While a certain young man hides in a certain Ruins City, wanting to become a tanky mage through passive farming. ... more>>

Mages should focus on learning more spells and magic? There is no time to invest in body strengthening? Mages are defenseless when they run out of mana? None of these are a problem for Gurney and his Passive Farming System. Through the system, Gurney trains both his body and mind at the same time, he goes beyond the limits and logic of an ordinary mage. This is a mage who casts spells while tanking hits, his recovery speed surpasses even warriors and knights. This is the journey of a vigilant and careful mage who grows tankier and tankier.

…

With the rising waves of darkness, the steampunk steel ship sets sail on a journey and adventure.

Whales sink to the depths of the sea, sirens sing with beautiful voices, calling out to the Transcendent sailors who hunt for mermaids.

The mysterious Time Hunters who obey the ancient rules search for their prey.

He who bears the title of “Hero” carries the burden of fate as he steps on the road to write a new page of history.

Ancient “Sealed Ones” rush to break out of their imprisonment, wanting to create and release new “Supernatural Memetics”.

The combination of steam technology and supernatural powers bring forth the era of “Transcendent Genetic Warriors”.

Infant dragons who have just hatched watch as the Dragon Slayer digs out their mother’s heart from her body.

Calamity level lifeforms sharpen their blades, stepping into the stage of this extraordinary era.

The tides of the era surge and swirl, bringing along the mysterious fog of darkness…

The indescribable existence nurtures and grows…

Along with the stare of the Abyss…

…

Welcome to the Supernatural Steampunk Era! <<less

I’m sorry I lied, really I love you Koh-chan— Asaka harbors a secret love for the man he is secretary to, Yagami, extolled as the Prince of Politics. But Yagami’s getting marriage proposals now, and Asaka’s place as private secretary is about to be lost..!?... more>>

Asaka, who never knew his father, is abandoned by his mother in the sea one mid-winter day, but he’s rescued by the son of a local prominent family, Yagami. Asaka has been secretly yearning for Yagami ever since that day, despite knowing how out of reach Yagami is for him, and he becomes Yagami’s private secretary, hoping to at least help out with his daily life and repay his debt to the man who has now become a Diet member. But Yagami’s marriage proposals spell the end of this dream-like intimate relationship— About to loose the only place he belonged, Asaka plays the betrayer, using himself as bait…!? <<less

This is a story where the protagonist accidentally meets his childhood friend whom he had severed ties with, and his wounds are reopened, leading to... more>> the protagonist snapping. <<less

In a brief tale, the unfortunate protagonist, Lily Elbert, possessing strong spiritual power as the Duke's daughter, embarks on a mission to save a... more>> cursed prince. After successfully defeating the demon king and freeing the prince, Lily's body transforms into crystal, leaving her immobile. To make matters worse, her stepsister Marianne betrays her, falsely accusing Lily of being the one who cursed the prince. Marianne is then chosen to marry the prince. Lily endures humiliating days, witnessing the happily-ever-after life of Marianne with the prince. However, when Lily's resentment reaches a breaking point, the world plunges into darkness, and time starts moving backward, leading to an unexpected turn of events. <<less

20 years ago…I was manipulated by my girlfriend…... more>>

My heart, which was torn apart countless times, still feels like something is missing…

What actions should I have taken at that time…? I still don't know the answer to it…

Do I regret my actions? I’m also not sure about that either…

However, the one thing I know…

For someone as naive as me…reality is incredibly harsh…

Now several years later…I meet her again… <<less

Anna, who had been abused by her family and fiancée, was involved in an incident that His Highness was chasing at the academy. Anna, who... more>> has been given her reward for inflicting wounds on an unmarried daughter and for testifying in an important case, asks for her engagement to be annulled. She was exhausted and had a deep wound in her heart... they thought, but Anna was bold. As she was eating and resting, she was introduced to Anna's new fiancé because of her personal safety and interests. Anna, who is engaged to Philip, who is a national hero and is good at both literary and military arts, but cold to women, and Philip, who is called the Prince of Ice, melts their hearts unexpectedly. <<less

※Attention: ‘Set-ups’ exist in this story.... more>>

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

Have you ever wished to become a doll?
When something makes you sad, have you ever found your aching heart annoying?
I have.
Since when have I been living as a doll?

Since when?
Since when have I considered myself not the real deal?

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

Japan is at risk because of terrorists called ‘the Neoepicureans’.

A girl attending a girls’ school in Tokyo — Kōko meets another ‘girl’. If you can call her a girl, that is. ‘She’ is an android.

Targeting the android — Ichigo — are those who unveil themselves as ‘magicians’. Deeper and deeper, Kōko is pulled into the battle for Ichigo behind the curtains. Out of the sight of the everyday person, fights unfold between ‘magicians’.

This story is a yuri fantasy set in the modern age, told by the mysterious speaker ‘Metako’.

— If you found a heart weeping, what would you do? <<less

This incident happened when Daiki, a second-year student attending a public high school, was about to celebrate the second anniversary of entering into a relationship with his childhood friend Reina, with whom he had confessed his feelings. ... more>>

The long and enjoyable days of summer vacation had ended, and a few days into the start of the second semester, on a day when Reina had arrived early to school for student council duties, Daiki, who had arrived at school alone, found a lost item while changing into indoor shoes at the shoe lockers near the front entrance of the school.

