Can I Call The Grinch

I was transmigrated to a fantasy world to save or bring chaos to their world? Well..only time will tell.. In world ravaged by darkness, humanity teeters on the edge of extinction. Kael 'Kae' Darkhaven, a troubled young man with a penchant for self-destruction, finds himself at the forefront of an ancient war between humans and the Elyria - powerful female creatures with vampiric and elven characteristics. These supernatural beings invade Earth, seeking to enslave humanity and drain their life force through twisted rituals of pleasure and pain. Captured and forced into servitude, Kae is subjected to the cruel whims of his captors, who exploit men as sex slaves to satiate their dark desires. As Kae is on the brink of collapse, he's granted two mysterious systems that allow him to enslave his captors - but at a terrible cost. He must share his body with the sinister demon lord, Xarathys, whose true intentions are shrouded in darkness but is he really sharing his body? As Kae navigates this treacherous landscape, he must confront the demons within himself and the evil presence that threatens to consume him. With the line between good and evil blurring, Kae's own darkness threatens to destroy him. Will he find a way to overcome his inner demons and save humanity, or will the shadows consume him whole? What drives the sinister intentions of the Elyria, and can Kae uncover their secrets before it's too late? Content Warning: - Lemon: YES - Yuri: NO - Smut: YES - Gore: YES - NTR: NO At least read the free chapters before you drop!!! Trust me it's not your regular harem novel.

Twenty-one-year-old Ryder Callahan is a misunderstood high school dropout with a reputation for being a delinquent. Getting suspended countless times from high school and, in the end, just dropping out. The only things that seem to interest him are smoking and knitting, a hobby he picked up from his late grandmother. Despite his rough outer shell, Ryder is loyal to his family and helpful around the house (when he isn't high), qualities that his mother loves and the only reason his parents haven't kicked him out yet. One day, Ryder finds himself in a situation where, while indulging in his usual routine of smoking and knitting in a secluded corner of a park near his house, he sees a brutal altercation between rival gangs that leaves him confused as fuck. Little does he know, his presence didn’t go unnoticed. Dominic Caruso, the notorious mafia boss known for his ruthless killings and feared reputation, catches wind of Ryder's witness to the crime. Initially angered by the potential threat to his whole way of life, Dom's curiosity is piqued when he learns more about the young man. Despite the empire he has built himself into, Dom is intrigued by Ryder’s indifference to the danger he's stumbled upon and his unconventional hobbies, and he can't get enough. He wants him. He needs him. And he's going to get him one way or another. This is I can't move on by yours, truly.

In the world of Seres, the Towers have stood since the dawn of memory, offering immense rewards to those who climb them. It is said that scaling the tallest tower, known as "The Tower of the Gods," would allow one to make a wish to the gods. Because of these rumors, all the summoners in the world strive to climb the towers in hopes of becoming strong enough to reach it. In the Indigo Empire, every individual reaches the age of 16 must summon their first companion, determining the type of companion that will accompany them for life and revealing their innate summoning talent. Qiris, a young half-elf reincarnated a few months ago, is about to experience this long-awaited ritual. "I am going to summon my first companion! It's time to show the strength of a reincarnate!" [Frog - Rank 1 / 1 star] "Sorry?" [Talent - Summoning without potential] "....."

Theodore Griffith was a master of Reality. He understood the parallel universe in the form of another reality. He was aware that someone’s wish, story, or pure imagination could give birth to a new reality just like his own. Hence, he planned to find the creator of his reality by roaming among the realities. This time, he entered a new reality connected to several other realities. However, what made him certain the most was that this reality was connected to the person who created his reality. He knew that fact because of the ability he gained in this world. He could actually see people’s comments, allowing him to realize that his entire life and reality were born from a story. “Hehe. You have made a mistake in making me realize this. With the readers on my back, I can force you, the author, to make a plot for us to meet.” Theo said while giggling. “That’s why I’m counting on you guys.” --------- Other Works: 1. Oil Tycoon: Let's Find Oil in a Martial World 2. God of Tricksters (Completed) 3. Gacha Sovereign (Completed) 4. The Magician of Sound (Completed) 5. Reincarnated to Bonk in Another World (Completed)

Katsuhira Kazuomi had always hated the idea of coincidences. Sometimes, they work in his favor, but most of the time, they make him miserable. Entering middle school, Kazuomi refused to give in to his misfortunes through effort. Of course, this ended in tragedy. Still, while Kazuomi is sick of these unlucky coincidences ruining his plans, he never blames anything on another person. Now, Kazuomi is just your average high schooler. Wanting to spend an eventful and enjoyable high school life, he puts all forms of pressure off his shoulders going forward. What could this entail for his journey as he continues to forge his previous relationships while forming new ones?

