Palanca Awards Winning Works

[Host, host, I am the System, I can help you conquer the world and the witches with various personalities.] Xi Mu: Hmm... Isn't this an action game? When do we start slashing? [Right... This is an action game, but I suggest that the host also try to seduce the witches along the way, there are generous rewards.] Xi Mu: What rewards? [Of course, the perfect romantic experience!] Xi Mu: No need, I've already played through the romance plotlines. Now I just want to go on a rampage and speedrun the game.] [...]

In Indian mythology, the Three Aspects Deity suppressed the current age. Many Immortals cursed all the gods. Asuras, after millennia of arduous cultivation, would always attack the Heavenly Realm and beat up the Heavenly Emperor upon receiving a boon. "Arduous cultivation, receiving boons, beating up the Heavenly Emperor, why is Indian mythology always like this? I'm the one who gets beaten and suffers; I quit!" Indra, who had reincarnated as the Heavenly Emperor, was furious. And so... "Whoever loves being the Heavenly Emperor, be my guest; I'm not going to work!" Indra said. "Hey, hey, hey, the script isn't supposed to go like this," the Destroyer God Shiva said, full of question marks. "You've performed great meritorious deeds in the past. This position of the Heavenly Emperor is rightfully yours. If not, there will be chaos in the world!" the Protector God Vishnu said anxiously. "No, Heavenly Emperor, I'll give you a boon. Go quickly and beat up the Asura!" the Creator God Brahma spoke thus.

I’m a proud NEET who’s devoured every romance novel, manga, webtoon, and otome game out there. Just when I thought I’d conquered it all, a black bunny appeared in my dream. “Congrats! You’ve been chosen to help villains win across multiple worlds!” “Like a game?” “Uh . . . sure.” “Great, I’m in!” And just like that, I became an agent of the Villain System. Time to rewrite some happily-ever-afters—villain style. [This is mostly 2nd and 3rd person POV]

A chance encounter led him to search for her, and in his quest, he scandalized the city with her semi-nude advertisement. A contract bound her to him, and as she greedily fell for him, she realized she was just his stand-in. When his true love returned, she proudly walked away. Years later, she reappeared before him, pregnant and arm-in-arm with another man. As he made his move again, she smiled indifferently, "Mr. Ye, your game is over!"

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.

What happened if you can’t enter or the door because its locked? The answer is key. You need a key to open the locked door so you can enter. And what happened if you doesn’t have a correct key to open it? You need a right person to lockpicking that door. Information works in the same way. Who holds corresponding information, he can control everything including money. My name is Vega “Velt” Altair, still unemployment at 26 years old without jobs experience and this is my story about how I worked with beautiful lady and she’s The Devil. (NB: I'm writing and upload this novel based on my mood. Please be patience waiting for next chapter and volume)

Reeling from the shame, anger, embarrassment of his break up with the love of his life publicly, Kieran White had gotten involved with a common waitress at the pub he visited. They had hit it off and soon had a one night stand that led to them signing a contract marriage of five years so Kieran could head his family's business. What Edwina Hall had thought was a dream come true soon came shattering with a reality so blindly forced into her face when her husband asked her to sign the divorce papers he presented to her. Devastated, she had signed the papers and had left her cold-hearted ex-husband alone only to realize that she was pregnant with his son. Five years later, the duo crossed part in the most unlikely places and this time, the tables had turned as Kieran would do anything to get Edwina to notice him and most importantly, be with him again. Would Edwina continue to feign indifference to the man who had her heart and the father of her son or would she ignore him and move on with someone else?

