Shady Cicada

Abraham is a lonely and weak vagabond who traverses a world full of magic and monsters. But when he's gifted a sacred attribute from a shady chalice in a temple, everything changes. Pulse floods into him at a level that shouldn't be possible. And now, he's hunted by monsters and beings of almost divine power.

In a world where power and fate are closely linked, Andrew Taylor, the illegitimate son of a powerful noble family, finds himself in a dangerous fight for survival. Betrayed, hunted, and left for dead, Andrew gets a second chance—reborn into a world that once turned its back on him. With the skills he’s gained and the knowledge from his past mistakes, he rises from nothing to become a strong and determined lord. But fate isn’t kind. As Andrew fights to claim what’s rightfully his, he learns that the cost of power is more than he could have ever imagined. Old enemies, shady allies, and dark secrets hide in the shadows, threatening not just his life, but the future of the realm itself. In a world full of swords, magic, and betrayal, can Andrew truly escape his past, or will he fall to the same fate that ruined him before?

Ava Summers is the perfect daughter: CEO material, straight-A student, and the only Summers twin with a functioning frontal lobe. She’s survived nineteen years of sharing air and eyebrow genes with Eva — a walking fire hazard who once tried to toast marshmallows on scented candles and nearly set the estate ablaze. So when their parents arranged a marriage to Zeke Ford — the kingdom’s favorite golden boy and serial flirt — Ava reluctantly took one for the family. That is, until Eva pulled a fast one: she spiked Ava’s margarita, slid a shady contract under her nose, and next thing you know… Ava’s waking up married to the wrong twin. Enter Zach Ford — the kingdom’s coldest man alive, walking gloom cloud, and accidental husband. He hasn’t cracked a smile since his mysterious fiancée, Orihime, died under suspicious circumstances. The Ford family thought Eva’s chaotic sunshine might fix him. Too bad they accidentally married him to Ava: a neurotic perfectionist who schedules emotional breakdowns like business meetings. Now Ava has to: Pretend she's totally in love with her emotionally constipated husband. Survive polite society, royal gossip, and unwanted foot rub offers from Shen Wang — her rich, clingy, disturbingly hot suitor who thinks “No” is short for “Not yet.” Figure out if Orihime is actually dead… or just hiding better than Zach hides his feelings. It was supposed to be a PR move. Instead, it’s a rom-com with fake love, real secrets, one stolen car, and at least two murder mysteries. With This Ring, I Loathe You—Yes, I Do: A chaotic enemies-to-lovers rollercoaster with tax fraud, unresolved trauma, and a love story that may or may not be court-admissible—because honestly, I am still in shambles on how to finish this novel without breaking me own phone screen or my heart. Let's see HAHAHA

Humans are clever in tens of thousands of ways, Gu are the true refined essences of Heaven and Earth. The Three Temples are unrighteous, the demon is reborn. Former days are but an old dream, an identical name is made anew. A story of a time traveler who keeps on being reborn. A unique world that grows, cultivates, and uses Gu. The Spring and Autumn Cicada, the Venomous Moonlight Gu, the Wine Insect, All-Encompassing Golden Light Insect, Slender Black Hair Gu, Gu of Hope... And a great demon of the world that does exactly as his heart pleases! — *Gu (蛊) referred to poison in various cultures in South China while in folklore Gu spirits could transform into all kinds of species.

Yuji, an action comic artist, wakes up in a world that looks just like home- but with one horrifying twist: It's an omegaverse. And worse, he’s an omega. Armed with zero romance experience and a deep hatred for cliché tropes, Yuji tries to survive quietly..until a shortcut gone wrong throws him into the path of a cold, dangerous alpha who looks exactly like the villain he once drew in his comic. Now stuck between heat suppressants, shady alley shootouts, and a brooding Russian billionaire with a trigger finger, Yuji has one goal: stay alive and get back to drawing. Love? Mating cycles? Destiny? Yeah, no thanks.

