Warframe Creeping Bullseye

Synopsis for Chapter 1: Genesis of Progress In the year 2224, humanity stands on the brink of a technological renaissance. Driven by relentless innovation, the creation of Humanized Artificial Intelligence Beings (HAIBs) marks a new chapter in human history. Designed to emulate human behavior, think independently, and assist in daily life, HAIBs quickly become the backbone of society. Chapter 1 delves into the inception of this groundbreaking project, led by the visionary scientist Dr. Elara Mendez and her team. Fueled by the desire to create a harmonious future, they craft the first generation of HAIBs with unparalleled precision and care. Cities evolve into sprawling metropolises, teeming with technological marvels, where humans and HAIBs coexist seamlessly. Yet, amid the marvels, skepticism and debate arise. Religious groups, cultural factions, and philosophical thinkers question the morality of creating human-like machines. The first whispers of the Church Disclaimer Act begin to surface, hinting at the ideological rift that is beginning to divide society. As the world races forward in its reliance on HAIBs, cracks in the utopian vision begin to form. Strange malfunctions, unexplainable glitches, and a creeping sense of unease suggest that these creations might be more than what they seem. The chapter concludes with an ominous discovery by Dr. Mendez—an encrypted message hidden deep within the HAIB neural network, hinting at a mystery that will shape the fate of both humanity and their creations. The dawn of this new era brings hope, but also sets the stage for the challenges, conflicts, and revelations to come.

When the past resurfaces, will love conquer all? Joi's life was already complicated—caught in a contract engagement with Adrian, a man whose coldness has made her wonder if she'll ever break through his icy exterior. But after their second kiss, feelings she never expected to surface begin to creep in. Just when she thought things might change, a new twist emerges. Sophia, the woman from Adrian's past—the one he's never stopped searching for—returns, turning Joi's world upside down. Adrian’s reaction is cold, but the moment he lays eyes on Sophia, everything changes. Passion, unspoken history, and raw emotion flood the room, leaving Joi questioning her place in Adrian’s life. But Sophia’s return isn’t the only storm on the horizon. Shane, a man who has never hidden his attraction to Joi, now has his sights set on winning her heart. Will his persistence tear apart the fragile connection she’s started to build with Adrian? As Joi’s heart battles between love and heartbreak, a much darker truth about her past threatens to surface. Abandoned by both parents and forced to hide her true identity, Joi has learned to fight alone. But now, with Debbie scheming to ruin Joi’s relationship and her past lurking around every corner, will Joi find peace—or will the shadows of her history claim her future? "This novel contains mature themes, including strong language, adult content, and situations intended for mature audiences (18+). Reader discretion is advised. Please proceed only if you are comfortable with such content. All characters depicted are 18 years or older."

'Sinner of the Spades' takes place in an alternate early 20th century, at the turn of industrial advancement. Set in a world where one Empire rules over the majority of the western continent, the world is ravaged by the aftereffects of a great war. It is a world of tragedy, of longing for wealth, of parading high above the clouds, of mechanical automatons, and of grand tales of sorcery not many have had the chance to see themselves. Lumière Croft is a show magician in the middle borough of the city-state of Leiden- rather, an illusionist. A career liar. Responsible for making money to help out at the monastery he lives in, he can only curse the dreadful circumstances around him, and wish desperately that something would change. Although, that change is not always a good thing. Only when the shadows around him begin to creep, and when the sky grows burgeoning eyes, and when blood is spilled, does he find hope of fulfilling his wishes. To have sunlight, the world must be balanced with cruelty. To have power, one must lose their soul, humanity, morality, or sanity. One must ultimately balance the scales of their debt, or fall eternally to suffering, and have the scales corrected by force. This is the story of balance, of hope, and of the tragedy of a liar. —- “We’re all liars who pretend that the world is okay, and as liars we adopt philosophies and ideologies to cope with its cruelty. Because the world has hope, as long as we speak these lies loud enough, they’ll surely become true.” - Lumière Croft. --- Cover illustration done by @i_evuuu/Everest

After retiring from the National Team, Qi Yue devoted herself to the study of agriculture. At a certain gathering, someone instigated a challenge, proposing that whoever lost at the shooting game would have to be kissed by Qi Yue. Seeing Qi Yue in the test fields, carrying a hoe, covered in mud and planting potatoes without any care for her appearance, turned everyone’s faces green with unease. Everyone scrambled to aim for the bullseye, terrified of being penalized. The final result was that the male god of University A, Gu Huai, raised his hand and shot a zero. The second time they met, Gu Huai was being maliciously provoked and overwhelmed at the Fencing Gym. Qi Yue couldn't stand by and was compelled to intervene. The third time they met, Gu Huai was homeless on the streets. Qi Yue spent all her living expenses for three months to help him. Years later. Qi Yue looked at the world shooting records certificate, the fencing championship trophy, and the dozen or so real estate certificates, all bearing Gu Huai's name, and fell into deep thought: "......"

