Desperate Measures

The gravest transgression resides in the betrayal of one's essence, when all is cast aside for fleeting shadows, for nothing that bears true weight. For the truest measure of a soul lies not in the tides of others' influence, but in the steadfast conviction of one's own beliefs, unyielding to the eroding winds of conformity. It is in purity of individual thought, untainted and resolute, that the meaning of a person is forged and sustained.

In a world where vampires coexist with humans, a young girl named Layla, haunted by a traumatic past, makes a desperate decision: she offers to serve the influential vampire, Vaughn, in exchange for the protection of her beloved aunt. But as their complicated relationship unfolds, Layla finds herself caught in a forbidden love triangle between two vampire brothers, Vaughn and Draven, who both vie for her heart.

In the world of Etherea where magic is the lifeblood of existence, arcane guilds reign supreme, controlling everything from politics to the economy. A guild's might is measured by its ancient emblems, legendary treasures, and the strength of its members. Yet the greatest guild the world ever knew The Fist of Glory crumbled 500 years ago after the mysterious disappearance of its founder, Sirius, a mythical master of temporal magic. Now, powerful guilds like the Eternal Flame and Phoenix Wings vie for dominance, while the Faded Dawn the cursed successor to the Fist of Glory stands on the edge of oblivion.

In a pitch-black forest, park ranger Howard navigates through looming oaks, investigating paranormal reports that tarnish the park's reputation. Doubts plague him about his hasty hiring. As silence envelops him, fear escalates, and he senses a lurking menace. Desperate for escape, he races toward a flickering light—only to be consumed by darkness.

Raise a boyfriend? That’s the hand fate dealt Aellavanti. Not power. Not skill. But a boyfriend. She thought, "Fine, as long as he’s useful." But it turns out, he’s as helpful as a chair with no legs. In her first life, she failed to gain power, weighed down by too much pride and too little ability. Now, in her second chance, the world still measures everything by talent, and once again, she’s falling short. But this time, instead of focusing on herself, she’s stuck trying to fix him. What kind of second chance is this?

Time is the ultimate currency. In the year 2157, wealth is no longer measured in gold, property, or status. Time Credits (TC) determine everything—how long you live, where you stand in society, and whether you matter at all.

When Alex transmigrates into a magical world plagued by the Void, a relentless force consuming everything, survival feels impossible. Gifted with a mysterious System that allows him to create advanced technology, Alex begins building the Kingdom of Zorath, a refuge for the scattered and desperate. Amidst magic, chaos, and the relentless Void, using the "Technomagic Constructor System," he must forge a kingdom that can stand against the darkness.

With reality bending under their clashing powers, the fate of entire realms hangs in the balance. Will Nicolas’ chains of judgment crush all opposition, or will Kujima’s desperate schemes reshape destiny once more? As war consumes the land, the true nature of gods, power, and sacrifice is revealed in an epic struggle that will determine the fate of existence itself.

Luell was born into a world steeped in secrets and shadows, where survival is the highest currency and life's value is measured in the weight of sacrifices. Raised by his mother, a woman who sells her body to survive, Luell learns early that no one is untouched by the stigma of their past. The world sees them as expendable—marginalised, devalued, and dismissed by society. In a society ravaged by war, poverty, and judgment, Luell's journey is one of survival. His mother, a figure of strength and resilience, does her best to protect him in a world where nothing is guaranteed, but there is always more lurking beneath the surface. The brothel that serves as their home is both a sanctuary and a prison, and Luell soon realises that survival comes at a price—his innocence, the comfort of the world outside, and the ability to hope for something better.

Like most candidates, Zlatan's dream was a simple one. To pass the hunter's test, join a guild, hunt monsters and reach the A-class. Eventually, as he dreamed of, he achieved it hundreds of years later. Having sacrificed more than he could take in, using the most unthinkable and brutal measures, he became an S-class Hunter instead. Obtaining the Copper Flame back then after the Aura Awakening Ritual, that was his greatest flaw. Taking a span of 80 years to reach a D-class. Still, Zlatan Elmore became the most powerful hunter to exist. Falling on the battlefield against a Two-horned Dragon, he suddenly awoke as his 30 year old self. Given another chance at life, he didn't only have his memories but he's also given a Blank Scroll. This mysterious scroll doesn't only speak, its omniscient!

