The Ashen Hollow

In the decaying heart of the Aureline Dominion, Karl Redhouse is no longer a forgotten background figure—he is the reluctant hero cursed with Return by Death. Each time death claims him, he is reborn at a predetermined “save point,” trapped in an endless cycle of loss and renewal. For centuries, this cruel fate has forced him to witness countless lives, battles, and betrayals, each rebirth etching deeper scars on his soul. But as the ruins of his crumbling world echo with the secrets of the past, Karl begins to suspect that his curse might also hold the key to his liberation. Driven by a desperate need to break the cycle, Karl embarks on a perilous journey through the forgotten districts of the Dominion. Guided by an ancient tome and the cryptic prophecy of an event known as the Eclipse of the Eternal, he delves into ruined temples and secret sanctuaries where the ancient magics of Curse and Spirit intermingle. With each step, he confronts the duality of his nature—balancing the destructive power of his Curse magic with the transcendent force of Spirit magic—in hopes of unearthing a way to rewrite his destiny. Parallel to Karl’s grim odyssey in the physical realm unfolds the vibrant digital saga of Wraithbound Chronicles. In this immersive virtual world, legendary heroes like Darian Blackwood and Lucien Ashford enact their mythic destinies, celebrated by multitudes and woven into the fabric of popular lore. While their dazzling exploits captivate the realm’s imagination, Karl’s personal struggle remains shrouded in solitude and suffering—a dark counterpoint to the heroic narratives of the game. Haunted by the echoes of countless past lives and driven by a spark of rebellious hope, Karl sets out to confront the hidden forces that control fate itself. Amid conspiracies orchestrated by secret organizations like the Inverted Sky and the looming threat of an encroaching Mirror Dimension, he must unravel the ancient mysteries of the Dominion. Only by embracing both the light and darkness within him can he hope to shatter the bonds of his cursed immortality and claim a future of his own making. In a world where death is a beginning and every resurrection is a chance to change the course of destiny, Karl Redhouse’s journey is a desperate, solitary battle against time itself—a quest to reclaim life from the clutches of eternal recurrence and to forge a destiny free from the shackles of the past.

[WSA 2025 Entry] The apocalypse is here, and it’s so overdone. Monsters? Check. Burning sky? Check. Random system that gives you powers but also wants your firstborn? Double check. In the middle of this mess are two guys who couldn’t be more mismatched if they tried: The Fool: A guy who’s spent his life perfecting the art of doing nothing. His resume includes “professional procrastinator”, “class clown”, “expert nap taker”, etc... Now he’s got to survive an apocalypse that didn’t even give him a heads-up. How rude. The Regressor: A guy who’s lived through the end of the world more times than he can count. Literally. Because he forgot. Now he’s just a brooding mess with a leather jacket and zero useful advice. When the fool realizes his classmate is a regressor, he’s like, “Great. I’m stuck with the guy who’s seen it all but remembers none of it. This’ll go well.” Yet, they will still group up and face trials that test their sanity more than their skills. But as the so-called End demands more blood and the regressor’s memories start to resurface, they realize the real apocalypse might be their inability to agree on where to hide. Can a lazy dreamer and a forgetful hero save the world? Probably not. But hey, at least they’ll have a good story to tell—if they survive. ________ __ Please note that this story is a work of fiction and a product of the author's imagination. It contains scenes of violence, death, and may not be suitable for all readers. It is intended for mature audiences only.

