Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest Winners

[Battle Royale] [An Upgraded Squid Game] [Human Nature and Darkness] [Psychological Warfare] [Survival Rules] [High-Intelligence Showdown]  Fifty people are kidnapped and taken to an unknown location. Every night at 8 PM, the Death Game begins. In the end, only one person can walk out alive. The prize? Ten million in cash.  Who will emerge as the ultimate winner?

#sci-fi#AI#Revenge#Action#Dark#Adventure#Survival In the year 2250, humanity’s most advanced achievement has taken shape—not in one, but two artificial intelligences with the power to feel and grow. Nyuro and Auro, the world’s first sentient AI twins, begin their lives in peaceful innocence, raised by their creators, Vict and Annie, who love them as their own children. But this fragile peace is shattered when government forces target their family, leaving Nyuro and Auro orphaned and marked by tragedy. Fueled by their loss and a promise left by their mother, the twins set out to find their mysterious uncle, a figure with unknown ties to them and a key role in their future. As they train under his harsh but protective guidance, they prepare for a journey driven by vengeance and a search for answers—seeking justice in a world that tore their family apart. (Also another note. I am planning to finish this story, with two volume in mind. Right now what I had publish is only the first concept of the story, which will have many improvement by the end product. The complete first volume will be publish around mid next years. Thanks for reading :)

## Kingdom Building LitRPG [You have been chosen as a Lord of the Intergalactic Lord Project.] [Your reward: A floating island to call your own.] [Your mission: Build your kingdom, summon legendary allies, and dominate the worlds!] [Your advantage: An SSS-grade Ultimate Gacha System.] Atlas Blackthorn, the newly chosen Lord of a floating island, wields the power to summon legendary warriors, powerful artifacts, and, of course, waifus. With boundless ambition and the Ultimate Gacha System at his side, Atlas sets out to become the strongest Lord in all worlds. How far will his ambition take him? Tags: Action, Kingdom Building, LitRPG, Fantasy, Gacha System, Post-Apocalyptic, Adventure, Power Progression, Strong Protagonist, Strategic Battles, Epic Worldbuilding, Romance *** Discord Server: https://tinyurl.com/galanteodiscord Note to Readers: This is a trial read. I'll be uploading at a slower chapter rate as I explore the direction of the story. If all goes well, I plan to focus on this project and republish it in early 2025. I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback along the way!

Sebastian is called by many different names: lunatic, madman, crazy, and a monster.  
Pretending to be human is an effortless task; calculating and flirtatious is a mask he carries for centuries, playing with the lives of those around him as if they’re just a game. 
His closed heart never lets anyone in, keeping a distance from anyone except for his annoying family, who live and protect each other. Despite having a dysfunctional, crazy family yet being regarded with suspicion and dread, his heart longs for more.  
On that fateful night, he never thought it was possible for him to have another emotional connection.  
A young, feral boy carrying a hunter-knife is surrounded by blood, snow, and dead wolves in the forest. Why does his youthful body carry a grotesque canvas of scars like they tell a gruesome past? Why do his eyes carry a heavy burden that's too young for a human? Or is he a human in the first place? 
As he gets to know the bratty Atlas, who angers him and challenges him, test him to the limits. If it was anyone else, he would not hesitate sending them to their grave.  Soon, he would learn that Atlas carries a heavy, dark secret, where Sebastian had to look for an answer in Atlas's past and must decide if he's worth protecting.  ***
Flirtatious, heartless, and bored gong/seme/top protagonist x clingly, bratty, and ruthless shou 
Sebastian x Atlas 
Additionally tags: dark, mysterious, BL, age-difference, thriller, psychological, supernatural creatures, slow romance, murder, dub-con, tragic past, comedy, and horror (I don’t own the picture on the cover.)

