Mask Off Challenge

In Ogun's Kingdom, gods once walked among mortals, their presence leaving echoes of power, mystery, and ambition. Now, only the masked bearers of divine blessings bridge the gap between humans and the forgotten pantheon. Thorne Ironhold, a blind boy born into the prestigious Ironhold fief, stands at a precipice. Blessed by an unknown god during the sacred mask rite, he is labeled a "Stray"—an outcast marked by powers beyond mortal comprehension. Yet beneath the shadows of his failure lies an unimaginable secret: Thorne's mask holds the power to defy the natural order. As Thorne ventures from his father's forge to the treacherous Garden of the Gods and the rigorous academy, he seeks not only to carve his own path but to uncover the truth behind his destiny. Every battle tests his limits, every limit surpassed brings him closer to the power once lost to men—and closer to the chaos lurking within. In a world where dances summon divine might and masks conceal more than they reveal, Thorne's journey becomes a quest to challenge the gods themselves. But as he walks the path they once tread, he must ask: Will he rise among the embers of forgotten legends, or be consumed by them?

In a world that is aware of other worlds and systems, a reality show was created to have participants receive a system and face challenges. All for the entertainment of the world's that cam view it. All participants have no idea about other worlds actually existing, let alone something like this going on. Elmo is a young man who had been shopping when he was chosen to take part in this challenge. Part of him is intrigued by the idea of the challenges, but most of him would rather just go home. If only that was an option. The following are the main challenges in order in the story: Challenge #1: defeating the starting dungeon Challenge #2: prevent the assassination of the king Challenge #3: defeat the fire dragon Challenge #4: locate and capture a firebird Challenge #5: There will be no graphic descriptions of any mature content. When such material will appear, it will either be lime or just glossed over. I'm writing this as I go along. If you have any suggestions or thoughts I'd be happy to hear them. Cover art is AI generated If anyone has any thoughts or comments about this book they'd like to say, but not leave a record of it here, I can be contacted at etherelemental@gmail.com

A world with magic, mythical creatures, mystical herbs, labyrinths, and treasures. A world where the strongest adventurers get to be the ones to enjoy fame and riches. A world where various rankings decide your worth. This is the world where Shye Crowley and his sister were born. As the children of two fairly known diamond-ranked adventurers, Shye and his sister, Maia, enjoyed a prosperous lifestyle. Unfortunately, after departing for a mithril-ranked quest in hopes of ranking up, their parents couldn’t return. Years passed and life went downhill fast for the siblings. Fortunately, a fateful encounter bestows him a system that could change their fate.

Most would expect the daughter of the king of one of the four strongest nations in the Realm of the Angels to enjoy great luxury and power. While her Father may enjoy those things, that isn't the case for Rosemary. The hated daughter only manages to attract disdain from others in the royal court despite her gentle and kind nature. Rosemary was born with a weak body, preventing her from living up to the ideals of her father and his court. Such environment pushes Rose to attempting to end it all. But she is unable to do so as she recalls her older brother's love for her. As she drowns, she cries out for help. But no one is around. No one but a certain handsome man with eyes as cold as her father's.

Loved, praised, and worshiped by the townspeople, young millionaire John Doe is the epitome of admiration and success. But not by Jane Carter. A dedicated young policewoman, Jane believes that John Doe is responsible for the string of killings plaguing their town. Determined to uncover the truth, she launches her own investigation, despite everyone else standing against her. What Jane doesn't know is that John Doe isn't just a wealthy businessman—he harbors five distinct personalities, all of which work in unison to make him the perfect killer. With the unexpected help of one of his rogue personalities, Jane might just be able to strip away all six of his carefully crafted masks and expose the monster beneath. (New chapter everyday)

In the quiet darkness of the city, where shadows stretch long and secrets linger, a charming and meticulous man prowls unnoticed. By day, he’s an unassuming professional, navigating the corridors of power with ease, his impeccable manners and handsome face concealing the predator lurking beneath. By night, he dons his most dangerous mask—a façade of warmth and intrigue that draws unsuspecting victims into his carefully woven web. Obsessed with uncovering the truths hidden in human minds, he views each person as a puzzle, their fears, desires, and vulnerabilities as treasures to exploit. But when he encounters a woman who seems perfect for his next plan, his tightly controlled world begins to fray. As his games grow darker and more daring, the question looms: will he remain the master of his deadly art, or will the mask finally crack, exposing the monster within? "The Masked" is a chilling psychological thriller that delves into the twisted mind of a man who thrives in the shadows, a story of manipulation, obsession, and the masks we all wear.