My name is Zhang Yanhang, just an ordinary Awakener and a part-time college student living a monotonous life, following the routine of school, cultivation, and home. I neither smoke nor drink; my only hobby is observing humanity during moments when time stands still. I thought my dull life would continue forever, but one night, as I lay in bed ready to sleep, I unexpectedly stumbled upon something interesting. 【Enter the Ashen World?】 【Option One: Yes (Successfully enter the Ashen World and gain the ability to digitize your body as well as ways to become stronger, the price might be oversleeping and being late for school tomorrow.)】 【Option Two: No (Refuse to enter the Ashen World but feel it's a waste to sleep immediately, so decide to stay up all night gaming and cultivating, the price might be oversleeping and being late for school tomorrow.)】 【Option Three: Ignore for Now (Suggested for those with difficulty making decisions, you will agonize over whether to enter the Ashen World and will only fall asleep at two in the morning, the price might be oversleeping and being late for school tomorrow.)】 ps: The protagonist is not saintly, is decisive and ruthless, and thinks differently from the average person. Please refrain from criticism if this is not to your taste.

After a failed mission results in the death of his entire unit and he is granted the Hollow Core System, low-ranking C-Class Chosen, Kael Solis, becomes the suspect of his own murder and embarks on a quest to uncover a conspiracy involving the government and the origins of the Hollow infection, creatures born from the poisonous Hollow Sun.

One quiet night in Shanghai, Haoran found a strange cigarette on the wet pavement. Its edges were darkened, but it wasn’t burnt. A thin, silvery mist curled from it, almost like it was alive. Curious, he lit it and took a slow drag. The taste was bitter, metallic wrong. A sharp pain spread through his chest, like fire and ice fighting inside him. He coughed hard, but the smoke didn’t leave. Instead, it thickened, twisting into the air like living shadows. Then, from the swirling smoke, something took shape, a tall figure with glowing ember eyes and skin made of shifting ash. Its voice was deep and heavy, like burning coal. “You have awakened me,” it said. “Now, your fate is sealed.” Haoran’s hands shook, the cigarette still between his fingers. He thought he had just found an old cigarette. Instead, he had inhaled something far more dangerous.

Ellie Yeo thought she could escape her one-sided love for her boss, Simon Sa, by accepting an arranged marriage to Ethan Jung. However, just when she plans to leave Simon’s world behind, he pulls her back into a whirlwind of emotions with one last business trip together. Torn between her growing attachment to Ethan and her unresolved feelings for Simon, Ellie faces her deepest emotional conflicts. As secrets unravel and difficult choices arise, Ellie must decide whether to follow her heart or break free from the man who refuses to let her go. Will she finally escape Simon’s grip, or will their twisted relationship trap her once again?

"Winter Yoo returns to Seolbeop, Korea’s most prestigious law firm, after three years of exile. Once a secretary caught in scandal, she now stands as one of the top lawyers. Determined to correct the wrongs of her past, she faces old rivals and reconnects with Hugo Kang, a cold and captivating attorney. As Winter navigates the treacherous world of law, power, and hidden secrets, she must decide where her true loyalties lie. But when her past collides with her future, will she make the ultimate choice that could change everything? Find out what Winter decides in this gripping tale of redemption and romance!"

The fantastical tale of a Survivor, with fantasy mixed in. For those who like light reads, or simple narratives, turn away. Your heart will water, your eyes will break and vice versa. But if you like it hot and heavy, with plenty of drama and 'all-too-realism', we've got you! please note that this is a tale of someone real, with things changed, for privacy reasons, but with fantasy mixed in, because, come on, noone wants a straight sob story. so the story will suddenly, sharply diverge from reality, as it simply is what was felt at the time. but if you can handle that, and haven't been turned off yet, then I personally invite you to get a drink, grab a blanket, cuddle up to the fire, and listen carefully. For I am the Teller of Tales, and the Weaver of Dreams.

