A Darker Path

In a world where power is dictated by gangs, cities, and families ranked from Tier 1 to Tier 6, only the strongest survive. In the Tier 4 city of Blackridge, fifteen-year-old Elijah struggles to find his place. With his mother working tirelessly and his younger sister depending on him, he has always kept his head down. Determined to rise above the chaos, Elijah and his best friend Kai decide to create their own gang from nothing. But strength in this world isn’t given—it’s taken. The gangs that rule Blackridge won’t tolerate competition, and even the weakest gang has more resources, manpower, and experience than they do. With no money, no reputation, and no clear allies, they must navigate a brutal world of betrayals, violence, and ambition, where every decision could mean life or death. But Elijah is different. He possesses a mysterious system that offers him power—at a cost. As he slowly uncovers its secrets, he realizes that survival is not enough. To protect those he loves, he must become stronger than anyone else. He must climb the ranks, crush the opposition, and seize control of Blackridge’s underworld. But in a world ruled by kings, warlords, and ancient families, the price of power is steep. And when the past comes back to haunt him—when whispers of a forgotten night resurface—Elijah must confront not only his enemies but the truth about himself. In the gang world, the strong rise, the weak perish, and only the ruthless reign supreme. And Elijah? He plans to reign at the very top

In a world where power is forged through cultivation, innovation, and unyielding will, Layla al-Zahira, a former queen reborn into the fragile body of Meilin Wuye, heir to the crumbling Silver Lotus Sect. Haunted by memories of her past life—a reign marked by both triumphs and failures—Layla must navigate a delicate balance between rebuilding the sect and confronting the shadows of her own legacy. Her resolve is tested as she transforms the dying institution into a beacon of progress. Yet, Layla’s path is far from solitary. Enter Atlas Ryland, the enigmatic merchant behind Ryl Trading, whose manipulative genius masks a fractured psyche and hidden motives. Bound by contracts and mutual survival, Atlas becomes both ally and wildcard, his actions rippling across the empire as he challenges Emperor Jinhai’s iron grip on trade and power. Emery Voss, a brilliant scholar-engineer obsessed with pushing humanity beyond its limits, partners with Zafira al-Rahim, a vengeful revolutionary driven by the ghosts of oppression. Together, they unravel the mysteries of Layla’s unfinished inventions, repurposing them for war even as Emery grapples with the ethical implications of their work.

Since the beginning of history, a mystical phenomenon known as the 'Spirit World' had been selecting human challengers at random to bestow unique powers and knowledge upon those successful in the deadly trials. Few have been known to return from the Spirit World. Follow Alista, a vagrant young man who is unexpectedly chosen one ordinary winter night, and swiftly thrown into a forsaken land of mysteries and hidden horrors. Upon entry to the Spirit World, one of the 7 pathways - the strange magic system of the Spirit World - may be selected. These pathways represent domains and laws of nature and existence and are the Spirit World's sole boon to the challenger before releasing them into their new land. Alista chooses the pathway of Entropy; the chaos, randomness, uncertainty, destruction, and disorder of the universe.

Love, lust, and desire... Austin didn't know much about all that in his past life, for he was average in all aspects of his life. A guy who took psychology and math to learn because he couldn't get into biology, the only exciting thing about him being the fact that when he died, he ended up in his favorite eroge game with the task of getting the girls and making the protagonist a loner. Love, like manipulation or time in hell... That was his choice from the God Of Games... The beautiful girls of tsunderes, the sadist, the masochist, the kuudere, and the...yandere, and more. A world with living, breathing women of high status and power who don't like to share... So what happens when Austin goes behind them?... What happens when the Gods that feel nothing feel for him? What happens when he becomes the gigolo of the Gods?... Well, come and find out as he tried to survive among all the crazy women that exist... [There will be a lot of sex scenes, but it might only start after about 60 or so chapters.] (Note: Hey, first of all, this is not a fanfiction! It's true that the beginning of the story and some parts resemble some novels, but none of the characters are related to others from the novel. Also, the story flow will become completely different later!! Again, not a fanfic! The image does not belong to me; if the creator wants to remove it, message me.) My Discord: https://discord.gg/XyYvJ389mg