Transcendent awakening, Eternal Night is coming. Pei Jinye transmigrated into a Federation-controlled world as an ordinary high school student, starting off destitute and with a gloomy future. Luckily, he could pick up Attribute Light Groups and synthesize Transcendents. 【Spirit·Blood Spear】: Transform spiritual power into a spear, capable of Devouring the opponent's memories and stripping away their Transcendent! 【Body·King Kong】: Blood energy flourishing, King Kong with Furious Eyes, an invincible Physical Body! 【Power·Savage Mountain】: Unmatched stamina, a force that could swallow ten thousand miles! …… In the Year 404 of the Star Calendar, the divinations were extremely ominous. That year in the Eastern Continent, divine prophecies descended, and disciples of the old gods walked the earth. In the Western Continent, a vile flame shot into the sky, and a Taoist set off with his Golden Lotus. Swordsmen from the North Continent threw down the gauntlet, aiming to be the best in the world. Priests from the Southern Continent, in the name of the new gods, hunted the disciples of the old gods. And Central State became the central battlefield, embroiled in chaos, too preoccupied with internal strife to care for anything else. It was also this year that Pei Jinye agonized over whether he should infiltrate the Federation as a disciple of the old gods or hunt down the disciples of the old gods as a Federation enforcer... "How did everyone end up being my people in the end?"

"If someone has to become the strongest, why can't it be me?" An unfortunate young man, brought to another world by a meteor, voices his unwillingness with a defiant roar. I just want to create a fantastical world that doesn't seem too unreal. Pre-reading Reminder 1: If you think human nature can simply be divided into good or bad, proceed with caution. Pre-reading Reminder 2: If you believe a sect is just a crowd of people flattering the protagonist, proceed with caution. Pre-reading Reminder 3: If you think the whole world is a stage for the protagonist to show off, and all people are merely stepping stones for the protagonist, proceed with caution.

What will you do when the gods turn Earth into their playground? Run, hide, and hope for the best? What if it isn’t an option? What if you’re the thing they want to play with? What if they want you to play for their entertainment? That is what the humans had to go through when the gods forced an awakening upon them. Pick classes, slay monsters, and survive being the god’s pet. Surviving an apocalypse can be fun, but a divine apocalypse? It will be fun… but only for the gods. For the rest, it is a test for survival. Maybe not for everyone. What if someone views it as an opportunity to take revenge on everyone who had betrayed him? What if someone doesn’t care about being used by the gods as long as he can use them for his revenge? That’s what Kang YuWon sets out to achieve once calamity strikes. Revenge on everyone, including his family, and even the gods, if they ever cross paths. ~~~Bonus Chapter Goals~~~ 50 powerstones/20 golden tickets: 1 bonus chapter. ~~~Gift goals~~~ Massage chair: 1 bonus chapter. (Same day) Luxury Car: 2 bonus chapters. (Same day) Dragon: 4 bonus chapters. (Same week) Magic Castle: 6 bonus chapters. (Same week) Spacecraft: 10 bonus chapters. (Same month) Gachapon: 15 bonus chapters. (Same month)