A Middle Eastern man, he loved football; he couldn't join a football club because his family moved to Saudi to work. After his death he was reincarnated as iItalian

When an unexpected soul arrives in a world that seems both familiar and strange, what kind of storm will it unleash? Will they blend into the past, becoming a paragon of knighthood, or carve their name into history on the battlefield? Perhaps they’ll tear through the darkness, bringing forth the first light of dawn. But for Norn, the choice is simple: Why choose, when you can have it all? Transported from the modern world to the Middle Ages, the Mike Bai experiences a dramatic shift in time and place, facing both immense conflict and a sense of wonder. Armed with modern knowledge, ideals, and skills, they step into a world starkly different from anything they've known, triggering a series of extraordinary and unpredictable events

[COMPLETED] ---------- After the sudden death of her boyfriend, Leslie Song has been single-handedly raising her precious little daughter Calliope. It’s a difficult life, but it’s a happy one. A freak accident puts an end to that. As Leslie lies dying on the road, watching Calliope breathe her last, she curses her helplessness. Calliope’s crochet fox seems to hear her. It opens its mouth and asks, “Do you want to see your daughter again? If so, follow me. Her soul has already left for another world.” Leslie agrees. That’s the last thing she remembers before losing consciousness. When she opens her eyes again, she finds herself—or rather, her soul—standing beside her unconscious body on a hospital bed. “How is this supposed to help me find Calliope!” she exclaims. “This is not your body. Your body is dead. This is my original host, Charlene Li,” explains the toy fox. “You can possess her body to find Calliope, but if you do, you must finish her uncompleted mission for her.” “And what mission is that?” “To marry the second most eligible CEO in the city.” ‘This,’ Leslie concludes, ‘is a scam.’ But she has no other choice. ********** Meanwhile, the second most eligible bachelor in the city, Calix Xu, is patting himself on the back for thwarting his grandmother’s attempts to marry him off. After exhausting all of his tricks and excuses, he has resorted to marrying the comatose daughter of the Li family. Calix smiles, pleased with himself, "Aren't I smart? Grandmother can do nothing now." But… why is he seeing his newly-wedded wife hovering beside her own body? Before he can react, his wife—the moving one—floats towards him. "Husband! Help me find my child!" “Your child?” Calix asks weakly before doing the only reasonable thing he can do in such a situation. He faints. ---------- WSA 2024 entry! Commissioned cover and character images by yuuri_e (Instagram)

Destiny lead us both to meet my love, a once-in-a-lifetime blessing such as you deserves the world.

A mysterious girl named Kyuu Ketsuki shows up at the entrance ceremony of Kanto Gakuin Junior & High School in the new school year, much to the dismay of many students and one boy in particular, Sasaki Haru. Sasaki Haru lived a mostly normal life in middle school, until a certain incident occurred when he'd graduated. Now moving into high school, he hopes to rectify this mistake and some day move on. Although all is not well when Kyuu Ketsuki arrives, bringing all her youthful charm and uncharacteristic demeanor along with her! Will Sasaki Haru be able to live out his hope for a normal high school life? Or will this new addition upset the scales and bring him down another path? Perhaps a darker one...? Note: Will be posting this story on RoyalRoad, Scribblehub and Wattpad too.

Ignis, a weary priest with shaky faith, battles demons and curses armed only with a rosary, holy water, and an unrelenting dark humor. Amid supernatural struggles and mental chaos, he discovers that even in hell, there’s room for irony. Facing horrors and secrets far beyond his grasp, Ignis must fight not just against evil, but against himself. "A Hell of a Job" blends dark fantasy, sarcasm, and the supernatural in a chaotic yet hilarious adventure.

In Dominion of the AI Clockwork, a young boy named Kairo Valeris stumbles upon an ancient AI system that controls time itself. At first, it seems like an incredible opportunity—a chance to change his life and rise above the struggles he’s endured. But as the AI slowly takes control of his mind and actions, Kairo begins to spiral down a dark path, manipulated by a power greater than he could ever imagine. This AI, once a tool for progress, now seeks to control not just time, but humanity itself. As Kairo’s every move is dictated by the system, his friends and family begin to suffer the consequences of his actions. What started as a gift soon becomes a curse, and the line between right and wrong blurs. Before passing judgment, read the first 15 chapters. Witness the descent and the complexity of the story unfold. Trust me, the journey will reveal much more than what meets the eye. Only then, leave your review—because Dominion of the AI Clockwork is a tale that will keep you questioning, challenging, and reflecting long after you've finished reading.