Azel woke up in a crypt with no memory of who or even what he is. When he encounters a rather unfriendly duo he discovers that his true nature is that of a ticking time bomb. Desperate to maintain his humanity, Azel agrees to accompany the two to a civilisation that actively despises his nature. And it certainly doesn't help when he finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between individuals he can't even fathom.

Tired of watching her friends' lives blossom while hers remained stubbornly ordinary, Juliet hatched a daring plan: a scandal with the seemingly untouchable president of the Cotex Group. He was perfection personified—until she decided to shatter that image. This wasn't about ambition; it was about escape. A desperate bid to break free from the monotony of her existence, to trade quiet desperation for explosive chaos. The risk? Insignificant compared to the suffocating predictability of her life. It was the perfect plan...until the president's carefully constructed façade crumbled, revealing a secret that would entangle Juliet in a web far more complex than she ever imagined.

A Goddess who lost her standing in the world of Gods and the world she ruled called Lumiara, now finds herself in that mortal world. She meets a rookie adventurer who has begun his journey in this vast world and is now tasked on saving the Goddess. Desperate to reclaim her throne and accomplish her goal, she relies on the adventurer. Unbeknownst to him lies a journey full of brutal realities and a sinister system. Is she truly as innocent as she seems, or is there more to her story than she's letting on?

There is a girl I love, beyond measure, her name whispered in my every prayer. I sacrificed everything for her, and now I depart, my final act dedicated to her. In a realm beyond this life, if our souls should meet once more I pray earnestly for one thing—may the Divine decree that we never again walk the same path. Then why? “Excuse me? If you're done, can I use the tap?” Why did our path across again? If our fate was predetermined, why had I been granted this second chance? Why!? Why was I transported back to the past!?

Book Blurb: Understanding Entropy: Concepts, Applications, and Implications Discover the hidden force that governs everything from the behavior of microscopic particles to the evolution of galaxies in Understanding Entropy: Concepts, Applications, and Implications. This comprehensive volume takes you on a journey through the multifaceted world of entropy, offering a rigorous yet accessible exploration. Beginning with a clear and engaging introduction that lays the conceptual groundwork, the book guides you through the essential principles of thermodynamic entropy before delving into its formalism. With subsequent chapters dedicated to the microstate perspective of statistical mechanics and the nuanced quantum view of entropy, the text builds a solid foundation for understanding how energy dispersal and uncertainty are quantified in both classical and modern physics. The exploration continues as the author examines entropy’s crucial role in chemical and physical processes, highlighting its influence on phase transitions and reaction spontaneity. The discussion then bridges to information theory, where Shannon’s revolutionary ideas meet thermodynamic concepts to reveal surprising parallels in how we measure uncertainty. Interdisciplinary applications further showcase how entropy informs biological evolution, economic dynamics, and cosmological phenomena such as black hole thermodynamics and the heat death of the universe. Advanced topics and contemporary debates invite readers to consider cutting-edge research on maximum entropy production, the arrow of time, and non-equilibrium systems, while practical chapters on experimental techniques offer insights into real-world measurement and industrial applications. Finally, reflective discussions on philosophical and theoretical implications, combined with a critical evaluation of foundational works, round out this authoritative text. Whether you are seeking to deepen your understanding of energy, information, and complexity or to explore innovative research frontiers, Understanding Entropy offers an essential, interdisciplinary perspective on one of science’s most profound concepts.

A new law has been passed as part of the nation's measures to address the low birthrate. Rude women become livestock. Rebellious women become livestock. Women who commit crimes become livestock. In a world where common sense has been distorted, this is the story of women whose human rights have been erased.

