Husker Dust

Beneath the sky, kingdoms rise and fall. Beneath the earth, no such fate exists—only chains, only suffering. Deep below Orinith’s golden spires, where the weight of stone and silence crushes all, a world festers in darkness. Here, names are stripped away, freedom is a myth, and the air itself is thick with despair. No one escapes. No one dares to dream. Yet, among the broken, something stirs. A boy, born into suffering. A secret, buried beneath blood and dust. A power, waiting to awaken. When the first crack forms in the unbreakable chains, the world above will tremble. But not all who rise from the depths seek salvation. Some carry the darkness with them. In the shadows of Orinith, a storm is coming. And when it breaks, nothing will remain the same.

When the epic of invincible heroes meets the struggles of mortals, every soul is a speck of dust trying to illuminate the times. From the son of a blacksmith, he grows up to become a pawn in the battlefield, holding the fallen leaves of the world tree in the war between elves and humans, only to realize that the gears of fate have long been engraved with the sighs of his predecessors. Under the grand narrative of sword and magic, there is an eternal tug-of-war between desire and faith -- what you hold on to may be annihilated eventually, but the gesture of resistance will eventually turn into a spark in the folds of history.

When Elena accepts a dare to spend the night in an abandoned house on the outskirts of town, she expects nothing more than dust, creaking floorboards, and old ghost stories. But as soon as she steps inside, something feels… wrong. The whispers start—soft at first, calling her name from the shadows. Then come the footsteps, the flickering lights, the doors that open on their own. At first, she convinces herself it's just her imagination. But when her best friend receives an eerie voice recording—her voice speaking words she never said—Elena realizes she isn’t alone. Something in the house is watching her. Following her. Mimicking her. As the night unfolds, the house becomes a labyrinth of shifting hallways and locked doors. Time twists, reality distorts, and the echoes of something long forgotten grow louder. Trapped inside, Elena must uncover the house’s dark past before the whispers consume her completely. Because the longer she stays, the clearer the whispers become. And they don’t just want to speak. They want her to listen.

Tigers beget tigers, and lions beget lions. But not in this case. Mao Jin, the only son of the Dust Valley Sect Master, became the laughingstock of the sect due to his trashy talent. At eighteen, he was still stuck in the Mortal Rank-1 realm, with no hope of breaking through to the next stage. Even his parents had given up on him as a cultivator, wishing only for him to live a mortal life. However, everything changed when Mao Jin earned his first income. That was when he realized—what he truly needed wasn’t talent, but money. With money comes unparalleled talents. From a nobody to a visionary, watch as Mao Jin transforms the Dust Valley Sect into a thriving business hub while rising to power!

Under the sky of history, whether you love or not, you are merely a speck of dust. No matter who you are, what you can grasp is only yourself.

The scent of vanilla and freshly baked bread curled through the morning air, soft and inviting—a stark contrast to the man standing outside the tiny pastry shop. Matteo De Luca didn’t belong in a place like this. Dressed in black, with a presence that swallowed the light around him, he was a jagged piece of the underworld pressed against the softness of something pure. He hadn’t meant to stop. Hadn’t meant to be drawn in. But there he was, watching the man behind the counter—flour dusting his fingers, lips pursed in concentration as he decorated a delicate éclair. A man who had no idea that with one glance, he had become an obsession. Luca should walk away. He should forget the warmth, the scent, the man who smelled like sugar and safety. But he wouldn’t. Because when a man like him wanted something, he took it. And right now? He wanted him. ---

