In the winter of three years ago, the first locked room mu*der in Japanese history was committed.... more>>

All of the evidence pointed to the defendant. It was certain they were guilty. And yet, they were found innocent and released. Why? Because the crime scene was a perfect locked room no one from the police or the prosecutor's office could solve.

"Since the room was locked, it was impossible for the defendant to have committed the mu*der. It's no different than if they had a perfect alibi." That was the argument of the defense, and that was the argument the judge sided with.

The ruling sent a ripple throughout Japanese society. No matter how suspicious you were or how much evidence you left behind, as long as you managed to create a locked room that no one could solve, you were immune from prosecution. With the common anti-mystery fiction talking point "there's no reason anyone would ever actually commit a locked room mu*der" completely overturned, the rate of locked room mu*ders in Japan skyrocketed.

When the police proved unable to deal with the surge of locked room crime, the Ministry of Justice published an official categorization of all known locked room tricks as an investigative aid. When that proved insufficient, Division Zero of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, a police division dedicated solely to solving locked rooms, was created. When that still proved insufficient, locked room detectives, private investigators specializing in locked rooms, were officially licensed by the state and authorized to participate in police investigations. Calling a locked room appraiser, someone specializing in searching buildings for secret passages, is now a common first step in criminal investigations.

On the other side of the spectrum, locked room agents, assassins and crime planners specializing in locked room mu*ders, have become some of the most notorious criminals in Japanese history, and even a cult worshiping the scenes of locked rooms as a way to purify the souls of the deceased has made rapid inroads into Japan.

The protagonist, Kasumi Kuzushiro, is an introverted, somewhat cynical high school student who loves mysteries. Kasumi often finds himself dragged along on bizarre journeys by his flighty childhood friend, Yozuki Asahina. Due to their staggeringly bad luck, these trips often leave them in the wrong place at the wrong time to be caught up in locked room mysteries. Fortunately, another of Kasumi's childhood friends, Shitsuri Mitsumura, is the greatest locked room expert in the world, and can always discover the truth.

Hm? How did a high school girl become the greatest locked room expert in the world?

It's simple.

She's...

Volume 1 was the grand prize winner of the 2022 This Mystery Is Amazing! awards. <<less

In the prosperous Jianglong City, women and children disappear every day, and strange clouds gather over the city.... more>>

A puzzle piece was sent to the police station, and the clues pointed to the recent frequent disappearances.

The police discovered that this was not an ordinary puzzle piece but human skin, and it came from the mu*derer of another case.

Is it the mu*derer? Or the victim? Who is the perpetrator?

Yu Jing, the leader of the Serious Crime Team Two, grew up among gangsters and made jokes on weekdays, but when it comes to serious matters, he immediately becomes serious and leads his men straight to the scene. He discovered that the clues in the case were very similar to an old case from fifteen years ago.

This case was inextricably linked to the major child abduction case fifteen years ago.

In order to solve the case faster, the city bureau called in a helping hand. They heard it was the forensic section chief from the city bureau next door, “Lu Yidao”*, who claims to be able to make the dead speak.

Accidentally, the two met at the crime scene, and both thought the other was a gangster. After a few rounds of fighting, both of them were impressed.

Even if the misunderstanding was resolved, the relationship was still forged.

The appearance of mysterious puzzle pieces actually formed a mysterious sun totem.

Although the two of them started fighting each other as soon as they met, in the face of the sudden case, they made a tacit agreement to temporarily reconcile and joined hands to face the sea of blood and avenge countless dead souls.

“The sun means rebirth and burns everything. I am willing to use my mortal body to withstand all kinds of difficulties and dangers. Even if it turns into embers, I will have no regrets.”

“Even if the night is endless, as long as faith never goes out, I will be the fireworks that light up the way forward.”

[Gong, the leader of the crime team with explosive combat power and intelligence, vs. Shou, the forensic doctor who looks weak but actually punches.]

*Lu Yidao 陆一刀: One sword Lu; it might be a nickname for Lu Yan. <<less

“At first I thought those red dots were red dwarf star clusters.”... more>>

“That was all the eyes of pestilent monsters.” <<less

“It is the human heart that generates the infinite light, and it is also the human heart that creates the boundless darkness. The light and the darkness are forever intertwined in an eternal battle. This is the world in which we are attached to sentimentally and helplessly.” ... more>>

-Victor Hugo (Les Miserables)

An investigation. Understand the criminal mind. Exploring feelings.

