journey of emotions and magic. She is accompanied by a great number of people, most notably the seemingly omniscient voice which only she can hear. A meta-fictional story about stories, writing tropes and fiction itself.

The Great Lamenting has left the world in ruin after the L-Virus had spread across the planet. Many lives were lost, families torn apart due to the virus which left behind the Daemons in their place. Years have passed since the Lamenting, and an organization called the Holy Resistance has been keeping parts of the planet safe from the L-Virus by creating safe havens for those unaffected. Within the resistance, a team known as Squad V is tasked with defeating as many Daemons as possible and cleansing Earth of its plague.

In a world where death is currency and the Black Sun never falls, seventeen-year-old Raine is just another nameless slave—broken, forgotten, and buried alive beneath the weight of the Bone Spur Sect’s cruelty. But Raine will soon discover a power buried deep inside him that the whole world has been searching for.

Set in Kenya, 14 Days of Valentine is a fresh, exciting twist on the classic romance trope! Mandy hates Valentine’s Day. The roses, the romance, the over-the-top gestures—none of it is for her. But this year, her college is making it even worse: a fourteen-day countdown to the most dreaded day of the year. Just when she thinks she can suffer through it, life throws in another twist; a mysterious new neighbor moves in next door. Who is he? And why does he seem so determined to shake up her carefully built walls? Will Mandy survive the countdown, or will Valentine’s Day turn out to be more than she ever expected? Find out now!

In a future world of Omens, Nathan Powell must face his past and use his Gift to stop them. Joining a squad of Venators, they use their powers to fight beings stronger than them and to some day find the source of this powerful disease.

Since your already here, take a look at the story, u may like it Born into misery. Killed by cruelty. Given a second chance. Emily once believed happiness was a lie. But now, in a new world where magic exists and her soul is reborn, she swears one thing: This time, she'll live for herself — and no one else. But, can she do that ? Cover by: IG acc: by_yaah_

A god was murdered. A war was buried. A hundred years ago, divine silence fell over the heavens after a massacre no one speaks of. Now, the world is broken but healing—ruled by governments hiding beneath the ashes of a forgotten rebellion. Mason Kane was just another gifted student—until he uncovered a terrifying truth: His father plans to erase the world. Together with his siblings, Mason flees the life he knew and enters a war they were never meant to see. From elite academies to hidden power struggles, from squad rivalries to shadow wars, the truth behind their bloodline begins to unravel. And somewhere, buried deep beneath legend and denial… A legacy waits.

I used to be the Supreme God of Everything—until I was reborn into the body of a pink-haired schoolgirl… wearing bunny slippers. Now, nine different cultivation systems are screaming in my brain, my teacher wants me to lead a harem club, and apparently, I'm married to the CEO of DaoMart? Oh, and the Heavens are calling. But I have memes to post, a midterm trial fight with a literal dragon, and a schoolgirl squad war to win. Who said reincarnation had to make sense?

In the shattered world of Erebos, where the gods are no more and survival is a brutal, cutthroat affair, Kaedric Bloodthorne emerges as a dominant force, carving his legend through bloodshed, conquest, and unbridled pleasure. Born of a fallen noble bloodline and imbued with shadow demon powers, Kaedric is a relentless warrior, driven by a thirst for domination and an insatiable appetite for power. His journey begins with the ruthless destruction of Veilshadi, an elven city, where he claims his first trophy: the highborn priestess Lythriel. Through brutal conditioning and sexual torment, he breaks her spirit, bending her to his will and initiating his Obsidian Harem. With Lythriel by his side, Kaedric marches on, conquering Silverhollow and bending its people to his rule. Next, he sets his sights on Whisperwood, an ancient forest teeming with magical creatures and arcane energies. Accompanied by Lythriel and his demonic entourage, Kaedric ventures into the heart of Whisperwood, where he encounters Elowen, the forest's guardian. She presents him with trials that will test the limits of his power and resolve, setting the stage for a series of challenges that will push Kaedric to his darkest depths. As Kaedric faces these trials, he continues to build his dynasty, claiming powerful women from diverse races to strengthen his bloodline. Each volume of his saga chronicles his brutal campaigns and sensual conquests, detailing the dark magic, ancient horrors, and political intrigues that shape his rise to power. Through it all, Kaedric remains a figure of savage dominance, his legacy one of unyielding cruelty and unquenchable lust.

Death, impotence, and suffering, after living through this would you take an offer of becoming a "hero"? Can broken souls create healthy times? when a Mexican soldier saw himself against this question he knew deep inside the answer as a world of beasts, magic, elves, and demons unfolded before him. Author notes: this is a personal project, I would love feedback but I am not good at writing nor have much free time to write hence time between chapters might vary. I am trying to pick the known trope of humans isekaid to a fantasy world where they would become heroes but I will give it my all to create a complex and mature story worth reading with this common trope.

