donald f larsson critical survey of short fiction

When they first met, Tang Wan sighed, “The fifth young master of the Jiang family is just as the rumors said. He’s celibate, aloof, prideful, and is a man to be revered. Unfortunately, he’s so smart that he no longer has any will to live, which made him sickly, and he’s going to die soon… Later on, the fifth young master brought her into his room. When she came out, everyone stared at her in shock. Why was she crying? …… Later on, it was said that the fifth young master returned after he recovered from his illness, and he brought a girl back. She appeared pure and harmless, but underneath that harmless appearance, she was actually a spitfire that offended quite a number of people. But the fifth young master just said, “I brought her back, so I’ll let her do whatever she wants. If… anything happens, I’ll take responsibility.” His best friend gave him a reminder. “You’re going to be responsible for someone from the Tang family?” “Since she came back with me, she’s mine. She’s just a young girl and is spoilt. I have to take responsibility.” After Tang Wan married into the Jiang family, she only had one mission. She must give birth to his children before he died! Meanwhile, the fifth young master was puzzled. “You’re a gentle and shy girl during the day, so why are you so different during the night?” Tang Wan thought. ‘I have to make every second count. He won’t be able to live long.’ After she gave birth to his son and he became one year old, Tang Wan was prepared to become a widow. However… ‘Why isn’t he dead yet?’ Much later, the fifth master of the Jiang family asked her, “I heard that you’ve been looking for my death every day. Do you want to kill me by sucking me dry?”

Vor einem Jahrhundert stürzten kolossale Steinschwerter vom Himmel und bohrten sich tief in das Herz von achtundzwanzig Städten. So begannen die Schwertprüfungen. Welten gegen Welten, Spezies gegen Spezies, ausgetragen in einem separaten, einzigartigen Schlachtfeld-Reich, das dem größten schwertthematischen, Fraktion-gegen-Fraktion-MMORPG ähnelte, das je existierte. Level, Legendäre Ausrüstung, Versteckte Quests, Gilden, Territorien, Spawns, NPCs, Schwertfertigkeiten, Beute, die durch eine spezielle Währung Welten überwinden konnte … Nur diejenigen, die ihre Schwertmale erwecken können, wurden Klingengeborene genannt, Krieger ihrer Rasse. Bewaffnet mit Seelengebundenen Schwertern verschiedener Stufen, die über ihren Rang in der modernen Hierarchie entschieden, kämpften sie für das Fortbestehen ihrer Welten. Die Schlacht zu beenden, erwies sich jedoch als weitaus schwieriger als erwartet. Eine scheinbar unüberwindbare hundertjährige Pattsituation war die Folge. Das apokalyptische Ende verblasste schließlich aus den Köpfen aller, und ein Klingengeborener zu sein, wurde plötzlich zu einem Beruf. Manche behandelten die Schwertprüfungen sogar als reines Spiel. Schulen begannen, Schwertkunstkurse als Hauptfach anzubieten, und diejenigen, die an derselben High School ihre Mitschüler übertrafen, wurden Schwertprinz und Prinzessinnen genannt. Eine solche Berühmtheit war Daru Finnley, ein junger Mann, der eine ungewöhnliche Liebe zum Schwert hegte. Nach einer katastrophalen Erweckungszeremonie als der Gefallene Schwertprinz bezeichnet, verwandelte sich das Etikett des Genies über Nacht in das eines Versagers. Aber sein „Müll“-Schwert barg ein Geheimnis. Und ebenso seine Seele … Drei Welten WERDEN fallen.

A century ago, colossal stone swords descended from the skies, stabbing deep at the heart of twenty-eight cities. Like so began the Sword Trials. Worlds against Worlds, Race against Race in a separate, unique, battleground realm that resembled the greatest sword-themed, faction versus faction MMORPG that ever existed. Levels, Legendary Equipment, Hidden Quests, Guilds, Territories, Spawns, NPCs, Sword Skills, Loot that could transcend worlds through a special currency… Only those who can awaken their sword marks would be called Bladeborns, warriors of their race. Armed with Soulbound Swords of varying tiers that decided their ranking in the modern hierarchy, they would fight for the continued existence of their worlds. Ending the battle, however, proved far more difficult than expected. A seemingly unbreakable hundred-year stalemate was reached. The apocalyptic ending eventually faded from everyone’s minds, and being a Bladeborn suddenly turned into a profession. Some even treated the Sword Trials as a mere game. Schools began adding swordsmanship classes as a major subject, and those who excelled beyond their peers at the same high school would be called Sword Prince and Princesses. One such celebrity was Daru Finnley, a young man who had an unusual love for the sword. Labeled the Fallen Sword Prince after a disastrous awakening ceremony, the title of genius changed into garbage overnight. But his “trash” sword held a secret. And so did his soul… Three worlds WILL fall.

