Grounded Playthrough

A Gen Z slacker wakes up as the meanest bully inside a novel set in the 1980s. Pros? He gets a system. Cons? It only rewards him for being a jerk. Not exactly helpful, especially when he realizes that the main protagonist he's supposed to terrorize ended up burning the entire school to the ground, himself included.

At Tokyo Metropolitan University, where cherry blossoms fall like unspoken words, Nakamura Kenji moves through life with quiet precision and invisible armor. Brilliant, distant, and utterly alone, he believes silence is survival—until one fight behind a lecture hall cracks that silence open. As rumors swirl and unwanted attention grows, Kenji finds himself drawn into a quiet orbit with two unlikely figures: Tanaka Hiroshi, a popular but grounded classmate who sees more than he lets on, and Sae Takahashi, a sharp-eyed literature major whose red scarf hides her own bruised history. But connection is dangerous for someone who’s spent years building walls instead of bridges. And kindness, once dismissed as a trap, begins to feel alarmingly real. A slow-burn character drama about emotional scars, unexpected friendship, and what happens when three lonely people stop walking past each other- and finally start to see.

Auden didn’t ask to be reborn. But after dying once in a world he never belonged to, he wakes in a land steeped in magic, monsters, and ancient secrets. A land where power comes at a price—through Hexes, cursed abilities that twist fate, identity, and even reality itself. Now caught between survival and something much darker, Auden wants just one thing: a quiet, simple life. A family. Peace. But the world won’t give him that. Hexes aren’t spells. They’re wounds on the world. Terrifying, unstable forces that unravel logic, rewrite outcomes, and turn those who use them into walking paradoxes. And someone out there knows exactly what Auden is… and wants him for it. When his new life is shattered by violence and betrayal, Auden is forced to confront a truth he never wanted: to protect the ones he loves, he may have to become the very thing he fears. To the End of Yesterday (Ttoy) is a grounded, emotionally-driven fantasy about found family, identity, and the price of second chances—set in a world where destiny is cursed, and even the quietest lives are hunted by the past.

One night I finally finished my long playthrough of a fantasy academy game notorious for its difficulty, the next morning I woke up as a spy sent by the evil organization in the game to infiltrate the academy... I'm fucked.

Four weeks into the apocalypse, the world fell silent—but not dead. Cassius Parish, a 27-year-old genderless recluse, was left behind by the very team he helped survive. Betrayed, bleeding, and starving, he wandered alone until fate—or something far older—led him to an abandoned underground bunker buried miles beneath the rot of civilization. Above ground, the Crimson Halo spreads. A viral mutation marked by a red ring blooming in the eyes of the infected—seconds before their bodies twist into grotesque horrors. Below ground, the quiet hum of machines offers a strange comfort… and something more. Cassius awakens a rare phenomenon: the Shelter Ascension System, whispered of in survivor channels—if those even still exist. His bunker becomes Shelter 13, an anomaly among ruins. With it comes more than just power, roles, and upgrades—it brings memories best left buried and responsibilities he never asked for. Now, Cassius must build—not just walls or defenses, but a sanctuary for those who still breathe. Yet survival has a price. And the deeper the shelter grows, the more it remembers the past… even the parts Cassius tried to forget. After all, shelters don’t rise for free. And sometimes, the dead knock first.

Treyvon Knox has one goal to make it to the league. In a city where talent is everywhere and opportunities are rare, he knows that nothing will be handed to him. Every game is a statement. Every practice is a test. Every moment on the court is a chance to prove he belongs. With no hype, no big-name program backing him, and no shortcuts to the top, Trey has to build his name from the ground up because where he’s going, only the strong survive.

In the year 2**1 humanity fell to the grounds... Citizens tried to reach the government... many didn't make it... It happened so quickly... how did God let this be.... In a blink of an eye... the world turned a blind eye... To the agony in the people... and to those who are capable... Fight with us! and together we will end all of this fuss! We will bring you a bright future with no sorrow... We are the "Tomorrow"!

In the frostbitten North, a boy with a emerald eyes walks a path shaped by war, silence, and something darker beneath the snow. Twelve-year-old Viktor is not a hero...yet. Raised in isolation by a quiet warrior with strange powers, he learns to read more than just books: the cold, the silence, and the weight of decisions. When invaders take the northern stronghold, Viktor is pulled into a quiet war-one fought not by armies, but by shadows. Infiltration's. Puppets without souls. A city that smiles while it rots from within. Guided by Kaavi, his mentor, and joined by a group of deadly yet disciplined fighters, Viktor’s journey begins with a mission to reclaim what has already been lost. But the deeper they go, the more he begins to understand: there is no clean line between monsters and men. This is a slow-burning tale of subtle powers, moral choices, and survival behind enemy lines. A grounded fantasy of quiet tension, gradual growth, and the cost of control.