Andi’s a 21-year-old working at a fast food joint, dealing with money stress, family stuff, and a boring routine that feels like it’s going nowhere. One night, he randomly noticed an altcoin tracker on a customer’s phone. That little moment of curiosity? It pulled him into the wild world of crypto full of huge chances and even crazier risks. Starting with a tiny budget and a big dream, can Andi really turn his life around and level up? Or will he end up drowning in volatility and empty promises of quick cash? Behind the candlesticks, random tokens, and all the FOMO, Andi starts to realize that crypto isn’t just about making money it’s about tech, vision, and the future. He learns the hard way, getting scammed by shady projects, bouncing back from major losses, and eventually... building his own token project. From paper trading to the real deal. From follower to builder. From wiping tables to speaking at digital conferences. But when his project goes viral and big money starts rolling in, Andi faces the hardest question of all: “Do you still remember why you started?”

Upon awakening, Zhou Sui finds himself a low-level Qi Refiner in the Cultivation World. Fortunately, he obtains the Supreme Gu God Bowl, which allows him to cultivate various Gu Insects. Cultivating the Spring Autumn Gu can prolong his life and bestow immortality. Cultivating the Golden Cicada Gu grants the ability to revive the dead and regenerate flesh and bone. Cultivating the Dragon Elephant Gu gives him the Power of Dragon Elephant and the Dragon Elephant's Body, making him invulnerable. Yet, the first Gu Insect he cultivates happens to be the Obsession Gu. From then on, he discovers a broad path of cultivation. As time changes and landscapes shift, the only constants are my eternal life and the everlasting Zhou family.

I am Racist. … I mean, my name is Racis T. I swear. Please don’t cancel me before chapter 1. Anyway, I was a stand-up comedian. Not the good kind who gets Netflix specials. The kind who gets hit with beer bottles and told to “Meet me backstage. You’ll get one more mic.” One night, I was performing in a bar so shady, even cockroaches walked in with bodyguards. It was full of tattooed bikers who drink engine oil, smoke burnt rubber, lick silencers, cry over their exes, and still believe their fists are a valid debate technique. And there I was—trying to make them laugh using yo mamma jokes and dark humor so black it should’ve come with a flashlight and some cotton. They didn’t laugh. I kept going. One of them pulled out a gun. I cracked a joke. He cracked my skull. Bullet. Brain. Curtains. Boom. But here’s the funny part: I always wanted to be a successful comedian. Maybe get a standing ovation. But what I got was Uncontrollable Blood Ovulation. Still, I had dreams, man. Big dreams. Make people laugh. Marry someone who doesn't need two chairs to sit. Eat three meals a day, Own a yacht (the humble kind with a helipad) I wasn’t greedy. I would have donated 0.01% of my wealth to charity. I only wanted 99% of everything. But fate, karma, God, or probably the trends of Webnovel had other plans. Because instead of resting in peace… I woke up in another world. A fantasy world full of monsters, heroes, magic, kingdoms, war… And zero comedy clubs. Just my luck. So now I’ve got a second life, a rude system, and maybe a power or two. But being a Hero is secondary. First, I am gonna roast dragons, clown on kings, incest—invest, I mean invest and make the whole world laugh until they cry—or kill me again. Either way… Welcome to the story of the most dangerous thing in every world— A man who won’t shut up. ——— ——— ——— Support Me - ko-fi.com/khyaal Join My Discord For Reference Arts and much more - https://discord.gg/zmUcswM2N5

Shaun’s life was already in free-fall: fired from a suspiciously shady job, drowning his sorrows in questionable alcohol, and wrapping things up with a classic car crash. The universe, in its infinite wisdom, decided this wasn’t rock bottom—nope, Shaun was getting reincarnated. But not as a hero. Not even as a sidekick. Nope, Shaun wakes up as **Shaun** (no, not a typo)—a tragic background extra from a fantasy novel. You know, the kind of character whose job is to exist solely for pain, ridicule, and the occasional wallet-theft subplot. This Shaun? Father walked out. Mother ghosted him for a "better future." Property sharks, mobsters, and scam artists all sniffing around what little he owns. But hey, he somehow clawed his way into a prestigious academy! A chance at redemption, right? Wrong. Enter stage left: bullies. First, the villains make him a punching bag. Then the so-called *heroes* decide, "Yeah, let’s take turns too!" Normally, this poor soul would accept his fate, because that’s what he’s written to do. But reincarnated Shaun? He didn’t read that memo. He has… let’s say, *creative solutions* to his problems. Where the original Shaun took beatings with a grimace, this Shaun hands out payback with a cold smile and zero guilt. Bullies? Meet karma, wielded like a sledgehammer. But something’s off. The script’s changing. People are acting weird. They’re *recognizing* him, approaching him like they know secrets he hasn’t been briefed on. And that internal monologue habit he has? Turns out it’s not so internal anymore. A growing number of eavesdroppers think his sarcastic, third-person narration is… important. please do not leave any review both positive or negative until you have read first 20 chapter new chapter is uploaded daily monday to saturday I AM ALSO UPLOADING SAME SERIES ON ROYAL ROADS UNDER THE NAME kingorka

