The first thing Daniel thought when he met the line up of the Mystery Club was that the club had to be really unpopular this year. The club normally met after school, but Oliver had called all the members to the meeting room right after he and Felix had agreed to join so they could all meet each other.

Sitting at the head of the table was Oliver, a brown haired boy called Harry was on his right, there was another teenager called Amien on his left and the only female was a redhead called Meredith who seemed to have a thing for Oliver. That meant there were only four members before he and Felix had agreed to become members. Daniel had got the impression from the talk given by the head of sixth form that the clubs were all quite large. This one definitely didn't seem to match that impression.

"Is this everyone?" Daniel asked.

Oliver coughed awkwardly. "Yes it is. Harry is the accountant and Meredith is the secretary. Amien is the former leader- final year students have to step down from club leadership."

"We don't even have any students from the school this year," Harry added with a groan and Daniel was able to work out that Harry was Welsh from his accent.

"I maintain my theory that everyone who was interested in joining saw Harry and ran away," Amien commented dryly.

Daniel frowned. Amien should have been a pupil at Kingston Royal Academy, he was stuck up enough to belong there. He even looked the part with his very straight posture and slicked back blond hair.

Oliver coughed again. "That's why we are going to lure people back by solving the Seven Mysteries. It will do wonders for our reputation as an obscure club."

Daniel thought it would be best to ask a certain question now rather than look like an idiot later on. Oliver had termed it like they all should know what the Seven Mysteries were.

"What are the 'Seven Mysteries'?"

It was Amien who answered his question in a concise manner.

"The Seven Mysteries are a part of most schools in Japan. They are seven separate mysteries connected to the school. What is important is that they are horror based unsolved mysteries."

The basis in horror explained why he had never heard of the concept. Daniel didn't have the fascination with horror that lots of people seemed to have.

Oliver continued on. "They're usually generic stories. Mysteriously moving anatomy models, moving staircases and things like that. Each school has their own take on it, but they're normally quite similar."

Daniel waited for further information. If they were as generic and fake sounding as that, why were they bothering to investigate? Should he even bother filling in the form that would formalise his membership? 

"This school has a very unique Seven Mysteries which is why we want to investigate them. There is a chance they might have a grain of truth," Meredith added.

"What are the Seven Mysteries that are unique to this school?" Felix asked.

Oliver held up a finger and began to tick them off.

"First is the blood filled well, second is the cherry blossom tree which sucked the blood of the dead body buried underneath, next is the self playing piano in the music room, the twelve steps that became thirteen steps, the body hanging from the statue, the bloody face at the window and finally the electrocuting light in the science lab," he narrated in a dramatic manner with wide eyes.

Daniel stared at him. Oliver looked like he really was enjoying himself.

"I see," was all he could say.

This territory was unfamiliar to him. He really needed to become acquainted with the horror genre. Felix on the other hand looked highly interested. He had noticed from the books in Felix's bedroom that he was fond of horror.

"They are certainly unique here, but all you have done is to find out what they are," Amien observed critically. "How are we supposed to investigate them with that scant amount of information?"

Oliver's eyes moistened and he frowned. Harry patted him on the arm and stepped in. Daniel had the feeling that Amien was not the most popular member of the club.

"Why don't you suggest how we investigate then?" Harry snapped.

"Why don't you ask the new members of the club?" Amien was unperturbed by the question.
"Remember how useless Oliver's previous recruit was?"

The four of them turned to face Daniel and Felix with inquisitive eyes. Daniel thought about it analytically. The Seven Mysteries sounded like a game of Chinese Whispers- the information became different when it was passed from person to person. He had never heard such a series of unlikely things said together. It sounded like a mess of information and could be a loose interpretation instead of the original mysteries.

"You need to find out when each of them first started or what they originally were. The current mysteries may not even be the original seven."

Meredith started taking notes frantically and even Amien was beginning to look impressed. Felix gave him a thumbs up.

"Any more ideas?" Amien asked.

Felix was the next one to speak up.

"If the Seven Mysteries are such an essential part of Japanese schools and the Mystery Club has been going for a while, why has the club never investigated them before?"

"That is a very good point," Amien conceded and readjusted his glasses. "The club has been going for twenty years by the way. I admit to not considering that before."

Felix looked decidedly smug. Daniel raised an eyebrow. He was enjoying seeing Felix in action.

"Actually I found something when I was organising the cupboard after the last meeting," Meredith announced. "The Seven Mysteries were investigated six years ago in 2013."

"I've checked the yearbook for that year and there's no record of that. How do you know that?" Oliver wanted to know. 

"I have the minutes of a meeting from that year," she explained and drew an extremely crumpled and discoloured sheet of paper out her notebook. "It was wedged in the panelling at the back of the cupboard and was hidden by the old club diaries."

She smoothed it out and placed it in the centre of the table so they could all have a look. The paper was titled 'Mysteries of the School Meeting- Role Allocation' in neat handwriting alongside the date which was March 2013.

"Interesting," Daniel commented. "Is there anything else?"

Meredith got off her chair and started rummaging around in the cupboard. She pulled out a slim black book with 2013 stenciled on the cover in gold and the thicker 2014 equivalent.

"This is the 2013 yearbook. It's very thin like they did nothing that year, despite what we have evidence of. There's no mention of the Seven Mysteries. There's also something else."

She opened it up on a certain page and then showed them the 2014 yearbook.

"The club photo and member list are missing in the 2013 one, but they are in the 2012 one as well as the 2014 one."

Daniel compared them. There was a tear mark in the 2013 one where a page had been whereas the 2014 had a club photo in the equivalent position and no tear mark. Meredith was definitely right about something being strange.

"...I was here in 2013, unlike the rest of you. I was in the first year so I couldn't join any clubs," Amien began with obvious hesitation. "There were some rumours about a missing student. I think he was supposed to be a member of the Mystery Club."

Daniel and Felix exchanged looks. It seemed like there was a real mystery at the school.

Daniel thinks he has it hard going through school again at a snobby all boys academy in the middle of nowhere.

Instead his first day ends with his roommate bleeding out into the snow right in front of him.

His boring second life just got interesting and dangerous.

Romance is a very popular genre in Webnovels. The first thing that come to mind when we talk about romance are the CEO novels. Even though we don't want to admit it, they are the mainstream romance stories in the Webnovel website. 

So why do people love romance stories? I hope you find the answer while reading this chapter.

----------------------------------

FattyBai: No worries, was just a bit curious. It's always amazing seeing how the Romance genre basically dominates the site.

Parasection: and CEO stories.

FattyBai: So I was sort of curious what the demographics on the reader's sex were. But yeah, it's a fair assumption to say that the ladies rule the site, lol

WWFire: Readers gender stats r ambiguous, it is manipulatable after all.

FattyBai: Unless there's this hidden group of guys who have been starving for CEO romance novels (which would actually be funny).

Parasection: But the sacred texts.

WWFire: All I see are genderless alien. *derp emoticon*

reinesse ♥: kek.

FattyBai: How do we pull in the female readers in if we can't write a romance story? *cry emoticon*

Parasection: No choice but to write yaoi then.

WWFire: We who read these kind of fantasy novels don't live our lives correctly pal.

CailinMatthews: *ghost hug emoticon*

Parasection: Give in to the demons.

WWFire: That's why we escape reality sometimes. 

FattyBai: It's like being offered a big cake and unable to take a slice.

Zehell2218: I think male reader have their own chance and market.

FattyBai: For sure, but it'd be nice to tap into both sides.

Zehell2218: @FattyBai I think I'll make fantasy romance so I can attract both.

FattyBai: I mean, it's not a bad idea, but how do you split it up? 50% romance/50% dragon ball z?


Parasection: The fuq that sounds like an abomination.

FattyBai: It does.

Zehell2218: @FattyBai No it's 80% romance 20% action. *joy emoticon*

Noveljunky: Besides Romance, what else do females like to read?

Parasection: BL, yaoi, drama.

Zehell2218: Still BL is romance.

Anjeeriku: horror lol.

reinesse ♥: @Noveljunky xianxia I think.

Noveljunky: Mmm.

Zenith: Well, need too write romance...kek

Zehell2218: Do female reader like to read apocalypse novel? Quick question since I will make fantasy romance in apocalypse.

[A/N: Sis, did you forget that you're a girl too?]

Totally Not Nano: nah oof.

FattyBai: @Zehell2218 Aww, man. But then you have to develop characters and write meaningful dialogue.

Zenith: I am probably gonna f*ck up my time trying to make a romance story.

FattyBai: We like blowing stuff up and fighting baddies.

Zehell2218: cmon it will be comedy. *laugh emoticon*

Parasection: The best thing in a novel is character development humor and action romance can be on the side.

Anjeeriku: Romance can be a great sub genre.

Parasection: how does one even write romance? I don't know where to begin with that genre.

FattyBai: I'm a simple guy, I see plot and I drown it in martial arts and manly stuff. Of course, I don't know what feelings are. Can you eat them to increase your cultivation base? *think smart emoticon*

Parasection: I've never experienced romance so i'd fail the moment i'd attempt a story like that.

Zehell2218: Actually, I like to write fighting scene but without romance my reader will kill me. So...yeah I tag it as romance! *joy emoticon*

Parasection: Fight scenes are fun to write.

FattyBai: I'm trying to break through into the "Immortal lonely sperg" phase~

Zehell2218: Very sloooooowww romance.