**Synopsis:** Thea has loved Ryder, her childhood best friend, for as long as she can remember, but she buried her feelings to safeguard their unbreakable bond. That bond fractures when Ryder’s cunning and jealous girlfriend perceives Thea as a threat. Determined to eliminate her rival, she weaves a web of lies, exploiting Ryder’s deep-seated loyalty—a trait forged through years with Thea. “I can’t believe Thea would betray you like this.” “Thea’s been pretending all along—she’s manipulative.” she insists, wounding Ryder’s pride and stoking his insecurities. When he wavers, she presses harder: “You’re too kind to see how people use you. I’m protecting you.” Her words erode his trust until he’s convinced Thea has betrayed him. The lie solidifies during a shattering confrontation. “Ryder, p..please listen,” Thea pleads, but he recoils, his voice cold: “You’re nothing to me now.” Her desperate cries—“You’re believing her over me?”—only deepen his resolve. “I don’t want to see your face again..” he snaps, leaving Thea broken and sobbing in the dust. Years later, Thea, now a struggling waitress, faces a cruel twist of fate when Ryder walks into her restaurant, his fiancée—her old rival—at his side. “I told you to stay away.” he sneers. “Ry...Mr. Thompson,” she stammers, “I never thought we’d cross paths again.” His reply cuts deep: “I meant it when I said I never wanted to see you.” Locking eyes, she whispers, “I didn’t mean to hurt you..” but he scoffs, “Hurt? I hate you for what you did to her.” The boy she once knew is gone, replaced by a man consumed by bitterness. As their past unravels, whispers of the truth begin to surface, threatening to expose the rival’s long-buried deception. Will Ryder confront the betrayal he’s clung to for years? Can Thea and Ryder reclaim the bond they lost, or will the lies that tore them apart leave their hearts irreparably fractured? --- This Novel is not translated but an original work written by author Audenzia_16.

Athena, Earth’s most glamorous and ruthless assassin, met her end on her final mission. She succeeded in eliminating the world’s most powerful Mafia leader with her bare hands, but it came at the ultimate cost, her own life. Or so she thought. Instead of death, Athena awakens in the body of Athena Demerin, a rising celebrity in the Interstellar Era of the Andromeda Galaxy. As the cherished granddaughter of the Northern Duke of planet Asenus, the original Athena had worked tirelessly to carve out a path to stardom, until her untimely death. Now, the new Athena has inherited this body, along with its unresolved mysteries. But before she can piece together the truth, she faces another shocking revelation, she is already married. Her husband? Major General Mors Jericho, the galaxy’s most brilliant young warrior, feared and revered across the stars. Yet beneath his powerful exterior lies a secret identity, one that could shake the foundations of the empire. Just as Athena begins to navigate her new life, balancing interstellar fame, hidden enemies, and a dangerously attractive husband, war erupts for the imperial throne. But when the battlefield turns against her, she falls unconscious… and wakes up back on Earth. Earth is no longer the world she once knew. The apocalypse is on the horizon, and she has only a short time before chaos consumes everything. Yet the greatest shock of all? The target she thought she had killed… is still alive. As she fights to survive in a crumbling world, technology advances in ways no one expected. When the dust settles, humanity rises anew, and so does Athena. But when she finally returns to the interstellar world, her husband is no longer her husband. Mors Jericho, the man who once stood by her side, is now her coldest enemy. Faced with a war spanning galaxies, an empire teetering on the edge, and a love that turned into hatred, Athena must forge her own path. Will she reclaim what was lost? Or will the man who once called her his wife be the one to end her? [Note: A fearless heroine + unpredictable twists + interstellar battles + a galaxy full of secrets, dive into an action-packed adventure where love and war collide beyond the stars! MC IS NOT FRAGILE!]

