Head Games Pretty Tough

"I’m not here to fit in—I’m here to stand out. When the lights are brightest and the pressure’s crushing, that’s when I shine." On the cracked courts of Pinehill, Jaden "Silk" Hunter was a king. His ankle-breaking crossovers, no-look passes, and thunderous dunks made him a streetball legend. But when a scholarship pulls him into the unforgiving world of Ironwood Academy, the country’s most prestigious basketball powerhouse, Jaden learns that talent isn’t enough. At Ironwood, the court is a battlefield, every teammate is a rival, and Coach Grayson Hale rules with an iron fist. The flashy, unpredictable style that made Jaden a legend on the streets is seen as reckless and immature here. His teammates doubt him, his coach benches him, and the media begins to whisper: Is "Silk" all show and no substance? But Jaden isn’t here to play by anyone else’s rules. With his pride on the line and the weight of his hometown’s expectations on his shoulders, he’s determined to prove that style and substance can coexist—that you can rewrite the game and still come out on top. When rival prodigies, team betrayals, and mounting pressure push him to the edge, Jaden must rise beyond raw talent and show everyone that greatness isn’t just about playing the game—it’s about playing the Game Above Game. Will Jaden rise to the top, or will the weight of greatness bring him crashing down?

In a world consumed by the rat race, Haruto Oshima stood out as a bright student who despised the rat race everyone seemed trapped in. His dream? A life filled with success, excitement, and lots of wealth alongside his middle school girlfriend, Kanna. Haruto devoted himself intensely to his study, Achieving brilliant success in every exam, and took decisive steps toward achieving the life he aimed for. However, everything changed when Haruto's girlfriend Kanna broke up with him during their last year of middle school, leaving him deeply affected. Just as he was suffering from overwhelming sorrow, the world got hit with a virus known as Covid-19! After years of struggle, the world finally recovered from the pandemic, and people resumed their normal lives. However things didn't remain the same for Haruto Oshima, his educational path was suddenly brought to standstill, costing him five years of his educational life. Haruto’s lack of education forced him to do an ordinary job at a mall as a counter boy forcing him to live a life he always hated, plunging him into boredom and eventually into depression. Things keep getting worse for Haruto as his hatred for his own life started increasing day by day, eventually a tragic event hit his life forcing him to join a game named “Smiley Face Game” where players compete against each other in hope of winning millions of dollars. Unaware of the fact that this seemingly innocent game would turn into a “Human Massacre Game!”

"Hearts on Lockdown" Synopsis Nike’s rule is simple: no strings attached. She’s a heartbreaker by choice—flirty, teasing, and always in control. She knows how to get what she wants and walks away without a second thought. Then she meets Jimi. Sarcastic, unimpressed, and completely immune to her charm, Jimi is everything Nike isn’t. He doesn’t care about her games, her rules, or her heartbreaker act. For Nike, he’s the ultimate challenge—and she never backs down from a challenge. But Lagos has a way of turning even the best-laid plans upside down. In a city where emotions run high and nothing stays simple, Nike might find herself playing a game she’s not ready for. Can she handle a guy who doesn’t play by the rules? Or will Jimi break through the walls she’s so carefully built? In a story where hearts are toys and games are the only rule, Nike and Jimi are about to discover that some games are harder to win than others.

"I'm actually an alien," says the little girl. I have no idea how to take this, Lachlan thinks. His training as a security guard didn't cover it, nor did it cover how to deal with running into a hot guy from a past he's trying to hide from, or avoid alien conspiracies when they come knocking. Wait, what? That last one must be wrong, aliens aren't real. ...Right?

Ken is a smart runaway with a dark past, who after a near death experience finds himself waking up in another world. Chosen by Lilith-a mischievous spirit-he's thrown into "New Oasis", a world of high risks where 10,000 players duke it out for a single, ultimate wish. In a land teeming with bustling cities, treacherous mountains, and unyielding foes, Ken has but 5,000 coins, his wits, and the unreliable guidance of Lilith. The goal is to obtain eight legendary gems via twisted games and players who are far more cunning, Beyond that wish, Ken carries the weight of his crimes, unsure what began it all. With redemption, revenge, and freedom hanging in the balance, Ken risks everything in the New Oasis, where only the strongest-or smartest-will survive.

