Clock Lirik

Amy, a typical New Yorker, has a life like a tightly - wound clock because of her busy job at the United Nations - precise yet exhausting. She is a person who is rational to the core. Superstitions about ghosts and gods, in her opinion, are like fairy tales for coaxing children, and sweet - talking is like cheap perfume, pungent and hypocritical. On that day, the heavy pressure of work made Amy feel breathless. She returned to her apartment where she lived alone, like a robot with its battery drained. Her only thought was to throw herself onto the bed and isolate herself from the whole world with the quilt. However, midnight, like a mysterious incantation, disrupted her plan. The old radio in the room cabinet made a strange beeping sound, and then a faint cry for help came: "Help... " Amy's heart suddenly tightened. Despite the mixture of fatigue and fear within her, her curiosity still made her ask the radio, "Who are you?" "I'm Tom. I'm being chased by a serial killer. I'm hiding in an abandoned warehouse. He'll find me soon... " The boy's voice was full of fear. Without the slightest hesitation, Amy immediately called the police. A rescue across time, of love and redemption, thus began.

[Synopsis] Trapped in a time loop, Alex found himself reliving the same moments over and over. His ordinary life had transformed into a simulation, as if an unseen force was pushing him to acquire power. Given an objective with a ticking clock, Alex had to succeed or face reset, reliving the same cycle until he achieved his goal. Determined to break free from this never-ending cycle, Alex took matters into his own hands, ready to face whatever lay ahead. As he delved deeper, he uncovered the world's hidden secrets and supernatural beings hiding in plain sight among humans. With the powerful skill "The Immortal One," Alex would soon unravel the mysteries of the world and master the time loop to his advantage. [Skill: The Immortal One] [Description: Fast regeneration. Even if death occurs, you can choose to return to any point in the past 15 minutes.] [Author's Note] I recommend reading first 7 chapters for clear understanding of novel. This work will differ slightly from my previous one. Please note that the term "simulation" in this context does not refer to a system; its meaning will become clear as the story unfolds. New chapters will be posted daily. 30 power stones is the weekly target till this week. that will get you extra chapters following Monday.

When Mei-Xing wakes up in a hospital, she believes she has miraculously survived the attack that claimed her life. However, her relief turns to horror when she discovers she’s in the body of her estranged relative, Li Na—a woman she’s never met. Now trapped in a life that’s not her own, Mei-Xing must navigate the chaos of Li Na’s existence. Li Na’s life is a tangled mess. Nobody likes her and she has no family or reputation. Moreover, all around have kept some secrets realted to her. The powerful CEO Lu Jianjun, wants to keep her within his manor's walls has a contract: He would give her the title of Mrs. Lu and she would not set out. As Mei-Xing tries to piece together the mystery of her own murder, she’s forced to confront the challenges and responsibilities of Li Na’s troubled relationships. Torn between uncovering the truth about who killed her and managing the fallout of Li Na's broken life, Mei-Xing must decide whether she can make amends for her mistakes or if the path to her own answers will destroy the fragile world she now inhabits. As the clock ticks, her new identity might be the only way to save both their futures—or doom them both.