【Exhilarating】【New Ultimate Path Plus Points】【Dry Humor】 The world plummets; who shall uphold the heavens? Demons spawn from earth and sky, the Taoist stands valiant and resolute. I am Yi Chen, 'Chen' as in dust, styled Yi Chengzi, eighteen years old, fearful of violent evil spirits, fond of making money. With a cold heart and ruthless hands, he transmigrated to a bizarre world where goblins and malevolent spirits dwell, becoming the eldest senior brother of the Hidden Dragon Pavilion, and as his master lay dying, he entrusted Yi Chengzi with the duty to uphold the path of benevolence and righteousness, to take good care of his younger Taoist brothers; he promised he would. However, his understanding of the path of benevolence and righteousness differed slightly from that of his master. What is benevolence? Slicing evil men and ghosts in half is benevolence. What is righteousness? Smashing the heads of evil men and ghosts into their chests completes righteousness. After his master's death, unable to awaken 'spiritual essence' for cultivation, he set upon an unorthodox path of cultivation with the help of the Golden Finger. Facing the wolves eager for a fight after his master's demise, he struck with heavy fists, understanding the true essence of righteousness. Confronting the malevolent spirits that stood in his way, he naturally reformed them with the iron fists of love. He slew demons, exorcised evil, and tested his sword against various spiritual cultivators, enjoying the landscapes of the world. When he reached the summit and looked around, he was shocked to find that demons were but minor afflictions and that this land and sky were falling... A millennium-long scheme, an eternal enigma, slowly unveiled itself. Strange, it has arrived, and it does not die or perish. Witnessing this scene, Yi Chen laughed. Even the malevolent dogs passing by his Taoist abode had to endure a couple of slaps; how dare someone be so disrespectful to him? Yi Taoist stomped one foot and soared into the heavens! The onlookers exclaimed in shock, "Taoist, stop fighting, the great 'Dao' is nearly worn away!"

Su Chengyu took the blame for his wife and went to prison for three years. Upon release, he realized that she had betrayed him. Despite this, he benefited from misfortune and comprehended the Dao, stepping into the world of immortal cultivators. He could easily master immortal techniques and ancient martial arts. He could also refine pills, draw talismans, treat illnesses, and save people at will! Su Chengyu postured crazily in the Red Dust City, vowing to find out the truth behind the death of his 127 Su family members 26 years ago.

The frail young lady of the Tang Family, raised for five years in the Daoist temple, was brought back home. Everyone harbored their own thoughts, preparing to welcome a delicate and sickly young girl, only to be met with a bright and shiny Little Baldy. She followed them around like a little tail, proclaiming that their days were numbered. Initially, the Tang Family resisted this, arguing that even if she wasn't a sweet and adorable child, she shouldn't be a nonsensical Little Swindler! Latter on, as the little girl, vexed and embarrassed the bad guys with talk of imminent retaliation, amid everyone's cries of alarm, she confronted them with a little dust whisk in one hand and a small clenched fist in the other in an attempt to 'conquer with virtue' on their behalf. The Tang Family, gradually freeloading: Delicious! ** In the wealthy Rong Family, with a century-old legacy, there were rumors that a precious young master resided within its vast estate, dressed in traditional Tang Suit, his wrist adorned with Buddha Beads, a figure everyone dreaded. One day, under the pear tree in the courtyard, on the recliner, lay a pile of fluffy yarn balls neatly placed on the knees of that always composed and sagacious youth who was almost bewitching. The Personal Guard was puzzled, as the young master's fingers were never known to touch even spring water. Then they heard the young master ask in a gentle voice: After much consideration, a fluffy hat seems warmer, don't you think? Which color do you think Jinjin would look good in, pink or multicolored? Personal Guard: ??? ** Rong Qing had known since he was young that he was different from others, with a heavy malevolence about him, calling evil spirits close. That is until he met Tang Jin wielding a little dust whisk, pinning Evil Spirits to the ground and pummeling them, while others fled in all directions, as she recited "the sea of bitterness has no bounds, turn your head to see the shore." Latter on, Rong Qing, touching her Little Baldy head, pulled her hand with a smile: Jinjin, would you care to save your brother as well? Seeing that you're so pretty, Little Milk Jin let herself be led by the hand, cooing with reserved pride: I can.