The Space Between Childhood and Growing up In a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood humming with lawnmowers, porch swings, and the endless echo of summer cicadas, three lives are set on a course that will forever intertwine. Skie, a Black girl with stars in her eyes and a voice too big for the walls around her, has always shared her world with Conner—her charming, loyal next-door neighbor and childhood best friend. They've grown up side by side, tethered by backyard games, scraped knees, and the kind of bond that doesn't need words. But everything begins to shift the summer a quiet moving truck pulls up to the house across the street. From it steps Dylan, an eight-year-old Korean boy with thick glasses, too many books in his arms, and a nervous smile. New to the country and to the language, Dylan finds himself an outsider—until Skie and Conner take him in, and the trio becomes inseparable. Over the span of ten years, their friendship weathers the seasons of growing up: awkward middle school crushes, high school heartbreak, cultural gaps, academic pressures, and unspoken feelings that hover like clouds between them. Now on the brink of adulthood, as they step into the uncharted territory of college life and personal independence, Skie, Conner, and Dylan must face the truths they’ve long buried. Who are they without each other? And can friendship survive the gravity of growing up? Offering deeper insight into pivotal moments and characters, *Vise Verse or The Space Between Childhood and Sky * is a powerful coming-of-age tale that explores race, identity, love, and the fragile, beautiful ties that hold us together—even when the world tries to pull us apart.

[{WPC MAY 2025 ENTRY}] (C) 2025 D_Phantom1 Production Kai was just your average broke, depressed high school dropout—until the Mafia chased him down and he got shot. Tough luck, right? Well, not exactly. Next thing he knows, he's waking up in a penthouse bed as Tony Bellingham—the insanely rich, ridiculously handsome heir to Bellingham Industries. Now Kai (er, Tony?) is stuck living a life of luxury, with private chefs, shady butlers, secret pasts, and girls who may or may not want to ruin him. With each day, the mystery deepens—who really was Tony? Why do people around him act so weird? And what’s up with Clara, the gorgeous "friend" who seems a little too curious? On this road, he makes new friends, allies and enemies, maybe even gets his own system! And superpower!!!! All Kai wants is to survive this wild second chance, not fall in love, not get exposed, and definitely not get murdered again. But hey—being rich is kinda cool.

One Click Changed Everything. Zayan Malik Was Just A Regular Guy With A Habit Of Clicking Every Shady Pop-Up Ad He Saw. But This Time, Instead Of Getting A Virus, He Got Something Much Worse—a System. Not A Normal System, Though. This One Sends Him Daily Missions Like “Hug A Policeman,” “Scream I’M A BANANA In Public,” Or “Flirt With Your Boss And Run.” While Other Heroes Get Swords, Spells, Or Super Strength, Zayan Gets Coupons, Cringe, And Public Humiliation. Now, With His Life Turned Into A Daily Reality Show Of Chaos, He Has One Goal: Figure Out Who Installed This Glitchy Nightmare And Why It's Ruining His Life—One Embarrassing Mission At A Time. Because Sometimes, The Wrong System… Might Be Exactly What The World Needs.

Ray had always been a man of virtue, fashion and the all round "Mr shady cool".But his relationship life had been the worst part of him.Facing two break ups,he therefore comes to a decision that all girls are the same and cannot even be loved or fall in love with.But finally,one lady crosses his path.Elegant, beautiful and enthusiastic Elena.But he decides to make it a "Detective Love"................

In her first life, she was a royal punching bag—a forgotten princess locked in the palace dungeon for crimes she didn’t commit. Cold, quiet, and utterly alone, they finally shipped her off in a fancy dress to marry into a foreign empire. She died on day shortly after her marriage. In her second life, she was reborn in the modern world. No swords, no nobles, no prison chains. Just Wi-Fi, snacks, and peace. She loved it. Naturally, but her life ended on one night, Now, in her third life... she’s back in the empire. Again. But plot twist: she wakes up with the power of the legendary First Emperor in her body, god-tier sword skills, and superhuman strength. She could probably conquer the world before lunch. Too bad she’d rather stay in bed or earn money. With annoying princes showing up at her door, a husband trying to woo her after cheating, shady nobles panicking over her return, and her old enemies wondering why she can now casually split mountains with a butter knife... all she wants is a nap, a snack, and maybe a soft pillow and importantly peaceful life and only one thing can give human peace truly find out what it is in novel. Revenge? Ruling? Saving the empire? Nah. She’s on break. but unknowingly she did save everyone.