Il y a un siècle, d'immenses épées de pierre sont descendues des cieux, transperçant le cœur de vingt-huit villes. Ainsi commencèrent les Épreuves de l'Épée. Mondes contre mondes, espèces contre espèces, dans un royaume de champ de bataille unique et séparé qui ressemblait au plus grand MMORPG à thème d'épée, faction contre faction, qui ait jamais existé. Niveaux, Équipement Légendaire, Quêtes Cachées, Guildes, Territoires, Points d'Apparition, PNJ, Compétences d'Épée, Butin qui pourrait transcender les mondes grâce à une monnaie spéciale... Seuls ceux qui peuvent éveiller leurs marques d'épée seraient appelés Portelames, guerriers de leur race. Armés d'Épées Liées à l'Âme de différents niveaux qui décidaient de leur classement dans la hiérarchie moderne, ils se battraient pour la survie de leurs mondes. Mettre fin à la bataille s'est avéré bien plus difficile que prévu. Une impasse de cent ans apparemment inviolable a été atteinte. La fin apocalyptique a finalement disparu de l'esprit de tous, et être un Né-de-Lame est soudainement devenu une profession. Certains ont même traité les Épreuves de l'Épée comme un simple jeu. Les écoles ont commencé à ajouter des cours d'escrime comme matière principale, et ceux qui excellaient au-delà de leurs pairs dans le même lycée seraient appelés Prince et Princesses de l'Épée. L'une de ces célébrités était Daru Finnley, un jeune homme qui avait un amour inhabituel pour l'épée. Surnommé le Prince Déchu de l'Épée après une cérémonie d'éveil désastreuse, l'étiquette de génie s'est transformée en déchet du jour au lendemain. Mais son épée "poubelle" cachait un secret. Et son âme aussi... Trois mondes VONT tomber. #Construction de Guilde (Dans les chapitres ultérieurs)

Há um século, colossais espadas de pedra desceram dos céus, perfurando profundamente o coração de vinte e oito cidades. Assim começaram as Provações da Espada. Mundos contra mundos, espécies contra espécies, estabelecidos em um reino de batalha separado e único que se assemelhava ao maior MMORPG temático de espadas, com facções contra facções, que já existiu. Níveis, Equipamentos Lendários, Missões Ocultas, Guildas, Territórios, Spawns, NPCs, Habilidades de Espada, Saques que podiam transcender mundos através de uma moeda especial... Apenas aqueles que conseguissem despertar suas marcas de espada seriam chamados de Nascidos da Lâmina, guerreiros de sua raça. Armados com Espadas Ligadas à Alma de vários níveis que decidiam sua classificação na hierarquia moderna, eles lutariam pela existência contínua de seus mundos. Entretanto, acabar com a batalha provou ser muito mais difícil do que o esperado. Um impasse aparentemente inquebrantável de cem anos foi alcançado. O fim apocalíptico eventualmente desapareceu das mentes de todos, e ser um Nascido da Lâmina de repente se transformou em uma profissão. Alguns até tratavam as Provações da Espada como um simples jogo. As escolas começaram a adicionar aulas de esgrima como matéria principal, e aqueles que se destacavam além de seus colegas na mesma escola seriam chamados de Príncipes e Princesas da Espada. Um desses celebridades era Daru Finnley, um jovem que tinha um amor incomum pela espada. Nomeado o Príncipe da Espada Caído após uma cerimônia de despertar desastrosa, o rótulo de gênio mudou para lixo da noite para o dia. Mas sua espada "lixo" guardava um segredo. E sua alma também... Três mundos VÃO cair. #ConstruçãoDeGuilda (Nos capítulos posteriores)