1. Uniqueness and Appeal of the Story (Condensed) 1. Worldbuilding: Historical Grit Meets Supernatural Spectacle Setting: 1930s America/Europe: Blends Great Depression realities (NYC soup kitchens, corrupt Wall Street alchemists) with occult threats. Nazi "Lebensborn" experiments resurrect through cursed artifacts, while vampire clans like Sanctum Sanguinis manipulate London's underworld. Core Innovation: Merges noir detective drama, Lovecraftian cosmic horror, and vampire political epics into a cohesive "dark fantasy" universe. Protagonist Wayne navigates gangster-ruled streets and eldritch rituals with equal pragmatism. 2. Plot Architecture: Layered Mysteries & Explosive Payoffs Opening Hook: A seemingly routine infidelity case unravels into a cult conspiracy marked by glowing cat eyes and radioactive mushroom-induced visions. The mundane detective office becomes a gateway to hidden wars. Key Conflicts: Personal: Wayne’s quest to find his sister Gwen—a victim of 1935 Nazi experiments—while battling his own physical decay (corpse-like stench, stopped pocket watch). Supernatural: Vampire dynasties, hellish legions, and secret societies (Mirror Sect) clash over the "Living Grail," a sentient artifact granting control over reality. Historical: Nazi occultists infiltrate America using gold-skull rituals; Federal Reserve corruption fuels supernatural arms races. Climactic Sequences: Holy Grail War: Wayne’s ragtag Vowbound Cross faction battles vampire hordes in London, with alchemically enhanced revolvers firing self-guided silver bullets. Leviathan Rising: A kaiju-like beast emerges from Liverpool’s waters, countered by undead dragons and Vatican light magic. Twist Ending: Gwen is revealed as a Nazi-made proto-vampire, forcing Wayne to sacrifice himself as a vessel to seal an elder god—leaving moral ambiguity lingering. 3. Characters: Moral Complexity & Jarring Contrasts Wayne (Protagonist): Flawed Antihero: A whiskey-drinking PI masking survivor’s guilt with sarcasm. His fake "model citizen" diary clashes with ruthless tactics (blackmail, radioactive interrogations). Duality: Protects street orphans while exploiting clients, embodying Depression-era moral erosion. Veronica & Wilhelm: Noble Fugitives: Veronica’s aristocratic German past and Wilhelm’s swastika-etched knife hint at dark histories. Posing as a secretary/gardener, they manipulate Wayne’s investigations. Comic Relief: Wilhelm’s mountain-like physique paired with cat-obsessed campiness ("sailor outfits") offsets existential dread. Antagonists: Preacher Jacob: A vampiric zealot who views bloodsucking as divine sacrament, mirroring Wayne’s nihilism. Dr. Isaac: A Nazi eugenicist weaponizing vampirism, blending scientific rigor with monstrous ambition. 4. Narrative Craft: Noir Aesthetics & Pseudoscience Multi-Perspective Storytelling: Wayne’s cynical first-person narration intercuts with newspaper clippings (Jack the Ripper Returns), cult parchments, and Veronica’s encrypted journals to piece together the puzzle. Stylized Language: Gritty metaphors: "Wall Street fog smells of rusted dreams," "Veronica’s hair outshines Coney Island neon." Symbolism: Bulletproof doors adorned with Citizen Kane posters critique hollow American idealism; cash-stuffed Bibles mock religious hypocrisy. Sci-Fantasy Systems: Vampire "sun weakness" explained as uranium radiation side effects. "Eldritch whispers" rationalized as infrasound brainwashing; hell reimagined as a quantum dimension. Weapons: Rune-engraved silver bullets, alchemy-modified revolvers blending mysticism and tech.

Maureen Smith died at the age of 23 due to cancer and was lucky enough to be reborn back to the age of 17th faced with the same challenges of life she faced in her past life but this time she had a System. A Good Luck System. All she has to do is to absorb good luck from the list of people provided by the system. If not she will die again when she clocks 23. And at the top of the list was a notorious bully Liam Williams. ***** Liam Williams, after the untimely death of his father and elder brother. He became the rejected son. As his mother and grandfather kept blaming him for this brother and father demise. That somehow had a drastic change in Liam's behavior. And to make matters worse his mother went and adopted another son who looks like his elder. Causing him to become a notorious bully both in and out of school. Will Maureen master the courage of facing the man who has the most good Luck? If she does succeed in approaching him, will he bully her too? What will happen to Maureen's lover in her past life? will they still be together in her present life? What will happen when Liam's adopted brother turns out to be among the people Maureen will need to absorb good luck from? Will Maureen's Good luck quest turned out to be a good Luck for better health and life or a good luck for Love Square?

When ex-detective Liam Voss finds a journal hinting at his sister’s unsolved vanishing, he’s thrust into a nightmare of cryptic clues and carved words—each marking a life stolen by a ruthless secret society. Teaming with a rogue journalist, Liam races across the globe to unravel a conspiracy tied to an ancient entity that feeds on disappearances. But the closer he gets, the more his reality frays—nightmares bleed into daylight, allies turn to enemies, and the truth claws at his sanity. With the clock ticking to the thirteenth hour, Liam must face the ultimate question: save his sister or stop a god from rewriting the world? Dive into a pulse-pounding thriller where every word could be your last!

