startled meaning

*** My health has been very poor this year alongside loosing my mother-in-law and cat so I'm sorry but this will be rewritten and finished when I'm well, I'm doing it all offline in my rare creative moments, hopefully with a more mature touch *** [WARNING: Mature Themes (smut, violence, murder, suicide, domestic violence, etc.)] --------- Waking up naked and alone with a murderer, without a single memory, she relies on System to understand her existence in another person's body. --------- Still don't know if you should read me? Here's a quick breakdown to help you make up your mind if this novel is right for you: This is my own twist on the QuickTransmigration System genre, giving it a more 'spiritual' twist. It explores sensitive themes throughout each arc and I will do my best to give trigger warnings at the start of chapters containing them. It is written in the first person and revolves around a female lead (FL). This is a weak-to-strong novel, she will have heavy flaws and make repeated mistakes and seem generally weak at the start, bear with her as she grows. Romance is a heavy theme within the story that contains a lot of smut, with more than one character. However, there is only one male lead in the end. The story is less about fluffy romance, instead, it's a journey of growth and self-discovery, revolving around the main storyline. Although, each Arc will have its own separate storyline that will have an impact on the main storyline with both new and reoccurring characters (so skipping arcs is not advised). I have currently written the rough drafts for four arcs at the point of writing this: 1. Ghosts & Guns 2. How do you keep a child alive in the Zombie Apocalypse? 3. Abducted by Aliens 4. Freed by the Fae Folk 5. .... --------- --------- Cover Art made by myself, using nightcafe AI Art, check out my page, I'm attempting to make novel art and character art for each arc: https://creator.nightcafe.studio/u/Raychbunni

A world of mist, lies, and sleeping gods. --- In Sven, borders don't exist. Cultures mingle, eras overlap—Victorian carriages stand alongside glass skyscrapers. A magnificent world. A world that lies. For beneath this facade of harmony, creatures lurk. Hereditary powers, the Chernobyls, are passed down from generation to generation. But these powers are divine prisons—limits imposed by a god who doesn't want humans to believe themselves superior. And above it all, 88 constellations sleep in the sky. One day, they will awaken. And on that day, humanity may well descend into madness. --- Welcome to Sven. Praise be to the Creator.

"In this life, I will find the meaning of my existence!" - Dawn Dawn was bedridden since young, unable to move his body. Because of his disability, everyone treated him with disdain. However, he wasn't much affected, but when his parents also forgot about him, he was filled with anger. He wanted to question God about why he was given such a miserable fate. Finally, his life came to an abrupt end. Strangely, however, that wasn't the end for him—he awakened in a strange new world that might allow him to find the answers that he desperately sought. To his surprise, the new world was no different than the old. On the very first day, he was sent to a strange dimension known as the Eternal battlefield. But thankfully, he was fortunate enough to awaken the 'Superhero Class.' This class changed everything. With the help of these skills, he grew stronger at an insane speed and became powerful enough to find god and ask them the reason for his existence. Why does he exist? Why does this world exist? Why did he live such a miserable life? Nothing could stop him from finding the answers to these questions—no young master, no super villainess, not even reality itself. ....... discords -https://discord.gg/egZYREvZbD

This is the story of a kid who was born weak, and who endured many hardships. Despite everything, after all the pain and struggle, the world eventually came to recognize his existence. But this isn't just the story of a kid who became powerful enough to face the world—it’s the story of a soul who always questioned his place in it. He questioned life, death, and meaning itself. And in his search, he discovered something that others couldn’t. He was someone who challenged even his own thoughts. A forgotten life, a questioning soul—that’s what brought this world salvation.

Michael Clintock knew his father was something else, but nothing prepared him for what he walked into when he was called to his father's office for what he thought was a typical business meeting. And what he found made him furious. A shy, half-Chinese, woman by the name of Eden Li, who had put herself up on a mail order bride website when she had no other options and no where else to turn. She thinks Michael is just like all the other men she has come across who have stereotyped her. But little does she know, he is actually nothing like them and he might be her ticket to freedom. Warnings: sexual content, sensitive, mentions of racial stereotypes, mentions of rape and sexual abuse. Age Suggestion: 18+ Take My Wings: A Mail Order Bride Novel with a Deeper Meaning is created by Minette Enfers, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Matías Castleboard was the last shield of a doomed humanity. Born in an era where death was law, he learned too soon that innocence never survives war. He was a soldier, a hero… and a murderer. He died seeking peace, yet his soul found no rest. Reborn as Kael Lanpar, heir to one of the most powerful clans in the continent of Mayora, he now lives in a world of ancient magic, forgotten races, mythical creatures, and gods who play with the threads of fate. But the past never truly dies. The scars of his former life bleed into this one, and with every memory that awakens, Kael is dragged deeper into a question few could bear to face: Can a second life offer redemption… or only more damnation? Because some truths should never be known. And as Kael uncovers the mysteries of this world —and of himself— he will learn that knowledge does not always set you free. Sometimes, it destroys you. At the end of his path, no enemy awaits him… Only something far more terrifying: a consciousness that sees everything— and a truth that can never be unlearned. A dark, introspective fantasy about second chances, wounds that transcend lifetimes, and the price of understanding too much. Perfect for readers who seek not just battles… but meaning.

