Perception Blocking Mask

There were three rules to working for CEO Karsten Chevalier. First, bring his coffee brimming hot and black like a starless night. Second, park your attitude outside his office door—his broody demeanour has the room covered. Third, never say ‘No’ to whatever he demands. Not even when he asks you to become his fake girlfriend? (Synopsis) Arata's fiance dumped her through a text on the day of their engagement party. The reason? She is too curvy for his taste! He only entertained her because of her prestigious family name. "Do you think men want a fatso like you? You're nothing without your family's name!" A heartbroken Arata sets out on a journey to discover herself without revealing she is the daughter of a billionaire. She moves to another city, away from her beloved family. ‘How dare he insult me? I love my curves and I will show him.’ Arata is not a damsel; her parents have raised her strong, and now it is time to become independent. Her heart is ablaze with newfound goals. One: to see how people will treat her if she acts like an ordinary girl and hides her identity. Two: to bag a bigger fish than her stinking—joke of an ex-fiancé. She will prove that a man will genuinely love her irrespective of her curves and surname! Arata's new life begins as the secretary of Karsten Chevalier, the CEO of a multinational clothing brand who is renowned for his dashing personality and enigmatic persona. Not much is publicly known about this man. Doused in mystery, the man has his own goals and hidden agenda which will topple Arata's world. Unfortunately, Karsten's handsome face becomes a punching bag in Arata's mind because of his ruthlessly demanding personality and ego larger than Mount Everest. Arata eases her frustrations by going to meet Twisted Rider, the currently popular yet mysterious, masked internet sensation. Both tangle under the sheets and he becomes her safe space as she complains and opens up about her boss. "Will you act as my girlfriend?” Karsten's proposal to become a fake girlfriend for his family events surprised Arata! How will Arata juggle the piling demands of her boss, her own heartbreak and the seduction traps of the masked man she loves to watch in her spare time? Will sparks fly between Arata and her colder-than-Arctic ice boss? Or, will she continue to complain to the masked man that her boss probably has a small PP? This is my entry for WSA 2025, please support it with your power stones. The book is a sequel to my previous novel “The CEO of My Dreams Returned To Me.” But it can read as standalone. A special thanks to Author Hansora for the overwhelming support and encouraging me to publish this book and helping me with the book cover. Want to chat or have any questions regarding the book? Find me on Instagram, Facebook and Discord with the same name.

When Shoun is dragged into an unknown world by an enigmatic masked figure, he is forced to cast aside his fear and fight for his life. With every vestige he defeats, his power grows… as do the secrets hidden within this black and white world. His only chance of survival seems to lie in the hands of the masked figure, but trusting him might be as dangerous as the monsters that lurk in the dark. In a world where the truth hides behind masks and shadows, will trust be his downfall or his only salvation?

Dev, an 18-year-old overthinker, has failed his JEE exams after a drop year, disappointing his parents and crushing his dreams of a prestigious future. Smart but lazy, ambitious but directionless, he fantasizes about a shortcut to success—until one night, his wish comes true. A mysterious system offers him a choice: accept a life-changing transformation or stay trapped in mediocrity. With enhanced comprehension, an adaptive physique, and an invitation to India's most dangerous special forces, Dev must decide—embrace the unknown or remain a failure. But the system has a catch: after his initial boost, it disappears. No more free rewards. No more guidance. He must forge his own destiny using his intelligence, training, and ruthless ambition. From the battlefield to the business world, Dev will master the game of power, wealth, and survival. The question is—can he truly conquer the world, or will the world break him first?

In a bustling modern city where ancient secrets and mysterious powers collide with everyday life, 22-year-old Ethan Cross seems like your average college student. Behind his unassuming demeanor lies a man shrouded in secrets—a masked vigilante known only as "Virtuoso," feared by criminals and sought after by powerful organizations. Ethan is overpowered, sarcastic, and ridiculously skilled at everything he does. But there's one thing he’s terrible at: romance. When the enigmatic and fiercely independent Mia Harper stumbles into his life, she unknowingly becomes the key to unraveling a conspiracy that ties Ethan's past to an ancient prophecy. Between laugh-out-loud moments, explosive action, and unexpected twists, Ethan navigates his double life while trying to protect Mia, keep his identity hidden, and maybe—just maybe—figure out how to confess his feelings without being a complete disaster.

