Still Life Drawing Competition

(First time writing so fuck it, we ball). Ulysses Vanderbauss. Small-time train robber, big-time money-lover. Lives in the horrid old west wasteland world of Ionia. While on the job, he hears something that piques his interest. A tournament is being held for bags upon bags of gold. A tournament of unrestricted, unrelenting gunfights. Duels to the death, for a grand cash prize. Learning this information, he smiles. He knows what he’s gotta do, and he loves it.

Some exist with pride, others struggle with pride, some compete with pride, and there are those who fail with pride, but very few can walk away with pride. Congratulations, for as you read these lines, you have witnessed the whole lives of many great basketball players. This pronunciation was embodied when Stephen Curry, after facing defeat in 2021, claimed that no one would want to face them the following season; When Tim Duncan was convinced before the start of the 2014 Finals that they would not mess up; When Kobe Bryant promised at Old Buss's memorial to take the Lakers to the playoffs; When Nowitzki, shedding his label as a soft player, retreated to the locker room in tears at night; When Kevin Garnett let out a skyward howl after holding the championship trophy; When the 2004 Detroit Pistons won and the F4 Lakers lost… Our story begins in an era when pride still mattered.

Syan’s life began with a cruel twist—an incurable illness that stole his sight as a child and later his ability to move, leaving him trapped in a body that no longer obeyed him. Abandoned by his parents and forgotten by the world, he existed in darkness and silence, a shadow among the living. But in his younger sister, Lila, he found a flickering light—a reason to endure. This is a story of resilience, love, and the quiet strength that binds two souls against all odds.

Angel Johnson was a waitress struggling to make ends meet when an unexpected contract with Tryson Bliss, one of City Y's most powerful and ruthless billionaires, changed everything. Tryson needed a fiancée to appease his demanding family, and Angel, desperate for money and a way out of her humdrum life, agreed to play the part. What began as a calculated arrangement soon evolved into something neither of them expected—an intense and forbidden connection. But when Tryson's family uncovers Angel's true motives, they cast her out with venomous disdain. Humiliated and heartbroken, Angel's last hope is confronting Tryson. But instead of an apology or a chance at redemption, she finds herself shattered when he declares that he has chosen his first love, Riley, the woman he was preparing to marry. Devastated and with only her pride left, Angel walks away, determined to rebuild her life alone. Two months later, Angel is lost in the pulse of the music at a dark, crowded bar, seeking refuge in anonymity. A hand seizes her from behind, and her breath catches as she turns to face the man she can't forget—Tryson. His eyes, once cold and calculating, are now stormy with raw emotion, and he pulls her into his orbit, holding out the contract she once signed.  "We haven't finished our work, Angel. The contract says you have a year left to be my fiancée. Don't tell me you're planning on breaching it now." With no choice but to comply, Angel moves back into the house that once rejected her. But to her surprise, the family she once loathed now welcomes her with unexpected warmth and kindness. As she navigates this unsettling shift, Angel is left to wonder—what has changed, and why? What secrets do they hide that could alter everything she thought she knew about Tryson and his family? And as Angel's heart begins to thaw, she's confronted with the hardest question of all: Can she keep the secrets she's hidden from Tryson? And will Tryson fight for her love a second time, despite everything that has come between them?

He woke up in a completely different world. Whether he was sent back in time or transported into a completely different world from his previous life, he had no idea. Possessing the body of Rodion Andreyevich, the son of a baron who, since their ancestors' time, held a classified secret of the royal family, under the order of the 2nd King of their kingdom. He held no memories of the body he possessed, and to his dismay, he found out that the original Rodion Andreyevich was actually still alive, imprisoned within the recess of his unconsciousness, and to make matters worse, an unknown and ancient entity was slowly manifesting within him. Meeting Nikolai Aleksandrovich, a Prince of Sosoya with an appalling history, a strange emotion immediately manifested and stirred within him.