Arthur unexpectedly transmigrated to the parallel world after the university examination. As a foreigner growing up in China since birth, possessing foresight of future events, he thought that his life would be even smoother than his previous live. Unexpectedly, the Winner in Life system also came. Arthur, said with emotions: "I no longer have to struggle in this life!" System: Congratulations to the host for obtaining the VIP privilege gift package gaining 5 attributes points and gaining the skill, 【Driving a Ferrari with one hand】… Congratulations to the host for obtaining props, 【Absolute focus】… Congratulations to the host for obtaining props, 【Consumption Rebate Critical Card】… .... With the help of the system, the rich and handsome Arthur found that he seemed to be on the path to becoming an Almighty Male God, … However, in this life, this Male god also capture the hearts of other high-quality men, achieving the peak of life. Note: - The novel depicts the relationship of Male x Male. The mc will have his Harem so take cautions. - This novel takes heavy reference from CN Danmei novels, and urban novels (mostly the latter) - This is my first novel ever, starting purely from my own interests. Hope I will receive your support. - The cover photo does not belong to me. Source: Pinterest

Centuries ago, a mysterious energy called "Mana" revolutionized society, but it led humans to face an unprecedented crisis: the "Great Fall". After centuries of intensive use of mana, flora and fauna mutated, becoming more powerful and intelligent. Confronted with this threat, humanity takes refuge in the bastions, the 21 fortresses, to survive. Humans also begin to mutate, developing greater physical and intellectual abilities, as well as special powers called "systems" and "stigmata". However, a scientist warns of an even more devastating imminent threat: insects, organized and cruel, will mutate in turn. To counter this imminent threat, humans begin to study the beasts and learn to cultivate Mana like them. Mana exercises are created to accelerate this process and copy some of the characteristics, but changing exercises is difficult and risky. As the world struggles for survival, Rin, a semi-awakened with the power to perceive everything around him, finds himself at the heart of this turmoil, determined to find his place in a world in chaos and to protect those he loves from the surrounding dangers. ***************************************** Participate in WSA 2024

Sunz was born with an unknown ability given only a sword from birth but had no idea of what to do, until one faithful day his ability got reawakened and it's his choice to live his old life or explore his new one with the help of his friend Jihu. At first, Sunz was invited by Jihu to see his Grandpa's tournament in Korea. But the invitation as a Visitor soon changed to an invitation as a Contestant. Now having a chance to compete at Jihu's Grandpa's tournament to find the next member of the Water Clan. But to have a chance at competing in the tournament Sunz needs to win against one of the Inspector. Even if he can defeat the Inspector, can he defeat the other Contestants, who are there for the same reward? An inexperienced nobody joining the World of Experts. Can he survive or will he die without achieving ANYTHING?

The Main Character shortly after a traumatizing experience with an FBI Agent find out he was reincarnated into the world of Ninjas over a decade and a half before the start of the Naruto canon, but that's not all. Hanarai found himself as part of the rain village and the grandson Hanzo The Salamander, as well as part of the prestigious Hatorti clan (Hanzo the salamander's clan) With the realization that he had been reincarnated into the fictional world of Naruto a show he had been a big fan of in his teenager years but as of recently his memory was hazy on, Hanarai resolved to start his path to reaching the absolute peak of shinobi for the sake of his survival and return to his world for the sake of his family and for his revenge against FBI Agent Chrono Levon. However, massive obstacles and turning points made his goal something near impossible. Surviving pain and Obito, fighting kages, Robbing Ninja Villages blind, Becoming a bounty hunter, Hunting Akatsuki, Becoming the most wanted man in the ninja world, Creating a village, Reviving the uzumaki clan. The tale of Hanarai Fuma Hatori was one of legends.

After acquiring financial power, Shen Yuan had become the target of their spoken and written censure... Alternative titles of this book are "After Financial Freedom, They Offered Their Loyalty" and "Life Winner, I Have Multiple NPCs" There are some things you know. You will never regret opening this book...