In a world where human demihumans,elf,minotaur and all sorts of living being coexist among one another, Unfortunately,Greed, wickedness and sin consumed their minds which causes war and different creatures to turn against each other.Our Main character korin was destined from the Gods to balance and stop suffering in all races,the Gods decided to create a battle royale to see which creatures is best in strengths, tactics,courage and craftsmanship. The Demon however, wants it rough.the demon will like to destroy all realm and take the title to themselves the "Throne of Gods". However,the Main character will not allow This!.this journey to having the throne will bring the attributes of leadership, consequences of an action losses and winning will our main character be able to get to the throne of Gods and restore balnce in all realm?. Read all the chapters of the novel and find out Full release of all the chapters:1st of January 2025.

DESTINY GAMES. It has been 85 years since Earth-11 became aligned with Yggdrasil and 73 years since Icon became the first demigod from Earth. Icon, as the first demigod, was privileged to weave the thread of fate for everyone. He was supposed to cut off Yggdrasil and free Earth-11 from the grasps of the other Earths and their god kings. That's why everyone helped him climb the tower of Destiny. But instead of ridding earth of Yggdrasil, he turned the destiny of mankind into seven rings of immortality.  The first ring was for the immortality of power. The second was for the immortality of the knowledge. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth were for the immortality of the mind, energy, body, and soul. The last ring, the ring of the paragon, was made to rule them all.  Icon kept the ring of the paragon for himself and became a dictator. He ruled with an iron fist for many years. His was a reign of terror. But he was eventually vanquished by the collective effort of the world.  It has been 62 years since then. Icon is no more, but the damage he had done still remains. Earth-11 is still connected to Yggdrasil. The deadly games of the Tower of Destiny still remain, and the fight for the seven rings of immortality still continues.  Kelvin Thorn has just awakened his ability. It came at a good time too since he is running for his life. The ability he awakened saved him, but it came with a cost. He must climb the tower of destiny under the witness of the whole world and accumulate destiny, or he will die.  His situation is not unique. Everyone that awakens, which is mostly everyone, must climb the tower of destiny. It is one of the curses that Icon left behind before he died. But Thorn is different because the seventh ring found him.  The tower of destiny is where everyone granted power by destiny, be they humans, non-humans, or otherworlders, must fight in games of might, skill, and knowledge to gather the power of destiny. They will either die or eventually overcome death. Kelvin will be one of the latest in the line of billions of others in this struggle. Discord Server: https://discord.com/invite/yRbtBYsf Reddit Community: r/DMadLord/

A child cursed from birth or maybe not totally cursed ok fine he is cursed but just a little bit

Eighteen-year-old Eli Steele wakes up to a reality that feels anything but real. He’s mysteriously trapped inside a hyper-realistic simulation, where everything—from the breathtaking landscapes to the eerily awkward NPCs—feels unsettlingly alive. with no memory of who he is or how he got here and no clear way out, Eli is forced to complete a series of cryptic missions, each more challenging and bizarre than the last. As he delves deeper into the simulation’s layers, Eli begins to notice unsettling details: the NPCs seem to have emotions, the world reacts to his every move, and the game’s system appears to be watching him. But why him? And what happens if he fails? With time running out and the lines between the simulation and his identity beginning to blur, Eli must navigate this uncanny digital world, uncover its secrets, and find a way back—before the game consumes him entirely. The Codex is a thrilling exploration of identity, survival, and the unexpected humanity that can be found in the most artificial of worlds.

[WSA 2024 Entry] Everyone is playing a regal game. Everyone except Lucia (who probably should). After her father faced accusations of trying to seize the throne from his father and king, he was exiled along with his family. They were no longer royalty, but his wife would not have it. She was friends with the queen of Vershia and used that to her advantage. Her two older daughters were the right age to marry the two princes, and she would make that happen come what may. That became a problem when the oldest daughter was ignored by the crown prince, who formed a friendship with the youngest of the girls. There was still hope; Lucia could become the future queen. But Lucia was not groomed for this role. She did not want to live for the type of marriage she could snag. She did not want to take the man who had been planned for her sister. But that’s the thing with plans, isn’t it? She never planned to fall in love with the man, and there she was: an unwilling participant in the regal games. Would she capture the crown? How would everything affect her relationship with her sister? Was there ever pleasing her mother?

