Bubonic Plague Mask

Hodi's greatest curse is knowing when you lie. He felt it in the orphanage’s hollow promises. He tasted it in his adoptive parents’ sugary smiles. He never imagined that curse would crack the world open. During a college exam, hell pours through: Mirrors bleed cryptic warnings. A voice like broken glass hisses: “Eyes will bleed, truth will show reality.” The classroom shatters, plunging him into a void where two cosmic horrors whisper: “I FED ON TRUTH.” “I LIVED ON LIES.” So will he wear the MASK? Or tear it off?

Three years ago, Hazel Vance made a choice that changed everything. One night of passion with a mysterious stranger at a masquerade ball left her with more than just memories—it left her with a son whose rare violet-blue eyes are a constant reminder of the father she'll never find. Now a struggling single mother, Hazel desperately needs the executive assistant position at Sterling Group. The salary could finally give her two-year-old Leo the life he deserves. But her new boss, CEO Liam Sterling, is nothing like she expected. Demanding, brilliant, and devastatingly handsome, Liam has a reputation for being impossible to work for. Most assistants don't last a week. When Hazel refuses to be intimidated by his cold demeanor and sharp tongue, something shifts between them. The attraction is immediate and electric, crackling through every professional interaction. But it's his eyes that stop her cold. The same striking violet-blue shade that stares back at her every morning when she looks at her son. As the tension between them builds and the lines between professional and personal begin to blur, Hazel finds herself caught between her desperate need for this job and her growing attraction to the one man who could destroy everything she's worked for. She doesn't know that Liam has been searching for the mysterious woman from the masquerade ball ever since that night changed him forever. And he has no idea that the composed, fiery assistant who challenges him at every turn is the same woman who haunts his dreams. When the truth finally comes to light, will it bring them together or tear apart the fragile new life Hazel has built for herself and her son?

Josuke Hachimizu, a 22-year-old young man, thought his personal hell had ended when he left the military. After six years trying to forget the war, all he wanted was a normal life… but fate had other plans. Without warning, he is torn from his world and thrown into an unknown land by the will of the enigmatic God of Souls. There, he awakens with a broken system: the Blood System, a flawed power that prevents him from leveling up like a normal adventurer. Abandoned and cast into the Seventh Underworld—a place even demons fear to tread—Josuke is left to die. For ten years, he survives fueled by pure rage and hunger, consuming the blood of all kinds of infernal creatures, slowly evolving into something far beyond human. But when he finally escapes, he does not return to the world he once knew. Instead, he's thrown into a realm of heroes, guilds, divided kingdoms, ancient prophecies, abyssal continents, and countless dimensional dungeons… where nearly everyone sees him as a threat. And worst of all, the God of Souls still watches him, with twisted, hidden intentions. With no allies, no clear path, and a system that forces him to drink the blood of his enemies to grow and keep his humanity, Josuke Hachimizu must fight not just to survive… but to shatter the will of those who treat his life like a pawn in the cosmic game. What would you do… if your only way forward was to unleash the monster within?

In a world where strength is law and betrayal blooms like blood-soaked flowers, the once-revered warrior Sofi finds herself imprisoned in a fortress of agony—chained, broken, and haunted by the ghost of her greatest mistake: trusting her own disciple. Nikolash, once her brightest student, now walks the path of cruelty and ambition. Clad in shadows and poisoned ideals, he offers her salvation—but only in chains. His twisted vision of power seeks to remake the world, and Sofi is the final piece in his dark design. What follows is not a battle of strength, but of survival, soul, and vengeance. As Sofi endures unthinkable torment at the hands of those she once protected, her spirit is shattered—but not extinguished. In her final moments, a promise is born in blood and rage: “If I rise again… I’ll never trust, never hesitate. I will become the storm that breaks this world.” A tale of betrayal, corruption, and the rebirth of a fallen protector, Ashes of Sofi is a grim, emotional saga set in a world where light is fragile—and vengeance burns brighter than hope. Author's Note This story is entirely my original work. I have used AI tools only for English translation and grammar support due to language difficulties. All characters, plot, and worldbuilding are written by me.