Gotham is ruled by Clad Belmont—a man powerful enough to defeat the infamous Jack the Reaper and seize control of the city. "What if there’s someone out there even stronger than Jack the Reaper? What will you do then, Belmont?" But when a mysterious new threat emerges, determined to erase Belmont’s legacy, the city spirals into chaos. "I'm Jaxon." "I don’t know where the hell you came from, kid, but this is Gotham. If you want to stay alive, keep your head down and don’t draw attention to yourself." Jaxon, a boy with no past, arrives in Gotham just as the city prepares to unveil a statue in Belmont’s honor. When the event is attacked, he’s faced with a choice: stay in the shadows or step into the light. "If I don’t do something, all these people are going to die right in front of me." As a masked vigilante rises, whispers spread—Jack the Reaper may have returned. "Who the hell is this Black Mask? I want him eliminated immediately." But if Jack the Reaper is truly back… then who is Black Mask? "Gotham, eh? So this is where you’ve been hiding all this time, Jaxon. Well then… it’s time I paid my student a visit." "Impossible." "I’m telling you, sir—Jack the Reaper is back in Gotham."

The Stone Mask is an action-packed dark fantasy set in a world where strength rules and the weak are crushed. Katsu Blazewood, a rising Ranker with fire-based abilities, dreams of climbing the ranks and proving his worth. Under the guidance of the ruthless Simon Shepard, he faces deadly trials, powerful adversaries, and the harsh truth of what it means to be a Ranker. But when the government launches a brutal invasion in search of a legendary artifact—the Stone Mask—Katsu is thrust into a war far greater than himself. The Stone Mask is said to hold unimaginable power, a relic from a forgotten era that could reshape the balance of the world. But as Katsu uncovers the dark secrets behind it, he begins to question everything: Who truly controls the Rankers? What does it mean to wield power? And most of all—what will he become if he survives?

The Mask Never Slips In a world where morality is blurred, Shiva navigates the dark underbelly of crime while concealing the unbearable weight of his own existence. Emotionally detached yet deeply wounded, he wears a mask of indifference, suppressing a lifetime of trauma that manifests as relentless physical pain. He is a master manipulator, a deceiver, and a survivor—yet, at his core, he is a man consumed by self-disgust. Despite his hatred for himself, three fragile reasons tether him to life: his love for a girl who barely acknowledges him, his unwavering loyalty to the abusive family that broke him, and the little brother he raised to be everything he could never become. If even one of these reasons crumbles, so will he. As he maneuvers through the chaos of the crime world—both a participant and an outsider—Shiva finds himself drawn into a series of brutal conflicts, each forcing him to confront the contradictions within him. He claims to have no desire to kill, yet death follows in his shadow. He yearns to be understood, yet has perfected the art of deception. He wants to feel something—anything—but every emotion is buried beneath years of carefully constructed lies. When the past he’s tried so hard to bury resurfaces, Shiva’s carefully maintained facade begins to crack. Someone close to him is starting to see through the act. And as the weight of his suffering becomes impossible to contain, he is left with one question: Can he keep holding on, or is the mask he wears the only thing keeping him alive?

Aryan can go to the past. So he tried to save his Love Sonia over and over. But every time he tries to change, he fails. Will he succeed? It's a journey of Aryan to save his love.

In a world where magic fuels machines and empires rise on the ashes of desire, Kia—a succubus trapped in a human body—discovers she’s not the only monster in this neon-lit world. When her hunger for human desires catches the attention of the Intergalactic Empire, she’s thrust into a deadly game of power, passion, and betrayal. But as Kia navigates a world of mecha armies, forbidden magic, and a royal family that will stop at nothing to control her, she realizes the greatest danger isn’t the empire—it’s the darkness within herself. Can she survive a world that wants to consume her, or will her own desires destroy her first?