They say a girl’s first love is her father. But what happens when that love is just a void? When the space he should have filled becomes an ache you carry like a scar? I grew up searching for him — in the eyes of every man I met, in friendships that drained me, in relationships that promised forever but slipped away. I wore my heart like an apology, hoping someone might see the emptiness inside me and choose to stay anyway. And every time they left, I blamed myself, quietly wondering if I was too broken to be loved. I wrote about it in my journal, words spilling out like confessions I couldn’t say out loud: I searched for you in every face, A ghost I could never touch. I watered my wounds with hope, But you never bloomed. Still, I kept loving — Not to find you, But to find myself. But this story isn’t just about absence. It’s about discovery. About the love I thought I didn’t deserve, and the man who showed me that even the most shattered hearts can learn to beat again. This is the story of how I lost myself, how I pieced myself back together, and how love finally found me — not as a replacement, but as a reminder that I was whole all along

An unforgettable tale of love, betrayal, resilience, and redemption, this story takes you on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of relationships. With compelling drama and deep inspiration, it’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates powerful and heartfelt storytelling.

I was nothing but a mindless, rotting corpse, shuffling through the darkness—until a party of adventurers cut me down. That should have been the end. But instead of eternal rest, I woke up in the body of a noble. Fancy clothes, a sprawling estate, and servants calling me "Young Master." Sounds like a dream, right? There’s just one problem… I still have zombie instincts. Table manners? A nightmare. Holding a conversation? Harder than dodging a fireball. And apparently, calling the meat "too fresh" makes people really uncomfortable. Just as I start adjusting to this bizarre second life, my battle-hardened siblings return with unsettling news—monsters acting strangely, whispers of an ancient hunger awakening. And when I take my first bite of monster meat, I realize something terrifying: My hunger isn’t fading. It’s only growing. But the deeper I dig, the clearer it becomes—this hunger isn’t just mine. The Tower is waiting. The heavens are watching. And hell is ready to welcome me. Here is the Updated. https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/106105/i-died-as-a-zombie-then-woke-up-a-noble-and-became https://www.scribblehub.com/series/1440061/i-died-as-a-zombie-woke-up-a-noble-and-became-an-adventurer/

Our Life: The Journey of Life Our Life: The Journey of Life adalah sebuah cerita fantasi epik yang mengikuti perjalanan Zikurifuka, seorang pemimpin muda dari Dragon Lands, yang tengah menghadapi ketenangan yang tidak biasa di dunia yang sudah damai setelah konflik besar. Meskipun ia telah mencapai posisi puncak sebagai pemimpin, Zikurifuka merasa ada sesuatu yang hilang dalam hidupnya—tantangan dan ancaman yang selalu ada sebelumnya. Ketika Zikurifuka merenungkan kekosongan itu, Elysha, istrinya yang setia, mengingatkan bahwa kedamaian yang mereka nikmati adalah hasil dari perjuangan panjang mereka. Namun, Zikurifuka merasa bahwa dunia ini masih menyembunyikan sesuatu yang lebih besar dan lebih berbahaya. Kekhawatirannya terbukti ketika Talius, mantan musuh yang kini menjadi sekutu, datang dengan kabar tentang ancaman yang jauh lebih kuat dari yang pernah mereka hadapi sebelumnya. Ancaman itu datang dari luar dunia mereka, dan Talius memperingatkan bahwa mereka harus segera bersiap. Perjalanan membawa mereka menuju Boundless, tempat penuh misteri yang mengandung jawabannya. Dalam perjalanan ini, mereka menghadapi bahaya yang lebih besar dari yang dapat mereka bayangkan, dan dunia mereka yang sebelumnya damai mulai terancam oleh kekuatan gelap yang mengintai. Dengan setiap langkah, mereka harus mengatasi rintangan, mengungkap rahasia tersembunyi, dan mempersiapkan diri untuk pertempuran yang akan menentukan nasib alam semesta. Dengan tema perjuangan, pengorbanan, dan pencarian jati diri, Our Life: The Journey of Life membawa pembaca dalam sebuah perjalanan epik yang penuh dengan aksi, drama, dan romansa. Zikurifuka, Elysha, dan Talius harus menghadapi kekuatan yang lebih besar dari yang mereka kenal dan menemukan kekuatan dalam diri mereka untuk melindungi dunia yang mereka cintai.

The world we know is gone. Humans, with great display of power and hubris have challenged both Heaven and Hell using their own powers that have been harnessed into scientific marvels and horrors and made Earth their battleground. This event was then affectionately monikered as the "Ragnarok"- a series of events and catastrophes that will ultimately lead to the end of the world. Continents and tectonic plates shift as the war's effects slowly changed the world's topography. The Old Earth's countries are gone; merged into new, twisted, and warped nations that have become the result of Ragnarok. Not only humans roam this earth anymore. Accursed demons, anthropomorphic beasts, and even nature is a double-edged blade. Almost everything is hostile and life-threatening, but not impossible to traverse. One just has to be smart and resourceful.