Here's the link to the discord server: https://discord.com/invite/XVNaUKEPmb The convolution of worlds are govern by a set of gods, each god is given a world to rule and there can be skirmishes between them – as a result of one between Nexus, the god of trickery and a senile old hag Elliot reincarnated into Ul’Tra-el by mistake. Ul’Tra-el is a world that grew a voice, because of this voice, it began to take a different path from other worlds -- it was filled with a core anomaly – rifts. Dimensions began to leak into each other, vomiting outrageous monsters. In response or as an auto-correction to such anomaly, talents were awakened in the inhabitants of Ul’Tra-el and they gained tremendous power, for every rift they close down, they were rewarded massively by the voice of the world called Ul. In a hardcore world like this one, our MC (Northern) reincarnated as a talentless individual but in the face of a death and a head splitting revelation... ...when all hopes seemed lost. {System Notice} Your Soul cannot take a form Searching for Unique pattern ability for your soul searching... search found. Unique System ability has been found... Unique System Ability [CopyCat] has been gained. Awakening Unique ability... Northern gained a talent copying system! ... Follow Northern through his journey as he becomes the pinnacle of this world. This a story about a white-haired boy’s rise from rubbles!! Note: This is an overpower genre but MC does not just start off like that. Even though MC can copy talents he doesn't just jump around copying talents because there's a limitation. However, his rise to strength is depicted and is an experience to enjoy. The first few hundreds would be frustrating to follow because MC is weak but that makes the experience all the more interesting when MC finally gets freaking strong and starts wiping the floor with everyones asses.

Jiang Lei, a young man from Earth, dies under mysterious circumstances and wakes up in a new world. A world where martial arts is the supreme path, cultivators defy the heavens and ancient secrets lurk in the shadows. He finds himself in the body of another Jiang Lei, an outer sect disciple of the Azure Sect who also died mysteriously. He finds that he has a system—the Supreme Copy System—that allows him to copy the abilities of anyone he touches. With this system, he hopes to become stronger and survive in this ruthless world. But he soon realizes that this is not as easy as he thought. A dark conspiracy is brewing behind the scenes, and he faces enemies from all the sides. Will he be able to overcome the challenges and reach the peak of cultivation? Or will he fall victim to the schemes of his enemies and lose his life? Follow Jiang Lei's journey as he copies various talents and skills from beasts, humans and even divine beings, and leads his way to the eternal invincibility. [Congratulations to the Host for successfully touching Li Xun and obtaining Intermediate Level- Fire Talent.] [Congratulations to the Host for successfully touching the Inferno Lion and obtaining High Level -Fire Talent.] [Congratulations to the Host for successfully touching Sword God and obtaining Ultimate Dao of Sword Talent.]

In a world where the interstellar era has brought both promise and disappointment, Michael Fang dreams of becoming a Lord in the mysterious realm. He longs to explore ancient ruins of fallen civilizations and build a territory loved and supported by his subjects. But his aspirations are shattered when he realizes that he is nothing special and just an ordinary boy in a world full of heavenly prodigies. That is until he stumbles upon the Gate leading to the Origin Expanse, a mysterious realm that promises to change everything he thought he knew about himself and his destiny. With newfound power and unwavering determination, Michael vows to turn his misfortune into opportunity, no matter how perilous the path is. "Watch, and witness as I extract everything!" Follow Michael Fang on his journey through the Origin Expanse as he battles through obstacles and enemies to achieve his dreams and become the Supreme Lord he was always meant to be. ** Discord: https://discord.gg/Zr8QvWJKVT

After leaving earth in a pathetic way, Asher finds his soul in the body of a baron's bastard son. As the last surviving member of the Ashbournes, Asher must take up the mantle and build his territory or die in the jaws of a beast or the blades of hungry nobles greedy for his territory. Luckily, he did not enter this man-eat-man world without support. [Ding! Soulbinding successfully completed.] [Would the host like to upgrade your bronze-ranked butler to a powerful silver-ranked swordsman? Yes or No.] ............. https://discord.com/invite/8Ufe4789YX

WPC APRIL WINNER 2024 Orion had worked hard his whole life, but success always eluded him. He couldn’t cross the threshold that required him to and got plunged into the abyss of despair because of it. However, life gave everyone a second chance. Orion also got one, and he put his soul and sweat on it, but he still failed to grasp that chance. As a result, he died. But when he thought it was all over for him, he found himself reincarnated in the world of fantasy, where every individual boasted super talents and devastating curses on themselves. He also had a talent, but he didn’t know what to make of it as his talent was “Copy Curse.” He could only copy other people’s curses. “Why? Why, god, why? Why do you have to reincarnate me and give me this shitty talent?” As if God had heard his plea, something appeared in his field of vision. [Congratulation to the host for awakening the system.] [Talent: Copy Curse — Host can copy other people’s curses.] [Curse: Null Body — Host’s body can’t feel mana because of this body.] “What the hell! My talent is already shit, but this freaking curse has to make things worse for me.” However, what Orion didn’t know was that, with the crazy combination of his talent and curse, he had the ability to become the strongest being in the three domains. Discord Link: https://discord.gg/kh8Xwe6WHV For character arts and many more things, join the novel discord group.

