Batman Gear

In a dystopian future where Vampires emerged from the shadows in order to stop humanity from becoming extinct, a young woman with a dark past meets a charismatic stranger. As time goes by Private Love Aikawa of military Unit 4-7, finds that she may not be as human as she first thought, and that humanity may not be the side that she should be fighting for. Battling rogue vampires, mutated creatures and her own past, Love works to unravel the mysteries behind the secretive Helsing unit, and tries to become the bridge between humans and vampires in a world filled with discrimination. This novel starts intentionally slow through the exposition and world building, everything kicks into gear after the turning point in the latter half of Volume 1, and especially Volume 2, where the tone of the novel shifts. So, I hope you stick with it and enjoy the wild ride! I also added some song recommendations along the way to listen to whilst you read certain chapters, I hope this helps boost the experience. Public Spotify playlist for Volume 1 is under the name: TLAR - Book 1 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/07czy216X1xB6F1mfRtl31?si=3cff937234e64589 Volume 2 playlist: TLAR - Book 2 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7dxCyfh3i4EV2SaEj0iVZs?si=9636c983657c475d This is rated 'No one under 17 permitted' for (very) mature themes, including drug use, assault, discrimination against same sex couples, language, violence etc. Please note that no storyline is chosen for shock value, and most are taken from personal experience, and hopefully handled with the care, respect and sensitivity they deserve. Disclaimers are added against any chapter that may cause distress. The main couple is a man and woman but there are also LGBTQ+ characters and relationships spread throughout, hope you enjoy!

In the bustling city of Port Harcourt, where the symphony of technology harmonizes with the rhythm of nature, a young man named Gary Michael embarks on a captivating journey. His fascination with the precision of gears competes with the unrestrained cadence of his athletic pursuits, creating a dance between two worlds. Port Harcourt's neon-lit skyline paints the backdrop for Gary's dreams of a future intertwined with mechatronics. As he envisions a world where circuits orchestrate progress, his footsteps on the track echo his unwavering devotion to the art of motion. Amidst the city's vibrant energy, an unexpected melody enters Gary's life—Jane. She becomes a significant chord in his symphony, a composition where love interlaces with the gears of ambition. Yet, beneath the glowing skyline, Gary's daring proposal to Jane leads to a different verse. Her gentle rejection casts a shadow on the once-bright notes of his ambitions. As the gears of his academic brilliance falter, transitioning from straight A's to haunting C's, Gary faces a crossroads. Heartbreak rewires the very circuits of his being, disrupting the delicate equilibrium between mechatronics and the sprinter's realm. Resilient in the face of adversity, Gary transforms setbacks into a crescendo, propelling him towards a new movement. The track, once a stage of personal conquest, becomes a path of rediscovery. The journey unfolds as a captivating melody, revealing unexpected harmonies in Gary's pursuit of reconciliation between love, ambition, and self-discovery. Port Harcourt anticipates the performance of a lifetime, where the sounds of gears and the rhythm of stride converge to create a masterpiece resonating far beyond the city limits.

In a gaslit city where time is currency and memories are traded like coins, Linden Hawthorn, a reclusive archivist, inherits a broken pocket watch and a blood-stained journal after his father vanishes. The watch doesn’t tick—it feeds. With every cryptic vision it offers, it devours fragments of Linden’s past: the scent of his father’s pipe smoke, his sister’s voice, even the reason he began his search. The journal leads him to a drowned barge filled with corpses clutching coins from the future, a porcelain doll that whispers of a faceless figure called the Woundless Man, and a hidden underworld where aristocrats trade seconds of life and cultists worship gears instead of gods. As Linden uncovers his father’s sins—a legacy of stolen time and mechanized horrors—he must decide what he’s willing to lose: his memories, his morality, or his very soul. But the watch hungers, and the shadowy Tockmen who pull its strings demand payment in blood. Time is running out. And it’s taking Linden with it.