Ethan Vale was nothing special. A university dropout, a shut-in obsessed with brutal, punishing RPGs, and a man who knew strategy better than he knew real life. But when his screen flickered with an ominous error message and the world around him shattered, he awoke in a land that should not exist—The Hollow Domain, a place where gods have long since died, where eldritch horrors rule, and where kingdoms of the damned crumble beneath an unending curse. He had no weapons. No powers. No divine destiny. But he had intelligence—and the curse of resurrection. Every time he dies, he returns to the same ruined citadel, his body restored but his mind forever scarred. Pain is not a fleeting experience here—it is absolute, relentless, and unforgettable. Every death is a lesson written in agony, each resurrection a cruel reset in an unforgiving world. The creatures here do not simply kill; they break. They torment. They consume. Survival is not guaranteed. Sanity is optional. But Ethan is determined to carve a path through the madness, to outthink the horrors that lurk in the shadows, and to uncover the truth behind the Hollow Domain. Because something is watching him. Something is waiting. And it wants him to suffer.

Do you believe in magic? The answer of most will be no. But what if magic DID exsist? To some, it might just be your typical average story. But this has an element of unpredictability mixed in between. Diane Lewis was a normal teenage girl from an aristocratic family. But since she met HIM, her view of the world turned upside down. "How is that even possible?" She asked, mouth agape. He smiled at her, showing a perfect set of snow-white teeth. "With magic, anything is possible." Horn your skills and train your ability. "I will protect you." She said, with a determined gaze. "You can Barely even protect yourself. You are not strong enough." He retorted. "Then, just wait for Me to get stronger." She said, with a smile. "You have no right to be here. We cut ties remember?" He said, glaring at her fiercely. "I am not here for you. I am here for the family. I still have people I treasure here. So let me through or else..." She completed her statement by majestically drawing out her sword. So many secrets lay hidden. Injustice in the form of justice. Lies, fabricated to become truth. Deception roams around, unleashed. And a Naive girl, who had never seen the shadow that lurked around in the abyss. Will she Survive? Will she fail? It is up to you to find out.

Ashen was a man from earth. His job? Nothing he just helped lonely women who didn't get enough love from their Husbands with his huge dragon of love. He didn't left any prey who he had his eyes on, whether it be Mom or daughter, all would be caught in his lustful hands. But after getting in an accident, he is reincarnated into a useless Prince's Body in a cultivation world. [Ding! Welcome Host I am the Villainous System"] Ashen: "Villainous System? What is that?" [Ding! This world has innumerable protagonists but only few villains, therefore, to maintain the balance you have been brought into this world and I am here to help you in your journey] A sinister smile hanged on Ashen's lips as he muttered: "Doesn't that mean I can do all that I want" [Ding! No host, you are the useless prince now, You need to become powerful to do that] Ashen's smile retracted for a few second before appearing again: "Oh, I am a Prince? Then shouldn't I have a harem?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NO NTR and there will be NO Yuri. Ashen will be netori, Ashen will not get cheated on. • 200 power stones: 1 extra chapter • 300 power stones: 2 extra chapters • 500 or higher: 4 extra chapters

Giulio Felta, who met a decidedly undignified end, is reincarnated into a magical world as Leonard Noimar. Now, he must not only master the art of magic but also come to terms with his new life.

Luthen Awoke as a Shard, the strongest Seven, later than normal. Will he catch up to the others, avenge his former best friend and overcome all?!

When the dark arts threaten to eradicate mankind, the heavy burden of saving the world falls upon the shoulders of the most unlikely pair of friends... The Pioneer, an excitable and adventurous young blonde hair-blue eyed twink from a family whose wealth knows no end. The Blackbird, a freed slave with a righteous anger channeled into his fists with only one purpose in life...

What if one day you find yourself facing two people who introduced themselves as gods? And what if they told you that you have died and that they wanted to reborn you in a new world? But, that world turned out to be the world in a novel you used to read. However, that novel had a shit ending in which all of the main characters died in the end. It caused a rift of anger from the readers. Enough for them to vent their anger on social media and send death threats letters to the author. Since the novel's ending wasn't well accepted by the readers, the goddes asked you to create a better ending. "I see. I'll do it."

