“I already have a child with another man.”... more>>

It was a lie made in order to refuse the proposal of the leader of the most feared mercenary company in the entire country. But his response was unexpected.

“It doesn’t matter who the child is. You can just give birth. In exchange, I’ll take you, Princess.”

She couldn’t understand.

What could this man possibly want with the princess of a failing nation? <<less

Lee Hyunwook, who originally had the ability to control steel in the world. He tried to protect the world but ultimately failed and the world was destroyed.... more>>

Following that, he was given the opportunity to return to his military days and build up efforts to prevent the world from being destroyed one by one.

An army + Hunter + Regression + Savior

“In this life, I’ll be a real hero.”

Will Lee Hyunwook be able to save the world this time? <<less

After being given up on by his family because his dantian was destroyed, Soh Woonhwi was kidnapped by the Blood Cult and lived as a third-rate spy.... more>>

One day, he died while being used to find a legendary sword immortal’s secret records. However, Soh returned to the day he was kidnapped ten years ago and obtained a mysterious ability that allowed him to hear the voice of swords. <<less

I wasn’t reborn with talent or ability, but at least my knowledge from earth allowed me to stay one step ahead in this other world.... more>>

Magic exists here, and new progress was rapidly being made in science while magic stagnated in the name of tradition. Using my earthly knowledge and not bound by the traditional thinking, I was able to do things other wizards couldn’t even imagine.

Still, inadvertently becoming an undercover professor for a mysterious secret society at the renowned Sören academy was never in my to-do list! <<less

Tang Dynasty painter Fu Yi died and found himself reincarnated in the modern world in the body of a young master named Qi Linqing whose economic resources had been cut-off.... more>>

In order to make ends meet, he started to diligently paint and write calligraphy.

Everyone was waiting for this young master to make a joke of himself as he tried to fake his painting skills, but what really happened was ——

The director of the costume drama cried bitterly: Come to my play!

People’s Daily: # Qi Linqing, the youngest genius youth in traditional Chinese painting #

Facing the media interview, Qi Linqing said very honestly: “I am actually very average at painting.”

After all, he was poor in his previous life.

The crowd: “?”

Why do you have misconceptions about your own strength?

Later, the well-known master of Chinese painting exclaimed, “Your brushwork looks like the Saint of Painting ……”

Upon hearing the phrase Saint of Painting, Qi Linqing hastened to be modest: “I don’t dare to be.”

Master: “……Saint of Painting Fu Yi.”

As Qi Linqing finally realised this: “?”

Fu Yi, was this not himself?? <<less

Betrayed by his lover and abandoned by mankind, the race he saved, Rohen gave up all hopes in life.... more>>

Returning to the past, he laid down his sword and allowed the world to perish as he stood in the side. Just as man turned his back on him, he, too, will do the same.

This was his pledge.

But, his view changes little by little when he meets a girl wielding the same scars as him.

She changes him… heals his broken scar without notice.

***

Looking at Rohen, his body torn and mangled, she burst into tears and asked, “Why… why didn’t you run away?”

He heard her sweet voice. It calmed him. She protected him.

Rohen laughed. “Because you’re here.” <<less

On the outskirts of the Pleasure City of Midas lies the Ceres special autonomous area, commonly known as the slums. Gang leader Riki, looking for an easy pocket to pick in the nightlife districts, gets caught red-handed…by none other than one of the highest-ranking, golden-haired android elites ruling from the capital Tanagura: the “Blondy” Iason Mink!
By all rights, a Blondy standing at the pinnacle of aristocracy and a slummer should have never crossed paths—their chance encounter marks the beginning of a love twisted by obsession, soon spiraling into a karmic chain of events...... more>>

⬇️ //// About the Japanese novel and anime adaptations ////
⬇️ //// About the English translation ////
⬇️ //// Current translation status ////
⬇️ //// Drama CDs, prequel and side stories ////

//// About the Japanese novel and anime adaptations ////

Originally serialized in the bimonthly magazine Shosetsu June (小説ジュネ) spanning six chapters from December 1986 to October 1987, the novel was released with minor revisions into a hardcover edition in 1990.
This first version of the story received a two-episode/OVA anime adaptation in 1992 and 1994.

