City of Witches - Chapter 295: Coming Back (3)

There were three rules to working for CEO Karsten Chevalier.First, bring his coffee brimming hot and black like a starless night.Second, park your attitude outside his office door—his broody demeanour has the room covered.Third, never say ‘No’ to whatever he demands. Not even when he asks you to become his fake girlfriend?(Synopsis)Arata's fiance dumped her through a text on the day of their engagement party. The reason? She is too curvy for his taste!He only entertained her because of her prestigious family name.“Do you think men want a fatso like you? You're nothing without your family's name!”A heartbroken Arata sets out on a journey to discover herself without revealing she is the daughter of a billionaire. She moves to another city, away from her beloved family.‘How dare he insult me? I love my curves and I will show him.’ Arata is not a damsel; her parents have raised her strong, and now it is time to become independent.Her heart is ablaze with newfound goals.One: to see how people will treat her if she acts like an ordinary girl and hides her identity.Two: to bag a bigger fish than her stinking—joke of an ex-fiancé.She will prove that a man will genuinely love her irrespective of her curves and surname!Arata's new life begins as the secretary of Karsten Chevalier, the CEO of a multinational clothing brand who is renowned for his dashing personality and enigmatic persona. Not much is publicly known about this man.Doused in mystery, the man has his own goals and hidden agenda which will topple Arata's world.Unfortunately, Karsten's handsome face becomes a punching bag in Arata's mind because of his ruthlessly demanding personality and ego larger than Mount Everest.Arata eases her frustrations by going to meet Twisted Rider, the currently popular yet mysterious, masked internet sensation.Both tangle under the sheets and he becomes her safe space as she complains and opens up about her boss.“Will you act as my girlfriend?”Karsten's proposal to become a fake girlfriend for his family events surprised Arata!How will Arata juggle the piling demands of her boss, her own heartbreak and the seduction traps of the masked man she loves to watch in her spare time?Will sparks fly between Arata and her colder-than-Arctic ice boss? Or, will she continue to complain to the masked man that her boss probably has a small PP?This is my entry for WSA 2025, please support it with your power stones.The book is a sequel to my previous novel “The CEO of My Dreams Returned To Me.” But it can read as standalone.A special thanks to Author Hansora for the overwhelming support and encouraging me to publish this book and helping me with the book cover.Want to chat or have any questions regarding the book? Find me on Instagram, Facebook and Discord with the same name.

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!

“Is this a joke?”That was the first thing Felix thought when he turned 18 and sensed his mate bond.How could Jared possibly be his mate?! The man who bullied him since they were kids, a complete player, and the pupil of Felix’s ‘beloved’ father?! Sure, he was powerful, handsome and leader of their pack - the best match out there, that any other Omega would die for…But nope, not Felix!Felix had no idea what Moon Goddess was thinking, but he wasn’t going to sit still and accept his fate.The problem was that Jared wanted him… And during his first heat, Felix accidentally slept with him! He’d never agree to break their bond now!Well then… What else could a guy do but to run away?But fate wasn’t done dealing with him.Soon after he left, he discovered he was pregnant! From then on, he not only would have to worry about his own survival, but also take care of a child!Two months later, after traveling across the country, he finally found a nice town to settle in. No pack controlling the area, just a few rogues and other rejects.Perfect. After his terrible first match, Felix didn’t want another mate!Except.As Felix was busy getting his new life in order and preparing to welcome his baby, a handsome and dangerous - or maybe dangerously handsome? - Alpha stopped by in town. Kade, the next leader of the Bloodmoon Pack, one of the most powerful packs out there!And Felix sensed a bond between them…“Really? Really? I have to go through this again?!”“Thanks but no thanks, I would rather be a rogue!”Felix said, hugging a fox that made its home in his pantry…And the fox snickered, burying its head in Felix’s neck.

A Low-Stakes, Cozy, Slice-Of-Life Travelogue AdventureJohn, a 37-year-old widower, discovers the extraordinary power to travel between worlds via dimensional Gates. Overwhelmed by the sorrow of losing his wife and the pain of his past, he wants to leave Earth behind. After some research and training, he embarks on a journey to explore different worlds.Though John’s class could become incredibly OP, he doesn’t care about fighting, becoming a hero, or gaining power. His journey is about healing, rediscovering life’s simple joys, and exploring the magical wonders of the multiverse. Traveling at a slow, steady pace, he meets new people, helps others as a healer or doctor when he feels like it, and reflects on his experiences through a diary-style narrative. This is a tale of introspection and self-improvement, focused on exploring both the multiverse and Earth.This isn’t a story of epic battles, grimdark themes, or becoming a superhero. Instead, it’s about traveling with friends, trying new foods, learning magic, and shopping—lots of shopping. Through these adventures, John’s story highlights how small moments bring joy and purpose, proving discovery doesn’t require grand conflicts but thrives in the extraordinary and the everyday.