By day, Li Mei is a quiet 19-year-old university student, the best friend of Zhao Ling — sister to one of the most powerful and ruthless CEOs in the city. By night, she becomes The Shadow Rider — a masked, black-clad savior who secretly rescues innocent lives from the darkness that plagues the streets of Chenghai. She thought her double life was safe. She thought no one would notice her. Until Zhao Wei, 27, CEO of Zhao Corp, saw her. He was supposed to see her as just his sister's young friend. Too young. Too off-limits. But from the moment he laid eyes on her, his world shifted. He became obsessed with her. Every detail about her, he learned through his sister. Every look, every whisper, every glance from afar… he craved more. What he doesn’t know is that the girl he secretly wants is also the masked hero that saves the humans at night. And what Li Mei doesn’t know is that Zhao Wei has already decided. She’s his. Whether she wants it or not.

"She was supposed to be silent. She chose chaos instead." At thirteen, Lorraine vowed to a boy, “I’ll be your poison. I’ll be your blade in the shadows. I’ll live for you.” The catch? She was supposed to be mute and deaf. The bigger catch? He was a hostage prince with no power. Raised in a household where her father adored her perfect half-sister Elyse, Lorraine was thrown into a political marriage with Prince Leroy. Unfortunately, he liked Elyse too. Of course he did. Lorraine played the role of the forgotten wife, but still gave it all. Loyalty, time, and space. The Silent Crown, they called her. Fitting, really. No one expected anything from her. Especially not betrayal. He came back from the war with a mistress, who was a living shadow of his first love. That was Lorraine’s breaking point. Divorce? Not allowed. Staying? Not an option. So, she gave herself one month. One month before she vanished from Vaeloria, from the life that had chewed her up and smiled while doing it. But before she left? She wanted revenge. On the father who put her through hell. On the sister who took her place. On everyone who hurt her and laughed at her. And continuing with… an affair… with Leroy. Yes, you read that right. Lorraine started a secret affair with her own husband. In the shadows. As someone else. Masked. Daring. Desired. And for the first time in her life, she was powerful. He doesn’t know it’s her. And she doesn’t care to correct him. She’ll ruin him with pleasure. Then leave him with regret. That was the plan. The kingdom has no idea what’s coming. The Silent Crown has stopped waiting to be loved. Now, she wants war. And she’ll watch it all burn from the shadows.

In a world where the currency is power and secrets are deadlier than bullets, a boy once abandoned in the shadows rises to become a feared legend. From surviving alone in the slums to mastering machines, hacking networks, and facing ruthless elites—Jake hides behind a quiet life while leading a double identity that could change everything. But when fate throws him into the chaotic world of the powerful Holande family—and the path of their misunderstood daughter Elena—the game begins. Love. Betrayal. Revenge. Power. Will the boy once worth nothing become the man everyone fears—or the one a single woman cherishes most?

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.

Marked as cursed and a murderer after a mysterious death, Penelope becomes the Lockwoods' outcast. Despite the towns' interest in ruining her, the crown prince ignores all pleas not to court her. With the help of the prince Tyrion Castro, Penelope unravels secrets linked to her parents' past and reclaims her innocence. Betrayal, danger, and love collide in her fight for the truth.

A mysterious young girl, always wearing a white mask, appeared whenever the police were stuck. She solved cases no one could. She never stayed long. She never spoke much. But every time, she helped the police... and vanished before they could ask who she was. Who is she? Why does she help? And what is she hiding behind that mask?

Eleanor Hawthorne, a popular actress, fell from a building in a bizarre incident, and the police ruled it suicide. Olivia Hawthorne was forced to wear a human skin mask similar to her sister's, and was threatened by Edmund Weirt, the heir of a top wealthy family: "Either marry into the Weirt family as Eleanor Hawthorne and find out the truth, or watch the Hawthorne family disappear completely." On her wedding night, she found a bloody diary hidden in her husband's study, which recorded the death time of seven actresses - and Eleanor Hawthorne's name was on the last line.