Between the years 2001 and 2007, the original story was greatly expanded upon and released in six paperback volumes. After a change of Japanese publisher, two more volumes were released between 2009 and 2010, completing the series (the six aforementioned volumes were released as volumes 1-4 in the newest Japanese edition).
This second version of the story was meant to be adapted into a twelve-episode OVA anime—initially planned to release in 2010—but was postponed to 2012, only to be discontinued after the fourth episode’s release.

//// About the English translation ////

The English paperback expanded edition is made up of eight volumes: the six first volumes (Seibido/Crystal edition) + the two later volumes (#7 and #8 in English, but #5 and #6 in the newest Tokuma/Chara edition).
The change in Japanese publisher led to a change in translator for the English edition between vol1 to 6 and vol7 to 8: it is highly recommended to read the fan translations of #7 and #8 as opposed to reading the licensed edition, due to the massive loss in translation (expect a 50% word count difference between the two).

//// Current translation status of the different editions of the novel (as of April 20th, 2024) ////

. Shosetsu June edition, unlicensed: 2/6 chapters, ongoing fan translation.
. 1990 hardcover edition, unlicensed: 2/6 chapters, ongoing fan translation. An older fan translation had 4/6 chapters translated but the project was dropped.
. 2000’s expanded edition, English licensed: fully translated, complete.

//// Drama CDs, prequel and side stories ////

– The Shosetsu June story was adapted into a drama cassette and a drama CD (Dark Erogenous).
– The expanded story was adapted into three drama CDs (Destiny, Nightmare, Resonance)
– A prequel called Midnight Illusion was serialized in Shosetsu June between December 1992 and April 1993, and released as a hardcover in 1996. 3/6 chapters have been fan-translated into English.
– The 5 side stories have all been fan-translated into English (Kizu/Wound, File-0, Cal’s Sighs, Musk, Illusion Night) and are based on the expanded version of the novel.

Look up online “Ai no Kusabi Master List LiveJournal” to find the links to all the material listed above and more.

[This page was updated as per an anon’s request, all credit goes to the AnK community where credit is due.] <<less

Hit by a car, he transmigrated to the future. But it seemed that he was about to die again. After rebirth, he became a man with a miserable childhood who had no money or superpower. What’s more, he secretly had a crush for another man! Fine. He accepted his fate. However, there was more than that.... more>>

“Yuan, let’s make a baby together.”

Excuse me? Two men? No, Wait!

“I don’t have that function!”

“Yes, you do.”

With that, the man pounced on top of him with a wicked smile.

Two months later, a doctor smiled at him and said, “Congratulations. You’re now five weeks pregnant…” <<less

In the spring of 1998, Kouichi Sakakibara transfers to Yomiyama North Middle School. In class, he develops a sense of unease as he notices that... more>> the people around him act like they’re walking on eggshells, and students and teachers alike seem frightened. As a chain of horrific deaths begin to unfold around him, he comes to discover that he has been placed in the cursed Class 3 in which the student body head count is always one more than expected. Class 3 is haunted by a vengeful spirit responsible for gruesome deaths in an effort to satisfy its spite. To stop the vicious cycle gripping his new school, Kouichi decides to get to the bottom of the curse, but is he prepared for the horror that lies ahead…? <<less

Xu Qichen, who has made a habit of receiving blades from his readers, dies suddenly.... more>>

Ding! Your survival system has appeared out of the blue: transmigrate into all your bad ending novels and be the main character.

It wants him to change the ending? And it’s even asking him, an emotional defect, to personally date?

System: The deeper the emotional plot line between the gong and shou, the higher the probability of successful task completion!

