lightnovel

'Nina?' The thought hit me before I even really processed who it was. Nina Shoka from my class. She was just walking along, probably listening to music, totally unaware that this car had lost control and was sliding right toward her. I didn't think about it. Didn't weigh the pros and cons or consider my options. My legs just started moving. I dropped my phone and sprinted toward her. The car was maybe three seconds away from hitting her when I slammed into her side, pushing her as hard as I could toward the sidewalk. She went flying, landing hard on the concrete but definitely out of the car's path. Me? Not so lucky. The impact felt like getting hit by a train. One second I was pushing Nina to safety, the next I was flying through the air. Then I hit the ground and everything went wrong at once. I couldn't move my legs. Couldn't really move much of anything, actually. There was this weird warm feeling spreading across my chest and stomach, and when I tried to breathe, it felt like drowning. 'Well, this sucks,' I thought, staring up at the sky. 'Guess that's what I get for being a hero.' My vision started getting all swimmy and weird, but I could make out Nina crawling over to me. She had pulled out her earbuds and there were tears streaming down her face. "Why did you do that?" she kept asking, over and over. "Why would you do that?" I wanted to shrug, but my shoulders weren't really cooperating. It seemed pretty obvious to me - she was in trouble, so I helped. That's what you do, right? Nothing fancy about it. She was talking to me, saying my name a lot. I didn't realize she even knew my name, to be honest. We had been in the same class for like three months and I don't think we had ever actually had a conversation. "Kofi, stay with me, okay?" she was saying. "You're gonna be fine. The ambulance is coming."

Frizz never really had any big ambitions, yet he was never content with his life. He longed for excitement but lacked the motivation to look for one. After recently graduating college. He squandered his opportunities, wasting his potential. An unmotivated, lazy, and boring person. Effort was an alien concept to him, preferring to idle by. Then an opportunity arrived. A system and but that's it. No gates opening, no mystical equipment, no fantastical monsters, and no gods with schemes. Just a cold, mechanical interface in a world drowning in mundane horrors: corruption, crime, and the soul-crushing grind of life. For the first time, he’s wide awake and with the System's perks, he's ready to smash his dull life to the ground. However, he's not the only one playing this game…

"There was once a hero." All have heard that phrase at least once in their lives. Whispered by old men before firelight. Carved into stone beneath crumbled towers. Inscribed on the last pages of dying books. But more often than not, it was just a prelude— a sentence used to dress up myths, to clothe legends in something that sounded like truth. "There was once a hero who defeated the Demon King." "There was once a hero who slew the last of the skyborn dragons." .......... "There was once a hero who was thrown into the abyss... and kept climbing out of it." "There was once a hero who walked with tragedy tied around his waist like a blade." "There was once a hero who changed lives—not with miracles, but with mercy." Shotaro Mugyiwara. A name drowned in dust. A face erased by time. He wakes as a blank slate— somewhere in the shattered lands of Drakastradorn, known also as Aetheria. No memory of who he was. No sense of why he still breathes. Only silence. Only echoes. Only the wind screaming through ruins that remember him better than he remembers himself. This world is not kind. It is carved by Mantra, an energy not of magic, but of something older— from beyond space, beyond time— a power not meant for mortal tongues to name. The land bleeds war. The stars above are scarred. And in this stage of gods and monsters, drama and death... he awakens. ......... "He was always the hero." A child is born in Hokkaido, on the night of January 30, 2008. A birth that was never supposed to happen. From a womb never seeded. A life conjured, not conceived. The world shook the moment he took his first breath. Because something ancient had returned. Something the world had forgotten how to fear. --- "There was once a hero... who was a great diplomat." Who could shape armies not with swords, but with words. Who could bend even fate to a shared purpose. Shotaro Mugyiwara’s life was never normal. And it will never be. Even in a world where he remembers nothing— no comrades, no battles, no lovers, no scars— even with the past ripped from his veins... He walks. He endures. He refuses to kneel. Because the truth is simple. "There was once a hero..." "Who kept moving forward."