Desiring control over his own life, Ged, a defiant body sorcerer, embarks on a journey beyond godhood to achieve the pinnacle of mass. In a universe where body sorcerers absorb entire galaxies into their physiques, a sorcerer’s worth is measured by their mass. The largest sorcerers hoard most of the universe's matter leaving the lower realms to scavenge for scraps. Born on a forgotten, impoverished planet, Ged’s unyielding ambition drives him to escape his desolate world. Thirsting for agency in his chaotic life, he relentlessly builds up his mass to overcome the odds. Relying on the madness-inducing drug Blue Water to accelerate his growth, he willingly sacrifices everything to achieve freedom from all oppressors. But as his physique expands beyond planetary proportions, the mounting cost of his actions forces Ged to confront a painful truth: the freedom he seeks may demand a price far greater than he could ever imagine. Stripped of his own body by an unfathomable entity, Ged faces the grim reality that breaking free from one cage only leads to another. With nothing left, he must find a way to shatter the very fabric of existence and reclaim his stolen self. Surging his body's mass to the ultimate pinnacle, Ged must forge an impossible path to achieve true freedom. What To Expect:  **  An original magic system centered around a sorcerer's physical mass  **  Ambitious and morally gray protagonist set in a grimdark universe  **  Tangible progress where power-ups are measured in kilograms 

"When fantasy becomes reality; does it promise freedom—or more pain than the harshest truth?" Trapped in a suffocating world, Kizu Kiyoshi finally encounters the impossible: reality transforming into a fantasy. Desperate to escape the weight of his "truth," he dives into this new world seeking liberation. Yet, his journey unveils more than an escape—it forces him to confront deeper truths and challenges him to find meaning in a realm where illusion and reality intertwine.

She is the daughter of an Alpha whose family had conquered the last demon wolf in Illyria. Esmeray is born into the prestigious Alpha family, known as the Montague. But after her father's untimely death, her life becomes a nightmare of abuse at the hands of her cruel stepmother and stepbrother, who torment her for lacking a wolf. Desperate for salvation, she dreams of a mate who would come and rescue her from the cruelty of her pack. When he finally arrived, her hopes were shattered, for he had only come to reject her. Her only connection to her family's proud heritage is her striking blue hair, a sacred legacy from her ancestors. But in a desperate bid for freedom, Esmeray cuts her hair to escape being sold to a rogue. Her daring action pushes her to the precipice of death, unwittingly awakening a powerful demon wolf, imprisoned for 15 long years. This Alpha demon, who has yearned revenge and bloodthirst, is instantly drawn to Esmeray the moment he senses her, and he is determined to keep her at his side at all cost. In the world of wolves, the hunt is everything — and he has found a prey worth chasing.

Serena Bowlington never thought death would be the start of her greatest adventure. One weary evening, she’s struck down by a box truck that barrels through a red light—only to awaken on the threshold of a dying world. Gifted a second life by a cryptic Goddess and reborn as the Vengeful One, Serena becomes a Dark Messiah among ravaged kingdoms desperate for salvation.

The incursion, an event that slowly shifted different worlds into each other, this caused the apocalypse. Beasts flowed into earth like water, killing off people one by one. Living survivors that gained the powers of the apocalypse, the awakened, there was no surviving if you weren’t an awakened. The goal of the awakeners is to defend earth. And to escape it. A lone unawakened, Jack, is desperate to escape earth.

An experiment that sought to develop humanity failed and sent humanity into a thousand-year war against demons that continues to this day. There is no salvation or escape. It is the story of a withered world desperately trying to cling to life with what remains of humanity’s strength.

She moved to withdraw from his hold but he pulled her back. ''Please don't go. Not today. I can't bare that today.'' he pleaded, his eyes filled with desperation. She paused, and the weight of the day's emotions and decisions seemed to tilt the balance between reason and impulse.

