cynical

Kain carries an Oceanic Gem that transforms into the Ruby Sword, the weapon of the chosen ones. While rescuing Lirien from pirates, he faces a treacherous sea. With the Ruby revealing super speed, Kain struggles to wield Gems and relics against the fearsome pirate Yariv, who seeks to awaken Tashkivor. As Shimon schemes in the shadows, greater dangers lurk in the depths—Is Kain ready?

In a realm where power is gauged by chakras—those mystical gates that transcend human limitations—a boy named Nayra awakens to a new existence, his mind haunted by the memories of two violent deaths. The first time, he was Aryan—a mere nobody on Earth, crushed under the weight of destiny. The second time, he lived as Nayra—a slave, a mere plaything, a man who fought tooth and nail for power, only to be struck down by the very gods he sought to defy. But death isn’t the final chapter. With a stolen artifact, the Sudarshana Chakra, time rewinds, thrusting him back into the body of a child, memories fully intact. The world moves on. The gods forget. But Nayra? He remembers. This time, he refuses to be weak. He won’t show kindness. He’ll don innocence like a clever disguise, manipulating kings and assassins alike, turning rival factions to dust with nothing but his words and a well-timed tear. Let them mock the "helpless" boy—until the moment he etches his revenge into their very bones. Yet, the gods aren’t his only pursuers. Something ancient lurks in the shadows, its whispers creeping into his dreams: "You do not belong here." Nayra grins. Let them come. He’s already faced death twice. He won’t let it claim him a third time. ["The first time Nayra died, he was afraid. The second time, he was angry. This time? He’s learned how to make the world scream instead."]

In the world of the heavens, there are an elite few in history who transcend the word "genius." They rise through the ranks of cultivation with unparalleled speed, perform feats that defy common sense on a regular basis, and generally educate all who cross their path on just what it means for the difference between two cultivators to be as the difference between heaven and earth. This…is NOT their story. Xu Zuhui has never been considered a genius, or particularly talented, though no one would call him a failure either—no small feat in the cutthroat world of VRMMOs, the dominant form of entertainment on a dying Earth. Indeed, he is one of the lucky few to escape the terrible, ruined real world by uploading to a persistent virtual world based on the world of Cultivation. But though his new body and new life comes with substantial perks, he will soon discover there are substantial risks as well. He’s far from the only strong talent in this new world, and few such people are happy to welcome more into their ranks. In what was supposed to be a virtual world, Xu Zuhui will soon find that the stakes he’s fighting for are very real…and he’ll have to become very strong indeed to survive the events the real hero of this world will inevitably drag him into. Updates daily at 8 AM EST!

In the cruel world of Ranas, normal people are considered nothing more than trash. Blaze is also one of those trash. He and his mother has been treated like animals by his loser 'superhero' stepfather. But then everything changes when the SYSTEM gives Blaze a mission to kill him in exchange for superpower. Blaze does not hesitate. Short-form: Kill him. Kill her. Kill them all. Kill for powers.

After his wife's affair and the discovery that his child belongs to another man, Li Feng is cast out into the rainy night. Since fate won't allow him to live an ordinary life, he resolves to live an extraordinary one. “How many roads must a man walk down, before they call him a man" --- <Blowing in The Wind> Bob Dylan

The good-natured Hou Yuxiao arrived in a martial arts world clearly divided between good and evil with a magical dual-colored lotus flower and became the Family Head of a small, insignificant Demon Path family in a county town, overseeing three younger brothers and a sister. The second brother was hot-tempered, the fourth brother was prone to fratricide, the youngest lived amongst the Demon Path but spent all day studying Confucian classics, and the only sister turned out to be a... Looking at the four problematic children, Hou Yuxiao fell into deep thought! It was a time of great contention, with Dynasties desperate for virtuous talents, seeking to stabilize their reign over The World, with sects dominating certain regions, aspiring to tower over all living beings, with families carrying on centuries of legacy, aiming to pursue happiness forever, with gangs reigning supreme, striving to build everlasting power, with academies resolving doubts and imparting knowledge, hoping people would promote the practice of farming and reading to future generations, ... Thousand-Faced Handsome Man Hou Yuxiao, Black Extinction Demon Blade Hou Yucheng, Nation-Topping Demon Consort Hou Yuling, Blood Sword of Sunrise Hou Yujie, and Saint-Overturning Demon Confucian Hou Yuduan... Years later, looking back, the Hou Clan had already ascended to the pinnacle.