The year is 2025. A devout Christian named Arthur Bennett wins a lottery to participate in a revolutionary virtual reality experience at a high-tech company called Elysium. The program utilizes a unique VR pod to immerse users in a world based on a popular anime. As the other participants—a mix of personalities with varying degrees of anime knowledge—prepare to enter the simulation, Arthur remains the only one who has never indulged in anime. Upon entering this new world, he discovers an unsettling truth: pain is excruciatingly real, despite the creators' claims of a dampened pain response. He eventually finds himself trapped in prison, unable to log out, and demanding to be released from the program. Calls go unanswered, and the world of ninjas becomes a nightmare where hunger, thirst, hygiene, and even death are all real. Angered that he was deceived, he abandons all sense of logic and vows to become a villain no one would have ever anticipated.

In a world of cultivation where power is everything, a young man born with a cursed body and a life of suffering meets death with nothing but regret. After a lifetime spent on his deathbed, he finally chooses to give his body and heart to others, seeking peace. However, fate has other plans. He awakens in a new world—one ruled by cultivation, demonic beasts, and the pursuit of immortality. Reincarnated as the son of a humble farmer who was killed by a demonic beast, he resolves to live quietly and avoid the chaos of the cultivation world. In a world full of greed, power struggles, and monsters, he knows that survival comes first. He seeks out a secluded place to cultivate in peace, hoping to become a background character, far from the dangerous eyes of power-hungry cultivators. One fateful night, he stumbles upon a hidden cave in the mountains—his sanctuary, a place where he can cultivate at his own pace, away from the turmoil of the world. The moment he enters the cave, he awakens a mysterious system, a unique power that helps him harness his cultivation potential while maintaining a low profile. However, despite his best efforts to stay in the shadows, the world around him won't let him remain invisible. Encounters with powerful sects, dangerous beasts, and a growing web of intrigue will pull him into the center of events, despite his desire to live peacefully. His silent cultivation and low-key existence begin to earn him a reputation, one that could his doom. With the power of the System, the protagonist’s soul will grow stronger, his cultivation will soar, and his influence will extend across realms. But as he cultivates in the shadows, he must balance the temptation to act against the need to stay hidden, all while avoiding the power-hungry factions and demonic forces that lurk in the shadows. Will he remain the hermit sage, or will the world force him to step into the light and face his destiny?

my first ever novel. it's peak you should read it

2040 was the earth Changed as one sunny morning the sky fell and brought an unamenable monster upon the earth.

Betrayed and left for dead, a soldier awakens in a world of knights and magic—but only one path is open to him. Hayden was once an elite soldier whose abilities were enhanced by the Ocularis Lens, a highly advanced mechanical eye technology. In this world that was filled with danger, Aura—a sacred energy that enhances the body and infuses weapons—is the mark of a true Knight, while magic is wielded by those born with the gift of sensing Mana. Hayden, however, is no mage. He doesn't have the ability to sense Mana, leaving him with only one option in order to survive: to become a Knight starting from a Knight's Academy!

Azel woke up in a crypt with no memory of who or even what he is. When he encounters a rather unfriendly duo he discovers that his true nature is that of a ticking time bomb. Desperate to maintain his humanity, Azel agrees to accompany the two to a civilisation that actively despises his nature. And it certainly doesn't help when he finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between individuals he can't even fathom.

The path of cultivation was full of thorn but who could resist the temptation of immortality? Li Kong was an ordinary young man living in the village peacefully before a star fall from the sky and gave him a chance to become a cultivator. But yet, strange things keep happening inside of the village. An unknown altar made deep within the woods. Cases of livestock disappearing. A faint pungent smell hovering in the air. Just what was happening inside of the village?