Once he traveled through time, Schiller became Batman's teacher and a professor of psychology at Gotham University. On his first day, Bruce Wayne entered the psychological clinic. Schiller had no choice but to open the American comics chat system and posted the first message: Batman asked me the meaning of life, how should I answer? Waiting online is quite urgent. Schiller Andel Rodriguez is a world-class criminal psychology master and the most famous psychology professor at Gotham University. His students include both superheroes and super criminals, but he does not belong to any of them. Batman likes to call him "

Two years after graduation, Lin Yang had no car, no house, and no savings. Originally planning to slack off for the rest of his life, Lin Yang, after a failed blind date, activated the Golden Finger during a fishing session. Catching different aquatic species not only directly earned him money, but also unlocked special items (buffs, fishing gear, bait...), while also increasing his own experience and points. 【Fishing Level Lv1: Novice】 【Level Experience: 1/100】 【Total Points: 1】(Points can be used to exchange for special items) ..... With the help of the Golden Finger Illustrated Handbook, Lin Yang not only made a fortune but gradually became the top fishing master and the hottest outdoor live streamer! Viewers in the live streaming room, "There's no fish Master Lin can't catch, not even a shark." A certain fishing master, "Master Lin is the true fishing master, and from today onwards, he is my master."

[Ding! You've gained 1 million views! The city’s most beloved heroine has fallen for your mysterious charms!] [Miss Mercury is obsessed with your streams. She’s on her way to meet you!] [Heroic factions are closing in on your location, but the Mindbender Heroine is aiding your escape!] [Ding! 10,000 views! You've gained 5,000 Credits and unlocked Stealth Mode (Tier 1)] [Ding! 1 million views! Rope Girl has noticed your mysterious charm and can't get you out of her mind!] [Ding! You’ve saved the city’s lower districts while taking down three corporate-backed heroes. Lady Fortress is secretly watching your stream, intrigued.] In Metro City, where huge corporations and flashy superheroes rule the skyline, everyday people are just bystanders in the ongoing battles between heroes and villains. At the center of this chaotic city is Scott McQueen, an average guy with one big dream: becoming a cool, shadowy antihero. Scott fantasizes about scaring off criminals while serving justice from the shadows. But there’s a catch—this world is full of flashy, attention-grabbing superheroes who hog all the spotlight. One night, everything changes for Scott. He stumbles upon the Harem Streamer System, a strange, almost-living program that offers him a shot at fame. With this system, Scott can live-stream his nightly antihero activities, gaining views and donations from fans all over the world. The catch? The more viewers he gets, the more heroines fall for him. Plus, with the growing fanbase, he earns rewards like money and powerful gear, boosting his chances of becoming the hero he’s always wanted to be! “Bahaha! The whole world is going to bow to me very soon!” He's not only wanted by the Hero Agency. He's not only wanted by mega-corporations. He's not only wanted by enemies he's destroyed. He's also wanted by superheroines! Discord Link: https://discord.gg/REyZdhpd

In a city veiled in oil-stained mist and the dim glow of gaslight, where the grind of steel and the hiss of steam never cease, a man awakens in a body that is not his own. Victor Holloway, an ordinary man from Earth, now walks in the skin of Elias Vayne—a detective whose reputation is built more on deception than achievements, a man who was just murdered for reasons unknown. With fractured memories and an identity that doesn’t quite fit, Victor is drawn into a case stranger than anything he has ever encountered. A murder wiped from existence, with witnesses who speak only in riddles. Yet in this world of secrets and shifting allegiances, greater powers loom beyond mortal schemes. The Churches of the Four Original Gods—ancient institutions of faith, influence, and hidden agendas—watch the game unfold, sometimes as allies, sometimes as immovable obstacles. The deeper he delves, the more he realizes—this world is nothing but a stage, where truth is fluid, and masks are worn by all. There are no certainties, no absolutes, only the game he must now play. Beneath the blackened rain, the whisper of turning gears, and the ever-present haze of smoke, Victor Holloway must embrace the role thrust upon him. A Detective. A Victim. A Liar. A Saviour. A Pactmaker. This is a tale woven from lies and deception. The tale of a Trickster.

Jacob Brown spent his old life chasing success, only to be crushed by failure at every turn. Now, reborn as 14-year-old Leo Mantine in a steampunk world where magic fuels invention and danger lurks behind progress, he’s given a second chance to carve out a future worth fighting for. But survival won’t come easy. From shadowy factions pulling the strings of society to secrets buried in ancient ruins, Leo must navigate a world where power is everything—and the weak are left behind. Armed with newfound abilities and the lessons of his past life, he’ll have to outthink, outmaneuver, and outlast those who would see him fail again. In a world of gears, sorcery, and ambition, will he finally rise above his failures—or will history repeat itself?

