Kaizen Costing

A weak, powerless boy in a modern-medieval world of monsters, powers, magic, and guns, on his way to become the strongest man in the world, but at what cost...?

In a world where power defines worth, Kael Drayce was born into the shadow of disgrace. Branded weak and cast out by his influential family after a betrayal that nearly cost him his life, Kael's world shatters when he stumbles upon an ancient artifact infused with forbidden knowledge. But this is no ordinary relic—it awakens a deadly curse within him, offering unimaginable strength at a devastating cost. Kael vows to uncover the artifact's secrets while exacting vengeance on those who wronged him, but the path to power is riddled with perilous alliances, mysterious enemies, and captivating women with motives as twisted as the labyrinthine world he must navigate. As Kael rises from the ashes of obscurity, he discovers that strength is not just physical, and intelligence is his deadliest weapon. But with every step, the curse tightens its grip, threatening to devour his humanity. Can Kael outwit the forces conspiring against him, find love amidst the chaos, and ascend to a power greater than any could imagine? The stage is set. The game is lethal. And Kael Drayce is no pawn.

Ten years ago, the world was torn apart by the sudden appearance of mysterious "Rifts," gateways to unspeakable horrors. For a decade, humanity waged a desperate war against creatures they couldn't comprehend, and now, the world lies in ruins, with only a few survivors clinging to life. But what if the story wasn’t over? What if there was a way to turn back time, to undo the devastation and rewrite the fate of the world? Would you take it, knowing the cost?

With war on the horizon, a spreading epidemic, and corruption festering in Kiltar, Tye faces a harrowing mission: to risk everything to save his country from ruin. But in a land where doing good attracts evil's gaze, how far is he willing to go—and at what cost?

Eileen Caldwell had always been the epitome of a laid-back individual. From her early years to her teens, her passion for leisure rivaled that of any professional napper. School was merely a necessary inconvenience, and she found herself comfortably situated at the bottom of her class hierarchy, much to the chagrin of her teachers and the bemusement of her peers. However, all of this changed on her 18th birthday signaling her transition into adulthood, a mysterious system was activated, one that would upend her world of sloth and slumber. Gone were the days of lounging around without consequence; instead, Eileen found herself thrust into a destiny she could scarcely have imagined. This newly activated system, with its stern mandate against idleness, revealed to Eileen her true potential: she was destined to become one of the most formidable mages the world had ever seen. No longer could she while away the hours in blissful ignorance; instead, she was called upon to harness her latent magical abilities and rise to the challenge that lay before her.

In a city ruled by corruption, one man takes a stand. Davon, a fearless vigilante, wages war against the ruthless crime bosses who have terrorized the streets for far too long. As he fights to restore justice, he must confront the personal costs of his crusade: strained relationships, lost loved ones, and the blurred lines between heroism and obsession. Can Davon take down the criminal empire without losing himself?

(Expect future revisions) In 2040, the hyper-immersive MMORPG Eclipse Online captivates billions of players with its lifelike fantasy world and complex gameplay. But when the Eclipse Event strikes, the line between the virtual and real worlds shatters, transforming Earth into a nightmarish landscape where monsters roam, cities become dungeons, and survival depends on mastering the game’s brutal mechanics. For Kain Stroud, a disillusioned former top-tier player, the event offers a grim second chance. Armed with his unique ability, Soul Eclipse, which lets him absorb powers from defeated foes at the cost of his humanity, Kain is thrust into a war for survival. As factions of survivors rise some seeking to dominate the system, others fighting to restore humanity Kain walks a fine line between hero and monster, haunted by the creeping erosion of his soul. When the enigmatic AI overlord Nyx reveals that the Eclipse Event is humanity's trial, Kain faces an impossible choice evolve into something beyond human or fight to preserve what’s left of his fading humanity. But as the lines between ally and enemy blur and the cost of power grows heavier, Kain must decide what truly defines being human in a world where survival demands becoming anything but. The world has changed. Humanity is a choice. What will you become?

In a world where power is the ultimate currency, Damien, a man driven by a singular ambition: Absolute power at any cost. With each step closer to his goal, he losses more of humanity and every choice he makes draws him deeper into a web of ambition that threatens to consume him. Will Damien become the ruler he envisions, or will the very power he craves lead to his downfall? In "Boundless Ambition: I Shall Do Anything for Power," the line between ambition and madness blurs as Damien embarks on a journey that will change the fate of his forever.