Hace un siglo, colosales espadas de piedra descendieron de los cielos, clavándose en el corazón de veintiocho ciudades. Así comenzaron las Pruebas de Espada. Mundos contra mundos, especies contra especies, en un reino de batalla único y separado que se asemejaba al mejor MMO de facción contra facción con temática de espadas que jamás haya existido. Niveles, Equipamiento Legendario, Misiones Ocultas, Gremios, Territorios, Zonas de Aparición, PNJ, Habilidades de Espada, Botín que podía trascender mundos a través de una moneda especial… Solo aquellos que pueden despertar sus marcas de espada serían llamados Nacidos de la Hoja, guerreros de su raza. Armados con Espadas Vinculadas al Alma de diversos niveles que decidían su rango en la jerarquía moderna, lucharían por la existencia continua de sus mundos. Sin embargo, terminar la batalla resultó ser mucho más difícil de lo esperado. Se llegó a un punto muerto de cien años aparentemente irrompible. El final apocalíptico acabó por desvanecerse de la mente de todos, y ser un Nacido de la Hoja se convirtió de repente en una profesión. Algunos incluso trataban las Pruebas de Espada como un mero juego. Las escuelas comenzaron a añadir clases de esgrima como asignatura principal, y aquellos que sobresalían por encima de sus compañeros en el mismo instituto serían llamados Príncipes y Princesas de la Espada. Una de esas celebridades era Daru Finnley, un joven que sentía un amor inusual por la espada. Nombrado el Príncipe de la Espada Caída tras una desastrosa ceremonia de despertar, la etiqueta de genio se convirtió en basura de la noche a la mañana. Pero su espada "basura" guardaba un secreto. Y también su alma… Tres mundos CAERÁN.

Cover Art by Neo and Yaoyueyi Volume 1 - Having been summoned to another world, Claude Evers is devastated to find out that he has no attack or magic proficiency. In a world of swords and magic, Claude endeavors to become his master's...chef? Despite this turn of events, he soon finds himself relying on his wit and strange abilities to stand by his master's side. With such fearsome enemies in this world, what solutions can Claude hope to cook up? Volume 2 - Defeating a terrifying monster endangering the kingdom, Claude's fame grows. With this in mind, his next goal is to...win over his master's heart? However, he soon learns that the nobility are not one to be trifled with. What can a lone chef do against the schemes of the powerful threatening his livelihood? Volume 3 - Welcome to the 'Certain Slice', where we are sure to serve you something that perfectly hits your tastes. This is a restaurant where you can sample our line of otherworldly food and drink, created by the one and only Demon Cleaver. Please wait here while we call a maid over to attend to your orders. The owner? I'm very sorry. He's not available at the moment. The reason? I'm afraid that he is now a wanted man, for defying kings and kidnapping princesses. Volume 4 - Stuck in another country, Claude and his companions happen upon abilities far different from what they had known before. With a country full of powerful warriors wielding such techniques, guided by a prophetic Oracle, new allies and enemies are around every corner. Will they find what they need to return home, or will 'destiny' swallow them up? Volume 5 - What happens when the person you thought you knew is completely different? Past and present collide as Claude makes his way back to Sistina to once again fight alongside his Master, encountering challenges that few Electi have ever faced. Destruction looms over Sistina as his enemies attack right where one is most vulnerable, the insecurities held in one’s heart. Volume 6 - With Sistina in the process of recoverying, Claude finds himself in a new role with many new challenges ahead. Though the dangers have passed, daily life is still far from boring as messy relationships and sudden adventures are at every corner. There is never a break in the life of an Electi! Volume 7 - War breaks out with the Empire of Purnesia. With decades of hatred possessing its people, Claude becomes embroiled in the tragedy of death and suffering. With his commitment to retain his humanity in jeopardy, how can a chef protect his friends on the battlefield? Volume 8 - Various tragedies have left Claude reeling. With his heart torn and his vow to not kill abandoned, he charges forward to the capital of Purnesia. With his heart trending towards darkness, who will remain by his side as he seeks revenge... and who will point their blade at him instead? Volume 9 - Learning of the existence of an entire army of demons, led by a familiar face, the very world is at stake. What will Claude discover upon setting foot in the realm of Gods, seeking the very limits of his Electi powers? Volume 10 - Peace has come at last, along with a new role for Claude. But his dreams foretell of another hidden danger on the horizon, one that would shatter everything he knows about the world. Volume 11 - Everything has ended, or has it? The secrets of the world are now revealed, and Claude must find everyone once again to face against a threat as old as the Gods. Volume 12 - Back together again, Claude and his crew make one final attempt against The Architect. Past and present collide as the fate of two worlds rest on the victor!