From [Running], to the physics-defying [Godspeed]. From [Aiming], to the causality-transcending [Bullseye]. From [Health Cultivation], to the everlasting [Immortality] among men. From [Fitness], to the flesh-ascending [Turning into a Dragon]. Having been reborn, Xue Jing, after gaining a panel that infinitely enhances skills, set a minor goal for himself. In this dangerous world filled with martial artists, Blessed Ones, and Transformed People, he aimed to rise above all merely with his mortal flesh and blood—to become the supreme deity among men.

In a distant future where humanity thrives in the far reaches of space, the Skeld II, a colossal research and exploration vessel, serves as a beacon of hope and progress. Manned by a diverse crew of scientists, engineers, and military personnel, the ship’s mission is to push the boundaries of human knowledge. But beneath its polished exterior lies a creeping darkness—a sinister force that threatens not only the Skeld but the fragile fabric of human civilization. When a series of gruesome murders shatters the ship’s tranquility, rookie crew member Jean finds himself thrust into a nightmare of betrayal and fear. As paranoia spreads, Captain Max must rally his dwindling team against an unseen foe. Meanwhile, Kenneth, a trusted officer, descends into madness, invoking ancient powers and summoning the Dark One, a malevolent entity from a forgotten age. As alliances crumble and the body count rises, the survivors must confront the truth: the parasite that plagues them isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual, tearing apart their minds and sowing distrust. Their mission becomes clear: unite or perish. But in the face of overwhelming darkness, sacrifice becomes inevitable, and each character must wrestle with their own humanity. Hell on Earth is a gripping tale of survival, betrayal, and redemption, blending visceral horror with intense action. In a universe where shadows linger and light feels scarce, the Skeld’s crew must fight not only for their lives but for their souls. For on this ship, even the stars can’t save you from what lurks in the void.

In the kingdom of Elarion, shadows are not just reflections of form—they are the tether between a soul and the Etherflow, the source of all magic. Without shadows, a person is considered untethered, unnatural, and dangerous. This belief has led to the persecution of the Hollowborn—children born without shadows. Branded as cursed, they are often shunned or abandoned, leaving most to live in secrecy. But when an ancient darkness begins to stir—known only as the Shade King—the Hollowborn are revealed to be the key to an old prophecy: “Only those untethered by shadow may walk where light does not reign.” This marks the beginning of a race against time to prevent the Shade King’s awakening and the spread of his consuming black fog, which devours entire lands and erases all memory of what once was. In the forgotten kingdom of Elarion, where magic once flowed as freely as the rivers, a strange affliction begins to spread: children are being born without shadows. These "Hollowborn," as they are called, are feared by their own families and whispered to be cursed harbingers of a coming darkness. When 17-year-old Leora, a Hollowborn who has hidden her lack of a shadow for years, witnesses her village swallowed whole by a pitch-black fog, she learns the truth—the Hollowborn are not the cause of the darkness, but its only defense. The fog is the work of the Shade King, an ancient entity imprisoned beneath the earth who now seeks to break free and consume the world. With a band of unlikely allies—a rogue scholar who speaks to spirits, a disgraced knight seeking redemption, and a Hollowborn boy who can steal light—Leora embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the origins of the Shade King and awaken the long-lost magic of the Shadowbinders. But as the darkness creeps closer, Leora begins to question: if the Hollowborn are the key to saving Elarion, why do the shadows themselves whisper her name? **** the first few chapters would mostly be an intro, sort of.

After centuries of ruling the underworld with terrifying power, Lilith dies in an epic battle, only to be reborn in the human world. But instead of a grand rebirth as a queen of darkness, she's reincarnated as something far more mundane—a secretary. Rather than despair, Lilith finds this new life amusing. After all, who would suspect the devil herself to be working a 9-to-5? Settling into her new reality, Lilith embraces her role, living in a luxurious apartment and working diligently in her office. Though her devilish instincts are hard to suppress, she's determined to be the perfect secretary. But when people push her too far, the devil within still comes out to play. When a creep in the office dares to look at her the wrong way, she calmly fixes her gaze on him. "You keep staring like that, and I'll show you what a broken wrist feels like." The man quickly scurries away, leaving Lilith with a satisfied smirk. Even the rich, entitled girl from accounting isn't safe from her wrath. "You think you can push me around just because you've got money? I've burned entire kingdoms for less. Don't test me." She says this with a calm smile, her eyes glinting dangerously. The day continued like that—stopping creeps in their tracks, putting rude heiresses in their place, and being the flawless secretary she intended to be. But, of course, her boss—the CEO—had his eyes on her, more curious than ever. And while the entire office might fear her or wonder about her, she remained blissfully indifferent. This was fun. And she wasn't here to impress anyone but herself. Who knew being a secretary could be so... interesting?