In a world where your Class defines your destiny, Lars Marigold wanted to be anything but ordinary. Mage? Too specialized. Warrior? Too rigid. Thief? Too shady. He trained in everything a little magic, a little swordplay, a lot of creativity. But on the day his class awakened, the verdict was final: Generalist. A "versatile" class with no strengths, no advantages, and no future. To most, it’s a death sentence for adventuring dreams. To Lars, it’s just the start of a different kind of legend. Armed with a spark of magic, a wrist-mounted crossbow, and more determination than common sense, Lars is thrown into an elite apprenticeship he barely qualifies for. He’ll face monsters, trials, and deadly classmates all while trying to earn a certification that could make or break his future. Because if the world won’t give him a class worth respecting, he’ll force them to respect what he becomes.

In a world of magic, a boy wishes to be the wizard king of his nation called Apollo, so he works to get stronger to win the title while fighting shady crime syndicates, the job people are too scared to do and leave normally leave it to the incapable hands of the police.

Kalypso "Kali" Brunn was searching. He was trying to find someone he once knew well, someone he'd lost without even realizing. Kali needed the man who could wholeheartedly love himself and the company of others yet live happily, even alone. That someone wouldn't need another leading their life, completely shaping every thought he had, each action he performed, and the emotions he'd felt. He simply had to see that man's lost smile once more, a smile so true and pure, and he believed the Black Manor was the best place to look. It was the perfect home for Kali to find himself again. A peaceful, private, and honest(deceptively so) abode for him to relax and heal in. It seemingly had the most perfect conditions. The only downside of the new arrangement would be that he's yet to shake off his loneliness. He's determined to get along with his new housemates, but it's proven to be hard, especially as half of them blatantly ignore him and the other half downright hate his mere presence. But who's to say the future won't change? Perhaps his clumsy, self-deprecating ways will finally garner him some much-needed attention. Maybe they'll see just how much he needs someone to stand by him, even if he happens to claim otherwise for pride's sake... Or suppose they could continue to ignore him until he stays forever stuck in his regrettable past. Kali doesn't want to think about the 'scumbag' he ran away from or the friends that hurt him. They didn't deserve his tears any more than he deserved the emotional turmoil he'd suffered through.

Z-List actress Skylar Vance has been dogged by controversy since her debut. Vilified for her curves and drowned in tabloid scandals, she’s branded a "sex symbol" by ruthless industry rivals. Studio sabotage, smear campaigns, and predatory gossip columns have trapped her career in limbo for years. Enter Silas Sterling, the Ivy League-educated CEO of Sterling Holdings. A titan of Wall Street whose strategic ruthlessness reshaped entire industries, he reigns from a gilded throne—yet his icy demeanor has alienated family and colleagues alike. To the world, he’s untouchable. To those who know him? Unbearable. When a freak accident swaps their bodies, Skylar wakes up as the feared billionaire—and accidentally sets about revolutionizing Sterling Holdings with radiant empathy: She starts her days with warm family check-ins, showers subordinates with genuine care, rolls out irresistible employee perks, and lavishes compliments on her secretary's stunning new perm. Meanwhile, Silas storms through Skylar’s world like a corporate Category 5 hurricane: suing tabloids into oblivion, blacklisting scheming rivals, and warning online trolls with signature legal threats. The Internet Explodes: Forum Post: WHO is Skylar Vance’s sugar daddy? Her rise from Z-list to A-list reeks of shady backing! Tabloids froth with theories about her mysterious benefactor—until Sterling Holdings’ notoriously reclusive CEO drops a bombshell on live TV: "I’m bankrolling my own girlfriend’s career. Got a problem with that?"