Human life is not merely a collection of present moments. Every feeling, every attraction, every decision stems from a much deeper order—a soul’s long journey, drifting, learning, and remembering across lifetimes and ages. For Avarka, the world has always been full of mysteries. She was taken in, loved, and taught, yet deep inside, she always felt destined for something greater. When she decides to leave for Rindanof, the city of angels, she does not yet realize that she must not only become a warrior but also uncover the deepest layers of her own existence. The journey, however, tests not only the body but also the soul. As she comes to understand the laws of the world more deeply, she realizes that every attraction, every love, and everything we cling to was once already a part of our soul. Are we truly guided by free will, or do the memories of our past lives lead us down a familiar yet forgotten path? Beyond the borders of the known world, between humans and angels, an invisible war rages—not just with weapons, but with emotions, faith, and awareness. Avarka faces a choice: to plunge into battle or to understand that the greatest war is not fought in the outside world, but within ourselves.

How do you move forward when the one person you love is gone? Caelan thought his life was over—until he woke up in another world, one eerily familiar from his late wife’s favorite game series. But this isn’t a dream or an afterlife. He’s trapped in the body of Leopold, a notorious antagonist, and there’s just one problem: Leopold is still here, and he has no intention of giving up control. Forced into an uneasy alliance, Caelan and Leopold navigate a world of shifting alliances, deadly secrets, and unseen threats lurking in the shadows. But as Caelan struggles to adapt, he realizes that he might not be as special as he believed. If he wants to survive, he’ll have to rewrite the story’s ending—before someone else does it for him.

Disclaimer Scarred Paths is a work of fiction intended for mature audiences. It explores dark themes including war, psychological manipulation, existential philosophy, morality, and the consequences of unchecked power. The story contains graphic violence, intense psychological struggles, and morally complex characters. Any resemblance to real-world events, organizations, or individuals, living or dead, is purely coincidental. While the story may reference historical events, philosophies, or societal structures, it does so for narrative depth and world-building rather than factual representation. The views, actions, and ideologies presented in this novel are not endorsements but an exploration of the complexities of human nature, society, and power. Reader discretion is advised. SCARRED PATHS There is no justice. No morality. No higher purpose. Power is the only truth. For centuries, humanity has clung to its illusions—laws, gods, governments, ideals—all fragile constructs masking the selfishness, corruption, and violence woven into human nature itself. The strong shape the world. The weak exist at their mercy. The only path forward is not reform. It is destruction. Lucius Halloway will tear down nations, religions, criminal empires, corporations, and every secret order that holds the world together. He will crush kings, puppeteer governments, and erase the past it's gods. But this is not fate. It is his choice. A path he carves with his own hands—one that stretches beyond the boundaries of any nation, beyond the weight of history itself. A path scarred by war, betrayal, and the weight of billions of lives. And in the end, when the world lies in silence, when his work is done— Would he feel fulfilled? Or would he finally understand? That none of this was ever truly his. That the dream he burned the world for was never his own. That in trying to give meaning to someone else’s wish, he had erased everything—including himself. And was it ever enough?

Ash Mercier has always been good at understanding people what they want, what they fear, what makes them tick. It’s not magic. Just observation, pattern recognition, a skill sharpened over years of watching the world with cold, detached clarity. He thought he had life figured out. Until one night, something shifts. It starts small. A street that feels too quiet. A flickering light that shouldn’t matter. A strange feeling he can’t shake. Coincidence. Imagination. That’s what he tells himself. But the moments keep piling up. The city around him feels… wrong. The people, the places things he’s known his whole life suddenly feel unfamiliar, like a script he’s no longer following. Ash has spent his life reading people apart, staying in control, always one step ahead. But now, for the first time, he’s starting to wonder has he ever truly been in control at all?

On Earth, there exists Astra Sera. A child prodigy turned chief astronomer who wants to discover this world, who wants to escape her reality to connect with those that dwell beyond the stars. In pursuit of this, she predicts a cosmic anomaly, one that defies physics and hints at the heavens that lie beyond human comprehension. But Astra Sera isn’t the most normal astronomer. In her pursuit of the heavens, she has developed an unnatural connection with it. And, in her search to resonate with the divine, she has lost touch of human connection, even for those who she cares about. Suddenly, the barriers between reality shifts! In a terrifying cosmic event, everyone on Earth gets transported to a world that is entirely supernatural! One that combines the rigid rules of science and the strange fluidity of magic. The rationale (or lack thereof) of humans and the absurd nature of the divine! It is a world that has Gods, demigods, Angels, constellations and mysterious beings all fighting for dominance! A world that has vast beauties of technology in the far future, but abundant dangers in trying to reach the higher realms! A world that has little opportunities to get more powerful but has endless ways of turning insane! Will Astra continue to reach for the heavens as the world that is touched by it is constantly riddled with madness, darkness, corruption and insanity, or will she go against her nature and try to understand the very thing that makes us human—connection?