— — — || Rank Advancement Mission || — — — ▷ Mission Status: Completed ▷ Description: The requirements for rank advancement have been fulfilled. 「Dorian Blackstorm」 — Rank SSS → EX — Level 500 Result: The level and rank have successfully increased! — — — — — — — — — — — After killing and disabling the six SSS rank humans. Like the end of a story, Dorian Blackstorm he died but the constellations, especially one, were watching him and sent him a rather unexpected gift. 「The constellation ??? sends you a gift and congratulates you for advancing in rank.」 「The gift from the constellation ??? has been opened due to the character's state.」 「The constellation ??? gift "Time Clock" has been acquired.」 「The relic "Time Clock" has been used automatically due to the intervention of the constellation ???.」 TICK TACK, TICK TACK. At that moment, I heard the sound of a clock as the entire world turned black and white. Like a video being rewound, the world began to move backward in time.

MC transmigrating into the body of a Villainous noble of a web novel story he has already read. Bet, you have read these type of stories more than a few. And the premise here is also the same. But what if the villain wasn’t just doomed to die? What if his entire existence was a countdown to something far worse? Lucian Kingston wasn’t just hated—he was cursed, both in the story and in reality. A walking tragedy whose fate wasn’t just to be killed by the protagonist, but to become a catalyst for the chaos that would consume the world. And now, I’m him. I know how the story ends. I know which paths lead to ruin. I know who lives and who dies. But knowledge alone isn’t enough to change fate. Because the moment I woke up in this body, the clock had already started ticking. And if I don’t find a way to escape this destiny—if I don’t outplay the world itself—then I won’t just die. I’ll be erased.

Synopsis: In *Zombie Player and the Regressed Heroine: A Reality Awaits*, we follow the story of Aeon, an introverted University student whose life takes a dramatic turn into survival horror when a mysterious zombie outbreak sweeps the campus. Known for his obsession with apocalyptic novels and his knack for strategy from a zombie-themed VR game he developed, Aeon finds himself in a world he thought was merely fictional. The outbreak’s trigger is rooted in a lab experiment gone wrong, orchestrated by someone, who had been doing a dangerous experiment. Amid the chaos, Layla emerges as a regressed heroine; she has endured five cycles of death and rebirth, each time retaining fragments of memory that lead her back to the same deadly reality. Layla is powerful, captivating, and determined to survive—yet haunted by the knowledge of her repeating fates and the implications of her past. As Aeon's mundane campus life collides with this catastrophic reality, he is drawn to Layla, whose confidence and torment speak to something deeper inside him. Together, they navigate the treacherous world outside—a battleground full of zombies, rivalries, and the struggle for survival. Tensions rise as romantic triangles form: Aria's innocent crush, Nadia's sharp wit and hidden feelings, and Luna's assertive pursuit of Aeon complicate their dynamics, all while the clock ticks on their chances to escape the increasing dangers. As Layla’s memories resurface thanks to Aeon’s insights from his VR game, she begins to understand her unique connection to the unfolding events. Their mutual growth is complemented by gripping action sequences where they utilize their strategic skills to combat the hordes of zombies. Layers of betrayal unravel as they delve deeper into the conspiracy behind the outbreak and work to uncover the truth behind Layla's abilities. This gripping narrative intertwines themes of identity, love, regret, and the quest for redemption against the backdrop of a world where the line between reality and fiction blurs. As they face off against zombies and the sinister forces behind the outbreak, Aeon and Layla confront their feelings for each other, leading to a bond forged in chaos and uncertainty. *Zombie Player and the Regressed Heroine* culminates in thrilling confrontations, poignant character development, and unexpected revelations that test the strength of human connection. In a world unravelling at the seams, Aeon and Layla must not only fight for survival but also navigate the complexities of their intertwined fates, ultimately leading them towards a long-lasting and deeply meaningful conclusion.

Jun, junto a sus amigos, se dirigen a una tienda de segunda mano para ver que podrian comprar, consiguiendo un reloj sin saber que este le cambiaria la vida por completo, cambiando a Jun y a sus amigos.

Kaizen Vale, an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary world, awakens in a void where gods dictate his fate through a mysterious system. Faced with 100 perilous missions—ranging from personal growth to moral dilemmas and chaotic, god-designed trials—Kaizen is challenged to survive a brutal journey where every choice reshapes his destiny. With newfound powers like Ki Control, a sharp wit, and a burning desire to unravel the truth behind his predicament, Kaizen ventures into a world teeming with adventurers, towering wolf-men, cunning elves, and the ever-present threat of death. Each mission brings him closer to the ultimate prize: ascension to godhood. But as Kaizen navigates treacherous alliances, battles monstrous foes, and confronts the darker corners of his own morality, he must decide if the cost of becoming the Almighty is worth the sacrifice. Will he rise to godhood, or will the system break him before he reaches the end? The clock is ticking, and the system waits for no one.