[A DARK FANTASY WEREWOLF NOVEL.] After being casted out of her pack for being a wolfless runt and refusing to be the sex slave for the Alpha of her pack, Odette finds herself strayed in the forbidden forest, all alone and in danger, ready to face her death. Until a seven-feet tall man wearing a skull wolf mask suddenly appears in front of her, and sweeps her by her feet. He imprisons her in a mysterious place called the Kingdom of Hollow Beasts in the far north. As the Alpha King of the kingdom, he showers her with lavish gifts and gentlest care, but forbids her to leave. Facing the strange behavior, Odette questions the Masked Alpha’s intention, only for him to stare at her with glowing red eyes, saying; “You can have anything you asked for, except for freedom. You shall never leave me. Not for the hundredth time.” * Join Odette as she uncovers the secret of the Masked Alpha and their past, watch her awaken her unique power as Moon Goddess’ favorite and restore the Masked Alpha’s hollow heart. - This is a Werewolf novel, as the Masked King is an Alpha who rules over all beastmen species. Weak-to-strong, amnesiac female lead x doting Alpha male lead with traumatic past. - Official Commissioned art by @Durudara Follow me on Instagram: @ForeverPupa Other book: Beast King's Crippled Mate [Completed.]

Your prospects in life are determined by the elemental affinity for magic and streaks of the elements you possess. Logan Kress, a young boy who lost his parents to a plague, loses his elemental streak and affinity but gains something far more potent and potentially lethal in exchange. With his hair now pure white, he can wield magic like never before seen, opening a lot of opportunities for him but inciting the fury of beings infinitely more powerful than him. Read his journey for revenge as he hunts down those responsible for the plague, making allies and creating dangerous enemies along the way. https://discord.gg/ED3C4DAgC4 The link to my discord server. Please join.

In a world where music once healed kingdoms and shaped the course of history, a masked boy appears from nowhere. He plays every instrument with divine mastery, yet no one knows his name, his face, or even his voice. Each time he performs, he wears a different mask, one for the violin, another for the piano, each one tied to a secret from a forgotten era. Nobles, commoners, and rebels begin chasing the legend of Nocturne, the faceless artist whose songs stir lost memories and ignite sleeping hearts. But when his haunting performance saves the life of Princess Seraphina, her obsession with the masked boy begins to unravel a hidden war, a forbidden past, and a love that could change the empire. As kingdoms fall and forgotten harmonies rise again, only one question remains Can love bloom when the soul behind the music is always hidden

In a world devastated by endless monsters pouring from a dark tower, only four members of the once-mighty Lion Family remain. Three lie dying, while Jun Lion, bloodied and exhausted, fights alone against impossible odds. Fueled by rage and grief, Jun unleashes a devastating final attack—Lightning Storm, the last technique of his family’s sword art—destroying thousands of monsters but sacrificing his life in the process. As his body shatters, a mysterious Monarch System suddenly activates, attempts multiple times to bind to him, and finally succeeds—sending Jun’s soul to another world. Thanks for reading this book. I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

Is being someone's shadow a blessing or a curse? Can you live your present happily? Or that person's past will punish every single moment of your life? This story tells how three families are bound together by a common thread. But who is the one who has put knot in it? Will this knot ever be resolved? Or will this thread itself break? How two lovers got separated and the one they sacrificed everything for will betray them because of a misunderstanding. Their separation will become a reason of disaster and revenge between the people they love the most. A girl whose only happiness and reason to live is her grandfather. She never expected anything from her fate but one proposal changed her entire life. In one night her world turned upside down. Loosing her lifeline and taking revenge for it, she drenched herself in blood of her own people.

scarlet plague

Jomarie Estadilla was just a nameless housekeeper in Metro Manila — a twenty-year-old burdened by poverty, family responsibility, and the quiet ache of being forgotten. When life finally breaks him, he climbs the tallest building in the city and leaps... choosing silence over survival. But death doesn’t greet him. God does. In a realm beyond time, Jomarie is offered a choice: die as a demon, or live as His divine weapon against the demonic forces that now rule the world in secret. From boardrooms to churches, from politics to entertainment — demons disguised as humans have taken hold of Earth’s highest institutions. Jomarie accepts rebirth, awakening with the Divine Starlium — a living system forged by Heaven to guide him, train him, and arm him with Heavenly Artifacts: weapons of terrifying power, each bound to his soul. With every demon slain, he climbs through forbidden ranks called Heavenly Restrictions, unlocking divine transformations that push his humanity to the edge. But power comes with questions — and truth cuts deeper than blades. As he battles the Seven Sin-Bearers and faces a fallen archangel hidden within the halls of government, Jomarie must confront a deeper war: the one between mercy and judgment, faith and wrath, survival and purpose. In a world where even angels lie, what does it mean to be chosen?