{WSA ENTRY 2025} After a well-lived life on Earth, Kael never expected anything more than death and the sweet embrace of sleep and darkness. But fate had other plans. He was reborn in another world similar to Earth, where he grew up until he was ten, at which point his memories from his past life were reawakened. He was an old man trapped in a boy's body, but the mixture of the child's memories with his own made him feel more middle-aged than old. A few days later, the world he was in ascended into the realm of war, the battleground of all living beings. Kael was among the few awakened who had the chance to become the ultimate god of existence, based on the orbs of different paths presented before him. Kael was faced with three choices: Orb of Chaos Orb of Nothingness Orb of Void (Choosing any will make you undergo a trial that will change your very existence. Please choose wisely.) While in shock by these options and seriously pondering which one to choose, an unexpected event occurred. (Error detected... A new option has been created) (Be the wielder of the three — Chaos, Void, and Nothingness) (Answer picked by host, transporting...) Kael was in shock as he fell into darkness, with one swirling thought in his mind: "I didn't even pick any."

In a world where burdens and expectations weigh heavily on his shoulders, Kaius flees from the expectations forced onto him, only to find himself in the lair of the accursed—frightening monsters. Armed with the knowledge of a peculiar power known as essence, he must navigate this realm. Upon awakening in the den of a creature, Kaius encounters Rynin, a boy shrouded in secrets. They Strike a deal: Rynin will teach Kaius to harness the power of essence in exchange for three wishes. Together, they embark on a journey of danger, discovery, and meaning.

"Aria flourishes amid the turmoil of her native world, her abilities fueling change and progress. On the other hand, Kai stays in the tranquil realm, drawing comfort from his recollections of Aria. Despite their separate journeys, the connection between them surpasses the boundaries of their worlds, suggesting the possibility of a reunion in the future."

In a large state called a lagos, one of the largest states in Nieria. A boy with weird train of thought and acting lived within this state. Being born into spiritual prophecies generally claiming he was going to be a great man of God, and then having a lot of expectations placed on him. But then what happens when this said boy also had his on thoughts and ideas, ambition and wishes. Follow Emmanuel as he tries his possible best to balance his numerous lifestyle while trying to reach the peak in them. Wacth out for his descisions and how they could possibly affects his life and path to the peak. And also to know whether he went against God's designs for him, or whether it was all path of Gods plan.

When a baby wounds up on a remote island far, far away from the rest of the world, he soon realizes that he is not normal. With grey hair, glowing hands and supernatural strength at just two years old, the local people soon catch on that he, Hiacho, isn't an ordinary kid. Because, as a ancient technique that was thought to be lost to mankind, he possessed. Because, as he grew up even more and would soon learn, he could SUMMON.

"God’s Path has been opened! Everything is possible... For those who wish to become God!" But... What would happen if a young man who only wants a normal life were thrown into the middle of God's Path? Well, the boy called Demon is about to find out. Gods, Superpowers, Divine Treasures... How many mysteries lie within God's Path? And why does he always find himself at the center of them? Follow Demon’s journey as he escapes from a cursed world and ventures toward the end of God's Path.

Feng Yun thought his story ended the moment he took revenge for his family’s slaughter. But death was just the beginning. Awakening in the void, he is offered a second chance by an unknown entity—at a price. Reincarnated into a ruthless world where the deadly game "The Path to Godhood" has begun, Feng Yun must carve his way through deception, bloodshed, and power struggles. With the memories and skills of his past life intact, he has one goal: to survive, rise, and uncover the true purpose of this treacherous world. In a realm where only the strong dictate fate, will he seize power—or be consumed by it?