Angelo rycard is a boy who has seen more grief and death than the greatest soldier and more happiness than the greatest king. He carries untold burden and guilt and is on a journey to fix the mistakes of his past fight the evils of several distant universes. And stop the ambitions of men playing God all in the hope of reuniting his family once and for all. Watch this tale of a boy rekindling friendships facing past trauma's and fighting his greatest enemy himself.

How much do we really know those who are always around us? what if it seems a lot but is close to nothing. Are things as they always seem or the privilege of perception has blinded us to only see what we want to see.

Never take off the mask.” It’s the one rule Cora Mercedes has lived by her entire life. Found abandoned on Halloween night as a child, wearing a mask she’s forbidden to remove and clutching a cryptic note, Cora’s existence has been a riddle she’s never been able to solve. When she gains admission to the prestigious Oscar Island University—a school renowned for its exclusivity and shrouded in mystery—Cora hopes to escape her past and embrace a new beginning. But nothing at Oscar is ordinary. Its halls whisper secrets, its rules are bizarre and absolute, and its students, though seemingly perfect, are unnervingly inhuman. As Cora navigates her new life, she finds herself drawn to the shadows, particularly to a pair of haunting crimson eyes that seem to follow her every move. He’s ruthless, enigmatic, and terrifyingly familiar, and despite her instincts, she can’t escape his magnetic pull. But the closer Cora gets to unraveling the truth—about her mask, her past, and the dark forces surrounding Oscar Island—the more she realizes she’s not the only one hiding secrets. In a world where humans serve as prey, breaking the rules isn’t just dangerous; it’s deadly. And someone in the shadows has been waiting centuries for her to return. Damien’s Masked Mate is a captivating tale of forbidden romance, ancient curses, and the deadly allure of the unknown

Power. Wealth. Fear. Dominic Valente built his empire with blood and ambition, rising from the crime-ridden streets of Palermo, Italy to become one of Europe’s most feared mafia bosses. Ruthless in strategy, unmatched in intelligence, he earned the name "The Hawk", orchestrating every move like a master chess player. But power came at a cost—a life devoid of peace, a soul weighed down by regret. When Dominic walks away from his empire, leaving the underworld behind, he seeks refuge in a quiet French village, living under the alias Antonio Leoni. He reinvents himself as a businessman, investing in legitimate enterprises, hoping to atone for his past sins. But redemption doesn’t come easy. Isabella Antenno, a passionate artist with a hidden past, enters his life, drawing him into a world of love, trust, and hope. Unaware of the darkness lurking behind his eyes, she sees in him a man struggling to escape his own demons. As their connection deepens, Isabella unwittingly becomes the one person Dominic cannot afford to lose. But the past is relentless. Enzo Mancini, Dominic’s former right-hand man, sees his departure as betrayal. Taking over the empire, Enzo thrives in chaos, determined to destroy the man who abandoned him. The hunter becomes the hunted when Enzo sends his men to track Dominic down, forcing him to make a choice—fight or lose everything. And in the shadows, Detective Adrien Moreau, an obsessed investigator from Palermo, inches closer to the truth. Moreau knows Dominic isn’t just a businessman—he’s the ghost of a crime lord who vanished without a trace. When Moreau sets a trap, Dominic must once again outmaneuver the system that hunts him. As old enemies close in and the life he’s built begins to unravel, Dominic faces an impossible question: Can a man like him ever truly escape his past? When the mask falls, will he be the man Isabella believes he can be—or the legend of crime the world still fears?