“Do you know what the hardest part of a person’s life is?”

“It is not the meeting, but the reunion after separation.”

An enchanting and fox-like medical examiner that explodes at the slightest provocation X A young wolf pup, self-disciplined and reserved criminal investigator <<less

“The Northern Duchess.”... more>>

A ruler who dominates the frigid land with an iron fist. A ruthless slaughterer who spares no one, whether they be demons or humans.

There’s something peculiar about the way she looks at me. <<less

I became a wizard of the Illusion Magic School and decided to create a virtual reality with illusion magic to play a tabletop role-playing game (TRPG).... more>>

It was great to create a virtual reality, but I was in trouble because there were no suitable players. During that time, I received an offer to be the professor from the Royal Academy.

The offer was to use illusion magic to fill the students’ lack of practical experience safely. And so, I became a professor at the academy.

“Send me back, send me back to that world right now-!”

“Outer god, someday an outer god will be our doom, we’ll all die!!”

“I am not the bastard of the Redburn Ducal Family. I am the foremost disciple of the Great Namgung Clan, Namgung Qinghui!”

But it seems there is a bit of a misunderstanding.

This isn’t a spell for dimensional travel, kids. It’s fiction… <<less

The only Paladin of the forgotten god, Nameless Chaos, and also the only Pope, Priest, and Worshipper.

Transmigrated into a xuanhuan Patriarch, this novel portrays the xuanhuan world as realistically as possible from the perspective of the Wang clan. ... more>>

There’s planting spiritual fields, raising spiritual fish, and the comprehensive development of various family industries. The Patriarch also raises salted fish elders (people who have no intention of doing anything) to become ancestors who assumed roles of protective umbrellas while inspiring his juniors to brave The Holy Land Palace of Learning in order to excel. <<less

In her previous life, Si Huang was framed and controlled by her relatives. She was crowned as the movie emperor. However, she could only die without a burial ground. ... more>>

Unexpectedly reborn, she once again returned to the starting point and obtained a unique inheritance.

Si Huang touched her chin and thought: It is indeed fabulous to be reborn. She can settle all the old debts and take revenge on old enemies.

Back on the throne of the entertainment circle, she is now the first male god in the eyes of all women.

Wielding the power of darkness, she is the dark hand controlling everything behind the scenes.

A word to decide the stock market, she is the mysterious little god of wealth in the eyes of all businessmen.

A skilled punch to the enemy, she is a small overlord in the eyes of the army men.

En… what’s more, she is the apple of someone’s eyes.

However, one day, when everyone comes to know that this person is a woman, the entire country boils!

Facing a group who are rushing forth like wild bees unrestrainedly, a certain man sneers: the wife that this old man has been protecting for so long, who dares to snatch from him?

“Reporting to the boss, Li family’s young master asked Young Master Si out for a meal.”

“Shut down his family’s hotel.”

“Reporting to the boss, Young Master Si and Wang family’s little crown prince have fought.”

“Tell the military doctor to take ‘special care’ of the patient”

“Ah? But Young Master Si is alright!”

“The ‘special care’ is for that one of Wang family.”

“…”

Many years later, the little bun pointed to the list of ‘Most Desired Men and Women’ chosen by the citizens. He looked at the man next to him with a tangled expression.

A certain male put on a gentle fatherly face, “Little Treasure, what’s wrong?”

Little bun twiddled his fingers for half a day and asked, “In the end, are you my father or my mother?”

A certain male’s face instantly darkened. “Of course I’m your father!”

Little bun earnestly said, “But they all say that dad is the male god and the male god is married to you!”

A certain male: “…” <<less

In the era of the Republic of China... more>>

He Yunqin, the second son of the owner of Shanghai Tang Yarn Industry, met Yu Hongdou, a female student at St. John's, while he was looking into an unsolved case. He Yunqin found, guarded, and then abducted his wife before they were wed. He Yunqin adored, cherished, and loved his wife after their marriage. <<less

"Dispel your delusions. Even if you wake up from death, you could never even follow in Rachel's footsteps."... more>>

My husband has another woman.

And it's his first love who has been missing for 7 years.

My husband was still obsessed with finding that woman.

To make matters worse, he was convinced that I had something to do with her.

"Tell me where Rachel is. Then maybe I'll give you the night you so desperately beg for."

