Grounded Sizzle

Lee Minho, a bright but impoverished college student, stumbles upon a mysterious system. The system offers him unlimited wealth by drawing, but with a peculiar condition: he must constantly flaunt his newfound riches. Initially hesitant, Minho accepts the offer out of desperation, hoping to secure a better future for himself. As Minho's life transforms into a whirlwind of luxury, he grapples with the moral implications of his newfound wealth. He must navigate the challenges of maintaining his lavish lifestyle while trying to remain grounded and true to himself. Along the way, he encounters both envy and admiration, forming complex relationships with his peers and family. The system's demands push Minho to the brink, forcing him to question the true meaning of happiness and success. As he becomes increasingly entangled in the system's web, Minho must decide whether the pursuit of wealth is worth sacrificing his integrity and the relationships he holds dear. *[It's a BL Story] as per input in the tags (Yaoi)

A hundred years ago, Chu Xiu transmigrated from Earth to Cang Qiong Continent, and received the Destined Villain System. After killing countless holy sons and daughters, he was surrounded by the older generation, and self destructed, possessing Tai Su Sacred Ground Yun Xia Mountain’s senior disciple. This time, he decided to lay low and develop strength. Let’s start small, what about becoming a saint admired by thousands? ---- The cover is not mine it is from drakescans who made a manhua of this novel. Check them out on https://drakecomic.com/!

Growing up and living a mundane life, Kaleb wakes up from a nightmare, only to find himself late for work, he rushes out decides to take a shortcut through a narrow alley, only for the ground to collapse beneath him. His life us thrown upside down when he wakes up in a strange bizarre landscape. As he navigates his way through it he stumbles upon a village in ruins, he is then dragged into a cart and left wondering what is happening in the world around him.

“Evil God of the Universe, You are in every space and time. Present in every dimension of reality and govern the darkness of our world. Oh, almighty Atticus! Hear our plea and grant us your presence tonight, awaken my Lord!” The rain had completely stopped and the strong gale had subsided into the fading raindrops. The night had turned eerily silent and only the sizzling and cackling of the fire entered their ears. Suddenly, they all felt like floating from their feet despite setting foot on the watery, hard ground, as if they were traversing into space. The darkness of the night gradually turned darker, enveloping them, morphing into everyone, like a void eating them slowly. Sequentially, their breathing turned oddly slower. Despite exaggeratedly inhaling air to breathe, it was to no avail, as if a higher entity was limiting them from breathing. Nolan felt his throat and tried to open his mouth to gasp more air but failed. Everyone but him was in a state of indignation and panic as they struggled to breathe to fill their lungs with air. Nolan tried to calm his heart. He closed his eyes and stopped inhaling air in pure panic, instead, he put his heartbeat and breathing into a rhythm. It was hard at first, but after a minute, he found his breathing gradually went stable. His whole being was in pure anticipation of what was going to happen next. After a couple more minutes, the storm completely subsided, the night turned to normal. Nolan remained standing, taking in his surroundings with his eyes closed. Everything turned silent. The eerie atmosphere and the crackling of the fire from the hay figure didn’t even enter his ears. Nolan waited for a couple more minutes, his breathing turning normal. He was reluctant to open his eyes, afraid he might ruin their ritual. “It’s alright now, Young Master. You can open your eyes now.” Nolan’s breathing hitched. He jolted on his feet as he fluttered his eyes open. “Atticus? W-why are you here?” The butler, standing in front of him, a raincoat hung on his arm, smiled. “I am everywhere, Young Master, in order to best serve you.” **** Atticus, a demi-god from the underworld, was cast out of his parents' realm and banished to the human world. The reason? He had yet to give them any grandchildren. Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction and is purely the product of my imagination. Any resemblance to real people, events, or beliefs is entirely coincidental. The intention is not to disrespect or diminish any faith or tradition, but rather to explore ideas within a fictional context. Reader discretion is advised.

A world where otherworldly monsters invaded, when humanity seemed to be coming to an end then a few of people awaken with special powers. they're called hunters. Arun was a non awaken who was worked as a porter in the hunting ground. although he was risked his life everyday, he couldn't afford treatment for his younger sister who was suffering from manaoverflow. one day he went to the hunting ground and found a cave where he made a contract with the demon king and awaken a special class. he wanted to become enough strong so he could protect his younger sister. and then he was started to hunting the monsters with the demon king.....