Anjeeriku: Please no abusive ML @Zehell2218 They're disgusting. idk why women like to read them.

Zehell2218: @Anjeeriku I don't know if girls who read xianxia will read apocalypse novel too.

reinesse ♥: I wanna write a novel like it's not easy to be a man after traveling to the future.

Zehell2218: @Anjeeriku No I won't make abusive ML. @reinesse ♥ same *joy emoticon*

Totally Not Nano: @Anjeeriku *cough* TBWWM *cough*

reinesse ♥: And an actual xianxia novel with reasonable characters.

Zehell2218: But without the romance it's bland.

reinesse ♥: Like characters, especially main character who knows how to adjust because extreme pride is not good.

FattyBai: @Zehell2218 Baby Dragon Truer words have not been spoken, and that scares me.

reinesse ♥: Some villains are really brainless. they can scheme, but they don't have a reasonable reason to do so

Zenith: Kek.

Zehell2218: @Zenith gramps I have idea for fantasy romance lemme tell you after I finish writing and see if it's interesting or not.

Zenith: Get the MC u desire! Yeah @Zehell2218 

FattyBai: I fear becoming a more wholesome and fleshed out human being. Please no development.

Zehell2218: @Zenith It's ok. Just want to see if people will find this good or not. *joy emoticon*

Totally Not Nano: I think there's a formula in getting famous as a writer.

[A/N: Oh? Such formula exist? Teach me Senpai!]

Totally Not Nano: Let's debate about it. *thinking emoticon*

Parasection: The formula is write romance and you're set.

Totally Not Nano: Any genre + xxxxxxx = top 1.

[A/N: Today… I lost faith in humanity.]

Noveljunky: If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back.

Moonbirth: Write a lot. Write everyday. Post a lot everyday... write about what readers want to read about.

Anjeeriku: Write a lot. be a slave. Lol


----------------------------------

Elyon knew that "Romance" is not his strong point. He writes a fantasy story with romance, but he can't tell if the romance will be able to attract female readers. Out of curiosity, he asked some of his fellow authors the question "Why do you read romance stories?"

Here are their answers…

Kyosei: Because I am single. 

Reili: To fill my empty void of a love life.

Minrei: Because romance let you feel what is to be loved, plus it is universal you dont need to learn magic or cultivation in order to read.

Bajj: Due to lack of romance irl.

Murakami: I read because I enjoy the friction and conflict between the FL and ML. The insistence vs resistance is naisu.

Qin: I reads romance only for ideas and info.

VlassisBehrakis: I don't read romance novels.

[A/N: Oof I asked the wrong person.]

Elyon then  ̶a̶m̶b̶u̶s̶h̶e̶d̶ asked some readers about their opinion about romance novels.

Yin: I read romance novels because I want that kind of drama to happen to me in real life. But I know it will never happen haha.

A Certain Irresistible Meowlin: I wonder why? And I do read romance novels. Though the chance of me dropping them is also the highest out of all the genres. Every so often I come across a scene that makes me just want to squeal and fangirl. 

----------------------------------

Elyon decided to dig deeper and asked a few of his senior "romance authors" some questions about their reason for writing romance stories.

The first question is… Why did you choose to write Romance Stories?

Anjeeriku: I'm comfortable writing romance stories compared to other genres. I'm a helpless romantic person and I like novels that can invoke other people's feelings.

Bajj: First of all, I like reading romance story. It was the reason why I read books before and reading other genres comes after. All in all, due to these romance fiction books, I got the opportunity to read more great books with different genre.

MishaK: That's what I read, so write that too.

Zehell2218: Because as reader, I want to read romance novel so when I write, I write romance since my motto is I write what I want to read.

Ikazainudin: The easiest genre. Everyone can relate.

End_of_Era: It wasn't a full on Romance, it was slice of life with romance which I feel was necessary with progression of the characters.

----------------------------------


The second question… When you were making your ML and FL, did you imagine yourself as the lead of your story at any given point in time?

Anjeeriku: I would be a liar if I said no. There were instances that I'd put myself in my FL's shoes. Whenever that happens, my writing feels more passionate and truthful that sometimes it was hard to know where my fl starts and where I end. 

Shen Yi, LMD's ML was based on a person I've lost, The One That Got Away so it was sometimes hard not to self-insert whenever there were scenes that need to invoke feelings from readers. 

Bajj: I believe that every character the author was making and breathing life into it, a part of him/her is added to its character. But me imagining of being the ML/FL, never. I'm too pure for that. Kek

MishaK: Yes I did but sometimes. Otherwise you can't infuse emotions in your characters. It is important to understand your characters.

Zehell2218: Yes, I imagine myself as the lead. Of course, I tweak it a bit, such as in age and appearance. But mostly, the characteristics is similar to me.

Ikazainudin: FL and ML character based on what I want to be irl. Yup. I imagine that will be my love story.

End_of_Era: Yes, my leads had some ocassional self insertion.

----------------------------------

The third question… If you were to choose some other genre aside from romance, what would you pick?

Anjeeriku: Fantasy. I always look up to those authors who can write fantasy stories/novels well. I believe writing a fantasy novel is harder than writing romance. 

[A/N: Ahem! 10 points to Griffindor!]

Bajj: Horror/thriller/Action. Read GGGB godamnit! [Good Girl Gone Bad]

MishaK: I am writing a Fantasy romance aside from regular vanilla romance *smile emoticon*

Zehell2218: Fantasy, magical realism, fan fiction.

Ikazainudin: Psychological/horror and maybe children story.

End_of_Era: The new genre I'm writing is fantasy/violent .

----------------------------------


The fourth and final question… If you were to give a message to your beloved readers, what would it be?

Anjeeriku: I'm sorry for not being inconsistent with updates. Y'all know I love you, but a little consideration and patience as I face this rough patch in my life would be very much appreciated.

Bajj: Vote me please :* mass release comes after, deal?

[A/N: Oof!]

MishaK: Be responsible in reviewing the book you are reading. Authors love to listen from their readers. So talk to them.

Zehell2218: Beloved reader, your author here is working hard to provide your daily dose so pliz pretty pliz, read my chapter using paid SS since I don't get even a penny for free SS. 

Tips: use free SS on translation novel. The translator still get money and use paid SS on original novel so we can get a bit money to continue living *wink*

Ikazainudin: I want readers to know, that love, hope and miracles exist. Be open and value each moment of your life like the MC's did.


----------------------------------

Author's Thoughts

Hello Guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter of WWCG. Personally, I've read a few CEO novels myself. I also read some FL stories like A Slight Smile Is Devastating (Love O2O), Hidden Marriage, Doomed to be Cannon Fodder, Transmigrator meets Reincarnator, A Mistaken Marriage Match: A Generation of Military Counselor, There Is an Angel in That Church (short story), Eight Treasures Trousseau, Grabbing Your Hand, Dragging you Away, A Mistaken Marriage Match: Record of Washed Grievances…

Ai~ there's a few more that I won't add to the list because it will create a wall of text. Well anyways, the reason why I read these stories is to get an idea on "WHY" the ladies love to read them.

Let's just say that it's a unique way to see a world in the eye of a lady (if you are a man of course). When done properly, the execution of the story can capture the hearts of anyone, even male readers. I believe that no matter what gender you are, as long as you find the story interesting then it doesn't matter whether you are a guy or a gal no?

Perhaps, when I'm not too busy to write my stories, I'll once again pick a romance novel to read. Hopefully, I will find another hidden gem that will bring unexpected surprises to anyone who are lucky enough to find them.

P.S I would like to thank my fellow authors, especially my senior romance authors who answered some of my questions regarding romance novels. 

To my senior authors, May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the Power Stones shine warm upon your face, and Spirit Stones fall soft upon your fields. (￣▽￣)ノ

----------------------------------
Meet and greet some of the aspiring authors of Webnovels. Join us on discord!
https://discord.gg/sBHSFVm

Have you ever wondered what your favorite Authors in Web Novels do during their free time? Don't forget that Authors are humans too and they have their own quirks and opinions. 

How can those Domineering CEO's that you love to read even compare to the manliness of our drop dead gorgeous authors who cries like little babies when they are stressed out and can't write anything due to Writer's Block!? Cultivation Chat Group can't even compare! 

Join our fearless Author Elyon as he show you a world filled with Frustrations, Stress, Anxiety, and Procrastination! 

WELCOME to The Webnovel Writer's Chatgroup!
--------------------------------
Meet and greet some of the aspiring authors of Webnovels. Join us on discord!
 https://discord.gg/sBHSFVm

P.S The Cover Drawing is not mine. I just find it nice so I used it. Full credits go to the owner.

I can still see my character is still logged in after my eyes adjusted to the brightness. I rubbed my eyes a little and scrolled up to the chat that I missed. There was hundreds of private messages that was sent to me. Some from my best friend Spy, some from my leader Syl, and some from that stupid gorilla Hara. When the chat is pink, it indicates private messages and everything was pink. 

My head started to throb so I just scanned through the messages. Majority of them were everyone asking me if I'm okay or if I'm back yet. There were the usual messages from Spy being an asshole, nothing new. She logged off before I got back but she told me goodnight in her last private message.