Growing up without Bloodline Mastery exposed piling up difficulties. Being at a high school for talented adventurers wasn't a great idea, but no other school could accept a no-name orphan. No, seriously. His name was Shay, nothing more, nothing less. The school allowed him to at least study the way of the sword, in which he excelled. Although being geared after leaving school wouldn't make much for a living. It 'seemed' to be an inevitable path. [Merging System - Unlocked!]

The highly anticipated MMORPG Final Eclipse finally launches after a long beta phase, where players experienced an all-out war between nations. As one of the top-ranked beta testers, Raine fought in the final battle, only to find himself waking up in the game world—except this time, everything has changed. The war is over. The world has been reset. His level and stats? Gone. His legendary gear? Erased. The beta testers who once ruled the battlefield? Scattered. But there’s something only he remembers—the truth about the cataclysmic event that reset the world. The “Eclipse” wasn’t just a game event; it was a purge, and something far worse is coming. Armed with fragments of lost knowledge and the instincts of a veteran, Raine must navigate a world where even the former kings of war are now powerless. Guilds reform, alliances shift, and hidden forces move in the shadows. The new players think they’re starting fresh. The beta testers know better. And Raine? He’s determined to reclaim his power, uncover the truth, and break the cycle before the next Eclipse begins.

You heard the title. the retired demon king settles in a village to live in peace. then he meets the most obnoxious hero ever. best to keep an eye on him. you know, as a gear carrier.

After the Cataclysm which wiped out about half of the world's population and also brought about the emergence of sentient races hidden in the world. Runes were found in the genes of every living thing, and the ones who were able to tap into these runes were called Ascendants. Seth Deus Yagami awakened successfully, but he awakened the abyssal rune. Unknowingly, his awakening starts the gears of something bigger that could affect the world either in a good or bad way. No Yaoi, No Yuri, NTR, weaktostrong MC, perverted MC, battlemaniac female lead, ice cold beauty, crazy beauty, face slapping moments, wolf in sheep's clothing, etc

For fans of Cradle × Mistborn × The Stormlight Archive — meet your next obsession! WHY YOU'LL BINGE THIS SERIES: 1.EPIC PROGRESSION — From demon-spark boy to multiverse godslayer! 2.BREATHTAKING WORLD-BUILDING — 12+ intricately designed realms, 100+ divine entities, and warring cosmic rules! 3.UNFORGETTABLE HEROINES — A legendary mage queen, a time-bending priestess, and a tribal goddess fused with a war machine! 4.GAME-CHANGING POWER SYSTEMS — Divine bloodlines × Apocalyptic gear × Reality-breaking constructs! STORY SNEAK PEAK: Eldrin isn't just half-demon, half-elf — he's a walking apocalypse forged by warring multiverses. When his father's betrayal strands him in the lawless hellscape of Faro, he doesn't just survive — he conquers. WITNESS THE ASCENSION: Stage 1: Disgraced hybrid → Deep Blue Academy's top arcane architect Stage 2: Multiverse exile → God-Eater who turns divine realms into his workshops Stage 3: Creator of Eternity Tome — the only artifact that evolves from Disaster to Cosmic Law Final Form: The Redeemer — A living black hole rewriting universal code with 3.2 billion souls as his fuel CORE SELLING POINTS: 1. LEGENDARY CHARACTERS = INSTANT FANDOM The Dragon Tamer Mage: A 29-level reality-warmer who hunts archdevils for brunch. Secretly carries Eldrin's heir — a baby with frost draconic reincarnation powers. Time's Martyred Saint: Sacrifices her existence across 3 millennia to build Dawn Citadel, only to return as "Faceless Knight" — a paradox rewriting fate itself. The Tribal Singularity: Merges with Mother Nest (a living war factory) to become Tilatmis — Creator Deity who births new cosmic laws. 2. GEAR THAT REINVENTS POWER FANTASY Moonlight (Shattered Godblade): Killed 7 deities before breaking against his father's armor. Judgment (Soul-Hungry Cleaver): Evolves from Hatred → Sacred Annihilation through 12 divine executions. Apocalypse Codex (Living Artifact): Contains 9 sealed elder gods as "skill modules". 3. COSMIC WAR SYSTEMS Divine Stock Market: Trade godhood fragments like crypto! Time Dilated Battlefields: 1 day in Abyss Layer 666 = 3 years of power grinding! Bloodline NFTs: Inherit skills from 13 extinct cosmic races! READER MAGNETS: Chapter 1 Hook: "The ritual demanded his mother's heart. Eldrin offered two — one demon, one divine." Mid-Series Twist: Hero becomes the final boss — "Why kill gods when I can own their believers?" Finale Payoff: A black hole wedding where Eldrin marries 4 heroines across collapsing realities! TROPES WE OWN: 1.Enemies-to-Godslayers 2.Academy Arc × Multiverse Conquest 3.Time Loop Tragedies 4."Build Your Own Pantheon" Progression VIRAL POTENTIAL: TikTok-Ready Moments: Dragon armadas exploding into coin showers! Webtoon Adaptation Gold: Kaleidoscopic battles across 12 art styles! Wiki Rabbit Hole: 144 divine hierarchies to obsess over! WARNING: This novel contains: Soul-crushing "Red Wedding" moments (RIP 8.7 billion NPCs) Game of Thrones-level political backstabs across 23 noble houses Addictive "Just One More Chapter" cliffhangers READER PRAISE: "MC starts weaker than a sick kitten but ends up deleting the final boss' save file!" "The Elden Ring of webnovels — every side character could headline their own epic!" START READING NOW — Before Eldrin resets the multiverse again!