Aditya Surya, siswa SMA kelas 11 yang dikenal sebagai maniak game, tak pernah menyangka bahwa hobinya akan mengubah hidupnya selamanya. Saat dunia dikuasai oleh hype Rogue Like And Darkness, sebuah game RPG terbaru dengan dunia gelap penuh tantangan, Aditya memutuskan mencobanya. Dengan antusias, ia menjelajahi game itu hingga larut malam, mempelajari sistem, karakter, dan rahasia permainan yang baru saja ia mulai. Namun, pagi berikutnya membawa kejutan yang mengerikan kos-kosannya hancur lebur. Dunia luar yang ia kenal telah berubah menjadi dunia dari game yang ia mainkan! Ras-ras misterius, monster buas, dan makhluk asing kini berkeliaran di sekitarnya, seakan permainan itu menjadi kenyataan. Dengan hanya pengalaman satu malam bermain, Aditya harus memanfaatkan semua yang ia tahu dari game tersebut untuk bertahan hidup di dunia baru yang penuh bahaya. Mampukah Aditya mengatasi dunia penuh kekacauan ini? Ataukah ia akan menjadi korban dari permainan yang kini menjadi realita? Di dunia yang menuntut strategi, keberanian, dan keahlian, ia harus menjawab pertanyaan: Apakah ia hanya seorang pemain, atau takdirnya lebih besar dari itu?

A captivating, Romantic thriller that exposes the sinister side of beauty. Christine's picture-perfect life conceals a suffocating reality: the crushing pressure to conform to societal expectations and the devastating 'pretty curse' that has haunted her since childhood. When the enigmatic Peter appears, Christine is forced to confront the dark secrets behind her beauty, the lies she's told herself, and the true cost of perfection. Will Peter's love be her salvation, or will it become a deadly trap?

I have a 15-year-old sister. She's a walking number collector, so when she's out on the street, any agency will come up to her and ask for her number. She's that pretty. My sister is.... But even my aesthetically perfect sister had a fatal flaw, so let me tell you.... “I like my brother.” “.......” “I love my brother.” “.......” “I love you.” ‘I love you.’ ‘I love you.’ ‘I love you.’ ”I love you.” “.......” Miyuki hugs me tightly. It's a serious bracon.... I can't even tell anyone else....

Huoqiang, a member of the Zhu Flame tribe accidentally meets Li Jun who seems a god in the likeness of a mortal. Their attraction knows no bounds as she stays under the protection of Li Jun who sees her as a treasure he must protect but what happens when the Dark Lord, the master of dark arts and magic, has awoken from his curse? What happens to their love when the Dark Lord has taken an interest in Huoqiang and Li Jun has to fight for the one he loves? What happens when Huoqiang learns the truth of her disappearance and figures out she had loved the wrong people whom she calls family? Find out in this captivating novel of romance, fantasy, adventure, and so much more.

“Why did you run away from me?” Avery’s breath caught in her throat. That voice—it was familiar. She looked up, her heart pounding, her eyes narrowing as her mind pieced it together. With shaking hands, she reached up and pulled the mask from his face. Prince Adrian’s sharp features were illuminated in the soft glow of the moonlight. His expression was unreadable, but his intense gaze bore into her, searching for answers. Avery gasped, taking a step back. “Prince Adrian…” she stammered. “I—” “You ran,” he interrupted softly, his voice calm but filled with an undercurrent of emotion she hadn’t expected. “You rejected me and fled. Why?” Avery looked into his eyes, her mind racing. The prince, the very same character she had written to be cold, calculating, and utterly uninterested in Celeste, was now standing before her, asking why she had run away from him. Her thoughts were in chaos. None of this made sense. How could he feel this way about her? Celeste was never meant to be his choice. It was supposed to be Evelisse. *** After the successful debut of her bestselling book, Avery Clarke faced a tragic death that transmigrated her into one of the characters of her book. Was she the protagonist or the heroine of the novel? Hell, no. Avery was none other than the villainess, Lady Celeste Duvernay. However, there’s a twist. Prince Adrian, who was supposed to marry the love of his life, Evelisse while Celeste suffered them, broke off his engagement with Evelisse and announced his proposal to marry Celeste instead.  Avery didn’t want to accept that fate but she had no choice, the game of royalty was so strong to escape. With a new resolution, Avery made her own choice… she would marry prince Adrian but what was her goal… to make him hate her like he did in the book and reconcile with his betrothed love, Evelisse.

In a world turned into a deadly game, Alex Grant, an ordinary high school student, finds himself thrust into an apocalyptic reality where Earth has been selected as Game World N31459. With invaders and monsters descending from the skies, humanity is forced to fight for survival. As Alex navigates through the chaos, he discovers a game-like system in his mind, granting him access to items, abilities, and quests. Using a rare "Blessing Stone," he gains temporary god-like powers, boosting his strength and endurance. Tasked with surviving the first week of the invasion, Alex fights terrifying creatures and encounters other survivors, each struggling to adapt to their new powers and the terrifying monsters attacking their world. Along the way, he earns valuable loot, including rare "Awakening Stones" that promise to unlock even greater power. With his R-level potential, Alex quickly becomes a force to be reckoned with, but the battles only grow more dangerous. The world has become a brutal game of survival, and Alex must use every advantage he gains to protect those around him and unravel the mysteries behind the invasion.