Emma's life takes a wild turn when she moves into an apartment with four strangers, hoping for a fresh start. Caleb, the charming and playful life of the house, keeps everyone entertained; Sophia, the sharp and poised perfectionist, seems untouchable; Liam, the quiet and loyal one, is always there when you least expect it; and Ryan, the brooding mystery, becomes the one Emma can’t help but be drawn to. What starts as a simple diary about her new roommates turns into a whirlwind of suspense, secrets, and unexpected romance. The group’s seemingly normal lives unravel when Ryan’s dangerous past catches up with him, pulling everyone into a web of intrigue. As Emma gets closer to Ryan, she learns that trust is fragile, love is messy, and danger is never far behind. Along the way, bonds deepen: Emma and Ryan’s fiery connection ignites into something undeniable, while Liam and Sophia discover a slow-burn romance amidst the chaos. Together, the five housemates must navigate through drama, laughter, heartbreak, and life-threatening challenges as they work to protect one another. Filled with sizzling romance, heart-pounding suspense, and moments of unexpected humor, *Roommate Diary* is the perfect blend of drama, love, and friendship—a story that proves that sometimes, the people you least expect can become your greatest allies and your deepest loves.

An ordinary cultivator - that was the best way to describe Zhao Yunxiao. Be it in terms of strength or talent, he had always been in the middle of the pack, neither excelling nor falling behind. However, he did not really think badly of his current situation. Some people were destined to become the stars in the skies, while some people were born to be like the rocks on the ground. The stars might be dazzling, but the rocks supported the earth itself. Both of them were necessary in order to maintain the balance of this world. As someone ordinary, Zhao Yunxiao did his best to live his ordinary life to the fullest. He was careful and meticulous, doing his best to make sure he understands everything fully instead of jumping into doing things. He knew his limits and did not dream of anything out of reach. Instead, all he wished for was to live a life of freedom. But one day, he realised that something seemed to be amiss. Perhaps he was mistaken all along. Perhaps even the rocks on the ground had their chance to shine under the right circumstances, even if only for the slightest of moments. This is the tale of an ordinary cultivator... until he was no longer ordinary. *** This story will be written for leisure and thus not be locked, but if you are feeling generous and wish to show your appreciation in monetary terms... https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/SweatingCloud

A short horror story ground in reality with some fantastical elements.

In the quiet town of Eldermire, an ancient secret lies hidden beneath the grounds of the local school a mysterious well that whispers forgotten tales of power and legacy. David and his close-knit group of friends stumble upon this well, setting them on a journey filled with supernatural mysteries and life-changing revelations. As they delve deeper, the well's whispers reveal a hidden past that ties them to forces far beyond their understanding. The arrival of Ethan "Eli" Matthews, a quiet and unassuming student, changes everything. His unexpected connection to the well might be the key to unlocking its secrets and ensuring their survival.

Humanity finds themselves trapped in an MMO RPG. As they navigate the 100 floors of the World Tree, players face challenges, unlock skills, and wield magic. Lives are lost, alliances form, and destinies are shaped. Who will rise, and who will fall? After much reflection, I’ve decided to rewrite Ascending the World Tree into a new version: ATWT Rewrite. The original story will remain available for those who enjoyed it, but I’m taking the narrative in a new direction—one without systems. I’ve come to believe that systems, while popular in fantasy, often serve as a crutch. Concepts like skill points and their effects on characters tend to be loosely defined, diluting the depth of the story and characters. In this rewrite, I’m removing the system elements entirely, refocusing the tale on the raw, emotional struggles of humanity climbing the World Tree. Additionally, the chapters in ATWT Rewrite will be much shorter. Writing 11k-word chapters in the original wasn’t sustainable for me, so I’ll be aiming for 1–2 pages per chapter this time. This will help me create a more consistent and enjoyable writing process. I hope you’ll join me on this new journey. As the characters and world of ATWT evolve into something more grounded, engaging, and true to the spirit of fantasy. Thank you for your support, and I can’t wait to share ATWT Rewrite with you!