The multi-verse is collapsing, and the fabric of reality is falling apart. Only the unity of Man and Mechs can transcend the apocalypse. “First off, Screw Mars!” Ten is losing his sight. Everything has been so wrong after the god-damned earthquake. Nothing’s been good. The apocalypse, perhaps? Ten could swear these were nothing like the tell-tales of ‘the apocalypse’. And just when he thinks it can’t get any more bizarre… BOOM! MARS KIDNAPS HIM! At first, it seems he’s been dragged out of earth, and somehow, to the red planet (against his will) for one reason: to pilot the advanced Martron NP1 combat machine in order to fight against growing factions opposing Mars. But soon, Ten learns there’s far more at stake. The multi-verse itself is collapsing. Cosmic bodies are smashing into one another. CHAOS! With everything on the brink of destruction, Mars sees Ten as their wild card for victory to their planet. But survival is no guarantee. Advanced gear training is a nightmare. Brutal drills leave him battered and many times, bruised. Other recruits for the rescue of the multi-verse make him feel like a cosmic misfit. And the ultimate insult? The annoying kid, Rod Aokimoto, is there too. As tension rise, Ten discovers an even greater truth. He’s not just Mars’ gear soldier; he’s the last ANOMALY. Now, with the multi-verse on the verge of annihilation, Ten must rise above the chaos, master alien techs, and prove what it truly means to be a blessed (or cursed) human. TAGS: SCI-FI ADVENTURE | INTERGALACTIC & GALACTIC WARS | TECHS & MECHA BATTLES | HUMAN + MACHINE | COSMIC CHAOS

Kael Stratos, an elite soldier from a distant future, was on a mission to retrieve a mysterious artifact from a derelict space station. But when the artifact suddenly activated, he was torn from his world and thrown into a medieval kingdom teetering on the brink of annihilation—one overrun by hordes of the undead. Armed with his advanced exo-suit and the Morph-Gear, a weapon capable of transforming into various firearms and blades, Kael struggles to survive in a land where magic reigns and technology is unheard of. With his AI companion malfunctioning and his resources dwindling, he sets his sights on three goals: finding a way back to his own world, helping the kingdom eradicate the zombie threat, and uncovering the truth behind this world's apocalypse. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that the undead are only the beginning. Dark forces are at play, and the key to his return may be hidden within a secret long buried in this world's past. With time running out and death lurking at every corner, Kael must fight, adapt, and survive in a land where the future has no place—unless he carves one out himself. Will he find his way home, or will he become a legend in a world that was never meant for him?

Synopsis: In the Asterios Empire, where noble bloodlines carry the essence of magic, a child’s destiny is unveiled at the age of five through a sacred ritual. For Khione Briston, the youngest daughter of the esteemed Briston Dukedom, this moment changes everything. Within the grand cathedral of the imperial capital, Khione awakens to the power of Time—a mystical magic unseen for centuries. The air swirls, gears and cogs shimmer into existence, and a clock with rapidly spinning hands marks the moment of her awakening. Shock and awe fill the room, as the nobles witness a rare and unparalleled affinity emerge from the youngest Briston. With the weight of her family’s legacy and a power no one can teach her to wield, Khione stands at the beginning of a journey that promises greatness but is shrouded in mystery. Khione must learn what it means to stand on her own, even as the threads of time itself twist in her hands.