Max, an ordinary student, found his world upended when powerful, chaotic, God-like beings descended upon Earth, bestowing grand and bizarre abilities upon humans while compelling them to participate in their perverse games.

As a gamer Asuka Ito has played many video and VR games. Though his favorite ones, and the ones with his account name at the top of the leader board are survival games. One day he gets invited to participate in a reality TV show known as The Zombie Games. Thinking it would be just another survival game he had played; he accepted the invitation and was transported to an island in the middle of nowhere. There he saw other participants just like himself. When the last participant arrived a voice then began. "In the world of The Zombie Games, zombies are real and they're dangerous. Your goal...Survive. Be the first to get to the other side of the island, and you will be given 50,000,000 dollars. This game is the survival of fittest. Good Luck!!" A battle to the death against the undead. With millions of dollars on the line, these teens will have to use all their cunning, strength, and luck to survive. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!

Felix Maxwell was destined to be a loser, born on one of the weakest races and on the least favorable of situations, he was forced to face adversity head-on as he traveled across the vast universe where dangers laid in every corner, one day traveling in hopes of riches he stumbled upon a ruin where a supreme being laid imprisoned, in a stroke of bad luck the being laid its eyes on him and tried to take over his body, forcing itself upon him. But fate hadn't given up on him! He woke up in his younger body, 20 years in the past with the fallen being trapped in his soul. In his past life he had been a loser, giving up on things mid-way and never striving for greatness, he was a side character who made the strong shine even brighter, but not on this life. He swore to himself he would strive for glory, he would take advantage of his knowledge and emerge as a supreme being! ...... Novel Discord: https://discord.gg/FTfXXYHnFT This is my Patreon, everyone is welcomed to drop by! https://www.patreon.com/MidGard_Author

James, a brilliant scientist obsessed with the mysteries of the universe, dedicates his life to unraveling the secrets of energy manipulation. After a century of tireless research, his dreams seem to fade, leaving him disillusioned and lost. He finds solace in the world of video games, immersing himself in their intricate mechanics and the boundless possibilities of virtual worlds. This unexpected detour rekindles his passion, leading him to a profound realization: the magic he sought might be closer than he imagined. Driven by this newfound conviction, James embarks on a daring space exploration, venturing far beyond the reach of civilization. His journey takes a terrifying turn when he encounters a bizarre alien creature, a being that defies the laws of physics. The creature's presence unleashes chaos, destroying his ship and forcing him into a desperate escape pod. He finds himself hurtling toward a white hole, a cosmic singularity that promises oblivion. As he faces his inevitable demise, a wave of memories floods his mind, memories not his own. He is now a god, a deity of entertainment and gambling, a being of immense power, albeit a minor one. He has been plucked from the void, a remnant of a forgotten god, his essence fused with James's soul. Now, stranded in a strange new world, James must grapple with his newfound divinity. He is a god of games, a master of illusion and creation, but he is also a mortal man, burdened with the weight of his past and the uncertainty of his future. He must navigate the treacherous landscape of this new universe, where gods clash, mortals struggle, and the lines between reality and fantasy blur. His journey will be a testament to the transformative power of dreams, the enduring allure of magic, and the unexpected paths that life can take.

After being treated unfairly and killed Bella is given a second chance to life to take her revenge and save the world with the only condition that she does fall in love. This gets spiced up when she crosses part with her mutual enemy Leon Copeland and they are compared to get married to one another by their family ... [Bella what are you doing? I thought I make the rules clear?] She heard butterfly said and quickly shut her eyes trying to comprehend her emotions "You did but I'm just human, and my baby needs his dad," she said coldly and picked up a glass of wine. ... "What the fuck has come over you?" Leon screamed seeing his wife pointing a gun at him "Nothing.. it's simple I want you out of my way" "Your way?What on earth are you speaking about.." he asked perplexed as he could feel his life draining bit by bit out of him "I want to be the queen" Bella replied coldly "But you are already one" "I want to be the one and only Mafia ruler and I don't need anyone's support especially not that of a motherf**ker like you" "So you want to kill me? Tell me what would you tell our kids and family? I was never in your way and I wouldn't" Leon said hoping he would calm her, he was still unaware of what in actual fact came over his once loving and sweet wife... Will she be able to keep to this one rule and save the world or would fall in love and ruin everything? Schedule update. Stay tuned