Atlas always knew life was unfair, but nothing could have prepared him for the day his fate was sealed by the appearance of a mysterious timer in his vision. In just nine short hours, he would be forced to confront a “Door”—a deadly, otherworldly challenge from which few have ever returned. The Doors are not mere entrances, but gateways to trials where survival is uncertain, and failure means death. As one of the Chosen, Atlas must navigate a treacherous path filled with unknown horrors and unimaginable power. Transported to a stark, Foreign realm, he is pitted against monstrous beings and other Chosen who will stop at nothing to claim the Door's rewards for themselves. But the most terrifying part? Atlas's timer is shorter than any on record, giving him less time to prepare for the ordeal ahead. Armed with little more than fragmented knowledge and the determination to survive, Atlas steps through the Door. In this cruel world where the stakes are life and death, he must conquer the trials before him, claim the powers within the Door, and return to his world—if he can. But every second counts, and the clock is ticking.

People are vanishing at exactly midnight—not just from the world, but from existence itself. Their names erased, their records wiped clean, as if they had never been born. The only evidence they were ever real? Faint memories lingering in the minds of those closest to them. Detective Adrian Holt stumbles upon the case when a man named Mark Evans disappears, leaving behind only an untouched apartment and a two-second blackout on security footage. As Adrian digs deeper, he finds a pattern—six similar cases, all at 12:00 AM sharp. No bodies. No signs of struggle. Just nothingness. Determined to uncover the truth, Adrian decides to stay inside the next victim’s home as the clock strikes twelve. But what he finds is not a kidnapper, nor a killer… but something far worse. Something that watches. Something that waits. And now, it knows his name. As Adrian races against time, he must answer the impossible question: What happens to those erased? And more importantly—how do you solve a crime that never existed?

Nothing mattered more than anything than how precious little time twelve-year-old Larry Nightglade was to him. All of his life, he couldn’t believe how much time has kept him prisoner against his own free will. Larry barely made it through middle school with his best friend, Albert Alexander, who knew how important keeping track of lost time was not meant to keep them alive after surviving middle school. After coming home from a Halloween costume party with his best friend, Albert Alexander from school, the two boys don’t realize just how bad they suck at telling time. It seemed everything was normal. Except, somebody or something had cursed the time to froze every person’s clocks at midnight on Halloween, that night coming home from the party. Nobody in Supernaturalville can tell the morning daylight times from the late night sunsets. Larry and Alex don’t care. They’re just happy they don’t have to go to school anymore in the darkness of the night. And it seems the total eclipse of the sun on the children’s Halloween party, caused the grown-ups to forget about their everyday lives at their jobs. And stay home to take order of control of their lives with their loved ones. Before Larry and his best friend Albert can break the curse of their darkened town, to unfreeze the Midnight Time Keeper from ending the existence of time after Halloween, forever!

"Tell me to stop, Ruth," he whispered, letting his minty breathe fan over my lips. He sounded desperate.. broken. As it has always been with us, the word 'stop' was on the tip on my tongue, but what came out was entirely different. Cupping his face between my hands, I swallowed the lump in my throat, unable to make myself fight him - or myself - anymore. It was a losing battle, anyways. Looking him straight in the eye, I whispered back, "don't stop, Caleb. Not now... Not ever." ****** At first glance, Ruth Brooke's new boss Caleb Cross gave the impression of an immature, flirty playboy. At second glance, her first impressions were unsurprisingly confirmed. But what was surprising was the absence of her usual reaction to a casanova. Instead of dismissing him for the sarcastic player that he was, Ruth unwillingly feels drawn to him. She has always judged a book by its cover. But she is soon to find out that Caleb Cross is someone who has a shiny, new cover on every page of his book. And it is up to her to peel it off and discover the real Caleb Cross in all his gore, without losing her heart in the process. // Hey readers! This is my first novel, so please bear with me. I know I post really slow, but I promise I try to make each chapter worth your wait! Reviews and critic is always welcomed! Also, if you have suggestions about the story or characters, please let me know. Book-cover credits: @rukhs *Contains slightly mature content.