Reo Carter, a book-loving teenager and typical NEET, wakes up in a mysterious world filled with magic and mystic powers. Despite everyone else being able to use magic, Reo discovers he's the only human unable to do so. Feeling depressed, he finds himself in a dire situation suddenly becoming a damsel in distress. Due to an incident with a demon he discovered that he has the power to jump into the world of novel's he read before and use the power he gain from the novel. Join Reo as he wrecked havoc upon the world.

[ Milestone Reached: Unlocking Chaos Dragon ] [ … Unlocking Dracula] [ … Unlocking Zeus ] [ … Unlocking Demon King of Shadows ] ---- It was a normal day on Earth. Suddenly, the sky turned dark, and massive tower-like structures descended from above. A loud, robotic voice announced the beginning of a chaotic apocalypse. With less than two minutes on the clock, everyone was given a chance to select from a list of mystery newbie packages designed to assist them in the impending apocalypse—each package containing classes, abilities, special boosts, and powerful relics. In the midst of the chaos, Dorian, an avid reader of 'Ethereal Descent', an unpopular apocalypse novel, was stunned to discover that everything was unfolding exactly according to the novel’s kick-off plot. THE NOVEL HAS MERGED WITH REALITY! WHO IS THE PROTAGONIST? Like the others, Dorian was presented with a list of special rewards to choose from. [ You have been chosen to partake in the VIP Newbie Package ] [ Select one ] DING! [ You have awakened special ability: CHARACTER BIND ] [ You can bind with gods, devils, monsters, mythical creatures, favored sons of heaven, etc. ] [ You've unlocked: Reader's Viewpoint ] [ You've unlocked: Copycat ] [ You've unlocked: Energy Parasite ] [ You've unlocked Index Of Myth ] With his special ability, Dorian vows to dominate the novel’s world and its protagonist, while also unraveling the mysteries of the apocalypse.

Jin-woo had never considered himself someone ordinary. Okay, that sounded like an arrogant thought to have, but he was definitely unordinary. He would always be reminded of this whenever he had to take his antipsychotic medication for his schizophrenia. It also didn’t help that he was starting High School with the whole school knowing this fact because of his little… slip up? Of course this comes with bullies targeting him, but that wasn’t new. Jin-woo was determined to do his best to avoid them and not draw any unnecessary attention to himself… But that was impossible as some God seemed to have cursed him to be in the same class as his bullies, and even that nosy popular girl who won’t stop talking to him in front of everyone. How many times did he have to say they weren’t friends, much less childhood friends for her to leave him alone?! However, what might be worse than being in the same class as your bullies and that annoying girl, was being in the same class as your bullies and that annoying girl, while being trapped in there because of a zombie virus outbreak… and somehow being the cause of it? Should he stay, or chance it with the hordes of zombies outside? What would you do? **** Warning: This book contains uncomfortable themes such as Domestic Violence, School Bullying, and brief mention of Teacher-student relationship.

In a world where elemental powers and transformations determine greatness, Kaito longs to rise above his humble origins. As he uncovers his unique potential, he embarks on a journey to prove himself as a hero.

Alex Darvin is an ordinary man with an extraordinary gift: he can do anything simply because he can. From defeating the most formidable foes to solving the most complex problems , Alex’s abilities know no bounds. His power is not limited by physical, logical, or metaphysical constraints. He can alter reality, manifest objects, and overcome any challenge with a mere thought. Living a quiet life in a small town, Alex keeps his abilities hidden, using them only when absolutely necessary. However, his peaceful existence is shattered when a mysterious organization discovers his powers and seeks to exploit them for their own gain. but then don't know what is awaiting them.

From a young age, Sally's life has followed a well-worn path, guided by her family's deep faith and expectations for her to dedicate herself to a life of purity. But when Justin enters her world, everything shifts. Now, Sally is caught between two powerful forces: her devotion to family and faith, and a desire she can no longer ignore. Every secret moment with him deepens her struggle, weighed down by guilt and longing. As tensions rise, Sally faces an impossible choice: uphold her family’s wishes, or risk everything to follow the call of her heart.