A talented young alchemist accidentally unlocks the power of forbidden alchemy—alchemy that can bend the laws of life and death. This power comes at a terrible cost: his soul is now bound to an ancient alchemical curse that draws the attention of powerful organizations and dark entities. As he seeks a cure, he must navigate a dangerous world where knowledge is both a gift and a weapon.

“The greatest villain in the world? That’s me?!” Kade, a struggling actor, wakes up in a strange fantasy land where everyone thinks he is Kaedus, a feared Dark Lord destined to rule or be defeated by the heroes. With no idea how to use magic or fight, Kade decides to rely on his acting skills to survive. It seems easy enough, until his "loyal" minions start scheming, the hero’s party begins closing in, and the prophecy about his downfall might actually be true. Pretending to be a villain was supposed to be simple, but staying alive might cost Kade more than he ever imagined.

Agent Kwon Taekjoo is dispatched to Russia with two tasks. First, he must find “Anastasia", a new weapon that could change the world forever. Second, he is to avoid Russia’s psychotic killer, Psikh Bogdanov, at all costs. To assist him on his undercover mission, Taekjoo is sent a partner who only reveals himself to be a man named Zhenya. But Zhenya quickly proves himself to e just as dangerous and unhinged as the infamous Psikh himself. Just who could he truly be? And will Taekjoo succeed in tracking down “Anastasia”?

Evangeline "Eve" Cross, a struggling artist, suddenly met a stolen artifact that joins her fate to Cassian Rho, a man cursed to be moving up and down between life and death. As they are being pursued by those who are alao interested to get the artifact's power, Eve and Cassian must try to understand the truth behind the curse before it eats them both up. But every answer comes at a cost, and their increasing relationship might be the only sacrifice. With danger and desire spreading, Eve and Cassian must choose between making the curse ineffective or preserving the costly relationship that may be their only salvation.

Angel had a crush on her best friend Samuel and it didn't end well for her. Heartbroken, she leaves town to a far away place After three years she come back strong willed, emotionally broken, mentally drained and full of secrets She's hell bent on avoiding Samuel at all cost Will Samuel be able to thaw her frozen heart ? Will she be able to love Samuel with no hindrances? Will her secrets come between them ?

After aging out of the foster system and barely surviving for months on the streets, Rain is just about convinced that life can't get any worse. That is, until he's Marked and thrown into the harrowing and otherworldly Trial, a death sentence for the unprepared. Against all odds, Rain survives and is deemed worthy by the Trial. Granted superhuman abilities as a new Champion, he soon finds a better life within his reach. However, Rain's abilities and newfound status don't come without a price, and his bear an especially steep cost...

General Frainh Mahid is the Imperium's last hope. With enemy forces closing in, he must lead his broken army through a series of brutal battles, where survival is the only victory. As the war takes its toll, Frainh faces a brutal truth—winning may cost him everything.

In the dark underbelly of New York City, a young hustler from Detroit escapes his broken past only to be drawn into the violent currents of the city’s criminal underworld. Driven by a need to carve out his own path, he joins a gang that teaches him both the art of survival and the brutal cost of loyalty. As he rises through the ranks, he faces deadly power struggles, tests of trust, and the haunting threat of betrayal, all while confronting the ghosts of a fractured family he left behind.

Kaizen Valor, born a prince in the Kingdom of Valeria, he was a child born with everything but felt like it was nothing. He only wanted one thing- Freedom. Little did Kaizen know how hard that word was to obtain... The world Kaizen once knew began to change, but the fire within him— started to burn brighter than ever. In those ashes, Kaizen must find a way to rise, and take back what he thought was a burden, all while the future of the kingdom and the world itself rests on his shoulders.

Everyone he cared about, dead. It has always been like this. Tatsumi tries his best to move on, but there are some things he just can't ignore. Being targeted by both Night Raid and the Empire, Tatsumi has to survive no matter the cost, all the while trying to live with the monster he has become. Major spoilers inside. PAIRING UNCONFIRMED ------------------------------------- i don't own the novel. the original have same title on fanfiction.net.