Syl, my leader, sent me a few messages as well. He asked me some questions and what my opinions on some topics thinking that I was still her instead of away from my computer. Since I am an officer, I have to give my thoughts and opinions for certain things such as which guild we should go against, which dungeon we should raid next, or drama in the faction and how to solve the situation. I told him sorry I was away from my computer for family matters and then answered all his questions he had for me.

Hara sent me private messages but not as many as I hoped for. I know I shouldn't have hoped for him to care that I was gone for awhile but it would be nice to feel missed by him a little.

 My headache starts to get worst so I scan the private messages faster. I say goodnight to everyone and log off.  It's really late, I look at the clock and it reads 11:36 P.M. At Granny's flower shop, I have to get there by 7 A.M and open it up the store. 

I really should be going to bed soon but I can't go without getting my daily dose of my romance fiction. It's like a routine, I have to read atleast 3 chapters a night before I go to bed or I won't sleep well. I know it sounds weird but it's very true. 

It's a little too late to take a shower; I don't want to wake anyone else up, guess I'll have to wait for the morning to.

The dimmed, flickering lights from the candles in the hallway seeps through the bottom of my closed door. I blow out the candles on my nightstand and the only light visible besides the candles in the hallway is the light from my phone as I put in my 4 digit password to unlock the screen. 

"Ugh too bright too bright!", the brightness from the phone blinds me. I hurriedly turn down the brightness and open the app to read the novel. Reading is the only thing besides gaming that I enjoy doing. It gives me the freedom to imagine myself as the main characters and go through the situations they go through. I know I will never get the opportunity to be in any of those types of conflicts or love triangles so the next best thing is to let my mind go freely when reading.

Romance novels are nice and all but horror novels are my favorite. Nothing beats the gore and blood. I also love reading about serial killers and their mindsets. What made them finally snap? What made them pick the ways to kill their victims? What happened to their family or how the family copes/coped with having a serial killer family member? 

After reading the 3 chapters I promised myself that I would only read, I need more; I crave more...I shamefully slid my finger up to read the next chapter. It started getting good, how could I not read what happens next? UGH I hate cliff hangers.

That extra chapter I wasn't supposed to read turned into 5 extra chapters I wasn't supposed to read. 

The main character in the novel is so dense! How could she be so oblivious and not see how much the male lead care for her. And she have terrible friends who give the worst advice. Why can't people just talk about their feelings? Is it that hard to tell someone how you feel about them? I never had the chance to fall in love. I've only ever gotten crushes on fictional characters from novels and shows.

On the top right of my phone screen, the time says 1:42 A.M. My lips lets out a long sigh as I press the little button on the side of my phone to lock the screen. 

Why can't my life be like the characters in the novel. How easy for them to bump into each other in the street and sparks fly like that? Maybe it's because I am trapped in this god forsaken house. 

I want to escape.

Mulanie is a 21 year old who belongs to a long line of voodoo queens but do not possess the power, so as she believes. For unspoken reasons, Mulanie is home-schooled by her mom, grandmom, and aunts at an early age. She is not allowed to venture into the outside world so she spends her time playing an online pc game where she can be the person she wants to be in the virtual world. She is a hopeless romantic with no experience of love until she meets a mysterious guy. She have the feeling of knowing him, but from where? What type of fate is in store for our poor Mulanie?

After his death, he got reborn as an infant in a wealthy family.
His father is a politician and his mother runs her own business.
Even their marriage was because of business expansion and so.
From his birth, he never gets too much attention nor love.
But this actually helps him to develop himself in whatever way he wants.
He was able to learn fast all things, his nanny was always surprised to find that he is different from all other boys.
Time flies slowly, till he gets 5 yr. old.
At age of 5 . he discovers his powers and started practicing and experimenting with them to know more about them.
He thinks that this may be a benefit of traverser.
As he already knows which world he is in.
Even though he was a martial artist, but it doesn't mean that he never does anything other than that.
He also likes to watch Movies, series, novels, and anime.
This was his only enjoyment.

So, after coming to this world he checks on internet and news and other sources for names such as Stark or Gotham or any other words which may he knows, but he didn't find any such thing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 [the Year 2013 ]
Now I am 15 yrs old.
Today when i 
I listen to a news channel showing interview of Harrison Wells talking about particle accelerator. 
At that time I understand that the world I have arrived is a famous series The Flash. 
As for why he didn't hear the name Green Arrow maybe because he has not yet made his appearance.
According to series I have watched, I know in a few years Plot will start.
Where Barry will become flash and will start his journey to become the savior of the central city.
In such situation what should I do, of course, to become strongest
and my power will work best on superpowers I guess.
[ For info. about powers check out Auxiliary Ch. ]
In past years after knowing about my powers and experimenting with it, I have already done many things as using sunlight to strengthen myself and also using electrical power to strengthen.
While electrical power enhances my reflexes and senses, Sunlight helps to increase my strength.
Right now my power has reached 5 ton. 
And my life force has increased to 500 yrs almost, as I absorb the life of many people of course none of them were good people, they were either murderer or criminals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lin Feng journey start from " The Flash "
TV Series.
Watch his journey from Mortal to Immortal to Godhood.
This novel focuses on Series , Movies , Anime.

[ Tags : No System / Cold Protagonist / Ruthless Protagonist / Late Romance / Harem ( but not like 7 or 8 wife ) / Multiple World Travel / Cunning Protagonist / Strong Protagonist / Overpowered Protagonist / Low to High Cultivation / Antihero Protagonist ( not mean in every world is Antagonist ) / No Adultery / Superpowers / Unique Protagonist ( means his powers ) ]