At university, Chris is just another student—quiet, reserved, and seemingly ordinary. But behind the scenes, he’s the heir to a hidden fortune, a secret he guards fiercely. Then there’s Skylar—a girl born into wealth, now watching her privileged world crumble as her family faces financial ruin. When she crosses paths with Chris, an unexpected connection sparks between them. Skylar falls for him, believing he’s just a regular guy. But when her family pressures her to seek a richer suitor, Chris finds himself at a crossroads—should he reveal his true identity to fight for their love, or let her go to protect his secret? In a world where love and wealth collide, can their relationship survive the truth?

Everyone in the class was shocked when the news came: Sheena Hathaway married to Stephan Korade. It’s already the fourth year of the university, when every couple was destined to break up at such a moment. Therefore, no one would expect the bookworm Sheena would marry to the rich playboy Stephan Korade. “She must have put a curse on that handsome boy. How could the son of Bee Group, the biggest medical device company, marry a girl of nobody? ” everyone doubts like this. Except Stephan himself. “Sheena, please don’t ignore me in the campus, we’re a couple indeed.” Stephan begged in a soft tone trying to not offend this girl with sparkling eyes under her black glasses. “Stephan, I know our marriage is just a smoke shell, don’t act like you love me.” Sheena smiled sincerely and innocently. “So, for your request, no way.”

❝I was supposed to be engaged to the love of my life… Instead, I was sold to a crippled stranger on my wedding day.❞ Jamie Zach had been the family’s shame—an omega male in a world where only alphas mattered. Used and discarded by his fiancé, betrayed by his own sister, and left pregnant after a night of cruelty, Jamie had lost everything. To save face, his family forced him into a hasty marriage with Sir Lucien Von Nightshade, a man who never showed his face, a crippled, masked nobleman rumored to be cursed. But his new husband was not what he seemed. Beneath the mask hid a monster… and a king. As Jamie fought to reclaim his life, Lucien watched him from the shadows, dangerous and possessive. While the world mocked Jamie, his husband silently destroyed every enemy in his path. Until one night… when Lucien’s carefully guarded secret was revealed. He was never crippled. He was never weak. He was the last of the pureblood vampires. And Jamie… Jamie was his mate. Now pregnant with a child that could change the supernatural world, Jamie is caught in a war of power, love, and obsession. And his once-crippled husband? He will burn the world down to keep Jamie by his side.

A mad mix of British snark and anime insanity, this light novel skewers social media, gaming, and clout culture with quirky, biting humor. Unique. Absurd. Wish I’d found it sooner. Lillian’s your typical girl, craving eBunnee fame. Lost in #HeartLingForest, she meets a dramatic ghost who literally follows her. At Estresey Academy, teens worship followers like gods—eBunnee’s so wild even ghosts and objects chase likes. Follow Lillian through a hilarious, fame-obsessed blur where reality and virtual collide, friendships teeter, and laughs hit hard.

An enigmatic young man wearing a smiling emoji mask must confront supernatural forces to rescue his kidnapped grandfather from a secluded farm.

In the shadowed depths of Kyouten, a city divided by power and secrets, Hime operates as Venus, an enigmatic broker of forbidden knowledge. Her brilliance lies in her anonymity, her strength in the impenetrable walls she’s built. But when a calculated move brings her into the orbit of Kazuki, the cold and commanding leader of the Kagezan syndicate, those walls begin to crack. Kazuki is a man who thrives on control, ruling his underworld empire with precision and ruthlessness. Yet Hime’s defiance, her sharp wit, and the dangerous allure of her secrets ignite something within him—an obsession that blurs the line between protector and predator. As shadows close in, Hime finds herself hunted by the relentless Venus Hunters and entangled in Kazuki’s growing fixation. Forced into a precarious alliance, the two must navigate a world where every move is a gamble and trust is a luxury neither can afford. But behind Hime’s shattered mask lies a truth more dangerous than any enemy, a secret that could change the balance of power in Kyouten forever. When facades crumble and desires collide, who will emerge unscathed from the chaos?