Xu Qichen: It’s impossible to write a sweet novel, it’s impossible in all of this life

System: Very well, the host has decided to maintain the state of sudden death and not…

Xu Qichen: I’ll transmigrate! I’ll personally make a sweet biscuit [kneel]

#it’s my survival instinct that made the move#

Xu Qichen: You’re really like a certain person…

Old Gong: Open your mouth, eat this candy.

Xu Qichen: You’re really not…

Old Gong: Even a candy can’t stop your mouth!

Xu Qichen: You bit me <<less

A near future, where humans have been defeated by the viral parasites named Gastrea. They have been exiled into a small territory and live in despair, side by side with terror.... more>>

In this world trapped in darkness—

Rentaro, a boy living near Tokyo and member of the "Civil Security" – an organization specializing in fighting against the Gastrea – is used to accomplishing dangerous tasks. His partner is Enju, a precocious young girl. They fight thanks to their peculiar powers until one day, when they receive a special assignment from the government. This top secret mission is to prevent the destruction of Tokyo...

Set in a near future, this thrilling heroic-action story... starts now! <<less

My name is Joo In-gong. The name that my parents gave me meant ‘protagonist’ of the world. Really?... more>>

As anyone can predict, I was constantly teased due to my name. In kindergarten, elementary school, middle school and high school. If I went to university as planned then I would probably be laughed at there as well.

So, at one point, I really hated my name.

But not anymore. Now, I think slightly differently. Maybe being named Joo In-gong was a type of foreshadowing? <<less

A universe known as Luofu exists in the Kingdom of Heaven. It would appear every 100,000 years and be destroyed in another 100,000 years. Every... more>> single organism in this universe would be stuck in this endless loop of life and death every 200,000 years. Until one day, a young man that had already died hundreds and thousands of years ago awakens in Hidden Sword Tower... <<less

Toru lost his most of his memory in an accident. He can’t remember anything that happened from the past six years. But with time, yet... more>> he struggles, he slowly recovers his memory. He feels as if he is a different person now, and he hates “the other guy” – the “himself” from six years ago… And thinking, Fujishima was his friend, felt like he was being watched over like a guardian angel but in the end he’s betrayed. Miserable and emotionally drained, Toru is trying not to relive in the shadow of his past. He is trying to move on with his new life… but harder he tries, he finds himself being pulled in by Fujishima. <<less

Fujishima’s wound he suffered from protecting Tooru has healed and he’s finally been released from the hospital. Their life together starts again once more. Tooru... more>> wants them to live together as lovers, but Fujishima refuses, saying “I have no intentions of loving you.” Is Fujishima afraid of Tooru remembering something in particular if he regains his memories? The bonds of the past are finally becoming clearer... <<less

After losing his memory in a serious car accident, Tohru Takahisa is taken in by Fujishima, an older man who claims to be his friend. But the taciturn Fujishima refuses to reveal anything about Tohru’s past! Despite the gulf between them, a strange and awkward tenderness grows, even as they are held apart by the tragic events of Tohru’s forgotten past! Dramatic, heart-wrenching romance and tragedy combine in a gripping story where the past and present are intricately entwined.... more>>

Reading order of the series:
Cold Sleep
Cold Light
Cold Fever <<less

April 10th. Yesterday was the last day of spring vacation, so starting this morning it was a school day. After being woken up by his cute little sister, Itsuka Shidou believed that it would be the start of another normal day. As for predicting the chance meeting with the girl who called herself a spirit......... more>>

Along with a sudden shockwave, the townscape vanished without a trace. In a corner of the street which had now become a crater, the girl was there.

"?You, have you come to kill me too?"

She is the disaster that will destroy humanity, a monster of unknown origin, and a being rejected by the world. There are only two ways to stop this girl: annihilation, and conversation. His little sister Kotori, wrapped in a military uniform, thus said to Shidou: "Since it's like this, just go date her, and make the spirit fall for you!" "Wh.. whaaaaaaaat!?" Enter a new age of boy meets girl!! <<less

Fu Li was a yaoguai from the countryside who had never seen the world. After entering the city, his biggest dream was to become a civil servant and leave his name in historical records.... more>>

However… He didn’t have a university degree. Not even a high school graduation certificate.