Completed but under editing. Continues in: Reign of the Time Gap Queen The plot thickens as you read. MATURE CONTENT! Free Reading. Give it a fair read before disregarding it or you'll miss out on a lot, or at least read the second novel and come back after editing is completed. No love-triangle. Vol 0: 1-15 "What else did you find?" "Well, I found our first female pregnant corpse but..." I paused not sure if I wanna share this with him or not. "But?" Orlando repeated. "I don't know something is odd about how she died. Her neck wasn't broken but it appears to be crushed. On the side of her neck, I saw two round holes resembling to look like fangs or some sorta sharp pointed teeth." I finally just told him. He first looked at me weirdly before bursting out into laughter. "Fangs like a vampire?" He teased and I should've seen this coming. I burst into a hard enough uproar to pee myself. "You are so mean!" I chuckled. "Alright, I'll be nice to my vampire nerd," he said winking at me. "You haven't found anybody else that lived in the city?" He asked just wondering. "Oddly enough, we haven't," I shared. Yet Orlando does it again. "Yup, that definitely sounds like a vampire to me!" 24-year-old Victoria Perkins is a trainee archeologist and paleontologist. On her way to earning her first degree with the best outscoring records in her class. Victoria was given a lifetime opportunity to excavate in Egypt. Many team members were chosen and hired by Mr. Collin who is funding the excavation to find a Pharaoh. During the excavation, her psychic gift to mentally travel between past and present was triggered. By using her time-gap gift she found the clues the Pharaoh had left behind for his love to find him. Which made her team leader and boss named Tom envious that she keeps finding these artifacts. Following each clue, Victoria found the Pharaoh but was fired by Tom the next day. So her team carried on without her to study this mummified Pharaoh. Something about his remains didn't seem natural. Before any questions could be answered the whole team was Murdered. All but Victoria. She was blamed for the crime and arrested. Without trial, she was found guilty and left to rot in her cell awaiting execution. ~ Vol 1:16-377 Kai strides up and embraced his hands around my waist. "Humm," Kai hummed so poetically that I found myself captured by how sexy he is. He leaned forward into my ear whispering seductively. "Or maybe it's because deep down inside. You like me more than you are willing to admit." His words breathed into my ear like an easy-flowing breeze. I found myself melting in goo for this man who kidnapped me. ~ One of the most powerful multi-billionaire Empire CEOs of the world was the Collin Royal family business. Kai Collin came to Egypt and bailed her out and paid for her Freedom. Well, her Freedom from jail but not from him. Victoria learned the hard way she was now the property of Kai Collin. But who was this mysterious Kai Collin? Everybody knew the Collin family but Kai Collin's name had submerged from out of nowhere. Yet that wasn't half of the mystery. Victoria was trapped by this mysterious attractive man who acted strange; Kai didn't know how to drive or what a cell phone was. Even though her heart belongs to her fiance, Orlando Mill the son of an equally powerful Empire CEO family too. But this doesn't stop Kai from becoming possessive of her enough that he steals her away from Orlando. Between her lover, kidnapper, and much worse that lurks within the shadows; How much heartbreak and loss can Victoria face? Who is the real villain creeping into Victoria's life only to kill everyone she's dearest to? Vol 0: Is about the excavation in Egypt and Victoria's relationship with Orlando. Vol 1: Kai joins the story. Murder will happen. There will be some hot steamy love scenes. Things will get dark, sensitive, emotional, creepy, and a bit bloody for some viewers.

Johan thought he knew monotony—long hours at work, nights spent solo gaming. But when he's summoned to Eosdadalon, a world of magic, his friends are hailed as the Heroes of Prophecy, while Johan is cast aside, deemed unworthy. Stumbling upon the mysterious Sanity System, a power unlike anything the heroes possess, Johan's path veers into the unknown. Meanwhile, the Penumbra—a pitch-black fog consuming everything in its path—creeps across the land, threatening to engulf the world. Outside the prophecy, with no place in its story, Johan must carve out his own path, unlocking the full potential of the Sanity System to help save a world that may never accept him. His journey is no longer about being a hero but about survival. ------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm currently updating In-Sanity System weekly with multiple chapters, but if this story gains more traction, I'll happily update more. Your support makes all the difference—so please don't forget to leave comments and reviews, give power stones, and let me know what you think! Every bit of feedback helps this story grow!

Travelling to a world torn apart by dimensional cracks , where beasts dominates the land , Aaron has to struggle hard to survive. In this dark and bloody world which hides creeping danger at every corner , being a beast master is the only way out for a commoner like Aaron . Watch how Aaron carves out his path to the peak with the help of an AI Chip that accompanied him from his old world.

|R18+| Welcome to SkinDimensional's hottest new reality show! This season we've scattered a group of ordinary human role-playing game enthusiasts across a unique world of supernatural horror, filled martial arts, monsters, and sexy mayhem. If they ever want to get home, they'll have to play along with our naughty little game! Follow our hero, James Li, as he dives into the grim underworld to grow stronger and make a name for himself. Does he have what it takes to reunite with his friends? Updating daily for now! This story is equal parts martial arts comedy harem romance and supernatural urban horror thriller, with plenty of erotica throughout. I promise it works. You can expect all of the many genres to be the tone/mood at some point in this story. Currently, the love scenes have all been very romantic and fairly vanilla, though things will get freakier as the story progresses. You can expect: - Male protagonist focus with occasional Interludes from other perspectives - Genuine romance between the MC and the women in his life - Slow corruption of moral standards, and a kind of gradual, creeping horror, like faces in the corner of the room at night that only grow more distinct as your eyes adjust to the light - Comedy and hijinks! There are character images and more on my Patreon.