This story is kind of based on the Arthurian legend. ******* He was called many things. Bastard, the False King, The Traitor, Treacherous Knight. Sir Mordred was a villain, one who according to the prophecy of the grand wizard Merlin, would destroy the kingdom of King Arthur Pendragon. And he did but at the cost of his life. As he lay dying on the bloody ground of Camlann after the mighty clash between him and Arthur, a bloody tear fell down his face. All he wanted was to be acknowledged by his father but all the things he did eventually led to disaster. Now with death’s cold hands grasping him, he hoped for a short peace before the fiery rings of hell. But that was not the end of his journey. ******* “Hold up.” “What is that infernal noise?” “Oh my goodness! It's driving me crazy! And it's not stopping!” Mordred sprang awake, slamming his fist on the digital alarm clock on the nightstand. 'What in Merlin's Beard is happening!?', he thought when he realized something. Well, a lot of things. First of all. How the heck is he alive? Second. What is a digital alarm? That's when memories that didn't belong to him flooded his head. They felt familiar but everything was wrong. How the heck is Morgan Le Fay his sister? She was his aunt! And how is the wizard Merlin so young! “Oh. I get it now”. He, Sir Mordred has been reborn in the body of a different version of himself, in a modern and futuristic world where he is the youngest son of Arthur Pendragon. But even in this world, He is the hated son of the High King. "Now what?", Mordred realized that the world he is in now is different from his previous one, with the only familiar details being the names of the people he knew. “Oh? Are you still reading?” Mordred smiled, looking at the readers. “Well, how about you join me on this new crazy journey in a crazy new world of heroes, villains, monsters, and even gods?” “Are you ready?” "Let's go!" ********************************************** The story is loosely based on the Arthurian legend. I am only using the popular names but the plot is different. The story is purely fictional with a few things from the actual legend being incorporated along with some stuff from other popular works. The characters may have different personalities from the original ones from the legend. There will also be names that may seem quite familiar as well. The cover image doesn't belong to me. Please check out my other work: The First Deviation.

Ten years ago, the world was captivated by a groundbreaking VR MMORPG, a fully immersive experience that allowed players to step into the shoes of legendary heroes in a realm of magic and wonder. For a decade, they built their lives, forged their identities, and left their marks on what they thought was just a game. But when the servers shut down, the truth shattered everything. The game world wasn’t just a virtual reality, it was a fabricated timeline, a fragile imitation of the true Magic world . And now, the countdown has begun. The players, ripped from their lives on Earth and the simulation, find themselves in the Magic World, ten years younger but burdened with all the memories of the game and their old lives. Their in-game personas, once vibrant and driven by purpose, are now hollow shells, unable to act on their own. Even worse, Earth’s timeline fragile and unprotected has been paused, and its collapse is inevitable. To prevent disaster, the 10 Originals, the most renowned players of the game, must rise once more. But this time, there are no systems to guide them, no respawns, and no safety nets. The high realm is real, its dangers far deadlier than any raid boss. And as the countdown ticks away, inconsistencies between the worlds begin to unravel reality itself. Thrown into a world they don’t fully understand, hunted by their own past mistakes, and racing against time to stop the collapse of Earth’s timeline, the Originals must uncover the secrets of the game’s creation and find a way to stabilize the Magic World. The clock is ticking, and the fate of three worlds rests on their shoulders. Will the Originals be able to fix the chaos they caused, or will everything they fought for crumble into nothingness?

In the far reaches, Tron belonged to the Kyrexo Loop, a place without a past or future. The Ghosts, creatures born from histories, and the Harbingers, the only humans who could resist, were unaware of Tron's existence. He was a Blank, the deception of fate. Neither human nor monster. Others were trying to escape the ancient prison. To get a chance for freedom, Tron forged a contract with the Eye, a being higher than a god. His time was limited, soon he would turn into a monster. Now, under the threat of the Death Clock counting his hours, he had to become a human and break out of the fake life, discovering the rules and trials of an unknown world. All to achieve the ultimate emotion.