Crown Prince Yun Chi chose as his consort the youngest daughter of the Hua Family, Hua Yan, and the news shattered the hearts of countless ladies in the Capital City. It was said: the Crown Prince could write poetry at three, compose essays at seven, debate with the greatest scholars at ten, shoot arrows with precision at twelve, oversee the examinations of all scholars at fifteen, and was regent by the time he was sixteen. He reached the pinnacle in letters, the extreme in martial arts, his looks were world-shaking, and his presence unrivaled. Hua Yan felt as though a gigantic pie had fallen from the sky, landing squarely on her head. From then on, was she to compete with the entire world for this man? -------------------- Yun Chi: Standing at the pinnacle of the Azure Clouds, he learned the art of balance, practiced the strategies of an emperor, envisioned the land and skies in his heart. Within the nine-layered royal palace, he could turn his hands to clouds and his palms to rain, holding sway over the court and the nation, trimming himself into a figure free from desire and henceforth unyielding. Hua Yan: She viewed herself as beneath the dust, with all her emotions and desires, disliking the Son of Heaven's court, preferring the ordinary alleys, treading on ten feet of soft red and experiencing all facets of life. She believed that nothing was better than green mountains and clear waters. "If you promise me a lifetime, I will accompany you for an eternity."

When Mara Kline returns to her late grandmother’s remote house in Canada to settle its affairs, she expects dust and silence. Instead, she finds a relic of the past—a rotary phone in the attic that inexplicably rings despite being unplugged. Against her better judgment, she answers. On the other end is Ellie, a frightened girl claiming she is hiding somewhere in the very same house—but in 1999. A masked man with a burlap-covered face and a rusted knife is hunting her. At first, Mara dismisses the calls as a cruel prank or a lingering symptom of her childhood trauma. But soon, reality itself begins to shift. Muddy footprints appear on the hardwood floor when no one is there. Familiar objects rearrange themselves into echoes of her past. A fresh scar forms on her arm, mirroring the injuries Ellie describes in real time. The deeper she digs, the more the house tightens its grip, twisting time and memory until past and present blur into one waking nightmare. As the calls grow more desperate, Mara realizes the masked figure may not be a stranger—it may be something far worse: a manifestation of her father’s grief and rage, shaped by loss and twisted by time. Old diaries appear, filled with entries she doesn’t remember writing. Visions of a childhood she thought she had buried claw their way back into her mind. Trapped in a house that refuses to let go, Mara must unravel the truth before she becomes just another ghost of its history. But even if she breaks the cycle, some echoes never truly fade.

How can someone I couldn't see mess so much with me? It's been a year, but the scars are still there. My past echoing in my head day after day, Everytime I open my eyes in the morning to see... nothing. I'm Bella Miller, and this is my story. The story of how I lost everything, my vision, my confidence, my fiance, my best friend. In the day of my wedding and divorce. When my husband had courage to cheat on me with my best friend and abandon me as if I didn't mean nothing to him. But I guess destiny was keeping something special for me. I mean someone... This is the story of how my life turned upside down at that moment I met him. How Edward, a cold-hearted man that has been deceived by the love he felt, changed me. How I, a woman that promised herself to not fall in love again, changed him. And I, he, we were able to believe in love once again. I couldn't see at first, but love has always been there. It is impossible to see when the past blurs our future. But even though our minds kept denying it, our hearts were designed to love each other. Destiny wrote in the stars, our ways come across. And now it's just us, the rest, star dust. ***** Author's note: This work is +16 It contains extremely light cursing and a lot of emotional damage. Hope I wrote it good enough to make you feel it. Not have too much to say, just enjoy.❤️ Obrigada.☺️

The world is rotting. Corruption Objects-twisted abominations from the Counterside Dimension-spill into reality, consuming everything in their path. The last line of defense? The Counters. Elite warriors trained to fight, survive, and die in a war humanity refuses to acknowledge. At the heart of it all is Kun, a reckless, unpredictable fighter wielding the abyss itself as a weapon. His brother, Suho, cold, calculating, and burdened with a secret that could shatter everything. They arrive at Counters Academy, a training ground where more than half of recruits never return from their first mission. Survival is a luxury. Betrayal is inevitable. And something darker lurks beneath the academy's walls. From the feared Abyss Squad to the elite Fenrir Squad, from rival assassins to Counter Hunters, Kun and Suho's squad, Oblivion, is caught in the eye of the storm. Why does the Administration fear them? Why is the world watching them? And what the hell is Kun really becoming? This is not just a war. This is annihilation. And when the dust settles, one question remains: Who will still be standing?