After a devastating storm destroys the orphanage where he used to live, Atlas Orion finds himself at the center of a nightmare when the place is consumed by flames. In the midst of the chaos, he encounters a mysterious creature, a fire monster that was apparently behind the tragedy. Struggling to save the children and try to escape, Atlas finds himself facing a desperate battle for his life. The fire beast attacks with relentless violence and, in the heat of the fight, Atlas is badly burned. His skin is charred, his strength is gone and he seems doomed to die. Miraculously, however, something inside him awakens. Before succumbing to suffering, Atlas, in a last-ditch effort, defeats the monster. However, victory does not come without cost: he is left on the brink of death, his wounds deep and almost fatal. But in an inexplicable event, Atlas' body begins to regenerate at an impossible rate, a strange and new ability that he never imagined he possessed. When rescuers arrive and find him almost unrecognizable, they can't explain how he survived, After almost two months of treatment, Atlas is finally discharged, but his recovery exceeds the doctors' expectations, leaving him stronger and healthier than ever. When he returns home, however, a surprise awaits him: his keys no longer open the door. Confused and not knowing what happened, Atlas wonders if he was evicted for not paying the rent while he was in hospital. Homeless and with a newfound ability, Atlas finds himself facing a new world, full of possibilities and changes. Now, he must adapt to this new reality, where his extraordinary abilities can be both a blessing and a curse. With an uncertain future, Atlas begins to explore his new life, seeking answers about the fire, the powers that have awakened within him and, above all, how to survive in a world that seems to be on the verge of a major transformation.

Atlas always knew life was unfair, but nothing could have prepared him for the day his fate was sealed by the appearance of a mysterious timer in his vision. In just nine short hours, he would be forced to confront a “Door”—a deadly, otherworldly challenge from which few have ever returned. The Doors are not mere entrances, but gateways to trials where survival is uncertain, and failure means death. As one of the Chosen, Atlas must navigate a treacherous path filled with unknown horrors and unimaginable power. Transported to a stark, Foreign realm, he is pitted against monstrous beings and other Chosen who will stop at nothing to claim the Door's rewards for themselves. But the most terrifying part? Atlas's timer is shorter than any on record, giving him less time to prepare for the ordeal ahead. Armed with little more than fragmented knowledge and the determination to survive, Atlas steps through the Door. In this cruel world where the stakes are life and death, he must conquer the trials before him, claim the powers within the Door, and return to his world—if he can. But every second counts, and the clock is ticking.

After losing her husband, Queen Ana Sofia seeks a new king through a grand tournament. Amidst the competition, she finds unexpected love with a mysterious contestant. But as their romance blossoms, political intrigue and betrayal threaten to tear them apart. Will Ana Sofia choose love over duty, or will the demands of the kingdom force them apart?

They said a Fusion Capacity of three was worthless. They were wrong. When Rhys Fletcher receives the lowest viable capacity, everyone expects him to become a city guard at best. Instead, on his first night as a Hunter, he achieves the impossible - a harmonious fusion with both a Shade Fox and a Crystal Serpent. --- This novel is part of the WebNovel Rising Star II contest! Every bit of support helps, so please add it to your library and vote with Power Stones. Thanks!

Due to the abundance of online investing opportunities in the digital age, there is always a risk of becoming a victim of fraudulent schemes. One such case is the potentially upsetting and financially disastrous loss of USDT (Tether) to a fraudulent investment company. But there is still hope since you may be able to retrieve your assets by getting in touch with MALICE CYBER RECOVERY, a well-known specialist in tracking down and recovering misplaced money. This essay will examine the significance of contacting MALICE CYBER RECOVERY for help in locating misplaced USDT, the procedures involved in the recovery procedure, and the enormous implications of locating the cash successfully.

Emi era uma garota sem muita cor, que vivia no Japão com seu pai cientista, no século 19 e Atlas era apenas um viajante no tempo, que veio de mais de duzentos anos no futuro. Sendo almas gêmeas, esses dois estavam destinados a se encontrarem, mesmo que entre os séculos, e se apaixonarem um pelo outro, mas para todo caminho, há os seus obstáculos, principalmente quando falamos de viagens no tempo.

In this world, ascending to upper realms is a matter of resources and ability. No matter the status or power level, if you have the money and the willingness to, you can live in any realm of your choosing. However, the higher the realm, the more power there is to tap into and cultivate. Who is brave enough to seek the Supremacy and rule the world? By: Jerlani

Ichiro wakes up and saw himself in a in a large room of a large mansion. Ichiro, a student of a high school who was somehow teleported to the mansion. The story is about Rankers who have high physical and mental strength and have been teleported to make them more powerful and to save Atlas. There are 5 Toppers of Rankers who have the highest scores and it is a mystery that who first and second rankers are. Season 2 Academics have ended and now, it is the time for Survivors to become hero of Atlas and save the world. But this time, we have a Demon army who will be our enemies and the fight begins.