Nasty rumors are swirling around Noah. He got used to having others judge him by this unfair gossip, so he has put an end to him and his personal life. Ethan is hunted by his past, so he’s diligently trying to avoid any kind of close relationship. It seems like they have no common ground and certainly have no reason to be interested in each other. But ‘Devil’s Eye’ clears things up.

Zombie travelogue comedy in the tropics. Debauched expats from hell get more than they bargained for when it turns out their tiny island paradise is ground zero for a zombie apocalypse.

Kim Eun-Ji is a college student with a passion for otome games, but one game in particular has always frustrated her: Saintess Chronicles. In the game, the villainess, Selene Ravencroft, is always sentenced to death, while the flawless Saintess Eri is glorified. Despite playing through all the possible routes, Eun-Ji can never change Selene's tragic fate. Her sympathy for the misunderstood villainess and her disdain for the seemingly perfect Eri grows with every playthrough. One morning, after finishing the game yet again and angrily complaining about its unfair ending, Eun-Ji realizes she’s late for class. In her rush, she’s tragically hit by a runaway truck and dies. She wakes up to find herself reincarnated inside the world of Saintess Chronicles—not as a random side character, but as the villainess, Selene Ravencroft, on the day of her gift awakening! Now, Eun-Ji now as Selene Ravencroft must try her best to survive at all costs but for some reason the plot keeps continuing despite her making changes.

Kael, who witnessed the death of his father—betrayed and humiliated by those he once called friends and the very emperors he served—watched as the kingdom led by his father was burned to the ground, and the home he grew up in reduced to ashes. This planted a deep stake of vengeance in his heart. He swore that he would make them pay for everything, dragging each one of them into the deepest pits of hell.

A bored god abducted the souls of those who died in different worlds for his personal fun, in other to enjoy, he created a world where those souls would be given a new life and powers in other to try and survive at least two to three days, but for his plan to succeed, he attacks the other world. those who leave in his imagination are named the residence and this world is his hell's play ground.

A man, burdened by dreams too grand for his own good, wakes in a strange body after falling asleep on a bus. He doesn’t recognize where he is. The world around him is desolate, lifeless; the sky too pale, the ground brittle beneath his feet, and not even the wind stirs the air. Will he perish like a feeble worm, overwhelmed by the perils of a mysterious world? Or will greed and the fragile hope for survival drive him forwards?

Michael Jameston, a 55-year-old American book sales executive and former silkscreen craftsman, awakens to an impossible reality: he now inhabits the body of Constantine Palaiologos, Despot of Morea. Determined to survive, he sets out to reshape a world on the brink of monumental change. Join me on an epic journey as Michael crafts a new destiny and transforms the future of an empire! Read 12 chapters ahead on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/EMPIREREWRITTEN What to Expect: - Self-insert protagonist navigating medieval intrigue - Aside from a few shorter chapters at the beginning, each chapter ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 words. New chapters will be released consistently on Mondays and Thursdays, with occasional bonus chapters appearing on Fridays. - An alternate history of the Roman/Byzantine Empire revival. - Multiple POVs, with a focus on the main character - Realistic technological advancements integrated over time - No LitRPG or magical elements—just grounded historical fiction - A protagonist evolving as he adapts to his new medieval world - A deeply researched historical approach for an immersive experience

Cillian Carter crossed into another world, a place where everyone is given the chance to become a god. In this world, people design their own personal Domain of Divinity. Some build peaceful fairy realms, filled with light and music. Others shape mighty dragon sanctuaries, or chaotic worlds of ancient magic and war. But Cillian built something different. The Endless Abyss. A world cold, brutal, and hostile to life itself. A place where the ground bleeds, the air burns, and survival is a daily struggle. No peace. No safety. No rules. Welcome to the Endless abyss

Alaric was obsessed with books - especially one book series of a specific author. So it was obvious that when the books were made into a game, he instantly played it. The first few alpha stages, then beta, and finally the official release… he tried every possible way to play the game, every start, every art… Finally, he was ready for a full playthrough - three years after the official release. When you have fun at something, time passes very fast. Alaric chose his favourite start - as Marquis Alaric de Violet. Maybe it was because they had the same name… anyways, he loved the character in and out, even though Marquis Violet was technically the Villain of that particular book. Just as he started, while he was dreaming of capturing the alluring Side Character, he suddenly made a mistake that cost him his life… right after pressing 'Play'.

