Stray Cat Strut - SCS Fanfiction Contest Winner: Havoc, by Kenny Celican

At twenty-four, Ashley Flynn had endured more than most. From the tragic loss of her parents to the lose of her marriage–and now, the mysterious abduction of her daughter. Just when she thought life couldn’t get any crueler, her ex-boyfriend resurfaced. Rich, powerful, and more relentless than ever, Lorenzo Grey was determined to win back Ashley’s heart, no matter how much she hated him. Or how long it took him.When she turned to him for help finding her missing daughter, he saw the perfect opportunity he had long awaited.“You mentioned that you wanted to help me find my daughter,” Ashley said, her voice trembling slightly.“Yes, I did...” Lorenzo replied, watching her like a hawk. “...but it won't come without a price.”Ashley hated him even more for trying to exploit her desperation–but he knew this was the only tool he had left to reclaim what was once his. And now, Ashley must do what she felt was necessary, even if it meant breaking her own defenses and craving the very man who once shattered her heart. Because to her, a mother’s love knows no limits—and no sacrifice was too great.

The pessimistic and negative daughter of a concubine living in the ancient times thought – since life is so difficult, why should one invest serious effort in struggling to live?

The life of an ancient noble woman is often determined and controlled by her family. Moreover, one’s actions often implicate one’s entire family – thus, it is fairly common to see an unexpected calamity result in suffering borne by one’s whole family. Managing to live a good and successful life while retaining one’s dignity is simply too difficult to achieve.

Ah, living in the ancient times is simply too dangerous – we should all just sleep till we die.

- Description from Novelupdates

The strong are lonesome. Overcoming the loneliness pushes you to stand invincible at the top.

Pro-disciple of the Shaolin Temple on earth, Huang Xiaolong was reborn into a Martial Spirit world, carrying Hua Xia’s secret knowledge, the Body Metamorphose Scripture. In a Martial Spirit world, only those with Martial Spirit are able to train in battle qi and become a warrior. Huang Xiaolong born with a heaven-defying rare Martial Spirit was mistakenly taken for common variant Martial Spirit during the awakening ceremony conducted by the tribe and thus sidelined. However, Huang Xiaolong with his common “variant” Martial Spirit again, and again displayed unnatural talent, defeating geniuses, shocking the clan and the entire Martial Spirit World

King Grey has unrivaled strength, wealth, and prestige in a world governed by martial ability. However, solitude lingers closely behind those with great power. Beneath the glamorous exterior of a powerful king lurks the shell of man, devoid of purpose and will. 

Reincarnated into a new world filled with magic and monsters, the king has a second chance to relive his life. Correcting the mistakes of his past will not be his only challenge, however. Underneath the peace and prosperity of the new world is an undercurrent threatening to destroy everything he has worked for, questioning his role and reason for being born again.