Satu abad yang lalu, pedang batu raksasa turun dari langit, menusuk jauh ke jantung dua puluh delapan kota. Demikianlah dimulainya Percobaan Pedang. Dunia melawan dunia, spesies melawan spesies, ditempatkan dalam alam pertempuran yang terpisah, unik, dan menyerupai MMORPG bertema pedang terhebat dengan pertarungan antar faksi yang pernah ada. Level, Perlengkapan Legendaris, Misi Tersembunyi, Serikat, Wilayah, Spawn, NPC, Keterampilan Pedang, Jarahan yang dapat melampaui dunia melalui mata uang khusus… Hanya mereka yang dapat membangunkan tanda pedang mereka yang akan disebut Lahir dari Pedang, pejuang dari ras mereka. Bersenjatakan Soulbound Swords dengan berbagai tingkatan yang menentukan peringkat mereka dalam hierarki modern, mereka akan bertarung demi kelangsungan dunia mereka. Namun, mengakhiri pertempuran terbukti jauh lebih sulit dari yang diperkirakan. Sebuah kebuntuan seratus tahun yang tampaknya tak terpecahkan pun tercapai. Akhir apokaliptik akhirnya memudar dari pikiran semua orang, dan menjadi Lahir dari Pedang tiba-tiba berubah menjadi sebuah profesi. Beberapa bahkan memperlakukan Percobaan Pedang hanya sebagai permainan belaka. Sekolah-sekolah mulai menambahkan kelas pedang sebagai mata pelajaran utama, dan mereka yang berprestasi melebihi rekan-rekan mereka di SMA yang sama akan disebut Pangeran dan Putri Pedang. Salah satu selebriti seperti itu adalah Daru Finnley, seorang pemuda yang memiliki kecintaan tidak biasa pada pedang. Dijuluki Pangeran Pedang Jatuh setelah upacara kebangkitan yang bencana, label jenius berubah menjadi sampah dalam semalam. Tetapi pedang "sampah"-nya menyimpan rahasia. Begitu juga dengan jiwanya... Tiga dunia AKAN jatuh. #Pembangunan Serikat (Dalam bab-bab selanjutnya)

Haru was the best mage in the Japanese army. Building up a amazing reputation before deciding to give up his life in the military and settle down. His plans were cut short as he found himself in the body of a baby. He taught himself magic again from scratch before finding himself in a dire situation whilst on his first school trip causing him to give up on magic and take on the art of Chinese cultivation. His master was a soul fragment of an ancient cultivator who placed his soul inside of a golden ring in the shape of a dragons body. What kind of mysteries did this ring hold? And who was this cultivator who saved Haru from the brink of death?

BLURB:18+ Explicit Content Reader Discretion Strongly Advised Content Warnings:This collection contains graphic s****l content, dubcon, age-gap, taboo relationships, religious roleplay, rough scenes, morally gray characters, and explicit adult language. If you're sensitive to dark, controversial, or boundary-pushing themes, this is not the book for you.Some cravings are whispered in secret. Others are too twisted, too forbidden, to ever say out loud.Until now.Sinful Fantasies is a collection of sinful, unapologetic erotic tales where the rules don't apply and the boundaries are meant to be broken. Step into a world where the lines between right and wrong blur in the heat of passion. From priests who can't stay celibate to stepdads who can't say no, each story is a slow fall into deliciously dark temptation. They're off-limits, They're wrong, And they're exactly what you've been aching for. Indulge the fantasies you’re not supposed to have. ****** "You like that, don't you?" he said, his voice low and rough. His lips hovered right at my neck. "Kiss me, Cole," I begged, my head sinking back into the seat. "I…" He leaned in just a little, his lips close enough for me to taste his breath, but then he stopped. "Not now, Mia," he said with that smug voice. His hand trailed lower, gliding over my belly, fingers slipping under the waistband of my trousers. He didn't even hesitate—his fingers dipped lower, brushing over the wetness soaking through my panties. "Damn," he groaned in my ear. "You're fucking soaked."