RPG STYLE NOVEL, MC DOING QUEST, KILLING MONSTERS, LEVELING UP, GAINING SKILL, AND etc... SYSTEM Deity, a newly invented modern gadget that helps humans to breakthrough their limiters. Our protagonist Yman Talisman was a young man, 17 years old, and an orphan. After he found out that he had a Hollow Cell symptom, he rejoiced. Now there was a way for him to cure his ill sister. But on the day of evaluation exams, because of an incident, he was late and only managed to get the weakest magic skill among the rest. How can someone like him fight monster monsters when his magic was the weakest and no use for fighting? No group wanted to let him joined them. In order to cure his sister, he had no choice but to fight monsters alone. When he finds out about a certain item that able to heal any kind of illness, he didn't think twice and embark into a journey. Leaving his ill sister to a trusted friend, he left the city and delves into adventures to search for it. THIS NOVEL IS A HIDDEN GEM!!! YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU REACH CHAPTER 100. MC HAD ALMOST UNLIMITED CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! (One of the best stories you can find in this platform!) ---Cover not mine--- Message me at discord if you have questions and suggestions: CloudSky#4375

In the shadow-draped hills of rural Massachusetts lies Blackthorn Hollow—a town forgotten by maps, where the pines whisper secrets and the stars watch with a hunger no mortal can name. Dr. Eleanor Voss, a sharp-witted folklorist with a penchant for unraveling the unexplained, answers a cryptic letter begging for her expertise. But what begins as an academic curiosity soon spirals into a fight for survival. The townsfolk guard their history with suspicious silence. The woods hum with unnatural rhythms. And the ancient standing stones at the edge of the Blackthorn estate pulse with a malevolent energy that seems to recognize Eleanor. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a legacy of forbidden rituals, a bloodline cursed by its own ambition, and a haunting truth that ties her own past to the Hollow’s darkest secret. But the closer Eleanor gets to the truth, the more the line between savior and sacrifice blurs. Whispers follow her in the dark. Shadows move with purpose. And the deeper she ventures into the Hollow’s heart, the clearer it becomes: some doors, once opened, cannot be closed.

"You're not a monster, Ashen," Serena whispered, "I see you: the man you were, the man you can still be." He turned his face away, painful uncertainty clouding his eyes, "You don't know what it is to feel the curse crawling under your skin. To feel the beast tearing at the edges of who you are." Serena stepped closer, her breathing steady even as his proximity made her heart race. "Then let me help you fight it," she whispered. "You don't have to face this alone." His eyes finally caught hers, haunted and conflicted. "I'm scared to lose myself. but I'm afraid I already have." "I'm not your savior, Ashen," Serena whispered, and her tone was rather even against the chaos whirling around them. "But I may be the only one who can prevent you from becoming the monster you fear." ...... Ashen is a man torn between worlds, born human yet cursed into a werewolf form, who with each full moon loses a little bit of his humanity as the beast inside grows a little stronger every passing day. A tale of Beauty and the Beast turned upside down, where the monster is cursed by his own darkness, and the Beauty may be the only one who can restore his humanity.

Sine and Ash (Ashen) have been best friends for years, ever since they were kids. While Sine was a commoner, Ash was apart of the greatest Magepunk family in the world, the Ecliptas. Ash had taken the path of strength, while Sine decided to use his natural intelligence to become a genius in observation and general knowledge. But one day, Ash sets out on a journey to get stronger, and Sine joins her.