When divine blood flows through your veins, monsters hunts you down until you’re dead. That’s the harsh reality each demigod has to live everyday. Marina is one of them and, because of this, she had to leave her home when she was still a child. Now she has grown up and lives in the Lilies Park, a place in the Otherworld where she meets Shirei, a mysterious demigod who has no memory. Shirei will have to deal with his hidden past to understand why the gods seem to treat him like an enemy, but Marina fears that the journey will only lead to his death. Thus begins the last act of the plan of the forgotten goddess: the queen of masks. I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

"You," Augustine began, his voice firm and direct. "I'm making you an offer: we get married, immediately. This isn't a request, it's a demand." Augustine's uttered with a piercing gaze, his words a blunt instrument wielded with precision. Charles scoffed. “What type of bullshit is that?” He fired back. *** Augustine Wales is a cold CEO who is known as the most successful and influential business man in Country H. His name alone commanded respect, his steely gaze and cold demeanor strike fear into even the most hardened of hearts. He was a man of few words, each syllable weighted with the power of his position. On the eve of Augustine Wales 29th birthday, he received an unexpected call from his family, their demands clear and uncompromising: find a spouse, or forfeit your stake in the family's vast wealth and influence. In that very moment after receiving the phone call, the gaze of Augustine fell upon a young man named Charles Donald and without thinking twice, Augustine immediately made a proposal to Charles, but was met with a swift rejection. Augustine's proposal was rooted in desperation but little did he know that fate was drawing him toward a future he never could have predicted. "What will happen when Augustine Wales, the powerful CEO, finds himself unexpectedly falling for Charles Donald, a humble cleaner in his office?" "When Charles' deadly secrets rise to the surface, will their fragile bond shatter, or will their love prove strong enough to weather the storm?"

Finally given an opportunity to pick where the family would spend Christmas, Cherry picks an Island that was owned by a person whose identity was hidden from the public. The family agree to this as it was also a good vacation place for business owners. Upon getting there, her father introduces her to some business owners, just so he could do business with them. Most of them ended asking for intimacy with his daughter, which he agreed to but she disagrees with. The father's business is at risk because of his unfulfilled promises to some business giants, Cherry's mother does all she can to protect Cherry, even if it means putting her in the hands of strangers. Cherry's younger brother 'Tom' also tries all means to save her from a particular business man, feared both in the business world and under world. In all of these, will she find someone who will protect her or will she end up in these men's bed.

Sam, an ordinary high-school student, had her life turned upside down when a run-in with masked psychopaths plunged his existence into a nightmarish ordeal of violence and terror.

What would you do if the person you raised, turned against you? For that person, you sacrificed your childhood but in the end, they still turned against you. It all began like a dream, a sweet dream to say, then a crack happened but she mended it, then another appeared and she mended it again until it finally broke down. Ely kept the lesson taught by life in the deepest part of her heart. She ran away because she was trying to escape from the truth but she met it again and this time, she lost her innocence, she lost the last bit of humanity she had and she lost the color of her soul and eventually, she submitted herself to the devil who used her gleefully. Silveria, a young King felt his ambitions came first before anything else. He once told a girl, that if he wanted something, he got it and it didn't matter how he got it. He was nicknamed the devil. The devil met this girl who lost the color of her soul and fed on her indifference but soon, he began to thirst for more. Is the devil going to pull her into hell with him or will both find salvation? PS:the cover is not mine so I can take it down if the owner comes by.

Han Su-Yeong, une jeune femme très timide, va trouver un livre étrange et le ramener. Elle va alors entrer dans l'univers de ce livre et tenter de sauver Min-Seo, son personnage favoris, mais tout ne se passera pas comme prévu.