Michael thought a hike on the Appalachian Trail might clear his head, not turn his life upside down. Stumbling upon the Infinity Dungeon, he discovers a realm of magic—his ticket to a new life. But as Michael battles his way through the dungeon and gains magic [Skills], he realizes that the whole world is about to change forever. Other delvers with dangerous powers, hungry beasts, the awakening of old monsters. Dangers are everywhere. Friends are now enemies, abusing their power and even the Italian mob wants a slice of the pie. In a world where anyone can wield power, Michael knows he’s going to have to devise a way to get stronger. To deal with this he creates a megacorporation, and its Candle Light division is starting to look awfully similar to a certain foundation that deals with magical anomalies. LitRPG with lots of blue boxes, grounded in a real world that feels ever more dangerous, and a main character who will have to learn how to exploit his powers quickly, before events slip out of his grasp. The world is vast and full of dangers, after all, and magic only makes things worse.

Elliot Hargrove is perfectly average. He lives in a tiny apartment, crunches numbers at his day job, and spends his evenings debating whether pineapple belongs on pizza. But his ordinary life is turned upside down when a mysterious stranger arrives with jaw-dropping news: Elliot is the long-lost heir to a European kingdom he never knew existed. Suddenly, he's grappling with royal responsibilities, an endless parade of palace etiquette, and the mounting pressure to save a kingdom on the verge of collapse. Enter Sophia Ruiz: a fiercely independent barista who runs her own coffee shop and has a not-so-secret grudge against the wealthy. After years of watching her community struggle under corporate greed, she’s convinced that rich people are the worst. When Elliot stumbles into her café, awkwardly charming and clueless about the price of a latte, Sophia assumes he’s just another clueless city guy. What starts as a series of hilarious misunderstandings blossoms into an unexpected romance. But Elliot has a secret one that could shatter everything they’ve built together. As his double life becomes harder to hide, and the weight of his royal destiny grows heavier, Elliot must decide: will he risk it all for love, or lose Sophia forever? Full of laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt revelations, and a romance that will sweep you off your feet, My Habibi Crown & Common Ground is a feel good romantic comedy about finding love in the most unexpected places and proving that the heart is mightier than the crown.

Seven days remained until the countdown to genetic mutation. Seven days later, all creatures on Earth would undergo mutations. Giant mutated creatures would swarm and attack humanity, putting their fate in jeopardy. The entire Earth would be ruled by these mutated beings! Yang Xiao accidentally walked into a genetic store where various gene potions were sold, capable of altering human body functions. From that moment on, he embarked on a crazy journey of genetic evolution. "Hunting Mutated Spiders, obtaining gene fragments," "Hunting Mutated Giant Lionfish, obtaining gene fragments," "Hunting the Queen Bee, obtaining gene fragments, and acquiring a Golden Bee Sword and a manual for the Golden Bee Sword Technique."

Euri was quite passionate about wanting to become a perfect corporate slave. But after being forced to explore the sentient game infesting his miniscreen, Euri realized that he had stumbled upon an opportunity anyone on the planet would kill for.  While the entire human civilization on Planet Nen struggled to deal with the superior lifeforms plaguing the extraterrestrial planes beyond their world, Euri could compete with them all for power by just playing this game! A side-gig that didn’t conflict with his dream of climbing the corporate ladder—how generous can fortune be to bequeath this opportunity to him? Transcending the spatial laws, transcending human notion of cultivation, transcending the rules of Cosmic Development Bureau, Euri began a series of crazy experiments that could perhaps destroy the millennia-spanning schemes of the most advanced civilizations controlling the macrocosm. When interrogated about this fiasco, Euri answered the way a perfect corporate slave should.  “Full credit for this goes to my boss, who provided me with the opportunity..."  

The assassin of Elethley, Sylvian, is commanded to bodyguard the infamous stuck up, hoity toity, prince due to threats of the Royals downfall from a rebellious group. This leads down the road of a whirl-wind of action packed scenes, comedy, deep-rooted relationships, love, surprises, and what you could call betrayal. ——— Too heated passion, heavy antagonistic glares, puncturing eyes through tranquility. Blood and fire splattering to the ground… The gnawing question, aching from the lips of all. What is the truth? Is this right? And who is behind all of this?…

I leaned forward and kissed him but he pushed me backward, sending me flying to the ground. Josiah rushed forward but I held an arm out, stopping him in his tracks. I could feel my bones solidifying, my flesh turning to metal and with a sharp blow, I slammed Tony into the fence behind us. "Let's go" Josiah said drawing circles on my shoulder and I followed him, my heart broken.