Cattleya also didn't return to her senses for a few seconds. She never expected Emperor Roselle's secret mausoleum to involve the Abyss.
However, after some careful thought, she realized that it wasn't surprising that a conflict at that level would involve something like that.
For a moment, she hoped that the Queen wouldn't pursue this matter, but in the end, she suppressed this thought to the bottom of her heart. She felt that if it were her, then she would also make the same choice.
All sorts of thoughts flashed through her mind as she bowed towards the end of the long, mottled table.
"Thank you for your answer. I have no further questions today."
The Fool nodded slightly and surveyed the area.
"You may begin."
Just as he finished speaking, Fors, who had been mustering her courage all this while, said as she closed her eyes as though she had resolved herself to charge towards death, "Mr. World, I have a commission for you."
Seeing The World Gehrman Sparrow look over, she hurriedly explained, "You don't have to do much. You'll just leave me at an unfamiliar place every once in a while, and you can pick me up after a few days. If you're really busy, you can present 'Traveling' to me several times at a particular point in time for me to 'Record.'"
Upon hearing Miss Magician's words, the first thought that came to Klein's mind was:
Man vs. Wild?
I have too many suitable places, such as the battlefield of the gods on the easternmost front of the Sonia Sea, Calderón City in the spirit world, the City of Miracles Liveseyd in Groselle's Travels. They're ten times, a hundred times, or even a thousand times more dangerous than the wilderness. I'm just afraid that Miss Magician won't be able to handle the danger… Klein didn't let The World Gehrman Sparrow immediately answer. He controlled the fake person and cast its gaze on Miss Magician with a pressuring look.
Fors silently took a deep breath, calmed her emotions, and added in more detail, "This is the thing: I'm a Sequence 6 Scribe of the Apprentice pathway now. In order to digest the potion, aside from recording all kinds of Beyonder powers, I still need to record down the local customs and traditions of different places. I h-hope that I can become a Traveler as soon as possible. Only then can I avoid most of the dangers during the war.
"Mr. World, I've only 'Recorded' 'Traveling' once, so I won't be able to return if I go somewhere else. I can only ask for your help. I wonder if you're interested, and what kind of payment you'd wish to receive?"
So that's how it is… Justice Audrey finally came to a realization. Furthermore, she felt that Fors's method was really great.
Especially since she's a best-selling novel author, her act of "Recording" scenery and customs and publishing it as a book should be able to greatly aid in her potion digestion rate… Audrey nodded silently as she felt sincerely happy for her friend.
However, as a senior Spectator, how could she not sense Fors's horror and fear towards Mr. World? She was looking forward to knowing what would happen when the two of them formally interacted.
Audrey, this state of mind isn't good! However, this is the attitude of a Spectator… Fors definitely wouldn't expect that the so-called crazy adventurer she fears is only a mask. Beneath it is a gentle and kind heart… I also have to work hard to digest the Dreamwalker potion. I should visit the dreams surrounding me every night… Audrey didn't show any changes in her expression or gaze as she maintained the attitude of a spectator.
After The Hanged Man Alger heard The Magician's words, he sighed. This was because even this Apprentice was beginning to break through to Sequence 5, while he was still stuck at that level.
The World and The Hermit are already at Sequence 4, Justice, The Sun, The Moon, and The Star are also all at Sequence 5. Apart from The Magician, the newly joined Judgment is lower than my Sequence… As his thoughts churned, Alger felt that stifled, a heavy feeling that was difficult to resolve. He wished he could immediately find an opportunity to make contributions and become a demigod—a Cataclysmic Interrer.
He yearned to have a high position and be in a position of power. He wanted others to acknowledge and respect him and be submissive to him. He didn't wish to fall behind in the Tarot Club.
Is that so… At the same time that Klein understood what Miss Magician was thinking, he suddenly recalled something.
It was the identity that the other party had mentioned in front of Mr. Fool during a particular full moon.
An ex-surgeon who was now a novelist!
Hmm, will spreading the terrifying legends that I create into text form help me digest the Bizarro Sorcerer potion further… Hmm, the more shocking, harrowing, terrifying, and incomprehensible the description in the novel is, the better the effects… Klein suddenly had inspiration and controlled The World Gehrman Sparrow to say, "This commission is very simple, but the payment I need is very special."
Upon hearing that Mr. World was inclined to agree, Fors asked in both joy and anxiousness, "What's the payment?"
The World Gehrman Sparrow pondered for a moment and said, "Collect information about the ghost stories that have happened recently in the various major hospitals in Backlund, and write them into a small publication or have them published in the newspapers.
"The requirement for the novel is that it's even more terrifying and bizarre. It's best if it can be a best-selling novel."
The reason why he only mentioned the matters of the major hospitals in Backlund was because Miss Magician was a local author who was part of medical circles. Being able to come to know of the urban myths and use that as material for a novel was very reasonable, and it wouldn't incur suspicion. However, if she had even learned of the urban myths in the Rorsted Archipelago, Fog Sea, and East and West Balam, then Zaratul's marionette would definitely "visit" her.
The ghost tales of the various hospitals in Backlund… After hearing The World Gehrman Sparrow's words, Audrey was stunned for nearly three seconds.
She had originally thought that those rumors were caused by the Church's Beyonders secretly treating the injured victims. Mushroom and weeds were the negative effects of the mystical items, but she never expected it to be something else.
Audrey had also guessed if it was done by "Dwayne Dantès." After all, this gentleman had heard from her about the victims of the air raid. Furthermore, he was a very kind gentleman. However, due to the lack of clues and evidence, she could only believe that it was more likely to be related to the Church.
At this moment, she was almost certain that the Clown Angel was Mr. World Gehrman Sparrow. Even if it wasn't, they definitely had a deep connection.
A Mr. World who wears a mushroom and weed mask is the same as the Gehrman Sparrow who wears a crazy adventurer mask… Why does he act like that when he's doing something good? Is it because he needs the feeling or corresponding feedback from creating fear? Audrey thought to herself with some guesses.
As for The Star Leonard and The Hanged Man Alger, one immediately thought of the strange urban myths that the Nighthawks who belonged to Saint Samuel Cathedral were discussing recently, while the other fell deep into thought about the horror stories his subordinates had heard or encountered.
Uh, I've never really heard of such payment before. It's not like I'm writing a biography… Although there has been a recent war, the sales of newspapers and novels seem to have increased. My previous editor has been urging me to write a new book… Yes, I must keep my identity a secret. I have to convince my editor to change my pen name. The excuse is that novels of different styles should use different pen names… Fors didn't think too much about it. After a slight period of deliberation, she agreed, "Alright, no problem."
The World Gehrman Sparrow chuckled and hoarsely said, "If you do well, I'll give you the opportunity to 'Record' the Beyonder powers of a demigod."
"…No problem!" Fors swept away her usual languidness and firmly replied.
To her, "Recording" a demigod's powers not only increased her ability to protect herself, but it could also effectively help her digest the potion.
This also made Audrey, Xio, Leonard and the other members sigh in their hearts. Scribes were truly enviable…
Once a demigod-level expert became a backer, a Scribe wielded extremely powerful strength. They wouldn't be weaker than a Sequence 5, or may even be stronger than one at times!
After coming to an agreement, the scene fell silent for a moment. This was because the other members of the Tarot Club currently didn't have any requirements.
Leonard had become a Spirit Warlock recently, and he had yet to conclude the acting principles. There was still the possibility of him advancing from within the Church of Evernight. As for mystical items, he had already bought the Word of the Sea. If there were any special circumstances, he could request to use Sealed Artifacts of the Church.
Emlyn was reading the Sanguine's research information regarding the Moon domain every day, hoping to make a Scarlet Scholar more practical. As for the Sequence 4 Shaman King's potion formula and Beyonder ingredients, he didn't need them for an extensive period of time, nor could he afford them.
Derrick had recently mastered the powers of Priest of Light, and he was still very far from advancing. As for the Unshadowed main ingredient, he had already obtained it.
Similarly, Audrey and Xio had also recently advanced. One of them was working hard to help Mr. World, accumulating contribution points, while the other was burdened with a huge debt and was eager to repay it.
Alger was in the Church of the Lord of Storms, so he had to keep a secret. He was currently in an awkward position which required him to find a chance to advance. Furthermore, he had obtained the Cataclysmic Interrer's potion formula from The World.
Cattleya had just become a demigod. She was currently deep in research on all kinds of secrets and all sorts of mysticism knowledge. She was pleasantly surprised that, despite having recently advanced, just recalling the knowledge and secrets she knew from the past had allowed her to directly digest quite a bit of the potion. Amongst them, the various things she had heard from the Tarot Club had contributed greatly!
The transaction segment quickly ended as the members began their free exchange.
Emlyn surveyed the area and his gaze landed on Leonard's face.
"If you're an official Beyonder, how will you deal with a clergyman of an opposing faction in your area of jurisdiction? He hasn't done anything wrong, nor does he plan on doing anything wrong."
Although Feynapotter had yet to start a war with Loen, they had invaded Loen's ally, Lenburg. This made the believers and citizens living around the Harvest Church look at Bishop Utravsky in an increasingly odd manner.
Leonard thought carefully and said, "Protective custody."


With the rising tide of steam power and machinery, who can come close to being a Beyonder? Shrouded in the fog of history and darkness, who or what is the lurking evil that murmurs into our ears?

Waking up to be faced with a string of mysteries, Zhou Mingrui finds himself reincarnated as Klein Moretti in an alternate Victorian era world where he sees a world filled with machinery, cannons, dreadnoughts, airships, difference machines, as well as Potions, Divination, Hexes, Tarot Cards, Sealed Artifacts… 

The Light continues to shine but mystery has never gone far. Follow Klein as he finds himself entangled with the Churches of the world—both orthodox and unorthodox—while he slowly develops newfound powers thanks to the Beyonder potions.

Like the corresponding tarot card, The Fool, which is numbered 0—a number of unlimited potential—this is the legend of "The Fool."

*crack* Crack* *slop*
This is bad!
While mesmerized by the mysterious light, I failed to notice that I am surrounded by hundreds of eggs. Eggs much like the one I crawled out of.
Fortunately, I was one of the first ones hatched... If I wasn't that lucky as to have such a fortunate timing, I would be swimming in the belly of one these monsters!
Well, "siblings" sounds more correct, because I'm not sure yet that I am in another world so calling them monsters wouldn't be accurate and being born in the same nest must mean we share at least one of our parents, therefore, we are siblings.
*Grumble*
While we are at it, it would seem that I am getting a bit peckish. I need to hide before the same starts to apply to them.
I was surrounded from all sides, with many of the eggs still hatching and myself being one of those rare few who already hatched.
Lets just quickly analyze my surroundings.
To my left is a dirt-filled passage that is impassable for me at the moment. To my right is that mysterious old-looking fountain. Every other direction is just swarms of soon-to-be hungry predators.
But I am one of them, so why don't I just act like them?
Nope.
If my hobby ever taught me anything about these scenarios, it is that those who hide survive, not those who act strong. If I know anything that would be two things: Snakes and Novel scenarios.
I've been learning about snakes ever since I fell in love with them in preschool while on a zoo tour we went to as a class. It now feels like a lifetime ago... Nevermind.
I then even worked as a tamer once I grew older so I have quite a few accumulated years in experience with snakes.
That is why I know that once they get hungry they will start resorting to cannibalism. And I don't want to be the one that gets eaten, minutes after getting reborn.
That would have been such a heavenly comedy.
"A man, blessed by Gods to have another chance in life after death, dies mere seconds after getting born again..."
Yep, curtains down and roll the outro music because that will happen if I don't dip out of here to a safer place.
The second thing I'm very familiar with is novels.
I spent most of my free time watching anime, manga, and reading novels, but novels always rope me in the most.
From Chinese Cultivation novels to Japanese isekai. All kinds of the genre have been on my reading list.
In a situation like this, the best thing to do would be is to preserve while hiding for as long as I can, before making a move on those hatchlings who don't leave the nest by then. They should be feeding on each other, thus being easy prey for the nimble me, because snakes are at their weakest while they digest their food. They lose all of their speed and the only way to save themselves in that situation is to regurgitate what they ate.
Earlier, while checking my fangs, I noticed that I have two big needle-like fangs, which implies that I am a venomous snake. 
I don't know what kind of venom is at my disposal, but ill make sure to use it when I get a chance.
A sneak attack should give me the best opening for executing a successful venom injection.
That plan should do it...
If this were a novel...
H~ah... I need to start moving from here.
The fountain seems to be damaged enough to have cracks in it where I could hide.
Now, how should I move without limbs...?
WoOw!
Moving in this body is super weird, but I seem to be born with knowledge about how to naturally move with it.
It's just that the residue of the egg liquids left on my body gives me a weird slippery feeling, making it even weirder to move.
I should be thankful for this new brain of mine. Even though it is quite small now, it is useful nonetheless. Movement feels awkward but I kinda like it.
After setting my plan into action, I began slithering towards a small crevice at the bottom part of the fountain. 
This crevice was small enough so that only one snake my size could fit, which was perfect in case my siblings try to make a meal out of me.
It feels nice to be in an easily defendable place while knowing there are not many such places in this cave. It really puts me at ease knowing no one took it before me.