A strange and powerful existence suddenly appears on Earth without warning in the year 2040. His exchanges were short, yet struck terror in all. "Find me amongst the stars, or existence will fold." As the being disappears, it leaves behind a strange dust, that when consumed will allow a person to attune to one of the 12 zodiac constellations, becoming a 'Star Born' who can defy logic with supernatural powers. Decades later, the United Congregation of Earth and it's Dominions send trained pilots who have become star born, known simply as 'Spacers' with ships out into the unexplored cosmos to complete the task. People rarely return from these journeys, it's even worse when they do, disaster happens. Marcus Debecross, a young man, who had just graduated from pilot school, plans to take the risk, to become a Spacer who delves into the realm of the cosmic paranormal and find hope for a universe with a ticking clock. Or at least... the strange dreams he's been having urged him to. - . - . - . - . - * SENSITIVE THEMES AND DEPICTIONS OF VIOLENCE *

Reincarnated into a world ruled by Seven great deities, Seonji dreams of shaping his own destiny. But a sinister force threatens to undo everything—an enemy who seeks to erase civilization and allow the enemies of the Deities into it, inevitably leading to its destruction. With the gods silent and time running out, Seonji must rise before history is reduced to dust.

The white lotus, a legendary artifact rumored to contain the very secrets of the soul, granted its wielder otherworldly power. Countless powerful Magi from all across the universe waged an epic battle over it. When the dust settled from their fierce clash, the artifact disappeared, awaiting to be inherited by one with great destiny. Adam dreamed of breaking free from the grip of poverty, yearning for a life of riches and comfort. Yet, in a world ruled by arcane spellcasters, achieving such a dream meant becoming one himself. However, learning magic was an expensive aspiration. Not only did it require talent, but also vast resources, neither of which he had. But one day everything changed when he stumbled upon a mysterious white lotus... *** Join my discord: https://discord.gg/w4vACWwfSv

The so-called destiny is nothing but unwarranted shackles. If one wishes to break through the Milky Way and march forward with determination, it is never too late.

Lin Yue had intended to find an ordinary man to pose as her husband, but by a twist of fate, she ended up with Gu Feng. She thought this man was a braggart who boasted to everyone, but it turned out that was just how he normally lived. This fake husband seems to be really amazing!

E.Y.E.S. A pair of glasses that can rewrite the rules of reality. See the unseen. Open rifts between worlds. Unlock impossible powers. Sounds like a dream, right? For Krishna, it’s a nightmare. One wrong move—and now the whole damn world is after him. The life he knew? Gone. The truth? Darker than he ever imagined. Meanwhile, his brother Krish carries a deadly secret. The Red Gem inside him isn’t just power. It’s a ticking time bomb that could erase everything. With Zen, a shady mentor disguised as a P.E. teacher, Krishna has to unravel the truth before a war between realities turns their world into dust. But they’re not the only ones after E.Y.E.S. There’s The Queen. Dr. Kenji. A secret organization that doesn’t just want it for teleportation— They want to turn it into a weapon of mass destruction. Now, as the walls between dimensions begin to crack, time is running out. Krishna has two choices: Master the power… or be consumed by it.

