Novels by Anoushka

After all that trouble, Clian realized he had actually been played. He didn't even have time to argue. The moment the realization hit him, Clian rushed into the cabin, intending to interrupt Hudson before he could finish whatever he was doing.But he was already too late.The bone-stripping and meridian reconstruction had been completed. Only the final step remained.Hudson no longer had any reason to hold back.He gave a cold snort, and the three powerful battle souls were summoned at once.Clian was the first to charge in, so he took the full force of the attack.He had never expected Hudson to have three Grandmaster-level battle souls at his disposal. Caught completely off guard, he was struck by all three and sent flying backward through the doorway."Grandmaster?""Oh, my God!"The moment the others sensed the terrifying aura released by the three battle souls, panic spread through the group. Even the wild dogs wandering around the mountain were frightened by the sudden disturban

The first time Dein underwent the bone-stripping and meridian reconstruction procedure, he endured it.But once it was over, he was so weak that he couldn't even move a finger. Hudson immediately placed him in a large iron tub that had been prepared beforehand, where he soaked in a mixture of medicinal herbs meant to help his body recover.Three days later, after confirming that Dein had mostly recovered, Hudson performed the second round of bone stripping and meridian reconstruction.This time, Viena was extremely curious. She kept pestering Hudson, begging him to let her watch.However, less than three minutes after entering the room, Viena covered her mouth and rushed outside to vomit. After that, she never dared to step inside and watch again.Later, whenever they learned that another round of the procedure was about to begin, everyone suddenly found an excuse to leave.Each round of bone stripping and meridian reconstruction took a greater toll on Dein's body. As the procedures c

The oval object was clearly an egg. The patterns covering its surface resembled those on the purple egg that had appeared before Binx was born, although there were noticeable differences between them.The advancement of modern technology had sparked a strong interest in the creatures that had once terrorized California. From a scientific perspective, the creatures from the other world could essentially be considered extraterrestrial life.Scientific research into them had never stopped.Some researchers even wondered whether the traditional martial arts path was simply too difficult. Perhaps studying these creatures could provide another solution. If their genes could be thoroughly analyzed, maybe scientists could use them to improve the genetic potential of martial artists and make the path to greater strength easier.After years of research, countless personnel, and enormous amounts of funding, they finally discovered the remains of a creature from the other world whose bones had no

In California, the return of creatures from another world was strictly forbidden. The disaster from years ago had already faded from the memories of the younger generation, but the older generation of martial artists still remembered it clearly.If the Martial God hadn't intervened back then, California would have long since been overrun by creatures from another world.Countless people had died at the hands of those beasts. Many of the victims had been family members, friends, or loved ones of the older generation of martial artists.That blood feud had never truly disappeared. The fact that people rarely spoke about it didn't mean they had forgotten.There was another problem.The appearance of a creature from another world after so many years would inevitably cause panic. People would immediately wonder whether the beasts had returned.No one would care that Binx was still young or that she posed no real threat. The moment people learned that she was a creature from another world,

“Master! With your martial foundation destroyed, can you really take a completely different path and start over?”Viena leaned closer, her eyes filled with doubt. If this was difficult for Dein to understand, then for her, it was even more unbelievable.Hudson rolled his eyes at her. “Aren’t I living proof?”Viena smiled faintly, then hesitated before speaking again. “Master, why don’t you cripple me too? Then I can take a different path and follow the same road you did.”“What?”Hudson was instantly speechless.His disciple's idea was so naive that he didn't even know how to respond.Taking an unconventional path was something one did only when there was no other choice. Why would anyone willingly cripple themselves just to walk that path?He stared at Viena in confusion. “Why would you even think that?”“Master, think about it,” Viena said earnestly. “Your strength has improved so quickly after taking that unconventional path. That proves the road you're on might actually be the tru

A person's spirit could often be seen in the way they carried themselves. The moment Hudson examined Dein, he understood just how deeply this ordeal had affected him.In the past, even when Dein simply sat in silence, he radiated an invisible presence that naturally commanded respect. Without saying a single word, he carried the confidence of someone who had stood at the peak for years. It was the kind of aura that instinctively made others lower their heads.But reality could be merciless. Very few people could endure devastating setbacks without eventually breaking.One crushing blow had shattered everything Dein had built. The commanding presence that once surrounded him had disappeared, replaced by the quiet resignation of a man who had already accepted the end of his journey.It wasn't just physical defeat. It was self-imposed exile, and was giving up on himself.That was something Hudson refused to accept. He knew exactly why Dein had changed so much.His martial foundation had