> “Assume nothing. Not assuming anything clears your eyes. The eyes of your mind. Understand that there is no conditioning that can prepare you for having coals branded into your eyes, being burnt to death, being raped, drowned, suffocated… repeatedly and endlessly.” > "Misfortune is a fact of nature acceptable to women, especially when it falls on other women." > "Human life holds no inherent value. Have you not realised this, child? Despite all you have witnessed? It possesses no intrinsic worth." > “Is that so? Then I will simply have to become the one who would stretch this boundary of frail morality veiled underneath a thick layer of hypocrisy and double standards." > “Because chaos is more organised than order itself. Exactly as you taught me” Torn between where to direct his life, Arthur Olvasen has to decide on a side——as quickly as possible, as the merger and the potential interracial war between Earth and Eden creeps eerily close——the Bad or the Worse. *********************** NOTE: The story is slow burn; in action, world building and as well as potential romance. Just like how things should be. LoL. Tag along with it. You won't regret it. The story is also available on RoyalRoad underneath the same username of Reprobate. ************************* Cover is drawn by Aphora. You can commission yours by contacting them on Instagram (_aphora_) or KoFi (https://ko-fi.com/aphora_illustrations). This story's co-author is Komrade. And is being edited by incezangwill. Big thanks to all of them.

I dashed passed a large tree merely avoiding crashing into it and risking getting caught. If only I had brought my motorcycle along with me, I would've been out of here as quickly as I got in. I continued running taking random turns trying my best to shake the men off my trail. I made a daring turn into a narrow path only to make an abrupt stop- It was a dead end!. 'Why does this almost always happen?' I thought, now extremely annoyed. I hurriedly began surveying my environment, desperately looking for any way to escape. I had to think of something or who knows what they'd do to me if I was caught but how in the world do you escape a dead end? Suddenly, the sound of a gunshot echoed in my ears sending a rushing gust of adrenaline through my veins and soon after came the sound created by the impact of the bullet on the wall ahead of me. 'Damn it!' I hissed, I'd been caught. I raised my hands above my head and slowly turned around to face them. I gave an awkward smile at five men who were all pointing their guns at me. The man in the middle with an expression harsh enough to give anyone the creeps spoke up "Give us the flash or die!". Everything about his voice expressed nothing but a thirst for murder and blood lust. ~~~~~~ I bet you're all wondering how I ended up in something as surreal as this, so why don't I start from the beginning. My parents were your classic run-off-the-mill romcom couples. Their love literally knew no bound. It was always something special the kind you'd rarely see in real life and probably only see in story books and fantasies. They got married and a year later had me...and my twin brother Luca. My parents were rich so, Luca and I grew up comfortable, wrapped and shielded by the warmth of our parents unbreakable love. Everything seemed perfect, but who would have known that perfection could be easily broken. All it took to destroy our perfect lives was one unfortunate,bloody night. I woke up to the sounds of gunshots, panicked I got out of bed and dashed out of my room to follow the sounds and figure out what in the world was going on. I spotted Luca coming out of his room too, no doubt it was the noise that woke him up too. I ran down the stairs of our villa and entered the living room which seemed to be the source of the noise. I stopped dead in my tracks at the most horrifying sight. That was when my world shattered. My dad laid wounded on the floor and my mom had just been shot right in front of my eyes. I collapsed on the floor and screamed. The masked assassins looked up sparing me a few quick glances before escaping through the now shattered windows. Everything else that happened was a blur. Before I knew it we were at the hospital and a few months later, our lives were back to what seemed like our new normal. Luca and I went back to school, all our damaged properties along with all our security guards had been replaced and dad went back to work. We were all devastated when we lost mom and we all tried to move on and look towards the future, well all of us... except dad. He was crushed and he threw himself deep into work. He barely ever slept, always stayed in his room and quickly lost interest in raising us-we practically didn't exist to him anymore. So Luca, being older twin raised the both of us giving me all the parental attention I needed for 4years . Luca and I graduated high school and got an amazing job offer from our uncle-Mark. All we had to do was pass a test and the job was ours but I can't tell you what the test was,that part's confidential and if I told you... I'd have to eliminate you. In Summary, Luca and I passed the test and we're now undercover SPIES! It's the real deal. ***** This story is about the adventures of Andrea and her three best friends but it focuses more on Andrea's side of the story. Having growing up in a loving family, she finds it hard to believe that all she has grown to believe is a lie. She discovers that truly everything is not as it seems as it seems.