In the modern world, Kazuya Takumi was a skilled metalworker specializing in forge welding, a craft few truly mastered. His life was simple, dedicated to his trade, but a tragic accident in his workshop sent him to an early grave. However, instead of fading into nothingness, he awakens in another world—a land of swords, magic, and mythical creatures. Reincarnated as Gail Stroud, the son of a humble village blacksmith, he retains all his knowledge and skills from his previous life. While the world is filled with adventurers, knights, and powerful mages, Gail has no interest in battle or heroics. Instead, he dreams of a peaceful, quiet life spent perfecting his craft, creating legendary weapons, and running his own forge. However, his unparalleled smithing abilities quickly attract attention. From noble knights seeking unbreakable swords to rogue adventurers wanting custom gear, everyone seems to want a piece of his work. Even the royal family and powerful warlords begin taking notice. With skilled hands and a stubborn desire for tranquility, Gail must navigate a world that constantly tries to pull him into its chaos—all while staying true to his simple dream of being a blacksmith, not a hero.

In the heart of the steampunk city of Babel, Jesper awakens to a world forever changed. After mysteriously rising from his own grave, he finds himself disoriented and alone without anything but the fool card. Clutching a cryptic letter from his uncle and a sinister Fool card, Jesper is thrust into a labyrinth of secrets and unexplainable mysteries. Navigating the bustling, gear-laden streets of Babel, Jesper encounters enigmatic figures and uncovers hidden truths about the city’s dark underbelly. Each step deeper into the mystery reveals a city teeming with magical realism—where machines whisper secrets and the line between the living and the dead blurs. Jesper's journey is marked by unsettling encounters and haunting visions, pushing him to question the nature of reality and his own sanity. Guided by the Fool card’s cryptic clues, he must unravel the truth behind his resurrection and the sinister forces at play. As Jesper delves deeper, he discovers a hidden network of night hunters and arcane practitioners who hold the key to Babel’s dark secrets. In a world where magic and machinery intertwine, Jesper must navigate treacherous alliances and deadly enemies to uncover the truth and reclaim his lost life. "This is the beginning of the Fool's journey within the abyss - or should i say mine is." - Jesper Hasington.

In the age of arcane wonders and lurking shadows, Lily, a System-bearer torn from her world, finds herself in the crosshairs of destiny. Her unlikely ally, Alec, a vampire with secrets buried deeper than the ancient castles of Europe, offers a dangerous path forward. But as the gears of fate turn, a sinister genius, Victor, emerges from the darkness, his inventions threatening to plunge the realm into chaos. Can Lily and Alec overcome their differences and stand against the encroaching night? Or will they become mere puppets in Victor's grand design? Prepare for a thrilling odyssey through a world where science clashes with the supernatural, and love might be the only weapon strong enough to defy destiny.

Batman: Cidade do Medo acompanha uma Gotham à beira do caos. Um serial killer com uma mente perversa e inteligência apurada vem espalhando o pânico ao usar uma misteriosa toxina que distorce a realidade e os piores medos das vítimas. Agora, ele está a um passo de liberar essa toxina por toda a cidade, ameaçando cada cidadão. Em sua busca incansável, Batman precisa decifrar pistas enigmáticas e mergulhar nos cantos mais sombrios de Gotham, onde cada rua esconde uma nova ameaça e os rostos familiares podem não ser o que parecem.

The Year is 1885 of the Imperial Calendar. When the Imperial Flagship P.R.S. REAPER comes under attack, Major Derringer "Trick-Shot" Asus calls his bay handler to open his hanger so he can deploy in defense of the ship but is denied deployment. Soon after the ships Commander gives him a new task. Escort the Chalmayan Princess back to their home world of Primia.