Imprisoned within the shadowy Stygian Archive, four individuals – a speedster, an alien, a mystic, and a disgraced soldier – are forcibly recruited by the enigmatic Viktor Storm into a covert government team known as "The Miscreants." These aren't heroes; they're criminals with extraordinary abilities, their freedom bartered for service in a world where the supernatural is terrifyingly real. Tasked with confronting monstrous threats that lurk beyond the veil of normalcy – from demonic possessions to ancient, destructive entities – the Miscreants must grapple with their own fractured pasts and the moral ambiguity of their missions. As they delve deeper into the darkness, they uncover a conspiracy that casts doubt on Storm's true intentions and the very nature of their purpose. Forced to confront not only the external horrors they face but also the internal demons that haunt them, the Miscreants must choose: remain pawns in a dangerous game, or defy their captor and forge their own path, even if it means facing the consequences of their past and the wrath of the very organization that controls them. The lines between savior and monster blur, leaving them to question if they are truly protecting humanity, or merely hastening its destruction.

[highly mature book] [crime and psychological thriller webnovel] *[This novel takes a refreshing break from overused plot tropes such as the billionaire playboy or bad boy falls for good girl. This is a new taste of mystery/thriller genre that offers something new, something deeper and darker]* In the opulent streets of Beverly Hills, a string of murders sends shockwaves through the city, Los Angeles. Each victim is left with their eyes replaced—a signature as chilling as it is mysterious. Detective Lorenzo Hoffman, a seasoned investigator known for his unrelenting focus, is drawn into a case that grows darker with every clue. The accused is a world class opthomologist and in the eye of public, she is perceived as innocent for her breathtaking beauty and noble profession. As he digs deeper, Hoffman finds himself entangled in a web of psychological manipulation and hidden motives, where nothing is as it seems. The killer’s methods are calculated, their presence elusive, and their purpose disturbingly personal. With each revelation, Hoffman is forced to confront not only the darkness of the case but also the shadows within himself. The glass ball eyes is a gripping tale of obsession, deception, and the thin line between justice and madness. When every truth feels like a trap, can Hoffman uncover the killer before they strike again?

Years ago, when swords were still used as the main weapon for war, people grew desperate and tried to find a method to acquire immortality. Through decades of trial and error, souls were used to manifest mystical effects. And what's more is the discovery of Inquietus. Souls of the deceased stubbornly cling on to the world, capable of influencing the physical realm. A cult called Hubris started to exorcise the Inquietus, beings of soul turned flesh. The true goal of the cult will remain a mystery, and so will their existence.

The main character of this story, Seth, was following his once-a-month routine: going outside. He was heading out to purchase more books, as that was the only thing he looked forward to after work. But on his way to the library, he witnessed a scene that seemed eerily familiar. A little boy was chasing his ball into the middle of the road, and a truck, clearly going over the speed limit, was barreling toward him. In an attempt to save the boy, Seth ran to push him out of the way and closed his eyes as the truck came dangerously close. After five seconds of feeling nothing, Seth opened his eyes and saw something entirely unexpected. [Host Is Required To Gain Information Within 5 hours! Reward: ??? Penalty: Potential Death Scenario] •••••• Seth Laurence (19- previously 25) Personality: Stoic(mostly), cautious, selfish, and precisionist.