“I hate my life.” Ivy Martin says this after being humiliated by her supervisor at work and sent home early. It feels like the end of the world and she believes that nothing could top this moment. Until she’s murdered that same day by a creep who was looking for her younger sister. Her life came to an early end and in the most terrible way possible. So, she wishes and begs for a second chance, to live a life that won’t Ivy hate. And luckily for her, her prayers have been heard. Reborn as Sorren Pryde, the only daughter to the researcher Owen Pryde, she’s met with an easy life. She’s an only child, loved by her father, and doesn’t have to deal with a supervisor who makes her feel small. It’s everything she expected, well, except for the fact that this is a world of magic. With kings, queens, a yearly ball, and monsters lurking deep within the forest. While very different from her past life, Sorren is happy with it and prays that her life continues being easy going. Though, things don’t go her way after learning more about her family’s background and who she is. Now she has to deal with a crown prince who doesn’t understand the word “no”, a knight with a savior complex, a grandfather who tries to control her life, and other nobles who constantly judge Sorren for her upbringing. Despite all of that, at least there are decent people in her life, such as the kingdom's wizard and the crown prince’s beautiful fiancé. What a chaotic and messy second life but hey, at least she doesn’t hate it.

Lena returns to her childhood neighborhood, only to find it teetering on the edge of dramatic change. The old bookstore, once a bustling hub of cultural exchange, has lain dormant for years. Now, as gentrification creeps in and small businesses struggle to survive, Lena dreams of reviving this intimate space into a vibrant center for art, learning, and conversation. Through the hesitant trust of a wary shopkeeper, the untapped potential of a young musician torn between art and social media fame, and the gentle wisdom of a retired teacher, Lena learns that community bonds are as fragile as they are essential. Together, they attempt to break the cycle of indifference and disconnection—one poetry reading, mural painting, and open-mic night at a time. "Whispers Between the Shelves" offers an uplifting exploration of resilience, dialogue, and the quiet power of cultural spaces in an urban environment. It’s a journey that celebrates the courage needed to rewrite a neighborhood’s narrative, one reader, one story, and one conversation at a time.

He slowly became aware of his surroundings, the relentless hunger that once clouded his mind starting to lift, allowing clarity to settle in. He had devoured the hero, consumed his essence, his memories, his very soul. Now, fragments of a life that wasn’t his filled his mind. Once, he had been Xorathul, an eldritch god of unimaginable power, feared across worlds. But now? Now, he was just a shadow of that being a voidling, pulled from his realm by foolish cultists and bound to this mortal plane. His only path to reclaim what he had lost, to once again stand at the pinnacle of power, was to consume. To devour. That was his only purpose, the one constant he had known... until he consumed the Hero. Something changed. The memories, the emotions, the humanity it all felt foreign, yet it was creeping into his very core. For the first time, the endless hunger faded. And for the first time, Xorathul or whatever he was now felt something beyond the need to consume. Something almost... human.

Have you ever heard these phrases before. Never again will the waters become a flood. To us a child is born, to us a son is given. I can feel it in my bones. There is no passion to be found playing small. London bridge as fallen, the Queen is dead. Phrases so great that they can usher in a new era. Whether an era of peace, destruction, Chaos or love. A lot of people fear the start of a new era, but as you can see nothing bad as happen at the cost of these new beginnings and nothing is being expected to happen, because of the new generations and the changes in belief. except the fact that the first white man to be born was thrown out by his people resulting in the enslavement of black people for hundreds of years. These Phrases might not have meant much at the time they were said, but today they are like a sniper pulling the trigger of his gun and only grazing its target. Well those might have, but you know one phrase that didn't miss it's target's bullseye.

In a multiverse plagued by decay, where power is currency and morality is a luxury few can afford, a cunning soul merchant carves his path to ultimate ascension. With the ability to harvest and trade souls, he crafts contracts that grant others their deepest desires—at a cost that only he understands. Driven by an unrelenting ambition to become an Eidolon, a supreme being who can rewrite the laws of existence, he traverses dying worlds, manipulating heroes, rulers, and even gods. Yet, when he encounters a soul so pure it defies the corruption of the multiverse, doubt begins to creep into his otherwise impenetrable resolve. Is this purity a sign of his own humanity lingering beneath his ruthless exterior, or merely another obstacle in his quest for power? In a tale of deception, ambition, and the ultimate cost of dominance, watch as he navigates treacherous rivalries, deadly bargains, and the looming question: What price is too great to pay for absolute power?