This event shattered their daily life and led to the unraveling of the relationships among childhood friends. <<less

Koushun Takami's notorious high-octane thriller envisions a nightmare scenario: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part... more>> of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided arms and forced to kill until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violet exploitation when first published in Japan—where it became a runaway best seller—Battle Royale is a Lord of the Flies for the 21st century, a potent allegory of what it means to be young and (barely) alive in a dog-eat-dog world. <<less

Storywise, this novel has initial premise for a duel between two swordsmen, Yan 13 and The Third Master of Xie Family (the title of the book is The Third Master). But then to make it a long story, the duel can't be happening at the first part. Then the sub-plots appeared and rolling continuously.... more>>

It's a good read from Gu Long, with his distinctive writing style. There're lots of betraying and plot twists in such a short novel, sometimes resulting in confusion for readers. The Third young master is a good character, with his personalities unravel mostly through other characters.

Long story short, the duel was inevitable. The surprise at the end of duel was made this wuxia story uncommon. <<less

Something I had built up was easily lost. However.

After losing my girlfriend, Kaori, to a guy. I decided to go out with Yuika, my junior at my part-time job. One day, Kaori, who... more>> had been cheated, came to visit my house… <<less

Kotaro Miyama, a high school boy, is a man who can read the atmosphere. He enjoys school life without any problems.... more>>

"I'm sure I can do it."

However, the bullying begins for Mari Ishi, a friendly gal.

In the end, Mari Ishi is mocked with a false confession, trapped in the heavy atmosphere of the class.

Kotaro, the man who can read the mood...

This is a story about a high school boy who can read the atmosphere, and how he becomes someone who no longer pays attention to it. <<less

This world is the world before the true savior “The Hero” appeared.... more>>

In this world, there are “Three Hopes.

The “Hero Licht,” the “Saint Milka,” and the “Sage Jamil” exist as the most powerful human beings fighting against the demons.

And…

*The title spoils the story… but there are no heroes in this world yet.

Therefore, unfortunately, there are many beings among the demons that cannot be defeated by them.

This story is not the cool story of the “heroes” you know, but the story before that. <<less

Singing "Tears Behind Iron Bars" in a prison cell, singing "Kowtow Before Parents" to the devil, don't think I'm that capable, I'm just trying my best to stay alive.... more>>

I've been kind all my life, never did anything bad, yet worldly suffering spared me not one bit. The human world is a nice place, but I won't come back in my next life.

A kind young man, who wanted to just get by singing, but through repeated deceits and betrayals, has gone down an irredeemable path. <<less

This is the story of the last day of one unfortunate boy’s life.... more>>

Depending on the interpretation, it can be seen as a happy ending. <<less

The continent was united under Rubens Barrow, the first emperor of the Altanian Empire and a hero who got along well with the goddess Serena.... more>> When he first met Serena, he was in his early twenties and was drawn to her skill with a sword.He put a lot of work into his swordsmanship training under her tutelage, and he quickly rose to prominence on the continent. Due to the unexpected passing of his father, King of Altania, ascended to the throne. He was a brilliant monarch who via negotiations accepted Serena as a general and united the continent in just ten years, but he felt threatened by Serena's continued magical advancement and lack of aging. He was ultimately able to seal Serena away using the Goddess' sacred tool after being propelled onward by the nearby senior vassals and nobles. For a while, he had considered getting married to Serena, but she informed him that he was like her younger brother and can't be with him. <<less

Thrown in prison and awaiting death for a crime he didn’t commit, Fan Kuzhu must now find a way to escape and find out who... more>> framed him. But when he gets out he learns that losing everything is just the beginning of his heartache. <<less

With his companions by his side, Daichi had finally succeeded in defeating the Demon Lord. However, he was immediately betrayed by his companions and was... more>> mu*dered. After defeating the Demon Lord and assassinating the Hero, his companions made their return to the Royal Capital. <<less

The series follows Shen Shengyi as he changes from a ruthless professional killer to a chivalrous xia. In this story, old grudges surface and Shen... more>> Shengyi’s friend hires him for one last hit. But the target is someone Shen Shengyi knows intimately… <<less

Physically confronting your abusive superior might be cool and satisfying when it happens in a drama, but, as Kazuo Sugishita is learning, it's less cool when you're sitting at home afterwards, terrified to learn how you'll be punished when you return to work the next day. The sentence he faces sounds surprisingly lenient - just a temporary reassignment to the company's entertainment department while things blow over. But he changes his mind when he gets the specifics: Kazuo has been assigned as manager-in-training (read "servant") to Shiro Hoshizono, the "Star Watcher": A pompous, showoff-y, completely insufferable talent with no actual talents except using his sickeningly sweet words and foreign model looks to seduce lonely middle... more>> aged women into paying for the privilege of hearing him speak.

The day after his new assignment, Kazuo and Hoshizono leave for Saitama Prefecture, where Hoshizono has been recruited to become an image character for a campground in the mountains, alongside a group of other colorful characters, including a romance novelist with the looks of Cleopatra but the personality of someone's grandpa and a UFO obsessed conspiracy theorist.

But the morning after their arrival, their host is found strangled to death in his lodge, the road back is buried in an avalanche, and... you can probably see where this is going.

Turns out, despite how he comes across normally, Hoshizono is actually a genius detective!

The novel features a unique chapter naming scheme where each chapter is titled as a three to four sentence summary of its own contents, focused upon what information about the case is discovered and what evidence appears, for ease of reference.

A nominee for the 50th annual Mystery Writers Association of Japan Award, long story category. <<less