A young man with a bright future ahead of him gets run over by a talking train, and is sent into a mystical, fantasy world filled to the centimeter with anything a man can think of. Uniquely interesting individuals to meet, grand locations to explore, and strange societies, with underlying mysteries awaiting to be explored. However... a good protagonist is always aided by an equally noteworthy, and possibly bizarre, cast of acquaintances. *** Tags: [Realism], [Isekai], [Cynical], [Dark], and [Slow-paced] (Or so I've been told). Disclaimers: 1. In spite of what Randall (the MC) says at the start, it is NOT a harem. 2. I will also shift POVs (and provide a clarification) whenever I consider it's worth it. However, the spotlight will be on the MC most of the time. 3. The MC starts off overpowered, but that will change after Chapter 40. I don't really like OP MCs too much. 4. Please read the first 3 chapters to decide whether it's worth reading. Finally, this is also my first time publishing a novel, so I hope it's not too bad. (PS: Cover is AI made.) PSS: Currently in hiatus (didn't know how to put it)

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Jason, lived a peaceful life with his girlfriend Alice,it wasn't a grand life but for Jason it was fine, that was until he got betrayed and his life began to spiral.

A world where the tales of old are not mere stories but of a untold truth, Artifacts, items of immense power, shape the history of earth. Ash Tree Saga weaves together the journeys of those who bear these cursed gifts as well as the struggle between them and the ash tree organization. Each volume explores a new protagonist and their journey through a dark, unforgiving, alt-history medieval world. Vol 1: Dawn Mask - Follow the story of Isaac Novikov, the last heir of a fallen Ruthenian barony, and his journey in the Holy Roman Empire, discovering the cause of his family’s collapse. Vol 2: Hermit of The Stars - Let me finish vol 1.. — Author Note — This is originally a game idea of mine. So, while I am making games, I wanted to try out writing a web novel since I love them. Thus there may be a future game series for this web novel. I’ll try to answer any questions about the WN so feel free to ask! My current highest level class in anything about writing was in High School so there may be some lack of quality in literary skills.

In The Quiet Embrace, a young man battles deep emotional turmoil while trapped in the shadow of his family’s tragic past. The novel explores themes of loss, trauma, love, and the inescapable consequences of past actions. The story unfolds through two perspectives: that of a grieving son and his mother, Gloria. The son, Ike, is emotionally distant, barely speaking, and withdrawing from the world after the death of his father, Jonah. Gloria, drowning in alcoholism, reminisces about the love story that once defined her life—a love that ultimately led to suffering. Flashbacks reveal Jonah’s past as a gang member who, despite his attempts to leave that life behind, could not escape its grip. His choices eventually lead to his death in a tragic accident, leaving behind a broken family. Gloria, once hopeful for a perfect life, finds herself spiraling into despair, while Ike struggles to find meaning in a home that reminds him only of loss. As the novel progresses, questions arise: Can Ike break free from the cycle of trauma, or will he succumb to the same quiet suffering as his mother? Will Gloria find redemption, or will she continue her self-destruction? The Quiet Embrace is a poignant exploration of how the past clings to the present, shaping destinies in ways no one can predict.

A nameless man awakens in The Hole, battered, confused, and missing most of his past. He doesn’t know how he got here, only that his body feels wrong—faster, stronger in ways he can’t explain. The only clue he has is a single phrase burned into his mind: "Black Silence." Dorohedoro x Project Moon Crossover

The kingdom of Salaria is in chaos, lord vying for power only the chosen one that wields the sword of doom can put an end to this raging wars

Ten years ago, twenty-six prodigious heroes were summoned from another world to defeat the Demon Lord, a battle they won, cementing their status as legends. However, their victory came at a cost-Elianor, one of their own, was mysteriously murdered. Distrust and grief tore them apart, and the once-united group disbanded, each hero walking a separate path, leaving the past buried. Now, a decade later, a dark prophecy looms once again. The world calls for its heroes, but they are no longer the same. Shin Hiiro, an average mage and former companion, is sent to reunite the fractured group. As he tracks down each hero, he finds that time and tragedy have changed them-some have embraced power, others have vanished into obscurity, and a few harbor dangerous secrets. With every hero he encounters, Shin begins to unravel the truth behind Elianor's murder. Old friendships are tested, and loyalties blur as Shin realizes that the heroes who once saved the world might now be its greatest threat.

Harley the Adopted son of William Afton faces challenges he's determined to overcome, even harboring dark secrets