Lila Dawson believed she was no longer affected by heartbreak following her breakup with billionaire hotel tycoon Max Edwards. After signing the divorce papers, she left and was prepared to begin her new life. However, half a year later, a legal error revealed that their marriage was never legally dissolved. Max pleads with Lila to maintain the facade of a happy marriage for a crucial business agreement, and she reluctantly agrees. Residing once more in the same house, old emotions resurface, as do previous hurts. Max is committed to winning her back, however, Lila is hesitant to believe he won't hurt her heart once more. Could this unexpected meeting be their opportunity for a fresh start, or just setting them up for more heartache?

Min Joon (a jealous overprotective friend) and Kai (a nice guy who gets manipulated) have been roommates for the past year, Recently, Min Joon has become concerned about Kai's safety as he attracts guys who try to manipulate him into doing things he doesn't want to do. To ensure Kai's protection, Min Joon has taken some drastic measures, including installing surveillance cameras in their apartment and instructing Kai to inform him about any guy he plans to bring over. Despite the seemingly overprotective nature of Min Joon's actions, Kai likes that Min Joon cares for him, and protected him from getting raped. Kai has developed romantic feelings for Min Joon and is struggling with whether or not to confess them. This is a story of friendship, love, secrets, and tough choices that take you on an emotional roller coaster.

"A Veiled Bargain: Bound to the Emperor's Heart" In this tale, a girl desperate to see her dying mother boldly pleas to a guard, unknowingly offering herself in marriage without even knowing it was the dragon emperor in disguise.

Love, betrayal, truth, lies, disappointments, success, happiness, sadness, death, desperation, and more. These are the challenges of life that have caused us to end up with wounds that are either visible, invisible or even both. In this story, Tasha is going to take us through her life and as well as that of those around her.

Rose never played by the rules. Fierce, stubborn, and unapologetically rebellious, she’s the girl who always takes the right side and raise objection, no matter the cost it takes. Her mother, desperate to tame her wild and raw actions, send her away to live with her mother's friend—Lyla and her husband Maximus Gomez, the king and queen of New York. Their perfect lives seem like a fairy tale, but Rose knows better. Beneath all the glitter, nothing is ever as perfect as it seems. Then there’s Parker Gomez—their arrogant, cocky, and infuriatingly attractive son. He’s everything Rose hates: spoiled, entitled, and annoyingly smug. His every smirk challenges her, his every word taunts her. But there’s a darker side to Parker, one that draws Rose in against her better judgment. Because no matter how much she wants to resist, the heir to New York’s throne is proving to be utterly irresistible. TROPES: Enemies to Lovers Strong Female Lead Power Couple Past Secrets Arrogant ML x Stubborn FL And Smut! “Enemies to Lovers” meets “Billionaire Romance” with a seductive twist. This is the story that will keep you up all night, desperate for more.

SABER-1 is more than a soldier— he is a reflection of the choices made in the face of annihilation and the sacrifices required to carry the weight of hope. A lone figure forged in the crucible of relentless warfare, his existence straddles the line between man and machine, embodying both the potential and the peril of humanity's technological evolution. His hulking frame, adorned armor marred by countless battles, evokes awe and fear in equal measure. Yet, beneath the reinforced plating and glowing visor lies the ghost of a man, burdened by the weight of his mission and the impossible expectations placed upon him. SABER-1’s story is one of paradox. He is humanity’s greatest savior and its most chilling reminder of what desperation can create. But with each victory, a haunting question lingers: where does the man end, and the machine begin? As the lines blur, SABER-1 becomes an enigma—a figure of unparalleled strength and relentless determination, whose actions echo far beyond the battlefield, forcing humanity to reckon with what it means to survive and what it means to be human.

When Alex Carter buys an old laptop from a thrift store, they uncover Orion, a mysterious program that predicts catastrophic events. As Alex and their friend Maya delve deeper, they find themselves hunted by a powerful tech corporation desperate to keep its secrets buried. With the clock ticking and danger closing in, Alex must unravel the truth behind Orion-a truth that could save countless lives or destroy everything they hold dear.