Day 2

*Grumble*
Hungry~y...
It seems that getting hatched doesn't leave you with much sustenance. Originally I intended to wait for at least three days, but my metabolism seems a lot faster than what I thought it would be based on my knowledge from my previous life. In my world, newly hatched snakes could go on for weeks before they learn to hunt for themselves and very often their first hunt would result in their first meal.
It could have something to do with the fact that these siblings of mine, and I would assume the species as a whole, has massive breeding grounds where many eggs are laid so that the newly hatched babies have something to eat and by something to eat, I mean other babies...
In a primal sense, it does sound logical.
Don't judge before you hear me out!
If we don't eat each other there is no guarantee we will find anything else to eat, so a Swiss table is set as soon as you break your shell.
weather u will be a serving or the person served depends mostly on luck and special circumstances.
I am beginning to feel desperate...
Little snakes do look like noodles. I miss food from my human life...
I need to stop drooling. If I want to eat some noodles I just need to catch one of these horror noodles of death.
Alright, I'll do it. I'll eat one of them just so I don't die before I get a chance to escape from this pit of horrors!
That's it!
I have a genius plan on how to get food and get back here into safety in time.
Muahahaha!
I'm so smart.

Day 3

IM AN IDIOT!
So...
About my "Genius" plan from yesterday, or at least I think it was yesterday.
So, in short, I almost died... no scratch that, I almost got eaten alive!
As soon as I got out of my hidey-hole I saw a complete butcher fest.
My siblings did their best to eat each other, but there would constantly be another one coming while the previous one was digesting the one he himself ate moments before, making it a snake in a snake in a snake... For God knows how many layers.
That wasn't even the worst part.
Oh, trust me it gets better.
It seems that among all of the people... creatures in the cave, I am the only one who sees those magnificent lights emitting from the fountain.
How do I know that?
Well maybe if there were more snakes stunned from that sight I wouldn't have been surrounded from all directions while looking at the lights myself.
So, yes... I barely got myself out of there.
If it weren't for the fact that most of us still had a slimy residue from our eggs mucus, I would've been unable to literally slip through their, what I'd call, "a wall of brotherly love".
I'm pretty sure that I am the weakest link here, probably the only surviving hatchling who didn't have anything to eat since leaving the egg.
All of the others are already noticeably bigger than me, and barely 2 days passed.
This confirms my doubts about our metabolism, it is frighteningly fast. Many times faster than the snakes that I am familiar with.
And that is how my fabulous saga of searching for food ends. It really was lucky to barely slip past that wall of siblings, since a single bite would have been an end of me... Maybe since they had the advantage they didn't want to waste their venom as they had confidence they can catch me even without paralyzing me... At least that is what makes sense to me.
*Boom* *tremble* *tremble* *Shhhh*
Aw, Come on!
What now?
I don't dare go out right now so I'll just take a small peek...
It's a... Hmmm, a hole?
But why are its sides charred and blazing?!
A huge hole formed inside one of the stone walls to the side... 
Something very hot either entered or left the cave. I certainly hope its the latter.
By the explosive sound earlier and the trembling following it up, it should indicate that something left... but was something like that really in here with me the whole time?
Could it be that this fountain is actually like an underwater entrance?
No, that is hardly possible as I am under the edge of what should be a normal, closed off fountain, and as such there shouldn't be a hole in it because I would already be in it.
In any case, I hope there aren't any more of those things out there.
On the bright side for a change, that newly opened hole could be my ticket out of here I just need to wait for it to cool down and for my siblings to stuff themselves with each other. Their reduced speed from eating will secure my victory. Hehehehe.
Fuwaaaaaaah...
I could even take a nap if I block the entrance to this hole with pebbles, the rest of those pests out there should be too big to even use the entrance to this hidey-hole by now, but better safe than sorry.

About 30-ish minutes later...

Brrrrr, when did this hole become this unbearably cold?
I know it was cold before but now it actually makes me feel like I might die from the frostbite... and being cold-blooded by nature isn't helping at all...
Wait for a second, where did this water come from???
WHICH ONE OF YOU BASTARDS HAD A DRINK BEFORE GOING TO BED?!
If you come out clean right now, I might forgive you if you let me make a belt from you! 
Could it be that trembling some time earlier caused a crack at the bottom of the fountain to open and begin dripping into my hidey-hole?
Usually, I would have been mad but this time my stomach is thrilled to get close to something that can fill it up.
This stuff is drinkable right?
If I was back in the time when I was a human I would have boiled it first, that is of course if I were to completely disregard the fact that this water looks NOTHING like normal water!
Sure it is mildly similar, but it is nowhere close to being the same thing. This water gives off some weird radiation and when I say 'weird' I don't mean 'as if radioactive', what I want to say is 'as if not of the mortal world'. Strange star-like patterns and cluster appear when looked at from certain angles, but nothing is actually there... 
It looks even prettier than the light show above the fountain. 
Should I risk it? 
But my belly won't fill itself, so even if I die from drinking it, I don't really lose much as I didn't really achieve anything but get close to starving to death. 
Hmmm, what will it be then, to drink or not to drink...
Either way, death seems like an option, so I might as well gamble and drink it.
Phew, here goes nothing...
*Glug**glug**glug*
Eck, this...it is so~o SWEET!!!
*Glug**glug**glug**glug**glug**glug*
Ahh, this is worth living for. If this sweetness I feel is real and made from real sugar, I should be safe from starving for a while.
But how did something this good end up in an uncivilized place such as this, it makes no sense...
Who cares about that now, Itadaki-
*crash*
OUCH!
What!?
Where is my water!?
WHO TOOK MY PRECIOUS!!!???
A miniature crack in the floor drained away the bit of water that managed to get into my hidey-hole while the crack above somehow sealed itself, not letting any more of the life saving liquid into my grasp. 
*Sob* *Sob* 
I know they say good things never last long, but this didn't last a single moment and it was over.
I feel cheated!
Ughhh
My head is starting to hurt... 
There is no way I got poisoned by that, right? 
Awwwwww!!!

I was born as a free human, in a free world, with free will... And then I died, but now... Now I am truly free.
Released from my mortality to rise from a bottomfeeder to be the one who feeds on dragons and gods.
And all just because I was reborn as a weak little snake.

Morning came sooner then later, I went about my routine after offering proper prayers to God, I'm no fan of churches but I believe God exists and he's the supreme being, I thankfully woke up early so I was able to eat a proper home cooked meal.

 The rest of the day went really well too, I had no problems as Mark, Tess and Matt was all absent, it was unsettling however but even the populars barely noticed and there wasn't really anything I could do so I held my peace.

 Three exact days after my banter with Mark, they –Mark, Tess and Matt still were all not present, I didn't know why but I couldn't shake the unpleasant feeling that something was wrong somewhere, so even if it was a herculean task, I asked the populars for their whereabouts, I mean Mark's and Tess', then I found out it was Mark's birthday week so the lovers were on a week's vacation to the popular city of love – Paris. Even at that, I still wasn't satisfied and that didn't actually explain the mysterious disappearance of Matt, as far as I could remember the Bookworm had a perfect attendance.

 Tuesday was when my worry was confirmed to be valid, all three of them were declared missing by the school management, Mark and Tess' parents only noticed they were gone yesterday and it turns out Matt is an orphan and the orphanage was obviously careless about his whereabouts until a family showed interest in his adoption, no one had a clue of where they could be, not even the populars. 

 The school's CCTV footage for the entire week was mysteriously wiped clean and the security guard on duty all week said they hadn't left the school compound, everyone was dumbstruck, even the teachers couldn't take a guess of what might have happened and the unusual part was that it disturbed me even more than I was willing to admit, why it was so was what I couldn't fathom.

Sure enough, the next day Eastwood high was more of a desert than a school, very few teachers and almost a nonexistent population of students were present, I could tell it was because of fear, no one knew what gobbled up two popular students and the Bookworm, they had probably all come to a conclusion that their disappearance had something to do with coming to Eastwood so they all stayed in the security of their respective homes.

 Cops were everywhere around and in the school building, they were trying their possible best to piece the puzzle together but there were very many unfounded pieces, pieces I might be able to help with, for example, only I knew Matt went to the library during lunch hour, only I knew Tess was also in the library at that time,it was only me that could tell that Mark probably went in after I told him off several days ago, I wanted to tell the cops that I might have figured out the link behind their disappearance, that maybe something or someone in the library was connected to their disappearance, but I wanted to get my facts proven first so I decided to go to the library – alone.

 The library's quietness was creepy, everything was just as it used to be, neat rows and rows of books stacked properly in the wooden shelves, reading desks were just as orderly as it used to, even the librarian's nude nail polish that had been there since I could remember hadn't moved an inch, I wandered all through the large empty space but not a thing was out of place except from the new stack of books at the rear end of the room.

 Those books however were kind of disorganized and out of place, I carefully looked around it for anything that could be a clue, 

Nothing.

I sighed in resignation and made to leave the room when I noticed a bright book cover strangely hanging out of the remaining books on the top shelve by my right, out of curiosity, I picked the book and checked the cover for the title,

The mystery.

It had the picture of a glowing golden mansion drawn very beautifully over the cover, however the author's name wasn't indicated. I turned the book over instinctively to check what the story is about and surprisingly, very few words were written as the synopsis.

….four highschool students join forces to unravel the mystery….