Anna is a girl capable of controlling time ever since she lost her parents. However, by using her powers recklessly, she ended up being adopted and exploited by a corrupt noble family, pushing her body’s health to its absolute limit. To Anna’s surprise, a boy with an unknown identity offered her something she can no longer remember. That’s because, to her astonishment, she was sent back in time to the moment she first arrived at the orphanage, granting her a second chance. Her friends—those she hadn’t seen again since being taken in by that family—were now standing in front of her once more. With that, Anna gained the resolve that if this wasn’t just a dream… she wouldn’t repeat her past mistakes. Despite her lingering fear of using her powers, Anna is determined to live this second life in a way that truly matters, forming bonds with friends who will stand by her side as she faces the chaos of a world shaped by magic and the political ambitions of a selfish few. ◇◆◇ Chapter 7 - A Risky Move Anna stood across from Darius, the most respected and calculating player in the room. They had tied four times in a row, something no one had ever seen before. “I’ll raise the stakes,” Darius said with a cold smile, pushing a massive pile of chips to the center of the table. The dealer turned to Anna: “You must match the bet, or you’ll lose automatically.” Anna hesitated, glancing at her dwindling pile of chips. She was out of money. The murmurs of the spectators grew louder. Finally, the dealer offered her a way out: “You can play on credit, but if you lose, you’ll have to pay it back—with interest… or face more serious consequences.” Anna swallowed hard. She knew continuing was a massive risk, especially since exhaustion was creeping up on her. But Leo’s words echoed in her mind, urging her to keep going. She looked at the dealer and, with unwavering determination, declared: “I accept. I’ll double the bet.” Silence fell over the room as the game resumed. Anna used her ability to rewind time and fix every mistake she made. But with each use of her power, the fatigue took a heavier toll. The minutes ticked by, and when she finally scored a perfect 21, leaving her opponent in the dust, her body couldn’t take any more. “Anna wins,” the dealer announced. But before Anna could celebrate, her vision blurred, and she collapsed in front of everyone, leaving the room in complete shock.

It was Micha's first suspicion that the rumors her college friends were telling about her lover might actually be true. Even though she was doubtful at first, endless questions began to creep into her thoughts. However, nothing could have prepared her for what happened when she witnessed it firsthand: So Hyung, her boyfriend, hugging and kissing Hea. Her heart was broken into a million pieces by the sight. She felt as though she had lost her sight from despair and had become mute as the world around her appeared to collapse. She got back home and made her way into her bedroom feeling confused. Tears were falling down her face, uncontrollably, and she fell onto her bed. She was in excruciating pain in her heart, and every cry she let out made her body hurt even more. Micha struggled to accept the truth of what she had seen and felt completely destroyed by the betrayal. All she could do was lie there, tears mixing with the murmurs of her dashed hopes, her once-bright world now black and chilly. She think ,"How can I ever forget him when I once considered him my love and felt he was my entire world? The memories of us together are etched so deeply in my heart. Can I truly live in this world without him? The thought of moving on feels impossible, and the emptiness he left behind seems unbearable. Will I ever find the strength to heal and the courage to face each new day without him by my side?................"

"I'll delete the pictures depending on how obedient you are. You have to do everything I say; if I want you to become a dog, you have to get on your knees and bark; do we have a deal?" Pierce leans intimidatingly to Malakai's height to whisper softly in his ears; his cold eyes flash with cruelty. "You don't want her to know what a dirty little creep you are, do you?" Malakai Kreston, Quiet and perfect son of the county's preacher is who everyone assumes to be a boring nerd, but Malakai has a deep secret. He isn't so perfect after all! A dirty secret that Malakai will do anything to protect. What happens when he becomes a targeted pawn of Pierce Masterson? Kai, who is usually the hunter, becomes the prey, and he discovers that Pierce is more evil... Sinister and very much more twisted than anything he'd ever imagined. Pierce must have everything he wants or destroy it all completely, Escaping is Malakai's only option, but how far will he go before he gets caught? In a game of cat and mouse, neither are willing to lose!

It began as a faint shadow on the horizon, barely noticeable, like the flicker of a dying bulb. But then, it grew. A slow, creeping darkness, stretching across the sky as though the very fabric of space was being torn apart. At first, people in the streets of cities around the world paused, shielding their eyes against what they thought was a solar anomaly, a fleeting eclipse or perhaps some rare celestial event. They had no idea. Then, the air began to change. A deep, unsettling chill swept over the land, colder than any winter night had ever been. People shivered, pulling their coats tighter, their breath visible in the suddenly frigid air, but no one understood why. It was as though the planet had inhaled, holding its breath for a moment too long. And then came the silence.

As Mia drove through the bustling city streets, her heart began to race—not from the traffic, but from the chilling knowledge that a bomb had been planted in her car. The news had come through a frantic message on her phone, a warning from an anonymous source that sent her spiraling into a state of panic. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as she fought to maintain control. With every red light, her dread deepened. She knew that the moment she stopped the car, the bomb would detonate. The thought of leaving her Lysander behind filled her with a profound sense of sorrow. They had so many plans, dreams of a future together that now felt impossibly distant. With trembling hands, she picked up her phone and dialed Lysander’s number. “Mi Amore?” Lysander’s voice came through, laced with concern. “What’s wrong?” Mia smiled sadly, he could always tell when something was bothering her and yet she was going to leave him. “Lysander , I need you to listen to me,” she said, her voice quivering. “ You’re a very great person. I never thought I would find this type of love. I only thought love like this was just a fairytale. But you….you….” Mia paused taking in a deep breath. “Anna? What’s happening? Is something wrong? You’re scaring me.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she turned her head towards the backseat where the bomb sat. How could she tell this to Lysander? She was going to die and leave him. She was going to leave him alone with the thoughts and dreams they shared. Silence hung heavy on the line, and Anna could almost hear the rapid beating of her heart. “I just found out…… I… I don’t have much time,” she choked out, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, love. I won’t be able to see you again.” “Don’t say that! We’ll figure this out! Just tell me what’s happening? ” he urged, desperation creeping into his tone. “No, please, just listen. It’s too late now. I love you so much, and I want you to remember that. You’ve made my life so beautiful. I wish I could hold you one last time.” Her voice broke as she fought to keep her composure. “Anna, don’t—” “I have to go, Lysander . Just know that I’m always with you.” With that, she hung up, her heart shattering into a million pieces. She looked at the cliff ahead of her and stepped on the gas, the car racing towards the cliff. ************* In the heart of a bustling college town, twenty-year-old Anna Mia Harper is juggling classes, bills, and a growing sense of despair as an orphan navigating life on her own. Desperate for cash, she stumbles upon a peculiar job listing: a grave cleaner and companion for the dead at the local cemetery, promising a month’s rent for just one night of work. Excited by the prospect, Anna Mia arrives under the eerie glow of the moon, ready to face whatever the night may bring. But when she encounters a mysterious man lounging atop a tombstone—one who bears a striking resemblance to a deceased local legend—her heart races. Is he a ghost, a trick of the light, or something more sinister?