Alex likes novels where the protagonist is not a hero but a villain, what Alex realized is that. When the protagonist are villains in novels, they never truly act like a real villain, only when facing other bad people do they do the villain role. Alex is sick of this. If he had the ability to be a villain, alex knew he would be a true villain.

At Western Star University, Soren Mitaka, a gifted but unmotivated psychology student, conceals his intelligence to avoid attention. Despite excelling on the entrance exam, he lacks a sense of purpose. This changes when he encounters Raine Fukuyo, a mysterious girl with exceptional abilities facing a similar struggle in finding direction. Their shared intellect and unspoken competition foster a connection that leads to a transformative journey. Through their pursuit of self-discovery, Soren and Raine uncover meaning, companionship, and a renewed sense of hope.

Emilia Yoon, mourning her mother's death, finds solace on a beach one morning, catching the eye of artist James Kim. Captivated, he secretly sketches her and leaves her the drawing, thinking their paths won't cross again. Fate intervenes one night, bringing them together unexpectedly. As their connection deepens, they navigate grief, love, and life's unpredictability together. *Updated every Thursday evening*

It was the year 2040. Chen Feng woke up and the world became a massive virtual reality game. A time rip had occurred in North America, Europe, Asia, and throughout the world. Monsters streamed through the rip. The time of the awakening was here and everyone had to go through ten random draws at the beginning. Chen Feng, who had been rebirthed into the game was very lucky and started the game with ten SSS-class talents. [Lucky Halo] The Goddess of Luck will watch over you. [Elemental Compatability] Compatible with all elements in the system. He can learn any skill of any element. [Treasure Sensing] He can clearly locate where the treasures are and their grades. [Super Tamer] He has no limit as to the number and grade of beasts he can tame. [Super Synthesizer] He can synthesize all skills, objects, and living things. [Power Trove] There is no limit to his attack range and his attack speed increased by 100 times. [Topsy Turvey] He can turn negative effects into positive effects and save those forever. [Talent Stealer] Your talent is great, and it is now mine. He can kill his opponents to get their talents. [Passive Increase] Stop using active skills during a designated period and his passive skills will increase a hundredfold. [God of Tricks] God said, let there be light, and there was light. The skills you create will become real as long as enough people believe in it. The people were awakened on the day of the game and Chen Feng became a god-like existence.

***An Original Work*** by Karlyn Winn **updates in 2024** An Instagrams fake ID user teenage girl, successfully courting an idol. His name is Ray. Fate made them meet in real life, Ray bumped to the owner of picture in the fake Instagram ID and the teenage girl happens to be his friend's cousin. When they found Ray have suffering in depression about controversial issues, His medical friend, his assistant and the teenage girl, make the girl in the picture pretend to be his Instagram girlfriend. What will happen to Ray and his friends if he found his girlfriend is fake???

The story talks about a young adult Irina who wasn't able to follow the path she dreamed of and finds it difficult to accept that she walks a seperate path from her fellows. She tries to bring happiness to her dailylife and discovers new people along the way. But this is only the first step to adulthood, there is more to bear in life, a little sadness still remains; a little from the past and a little to bear ahead. But Life sure is a flower path.

Extraordinary Life: A Rollercoaster of Love and Adventure in the City Hey everyone! I'm the author of Extraordinary Life This story is a wild ride set in the city, centered around Ling Xuan.a man leading an anything - but - ordinary life in the city. Ling Xuan's journey starts mundanely but takes a wild turn when he steps into the city's red - light district. There, he meets a mother - daughter duo, and their encounter sets off a chain of events filled with passion and drama. This initial connection leads him into a whirlwind of relationships with an array of captivating women. From feisty policewomen to glamorous news anchors, each woman brings her own allure and complexity, resulting in a web of love, jealousy, and heartbreak. Beyond love, Ling Xuan dives into the cut - throat world of business. He tries his hand at running an entertainment company, facing fierce competition and financial troubles. But his determination and wits help him navigate through these challenges, seizing opportunities that come his way. However, his life isn't all smooth sailing. Ling Xuan gets caught up in various crises. There are moral dilemmas like accusations of marital rape and murder mysteries that put his character and relationships to the ultimate test. The novel is a page - turner, full of unexpected twists. One moment, Ling Xuan might be on top of the world with his new business deal and a string of adoring women; the next, he's plunged into chaos. The vivid descriptions of the city, from its bustling streets to secluded corners, add to the immersive experience, making it feel like a living, breathing character. If you're craving a story that combines steamy romance, high - stakes drama, and urban adventure, Extraordinary Life is the perfect read. It offers a thrilling escape into a world where anything can happen, and where Ling Xuan's journey will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Menceritakan seorang anak yatim piatu bernama Ace yang menjalani lika-liku kehidupannya, suatu hari dia bertemu dengan seorang gadis di sekolahnya bernama Reina, Ace yang awalnya cuek dengan orang disekitarnya mulai terbuka dengan orang lain berkat bantuan Reina, dan pada saat itu Reina jatuh hati kepada Ace, tetapi karena sifat Ace yang tidak tertarik dengan dunia percintaan dan cuek membuat Reina kesulitan untuk mengutarakan perasaannya, apakah kedepannya Reina bisa mengutarakan perasaannya kepada Ace?