In a world where darkness has reigned for 219 years, the struggle for light is not just a fight for survival, but for hope. Samael, a young man bound to the depths of a harsh, lightless existence, is trapped in a life of endless labor. Raised by a caring but hot-headed uncle in the slums, Samael's heart has hardened to the point of indifference, unwilling to even witness the world in its desolate state. In this world, the wealthy control a mysterious force known as Wave—an elusive and powerful energy tied to light and its wavelengths. The privileged few use it to manipulate and control the masses, while the rest suffer in the oppressive darkness. Drawn into a dangerous quest to uncover the true nature of light, Samael faces the devastating truths hidden in the shadows. This is a world where nothing is as it seems, and only the light may hold the key to freedom. Will Samael overcome his apathy and rise against the darkness and become the bringer of light to all. Or will the light remain out of his reach forever?

Discord: https://discord.gg/XuCwbVEh Nevalis, a nobleman from the Kingdom of Phillirion, thought of nobles as the ones he read about in books. A noble title did not mean money or power, but rather had deeper, higher values symbolizing responsibility and honor, for those who lived with the saying "with power comes responsibility ".  But when Nevalis went out into the world, he did not find it as he had imagined. Reality hit him in the face. Those bastards aren't nobles! Who do they think they are? They tarnished the noble title! They don't deserve that title anymore!" "I will be a true nobleman, a nobleman of all the nobles who have passed this world!" Nevalis seeks to truly redefine nobility, to fulfill his dream of becoming a true nobleman, more noble than all those who held the title before him. The plot revolves around his personal journey, which brings a combination of suffering, sacrifices, and ascent towards his goal, in the face of a cruel world full of illusions and deviations. The novel combines the profound lessons of honor and responsibility, and the challenges faced by humans in their quest for perfection.

After a tragic accident that claimed the lives of his parents and little sister, Leo, just 17 years old, found himself shouldering all responsibilities alone. By some miracle, he survived the past four months on his own—attending high school, juggling multiple part-time jobs, and enduring sympathetic gazes that pained him. The only respite he found was in books, which offered him an escape and some semblance of joy. One day, while engrossed in the book 'Path of Heroes: Battle Against the End,' his life took an unexpected turn. Halfway through the story, he inexplicably found himself transmigrated into the world of Path of Heroes, inhabiting the body of Azriel Crimson—a character never mentioned in the story's first half. An extra. Someone seemingly irrelevant to the plot. Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—fate had other plans, and Leo soon discovered that being a mere extra was not his destiny after all. -------------------------------------- Character illustrations will be available on Discord. Discord: https://discord.gg/9zZ69PVNFJ Also: Powerstone = PS 200 PS = 1 Extra Chapter 400 PS = 2 Extra Chapters 600 PS = 3 Extra Chapters

Continue to thrive as feelings of despair should not stop you.

From the dawn of time, the boundary between Heaven and Hell had been clearly fined. Once every thousand years, the Day of Judgement - the day when supreme justice is carried out, when the souls of mortals are judged, and when the order of the world is forever altered - takes place. The gates of Heaven always remain open for righteous souls, those who hold unwavering faith in the light. Meanwhile, sinners must pay the price for their crimes, cast into the depths of Hell, whether they want to deny or escaped from the truth. However, God is merciful to those who sincerely repent and strive to refairn from committing forbidden acts. They will be considered for absolution in the next Day of Judgement. Yet, it's difficult to abandon cruelty when it has seeped into one's very blood. From desperate attempts to escape Hell to uprisings in the mortal realm and even in Heaven, chaos was inevitable. Then they appeared - the first demons born from Hell - who made the choice to fight along side Heaven. And, of course, there were conditions. They crush the rebels, asserted dominance over them and gradually became the ruler of Hell. They came to be know as a family of fierce, determined and powerful Hellborn - yet ones who still retained their conscience - the Darker Family.

Ragga van Elson finds himself reborn as the seventh son of the prestigious Elson Estate. Armed with knowledge from his past life, he must navigate the treacherous waters of nobility while attending the Imperial Academy. Despite being far from succession, Ragga's keen intellect and strategic mind become his greatest weapons as he builds alliances and overcomes rivals, all while concealing his true nature as a reincarnated soul.