Lin Yun, 36 years old, a widower, a mid-level manager in a private enterprise, is a single father, who has recently felt that he is encountering a mid-life crisis. Professionally, he faced adversity; domestically, he was in a cold war with his 14-year-old daughter; physically, he suffered from periarthritis and spoke daily of his agony. In the past few days, he had also uncovered a secret — his daughter was being a "Magic" girl. With the body of a young maiden, she battled extraordinary monsters and protected the city from attacks — this is the common perception of a "Magic" girl. But he was very aware that being a "Magic" girl came with life-threatening dangers. Should he stop her, or respect his daughter’s choice and find other ways to protect her? Gazing at the Heart Flower in his wardrobe, now covered in dust, Lin Yun, the former "Magic" girl who retired 19 years ago, was facing the third major decision of his life.

In a world torn apart by war and political intrigue, Arteja is no ordinary warrior. Trained since childhood to protect the royal families of Argadan, she is a master of the spear and a wielder of deadly thunder magic. Her unwavering loyalty and unmatched skill have earned her a reputation as one of the most formidable protectors in the empire. But Arteja's world is thrust into chaos when an alliance of human kingdoms launches a brutal siege on Argadan’s borders. As the enemy’s numbers swell and their tactics grow more ruthless, Arteja finds herself at the center of a conflict that threatens not only her kingdom but her very existence. Facing impossible odds, Arteja must confront not only her enemies but also the cracks in her loyalty and the truths she has avoided. With her lightning-charged spear in hand, she dives headfirst into battle, her every move reshaping the tide of war. Will Arteja’s strength and unyielding resolve be enough to turn the tide, or will the storm she summons consume everything she fights to protect? Filled with electrifying battles, deep character development, and a gripping tale of sacrifice and survival, "Arteja: The Thunder’s Protector" is a high-stakes fantasy adventure that will leave you breathless or bored. :/

For the sake of his family, Richard married a woman he had never met before. However, his newly wed wife was not only hideous but also viscous, which he only discovered on his wedding day. He thought he would be disgusted by her, but unexpectedly could not help but be attracted to this mysterious woman. What made Richard scratch his head even more, was that her face under the mask seems to be hiding some secret.

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Suffocated by the world, Lyden decided to drink away his sorrows... Only to wake up in the morning in a different world?! And with an opposite gender?! Well atleast on the surface, he's a she. Lydrandorff Empire is one of the 2 Empires ruling the South Prugranth Continent. The Ruler, Emperor Lydrandorff is known for his vulgarity and over-indulgence in sexual ways. This resulted to Concubines littered like grass in the palace, and Heirs like mushrooms in the wild. Chrisandra Rosé Lydrandorff is the only offspring of the Emperor and the Empress. Before the Empress died, she said, "Remember that power is the most alluring but the most dangerous thing in this land. I don't wish for much, I just want you to live happily and contently. Do not let anyone know of your secret". Lyden, as the inheritor of Chrisandra's body, decided to follow the will of the original's mother.

Caspian inched closer until his lips were mere inches away from Davina's, reeling her in to close the nonexistent gap between their mouths. "Have you ever been kissed, Dimitri?" He asked. Before Davina could lose control after Caspian's cold lips lightly grazed hers, she pushed him away and hurriedly stood up. "My Lord, this is highly unethical!" Her real voice nearly slipped out amid the chaos. "What's unethical about this?" Caspian's face lifted to form an innocent yet devilish smile, he seemed to be enjoying the reaction he got out of her. Flustered, Davina turned her back to him and took deep breaths before speaking more composedly. "We are both men and it wasn't ethical of you to try and... kiss me." The last bit came out as a whisper blown away by the wind. Caspian's chuckle echoed through the woods as he stood up from the bench and faced Davina with a smug look on his face. "Tell me, Dimitri, was I really trying to kiss a man just now?" "W-what do you mean?" Davina stumbled backward as she stared at Caspian in shock and disbelief, unsure of what to do to save herself from that situation. "Let me rephrase my question." Caspian delicately grazed Davina's cheeks with the back of his hand. "Are you really a man?" ***** With a bounty on her head and the need for a place to stay, Davina snuck into the castle of Lendorr, posing as a man in the royal army. Luckily for her, she was able to get away with her ruse easily that is, until she met the mysterious Lord Caspian. She is tasked with being one of his guards all while trying to avoid getting caught by the man who made it his life's mission to ruin her plan. Through a twisted game of deceit, Davina is forced to make a grave choice between Love and the REAL reason why she snuck into the castle.