My name is Lamon Grey, and I was just a deliveryman. That all changed the day I took a shortcut and a brick decided to introduce itself to my head. When I woke up, I had the power of【Prism】—the ability to absorb and reflect the powers of others. Suddenly, my life spiraled out of control. The government wants me in a lab, villains want me dead, and every bounty hunter and rogue superhuman in the city is gunning for me. While running for my life, I stumbled upon a secret space hidden deep beneath the city. It was a gateway. A gateway to another world ruled by a being they call 'God'. And the craziest part? This so-called 'God' has some shady dealings with the top brass in my own world, and somehow, it all ties back to the mysterious disappearance of my parents years ago. Seriously? I'm just a delivery guy! How am I supposed to handle all this? What fate awaits? Dive into Shadow City Of Two Worlds: This Deliveryman is unbelievable! Shatter the conspiracy. Rise above it all.

Life as a Sorcerer is hard. The Society of Magi is demanding, and working with other crazy denizens of the underworld could be a pain sometimes... Richard is a young man who had just left college in search of work. His life is already hard as it is, but he also has to deal with the stress of being a member of the Circle of Magi; an underground society of modern day mages, beings who practice the occult away from the eyes of the public. As a natural prodigy born into a family of famous demon contractors, he is now deeply rooted in a society he had no intention of being a part of. What is he going to do, when the shady undercurrents of the underground threaten to mix in with the normal life he is desperately trying to protect. Tales of dead Dark Gods, Herald's of a New Prophecy. The Inception of the Abyss, and the revelation of a New World Order. Join Richard as he grows into a powerful wizard while trying to separate his everyday life from the shadows that lurk beneath.

Fynn was just a broke orphan trying to survive. He took a shady loan just to buy a flagship phone—and three months later, was slapped with 450% interest. Beaten, humiliated, and left to die in a gutter, his final words were bitter: “If this world runs on debt... then it owes me everything.” The system agreed. [Debt Registered: The World Owes You Everything] Transferring Soul to: [Zone-045: Earthfall] Initializing SSS-Rank Skills: [Issue Debt] + [Collect Debt] Reborn in a post-apocalyptic Earth ruled by the Midas Strain—a disease that mutates people based on their deepest desires—Fynn gains the power to give anything for a price: Food, stats, protection... even pleasure. But nothing is free. Everything comes with interest. Now, the desperate beg him for mercy. The strong kneel for power. And the beautiful? They offer their bodies to delay payment. But Fynn doesn't forget debts. Ever. “You wanted strength. You offered your body as collateral. Time’s up... and I always collect.”

Sixteen years ago, the city of Jenkiora fell to a terrifying demon invasion led by the ruthless Purple Demon, a force of destruction unlike any the Land of Joy had ever seen. In a desperate bid to save his people, the Warrior King Raizen Yuhira sacrificed everything — sealing the monstrous entity into the eyes of his newborn son, Senko. Now a young man bearing the curse of the demon within, Senko lives a life shadowed by fear and hatred. His violet eyes mark him as different, a constant target of scorn and bullying. But Senko’s dream burns bright: to become the strongest warrior, to earn the respect he’s been denied, and maybe one day, to claim the throne his father died protecting. Trained at the prestigious Ironcrest Academy, Senko must navigate deadly trials, fierce rivals, and the dark whispers that follow him — all while wrestling with the violent power lurking behind his gaze. As old enemies resurface and secret factions scheme in the shadows, Senko’s fight is no longer just for acceptance — it’s for the fate of the Land of Joy itself. In a world where trust is scarce and demons can wear a man’s face, can Senko rise above his curse and become the hero his people desperately need? Or will the purple flame in his eyes consume him first?

Coda Theodore Wolf is cursed. Cursed by the ancient flame that resides in his soul. Cursed by the disasters the flame causes for the people of the Northern Kingdom and cursed by his father forcing him to hide it until the day he wants to use it to take out the enemy kingdom, the Southern Empire. This plan goes south and things get worse when another person steps up to not only claim Coda's fire but the entire Northern Kingdom. His best friend, Jolene. Coda and his sister, Bayla are the only ones to escape the cue and have to rely on a shady character to escape their pursuers.