Nature is often cruel, and many creatures are born to die, but when faced with adversity one must learn to adapt Born in the subterranean hell that was Yi Mountain, I was forced to commit atrocious acts just to survive. In the darkness, where strength is the only law, even my brothers became enemies, and I devoured them in a desperate bid to stay alive. I am no ordinary beast. I am a Lizard, shaped by the merciless depths, where every day is a battle against hunger and predators. But in this brutal world, I have learned to be more than just a survivor. I have evolved, I have become stronger, faster, more cunning with each new trial. Now, as I crawl out of the depths, I face greater enemies—those who want to see my end before I reach my full potential. But I’ve unlocked a power deep within me, a power that allows me to transcend the limits of my kind. With this newfound strength, my evolution has only begun. Life is cruel, and my path is filled with obstacles, and tribulations , but Let us see, for I can evolve endlessly

After reincarnating eight times unsuccessfully due to a glitch in the netherworld, Jia Hao finally reincarnated in the world of Urban Fantasy, an eroge game that he played before. However, he realized the game was currently in the bad ending mode and he is powerless like a side character without any game system. Skinny dude who blackmails girls? Check! Fat Ugly Uncle who lusts after women? Check! Blonde haired delinquent whose eyes are covered with bangs? Check! As Jia Hao was wrecking his brain to how to change the plot, he found a mysterious pot that can take him into an ancient world, and the items he brought from the modern world transformed into heavenly treasures! " Now, you dare to gaze at my women? My dear wives! Beat him to death!" Jia Hao ordered as he leaned back on the chair like a salted fish.

In the Kingdom of Arion, where mystical powers are revered, a young boy named Jason Kazihono dreams of becoming a Mystic despite being born without magical abilities. Raised in the poor village of Kokoro, Jason works as a farmhand to support his mother while secretly training to fulfil his ambition. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he hears a mysterious voice in the woods warning of impending doom. As Jason delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers that his village is destroyed , and the lifeless bodies of the villagers including that of his mother. After collapsing because of the trauma, he falls into a deep slumber and has a long dream, he wakes up to the flames much worse and they mysteriously disappear, not only did the flames disappear but everyone was gone and disappeared without a trace. He finds a mysterious mark on his chest that awakens his latent mystical powers. Come and join us to unravel the fate of the main character. Follow me on Instagram @youngrise2022

What if you could win your love by playing a game? Watch Akira as he navigates challenges to win a neural imagined game and live the rest of his life with his love.

A troubled orphan, discovers a captivating book at some point in his life that changes his life forever. Waking up as the main character of the book, he finds himself in a completely new world. Sharing the same name and facing the same challenges as the protagonist, he must navigate his unfamiliar surroundings and uncover the secrets of his new life. With the fate of the continent hanging in the balance, his journey begins as he strives to become the hero he once admired. Disclaimer: All anything to this book is fictional and soley part of my imagination I don't own any of the pictures and the names might be an coincidence if ever it bothers you. Thank you *Please bear with me as it is my first time writing a book*

Progenitors, Great wolves, Vampires and Humans..........What's that ? Jayson, a normal 17 years old boy falls into a deep mess and is in need of money, being a good friend, Malik offers to him an easy way of becoming richer than he imagine but he soon realizes that life is cruel or a blessing in disguise as he gets bitten by a were wolf and turning into something called an Aull. facing the fact that he is an Aull werewolf, Jayson now finds it easier to gain money while staying undercover from his parents especially his father, who apparently is the supreme commander of the U.S. With his friends and family, watch how Jayson develop the full power of the Aull after going true soo much sweat and blood and to also gather the theseratt away from the greedy hands of the races to do something they would they would regret. Going through tears, progenitors, Great wolves, Vampires and Humans.......what's that ? Other worlds, other races and so may more adventures and action from this Novel.