When a shattered ancient mask unleashes chaos upon the Igbo villages, young healer Adaora must embrace her hidden lineage and embark on a perilous journey into the spirit realm. With her loyal warrior, Ikenna, by her side, she'll face treacherous spirits, unravel ancient mysteries, and confront a betrayal that threatens to shatter the very fabric of their world. Can she restore the balance, or will the whispers of Ala be forever silenced?

[not a LitRPG / isekai / cultivation.] [Espionage / Slowburn / A very human story] SYNOPSIS: A child rotting on the streets was suddenly dragged into the black car of one of the many conglomerates that rule the world from the shadows. Through golden flames and swathes of blood, he was trained and experimented on to become the perfect weapon. In this ever-changing world of conspiracy and technological marvels, Test Subject 201, now called Felix, navigates the world as the experiment's sole survivor, standing as the foundation for humanity's next step in evolution.  Armed with his gun, newfound abilities, and a memento he holds dearly, he marches through the steep path of darkness and deceit, and faces off against mafia, mercenaries, and countless criminals and corporations, to enact the organization's mantra to "protect the peace.".

Lorenzo De Luca "The Beast" thought she was only a new prey, but he realized too late that he was the one who was trapped. Signing a contract with the beast was supposed to be the worst thing that happened to Summer, and she wouldn't have done that if she had any other options, but the more she tried to struggle out of the deal, the deeper the beast found himself falling for her. ... I nodded, feeling grateful, and bolted toward the door. Without knocking, I burst inside. "You jerk!" I yelled. “Don’t you know how to knock? and I warned you not to call me that.” His voice was low, irritated. "Your terms are absurds, I have my own terms also." I said as I closed the door. The minutes I turned to him, I screamed. Lorenzo was standing by the window, wearing nothing but a towel, water dripping from his freshly showered body. His broad shoulders glistened in the light, and his defined abs led down to... "A slave speaking of term, Hmm. Tell me about it." He said. "Damn, he is fucking hot!" I said, not realizing I said it out. "Excuse me?" He raised his brow. "huh." I said. "You were talking about terms." He asked, moving closer to me. I couldn’t remove my eyes away. His body was perfection, every inch of him sculpted like a living statue. The towel hung dangerously low on his hips, and for a moment, I forgot why I had come in. My heart pounded faster with every step he took, my legs were shaking. "Don't come near!" I yelled at him, covering my face with my hand. "What's the problem?" He asked. I froze, my eyes wide, my cheeks flushed. “Put some clothes on!” I shrieked. “This is my room,” he said, turning toward me with a slow smirk. “I see no reason to.” "Well.. I'm here and I'm not comfortable with you like this." “You’re staring,” he teased. “No, I’m not!” I shot back, flustered. “You want me,” he said casually, stepping closer. “What? No!” I stumbled backward, heart pounding. “You want to feel me inside you.” “God forbid! Hell no!” I shouted, but my voice wavered, betraying me. "Hell yes" He said with a smile. I swear, despite his face is partially covered with mask, I could see the beauty of his face. His smile is so beautiful... it's choking. He closed the distance between us, his eyes locked on mine. “Your body says otherwise,” he whispered, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face. The heat of his skin sent a shiver down my spine. Then he whispered into my ears "I can show you what I'm made of, if you want." His voice was slow, deep and arousing. My legs were trembling, I could hear my heartbeat. “Stay away from me!” I pushed him back, panic setting in. But he only laughed, a deep, rich sound that sent my pulse racing. “You don't know what you are missing.” he murmured, his voice low and dangerously seductive. He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. “Just say the word.” I snapped. “Get lost!” I pushed him and bolted out of the room, my heart pounding in my ears. I could hear him laughing behind me, enjoying the moment. His laughter was cut short by the sound of water splashing.

"Brutal truth and sweet lies will make the real you but it's you to see the positivity or negativity." - RILEY DEANE "Life doesn't depend on positivity or negativity. It depends on perspectives." -SWEVEN ARCANUM Both are correct but they both see the world in a different view. What is going to occur if the two different perceptions come across each other?