Tomas Chavez, a Filipino high school student from Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, the Philippines, died by Truck-kun and was reincarnated into a seemingly normal fantasy world with a new body and identity. He was known as Karolo Sala. That new world had some practical technologies while retaining its medieval and fantasy style. But settling down was not possible due to a war known as the Curse War, which was ongoing. That war is between the summoned 4 Horsemen, who were summoned by a shady organization known as the Order of the Deathcallers, and the humans. The same organization also brought death to those who, unfortunately, became their targets and victims. The world was in chaos, and Karolo was so unlucky after mistakenly settling down in a city known as Pâine Dela Větry, in the country called Revivir No Fern in the Central Territory. While in the middle of the war and fighting, Karolo got involved and was killed by two of the many Deathcallers, the siblings Dan and Vanda Ciercello. These two, who had a sad childhood, realized what they did to him and those who got involved in the fighting and decided to abandon their duties to the Order and save Karolo from death. However, the wounds proved to be too severe and deep for their healing magic to do the work. So, Dan decided to use a magical technique called Healing of Repentance. It is a rare technique that would heal any physical or mental ailments, but this will cost them one thing: their loyalty. This means that once that was being used, Dan and Vanda will be loyal to Karolo, probably literally for life. But Dan and Vanda will do anything to bring Karolo back to life. And…they did so, and Karolo was brought to life. Dan and Vanda then apologized to him and vowed and swore their loyalty to him to atone for their sins of bringing atrocities to humanity. And so, the three of them worked together to end the war to bring peace to the world again. And they did so, and the Curse War ended with the bad demons wiped out of existence and the Summoned 4 Horsemen returned to the Realm of the Fires. But the story of their new lives was just starting after the war had ended.

*Cover art not mine* Raiden has spent his entire life trapped in Cicada's South Rim, running packages for the Squadron gang just to survive in the city's most dangerous district. With nothing but a faded childhood hoodie and an unbreakable desire for freedom, he's resigned himself to a life of poverty and violence—until the day the sky tears open. When a comet of unknown origin collides with Earth in an event known as the First Impact, the world stops. Time freezes. Reality bends. And when it resumes, seventy percent of humanity awakens with supernatural abilities tied to the strength of their deepest desires. But Raiden is different. His yearning for freedom—the most powerful desire on the planet—marks him as one of the Crowned, an elite few whose abilities transcend normal limits. Armed with devastating light manipulation powers that make him nearly godlike, he finally has the strength to break free from the chains that have bound him his entire life. As the world descends into chaos and new power structures emerge from the ashes of the old, Raiden must navigate a landscape where strength determines survival and the weak are crushed underfoot. The same freedom he's craved may come at a cost he never imagined—because in a world where desire shapes reality, getting everything you want might destroy everything you once were. Some prisons are built from poverty and circumstance. Others are built from power itself. And sometimes, the greatest trap is finally getting what you've always wanted.

In Neo-Xi’an, Qi is sold by the watt—and I just stole mine. Born in the slums beneath flickering holograms, Lin Wei is a nobody—until a botched energy theft awakens his forbidden gift: his body turns electricity into Qi. Now, with cybernetic enforcers hunting him and underground sects offering shady deals, he must master the art of wire-fu cultivation before his own power fries him alive. But the megacorps didn’t rise by playing fair. To survive, Lin will need: A hacker nun with a vendetta A jailbroken cultivation chip burning through his sanity And enough stolen Spirit-Volt to black out a city block Warning: Contains illegal Daoist techniques, corporate espionage, and one very angry neon dragon.

In late 2024, I came across Bitdollar.com and Cryptodev.com, two websites promising extraordinary returns of 220% in just 10 days. As a novice investor, the prospect of such rapid, high returns was incredibly enticing. The idea of quick wealth seemed like a golden opportunity, leading me to invest $80,000 in each platform, totaling $160,000, with high hopes for the “guaranteed” profits. For the first few days, everything seemed promising. I logged into my accounts daily, watching the numbers grow, and my excitement built. I began imagining the possibilities—exotic vacations, new investments, a better lifestyle. But as the 10-day period neared its end, my excitement turned to frustration. When I tried to access my funds, I was locked out. My accounts seemed to have vanished. Emails to customer service went unanswered, and withdrawal attempts were met with vague error messages. What I thought was a smart investment started feeling like a nightmare. I was stranded, unable to access a single cent, and panic set in as I realized I might have been scammed. Desperate, I confided in an Instagram friend who had faced a similar situation. They recommended DIGITAL TECH GUARD RECOVERY, a service that had helped them recover funds from a shady platform. With little to lose, I contacted the team. They responded quickly, explaining how common these scams are and outlining their recovery process. After I made a financial commitment, they diligently tracked down my funds. Within weeks, DIGITAL TECH GUARD RECOVERY successfully recovered my entire $160,000. This experience was a harsh lesson in the risks of high-return investments. Now, I approach opportunities with caution, researching thoroughly before investing. I’m grateful to DIGITAL TECH GUARD RECOVERY for restoring my financial stability and teaching me the importance of due diligence. WhatsApp: +1 (443) 859 - 2886 Zangi 10-4490-6657