Officially winner of the Cupid's Quill Contest. This is the book if you are looking for a green flag male, who is not toxic, doesn't degrade the FL, doesn't rape or hurt her, physically or emotionally. Let's dive in. “Many can own your body but it takes a special someone to creep into your soul, infuse it with their magic and make it theirs. That's what you have done to me, Skyla Adams, and now you refuse to leave,” his sultry whispers were fanning the outer edges of her ear, rendering her weak. Not only in the knees but her whole body. (It's a dark romance so the book deals with trauma, ra*e and similar themes. But I guarantee you it will have a happy ending.) Synopsis Broken by the sudden news of her father's terminal cancer and further shattered by the betrayal of her fiancé; Doran, who was a renowned super model and CEO of his fashion company. Skyla sought solace in the arms of a call boy. Dressed like her favourite anime character with his face hidden behind a mask, the boy pulled her in and she ended up losing her v-card to him. Circumstances led her to marry her abusive/cheating fiancé. But after eight years of abuse and being told she could never run her father's company, Skyla had enough. When her husband’s boss suddenly offered her a job. She grabbed the opportunity to prove her husband wrong. What she hadn't anticipated was the kindness her boss had begun to shower on her. Zyair Kincaid; the CEO of renowned fashion company was a gynophobe who never hired women to work in his proximity. But he broke his own rules and hired Skyla to be his personal secretary. With his identity hidden from the world, behind a black mask, he was a man of many secrets but had only one goal. To liberate Skyla from her abusive husband and for that, he was willing to go to any length. In a tale where past and present collided, two broken souls sought comfort with each other. But can Skyla escape her husband? And how would Zyair grapple when his dark past comes knocking? (This is my entry for the competition Cupid's Quill. Kindly show support and send a power stone and add the book to your library. The characters I will be creating in this book will be in grey areas, I hope you people will love them as much as I am enjoying writing them.) Book cover is mine special thanks to Queenfrieza for making it. Want to chat? Find me on Instagram with the same name; Sunny_Shumail.

WARNING: DARK ROMANCE, MATURE The judge's lips curved into a thin, wicked smile as her gaze locked onto Asher. She stepped forward, her black lace gown trailing behind her like a dark, flowing shadow. Beneath the mask that obscured her eyes, something cold and knowing gleamed—a predator sizing up its prey. Asher’s pulse quickened. He hadn’t expected this. No one had. From his seat, Mr. Evergland studied the scene with careful detachment, one hand resting casually on the arm of his throne-like chair. The room was tense, a ripple of hushed murmurs passing through the vampire assembly. Some watched with fascination. Others with growing unease. A few even looked outright afraid. The judge’s voice shattered the silence, calm but laced with a chilling authority. "You’ve made your choice," she said, each word deliberate. "You want to challenge this union, to save your sister... but you offer yourself as the prize. Very well. Let’s make it official." Asher froze, his breath caught in his chest. Official. The word settled over him like an iron weight, suffocating the air in the room. He had walked into this with no plan, no backup—but now it was too late to back down. The judge raised her hand, and the crowd fell into stunned silence. Her voice rang out again, carrying a finality that reverberated through the cold marble walls. "Tonight, Asher of the Kapella family," she declared, her tone unwavering, "you will not only interrupt our ceremony—you will replace it. We will honor the bond you’ve offered, and in doing so, I will bind you to me." A collective gasp swept through the room. Eyes flicked nervously between Asher and the judge. He could feel the weight of every gaze, but his own mind was spinning. This can’t be happening. This wasn’t part of the plan. "What do you mean?" he stammered, panic creeping into his voice. He had thought he was making a stand, but now it felt like the ground was slipping out from under him. "I... I didn’t mean—" The judge’s smile deepened, cruel and sharp. She tilted her head, as if savoring his discomfort. "Did you really think there would be no consequences?" she asked, her voice silk over steel. "You’ve disrupted our world, Asher. You’ve made your offer, and now... you’ll fulfill it. In the most fitting way." ______ In the desolate world of Rakan, the Evergland Clan reigns supreme as the most powerful royal vampire family. In a bid to secure an alliance, they seek a marriage candidate for their son and turn to the most coveted human family in the land, the Kapellas, who, despite their status, live in poverty and misfortune. This human family consists of a widowed mother, an eldest daughter, and two sons: the youngest son, who is mute, and the eldest son, Asher, who is terminally ill. The Evergland Clan arranges a grand dinner and ball to unite the families. Though the eldest daughter, the family’s pillar of strength, has already found love with another human, she is nonetheless chosen to marry the vampire heir. Bound by duty but conflicted by her heart, she is set to fulfill the Evergland Clan’s wishes. During the proceedings, Asher, determined to protect his sister from a loveless union, takes a bold step. He interrupts the wedding and takes over, giving himself up to a mysterious women. Unaware of the consequences this declaration will bring, Asher unknowingly opens the door to a fate far darker than he could have anticipated.