[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.".

"1,000,000" is in the account. "100,000,000,000,000,000,000..............." is in the account. "Rich is easy," words coming out of Lucas's mouth. "As soon as there is appropriate profit, capital becomes bold. If there is a 10% profit, it is guaranteed to be used everywhere; with a 20% profit, it becomes active; with a 50% profit, it will take risks; with a 100% profit, it dares to crush on all human laws; with a 300% profit, it dares to commit any crime, even risk being hanged." But Lucas obtained a system with a 1,000% profit!

A quiet, unnoticed student hides a shocking secret: a double life as an online sensation. When a school project forces them to team up with the school’s most popular classmate, an accidental discovery threatens to expose everything. What starts as a tense revelation soon uncovers hidden truths neither expected, leaving both questioning who they really are—and who they can trust.

Daniel thought he had it all figured out—the cold, the heat, the monsters. In his last life, he survived until the bitter end of a world gone mad, only to die betrayed by the people closest to him. His girlfriend. His cousin. A final knife to the heart... and a promise. If he got another chance, he’d never waste it on anyone again. Now, Daniel wakes up one month before the apocalypse begins. The world will soon plunge into three brutal periods: The Great Cold: A frozen wasteland that devours the unprepared.The Great Heat: Temperatures high enough to boil water under a blood-red moon.The Great Evolution: Civilization crumbles as mutated monsters rise, and superpowers awaken in the hands of a dangerous few. Armed with his inventory power—a limitless storage space—and knowledge of the future, Daniel is ready to hoard supplies, lock himself behind reinforced walls, and trust no one. Survival is the only goal. That’s the plan, at least, until the universe laughs in his face and gives him a system that can awaken superpowers. Just not for him. Only for others. Strong, dangerous, and often unhinged people will flock to him, drawn by something they don’t understand. And the catch? Those powers only unlock if Daniel sleeps with them. There's just one problem.  Daniel's pretty sick of relationships and all that. He'd much rather chill in his big ass mansion as the world turns to shit three times over.

Dragnelle Étoile is no stranger to secrets. A sharp-witted private investigator with a shadowed past, she navigates life with a limp, a cane adorned with a beast’s head, and a determination as unyielding as the pain in her leg. When Mickaël Rakoto, a man she hasn’t seen in decades, steps back into her life with a desperate plea, she is thrust into a world she thought she’d left behind—a world of wealth, power, and dangerous family secrets. Mickaël’s sister-in-law, Myrha Rakoto, has died under mysterious circumstances while climbing. Officially ruled as an accident, her death doesn’t sit well with Mickaël, who suspects foul play. But in a city where his wife’s powerful family—the Rakoto shipping dynasty—controls everything from the local police to the narrative of Myrha’s death, Mickaël needs someone fearless enough to uncover the truth. Dragnelle takes the case, but each clue she uncovers pulls her deeper into the Rakoto family’s web of lies, privilege, and betrayal. As she pieces together the circumstances of Myrha’s death, Dragnelle must confront ghosts from her own past, including her complicated history with Mickaël. With her sharp mind and sharper tongue, she maneuvers through bribes, betrayals, and old memories, searching for answers no one wants found. Set against the vibrant streets of Antananarivo and the shadowy world of high society, this is a gripping tale of ambition, justice, and the price of uncovering the truth. Secrets, after all, always have a way of coming to light—even when buried at the top of the climb.

In a world where the line between reality and the extraordinary blurs, Kai navigates the aftermath of a traumatic past. A chance encounter with masked individuals wielding supernatural powers thrusts him into a surreal sequence of events. As he witnesses a subway attack and his own house in flames, Kai discovers his uncle's involvement with a clandestine group possessing extraordinary abilities. The unfolding conflicts force Kai to confront a reality beyond his understanding, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and resilience in a world where powers beyond imagination shape his destiny.