In the neon-drenched underbelly of New York City, a high-stakes poker game at the Emperor’s Bar ends in murder when Jason, a charismatic gambler with secrets to spare, is found dead in an alley, poisoned with aconite. Detective Jeremiah Bonnemere and his relentless squad plunge into a tangled web of suspects—each a player from Jason’s final table, each with a motive as sharp as a dealer’s cut. There’s Michael, a desperate lawyer drowning in debt; Rowland, a volatile cabbie with blood on his knuckles; Hilary, a broke musician betting his last chord; Jang Lee, a chef with mob whispers trailing him; Brenda, a Miami stripper too close to Jason’s heart; Boris, an ex-soldier whose silence screams danger; Javier, a courier carrying more than packages; Bertrand, a curator with a penchant for poisons; Doherty, a clerk hiding a razor wit; and Sidney, the grieving waitress whose love for Jason blurs the line between victim and suspect. As the squad dissects bar webcam footage and unravels alibis, the clock ticks toward a chilling truth: the killer dealt their hand that night, and the poison was no bluff. With every frame revealing new betrayals, Jeremiah must outplay a mastermind who’s always two steps ahead—before the next card falls and the body count doubles. In this deadly game, trust is a gamble, and triumph comes at a lethal price.

Amidst the turmoil of colonial rule, a group of determined individuals band together to fight for the liberation of their homeland. Led by Shino, a visionary leader returned from abroad, they embark on a daring mission to defy the oppressive forces of imperialism and forge a new destiny for the Maharlikan people. As tensions simmer and the revolution gathers momentum, Shino and his comrades face daunting challenges and difficult decisions. From clandestine meetings and secret codes to covert operations and strategic planning, every step they take brings them closer to their ultimate goal – the creation of the Maharlikan nation. But as the clock ticks down to J-Day, they must confront their own doubts and fears, and grapple with the harsh realities of war. With the fate of their homeland hanging in the balance, they must summon all their courage and determination to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. Through sacrifice and solidarity, betrayal and redemption, the story of the Maharlikan revolution unfolds – a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unity in the face of adversity. And as they stand on the brink of victory, they realize that their journey has only just begun, and that the true test of their courage and resolve still lies ahead.

In the light of day, Evan is an ordinary high school student striving to build a successful future to provide for his family. But as the clock strikes midnight, he undergoes a profound transformation, becoming a courageous hunter who aids benevolent spirits, hunts down malevolent entities, and confronts sinister individuals bent on exploiting the enigmatic powers of these spirits for nefarious purposes. In the presence of him, heroes of the past, all-powerful gods, and demons who once wreaked havoc on this world are all entirely insignificant. Follow Evan Belmont's journey as he conquers the numerous spirits of this world to forge a new salvation. https://www.royalroad.com/profile/583657/fictions

Pariah wakes up in an abandoned clock tower with no memory of his past life and a new flesh grafted to his left arm. Setting out to find out who he is he must go through Hell to discover the truth.

With only one year left on King Charles’s deadly ultimatum, the world is split. Some nations have surrendered, hoping to survive under his brutal rule, while others—led by a growing underground resistance—prepare to fight back. Charles continues his methodical destruction, consolidating his power and stealing the wealth of fallen nations. The resistance, led by former military figures, plans a daring move to steal Charles's ultimate weapon, the key to his reign. As the countdown nears its end, the true nature of Charles's power is revealed—his influence over governments and military forces is almost absolute. But cracks in his armor begin to show as former allies turn against him. With the world on the edge of rebellion, a final, desperate battle looms. Will humanity rise up or will King Charles’s reign of terror remain unchallenged? The clock is ticking, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Trapped in a deadly game after kicking the bucket? Gotta keep escaping to earn resurrection time? Ji Wuhuan ain’t sweating it! Your worst nightmare joining the game? Now it’s revenge o’clock! Rules of Engagement: 1. Hold hands with your mortal enemy 2. First to win licks the loser’s boots 3. No takebacksies #LoveYourHateCrush #EnemiesWithBenefits

*"In some worlds, death is the end. In others, it’s a mercy."* Some stories are meant to inspire. Others exist to remind you that life is one long, merciless joke. This was one of those. A world where heroes and villains are just two sides of the same bloodstained coin. Where fate doesn’t grant second chances—only crueler ways to suffer. Where the so-called protagonist isn’t some destined savior but a walking catastrophe waiting to happen. And me? Well, let’s just say I wasn’t supposed to be here. No cheats, no divine blessing—just a front-row seat to a reality where even the strongest are just well-dressed pawns on a board stacked against them. -------------------------- *"In some worlds, death is the end. In others, it’s just a fucking courtesy."* Hey, normies, don’t get your hopes up—this ain’t some top-tier literary masterpiece. Just your everyday, pent-up engineer reject vomiting his frustrations onto a page. Love it, hate it, meme it to hell—I don’t care. Commitment issues? Oh, absolutely. No promises this won’t rot unfinished in some forgotten corner of the internet. Anyway, welcome to a world where heroes are just villains with better PR, the MC is a glorified landmine, and even death clocks in as the better option. No chosen ones, no overpowered cheats—just one long, cosmic joke with zero punchline. Enjoy the ride. Or don’t. Not my problem.