Liam, a boy who loves to read novel died. He then woke up from his sleep, thinking he fell asleep while reading. Then, he find out that he was not supposed to wake up in the place where he is in. As an apology, the chief of the transmigrating department offers a compensation. As his wish was fulfilled he thought his second life would be full of romance his favorite characters will give.

Sweet yuri love story. Slice-of-life sequel to "Aren't we lovers?"

The world didn’t end with fire or war. It ended with a whisper, then a scream. For Elise Carter, high school was already unbearable, but when the infection began, it became a waking nightmare. The dead don’t stay dead. The infected stand still, their milky eyes staring, before they snap. No one is safe. No one is coming to help. Now, trapped in a collapsing town, Elise is forced to flee with a group of survivors toward a rumored safe haven. Among them are Damian Holt, the ruthless fighter willing to spill blood to keep them alive, and Callum Graves, the quiet strategist whose secrets might be deadlier than the infection itself. Between them, Elise walks a thin line—torn between the boy who will burn the world down to protect her and the one who makes her question if survival is enough. But safety is a lie. The infection is evolving. The dead are changing. And the deeper they go, the clearer it becomes—the worst monsters aren’t the ones trying to eat you. Because sometimes, the real horror is what you have to become to survive.

The world is divided between two colossal conglomerates, with the Sky City still suspended in the heavens, and the Scorched Gold City holding the lifeblood of gold in its grip. Molten streams of gold descend from the skies, searing with heat and littered with skeletal remains. The Southern Kingdom's dynasty has reached its end, and how could the rooster on the throne ever be seen as a phoenix? The butcher's blade has been honed to razor sharpness, yet the former martial arts titan still clings tightly to the golden chains, refusing to let go. In the frigid northern lands, centuries-old glaciers begin to tremble, and the hum beneath the ice seems to whisper the secrets buried in the previous era. The sky-reaching tree burns with an eternal flame; those who revere nature kneel in submission, chanting their faith, yet unable to raise their heads to gaze upon the everlasting blaze. In the wilderness, multitudes fervently chant, "The mind triumphs over matter," unaware that shackles have already tightened around their necks. In the endless rain of the night, fleeing rabbit encounters card that changes its destiny. The moment its hand reaches out, its fate of utter destruction is sealed. Years later, will it recall its frail self on that rainy night? 【This book is not an invincible book, the combat power is constant and very stable (I have a relatively basic attribute setting for the characters that appear, so there will be no collapse of combat power in the later stage. The attribute point calculation will be made clear to everyone during the writing process) The protagonist is not a good person】

The Hero’s Defeat CG? But the Hero is a boy! Then, let’s turn him into a girl. Thus, the strongest Hero, who had traveled from another world, was gleefully defeated by the evil dragon. He transformed into a delicate and charming silver-haired Dragon Maiden, becoming the captive of the Dragon Queen, but lost all memories of being a hero. Many years later, the Hero (Now the Dragon Maiden) took care of the baby virtuously during the day and visited the noble Dragon Queen at night. By a stroke of fate. The Dragon Maiden (Hero) regained her memories. When the Dragon Maiden (Hero) confronted the Dragon Queen, she replied: “Yes, you were once the Hero. Now, we have two children together — one born, one yet to be born.” “No!!!” The Dragon Maiden (Hero) held her stomach, tears streaming down her face. So, does the Hero, who became the Dragon Queen’s consort after her defeat, still have the right to happiness?