Set in the Shadow Slave world...a time before Sunny was born...this story follows a simple soldier who must survive in a dystopian, apocalyptic landscape where magic and gun warfare collide. In a far-off Quadrant known as North America, a young soldier named Hope is 16 years old when he gets infected by the Nightmare Spell. He passed! But...he feels a bit scammed...? A flaw that makes him fade from people's memories... A cursed attribute that makes him remember everything endlessly in eternal wakefulness... It's as if the Spell is twisting his future and existence into an almost improbable one. All he has ever known his purpose to be was to serve as a simple soldier. Not too powerful. But not so weak either. And maybe, just maybe like some others, become an Awakened. Although he never dreamt of being one. Now that his whole life is compromised after his First Nightmare, his first objective is to survive on his own. But as he tries to escape his fate, his actions seem to lead him further from his goal. He struggles against obstacles that slowly grow bigger and out of proportion. Maybe the Dream Realm and the Real World aren't so different than one may think. Hope's journey involves uncovering secrets and gaining knowledge about his true nature and his new role in the world. Is he fit to be a hero? Could he redefine it? *** Please read the READER DISCLAIMER in Volume 0. This is my spin-off novel of "Shadow Slave" by Guiltythree. But please don't expect the same writing style, setting, and characters, especially the main character. This story reveals more about how people/cities/governments operate after the Spell’s arrival. I always find it interesting how maybe one country handles it fairly, but how others handle it with desperation to the point that you question humanity. There will be easter eggs pointing to the original novel either intentional for the plot or unrelated to it, but all for fun. I am a new author so props to all who bear with me and helps me improve my writing. If it is not for you, please don't leave outright hate comments. Eat wassabi instead if you want pain. Critique and advice would be great too. Cover Art: @ellieaedon I will be posting on RoyalRoad.com and on AO3 for some people's preferences.

I want to run so hard that not even the wind can reach me. I want my lungs to hurt so bad they're about to burst. I want to feel my heartbeat accelerate from zero to one hundred. All I want is a future with you. Tanaka Jinta's words echoed in the silence of a warm summer festival night. The lights and the roar of the fireworks prevented his voice from reaching his girlfriend's ears, who stared at him in amazement while holding a hand that wasn't his.

Reborn as Javier De Armand, the youngest son of a lower rank noble household, former salaryman Nakamura Junichi faces a world of privilege, chaos, and responsibility.From his earliest days as a baby to his rise as a formidable adult, Javier’s life is anything but simple., Javier must navigate the expectations of noble society while pursuing his own freedom and dreams. As he grows, he learns that nobility comes with its burdens—managing territories, forging alliances, defending against enemies, and earning the respect of both his peers and the commoners he vows to protect. But life as a noble is no fairy tale. Rival families scheme for power, enemy threaten the borders, and kingdoms teeter on the brink of war. Being the youngest son places Javier in a unique position. Neither the heir nor the spare, he must carve out his own role within his family and society. With his sharp mind, decisive personality, and memories of his past life, Javier takes on challenges that many would shy away from.Recruit allies and build his own influence, carefully balancing his desire for independence with the duties expected of him as a noble. Along the way, he must navigate family dynamics, political challenges, and his ambition to leave a lasting mark on this fantastical world. In a realm where strength, wit, and cunning reign supreme, Javier's journey blends humor, slice-of-life moments, and lighthearted chaos as he crafts his own destiny while keeping those closest to him by his side.

In a world where the essence of life itself lies within the power of cards and mana, survival becomes a perilous game. Amidst adventurers, knights and kings who dictate the rules, a young boy awakens with a shattered memory, devoid of weapons, allies, and even the ability to use the power of cards Lost and vulnerable, he questions the purpose of his existence in a desolate reality where hope seems fake. Stripped of everything he once held dear, he faces the daunting task of uncovering his past, piecing together the fragments of his identity, and finding a reason to carry on. For any type of support go to my insta @illo16 and my twitter @illoo_chillo You can also find the story on Royal Road on https://www.royalroad.com/profile/343854