In the ancient realm of **Zephyros**, where power rules all and the heavens themselves tremble, **Ashen Sky**, a humble blacksmith’s apprentice, has one dream: to forge weapons worthy of the immortal cultivators who dominate the world. But destiny has greater plans for him. When an ancient spirit awakens within his soul, Ashen inherits the **Infernal Forge System**, a mysterious and legendary power that allows him to craft divine weapons capable of shaping history. Overnight, he’s thrust into a brutal world of cutthroat sects, warring clans, and celestial beasts where strength is the only law, and betrayal lurks behind every shadow. Armed with the ability to forge weapons imbued with unimaginable power, Ashen faces trials that will test his limits—and his humanity. As secrets of the Infernal Forge unravel, he uncovers a shocking truth: the system is the key to saving the crumbling heavens... or unleashing their ultimate destruction. Will Ashen rise as a hero, forging a path to immortality? Or will the flames of his forge consume him and all of Zephyros? --- **What to Expect** ✔ A revolutionary cultivation system built around forging legendary weapons. ✔ Epic battles against mythical beasts, rival sects, and ancient foes. ✔ Twists, betrayals, and mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat. ✔ A determined underdog rising to dominate the strongest realms. --- **Chapters Updated Daily** - **14 chapters per week** - Chapter length: **1200–1500 words** Ready to witness the rise of a legend who reshapes destiny with fire and steel? **Join Ashen Sky’s journey now!** **Power stones, comments, and your support fuel the flames of this story. Let’s forge a legend together!**

Lilith Hollow, female, age twenty-three, unmarried. Diagnosis and assessment indicate a favorable shift in condition, with stable emotional state; discharge criteria met. Discharged today.

The world resets overnight. Once an ordinary young man with an unremarkable life, Hiro wakes up to find reality transformed into something straight out of a video game. Armed with the lessons from his deceased friend and his gaming knowledge, can he survive in this new world?

After witnessing his family die Grim'Lok succumbs to the same fate, But once he's given a second chance at life he lives for 2 things, Revenge and the promise he made to become the strongest fighter throughout all the lands.

In the scorching deserts of Solara, a once-great kingdom now ruled by the tyrannical House Blackthorn, Evelyn Ashford is the daughter of a disgraced general. When her family is framed for treason by the crown prince, Caelum Blackthorn, Evie watches helplessly as her father is executed, her mother and brother dies in exile. Left to die in the barren wastelands, Evie discovers the Ashen Crown, an ancient relic tied to the lost kingdom of Erythra. The crown grants her the power to manipulate fire and ash—but it feeds on her rage and sorrow, threatening to consume her entirely. With the crown’s power, Evie regresses to the day before her family’s downfall, determined to rewrite their fate.

An empty vessel is born to be filled.

Ten years after her brother’s tragic death, Clara Carter receives a letter in his handwriting: “Come home, Clara. I’m waiting.” But Hollow’s End is no ordinary town. Returning to bury her guilt, Clara discovers her brother Liam is neither alive nor dead. Trapped in the town’s curse: “They’ll wear you like a mask.” As Clara digs into her family’s past, she uncovers a chilling truth.

What if God offered you a chance at revenge, but at a cost? Would you accept the contract to reincarnate into a new world and kill 33 people you have no relation to? Meet William, who becomes Bowen in a fantastical new realm, armed with magic powers, artifacts, slaves, disciples and loyal allies. Will Bowen complete his mission, or will he question the morality of his task and the true intentions of the deity who brought him to this new world? Witness the birth of a divine reaper, feared by gods and demons alike. When even the most powerful beings in the universe are judged by his hand, heaven and hell tremble at the mere mention of his name. Follow his journey of vengeance, redemption, and the ultimate quest for divine purpose. A/N: **Mc will take in many slaves (both male and female) and animal pets all throughout the story. No harem, No Romance. Mc development is slow with many plot twists. **

"A test? what the hell does that even mean anyway?" Spoke a young man as he read articles online about it. Scrolling through his phone trying to make sense of it all. "I'm telling you, it's aliens" Spoke his female friend as she gestured like she was in fact an alien. "I highly doubt it's that" he scoffed. As she frowned. "You always do that-" [error] "Do what?" [Calculation unsuccessful, eliminate] "You doubt yourself" [Eliminated] 'What!?' ------ 'I don't want to accept this is reality yet.' "Zion Linux, can you assure absolute victory?" "I can sir, I will not fail."