Marina lives with her parents and older siblings. Her parents have always spoiled her and let her do whatever she wants, but she has always been a cheerful girl who loves her family. Her life was perfect until she turned 15 and her mother died. Five months later her mother also dies, but of a disease that has no cure. She and her sisters are taken to the orphanage, but her brother cannot go because he is of legal age. She suffers a lot, and after a few months she is adopted by a family and separated from her sisters. She is well taken care of and meets two friends: Lucas and Jurandir. They will fight to win her heart. Who will she choose to be part of her life? Find out by reading this story of high drama, adventure, and a light romance.

Jantis wandered into Gotham and was picked up by a red hood one late night. From then on, the amnesiac little ninja had a home. But why would Gotham have things that shouldn't exist in reality?! From the appearance of supernatural horrors like Sadako, Hanako, and Kayako in reality, did Jantis really encounter ghosts today? Not only that, she was also startled. Even the superheroes who had never thought they could see ghosts: ...were truly seeing ghosts now. Facing Jantis, they just wanted to say: Shut your ears! Don't listen to (horror stories)! Shut your eyes! Don't watch (horror movies)! Shut your mind! Don't think! In Gotham, where highly intelligent villains abound, suddenly appearing ghosts aggressively occupied the darkness. Gotham might become a playground for ghosts. No one knew what they wanted to do, and even if they were killed, they would still come back. Until the superheroes discovered that these ghosts existed because of the girl's fear, then let her overcome her fear—come on, become a firm materialist! Jantis was very strong, but she was still afraid of ghosts. But screaming in fear wouldn't drive them away—so physical exorcism was a good solution. What to do when ghosts are always frightening? Beat them up first, then talk.

What does it truly mean to live? Lucas, a man betrayed by friends and abandoned by fate, dies in despair—only to awaken in a new world with a mysterious Life System bound to his soul. Every choice he makes grants him points. Every struggle reveals hidden truths. From poverty to power, from weakness to dominance, Ethan must climb step by step… not just to survive, but to uncover the true meaning of living. Betrayal, revenge, love, and destiny collide as he learns that life is more than just breathing—it is about conquering, protecting, and finding purpose. A journey of rebirth, growth, and ultimate truth begins now.

Sophie Wexler transmigrated into a novel about The Galaxy, becoming the vicious, F-rank Healer-class cannon fodder. The original owner constantly caused trouble and made things difficult for the female lead, earning her the hatred of the entire internet. Upon transmigrating and seeing that everything had been ruined by the original owner, Sophie's only thought was: "What kind of nightmare start is this?!" To escape the original owner's fate, Sophie Wexler worked diligently, conducted herself conscientiously, stayed away from the male and female leads, compensated the soldiers harmed by the original owner, and strove to be a model citizen of The Galaxy, absolutely refusing to be the cannon fodder 'offed' by the Imperial Marshal! Broke and powerless, Sophie also had to support a man who'd been innocently dragged into the original owner's mess. She had no choice but to hustle. She started live streaming, became a masked singer, and held concerts. At first, netizens were scornful: 【Tsk, how good can she possibly sound?】 Later, the netizens were forced to eat their words. 【Damn, that's so good I'm on my knees!】 【What the hell, the violent episode of my Disorder Period has actually been soothed?!】 【The toxins in my Spiritual Sea have actually been eliminated!】 Her live streams went viral, the masked singer became a huge sensation, and tickets for her concerts were snapped up across The Galaxy. Sophie was content, thinking, "This time, I must have finally escaped the original owner's fate, right?" But what do you know, the man I've been doting on and supporting is actually the Imperial Marshal?! --- One day, Yancey Forrest came home to find that the boisterous person who was always claiming to be good to him was gone. His eyes darkened. Provoke me and then think you can leave? After catching her, Yancey traced his fingertips along Sophie's neck, smiling gently. "Why run?" Sophie trembled. "You... you're the Imperial Marshal?" His identity exposed, Yancey Forrest took her hand and slowly placed it on his own neck ring. "You know I won't kill you, don't you?"