For more R-18 lewd and depravities check out my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/YuujiEveryleaf An old man dies, torn by regret. Due to his high karma, he has "near-limitless possibilities for reincarnation". He chooses to reincarnate in a fantasy world as a voluptuous futanari succubus with big tits and an irresistible smile. 1st place winner of ScribbleHub's Metus Writing Contest. Discussion and updates: https://discord.gg/SbZe2qv

¨No one is going to save me.¨ The World is never what it seems and it isn't fair, something that Atlas knew well enough, but no amount of knowledge could prepare him for The Fall. Now he's trapped in a world teeming with mysteries, myths, and monsters. With an already troubled life, he now must face a far more daunting challenge. How will he cope? How will he survive? Can he survive? Can he truly endure in a world that is anything but what it seems?

Anonymous Invitation. High-Stakes Escape. Amidst financial ruin and parental conflict, Raya Carson receives a cryptic invite to the prestigious Ackerman bridal contest. Will she seize this chance to escape her suffocating life or remain trapped?

"Have you heard, that the CEO of Preston Group is the new investor in this show? He's even the chief guest of the final round." "What are you talking about? I heard that the CEO of Preston Group is devilishly handsome and he never attended any public program let alone a fashion contest. So, why he is suddenly so interested in our show?" "Maybe he has some secret relationship with one of the contestants?" "God knows who is the lucky girl to have such a handsome and rich boyfriend." Chloe was listening to the conversation of her fellow contestants but she didn't give much attention to them. She had only one thing on her mind, to win the contest at any cost. Chloe Tyler was once a famous model in the fashion industry of LA but she left her passion for the sake of her fiance. But her damsel of a distressed fiance betrayed her with her best friend and the famous model Jane Richards. Her fiance kept her standing in the register's office on their wedding day. When Chloe thinks she has to return empty-handed from the register's office, a stranger approaches her with a contract marriage proposal as his partner also betrayed him. Chloe got married to a stranger and they went on their different ways after that. She swore to take revenge on her enemies and go after her passion of becoming the top model again. But she never thought that she would meet her mysterious husband again and find out that he's the most famous billionaire and CEO of LA. What will happen when her mysterious husband approaches her and asks her to be his real wife? Will Chloe fall in love with her mysterious husband?

"I must get stronger." Christopher's eyes blazed as he charged forward, his dagger slicing through shadows. [Player's agility increased by 15%]. His foes crumpled, their cries echoing through the desolate landscape. "I must get stronger!!" [Player's stamina enhanced by 20%]. Christopher's resolve hardened with each fallen enemy, his heartbeat pounding in sync with the system's rhythmic notifications. "I must get stronger. I must get stronger. I must get stronger!!!" [Player has unlocked the Aegis of Athena – Shield of the Gods]. As the legendary armor materialized, Christopher's roar shook the earth. "For the gods, for Atlas, for Tori, for mom!!!" [Player's reputation: Avenger of the Fallen]. The title settled upon him like a mantle, forged in the fire of his unrelenting fury. But as Christopher stood victorious, the system's voice whispered an ominous warning: "Alert: Titan's essence detected... Atlas's true form awakens..." The ground trembled beneath Christopher's feet as an eerie glow illuminated the horizon. "Estimated time until Titan's rebirth: 60 minutes." Christopher's determination hardened into steel. "I will not falter. Not now. Not ever." The fate of the realm hung in the balance. Can Christopher defeat Atlas and save the realm, or will he be the very cause of its destruction?

Julie Ward is an author who was starting her third novel when her family was in a fatal car accident. While grieving she is struggling to start and finish her novel, until her agent reaches out with an amazing opportunity to do a book signing and book contest at a local bookstore. The catch is the contest winner is someone from Julie's past. Can Julie and the person from her past move forward for the sake of their novel?