Chibi Pride: “Look him in the eye, keep your voice steady, and if you need a moment to gather your thoughts, don’t say umm, hold your breath.” Chibi Sloth: “Think… of all the time… we could save…” Chibi Gluttony: “Moderation doesn’t mean abstinences.” Chibi Lust: “Nothing is sexier than a man who brings exotic trophies back from his hunt.” Chibi Wrath: “It’s not even that big a deal, it’s one freaking box man.” Chibi Envy: “Come on Greed, if we don’t get it now, we’ll keep thinking about it, then next time a craving hits, we’ll just want more. Probably something more expensive, or more of it.” Chibi Greed: “It’s. Not. On. The. List.” Max watched the seven tiny forms of the great and powerful seven deadly sins argue… over a box of Lucky Charms. He steadied his shoulders and met the tiny Greed’s eyes blocking the box he’d reached for, “I’ve worked two double shifts this week, yes it’s outside of budget, and not on the list, but...” He took a moment as Chibi Pride nodded encouragingly. “Twice this week I left work so late I was too tired to make anything. Yes, it’s cheaper, yes, it’s healthier, but I need something I can grab on the go, or stuff my face in under ten minutes. I’ll ride my bike to work to cut back bus fares.” Greed glared at his companions, “We’re supposed to work together.” Pride grinned showing all his teeth, “We are.” The other five all grinned at Greed playfully. “I am getting a box of Lucky Charms Greed.” Max didn’t let his voice waver under Greed’s increasingly irate scowl. After a small hesitation, he reached for the box next to Greed, and put it in his cart. When Pride patted his ear he let out the breath he’d been holding as a wide smile spread over his face. Hell yeah! I finally did it! After three months, they, no he, managed to stand his ground. Ryan, the security guard, watched the young man… talk to a box of cereal. All the fucking crazies around here, he hated it when they started talking to themselves. Never knew when one would get violent… at least this kid was a regular… always talking to fruits, vegetables, sometimes the occasional discounted meat. He leaned his head to his walkie talkie, “It’s our fruit negotiator, apparently the cereal isn’t keen on going home with him today. Tell Karen she can relax.” Ruby listened to the chatter as she gave her best customer service smile to their very own special Karen. She’d refused to pay for her four hundred dollars’ worth of groceries until someone verified the crazy guy she’d spotted had been spoken to. Her two crotch goblins still screaming hysterically in the father’s cart… they had to be at least eight years old already… God how much longer was her shift? Ruby checked her phone… seven hours… and twenty-three more minutes… not including her lunch.

Imagine a world relentlessly battered by change, where the old ways of thinking are shattered. Here, power isn't just influence; it's destiny. Your individual strength, your latent abilities, dictate everything—who rises, who falls, who lives, who dies. A lucky few soar to fame and fortune, while for most, only the starkest reality awaits. In this challenging world, we find Zak. He's a young man living alone, as far back as he can remember since leaving the orphanage. His gaze often seems to look right through things, carrying a quiet belief that nothing truly matters. After years of enduring this brutal reality, his humble apartment has become a precious sanctuary, a palace compared to the bleak orphanage he once called home. For nearly everyone his age, the approaching Ascension Trial and graduation ceremony are everything. It's their shot at awakening their hidden powers, perhaps even earning a spot in a prestigious university where they can hone their skills. Fail, and you're slammed by harsh reality. But Zak, Even if the trial isn't for him, he's perfectly content to keep living his quiet life in his small, familiar apartment, finding refuge from the city's constant hum and the oppressive hierarchy of power. Yet, the very foundations of this world are shifting, conspiring to reveal a truth that promises a major turning point for everyone. Not every sudden change is a good one, though; sometimes, it brings far more severe consequences. In this harsh reality, individuals are constantly faced with a crucial decision: either hold onto the life they know, or step into an unseen, uncertain future. What kind of hidden truths do you think this world might be about to uncover?

The academy is worthless. The grimoire is cursed. And the loop? It doesn’t want to end. Westhex Academy used to be prestigious. Now it’s the lowest of the low—a dead-last school for dropouts, delinquents, and future bronze-ranked adventurers at best… or criminals at worst. When a cocky troublemaker named Rai accidentally awakens a forgotten golden grimoire—Ashbell, a living book with a lot of attitude—he and his equally unfortunate classmates Niko and Lia find themselves stuck in a strange cycle. Time bends, reality glitches, and people forget what just happened yesterday. All the while, Ashbell keeps whining, begging, and occasionally screaming at them to read his pages. What begins as a typical magical assignment—"explore the creepy abandoned building behind school"—soon unravels a mystery tied to Westhex’s downfall, secret loops in time, and forgotten contracts signed in blood and gold. Why is a powerful artifact bound to a failing school? What happens when all 444 pages are read? And can you break the cycle… before it breaks you? A comedic dark-fantasy romp full of sass, spells, and the occasional skateboarding fire-wheel—Ashbell is what happens when magic school flunks, but the story refuses to die. ⚠️ This story contains suggestive humor, pun-based character names, and innuendo intended for older teens and up. While there is no explicit sexual content, reader discretion is advised.

(Short synopsis) Whenever a suicide happens, people think that he was way too negative. But what if in reality, certain dark creatures were involved in that suicide which no one could see except a few rare people in the world with a certain trait.