i wake up, dirtied from the ground my long sword shined in the moonlight. i feel like i am forgetting something. 'nameless' a human reincarnated into a warlord without memories and without a name

Arthur Sully was an ordinary man, grounded, determined, but stuck in the monotony of life. That was until fate, cruel and unexpected, struck him down in a tragic accident. When Arthur opens his eyes again, he finds himself in a foreign, untamed world, an endless forest teeming with terrifying monsters, alien flora, and dangers lurking at every turn. Struggling to comprehend his situation, Arthur soon discovers something extraordinary: he can adapt. Each time he faces death-through poison, claws, or fangs, his body evolves, becoming stronger, faster, and more resilient. Thrown into a brutal survival game, Arthur’s resolve is pushed to its limits as he learns to fight, adapt, and master his strange ability. Arthur must confront not only the monsters of this alien realm but also the terrifying truth of his existence. He must Adapt, evolve, survive, or die trying. Tags: World-hopping, Sci-fi, No-Harem, System, Kingdom-Building (2nd Arc). Though the novel has a System tag but it works only as a panel that shows his progress, abilities and has some nifty features.

She was the government's deadliest secret weapon - a spy who lived by her wits and lethal skills. But when her little brother was kidnapped, even Bai Yunshu's training couldn't stop the shocking betrayal that cost her everything...including her life. Reborn into the body of bullied debutante Feng Ruoxi, Yunshu finds herself greeted by a cruel father, a venomous stepmother, and the last thing she ever expected - an elite fiancé from one of the nation's most powerful families! Jiang Yukang, her so-called husband-to-be, is as arrogant as he is gorgeous. But little does this prime catch realize his delicate doe-eyed bride is actually a fiery former spy with lethal skills and a whole new lease on life. What begins as a risky masquerade will soon become an unstoppable whirlwind of sizzling seduction, unraveling mysteries, and dark secrets best left untouched. Can Yunshu claim her rightful status as Master Jiang's hot spy wife while surviving the treacherous world of Kyoto's privileged elite? With her pulse-pounding survival skills and Jiang Yukang's mesmerizing talents in the bedchambers, this transmigrated soul is taking names and leaving a scorching trail of desire in her wake! No enemy can stop this reincarnated vixen from becoming the supreme don't-mess-with-me empress!

Autumn has always been the girl everyone wanted to be—beautiful, intelligent, effortlessly cool, and the center of attention. Her confidence borders on arrogance, but no one ever challenges it. She moves through life as if the world was designed to revolve around her. And in a way, it does. Then there’s August. She’s the opposite. Unassuming, awkward, and invisible in Autumn’s blinding shadow. Where Autumn thrives, August stumbles. Autumn finds an unspoken satisfaction in knowing that no matter what happens, at least she’s better than August. And August knows it too. But life has a way of flipping the script. Suddenly, Autumn’s perfect world begins to crumble. Her lover drifts away, drawn to someone more grounded. Her family becomes distant, her friends scatter, and the attention she once commanded is now focused elsewhere. And there, at the center of it all, is August. As August starts to rise—finding confidence, discovering her own brilliance—Autumn falls. Everything she took for granted slips through her fingers. The roles reverse, and Autumn finds herself in the unfamiliar position of being the one who doesn’t measure up. Now Autumn must confront the reality of who she is without the world validating her worth. And for the first time, she begins to see August not as the girl she could belittle, but as the person who might just be her savior. Because while Autumn was busy ruling her small world, August was quietly building her own.

In the heart of Japan, Kazemachi Sota was a high school football legend, the fastest and most skilled quarterback the Nishikawa Hawks had ever seen. But a devastating injury shattered his dreams, leaving him to navigate a new life of uncertainty. Labeled "the bird with clipped wings," Kazemachi struggles to find his place in a world without the sport that defines him. Just as hope seems lost, an unexpected invitation from a spirited girl named Aiko reignites his passion. She invites him to join the school’s flag football team, a game of strategy and speed, offering him a chance to redefine himself. Will Kazemachi find a new way to soar, or will the shadows of his past keep him grounded forever? This is a journey of self-discovery and triumph against all odds.