In 1901, monstrous creatures emerged from the shadows, decimating humanity and forcing the survivors to flee to the skies, where airships became their new home. Enneth, our main character, was born on the exact day the incident occurred—ten years later. An expedition to the ground takes place. His parents are involved, but everything goes wrong, causing the entire city to perish. Enneth, the only survivor left, now embarks on a journey to slaughter every single monster in the world.

A realistic zombie apocalypse ------- The world ended without warning. No monsters. No mutations. Just the walking dead — and the unlucky survivors. When society collapsed, I lost everything. All I have left is my knife, my instincts... and the will to survive. This is my story. No superpowers. No systems. Just blood, death, and the fight to stay human in a world where people turn into monsters. If you're tired of overpowered protagonists, godlike powers, and evolution cheats — welcome to reality. The undead don't care who you were. Only what you're willing to do to keep breathing. My name is Alex. Today is Day 1. And it's already hell. ------ (Warning: Contains violence, gore, and dark themes. This is a gritty, grounded survival tale.) Add to your library if you want a non supernatural kind of apocalypse.

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

In the dazzling chaos of stardom, Scripted Touch unfolds the hauntingly tender and intensely passionate tale of Abir Sen — a powerful film icon with a shattered past — and Maholi, a sweet, grounded, aspiring writer who unknowingly carries the last thread of a buried truth. When Maholi stumbles into the film industry, fate ties her to Abir through a mysterious necklace and a forgotten promise made by a dying mother. As Maholi navigates the ruthless world of fame, manipulation, and secrets, she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic star who hides more than just a broken heart. What begins as silent chemistry ignites into a storm of unspoken desires, stolen touches, and late-night whispers. But every moment of passion is shadowed by a dark conspiracy that links their families — a murder, a cover-up, and a boy who saw too much. With powerful enemies like the charmingly vicious Ruchika and the elegant yet deadly stepmother Sulekha circling them, Maholi and Abir must face the fire of the past to claim a future. Through betrayal, heartbreak, and explosive revelations, Scripted Touch explores what happens when love is both a sanctuary and a battleground. A tale of lust, loyalty, buried truths, and rising from the ashes — Scripted Touch is where romance meets revenge in the boldest way.

Elias Carter is an ordinary high school student, unawakened and overlooked in a world where power defines status. His best friend, Dante, keeps him grounded, , Elias uncovers terrifying truths about himself, the gods, and a forgotten prophecy. His journey will challenge everything he believes in, and as his powers grow, so does the fear of what he might become. When the shadows call, will he resist... or embrace his fate?

In the war-torn world of Vhal'Tharax where gods manipulate mortal flesh, Arkan Dreadborne rises from the darkest pits to ultimate supremacy. With supernatural dominance carved into his very essence, he reshapes entire civilizations through acts of control and submission. This chronicle traces his conquest of the Nine Dominions, where no race remains untouched by his influence. From noble houses to sacred orders, all must surrender to his doctrines of power and possession. The series weaves together brutal conquest with the darkest aspects of possession - where authority is asserted through absolute control and the reshaping of flesh to serve unyielding power.

Kotarō Nozomi is fluent in English—but not in speaking. Not in front of others. Quiet, observant, and chronically self-edited, he’s somehow drafted into his class’s English Debate Competition… and has no idea how to say no. Paired with Haruka—a bold, expressive club member—and Watanabe, who barely tries, Kotarō finds himself stuck between silence and expectation. At first, standing at the podium feels impossible. But when the tournament begins and he finally opens his mouth… something changes. From makeshift practice rooms to official matches, Kotarō starts to learn how to speak under pressure, how to argue with purpose—and how language can connect more than it divides. A slow-burn, grounded school drama about anxiety, competitive debate, unexpected growth, and the people who force us to speak—whether we’re ready or not.

[Fishing + Gold Panning + Daily Life + Urban Farming + America + Super Rich + System] At a high school reunion, Levi traveled back to Alaska in 2004. After dropping out of USC, he became the captain of the "Sea Monster". From the Gulf of Alaska to the Bering Sea and across the Pacific Ocean, my fishing grounds are everywhere. Black cod, halibut, cod, tuna, king crab, snow crab, lobster, geoduck, abalone, sea cucumber...