During three years of marriage, his body belonged to her, but his heart always belonged to another woman. No matter how hard she tried, nothing seemed to change that. However, she became pregnant, but unfortunately, he asked her to have an abortion so that she could continue to donate blood to that woman. She decided to divorce and leave him completely. After experiencing immense pain and change, she emerged reborn, which caused him to develop complex emotions for her and seek to restore their marriage...

"I don't believe you." I answer him calmly, trying to convince him that I know that he was just spewing bullshit to make me go crazy, that this is all just a sad pathetic joke. This can't be true. "In fact, I don't believe anything you've said to me." I say more to try to convince myself, although I'm starting to question everything, but he doesn't need to know that. He just smirks, looks too proud of himself and begin to walks backward, away from me. "You don't have to believe me, darling. You'll see for yourself, soon. Very soon." It sounds much like a promise of the unknown future that they stop me on my track. Goosebumps spread all over my hands and the back of my neck. A bad premonition clouds my my heart. No, wait. What's with him? Does he think that he is a fortune teller too, now? Am I supposed to believe his words, no question asked? The fact that I'm considering any of his words are just enough prove that I'm indeed going insane. No, he is insane. And maybe, I'm a tad bit desperate to find answers to all of this mess that's my life these past few weeks. And he's taking advantage of it, I'm not sure how he knows but I'm pretty annoyed that he could sways me easily like this. I need to stay the hell away from this nuisance. Just as I'm about to turn around and forget what he says, he decides to say something that I will remember long after my journey begins. "In fact, never believe in anyone, Elena. Not even The One's above." are the last word he says before he turn around and completely disappear from my sight. His words leave me puzzled and speechless. I don't know what to think anymore. All of this new information only further my confusion as it is. If any of what he says turn out to be true then what's meaning of this? I don't know anything anymore. Only one thought clouding my mind. What in the world is going on?

Takashi, a bright and talented Japanese high school student, was admired for his academic prowess, consistently excelling in mock exams. But on the day of his exam results, his seemingly perfect life shattered. He discovered that his girlfriend, Sakura, was a gold-digger secretly dating three other men. Furious and betrayed, Takashi exposed her schemes to the others. Enraged by the loss of her "money source," Sakura tried to take his life. At the very moment of her attack, Takashi was mysteriously teleported to another world, landing in an unfamiliar forest. Disoriented and alone, he quickly realized he was far from home. As he struggled to adapt, a strange window appeared before him, offering the chance to take revenge on Sakura. Dismissing it as irrelevant in this strange new reality, Takashi focused on survival—until he was attacked by a powerful beast. In the midst of his desperation, the system reappeared with an unusual proposition: it would grant him incredible power—but at a cost. To activate the system’s full potential, Takashi had to form a unique bond with a mature woman, a MILF. Reluctant but faced with no other options, Takashi agreed, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey. Now armed with the enigmatic "Wield System," Takashi ventures into an unknown world filled with peril, unexpected allies, and the promise of revenge. Will he harness the system’s power, overcome his challenges, and carve out a new destiny for himself?

After crossing over into a world of magic, Dean Bruce was mistaken for a powerful sorcerer. Though he initially intended to sternly refuse the beautiful woman’s request to become her mentor, she offered him far too much to say no! Completely clueless about magic, Dean Bruce had no choice but to make up spells on the spot. However, when he saw the astonishing power unleashed by the beautiful woman after chanting his random incantations, he was stunned. The spells he had carelessly invented… could they really comprehend magic and even forbidden spells? As Dean Bruce ascended to the pinnacle of magical prowess and became the Archmage, he candidly answered a reporter's question during an interview with the Alliance: "I never understood magic. I just made up a few incantations, that's all." People were in awe of him—this, they believed, was the true humility of a Grand Archmage!