His hands, which had torn at my dress, came up roughly.

Just as my flustered face was about to fall apart, he stopped his mocking caress.

A bitter smile crept up above his lips.

The problem is that I am the 'woman' he is looking for. <<less

Throughout the ages, there have been rumors of a mystical realm known as the Spirit Realm.... more>>

The accounts of the Spirit Realm vary among scholars and eminent figures throughout history. As recorded in the poems:

“From the Qi to the Tang dynasty, these mountains have grown desolate, the Spirit Realm lies quiet, seldom visited by man.”

“The Spirit Realm is indescribable, even the craft of spirits is elusive to seek.” <<less

Bai Yu reincarnates into a wealthy family,... more>>

Thinking it is a pristine ancient world without supernatural powers, preparing to go to the capital and become an official.

However, unexpectedly,

The sky suddenly loses its color, encountering a dragon rising from the water to seek a title, while a golden finger awakens, granting rewards for helping monsters.

The materialistic war god’s heart shatters.

From then on, everything becomes different…

Transforming a carp into a dragon, a pheasant into a phoenix, ghost soldiers gather, and dynasties change more frequently, controlling both yin and yang.

The Cool Dragon Lady: “May I always accompany the honorable lord and protect him throughout his life!”

The Splendid Ghost General: “May I eliminate all enemies who dare to approach you!”

The Enchanting Fox Princess: “Master, you smell so good~”

The Gorgeous Phoenix, the graceful butterfly…

…

Time rushes by, in the Prime Minister’s mansion of the dynasty,

During the day, there is boundless power, with imperial favor and the envy of all officials.

But at night, howling winds and demons surround, terrifying both gods and ghosts!

Bai Yu: “I just wanted to be a corrupt official, how did I end up… raising a bunch of demons and monsters?”

Reminder: This novel and its characters are purely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental, so please do not imitate. <<less

On the server “Altar,” an upper-class survival game was officially launched. Survival was the only logic in the human game of alliance, betrayal, and human-natured games of deceit and treachery. After the smoke of gunpowder ends, only the survivors can speak.... more>>

As soon as he opened his eyes, the amnesiac An Wujiu saw a person at his side killed. While in confusion, a floating green typeface appeared before him.

Variable Name: An Wujiu

Attributes: Male, 20 years old

Game Rounds: 5

Win Rate: 100/100

Danger Rank: SSS

No wonder they were afraid.

The first time he saw An Wujiu, Shen Ti felt curious. The kindness and fragility in those eyes were not fake, so how could he survive in the Altar? It was until he saw the man had a sudden personality change. He recklessly gambled regardless of the cost, casually estranged people, grew further excited on the verge of death, and even calculated against himself to win. Only then did Shen Ti realize that it was his own cognitive bias.

Fortunately, he wasn’t a normal person either. <<less

Three years ago, “Stairway to Heaven” suddenly emerged, and batch after batch of people were drawn into the escape game and forced into a live broadcast, enduring the arbitrary manipulation and heinous criticism of the audience.... more>>

Yu Qing had soft long hair, a simple appearance, and big watery eyes. Facing the old woman ghost who grinned in front of him and asked him to enter the house, he nodded obediently: “Okay.”

Audience: […brainless, the host will die in the next second. He’s going to be poisoned to death by the old woman ghost.]

The number of people in the live broadcast dropped sharply, and then, poof –

Yu Qing pressed the old woman ghost’s head into the dinner plate and asked with a smile: “Do you want to watch a ghost mukbang?”

Audience: [???]

Yu Qing: “I work for everyone’s enjoyment and broadcast something different.”

Audience: [!!!]

Since then, things became strange.

System: [Host Yu Qing killed the NPC, violated the rules, and the health value returned to zero!]

The audience rewarded him life points crazily.

[My wife is right, there must be something wrong with the rules!]
[The system want him to die on the third broadcast, but I want him to live forever!]
Other hosts: “But our audience is not like this!!!”

Then, Yu Qing effortlessly survived. The points increased, and the clearance operations became easier for him, but…

What did the audience want to see?