I was born invisible. Not weak. Not strong. Just… unseen. No one called my name. No one stopped to ask if I was okay. I was the background noise of a world that only cared about power, titles, and destiny. And when the Tower appeared—black, colossal, hovering in the sky—it changed everything. Awakening screens descended. Skills were granted. Ranks assigned. Heroes rose overnight. I got nothing. [Rank: F] [Skill: None] [Title: None] No second chance. No secret talent. Just a system stamp declaring me worthless. While others became legends, I stayed behind—sweeping streets, watching the world from the sidelines. Until one night… a second screen appeared. [You have been chosen.] [Monarch System Activated.] Not a normal system. Not something given to everyone. Something darker. Older. Meant for those long forgotten. I don’t know what this Monarch System wants. I don’t know why I was chosen. But if this world turns life into a game, then I’ll rewrite the rules. I may have started as an extra. But I’ll climb that Tower. I’ll carve my name into the sky. Even if I have to die a thousand times— I’ll save everyone. Thank you everyone for reading the book. Just a massage for you.. I'll also upload this story at Royal Road and also in TAPAS.

[Book published on royal road: Unnikuttan I was born with no name. No memories. No power. Just a mask. A porcelain-white mask that whispered names I’d never heard—and lives I had never lived. The first time I wore it, I became her: The Blade Dancer of the Dying Moon. The second time? A dead queen who spoke in tongues and commanded spirits. Every mask I wear brings power… Every life I borrow brings danger. Because someone—or something—wants these masks shattered. And the moment I put on the wrong one… I won’t just borrow the past. I’ll become it.

In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, a child is born with a curse that makes him the center of attention—yet also an outcast among his own tribe. Betrayed and abandoned by all, he decides to turn his curse into a weapon of destruction. His power grows to the point where he dares to challenge the supreme entities that rule the world. But he fails. As punishment, they strip him of half the power he gained through what he calls "the curse," sealing it within a plague doctor's mask that once watched over him. The mask is shattered into thirty pieces, each transformed into a weapon and scattered across thirty different worlds. In each world, a chosen hero guards a fragment of his lost strength. Now, his journey begins—to reclaim his power, his glory, and perhaps, his vengeance.

He was once ignored. Forgotten. Weak. Now, he’s the most feared man in the shadows — the Ghost Assassin. To the world, he’s just a quiet university student. A tech genius. A rising legend. But no one knows the truth... not even her. The spoiled daughter of the president once mocked him. Now, he’s her savior, her shadow... the only one she can trust. From the slums to glory. From zero to unstoppable. This is a tale of betrayal, secrets, love, hidden identity, and an assassin who wears a perfect mask. — A fantasy romance with supernatural technology, fierce battles, and unexpected love.

Sun City, once the heart of the greatest kingdom, burns under the hand of a masked villain. The man behind the silver mask — once known as Jaren — was betrayed by the very empire he served. Now, he brings ruin to the land that cast him aside. As the city falls, young Prince Aron escapes with nothing but his will to survive. Hunted, broken, and alone, he swears to one day tear the Puppet Master’s mask from his face. But in this game of shadows, who is the puppet — and who is the master?

Who is Katz Baldwin? A wandering healer? A rogue sorcerer? A quiet hero in a dying world? No one really knows. But here's the truth: he's the 36th Demon King—the so-called weakest in history. The joke of the underworld. Except... he inherited the forbidden shadow powers of the First Demon King—the legendary God Slayer. So, yeah. Weak is kind of relative. For two thousand years, demons and humans have been at war. Katz? He crossed into enemy territory not with an army, but alone—drawn by a deadly plague that’s tearing through every race: humans, elves, demi-humans. Instead of spreading destruction, he started saving lives. Now they call him a hero. But how long can a Demon King pretend to be a savior? How long before the truth slips through the cracks? He walks the line between light and shadow—and when the mask falls, the world will have to decide: Is he their salvation... or their doom?