It was strange, no author, no publisher, nothing. I opened the first page of the book, THE MYSTERY was boldly written on it, the next page had the table of contents, it only had fifteen chapters outlined on it;

1. Shawn Theodore Bradford.

2. Theresa Aurora Maxwell.

3. Matthew Matthew Matthew.

4. Mark Octavos Stoner.

5. Joanna Yvonne Cooper.

My heart skipped a beat when I read my own name on the fifth chapter, maybe it was just a coincidence? I went on to read the rest of the chapter content, the book can't actually be based on lives of random people right?

6. Find and fit in the key to the golden mansion.

7. Fit in the missing pages to their appropriate books.

8. Obtain the treasure box.

9. Change the course of history.

10. Tame the lions.

11. Get the yacht to the shore.

12. Race to the crown.

13. Secret task; protect your teammates.

14. Walk through the house of horror without screaming in horror.

15. Unravel the mystery.

Of all novels I've ever read, both electronic and paperback, this novel is sure the most unusual. I mean, who publishes a book without her name being indicated, no dedication, ten worded synopsis, unusual and unrelated chapter names? It was really strange but I couldn't put the book down, so I ignored all the warning alarms blaring in my head, went over to a study desk and opened the next page of the mysterious book –The mystery.

 

All is not what it seems," I whispered with my fingers crossed and everything changed, literally everything....

Have you ever wondered if there is a world of imaginations and imaginary friends and characters?, well here's a spoiler; there is and it's up to Joanna Coopers to get sucked into it so she can rescue her friends/enemies and by rescue, it means living through and maybe changing details of a number of novels to unravel a very unusual mystery.
But that might seem farfetched as Joanna is a timid,shy,highschool loner that barely talks and does nothing but read books, is that going to be a blessing or a curse?, would she be able to handle the seat of leadership being dumped on her by fate?, would her long time crush finally notice the beauty and strength she has under the nerdy facade?
Find out in this adventurous story of abnormalities where nothing is what it seems.
Notice: A few books highlighted in this work has nothing to do with me, they're solely works of authors I love and adore, a link to their work(s) would be indicated in the author's note. However, the general concept is my intellectual property and I wouldn't tolerate plagiarism, if you notice anyone copying my story without reference to it, kindly DM me.
✌illusionistic

Zheng Zha (Zheng) always felt that he was dead in reality. Go to work, come home, eat meals, go to bed and wake up; he didn’t know where the meaning of his life lay. It was definitely not in that face of his fat supervisor, not in that white collar woman’s body that he met in the bar, and not in this steel and concrete forest – the modern city.

Zheng felt he was rotting. Going to rot from the age of 24 til the end of his life, then become a part of the earth and leave behind a name. No, not even a name, since no one would remember him. No one would remember a little white collar. Whether he lived as a truly graceful person or just pretended to be one, he was just a tiny piece of this world.

He wanted to change something. He wanted to have his meaning.

‘Want to know the meaning of life? Want to live… a real life?’

When he turned on his computer at work today, a message popped up. This was obviously some newbie hacker seeking attention. It would force you to download a virus, whichever option you choose. Zheng laughed at it and was about to close it. Yet, his heart skipped a beat when his hand touched the mouse. He paused.

‘Want to know the meaning of life? Want to live… a real life?’

Zheng felt a little lost. An indescribable force attracted him to put his finger on the mouse. Then he clicked on the YES button and lost consciousness.

—

Cold, shaking…

The moment he woke up, Zheng jumped up from the ground. He looked around in panic. The disparity of the vision of his office and the current environment caused a chaos in his head, but after a few seconds he woke up from the confusion.

“Not bad, you have the best quality of the bunch this time.” A cold voice said.

Zheng turned his head around and saw a black haired guy sneering at him. This person was around 24 or 25, had a very common face, but the few scars on his face made him looked horrifying.

Black haired guy held a cigarette in his hand and took a deep smoke. His sight then looked past Zheng. That was when Zheng realized there were five people lying beside him. Three men and two women. Other than that, there were over ten westerners in this concealed room.

This was the compartment of a train and the train was moving very fast. The feelings of coldness and shaking were coming from the train.

“Where is this place? Who are you? Why am I here?”, Zheng asked these people. Furthermore, due to the presence of westerners, he repeated it in English.

The westerners looked at him for a moment then turned their heads away. Only the black haired guy said to him, “Think carefully, it should have inserted everything into your head.”

Think carefully? Zheng tried to recall everything. He only remembered when he saw the pop-up on the screen ‘Want to know the meaning of life? Want to live… a real life?’, and clicked YES, before he fell unconscious.

Wait… Zheng felt there was something in his head, something about survival and life.

This was a game. Whoever created this game was not known. Maybe it was God, maybe it was the Devil, or maybe they were aliens or humans from the future. Now he had became a player of this game, or maybe part of this game.

A game that brought together those who were lost in life but have yet to become a rotten person. When they chose this game they would be transported to various scenes in horror movies.

“It is Resident Evil 1 this time.[1] Your luck isn’t bad, newbies. Getting such an easy horror movie on the first time. Even when you die it will be an easy death.” The black haired guy took his last smoke then crushed the cigarette in his hand.

“Are you saying only our consciousness came inside the computer? Just like in novels? And when we complete this game our consciousness will go back to our bodies?” A chubby dude next to Zheng asked.

Black Haired took out a gun, a desert eagle. While handling the gun he said, “I don’t know if it’s consciousness or not, but you will feel pain, you will get injured, and you will die. And you were wrong, when you finish this movie, you will go to the next one. Maybe you have seen that movie or maybe not. Every time, God will bring in new members to replace those that died in the last movie. Every movie consists of seven to twenty people. In other words this is a very easy movie, we only have seven people here.”

Chubby Dude said with a sneer, “How do you know those who died didn’t go back to their body? Perhaps they chose to die willingly.”

Black Haired raised his head suddenly, as though he had became a panther in this moment. He bent his knees and in a split second he’s already on top of the chubby dude. His desert eagle stuffed inside the chubby dude’s mouth.

“Then would you want to try and die? Can you imagine that unending terror? I lived through three movies. The first one was Nightmare on Elm Street 1.[2] There were 15 newbies in that movie and two experienced survivors. But do you want to know the ending? They all died in their dreams. Me and another person were the only ones that survived. Do you want to know how it feels to get killed by a stupid dream? Imagine everything around you becomes slithering rotten meat. You watch as a pair of scissors slowly cut through every bit of your body in a gruesome factory. Can you imagine the pain? You piece of shit! Do you want to die?”

Black Haired was shouting like a madman. His intent to kill was so vivid and obvious in his eyes. The chubby dude was scared and unable to move. And with a gun in his mouth, he couldn’t even plead.

Zheng and the other four people persuaded them to break apart. Black Haired walked back to his seat and said, “Dying in an horror movie is a real death. Furthermore, when you die here you will be tortured by the devils in these movies. So if you don’t have determination to live, I advise you to kill yourself now.”

A girl with glasses said, “Then we don’t have a way to return to our bodies?” 

Black Haired said with a sneer, “I have been saying it’s not your consciousness that came into the computer. Do you think humans have the technology to create this game? No, this is the work of God, we are nothing more than bugs in his eyes. We are thrown here to struggle just to entertain him. Both our bodies and consciousnesses have been brought to this world, and can’t go back. At least I don’t think we can go back.”

The glasses girl had a sense of calmness. She thought for a moment and said, “By your tone, it seems like there’s still a way to go back?”

Black Haired took a look at her and said, “The quality of this time’s newbies isn’t bad. You’re right, there is hope to go back.”

Everyone stared at him. “Every time you finish a mission–that is you lived through a movie–you will obtain 1000 points. You can exchange these points for a lot of things, such as the right to live in a movie for 100 days.” Black Haired said.

A middle aged guy said, “Who would want to live in a horror movie? That’s asking to die.”

Black Haired remained quiet. Glasses Girl said, “No, I think I understand what he meant. There are many genres of horror movies, sci-fi like Resident Evil, where everything can be explained with science. You just have to go outside of where the main events are happening, then the rest of the world is normal.

Black Haired snapped his finger, “Bingo. You can indeed live in another part of this world normally for those days. Think about it, after experiencing a couple of life and death trials, the chance to live normally in this world is a blessing.”

Zheng’s body shivered. He thought he understood the meaning of this world a bit. Yes, the reason he was feeling rotten was because his life was boring. Once you experienced life and death, then the mundane life would become what you wish for.

Black Haired continued, “Other than exchanging for time, there are many other things. Such as this desert eagle with unlimited ammunition. It only took 100 points, that’s 10 days of time. You can also use points to improve yourself, including intelligence, mental capacity, reaction time, cell vitality, muscle density, and immunization strength. In other words, if you survive through this movie, you can double your strength. If you lived through a hundred movies, you can become a super human.”

Glasses Girl asked calmly, “Let’s get back to the point, how many points does it take to get back to our world?”

“50000 points.” Black Haired took out another cigarette. “If you don’t use any points, you just have to live through fifty movies. Then you can go back.”

Suddenly, everyone quieted down. According to this guy, if you don’t use your points, it would be impossible to live through fifty movies.

“Of course, 1000 points is the base reward of every movie. You can do side quests in movies to earn points. Like when I explained everything to you, according to God’s rule, explaining to newbies will reward 100 points. You should’ve noticed that special watch on your hand.” He waved his left hand. There was a black metal watch.