Jake was never one to keep a diary, but today he found reason enough. While riding the subway the ground ahead collapsed killing all but the occupants of the last car, upon reaching the surface Jake discovers a horrifying truth. The surface has been torn apart, but stranger than, that the sun has stopped moving and is staying stock still in the sky, but is that truly the end of it? Join Jake on his journey of discovering the truth behind why the world stopped. Thank you to xkcd's What If? on Youtube for the inspiration.

Sol Calientos is a 17-year-old boy living in Luminata City, known as the brightest city in the world. His childhood best friend, also 17 years old, is a girl named Luna Orouku. The two friends were interested in exploration from a very young age and dreamed of exploring the entire world beyond Luminata City. With this dream, the two invested in free-running as a means to traverse through the city. Sol, himself, is a bit of a comic book and video game nerd, always having the dream to become a superhero. Luna always played the damsel role to appease her friend’s dream. As far as they know, it’s all just a fantasy, but everything is about to change. This novel is what I'd like to call a Hero Action Drama. It focuses on heavily on its characters and how this futuristic, but grounded world affects them. TW: Heavy, non-graphic violence, T-rated language. Some intense traumatic topics will be referenced such as torture, abuse, and human trafficking. A warning will be placed before such a scene takes place.

In 2030, a major disaster occurred. A 9.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in 5 different areas causing many casualties throughout the world, the ground split and right at the epicenter of the earthquake, 5 giant towers appeared, towers similar to the tower of Babel, the five towers have differences in shape and size, but the function of the five towers remains the same, which is to save humanity from extinction because of monsters that come out of cracks due to a major earthquake.

The former king of the once-powerful kingdom, Valtoria is betrayed by his closest advisors and assassinated in his own throne room. As his lifeless body slumps to the ground, he is suddenly reborn in the body of a commoner in a far-off village. His memories of his previous life are intact, and he is consumed with a burning desire for revenge.

Rina Saeki is a beautiful, yet thoroughly burned out office worker. Toiling away at a job she hates for a boss who seems to despise her, she's been ground down over the years to the point where she finds it hard to enjoy *anything*. Even the clear affection of an adorable co-worker can't break through to her, she's far too tired to even *think* about a committed relationship. Eager to break out of the malaise of corporate life, Rina risks it all on a dubious succubus summoning ritual. She's fully aware that it likely won't work, but she can't find it in her to care, it's the first thing she's been excited about in years. When the ritual, against all odds, actually works, Rina's terrified of what the haughty, disinterested succubus she summons might do to her. Still, the two find unexpected common ground, and after a night of fun together, they agree to live by each other's side. This comes at a cost, however, and Rina finds herself transformed into a succubus, and bound to Haqua forevermore. Now dealing with an altered body and crumbling inhibitions, Rina's determined to make this life far more exciting than the one she's led up until now, and finds herself immersed in pleasure she never imagined possible, all with a *very* loving succubus by her side.

Earth is gone. Reid Brown wakes up at an unfamiliar terrain inside a tree hundreds of metres above the ground. The world he new is no longer there, but his curiosity is picked and his excitement sparked. Join him to explore the Brave new world .

On Aldar, a maze of tunnels, ruined dwarven bastions, monstrous cities, and many untold dangers form what is known today as the dungeon. But how did it come to be? Who created it? Follow the story of a spirit like no other as it tries to understand its world and make a home deep in the ground, forever changing the life of the surface dwellers.

Massive stone walls begin to rise from the ground on Earth, transforming the world into a giant labyrinth. Alongside this, strange creatures emerge, threatening the protagonist, Jack, and other cultivators. To maintain balance, humans are granted the chance to gain power from powerful creatures and cultivate their abilities

In a dark alley, obscured from the prying eyes of people, the muffled grunts of a shadowy figure beaten to a pulp were barely visible. Four hooded figures were standing around the bloody figure on the ground as he looked up in hate. Kraign struggled to his feet, his face mangled beyond recognition. "All of you idiots shall pay. THE WORLD WILL BURN!! "Boss, I think he's gone mad, we should leave", one of the hooded figures said on a low voice. "Was thinking the same thing", the shortest hooded figure replied, retreating with his crew, leaving the boy in the ground, barely breathing. As death drew near, things all went wrong.