{Disclaimer: The women in this book are highly dysfunctional and violent. If you are not a fan of Tsudere's and Yandere's, this might not be your cup of tea, and the MC is an asshole.} Bane Takashi is a criminal with a knack for getting into trouble—big trouble. After one too many bad choices and a whole lot of theft, he’s got half the world gunning for him. Just when things seem bleak, a mysterious transparent blue woman shows up claiming she's an AI from the future, sent to stop the world from going down the drain. Her solution? Bane has to let his current body die so he can jump into a game world, ten years before it even launches. When Bane wakes up in the game, he’s in the body of a 5-year-old, but with all his memories still intact. He's stuck on an island with the Village of Heroes at its heart. It's here that Bane starts mastering every type of magic, mysticism, and even some wild stuff like witchcraft and cultivation, all to gear up for the craziness that is Dominion Online. Things get even more chaotic when Bane meets a fiery woman who seems to have it out for him. But before he can even figure out what’s happening, she’s already planning their wedding! So now, Bane—an immortal human—and his equally immortal and chaotic elf wife are on a wild ride to save the world(s) from these big bads known as the Supreme Ones. His life might not be so bad if she was the only one, but his overwhelming personality ends up pulling a few more dysfunctional women into the mess. It’s a crazy, toxic, and chaotic adventure, and just because Bane’s being called a hero now doesn’t mean he’s leaving his criminal past behind. Discord: https://discord.gg/7ZDTTCq99Z

In the floating city of Brasshaven, where airships rule the skies and steam-powered robots serve coffee, 17-year-old Finn Gearwright is just trying to survive high school at Machina Academy. He’s not a genius inventor like his father, nor a prodigy duelist like his rival, but he does have one thing—dumb luck.

What would you do if you could copy abilities during an apocalypse? Of course, you can only copy women's abilities by having sex with them and absorbing their coitus essence! Jake Mystro, a determined and strong-willed teenager without an ability, was frowned upon and disdained for being powerless, as his body even rejected artificial abilities. Yet, that didn't bother Jake or make him sad, rather, he supported himself with the help of beast gears to avoid being bullied. However, on a particular day, Jake got tricked into awakening his Vampiric powers, but the process left him in a life and death condition. Luckily, he acquired the 'Cuckold System. [Ding!] [You have acquired the Cuckold System] [The Goddess of lust has acknowledged your strong will and determination] [You have become a dedicated follower] [By stealing other people's women you shall become stronger] "I shall not become the follower of anyone! I will also conquer the goddess of lust! Mark my words!"  [Fufufu.....you have balls of steel, you know?] Let's follow the journey of Jake Mystro as he embarks on the journey of doing perverted tasks and becoming men's worst nightmare. ========================= Tags: Slice of life, Incest, Netori, Ecchi, Witches, Vampires, Pregnancy, Rape, Beastkins, Demi-humans, fellatio, cunnilingus, Dhampirs, Demons, gods, Fetish, Sperm-spreading, OP-Protagonist, Academy, Blood manipulation, Gore, Familiars, and Mutants. ------- Note: The MC didn't acquire the system in the early chapters. Mc is not getting ntr'd. MC is not getting cucked or getting stolen from. He'll be the one to steal from people. _________

In the age of steam and gears, where the Industrial Revolution breathes life into progress, an undercurrent of forbidden mysteries stirs. Secret cults and shadowy organizations vie for the extraordinary, while forgotten gods watch humanity from the heavens above. Dorothy, an unassuming stranger from another world, finds herself thrust into this enigmatic realm of forbidden knowledge, sacrificial rituals, and lost histories. To survive, she must embrace the one rule that governs this chaotic world: "Knowledge is power." But what about forbidden knowledge? "That," Dorothy smirks, "is the ultimate power." Armed with wit, determination, and a thirst for the unknown, Dorothy embarks on a journey into the heart of secrets that could reshape the world—or destroy it.

My name is Shay. Just Shay. Every morning at five, I kick off my day like anyone else—cereal, eggs, or toast. Then comes the routine brushing session where I make it a point to avoid eye contact with the damn bogey in the mirror. Typical, right? I’ve got a roommate—a werewolf. We’re best friends and classmates, tackling school like it’s any normal day. After classes, I head to my job as a bartender at a nearby pub. It’s a cozy spot, where apart from your regular humans, other creatures also get together for a drink. Yep, vampires and shapeshifters have their pint nights too. Aside from these quirks, my life was relatively normal — until everything turned upside down. The peacefulness of the night seems to be over, the Fifth King is preparing for war — perhaps for world domination —, and common sense has evaporated somewhere along the way. Life was pretty standard, aside from the supernatural quirks, until it wasn’t. The peace of the night shattered, the Fifth King is gearing up for war—or maybe world domination—and somewhere along the way, logic took a vacation. Now, here I am, smack in the middle of this glorious mess, trying to figure out how I went from a normal guy to being tangled in what feels like the prelude to a world-ending saga.