In a world where power is carved from blood and cruelty, Edric has only known life in chains. Born a slave, he’s dragged into a sacred experiment meant to forge the perfect weapon. Now, marked by fire and something far worse, Edric is thrown into the arena—where the weak are broken, and the strong are bought. As he struggles to master the thing growing inside him, he draws the attention of nobles, demons in human skin, and a princess who sees him as hers...

Lyle Beydo is the son of two of the strongest mages in the kingdom. They were part of the current king's squad. He's also the nephew of the richest summoner mage to ever exist. He's known for his legend that took place overseas. And he often talks about this strange guy called Demiurge? Because of that, you'd expect him to pursue greatness, Right? Instead, he pursues a life of mundanity so he can perfect his families... soup recipe? Because of that, the gods and arch demons of the world contract with him, hoping to make the strongest mage in existence. And no one says no to them.

From the Dead Oceans, Kumamoto Setsune reawakens after thirty hundred years. Without a home, with who knows how much time left, and with her life the target of many an Aeternum, Disaster Beast, and more, she travels towards her old home. In the Great City of Rem, she seeks to find something for herself.

Countless stories will pass you by becoming stories of the past, history yet to be recorded. History is the imperfect record of the past. Knowledge lost within the vast sea of passage. Yet one man, yearns to learn them all, Zixin, Zixin of Longevity. An ignorant child, pawn of the stars, and disaster's appetite. But Fate's cruelty has different plans. Unable to use his ability, he continued to work, breaking down, until one day, the seed he had planted, would grow, ready to be harvested.

I just want to be useful... It all begins in a society very similar to ours, with only a few key differences. This society was fractured long ago causing several isolated countries scattered throughout the world to seek either war or solitude. Among them, only one country reigns supreme. This country is known as the Commonwealth . A country littered with superhumans and strange disasters being an everyday occurrence. This world isn't just home to humans, but also beings of great power destined to save the world . They are known as supers. Some of these beings inherited strange abilities from birth.These the mumans. Others, well, no one knows where exactly. However this story isn't about these supers or mumans. Not yet. This is the story of Jake Scott. A convenience store clerk who had just come to a horrifying realization. He had wasted his life. Well there was nothing he could do about it now since he was stuck in a dead end job making minimum wage and living in a cruddy and cramped apartment with an annoyingly nerdy roommate. Or was there? Scott is given the chance to become a super after performing a heroic deed for an old friend. However he's about to get way more than he bargained for.... And a new evil emerges to reclaim what was rightfully hers. My email: Spike123456@gmail.com

Riven Kael was once a cynical reader—an elite critic of cringe-worthy romance novels filled with virgin tropes and hand-holding cliches. But when he dies in a freak accident after flaming a popular web novel, he wakes up as the most hated villain in the story: Tyrant Prince Riven of Valkyrion Academy. With the power to manipulate desire and a system that punishes failure with death, Riven must seduce, dominate, and shatter the innocent world he once mocked. Welcome to Valkyrion Academy—a place where elite hunters train to destroy monsters, and where Riven must conquer both enemies and heroines to survive. After all, this time, he's not a critic. He's the main character.

[Sequel to RONGER: Rise of Adventure] Alex Foster Cane has vanished. After barely surviving a brutal surgery, he was stolen from Grinlock HQ by a figure no one could stop—one who walked through walls like smoke and shadow. His squad is shattered. His enemies grow bolder. But Alex? He’s already started his journey. A journey into chaos. Into truth. Into everything they tried to bury. He’s no longer running from fate. He’s no longer hiding from the weight of who he is. Because now, the prophecy is calling him loud—and this time, he answers. When he returns… he won’t be the same. Start with Book 1 — “RONGER: Rise of Adventure” — before diving in. Everything begins there. The hero vanished. The legend begins.

In a world where talent is everything—what happens when someone dares to cheat the heavens? Xuan Wu awakened in the brutal Fire Haven World where the strong eat the weak, where practitioners cultivate techniques to live longer and grow stronger. But just as despair crept in... [Ding! Awakened the Supreme Cheat System] [Anything you desire, reality will obey...] Cultivation? Piece of cake. Upper worlds? He can ascend and descend with a thought. Enemies? A single word is all that is needed for obliteration. As Xuan Wu overlooks the world in his grasp, he asks himself—should he dominate, conquer worlds, create planets? Or should he play along just like an ordinary disciple? ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Things to expect in this novel: No harems or romance - romance tropes have no place in this story. Low-key mc who hides his power - Because who doesn't love playing along? Bizarre, unexpected comedy - seriously Enlightened view on cultivation - tired of old monsters acting like mortals? Or young masters being dumb at such a high realm? None of that western power suppression crap - Power scale is huge Reflective MC - tired of the old Gary Stu? ───────────────────────────────────────── Things not to expect: Slow Pacing - Who has the time for that? Submissive MC - Enough of the MC submitting to a female character just because she's hot trope! Enough! Superficial Evil - "Ooh ahh me kill innocent people me so evil!" Again, there are more evils than just killing! ───────────────────────────────────────── ...