“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

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

Hiding away from the world, artist Eun-seok, who paints like a recluse, suddenly finds himself transported back ten years at the very moment when his... more>> wife and daughter had yet to meet their tragic end. <<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

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

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

Long ago, a powerful demon lord ruled over the people until an equally powerful hero rose up to defeat him. To counter future threats, Rosewood... more>> Academy, a school for heroes-in-training, was created. Today, Rosewood Academy enrolls only the best of the best, and Arnest Flaming is the best of them all. The top student in the school, a dutiful girl nicknamed "Empress of Flame," she has an irritating encounter with a light-hearted boy in the school hallway one day who seems to equal her powers, though she's never seen him before. He introduces himself only as Blade, and Arnest soon finds out not only is he transferring into the school as a new student, but she is personally requested by the King to help him settle in to daily life in Rosewood Academy. <<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

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

After being soundly thrashed by the hero Emilia, the Devil King and his general beat a hasty retreat to a parallel universe…only to land plop... more>> in the middle of bustling, modern-day Tokyo! Lacking the magic necessary to return home, the two are forced to assume human identities and live average human lives until they can find a better solution. And to make ends meet, Satan finds gainful employment at a nearby fast food joint! With his devilish mind set on working his way up the management food chain, what will become of his thirst for conquest?! <<less

I never want people to hate me. In my previous life I lived and behaved with that kind of thoughts, but it wasn’t until later that I realised that such thinking won’t make anyone like me in the end. Unfortunately, I was killed in an accident. But fortunately or unfortunately, I was reincarnated as Regis, a villain in a world similar to the game I used to play.... more>>

In this world, I discover that I can see people’s likeability, but because I am a villain, I am hated by everyone around me.

Because of this, I cannot train in sword and magic. The situation is worst than in the previous life.

But I don’t want to be someone that everyone hates like in my previous life, I want to live a life where people love me

But I don’t want to force myself to read the atmosphere like in my previous life. I don’t want to be swept away, I want to live positively.

I also need to train in sword and magic, so that I don’t die. <<less

It details the life of a mid-rank soldier who died at the very end of the war against the Demon Race. Fortunately for him, he... more>> wakes up to find that he’s a baby again, in the embrace of his real mother, years in the past. Determined to avoid the chain of tragedies that took his beloved ones away from him, he takes advantage of the advancements in swordsmanship and magic that developed during the war (as we all know, wars are when many scientific breakthroughs tend to happen), and tries his best to prepare for the demon invasion as well as strengthen himself with maximum efficiency. <<less

A girl was broken from the start.... more>>

A man sees the girl performing an abnormal act with the intention of destroying her.

He has the broken girl in his hands, r*pes and defiles her as he pleases.

The girl is corrupted by the man's hands to no end.

Was it a misfortune for the girl, or...? <<less

Only after Chu Yin died did she realize she was the first love (white moonlight) of the male lead in a novel.... more>>

The stubborn male lead fell in love with her at first sight when he was young, then took over the company when he was older.

Chu Yin was tortured by his crazy possessiveness and died a tragic early death.

Opening her eyes again, she returned to the day before she transferred schools and met Lu Zhen.

“Ding~ Bound to the learning system! Host can change the original script of the novel by learning!”

【You can change a word from the original script after completing homework!】

【If you place first in your grade, you can change one sentence in the original script!】

【If you place first in the college entrance examination, you can create your own ending!

Get rich! Be famous! Do whatever you want!】

That night, Chu Yin finished her homework and obtain the reward to change a word in the original script: “On the day of their first encounter, Lu Zhen walked into the school as light rain poured down the sky.”

The next day, Lu Zhen walked into the school, and a knife suddenly fell from the sky.

Young Lu Zhen: ?

Someone wants my life.

***

The whole school knew that the daughter of the Chu family from the countryside swept the entire grade and placed first, and also took the throne of the school’s flower.

But one day, the whole school went crazy, saying that she somehow provoke the big devil Lu Zhen.

…

After doing bad things to the male lead, Chu Yin was cornered, feeling a little guilty.

The young man in front of her was like a trapped beast, his dark eyes that was restrained for two lifetimes, showed madness: “Want my life?”

“——Take it.” <<less