So, even a yaoguai would not be able to find a good job if they didn’t study well. <<less

Two heroes of the game Legend of Heroes 2 who were rotten waters*.
Kang Jin-ho in the first place and Hong Yoo Hee in the second place.
One day, they opened their eyes and found that they had reincarnated as characters in the game…... more>>

“Hey…you too?”
“Hey…me too!”

The ending of Legend of Heroes 2 was the destruction of the human world.

But if there were two of them and they were not alone.
If it was also the first place and second place in the server rankings.

The path of the rotten waters begins for a perfect happy ending!

*Rotten water is a Korean slang for someone who has played a certain game for a long time and mastered everything. Think of them as oldbies, veterans, or game pros. <<less

Ludenberg Lavante was a genius. Born of noble lineage, he received admiration from all, and his future seemed nothing but bright until he was forsaken... more>> by the gods. Unable to awaken the divine power that everyone in the Solemnute Empire could, Ludenberg became distrustful of others due to those who turned their backs on him. One day, he met a mysterious woman in his dream, who told him he was destined to be consumed by evil. Waking from this unsettling dream, Ludenberg found himself confused. He checked the date and frowned. Today was the day he was to enroll in the Imperial Academy, Solemnute Adem. <<less

It was a life without regret. My parents were in good health, and I wasn’t home enough for me to combine my studies and part-time jobs.... more>>

I like fantasy, martial arts, games, fiction movies, cartoons… I’m a normal high school student who likes these things.

That was certainly true until ten years ago.

This is not the earth.

A fantasy world dominated by powerful people. Savage utopia. It is a world where you can take anything with you if you have physical strength. <<less

Yu Sui and Shi Luo met each other when they were much younger. One was a pro-gamer, a widely-renowned, best of the best, in-game medic. The other was an e-sports newcomer who was just starting out. The two originally played for the same team, during which their relationship became increasingly deep.... more>>

But things did not go as expected. Yu Sui went to Europe and Shi Luo changed his in-game job to become a striker. The two belonged to different teams and different divisions, with oceans between them, each doing wonderfully …

They had become two tigers on separate mountains. The last thing anyone expected was for Yu Sui to return to the domestic league two years later. There was no way to avoid it and the two met once again. <<less

I grew up in a dysfunctional family, surrounded by neighbors, no, strangers who looked at us with sneering eyes. My father, he was a hoodlum and my mother a lady of the evening or for better or worse, a harlot. I thought it was normal, that this life I lived was normal. After all, this was the only life I’ve ever known.... more>>

Though most of the time, they hardly bothered over my well-being and dread going home, home to that deserted house. Gradually, I began to hate life… or so I thought ‘till a girl of my own age, yet older than me, appeared like a spring flower.

Her name was Qing Qing and she was born in the middle of winter.

I call her Big Sister Qing Qing.

When she smiled, she had those two sweet dimples adorning her cheeks as her pair of beautiful long hair shone under the rays of the sun. Her pink pleated skirt was an elegant contrast to her white and fragrant figure.

Looking at her… my heart thumped…

I think she stole my heart without notice, without me knowing.

And I fell hard. <<less

Is money really everything in a life?... more>>

If you could live through your life again you must become a God of money. A person who lives for money. A person who treats money with the worth it deserves. <<less

The notorious imperial court lackey and the meritorious military general were well-known for their mutual dislike, a pair of arch-enemies set in stone. Who could have foreseen the unexpected change in the winds of heaven: the general injured on the battlefield, both legs disabled, and even forced by the emperor to marry his nemesis. ... more>>

With one marriage edict, two people with mutual hostility are forced to marry and live under the same roof. Yet after these long days together, they come to the realization that this fellow is not truly devoid of any saving grace/unattainable and high out of reach. <<less