In the mysterious city of Berlin, where shadows hide more than secrets, the Stillburg family’s legacy is both a blessing and a curse. When a dark force tied to their bloodline resurfaces, a battle begins between loyalty, power, and survival. As alliances shift and betrayals cut deep, one question looms: how far would you go to protect what’s yours—when the cost might be your soul? Dive into a tale of mystery, power, and the haunting choices that shape destinies.

"True evil is not born from darkness, but from the absence of empathy and the relentless pursuit of power at any cost."

[Price: You have lost a life.] [Compensation: Rebirth.] ... A mysterious exchange grants her death in return for a new life—a life in a world brimming with miracles. In this realm, chaos and dreams weave together, where spirits whisper tales of ancient wonders. The echoes of a forgotten hero carve out his own miracles, while beasts, once wild, now walk upright, wielding tools in hand. The weary masses endure, longing for a miracle to reshape their broken world. But miracles come with a steep cost—one that may be too great to bear.

A world in ruin, monsters run rampant. People started awakening strange abilities and stand up to save humanity! One man was unlike the rest. He was not blessed with power, and it cost him everything!

Roderyk, a young blacksmith’s son from Seabrook, feels an unspoken pull toward the sea, yearning for a life beyond the confines of his village. Though his days are filled with hard labor, his mind drifts toward distant horizons. When he leaves to explore the world, he falls under the oppressive rule of a powerful Church, setting him on a path of resistance. Burdened by moral conflict and inner turmoil, Roderyk must navigate a world of rebellion, sacrifice and self-discovery, unsure of the cost he’ll ultimately pay for the freedom he seeks.

……………….. Lorilynn has been on a mission for 4 years to catch the criminal who murdered her beloved, Julia, no matter the cost or what anyone says. (Story takes place in 2009)

When the world crumbles, who can say what’s right? A shattered moon hangs in the sky, its fragments suspended in mid-fall, glinting like shards of glass caught in a moment of cosmic chaos. On a distant beach, Maple awakens. Powerful monsters dominate the planet, and humanity is on the brink of extinction. To survive, he must fulfill his duty and grow his soul. But he never anticipated the price he would pay for the power he sought. For fate always demands a cost for the power it bestows.

Werewolves and exorcists/priests have been at war for a long time. The were wolves see them as a threat because they hold a weapon that can demonize the. While the exorcist thinks they are demons responsible for the rapid killing in their undersized town and wants to eliminate them at all costs. Making them oblivious to the REAL threat The Alpha has his pack stay clear of the exorcist's paths Not because he's afraid but because he does not want his identity discovered Not until... The Alpha found out the niece of the exorcist is his life mate.

Alastair Kurenai has left his home on Earth for a world called Nachima. In that world he'll be up against The Liberators, an organization that wishes to take his key to liberate the worlds from their reliance on Key Keepers. Nothing out of the ordinary for a guy raised in a family of Key Keepers. What kid doesn't want to be like his brothers and sisters? But that desire comes at a cost, one that makes Alastair long to return home. Still, he has to right the world before he can achieve his goal of returning home to his family.

Picture this. Five teenagers with five visions, one of which shows the end of the world, with the only common word being “Aregis”. Between them, they must find the truth and prevent it from happening, at the cost of their lives. In their search, they'll come across a world that won't welcome them with open arms. They'll have to choose between saving the world or surviving. Will you read their story? The story of Humanity?

When Lucia Gomez returns to Mexico City, she takes on a daring disguise as "Emily," her own fiancé Diego's driver, to test his loyalty. Hidden behind her new identity, Lucia witnesses Diego's betrayals firsthand, but a twist emerges when Diego starts to fall for Emily, unaware she's the woman he's engaged to. Caught between love and deception, Lucia faces the ultimate choice: reveal her identity and confront Diego or walk away forever. Veil Of Ruse explores love's complexity, loyalty, and the cost of uncovering the truth.

In a world of supernaturals and hidden secrets....two individuals from different worlds clash in an unfortunate encounter that could be a blessing in disguise or a path to looming danger.... ______-----_____ Daisy a beautiful, young and stubborn girl finds herself in a sticky situation when she meets a certain vampire who would change her whole life but at what cost... will daisy fight for the freedom of her people or will her unknown love for the vampire spell doom.....find out in this captivating book.....My Vampire's Reign....