In a world of filled with mysteries clouded with thick shadows, Atlas, a sixteen-year-old boy, discovers his own shadow elemental abilities. When his mother is abducted by the sinister Nightshade Syndicate, Atlas sets out on a mission to rescue her. With the help of enigmatic allies like Raven, he navigates dangerous streets and uncovers dark secrets. As Atlas delves deeper, he realizes that his journey is not just about saving his mother, but also about uncovering his true destiny

Nadir is a world where humans are the lowest form of life, they are hunted, enslaved, hunted, and torn apart by the towering, godlike Nades. For generations, the Nades have ruled with ruthless tradition, and the humans, weak and disposable, are forced to survive in the shadows. The Tradition is the ultimate bloodsport—a savage ritual where 24 humans and 24 Nades are thrown onto a cursed island to battle each other, the elements, and the monstrous creatures of darkness, born from the darkest nightmares of Nadir’s past. For ten months, the island becomes a graveyard. This year, everything changes. Kai'vier, a human hybrid, has been chosen—the first of his kind to ever be thrust into the Tradition. Raised by a fallen Nade clan and marked by a forbidden bloodline, Kai'vier stands between two worlds that hate him. To the Nades, he is a disgrace, a stain on their purity. To the humans, he’s an outsider with too much Nade in his veins. But for Kai'vier, the Tradition is more than a fight for survival—it’s a battle for revolution. If he can survive deaths razor-sharp claws, the brutal Nade warriors, and the deadly isolation of the island, he could become a symbol of hope for the oppressed, and the spark that ignites a rebellion. His fight is no longer just for survival—it’s for revolution. But in a world where trust is a weapon and betrayal is inevitable, can one hybrid change the fate of his own kind?

The vast scale of our universe has lead us to believe that we must be alone. However, this isn't the case. Fane, a member of a highly advanced spacefaring civilization, is suddenly summoned to a medieval world, reminiscent of Old Earth's Dark Ages. On the surface, kingdoms wage endless wars, while beneath, a mysterious dungeon sprawls, its labyrinthine corridors constantly shifting like the gears of a clock. Yet, this world is not the only one drawn into the chaos. Two others have also been pulled into the fray, bringing with them powerful crystalline mages and ancient gods long thought forgotten. Now, Fane must fight to survive alongside native warriors and foreign entities alike, all while unraveling the cryptic mysteries of this strange and dangerous realm. Survival is only the beginning - deciphering the truth could change everything. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hello! Thanks for checking out my work! I'm not the greatest author, but I plan to consistently update this project, even if I have to write significantly slower than what you typically find on this platform. (My apologies!) Below, you will find some key notes that might be nice to see before becoming invested. PACE: 1 ch/week For now, I plan to write roughly 1 chapter / week. However, this might change in the future as I acclimate to writing more frequently. (Or if this story randomly becomes very successful.) MONEY: At least first 50 ch FREE I know I just mentioned this story becoming "successful", which typically entails paying the author and bla bla bla. BUT! I like the idea of this just being my story with no hooks or lines for a while. I plan to make the greater first chunk of the story free. TRENDS: ~~Overpowered~~ Honestly, I hate the concept of things being "overpowered". It reminds me of the first time I hacked my favorite childhood videogame. (It sucked the fun out of it completely.) That being said, I want this story to involve genuine challenges that take effort or risk to overcome. GENRE: Action, Mystery I would like this story to focus primarily around Action and Mystery. There might be some mild things tossed into the fray like comedy and romance, but don't expect anything too raunchy. DISCORD: -not yet implemented- I may eventually start a discord for this story. It could make a good library for supporting lore or artwork, as well as a place for people to discuss their theories or leave feedback. For now, this discord doesn't yet exist, but I will update you here when/if that changes. OTHER STORIES: Paused A few of you may have known me from my previous stories. I know, you may be pretty bummed that I haven't updated either in a really long time. There were some pretty hefty flaws in those stories that I kind of beat myself up over. (I actually formed this story while trying to restructure the surface world for 'Reincarnated as a Haunted Machine'.) For now, this will be my only work, as the world I live in has become rather complicated in recent years. Perhaps at some point, I will return to my other works, but for the foreseeable future, this story will be my one true love.