In late 1980s, Tokyo, monstrous Eclipses, born from human fear—lurk in the shadows. Hikaru Shimo, a teenage warrior with ice-cold Senzai abilities, fights to protect the innocent, until he accidentally awakens Sora Makizushi, a legendary warrior frozen in time. But Sora’s past is a bloodstained mystery, and his rage threatens to burn the world anew. Hikaru gets saved by Yoru, a bubbly yet ruthless Director. As Hikaru is drafted into the shadowy Peoples’ Protection Agency, he uncovers a war between factions vying to control Senzai energy, some to save humanity, others to reshape it into something entirely borderline horrifying. With a sadistic scientist, a bubbly-yet-ruthless director, and a fanatic rebel faction in the mix, and the curse of his own bloodline, Hikaru stands at crossroads whether to align to one or be the Eclipse-slaying hunter he is. —————————————————— DISCLAIMER: ALL ARTWORK IS OWNED BY ME AS I'VE CREATED IT Withering Cold is primarily a dark fantasy webnovel which inspired by animes/mangas. If you want an overpowered edgy main character with 10 wives and a broken system, then leave. This isn't for you. There will be complex and mature themes (both 16+ & 18+), so if you don't like it (assault, gore, violence, trauma and other not so cool stuff), then don't read it. Author's Note: I originally developed an idea for Withering Cold way back in 2022 once I watched Chainsawman and recently Tokyo Ghoul. So if you're fan of animes of that genre this is for you. Moreover, I wanted to see if I could build a balanced yet unreliable power system. Most animes have a power system that's purely for usage but I wanted to explore how power can corrupt people. Plus, to address the inner demon trope (Hikaru-Tsukuyomi), most animes have them established on the first chapter as a living vessel, but I wanted to see how far could Hikaru last before the person inside him awakens when it's too late. It's a slow burn, probably 200 chapters expected give or take. Might end in Mid-Late 2026. Each chapter spans 2000 words and the publishing frequency is 2 or 3 chapters a week (unless if I make a digital art, all available on my discord). It's my faithful tribute to my favourite shonens/mangas and probably something I spent years building, giving depth to my characters. Don't expect outlandish powescaling. Enjoy the story. For more fun facts about the novel + discussion and more join the official discord server: https://discord.gg/8mgFz7RVFm Maybe this will end up well? Who knows. I simply care about the moment. If I screw up your favourite character, I apologise. —————————————————— MAIN CAST: Hikaru Shimo: The protagonist of Withering Cold. A shy, timid 16 year old boy who has a knack for hunting eclipses in the retro 80s Tokyo. He's a local high school student and works odd jobs to sustain himself until he gets a rather meagre pay in the PPA. However, behind his kind behaviour lies a thousand year old curse that runs in his bloodline. Sora Makizushi: The secondary male lead and the Deuteragonist of Withering Cold. He's boastful, arrogant yet a master in his Senzai Arts. Once freed by Hikaru from his unfortunate sealing, Sora lands himself in 1987 Tokyo where he struggles to get used to the modern environment. The story focuses on how Sora regains his now lost power and the mystery behind the Main Antagonist, Tsukuyomi. Yoru: The female lead and the Triagonist of Withering Cold. A ruthless yet bubbly Director of the PPA who took Hikaru into her own arms. Yoru suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, where she knows the PPA is shady yet believes they are the true defenders of humanity. Her arc revolves around the world building in-universe and Yoru trying to atone for her own sins by being the family Hikaru never had. [more info in auxiliary chapters and discord!]

Raen Solis has never known comfort—only rejection, debt, and failure. Trapped in a crumbling apartment in the lower districts of Velden, he survives by doing shady game-boosting gigs and digital scraps, praying each day won’t be his last. Then one night, a sudden power surge from his worn-down rig knocks him out cold. When he comes to, a glowing interface hovers before him: [SYSTEM LINKED: SKILL SHOP INTERFACE] Any skill. Any mastery. For a price.