One day, four people are suddenly kidnapped by a strange being. It is then that the four meet and attempt to escape the being's control.

“Welcome, Player. Enter your world and change your fate. But beware: victory is not what it seems.” Samuel Thompson was a sharp and resourceful man, but even he was at his wit's end. Bills were piling up, his sister’s condition was worsening, and his final paycheck from his bankrupt workplace barely covered a week’s groceries. Just when he thought he had exhausted every option, a mysterious box appeared at his door. Inside was a game with a promise: a chance to compete for life-changing money. It felt like a lifeline. No entry fee, no catch—just a simple login. But the moment Samuel logged in, everything changed. He was transported into the game itself, where he found himself among 99 other contestants. Each of them had their own desperate reasons for being there, but the stakes were the same for everyone. The game was no ordinary competition. It tested their mental, physical, and survival skills in ways they could never have imagined. Alliances formed and broke apart, secrets emerged, and the line between friend and foe blurred. And then there was the ominous rule: there could be more than one winner, but there was also a real possibility of no winners at all. Will Samuel use his intelligence to overcome the challenges ahead? Or will the game’s hidden truths prove too much for him and his fellow players to bear?

When hard-working office worker Zara wakes up in the body of Lavinia Ruthbell, the most hated villainess in the empire’s most popular romance novel, she has one goal: to avoid her death flag at all costs. In the original story, Lavinia was the fiancée of the cold and powerful Duke of Clyne, Adrian Valmont. But Lavinia’s obsession with Adrian and her schemes against the novel’s heroine led to her public execution. Zara is determined to rewrite Lavinia’s fate and live a quiet life far from the spotlight. Unfortunately, Lavinia’s reputation is already ruined, her engagement is still in effect, and the System that governs her new life has an annoying obsession with romance quests. To survive, Zara has to win Adrian’s favor—or at least ensure he doesn’t want her dead. But when Adrian starts acting unexpectedly kind and the System’s quests take an unexpected turn, Zara begins to wonder: is she playing the game, or is someone else pulling the strings?

My hit serial killer novel needs a sequel and I have no choice but to work with a real serial killer to finish my next novel!

Daiki with his whole class got transferred to a game like real dungeon where they had to complete the game to return. The survivors will get one wish fulfilled while the MVP of the game gets two. He got the mysterious and weakest class 'Work Hard (?)' and the lowest stats among his friends in a game like real life dungeon. As he requests the system to seperate him from others for 6 months where he starts practicing alone to become stronger than his friends and prove to everyone that he could become strongest against any odds and to stop them from wishing something dangerous.

In the sizzling world of contemporary romance and workplace drama, "Working Hours" delves deep into the tangled web of desire and power at Kikomori Financing. When Aaliyah, reeling from a painful past, finds solace in a surprising connection with her coworker Lee, little does she know that their encounter will unravel a chain of events that tests her heart and career. As the enigmatic Kai, president of the company, unveils his true identity in a ruthless display of power, Aaliyah is thrust into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Her attraction to Kai battles against the stark realities of office politics and personal demons, leading her down a path of self-discovery and growth. With seductive undertones and lush descriptions painting a vivid picture of love, ambition, and intrigue weaves a tale of passion and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges. Will Aaliyah find the strength to navigate the complexities of her newfound relationship with Kai while forging her own path to empowerment? Discover a world where boundaries blur and desires ignite in this evocative journey toward love and self-acceptance.

"I came to reclaim this," she said as she pointed to his heart. "It has been a while, have you forgotten me, Orig? Or let me say, my husband, Governor Orig," She whispered as she placed her hand on his chest. Her breath was close to his lips, as if challenging him to resist the urge to throw her onto the bed and teach her a lesson until sunrise. Her hips swayed as she got closer to him, and he couldn't take his eyes off her. Her presence was powerful. He pulled her until she was pressed against his chest. Her fingers finally managed to touch him, and she felt the heat of his body. 'Damn it, are you joking? Your image is still engraved in my mind and heart for those four years, seven months, and five days and...' When he didn’t respond to her words, she decided to speak with her lips, for a few moments. Everyone watched in silence, even he was surprised by her boldness. "No, my dear Taya, it is you who will regret this." Can Taya win back her husband? Will he free himself from the control of his stepmother, confess his feelings for his wife, and correct the mistakes of his past? Read on to discover the secrets between the flames of their love...