Why Can't I be the Hero?!?! 17 Year old Mika Izuko was a game addicted teenager who decided to drop out of school because he thought it was pointless. With the support of his grandparents he kept up his gaming lifestyle. Mika was always into video games and manga as it was all he had to pass the time most days until one day he decides to run a video game marathon on a new game called "The Heroes of Mito Kingdom!" As he grinds every game he plays to the maximum, this was nothing new for him. But when he wakes up nothing is the same. Waking up in the middle of nowhere I slowly sat up and realized I was laying in a grass field. I must be dreaming because I don't remember wandering out into a random plain. This is one weird dream, it all feels so damn real. -------- ----- -------- I will try for updates at least four times a week until I get a proper schedule done for all my stories. Currently working on three stories on here, so please be patient, I'll try for daily updates but if not it'll be four times a week minimum. ------- ---- ------- 100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter 250 Powerstones = 2 Bonus Chapters 500 Powerstones = 3 Bonus Chapters Feel free to reach me on discord! ^○^ Https://discord.gg/acqWwRpyZc Disclaimer: New Cover as of 9/03/2022 does not belong to me and if it is yours, please make sure to notify me and I'll take it down. Old Cover was done by Toky, Edit by Docaqui. (Cover is by a friend named TokyFlowManga) (Cover Editing Done By: Docaqui)

Destruction and chaos spread on the once-vibrant Green Star, its surroundings plagued by the incessant noise of impending doom. An ominous darkness, akin to locusts, relentlessly devoured the land. "Why is this happening? Why?" A few melting figures glared at the impending doom of darkness above. A colossal shadow cast its veil over the Green Star, declaring an impending cataclysm. Above, a green pillar of light flickered intermittently, each appearance marking the vanishing of another source of life. Silence draped the star as both light and vitality were snuffed out. Everything became devoid of life, light, and silence spreading across the whole star along with darkness. Thousands of light years away, in the vast expanse of deep space, ripples distorted the fabric of the cosmos. A colossal shadow materialized, observing the distant spectacle of a supernova's explosive demise. Amidst cryptic symbols, a message emerged: "~~" "~~~" "~~~~~" Deciphering, "Not Found," "Erasure is Complete," "Proceeding to the next target."

In the Dawning Age, where humans and beasts share the dominion, the air crackles with anticipation. Aspirants yearn to awaken extraordinary talents, etching their names in the annals of warrior legend. Amongst them stands Ye Tian, ostracized for his dormant core – a mark of weakness in this era of power. But destiny whispers a different tale. A chance encounter unlocks the forbidden knowledge of the Copycat, a talent outlawed for its unorthodox power. With a mere touch, Ye Tian can steal the very essence of another's abilities, martial or beastly. A coveted swordsmanship? A mythical beast's regenerative prowess? All are within his grasp. Yet, the power is a double-edged blade. Each stolen talent bleeds into Ye Tian's mind, a symphony of alien memories and instincts threatening to drown his own identity. He must master the art of harmonizing these fragments, weaving them into a tapestry of unmatched power. But covetous eyes watch from the shadows. Powerful factions lust after the Copycat's forbidden potential, willing to unleash chaos to claim it. Ye Tian faces a brutal choice: succumb to the voices in his head, become a puppet wielding borrowed brilliance, or transcend the limitations, forging his own path as a legend whispered in hushed tones – the Weaver of Talents.

Warning!!! Mature Audience Only! This a plot focused story, with some smut if it's needed for the char arc. Mc have ability to control people body, but have no power over their mind and heart. This is not like other control novel, were mc will just make everyone fall for him with his power. What you can expect from the book : Plot Mystery Crime Organization Building Character progression Three dimensional character _____________________________________________________________ Malacai is a result of an experiment. His parents created him from an embryo in the lab, their goal being to create a superhuman. At first, Malacai showed promise. He was the one with the attractive appearance and potential, but as he grew to five years old, his parents realized his growth was stagnant. After waiting one more year without results, they kicked him out just like the other failures. They put him in an orphanage. Malacai hated his parents because of this; he swore REVENGE!!! Time passed, and he turned seventeen. His life was almost hell now. He was bullied every day. The reason? It was because he was very handsome, but his body was so frail. If others could sprint ten laps, then one lap was enough to make him feel tired; 2 laps and he would collapse. Then, one day, he gets beaten up very badly. As he lay down, feeling his life was leaving him, a black crow landed in front of him. "Do you want to live??? If you want, I could make a deal with you." "Accept this contract, and while you live in this mortal world, you will live unlike any other human. A different time, a different existence, the power of GOD will isolate you." "Make your choice. Once you choose, there is no turning back!" And without hesitation, Malacai agreed. With that, he gained the power of PROVIDENCE! His power allowed him to control other people!!! _______________________________________________________________________