Fifty years ago, humanity faced an unexpected peril : On the verge of being destroyed. Massive portals to other dimensions suddenly materialized across the world, unleashing terrifying monsters immune to humanity most advanced thermal weapons. The very weapons of mass destruction that humans once took pride in were rendered useless against these monsters. Alongside the appearance of these portals, some humans discovered they had been granted extraordinary supernatural abilities, transforming them into warriors tasked with venturing into these portals and clearing the Ruins within. As a result, a myriad of new occupations emerged around these newfound powers, leading many warriors to form guilds in pursuit of greater strength and security for their livelihoods. ------------------------------ Cloud Ashborne—a so-called "failed awakener." Unlike his peers who harnessed incredible powers, Cloud found himself unable to awaken his own supernatural abilities. In order to earn more money normal jobs couldn't cut for him, so he turned to scavenging. His role involved assisting warriors by carrying their gear and collecting the remains of slain monsters from the Ruins, an undeniably dangerous job for someone like him. But the rewards were also really tempting! However, during what was supposed to be a routine mission in a seemingly low-level Ruin, disaster struck. Cloud and his team were ambushed by powerful Ruin Monsters! In a desperate bid for survival, his teammates sacrificed him to buy time for their escape, only for all of them to be killed in the depths of the Ruins. Yet against all odds, Cloud miraculously survived! Not only did he escape death; he also unlocked something extraordinary within himself: a mysterious power known as The System. This enigmatic force promised him strength, power, and wealth that he has always dream of. Cloud soon realized that nothing comes without sacrifice in this world. To gain the power he craved and achieve his dreams, he would have to pay a price, a price that could change everything.

Max, an ordinary guy with an extraordinary passion for gaming, thrives on challenges, always pushing himself to the highest difficulty. When Champion’s Awakening, the world’s first full-immersion VR RPG, launched, he emptied his savings to buy the game and a budget capsule. Despite playing with subpar gear, he spent four relentless years mastering the game’s toughest mode. Now, the long-awaited sequel has arrived, introducing multiplayer battles. To his surprise, his uncle and sister gift him a top-tier gaming capsule. For the first time, Max is ready to put his hard-earned skills to the test against real opponents.

"Current survival rate: 0.001%" "System activated — You have taken control of the Earth's highest authority." During the awakening ceremony in class, while the school beauty mockingly brushed away the F-rank badge from my palm, no one knew that my system was refining the entire New York black hole into an experience pool. Do you think I level up too slowly? Last night, in the folding space training ground, I just used ninety-nine bolts of heavenly lightning to temper my body and break through—your ten years of hard cultivation are enough for me to tear a piece of paper. Saying I don’t have godly gear? Ten minutes ago, I casually pulled out the SSS-level "Ragnarok," and it's currently roasting the eight-headed serpent of Sakura Kingdom into skewers for a midnight snack. Laughing at my poor talent? At this moment, your S-level ice ability is dancing in my palm, while my Annihilation Domain has already devoured seven Awakener Temples across North America. When the coalition of the five major nations approaches, I sit on the Throne of Skulls, smiling lightly. Behind me, a million blood-born heirs howl to the sky, each one a death agent birthed from a disaster-level mother nest. "Kneel." "Or become the next stepping stone on my path of evolution." This world always needs a few ants, to highlight the sharpness of those who slay gods.

Dumar, bio-engineered assassin, shoots himself in the head in an attempt to escape the purpose he was created for. Upon wakening, Dumar finds himself in a plain, stone built room with simple wooden furnishings and no décor. He also finds he is paralysed. Transported to another world by Grethron, a necromancer, to kill his brother Malthrom, Dumar realises he will never be free of the fate he has been created for, even killing himself had not changed anything. Grethron takes Dumar to the palace to see the queen who apologises to Dumar for her brother-in-law’s defiling of his soul. Dumar discovers Grethron’s brother, Malthrom, invaded the kingdom before and is gearing up to do the same again. Using his necromancy, Malthrom enslaves unwilling people to join his army and begins his march north. Dumar is drawn in and honoured by the people but will he break his own vow never to kill or let the people he has come to care for suffer?