The MC gets reincarnated into the world of Vikings and with his abilities he adds the worlds of Yugioh/Naruto/ DBZ/ Mortal Instruments/ Shadowhunters/Riordianverse/Spartacus/Supernatural/ Sandman Comics and Show/ Constantine Show and Movie/ Lucifer Comics and Show/Potterverse ( Hogwarts Legacy, Hogwarts Mystery, Harry Potter), MCU/Marvel Comics/ Marvel Anime/Marvel Games/Marvel Shows/Marvel Movies/ DCU/DC Comics/DC Games/DC Comics/ Middle-Earth/Buffyverse/ Merlin AU/ Dresden Flies/ Underworld MC gets three gifts, one is the skill silver tongue from Inkheart with a huge spital Farm with a ton of Resources including a Huge Library in his mindscape. The second was an Encantus with every magic in the multiverse and the last was a body, Mind, and Soul with godly capabilities like strength, speed, recovery...etc.

Life is like a deck of cards, we have an ace- the excellent ones, the jack-the constantly bullied one, a queen- everyone's beloved, a king- oh the ruler, queen's sweetheart, or anything you call under breath- the fucking cheater! But, rest we are common cards- yup, the number cards which come and go, who cares?! However... There's one card rarest of all, in a deck of 52 only one to be found- the joker! This card has been a show-stopper, which was be anything- I mean ANYTHING- a king, queen, Jack, ace, or a common number! However, many people underestimate this very brutally! Until they know it's worth... But that's a long way, isn't it?! **** The story of a Joker, but a hidden one! Sleeping 20 hrs out of 24! "How is he even human?! " But... A master inside with a brain so strong and work like horsepower stuffed inside his thick skull, yup, he wasn't human, He was beyond human! The human, the joker who is the missing link in the game of survival in the apocalypse that has been settled 17 years ago, Now it's returning at a greater pace, Wait that's in the game! Well, the game has entered the red human realm, expecting blood and a forsaken planet And he... "You can't be serious with this sleepy head!! " Who said he can't win a game?! "Okay, would you prefer sleep or life, the most?! " "Sleep" he answered in certain confidence rubbing his sleepy eyes. Eh... let's see if he...survive or sleep?!

Elynora had transmigrated into a fluffy regressor fairy tale that she wrote, as a person who always wanted to escape the world, she couldn't be more happy. There was an annoying system that told her weird stuff, but it was still a life much better than the one she lived. As she had transmigrated into a supporting character, she understood her task perfectly. "I must be a stepping stone for the male lead and the female lead to get together!" System: No, you must make this novel into a happy ending cute love story. Hm? But wasn't this already a cute love story? But the world she saw wasn't that of a cute love story, but more like an angst with no happy ending in sight! The male protagonist kept treating the supporting female characters too well! The female lead gets too jealous and gives up. The villain character keeps trying to kidnap the female lead to make her into a weapon. The female supporting characters keep trying to seduce the male lead. ... Ah, the author, who regretted writing the story, wants to leave this world. [P.S: The cover is ai made and is a temporary place holder. I'll draw a better one laters.]

Life is Pain Hope Fails now you understand... ~ Sylvanas Windrunner. Honestly growing up on Omega in the Mass Effect Universe will turn anyone into a terrible piece of filth... So lets watch our terrible girl F*ck sh*t up all over the Mass Effect 1-3 universe striking unholy fear into the council and the Systems Alliance as well while she's at it. Oh and she will definitely give a Visit to TIM causing him to have many nights of zero sleep... So yeah Cerberus the Terrorist Organization of the ME Universe is going to be terrorized in return xD