Transmigration. There were many other variants like reincarnation, regression, and even reverse transmigration. Among those, regression were probably my favorite. There was just something satisfying about reliving life once again and doing better than before using knowledge of the future. Perhaps it was so popular because people liked to imagine reliving their life all over again and changing all the decisions they regret. And I had to admit that there was a time that I felt the same. But the days when I would read such a story for weeks were long gone. Except, during the nights I can’t fall asleep. To this day, these stories were still cherished somewhere in my heart. If possible, I'd like to pass my days reading it after an exhausting day at work. But the sudden sharp pain in my head jolted me awake. There was only one thing in my mind right now. It happened to me. That so called Transmigration. - I will also be posting this story on Royal Road and Scribble Hub besides WebNovel!

After having a strange dream and meeting a mysterious lady Hayase’s normal life shifts into a new reality! With no where else to call home,he embarks on a new adventure…What will happen next on Hayase’s story? Who will he meet? What will he do? Will he return back to his old home? Who knows?!? Find out in Seikai Ashura: Legends of Roria!

In the frost-laced kingdom of Arian, Crown Prince Orion was born beneath a sky veiled by snow—and ruled beneath the wings of a dragon worshipped as divine. But when that dragon sheds his mask, and whispers of older names echo through the realm, Orion is cast into a world far stranger than he ever imagined. Now walking among mortals and gods alike, Orion begins to uncover the fragile seams holding Teyvat together—seams that are fraying faster than anyone realizes. A bard who smiles too easily. A name that chills the wind itself. And powers moving in the deep, ancient and patient, watching for the perfect moment to rise. This isn’t a journey of self-discovery. It’s a prelude. And something old is stirring beneath the elements.

Scramble Love, the mega-hit Japanese rom-com manga with over 10 million copies sold. I got isekai'd into that manga, one I've never even read. And guess what? I'm stuck as a nobody extra.

No reincarnation, no weird system, no rare diseases. Just a regular guy with painfully average magic and the most terrible luck in the universe. One minute, I’m rolling natural 20s, dodging fireballs like a protagonist. The next? I’m face-planting into a puddle, dropping my lunch down a sewer grate, and somehow angering a high-ranking noble’s daughter (again). But you know what? If Lady Luck is gonna play games with me, I might as well learn the rules.

What happens when a dragon gets sacrificed by his mate for his blessings? Blame the bird. What happens when a fish wants to rule the skies? Drag the bird down. What happens when a fox wants revenge? Seek out the bird. What happens when humans are lied to for generations? Coarse the bird. What does any of that have to do with the bird who most have never even met? How do they subdue a being that not even beast gods were able to defeat? How do they force a bird to stop flying? How do they kill a being... that cannot be killed? ... They break his heart... over, and over, and over. It's been over a thousand years since the beast god sealed itself away to heal from it's injuries. 700 years since the dragon was sacrificed. 600 years since a feathered snake started accepting human "wives". Almost 500 years since his heart was shattered. 300 years since history was rewritten. 200 years since the fish sent out a call. 50 years since the fox was tricked. 20 years since he gave his broken heart to a young warrior. 10 years since he was once again betrayed. 2 years since the bird found himself in a new body with only a fraction of his memories. Now, the most precious piece of his heart must either return, or bond with another. Now, the blessings from the sacrificed dragon have become a curse. Now, a young warrior has become leader of her people. Now, three nations are on the verge of extinction. Now, a snake wants his covenant honored. Now, a bird shakes his head as watches with a sigh. So few will live, while so many will die.

1045 Mergoria Calendar—the world thrives under human dominance, while non-humans, particularly Elves, are oppressed as cursed remnants of a bygone era. Úlrey Nerrenvi, a fifteen-year-old Elven thief, survives in the Vento District slums by stealing, fighting, and evading city guards. Hunger and brutality are her daily bread, but rebellion is her only weapon. Everything changes when Lys, a silver-haired Elven girl, arrives with a terrifying warning: the human regime has begun the systematic extermination of Elves under the Anti-Arcana Law—a decree branding all magic (and those associated with it) as heresy. Initially dismissive, Úlrey soon realizes the danger: Elves are vanishing, and the city's cruelty has shifted from exploitation to annihilation. Lys leads Úlrey to the ruins of the Old Cathedral, where they uncover an impossible secret—a mysterious young man named Angga Sagara, unconscious atop an ancient magic circle. His clothes, language, and aura suggest he's not of this world. Worse, his presence awakens something long dormant: the forgotten power of Arcana, the magic most feared by humans. Now, Úlrey and Lys face a choice: continue to run or fight back using a power declared extinct. But as the city's shadow deepens and Angga's origins are revealed, they uncover a truth far more terrifying than oppression—the Second Holy War is not truly over, and its final battle will begin with them.