Zaylee Tylor is always wearing a mask, glasses and cap. Margo's gang always bullying her because she don't want to speak and because she always reading. One day Margo's gang decided to approch Zaylee who's peacefully reading they bully her but suddenly a shout came from behind. Pariz Quinn the owner of the university helped Zaylee since then Pariz and Zaylee are good friends but little by little they are falling for each other.

At 28, Clara Hayes has mastered the art of wearing masks. To her colleagues, she’s the perpetually cheerful graphic designer who never misses a deadline. To her overbearing mother, she’s the dutiful daughter hiding her anxiety behind polished smiles. To the world, she’s a woman who “has it all together”—except she’s crumbling inside. Clara’s life unravels during a corporate presentation where a panic attack strips her façade raw. Humiliated and exhausted, she flees to a quiet coastal town, renting a cottage owned by an eccentric, free-spirited potter named Marisol. There, Clara stumbles upon a dusty journal in the attic, its pages filled with haunting sketches and anonymous confessions from a woman who once lived there decades earlier. The entries mirror Clara’s own suffocating duality: “I paint myself in colors the world approves of, but my soul is a grayscale.” As Clara tentatively befriends Marisol and a reclusive widower, Eli, who runs the town’s crumbling bookstore, she begins confronting the lies she’s told herself for years. Through their unconventional guidance—and the journal’s cryptic wisdom—she starts shedding her masks one by one. But vulnerability comes at a cost: her corporate career teeters, her mother’s disapproval intensifies, and a buried trauma from her teenage years resurfaces, threatening to drown her newfound courage. When Clara’s raw, unfiltered artwork—created in secret—goes viral, she faces a choice: return to the safety of her old illusions or step into the terrifying freedom of living unapologetically. But the journal hides a final secret, linking Clara’s journey to the cottage’s mysterious past, forcing her to question whether true authenticity is a rebellion… or a homecoming.

A brilliantly manipulative and dangerously perceptive therapist uses his position of trust to dismantle the relationships of those who seek his help, pulling the strings from behind the scenes while maintaining the perfect façade of a healer.

Welcome to A Chance with Love In a world where werewolf packs navigate complex social hierarchies and ancient traditions, Cain, a powerful werewolf destined to be Alpha, finds his ascension blocked by a single, agonizing condition: he must find his fated mate. Years, months, and blue moons pass, and Cain's frustration mounts, turning into a bitter resentment towards the elusive woman he's never met. Then, a new arrival challenges his authority and disrupts the pack's delicate balance. This individual, strong and enigmatic, sparks a conflict that ignites a fierce rivalry. Cain, hardened by years of waiting, sees this newcomer as a disruptive force, and the newcomer mirrors his animosity. A shocking revelation shatters Cain's perception of reality: this daunting werewolf is his fated mate. Despite his prior rejection of the mate bond, Cain finds himself relentlessly drawn to the newcomer, pursuing a connection he once swore he didn't want. This discovery plunges him into emotional turmoil. They clash with a fiery intensity, unaware that a powerful mate bond begins to tug at their souls, a force they both instinctively resist. As this connection intensifies, their resistance weakens, revealing glimpses of the deep bond that fate has woven between them. However, external pressures and internal conflicts threaten to tear them apart. Cain's delayed ascension, the expectations of his pack, and the newcomer's own hidden burdens create a turbulent path to their destined union. Will they be able to take a chance with love, or will the turbulent forces of separation keep them apart forever?

This is just a quick story with a funny ending... hope you enjoy!!! (Synchron has the power of quantum entaglement, the Observer can see and define all quantum states, and the Decoherence has the ability to force quantum systems into a single, defined state... and Lebron is just... well he's just Lebron...

In a world where humans possess supernatural abilities, Takahashi Haru, a first year high school student is considered to be average. His shielding ability is overshadowed by insane powers that remarkable people have, and he relies on them to fight off monsters that threaten humanity for him. However, due to a turn of events, he is forced to break his limits or rather, to show the true nature of his abilities. Is he truly the weak individual he appears to be?