Everyone looked at their own left wrist. There were a few lines of info on this watch. A timer that was counting down from 3 hours 7 minutes. A counter for zombies, hunters, newbies…

“You will get one point for every ten zombies you kill, 100 point for every hunter, and 1000 points for every newbie…” He looked at everyone with a wicked face. Only Zheng and the glasses girl looked back calmly at him.

“Of course that’s negative 1000. Okay, if you have any other questions hurry up and ask. This movie is about to begin.”

Glasses Girl looked at Zheng, then continued, “I have three more questions. I saw Resident Evil, the ending is the T-virus from the lab spreading throughout Racoon City. Then if we drive this car and leave the city, wouldn’t that let us survive easily?”

Black Haired nodded and replied, “Take a look at your watch, there’s a name on the upper left side, read it.”

“One.” Everyone read it out, then they noticed one of the westerners had a faint glow on him, then slowly faded away.

“This is the leader of the mercenaries in this movie. This movie belongs to a specified location genre. The plot only happens in the lab. In this kind of movie, you are not allowed to leave the plot area or stay too far away from the cast. If you stay further than 300 feet from One, then bang, you will have nothing left. Understand? Of course when One is dead in the movie this restriction will be moved to another cast.” Black Haired explained.

Zheng then asked, “Who is this God that you have been mentioning?”

“God is the thing that manages our entrance to movies. It gives us points and you also exchange things through it. God is a ball of light. I don’t really know what it is either.”

Glasses Girl nodded and said, “One last question. This number, what does it mean?” She pointed to the timer counting down.

“This is the time that you must stay in this movie. Once the timer is over you will go to where God is and get your reward. There you will also wait for the next movie.”

The train started to slow down. Black haired guy finished his cigarette and took out his desert eagle, “Okay, the plot is starting. The cast will be able to hear our conversations now. Remember, if they hear anything not belonging to this world or spoilers, 10 points will be deducted for every sentence. Well, newbies, try your best to survive.”

1. Nightmare of Elm Street (1984) is a film about Freddy Krueger, a child murderer that was burned alive by the parents of his victim. Now he kills their children in dreams as a living nightmare. Original Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCVh4lBfW-c Plot Summary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Nightmare_on_Elm_Street#Plot

2, Resident Evil (2002) is a film that follows the amnesiac heroine Alice and a band of commandos as they attempt to contain the outbreak of the T-virus, a virus that it turning everyone into zombies, in a secret underground facility. Original Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6uDnd_v5Bw Plot Summary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_Evil_(film)#Plot


“Want to know the meaning of life? Want to live… a real life?” The world changes when you click YES. In God’s dimension, you have to keep getting stronger, keep evolving to survive one horror movie after another. Do you kill everyone in your way to reach the end as a lone king? Or fight along with your comrades and survive through the support of friends? Everything was just for staying alive. Until you find the secret of God’s dimension. Who is the real enemy? 

"Well, Eric, would you let my publishing house take care of your book ?" Michael Klaus didn't try to hide his intentions, as he very bluntly said.
 
Eric looked at the already printed and bounded manuscript that the black girl gave him, and said to Michael Klaus: "I'm sorry, Michael, though I appreciate your recognition, but you know, I want to try my luck with some of the larger publishing houses. Parents hope for their children to make it to the Ivy League, don't they ?"
 
Michael did not have the slightest expression of contempt or displeasure as he smiled and said: "Eric, you don't seem to have a full understanding of those large publishing companies, maybe we could find a place to talk, I know a cafe not far from here, my treat, how about it ?"
 
Eric took back the manuscript, and put it into his bag as he straightforwardly replied: "I'm sorry, Michael, I'm late for work, if in the future my manuscript gets rejected by those publishers, I will contact you."
 
Eric carried his backpack and got out of the printing shop, he started his car and drove towards the restaurant.
Michael hesitated a little, before immediately rushing out of the shop, getting into his car and following him. He had a feeling that if he missed this opportunity, he might regret it forever. This feeling he got was 30% because the Jurassic Park novel and 70% because of that young man called Eric.
 
Although he had only read the top half of the novel, Michael was surprised by the lad's knowledge. It had to be known that teens his age may have never heard of genetic engineering, chaos theory, nanotechnology and other high-tech factors. But not only was this kid well documented, he also used that vocabulary in a way that didn't actually make you lose interest in the novel, and instead added to the fascinating twists of the plot.
 
He had seen many types of sci-fi novels, but most of them used those scientific terms in a very boring way, that type of fiction was obviously not for all types of readers.
 
Eric parked his car on the parking lot and turned around to find a black car stopping not far away. Michael Klaus got out, he had apparently followed him. This served to satisfy Eric's vanity. His favourable impression of Michael was seriously growing.
 
"Hey, Eric-"  Michael waved his hand and was about to speak when Eric pointed at his watch and said: "That, Michael, you see, it's nine and I work in this Italian restaurant as a waiter, if you don't mind ordering breakfast, the bar and restaurant are basically deserted before 10 o'clock." Michael nodded knowingly and followed Eric as he walked into a restaurant.
 
Eric changed his clothes and came out, Michael had been sitting at a window seat, an empty breakfast plate in front of him.
 
"I explained the situation to Mr. Jeff, but you have to hurry." Eric sat across Michael, smiled and said: "I might be young, but I'm not that easily persuaded."
 
Michael laughed: "I believe after you hear my explanation you will certainly give it to me to publish. As I just said, you probably don't know those big publishers, but, I have worked at Simon & Schuster for eleven years, I did everything, from the most basic things to editing. Because I failed in the competition for the department manager position, I left and founded my own The Night Elves publishing house."
 
"What does that have to do with me ?" Because of his past life as a loser, Eric feared hearing about other people struggle stories, and couldn't help but interrupt.
 
"Relax, young man, I  just want to make you understand that I'm not kidding around and that my words are the truth. You know, I was originally editing reviews at first, every day I reviewed tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of words from drafts, although there were a lot of, ehm, bad manuscripts, there were also a lot of works that got published. At least 2000 different kinds of books make it each year. Even if you got published, they already have thousands of ongoing publications, how much promotional marketing resources do you think they'll use on a newbie ?"
 
Michael finished, stopped and took a sip of water, leaving Eric some room to process. Eric already got the idea but did not say anything, he kept staring at Michael, indicating him to keep going.
 
Michael followed:  "My publishing house might be small, but with my years of experience and knowledge on publishing and marketing, it has always been doing well. Science fiction, adventure, and horror novels, although we only publish about a dozen novels each year, we still have a certain amount of reputation in the industry. If you give Jurassic Park to me, I promise to put in all the resources we have towards promoting your novel in the shortest time possible and help Jurassic Park  build some fame. With my help, and under my guidance, your novel will have higher chances to make it into the bestseller list."
 
Michael laid all his cards on the table, then quietly waited for Eric's decision.
 
After hearing Michael's rant, Eric was still somewhat concerned. Even if a small publishing house put in all their resources, how much could that possibly be ?
 
His mind was still that of a middle-aged man, he had experienced a lot in his past life and had seen all kinds of people. So of course he wouldn't be so hot-blooded as to change his mind with only a few words. However, there were two points that Michael mentioned that kept hitting his sensitive strings:  in the shortest time possible,  and, help Jurassic Park build some fame.
 
No matter the era, fame had always been an intangible but incredibly useful asset. From Eric's point of view, the only obstacle to the implementation of his plan was his young age that would prevent him from receiving other's full trust and support.
 
But with enough fame, this shortcoming disappears. If an eighteen-year-old freshly graduated high school student were to become a movie director, people would just laugh in contempt. But if an eighteen-year-old talented writer becomes one, the results would definitely not be the same. Sure, there would still be criticism, but there would also be some who would think along the lines of: Damn, that genius kid is quite fierce.
 
Eric said: "I have to admit, Michael, you kinda moved me there. However, these are only promises, I still know nothing about your publishing house."
 
"It's very easy to change that," Michael calmly said: "One of the authors my publishing house is in charge of made it into the recent New York Times best-sellers list. Although he only made it into the last place, it didn't stop Twentieth Century Fox from purchasing the movie rights. It'll probably be made into a film in the following years."
 
Eric didn't doubt Michael's words, those kinds of things could be easily looked up. He said: "So, when do we start talking about this cooperation ?"
 
Michael was stunned for a second before stammering: "Y-you, you'll agree ?"
 
"Yes," Eric nodded and smiled, "To be honest, I just can't wait to see my novel hit the shelves."
 
"Alright so how about tonight ? I think you may need to work now." Michael pointed at the restaurant's entrance where guests were gradually increasing.
 
After the two men agreed on the meeting place, Michael left the restaurant satisfied.
 
"Eric, what did you talk about with that man ? You look unusually happy." Jeff asked. Eric had just told him that he had to discuss something important with a friend, so he was a bit curious.
 
Eric handed the menus over to the guests and then their orders to his colleagues in the kitchen, before replying: "Oh yeah, awesome news Jeff, that man is the owner of a publishing house, I will soon be published."
 
Jeff was a little confused, and asked as he looked at Eric strangely: "Publish a novel ? Didn't you tell me yesterday that you wanted to become a director, that you had written a script ? Are you going to give up on your dream so quickly to become a writer instead ?"
 