Escape into a world of Dragons, magic, and prophecies in this epic tale that spans incredible worlds. Thelessia: In this seemingly ordinary world, two young Dragons, Britiana and Darius, live in disguise, using magic to mask their true identities to blend among humans, elves, and dwarves. Sent from their home world of Emphyralis at birth to save them from a kidnapping plot, they seek refuge on Thelessia, unaware of the dangerous forces that lurk in the shadows. Emphyralis: This is a world of Dragons, magic, a diverse population, and magnificent landscapes. Inhabited by Dragons, it's a world in recovery from a near century long war with beings only known as Dragon Hunters. Devastated by a Plague that killed most of their population, the Dragons along with other races who call Emphyralis home, work to rebuild. Hope awaits. Mysteries and danger also lurk. Terranthea: A modern world under the constant threat of demons, the witchborn stand against them, even as the citizens of their world begin to turn against them. Members of the Crowley family, power witchborn sisters and daughters, strive to find a way to protect not only themselves, but the mortals of their world. Delaney Crowley uses her innate skills to traverse world looking for hope. This is more than just a story of magic, it's a story of family, loyalty, redemption, and the search for belonging. Prepare to be swept away by this epic saga that blends fantasy, adventure, and intrigue. Experience the magic of Emphyralis, the courage of its Dragon protectors, and the strength of unity that binds them all in a battle against forces that threaten to destroy everything they hold dear.

They called it The Rot. An insidious plague that crept into every corner of Santa Catha, dragging the lives of its people into ruin. Fear and despair ruled the hearts of those who had not yet succumbed, as the sickness slipped through the streets like the shadow of an eclipse—slow, relentless, and suffocating. Yet the faith of the townspeople endured, upheld by the king’s promise: the arrival of brave doctors who would pull them back from the brink of damnation. But with each passing day, the line between hope and resignation blurred, as Santa Catha sank deeper into a desperate struggle against the darkness that devoured and rotted its people from within.

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.

Justice died in the war. He came back to dig it up. Presumed dead in World War II, Sergeant Elias Krieg was a ghost—until the world’s corruption dragged him back. Revived by an experimental serum, twisted by violence, and cursed with an undying hunger, he walks the streets of modern New York as a pale wraith in a torn cloak and featureless mask. They call him HeartEater—a brutal, silent vigilante who doesn’t bring criminals to justice. He devours it. Targeting the worst of humanity—murderers, traffickers, predators—he rips out their still-beating hearts and disappears into the night. But beneath the monster is a soldier who once stood for something. He protects children with a quiet tenderness. He offers mercy to the misguided. And he never forgets a promise. As powerful enemies begin to emerge—greedy syndicates, slothful manipulators, and sins made flesh—HeartEater must face the truth: justice alone isn’t enough. The world demands vengeance. And he’s ready to deliver it. Blood will flow. The hearts of monsters will beat no more.

DISCLAIMER: The events, characters, and situations depicted in this work are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people, events, or entities is purely coincidental. The story, its characters, and any events described are the product of the author's imagination and should not be construed as reflecting any real-life scenarios. Charlotte Nightfall is a celebrated CIA agent, revered as one of the greatest detectives of all time. Known for her unparalleled competence, sharp intellect, and flawless reputation, she's become a cult hero within the agency, admired by her colleagues and feared by her enemies. But beneath the perfect image she's carefully constructed lies a darker truth. Charlotte has spent years crafting an impeccable persona, hiding the secrets of her true identity from the world. What the CIA and those around her don't know is that her polished exterior conceals a woman who craves physical tension and a glamorous, secretive life. Her desires are as much a mystery as her past, and she's made it her mission to keep them hidden. Enter Frank James Drake, a former MI6 agent with both British and American citizenship, now working for the CIA.. As he gets closer to her, he begins to unravel the carefully constructed layers of Charlotte's life-both the professional and the personal. But what will he discover? And what will it cost them both when the masks begin to fall?