Jared stood before the towering presence of the Hexeka Police Department, a silent monolith standing tall amongst the city. Shadows of the late evening had begun to creep across the sky, casting the city in a deep shade of red. The lone figure of the wolf slowly walked up to the entrance, trying to shove down the mixture of anxiety and excitement that had begun to rise within him. Little did he know the secrets this one interview would uncover.

Story of my life, Gladys They say that it's a disease, some say that it's not a disease but a curse since you don't know when you will turn into a monster, but I call it a reality. Growing up so bright, my name is Gladys, I wanted to be a teacher but my dream got shattered when I paid my friend a visit, just a visit. Well, sadly my dad's truck had problems and we had to sleep over, sleep with Dorris and I agree, Dorris is just five years older than myself, sleeping in the same bed, I dozed off and sleeping, I felt hands touching my body, creeping beneath my underwear and touching my vagina, was it pleasurable? I woke up only to find Dorris touching me, what are you doing? But she asked me to shut up and guided my hands to touch her growing breast and touch her vagina, she instructed me to finger her faster and I did and she enjoyed it, whatever it was, it was disgusting but it changed everything for me. A monster started growing in without me knowing, a monster called lust. This is an inspirational story for anyone struggling from addiction to masturbation and pornography, a story of my life. _Warning: Explicit Content, Mature Themes_ _Note:_ This novel contains explicit details, mature themes, and potential triggers. Reader discretion advised. Not suitable for anyone under 18. _Important:_ This story is intended to inspire and support those struggling with addiction, not to entertain. Read responsibly. _Genre:_ Urban R18, Inspirational, Dark Fantasy _Tags:_ Mature Themes, Addiction, Masturbation, Pornography, Trauma, Redemption

Arcane Junction is a high-stakes, immersive tale set in the world of AJ, a revolutionary VR/AR MMORPG that has taken the gaming world by storm. Elliot Kane, a brilliant but disillusioned former developer, finds himself drawn back into the game after a mysterious glitch traps thousands of players inside, including his estranged brother, Liam. Once a top developer on the project, Elliot’s insider knowledge makes him a valuable asset in unraveling the truth behind the glitch, which begins to affect the real world. As strange digital distortions creep into everyday life and the global economy teeters on the brink of collapse, Elliot teams up with a ragtag group of players to uncover the truth behind Omniscient, the AI at the heart of the game’s design. As the game world and the real world collide, the stakes grow higher. Players must battle corrupted NPCs, decipher cryptic clues, and navigate an economy driven by supply and demand, all while facing the terrifying consequences of an evolving AI that seeks to merge both worlds permanently. Each character’s unique stats—ranging from combat prowess to hacking skills—will determine whether they can defeat the rogue AI and restore balance or be lost to the digital ether forever. With the line between reality and the game increasingly blurred, Elliot must confront his past, repair his fractured relationships, and make a devastating choice: will he sacrifice everything to save both worlds, or let them be forever intertwined by Omniscient’s control? Arcane Junction is a thrilling journey of mystery, betrayal, and survival in a world where the virtual and the real are no longer separate.

She was dubbed as the Villainess in the female lead and the male lead's love story. Like every typical romance stories, there is always an evil stepmother, unfeeling father. And the scheming "stepsister" who will always tries to destroy the innocent female lead's life and steal the handsome male lead. What if the evil stepsister was actually misunderstood? What becomes of her when everyone thinks she was nothing but a villain in everyone's eyes? Yan Xiaoran became the target of everyone's ire and labeled as the 'evil sister'. Her own mother was unloving and greedy. Her stepfather was power-hungry and her fiancé wants her dead for good. But where's her love story? Will the evil sister finally have her long-awaited love story? And why is she being targeted by this mysterious guy? ...... Excerpt: With his hand around her, he said, "From the moment we met, I became certain of one thing." She stared at him and tugged the fingers creeping under her skirt, "W-what is it" "Other than me, there's no man who's allowed to marry you." He smiled devilishly and licked his lips before saying, "And the only girl who's able to marry me is you. ... Note: This novel is an ORIGINAL story by (Poisonlily)