After losing his parents, Arslan stumbles upon a weird floating screen that shows off his stats and abilities. Totally confused but kind of excited by this new power, he quickly finds himself in hot water when some shady loan sharks come knocking for repayment on his parents’ debts. With the clock ticking, Arslan gets pulled into a dangerous world of crime, where he has to deal with all sorts of sketchy characters. To make it out alive, he realizes he might need to tap into his darker side and step up as a crime lord, turning his tough situation into a chance to take control. ============ Please leave a review and add the story to your Collections. Use your power stones to support the story. Thanks for reading

After an unremarkable life and an untimely death, a soul is summoned by Zurique, the enigmatic God of Elyria, who is nearing the end of his existence due to a divine punishment. He offers her a second chance at life with a monumental task: find his successor to prevent the collapse of his world. Reincarnated as Aria Zarek, the timid and overlooked daughter of a powerful duke, she is thrust into a world of magic and danger. Gifted with a mysterious system designed to guide her, Aria must navigate her new reality, master the intricacies of a magical society, and confront her host’s painful past. As she learns to survive and grow stronger, she discovers the weight of the responsibility placed on her shoulders. The clock is ticking, and failure will not only doom Elyria but also erase her existence forever. Can Aria rise to the challenge and uncover the true successor to save a world she barely understands, or will her second chance end in failure?

Leon, a washed-up Chrono Healer, repairs clocks in Tempus City’s slums to forget his past. His power to manipulate time once killed his sister, and now, every use of it steals another memory of her. But when Selene Veyra, a razor-sharp corporate spy, blackmails him into helping destroy Chrono Core—a machine devouring the future—Leon faces an impossible choice.

Helen settled in the living room, the silence heavy like an unwelcome weight. The only sound in the room, the soft ticking of the wall clock, reminded her that time was going—time she no longer wanted to count. Her mind a mist of thoughts, she subconsciously followed the edge of her coffee mug, her fingers fluttered slightly. None of the questions gnawed at her throughout the long, sleepless night could be answered. \n \n She had only arrived from the hospital early that morning. The doctor's words pulsed in her mind like an unusual symphony: *You're pregnant, Helen. Your baby is now. The child was not anybody's kid. This offspring was Jack's. She ought to have felt something, should have been elated, but she did not. No happiness came from the news. Not today at all. Not after everything that had turned out. For months now, Jack had withdrawn. At first there were minor indicators—forgotten anniversaries, the sudden late work hours, the missed phone calls. But everything changed when she discovered the lipstick on his shirt collar, the one that was not hers, the one she was sure didn belonged to anyone he worked with. He didn't even attempt to hide it. Though he was not one to be totally truthful either, Jack was not one to fib. \n \n The door banging wide open disrupted her thinking. \n \n Jack's fists clenched at his sides in the doorway, his face red with fury. Once warm and love for her, his eyes were now cold and free of any compassion. "Helen," he howled, his voice cutting, "I want a divorce." The words stung her as a slap to the face. The way she felt she knew everything came undone was as if the planet moved below her. Her stomach turned and her heart pained. Things were not meant to be like this. Her trust, her love, her dedication she had provided him. And still, here he was saying she is over. Jack waited not for an answer. His eyes on hers, he tore into the room. He appeared more furious than she had ever seen him. "I'm seeing Jane," he snapped out, as though he had just revealed a new line of sneakers. Your worst enemy. the one who really knows how to make me happy. Helen is better than you. She is more sensitive, finer, and more affectionate. She truly pays attention when I speak; not like you." \n \n Helen's throat clenched as she fought to consume the lump of bitterness rising inside her. Jane? The idea of it made her stomach turn with a combination of shock and treachery; this very same Jane with whom she had been loved for years? How might Jack accomplish this? How could he betray her with the one person she trusted most? Jane wasnuggested completed. "You at most can't give me a child," he went on venomously. "I maybe do not even know why I am still here. For years you have been infertile. I must not continue living like this. I need someone who can provide me the future—someone who can fulfill me. Helen blinked, his words piercing her heart like stings. She opened her mouth to talk, to justify herself, to describe how she had exhausted every means to conceive, but the words caught in her throat. It was pointless. Jack had his mind fixed. Already left, he would not change no matter what she said. \n \n Her lips released a cold, derisive laugh, a hushed sound that sounded like it echoed all over the otherwise quiet room. "You believe it is that simple?" she said, her voice full of feeling trembling. "You believe you can simply discard everything we have developed because you found someone else? Simply younger, simply prettier, simply someone who can give you children?" Jack's eyes stiffened, his jaw set, and he walked a step toward her. Absolutely. Whenever first person pronouns are used in sentences, I respond. I have had it with you, Helen. There is no need for me to justify myself. Simply sign the documents. It has come to an end.