In the not-so-distant future, where Earth has reached its breaking point due to humanity’s reckless exploitation of the planet’s resources, and was decided by the Keepers that we all needed a timeout. Nature needed a break from us—Humans. And we, needed a break from technology. Everyone needed a holiday! Atlas has been lucky to be bestowed an SS Rank Domain—rich in resources, after the entirety of Earth population are called to the Oasis—a realm governed by magical science, where every individual is bestowed upon, a domain to look out for. He also gets a lucky draw on the Mage Crafter class. A profession best suited for his predicament, as he could not only enhance from basic to advanced loots and equipments, he could now also merge and craft that of his own. Aiming on building the biggest brand surrounding magically enhanced construction and clothing, Atlas was set to dominate the global trading system for his own benefits, and build up the strongest domain there ever will be on the Oasis—the realm of all races. But… would it be that easy, though? Is this all really a global holiday… or a survival show? … - Female Protagonist - Kingdom Building - System - Streamer - Mythical Races - Undead - Dragons Read to find out more…

Jason Kenwood the richest billionaire and a bachelor, he had everything since birth, even good looks, he was always surrounded by people, all women were crazy for him, but he was never interested. But deep down he was always lonely, whenever he was alone in his penthouse he felt it, but he was too stubborn to accept it. Ever since that incident. That took his parents away, he became a person who hardly expressed his emotions. But when his grandma emotionally blackmailed him, to bring the girl he loves within six months to meet her. He decided to hold a nation-wide contest to find his love. Claire Anderson was a princess for her father, only when he was with her, even when she was the daughter of a businessman who was rich. She was always short of money, the reason was her step-mother, who hated Claire and the feelings were mutual. When Claire heard about the contest she was not a bit interested. But when her bank balance shouted for help, she decided to participate in the contest for the weekly cash prize. Will this contest lead Jason and Claire towards true love? ***** This is my story, any resemblance to places or people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. If you like the story, Please support and vote! Thank you.

Atlas was just a seemingly regular 22-year-old college student with occasionally wacky dreams. In a twist of cosmic "bullsh*t," the remnants of a powerful Void-Scar, and the fiddling of an Entity with too much free time, he gets thrust into the Alpha world of Sellene. Now reincarnated as a [SPOILER] [REDACTED], one of the mysterious Arkien species, Atlas must navigate a life filled with loyalty and betrayal, swords and spears, and divine interests. As he unravels the truth behind his strange new world, his [Void Corruption] and The Legendary 'Great Path,' he faces even greater mysteries: "What truly brought about the fall of Velathra? Why do these three lil' bandits keep following me?!" What lie in the shadows that speak at night? How will the gods react to the [VOID]? And what is his role in the unfolding chaos? Follow Atlas on his journey through a world where ancient beings play with fate, where kingdoms rise and fall, and where comedy meets danger in equal measure. As he builds alliances, uncovers hidden secrets, and discovers his destiny while bringing others with him, one thing is certain—this adventure will change him, and the world, forever, unless he changes them first, that is. [Erro#$*&!((!)@)#$$#@!@%^$#] [Part of this synopsis seems to be redacted. Your authority is insufficient to observe aspects of this data. Please overcome the System in a war of words to be approved for increased authority.] ----- Hello, this is my attempt at writing a story that has haunted my dreams for ages. It’s set in a vibrant fantasy world full of gods, magic, beasts, and monsters, and a bit of humor. Expect kingdom and faction-building elements to pop up pretty quick, along with twists you won’t see coming. While I haven’t yet decided on romance, this story will never have harem. Ever. Thank you for taking the time to read this and my story, it means the world to me. If you like it enough, consider adding it to your library/collections and leaving a review or commenting your favorite quips. Now, come brothers and sisters, let us sally forth into the great unknown, leg to leg! "Eh? Why do you only have two?" --------------------------------------------------------------------- Below is a character art of a (hopefully soon) fan-favorite character, at least I am one of their fans. The image is considered their armored form, but the main purpose of my sharing it is because the BODY-FORM is what Atlas and the other two characters after chapter 4 look like. Take a look: https://ibb.co/qdCP2nc