(Mature content, smut,18+, no rape) ...... "What are you thinking about?" "I'm thinking about a guy." Jun Shang stopped in the middle of a deep kiss and sighed. His lips began to form a smile, but his fierce glare said otherwise. Possessiveness and jealousy spread across his sculpted face. "Will you tell me his name?" His easygoing and languid voice reached her ears. "Why?" "So that I can shoot him down." ....... "Hnnng." A woman's first moan was always a good sign. Even if she tries to suppress it, it can't be suppressed, so she lets out a breath. As she moaned, his wife's head fell back. The yukatas were randomly strewn above the sheets. A wisteria petal was stuck to the back of her neck. He stretched down and bit the flower petal. The petal and skin both crumbled between his teeth. The sweet taste spread in his mouth like an aphrodisiac. "Haa..." Xiao's hand gripped her abandoned yukata. He had already teased her nipples, and they glistened as they perked up. With another surge of desire, Jun Shang cupped her breast once again. His wife's body was beautiful. It was as smooth as a painting. Her perfectly supple breasts, her long and slender hands and feet. More than that, the most captivating features were her fragrance and her pale, soft skin that seemed to melt underneath her hands. 'You're beautiful.' She didn't seem to be touched by his words. There was no reason for her to respond with 'You too' just to be polite. But none of that mattered. Her proud face and her cold eyes. All of it. He liked all of it. And starting today, all of it would be his. "Ahh." ……… In a world ruled by business alliances, Jun Shang and Yun Xiao are forced into marriage for profit. Their families arrange it, and they agree to keep it strictly business - no love, just cold partnership. But during their honeymoon, something unexpected happens. They feel a strong attraction to each other and give in to desire, breaking the rules of their agreement. As they navigate the tricky world of corporate greed and family pressure, Jun Shang refuses to let go. He wants to understand Yun Xiao better and uncover her secrets. ......... Check out my patreon.com/Prabin776

Hanjun, who used to live alone, wakes up in a strange, old church in a different world called Eorera. In this world, there are two gods: the God of Light and the God of Darkness. A thousand years ago, the God of Darkness created demons and attacked humans. The God of Light was nowhere to be found, and people believed they were abandoned. Hanjun finds himself mistaken for being the God of Light by an old priest who was praying for help against the demons. Even though Hanjun is not actually a god, he ends up in a divine body on a stone throne, realizing he has lost most of his powers. He decides to help the humans by recruiting players from Earth through a game he creates called "God's Games Online." He sends out gaming equipment for free to a few selected players, who will enter the game to help protect Ulon Town from the approaching demons. Hanjun also creates a game system and an NPC guide, using the old priest named Barry to lead the players. Hanjun hides his true identity As "Holy Son" and starts preparing to gather faith and regain his power to protect the people of Eorera. Note: 1. Slow-paced story. 2. There is no female lead in this book.

Five of the most prestigious universities in the country are chosen to participate in an unparalleled tournament. Only the best and brightest students are selected to represent their institutions in a series of deadly and intellectual challenges that will test not only their knowledge but also their cunning and fortitude. Each team, composed of four students, must navigate through challenges in virtual worlds, where reality is manipulable and the boundary between victory and defeat is often determined by the ability to influence and deceive others. But there's more at stake. As the challenges grow more intense, secret alliances and dark conspiracies emerge. Academy Games is a tale of fierce competition, strategic intelligence, and the subtle power play that lies behind every decision. Only one team can emerge victorious and bring honor to their university, but at what cost?

Earth has been thrust into the Origin Games, a cosmic tournament that spans galaxies and dimensions. For millennia, the Will of the Universe has kept the balance, but now, Earth must prove its worth. Leon Cross, an ordinary young man, discovers he’s been granted a Mythical Talent—the power to manipulate reality itself. As Earth's representative, he must survive a series of brutal trials that test strength, intelligence, and survival. But as the competition escalates through the World Trials, Galaxy Trials, and beyond, Leon uncovers darker secrets behind the games and the true purpose of the Will of the Universe. With Earth’s future at stake, Leon must unlock the full potential of his power, face ruthless competitors, and navigate a deadly path to uncover the truth. Will he survive the trials and protect his world—or will he become a pawn in a game that could destroy everything? "Origin Games: Universe Trials" is an epic blend of action, mystery, and cosmic battles—perfect for readers who crave high-stakes adventures and mind-bending twists.