The clock ticked past midnight, each second echoing like a hammer in the hollow silence of the apartment. Rain lashed against the windows, the storm outside mirroring the tempest brewing in Emily’s chest. She sat rigid on the couch, her fingers digging into the upholstery, eyes fixed on the door. David’s keys jingled in the lock, his laughter—warm and carefree—seeping through the wood before he did. He stumbled in, tie askew, the sharp tang of bourbon on his breath. But it wasn’t the alcohol that made her stomach churn. It was the cloying sweetness of jasmine perfume clinging to his collar—a scent that didn’t belong to her. “Where have you been?” Emily’s voice trembled, though she’d rehearsed the question a hundred times in her head. David froze, his smile dissolving. “Work ran late. You know how it is.” “Work ends at six, David. It’s *midnight*.” She stood, her legs unsteady. “And since when do you wear lipstick to the office?” His hand flew to the smudge of crimson on his white sleeve—a shade too bold, too *alive* for the muted tones of their marriage. His face hardened. “You’re imagining things.” “Am I?” She stepped closer, the jasmine scent now suffocating. “Or is it *Jane* from accounting? The one who ‘just needs your help’ every time I call?” His laugh was a cold blade. “You’re paranoid. Always picking fights—” “Paranoid?” Her voice cracked. “You haven’t touched me in months! You come home smelling like *her*, lying to my face—” “Enough!” He slammed his fist on the table, a vase rattling. “I’m tired of your nagging! What do you even do all day? Sit here and wait to accuse me?” The words struck deeper than any slap. Emily’s breath hitched. “I gave up my career for you. For *us*—” “Us?” He sneered. “There *is* no ‘us.’ Just you, digging through my things like a desperate—” She didn’t see his hand move. The crack of his palm against her cheek split the air, her head snapping sideways. She stumbled, clutching the wall as the taste of copper bloomed on her tongue. David loomed over her, his eyes wild, foreign. “You… you pushed me to this,” he hissed, grabbing his coat. “Clean yourself up. You’re pathetic.” The door slammed. Emily slid to the floor, tears mingling with the blood on her lip. Outside, thunder roared. But beneath the pain, a spark ignited—a flicker of defiance. Her gaze landed on the shattered vase, its jagged pieces glinting in the lamplight. *Pathetic.* The word echoed, twisting into a vow. She would rise. Not for him. Not for “us.” But to make him regret the day he underestimated the woman he’d reduced to ashes. -**Chapter One: The Scent of Betrayal (Continued)** The air hung thick with venom. David’s chest heaved, his earlier bravado fraying at the edges. Emily wiped her bleeding lip with the back of her hand, her eyes blazing. “You think Jane *wants* you?” she spat, her voice a razor. “Or does she just pity the man who needs to steal confidence from a bottle and affairs to feel alive?” David’s jaw twitched. “Shut up.” “Why? Because it’s true?” She laughed, cold and sharp. “You’re a cliché, David. A middle-aged fraud in a tailored suit. Even your *precious* promotion—did you earn it, or did you cry your way into it like you did when your father called you a disappointment?” He lunged forward, but she sidestepped, her words relentless. “Jane must be desperate. Or blind. Tell me, does she know you couldn’t even—” “I said *shut up*!” he roared, his composure crumbling. “Couldn’t even *what*?” she taunted, stepping closer. “Finish a sentence? A marriage? Or is that why you’re so bad in—” The slap exploded like a gunshot. Emily’s head whipped sideways, her body crumpling to the floor. The world blurred—a kaleidoscope of shattered glass and spinning shadows. Her cheek burned, but worse was the silence that followed, broken only by her shaky breaths.