Eric said: "Of course not, my goal hasn't changed, writing won't prevent me from becoming a director now, will it ? The manuscript is in my backpack in the locker room, Jeff do you mind taking a look and giving me your opinion ?"
 
Jeff made his way to the locker room in puzzlement, he thought that Eric's novel would probably only be a thousand words short story, so when he saw the thick stack of paper that made up the manuscript, Jeff's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. There was definitely more than 150,000 words, in his entire life he probably hadn't even written so much !
 
He spent the lunch period busiest hours in leisure. The restaurant's staff was taken aback when they realized their boss seemed to have disappeared for several hours. For that old man who always hanged around to suddenly go AWOL, it was definitely weird.
 
When they were discussing if they should go look for him, Jeff came out from the locker room, patted Eric's shoulder and said: "Brilliant novel, you'll probably resign soon." With these words, Jeff left. Once their boss' figure disappeared, a group of people surrounded Eric to inquire about what happened.
 
And that's how, for the whole afternoon, from time to time waiters and kitchen staff members would take turns to go into the locker room to read Eric's work. A beautiful waitress even coyly asked him if she could take a it home.
 
Although Eric wasn't indifferent to the beautiful girl's flirtatious winks, he could only decline such a request. He had a few copies of the novel, and lending her one was not a problem, but before the book was published, he didn't want any untoward accidents to happen.

An advertising director is reborn in 1988 Hollywood as an eighteen-year-old blond-haired westerner named Eric Williams.

From then on, he starts writing movie scripts and television songs, becomes skilled in directing every kind of film, wins over all kinds of female celebrities, and takes the road to become a Hollywood legend.

---------------------------------------------

ATTENTION!

This is not an original novel, all rights in this story belong to JUST DO.

The translation of most chapters is done by: Elawn, Nano4bots and Sissy That Walk.

My translation will start where they have left it, my translation may not be as good as theirs but I would like it much more people to know more about this story that I liked so much.

I WANT THAT I LIKE THIS HISTORY A LOT, BUT I DO NOT AGREE TO A LOT OF THE BEHAVIORS BOTH OF THE PROTAGONIST AND SOME CHARACTERS. IN THIS HISTORY CHARACTERS OF REAL LIFE APPEAR AND I DO NOT ASSURE THAT THE DATA PROVIDED IN THIS HISTORY WILL BE TRUE.

I always thought that I was born to be lazy and carefree. 
A day where I could leach of and live with a beautiful wife in a small house with two kids and car was my dream. But it seems too unrealistic now.
What can I say? the change of world was too spontaneous. I totally didn't see it coming. How can someone expect an apocalypse like event to struck the world unless he is an avid fan of anime and novels.
Which I totally isn't …
But living in a tiny room alone with nothing but my laptop is certainly up my ally.  
So here I am, the great sage Arjun that has secluded from the mortal world to gaze upon the supreme dao of "you know what ".
…..
A couple of hours ago I was trying to save the world by assassinating the evil general by placing a bomb in his plane. Of course, in a game.
It was usual to feel hungry late in the day. So, like usual, I walked towards my food storage unit, I specifically designed to hold and preserve food. I always had stock of food for emergency seclusions. No, I didn't do something illegal other than hacking and creeping around the internet and may have found some secrets that I shouldn't have. But nothing that should have forced me into hiding.
I took some noodles and boiled it. That's when I saw my phone buzzing. It was very unusual. Who would call me? Am I getting popular by the day without interacting with anyone alive?
 I was perplexed with my own charisma.
But I had a bad feeling about it.
As expected, News feeds one after another kept popping up on the screen of my smartphone.
It was all about mysterious emergence of different plants and animals all over the world. 
Has some mighty god spewed his blood on earth that caused mutation in the flora and fauna? I tried to find some reason for these sightings. Any way I was always ready for an apocalypse. I did hear rumors about these sightings. But now, these rumors seem like the truth after hearing from credible media sources.
Any way it was time to eat my noodles. Who cares about anything when there is a hungry stomach to feed.
Smelling the hot noodle, I hastily put it onto a bowl. 
I ran to my computer to watch the new episode of an anime.
"BOOOOOooommmmmm!!!"
An explosive sound reverberated throughout the room. Then came the tremors and after shock the wrecked my room. Did some terrorist bomb my apartment building? Oh god!
I peered through my window to look what was happening outside. Different possibilities were playing in my mind. What could cause this? How can I escape if necessary? 
I should prioritize my safety first, isn't it?
But what I saw outside froze me in place. It was humongous ball of light that floated in the sky, so huge that it could dwarf largest of stadiums.
I did hear of similar situation in the past were a second sun light the sky in the east. A shameful moment in the history of human civilization. 
Is it a nuke that exploded in the evening sky? I was at my wits end.
After the thunderous sound quietened, it was eerily quiet. There was no sound of crickets that disturbed me daily. Nor there was the cacophony of the birds that I usually heard. 
It was the most frustrating moment of my life. But for once I was sure in my life about something. I knew that I am f***ed up.
Minutes passed, then hours… 
I reorganized my thoughts to get a good bearing of what's happening.
But even I was scared out by reaction something so scary this calmly.
.....

Now, I am sure that it was not a nuke that exploded near my apartment. Because I am a living thinking proof to that. There was no extreme quake or tremors or the expected heat wave. If it had been a NUKE then I would have died twenty times over by the intense heat that can rival the sun.
But I can't be sure about anything.
There is no power now and all electronic devices are fried…  
Is it a new weapon, something that could release an EMP blast powerful enough rival that of nukes without much physical damage. If so, then I am sure that all electronic systems in a couple of mile radius or as a whole country would be fried. Now, our society's dependence on electricity and technology has increased so much that we have become a slave to it. A country without electricity and technology have far reaching implications.
Government, military and economy of all countries depend on technologies to keep them at a stable state. But now, a country could plunge into chaos with its government in disarray. It economy could fail and efficiency of police force could decrease. As a warmongering race there is nothing worse humanity could face. 
Powerlines, water systems, telecommunication, practically nothing would work from now on. So, I am basically in the dark ages as of today.
I have to make a plan quickly and I don't want to be stuck between a rock and hard place.
With all those thoughts my brain worked overtime to ensure my survival. Even if everything I imagined is wrong and I was fearing a ghost that never existed. Still, there is nothing wrong with having a plan.
As an orphan, I don't have any deep ties anywhere. I just need plans that can save my ass in critical situations.
At least, before determining the situation outside. I don't have to take radical action.
….. 
The unexpected events caused Arjun to be on edge. He was ready to check up on his neighbors. Changing into a track suit from just wearing his shorts, he made his way towards the apartment just next to his. It was an apartment of a nursing student. 
'Today is a Sunday so she would be there' with a smile he knocked on the door.
The actual reason for Arjun remembering her was her peculiar blue eyes. In India it is rare to see someone of blue eye color. Although she was the same age as him. As just over twenty, she seemed more mature than him, always reminding to study well and play less games. All things considered, they had a good srelationship.
"knock…knock", there was no response.
"KNOCK…. KNOCK" again there was no response.
Arjun was worried about her. But it also made him warry. He twisted the door knob.
'its locked…' with gloomy face he walked away from the door. It may have been closed from the inside or she may have gone out and never came back. Any way its wrong to break into someone else's house. 
"Although my moral quality cannot be said to be the best. I know my place clearly and it is not my place to break in there' with that thought he walked away from the eerily quite place. The whole building and everything in the surrounding was quiet, very quiet for it to be normal. 
'what could have happened? Even in a rural area like this I can't even hear a noise, other than rattling curtain in the winds. This is really creepy'
From the years of experience in reading novels and watching animes Arjun knew something had gone wrong seriously. He rushed towards the windows to look outside, 'at this time of day the guard should be near the gate.' Thought Arjun.
But he froze soon after.
Now, the lights outside had dimmed. But still, he could clearly see objects just couple of meters from him.
And the reason for Arjun to be frozen in one place. Not far from him, near gate of the building someone was lying face down twitching. Black veins the size of caterpillars was crawling on his skin and froth was being discharged from his mouth.
It was the security guard. A creepy old man, but now, he looks just like a ghost from horror movie. He was laying there twitching and curling. 
Closing the curtains hastily. Arjun ran towards his room. There was part of his commonsense that warned him of the danger. If he moved towards guard he wouldn't come back alive.
A chill went down his back thinking about the it. 
------
"I have never encountered situations like this in the past. But I can be sure of one thing, these events threaten my survival" Arjun became more serious with his decisions. All jokes aside anything that threaten his existence should be dealt with carefully.
'if it's something a zombie apocalypse like I thought, there would be more of that kind of creatures. I don't know why I am still conscious, but lets make the best use of it. I have to find people like me that are normal and I should keep away from dangerous creatures. I should also get away from highly populated areas' 
Food, water and some gadgets needed were packed swiftly.
"Roar….." A distant roar reverberated through the room. It was the sound of some animal. It made the tense atmosphere even worse.
Carrying the bag, Arjun sneaked through the building. Making a swift escape his priority. He had no reason to face off something he didn't understand. 
'I will survive….' That was the only thought in his mind.

Earth!

A beautiful place.
But now, everything has changed.
Once thrived humanity is again pushed back to the bottom of the food chain.
Is it the next phase of evolution or the purge of humans.

Now everyone lives in fear of the unknown. 
The nightmare of humanity have begun. 

Future is anything but hopeful...

only update when i made improvements in my writting

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