When childhood friends Ravi and Sneha (nicknamed Aami) reunite after years apart, it’s not for a grand reunion or romance—it’s to keep a promise made one Diwali night long ago: to travel together and see the world, starting with the unexplored beauty of Northeast India. Ravi, still grieving the recent loss of his mother, finds himself numb, directionless, and buried under the weight of unspoken sadness. Sneha, grounded, funny, and full of warmth, pushes him to keep the promise. Together, they pack into a van—with cycles strapped to the back—and begin a summer journey across lush landscapes, rain-soaked villages, waterfalls, hidden festivals, and kitchens full of unforgettable food. From Ziro Valley to Shillong, Aizawl to Loktak Lake, they meet strangers with quiet stories, eat way too many momos, argue over chilli chutneys, and slowly come to terms with the lives they’ve lived—and the people they’ve lost. But this isn’t a romance. It’s about friendship, healing, and the spaces grief and laughter occupy together. It's a journey through memory, through childhood, and through the places that still feel like home—even when home is gone. As Ravi comes to understand what his late mother’s quiet strength meant, and what it means to really keep a promise, the road finally leads them to a still, shining lake where everything comes full circle.

Life aboard a spaceship isn't always lasers and glory. Sometimes, it's just a bunch of misfits trying to survive the void... without killing each other. They're not heroes. Not soldiers. Not even criminals-at least, not officially. Just a crew of unpredictable aliens, each with baggage heavier than their firepower, stuck in close quarters somewhere between nowhere and nothing. Then there's Akira. He didn't ask for this ride, but now he's on it-and things are about to get weirder than Earth ever prepared him for. A grounded journey through deep space , tension, quiet moments, and the kind of unspoken bonds that form when you're lightyears from home.

When scientists stumbled upon a sloth with abnormal strength and speed deep in the Amazon, they were astonished to discover it was carrying a unique virus, one that enhanced physical capabilities beyond human limits. Intrigued and desperate for an edge in modern warfare, they extracted the virus and began human trials. The result? Super soldiers, faster, stronger, nearly unstoppable. For a time, the plan worked. Victories piled up. Battles were won. But then, the virus mutated. The enhanced soldiers began to lose their minds, consumed by an uncontrollable hunger. Their emotions vanished, replaced by primal instincts. No food could sate them, except flesh and blood. They turned on comrades, civilians, anyone in sight. And worse: every bite they inflicted passed on the infection, creating more of them. Now, humanity teeters on the edge of collapse. Darius Quinn, a hardened soldier and one of the few who survived the initial outbreak, is sent with a small team back to ground zero Mahana Island. Their mission: recover the prototype cure that can suppress the virus, halting the transformation and stopping the Cravings from turning the entire nation into a blood-soaked wasteland. But time is running out. And Mahana is no longer an island, it's a hunting ground. ---

He’s not trying to be anything. He just never stopped. Kaelen doesn’t speak much. He trains. He listens. He endures. He was six when the world ended. No one came for his block. By the time a rescue team arrived, he had already crawled out—torn up, alone, and changed. Now he’s nineteen—one of hundreds raised underground to survive what’s still out there. He doesn’t make friends. He doesn’t ask questions. He doesn’t belong on a team—and after a while, no one expects him to. But he keeps showing up. Every day. Quiet. Precise. Alone. And when the others start falling behind, when instructors stop seeing him as a student and start seeing him as something that doesn’t fit anywhere—he doesn’t flinch. He’s not there to stand out. He’s there because nothing else makes sense anymore. ⸻ The Berserker Way is a grounded, psychological dark fantasy about silence, survival, and what happens when you shape yourself into something that doesn’t fit anywhere—but can’t be ignored. ⸻ Originally published on Royal Road by D. Hollow.

Imagine this: You're just a college student, buried in mythology textbooks and caffeine, dreaming of becoming a world-class expert on ancient gods and forgotten legends. That was my life—simple, grounded, normal. Then I died. No warning, no grand exit. Just darkness. Game over. Or so I thought. Because next thing I know, I’m standing before her—Veritas. A cosmic being with eyes like galaxies and a voice that shakes the soul. She didn’t ask. She didn’t explain. She just chose me… and sent me back as Hades. Yes, that Hades—the Greek god of the Underworld. You’d think my mythology degree would give me an advantage. Spoiler: it didn’t. The myths? Twisted. The stories? Half-true at best. And the gods? They’re nothing like the sanitized tales we tell. They're ancient, powerful, and terrifyingly real. Now I’m a mortal soul trapped in a divine body, caught in a web of politics, monsters, forgotten laws, and secrets older than time. No guidebook. No second chances. Just me, trying to survive in a world where every mistake could spark a war. Think you know the gods? Trust me—you don’t. Open the book. Step into my shadow. And see what it really means to be a god.