Audience: [Baby, hug the BOSS and kiss him until he is stunned!] <<less

The Sky Palace stood at the heart of the empire, a place rife with bribery and favoritism ran rampant, where corrupt high-ranking nobles maintained their... more>> privileged rule. One high-ranking nobleman even declared, “Those who don’t belong in the Sky Palace are not true nobles.” Meanwhile, Hazen Heim, an imperial general officer of common birth, found himself assigned to the border frontlines. This is the tale of a man, once the strongest magician in his past life, who crushes his good-for-nothing superiors to reclaim his place at the center of the empire, only to find a new set of good-for-nothing superiors and proceed to crush them in the same manner. <<less

The strangest fate, the most exciting mind games, the cruelest survival battle, the craziest fantasy, the most bizarre truth… The first is here to battle... more>> for another ten years! <<less

Chen Yang, at the age of eighteen, formed a spiritual union with a ghost. At twenty-two, just after graduating from university, he received a job offer from a local community and decided to stay in the capital city with his partner’s spiritual tablet.... more>>

Initially, Chen Yang hesitated to accept the job, as it entailed interacting with ghosts and demons, and his colleagues were all skilled Celestial Masters. However, he eventually discovered that the position offered a remarkably high salary and exceptional benefits. Recognizing the importance of providing for his husband, Chen Yang gladly embraced the opportunity and accepted the job. <<less

The high school entrance examination's top scorer owed 800,000 yuan in debt and had to sleep in an underground parking lot like a stray dog.... more>>

Because of a trainee recruitment plan, his life was completely reversed. From then on, he went away from the darkness, towards an endless light. <<less

“You’re the older sister — just let it go. Can’t you do even that for her?”... more>>

Irene has always been living in the shadow of her ill and frail sister, Riel. She believed that she could and had to do everything for her family… until Riel stole everything from her.

After realizing that there is no place for her in her home, and that she was never loved by her family, Irene decides to do her utmost to become independent, and in doing so, crosses paths with Noel Kristen, a man who has been subjected to a much similar fate…

“We may be able to save each other.” <<less

To save the hopeless Dark Fantasy World, I held back my tears and destroyed the world, then killed the Demon King and returned. ... more>>

Now, I’m trying to save the world using the “System” I gained as a “Regressor’s Privilege”… But the Main Heroines have also awakened their own memories of the previous timeline.

God damn it. <<less

The most disliked delinquent in the school, is loved too much by the top-class beautiful president.... more>>

"Because I love you."

Yukino Shijo is the daughter of a major corporation and is also a talented girl who serves as the student council president. With her splendid beauty and outstanding talent, she gathers respect and admiration from everyone in the school.

On the other hand, Jiro Yamada is the complete opposite of her, being a delinquent student who stands out from the crowd. He feels uncomfortable around Yukino and keeps his distance from her due to his self-awareness of being a delinquent and her unapproachable presence as an elite.

However, they begin to deepen their relationship after a certain incident. But Jiro becomes bewildered, troubled, and distressed by Yukino's proactive attitude and their differing values...

"I love you dearly."

"I hate you..."

Despite Jiro's rejection towards her one-sided feelings, Yukino never gives up on him...

While struggling with her overwhelming affection, he continues to agonize over his choices day by day... <<less

Theatrical regression life of an old-fashioned villain (kkondae) who recalled his past life.... more>>

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for a better life.”

——

Survival in the ‘Otherworld’; a place where only the insane can set foot in. <<less

Su An was thrown into a world of quick transmigration by his suitor, who attempts to approach him with a different identity.... more>>

Hidden dangers can not be prevented, but fortunately, with sweet words and beauty, Su An has won the love of the big bosses from each world.

An indifferent painter suffering from mental illness, a flirtatious bandit young master from a wealthy family, a demon monk with powerful martial arts skills…

To Su An’s surprise: Every big boss is poking my appetite!

The big bosses who got hooked up: …

They all gave a meaningful smile. <<less

Tang Heng gets into trouble while playing in a band and meets Li Yuechi, who comes to his rescue. As they get to know each... more>> other, Tang Heng falls in love with Li Yuechi despite their polar opposite family backgrounds, but Li Yuechi is imprisoned for stabbing Tang Heng's uncle. Six years later, Tang Heng is now a university teacher. He’s reunited with Li Yuechi again during a poverty alleviation project and the truth of what happened back then is revealed little by little...
Tang Heng witnesses the cruelty and reality of the world and the dark side of people. He suffers from the blow brought by the truth but never forgets the original heart and faces it bravely... Through the main character's experience, the story makes us believe more firmly that as long as we have justice in mind and go forward, we can definitely see the light. <<less