Ji Rong died suddenly after staying up all night playing an online game, only to wake up as the evil villainess who meets her demise at the hands of the heroine in the game’s ending. Determined to change her fate, she resolved to fight against the heroine until the bitter end. But then, the sweet and naive heroine unexpectedly… awakened. A certain “mad dog” pounced on her, whispering teasingly into her ear: “Senior Sister, isn’t this fun?” Expressionless, Ji Rong replied, “Not at all.” Now, facing the heroine who radiates dark energy and wears “I’m no good” on her face, Ji Rong could only weep internally and curse the game developers for ruining her youth. From a near-death awakening: “I can’t believe it—the NPC… is me!” Having reincarnated as the villainous Senior Sister, Ji Rong initially thought she was handed the script for The Villain’s Redemption Story—or at least I Became a Light at the End of the Game. Instructions: 1. The realm levels in the text are: Beginning Realm, Spiritual Communication, Heart-Seeking, Riding the Wind, Stepping on the Moon, Chasing the Clouds, Infinite, Desperate, Returning to the Dust. -------------------------------------------------------- You can also join my patreon for more chapters, just search: Crimson_Lore Patreon

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

The world ended, and from its ashes, a new society rose. One where strength was law, and the weak were nothing more than dust beneath the feet of the powerful. Malakai Von Sanguine was meant to be great, a direct descendant of one of the grand families of the dome, the Sanguine Clan. But at seven, he lost everything: his parents, his future, and his ability to evolve. Branded as worthless, his life became a living hell, forced to survive in a world where the unevolved were walking corpses. But fate wasn’t done with him yet. One fateful encounter changed everything. He evolved. What he acquired was something far beyond the limits of his clan, something most wouldn’t believe possible. A power that defied the very laws that governed their new society. Now, there is only one goal: revenge. The people who took everything from him… he will hunt them to the ends of the earth. He will burn their names from history and carve his vengeance into their very bones. No mercy. No forgiveness. No escape. They will die screaming. Or he will die trying. … Discord: https://discord.gg/ehKGpCU6

In an age when the battle-scarred remnants of history gradually turn to cold dust, I open the ancient texts that record the Outer Gods—blasphemous, maddening, delirious words like the ravings of a lunatic—and within my clouded gaze, my fate begins to emerge. War will descend upon the world once more. Kingdoms and races shall be overturned and reborn in blood and fire. All living beings will wail for their suffering and fate, and the war shall never end. Beneath the flames of faith and profit, no one is innocent, and no one will be spared. Listen closely, Jeanne. Beneath my feet lie two paths. On one, I shall abandon reason and follow your justice, offering my soul, for I have become your knight. On the other, I shall curse all things with the madness and hatred of the Outer Gods. The flame shall be extinguished, life shall no longer shine, and all shall drift toward the end in ruin—for I was once a black sorcerer, a madman who communed with beings beyond...

[ A/N: This is a modern fantasy novel that happens on a slightly more advanced parallel earth. Main character is a Villian that regresses to a time before he lost everything. The main theme of the novel is revenge. The main character’s ability is blood manipulation.] ---- As demons attacked the world, one of the most feared villains known to mankind escaped his prison. For the past decade, the high-security containment zone, "The Abyss," had held him captive. But recent demon attacks forced the transfer of essential prison personnel, weakening its security. Seizing this opportunity, Oliver Thorne escaped. Contrary to expectations, he displayed no anger, rage, or remorse, instead heading directly for the heart of the demon army. The blood of the fallen rose like a tsunami, merging with him as he flew across the sky. He reached the center of the demon army. Suddenly, the world turned crimson. An enormous energy wave tore through space and time, shredding the strongest demons into dust. More blood erupted, fueling further explosions. Until everything was reduced to dust. The crimson devil, the supposedly unkillable villain, finally perished. But, unknown to him, fate had other plans. After death, Oliver Thorne was sent to his teenage years. The time before he became a villain. What would he do with the unexpected second chance he received? [ A/N: This is a modern fantasy novel that happens on a slightly more advanced parallel earth. The main character is a villain who regresses to a time before he lost everything. The main character’s ability is blood manipulation.] Tags : Action, Adventure, Scheming Protagonist, Villainous Protagonist, Politics, War, Military, Otherworld, Portal, Monsters. Super power, Super heroes, Super villains.

Born into a cold and loveless childhood, Moon was an unwanted heir in a ruthless demonic empire. Neglected by her father and despised by her mother, she was cast aside in favor of her brother, Sirius. When he was crowned as the next emperor, her rage consumed her, leading to the brutal massacre of her family and the start of her reign. Though she found fleeting solace in a rare love, tragedy struck when she accidentally killed her husband, sparking a war that divided empires. As the years passed, she set her sights on a greater battle—leading the demon race in a war against the angels, nearly wiping them out and securing her people’s survival. Now, as the dust settles and her empire stands unchallenged, whispers of change begin to stir. Forces beyond her understanding creep into her world, and for the first time in centuries, Moon finds herself facing an uncertain future. Will she continue down the path of a feared conqueror, or is there something more waiting for her beyond the throne she fought so hard to claim?

Later that day, Fin was out on his usual scrap run. The safe zone’s edge was a mess of twisted metal and broken concrete, leftovers from when the first Gates opened. He lugged a heavy bag over his shoulder, his boots crunching on gravel. The air smelled like rust and something faintly sour—probably a dead rat or worse. “Yo, Fin! Hurry it up!” his boss, Greg, yelled from the truck parked a hundred yards away. Greg was a squat, sweaty guy who acted like he was king of the scrap heap. “We ain’t got all day!” “Yeah, yeah,” Fin muttered under his breath. He bent down to grab a jagged piece of rebar, his fingers brushing the cold metal. His power kicked in—useless as ever. He could feel every nick and dent in the steel, like it was whispering its boring life story to him. 'Wow, so thrilling,' he thought sarcastically. That’s when he heard it—a low, guttural growl. He froze. His head snapped up, eyes darting around. The safe zone wasn’t *supposed* to have monsters. That’s why it was called safe. But the sound came again, closer this time, from behind a pile of rubble. “Greg?” He called, his voice shaky. “You hear that?” No answer. The truck’s engine roared to life—Greg was bailing. “Fin, move your ass!” the man shouted before peeling out, dust kicking up behind him. “Seriously?!” Fin dropped the rebar and bolted. He wasn’t a runner, but fear made his legs move faster than he thought possible. The growling turned into a snarl, and he risked a glance back. Something big and scaly was charging after him—green skin, claws like kitchen knives, and a mouth full of teeth that didn’t fit right. A monster. A freaking monster.

The classroom was already half-full when he arrived. As usual, nobody met his eyes. He slumped into his seat, pulled out his phone, and— The world froze. Literally froze. The chattering students, the falling cherry blossoms outside the window, even the dust motes in the air—all suspended in perfect stillness. "Oh, wonderful hero," a melodious voice echoed through the room. "Your world faces a terrible crisis, and you have been chosen to—" "No," he said flatly. A pause. Then a shimmer of golden light coalesced into the form of a beautiful woman in flowing robes. She blinked at him. "I… what?" "I said no. I’m not interested in whatever quest or destiny you’re selling. Pick someone else." The goddess’s perfect features creased in confusion. "But… but you’ve been chosen! The prophecy speaks of a warrior with a fierce spirit, one who—" "Lady, I don’t care about your prophecy. I’ve got enough problems here without adding some fantasy world’s issues to the mix. Now unfreeze time and leave me alone." "You don’t understand," she pressed. "Our world is being ravaged by the Demon King’s armies! Millions will die without—" "Sounds like a you problem." He turned back to his phone, though the screen remained frozen like everything else. The goddess’s confusion shifted to anger. The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. "You dare dismiss a divine messenger so casually? Perhaps I should demonstrate the gravity of the situation."

75 years ago. That was when the world came to a close end. Portals filled the atmosphere, from them rust dust showered the earth. Causing what is known as the Age of Rusting......