“Everyone wears a mask, Andrei.”Michael’s voice was calm, yet every word carried crushing weight.“Yours is called idealism. Due process. A spotless sense of morality that stands in broad daylight, judging everyone else.”His voice echoed through the livestream, spreading across the internet and reaching millions of viewers. Every sentence dug deeper into Andrei’s already fractured state of mind.“But what’s hiding underneath that mask? It was you. When that fire broke out, you locked the doors to all sixteen wards so you could escape alone. You chose yourself over everyone else. You ran for the exit without looking back while those psychiatric patients pounded on the locked doors, screaming and begging for help.”Michael's gaze never wavered. “You're not condemning me because I betrayed my ideals.”A cold, almost cruel smile touched the corner of his mouth.“You're condemning me because you're jealous. You're jealous that I had the courage to face the darkness... that I was willing

A flicker of anger flashed across Andrei's eyes.It was gone almost as quickly as it appeared, hidden beneath his usual polished smile.Then, slowly, he began to clap."Brilliant." His applause echoed through the office. "A truly brilliant defense, Professor Aliyah."His voice remained as warm and composed as ever, but beneath that calm exterior, something darker was beginning to surface."Occupational hazard..." He let out a faint, humorless chuckle. "That's certainly... an original argument."This time, he abandoned the theoretical debate entirely. Instead, he played his strongest card."Since you believe that's all this is," he said, "allow me to ask you one more question."He picked up the remote control on the table and pressed another button.The livestream split into two screens once again. On the right side appeared surveillance footage.The location was instantly recognizable.Platform 7.The infamous haunted platform. A wave of unease swept through the millions watching.The

The livestream began. In an instant, millions of eyes were fixed on Aliyah's sunlit office.The screen split neatly into two halves.On the left was Aliyah, composed and elegant, every bit the gentle psychology professor. On the right was Andrei, impeccably dressed, wearing the calm, confident smile of a man who belonged among society's elite.The viewer count skyrocketed.Thirty million.Then it climbed even higher at an astonishing speed.The live chat exploded, comments pouring across the screen like a river bursting through a broken dam."The Final Trial is starting!" "No way! Who is this Andrei? He looks incredible!" "He's judging Michael? Seriously? Michael's my idol!" "Stop being blinded by fandom! Read the title, this is a psychological trial. They're using professional analysis!"Andrei ignored the flood of comments completely.His attention never left Aliyah. There was just enough regret in his eyes to make him seem sincere, and just enough determination to convince the a

Ashley's heart shot into her throat. Then, at last, a woman's voice came through the phone.It sounded remarkably like Ashley's, about seventy percent alike, but it was clearer, calmer, and carried not the slightest hint of fear."I need five minutes. I'm going to the restroom."A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of Michael's lips."Good."Aliyah sat behind the spacious rosewood desk in her office, her posture graceful and composed.Warm afternoon sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, wrapping the room in a soft golden glow. A cup of freshly brewed black tea rested in front of her, thin wisps of steam rising into the air, filling the office with its rich aroma.To anyone passing by, it looked like an ordinary afternoon. Only Aliyah knew how deceptive that appearance was.Hidden beneath the collar of her blouse was a pinhole camera no larger than the head of a pin. Buried against the bone behind her ear, a flesh-colored bone-conduction earpiece quietly relayed Micha

Michael's words struck Ashley like a bolt of lightning.Her entire body trembled violently, and her mind went completely blank.Her sister. Aliyah.The little sister who had always trailed behind her since they were children, timid and quick to tears. The quiet scholar she had always protected, someone she believed was too innocent and sheltered for the harshness of the world.A fear buried deep in her instincts seized her heart in an instant. Cold spread through every inch of her body, leaving her limbs stiff and numb. Almost on reflex, she reached into her pocket for her phone. She needed to hear Aliyah's voice. Right now.But her hands were shaking so badly that she couldn't even hold the phone. Again and again, her trembling fingers slipped against its cold metal frame."Calm down."A hand reached over and gently covered the back of hers.It wasn't a large hand, but it was unbelievably steady. The simple touch stopped her frantic, futile movements.It was Michael.Only moments ago

"That incident became a wound buried deep in your heart," Michael said. "And because of it, when you grew up, you chose to become a police officer. You've spent your whole life chasing control and order with almost obsessive determination."Ashley stared at him without speaking."Every time you try to help me," Michael continued, "every time you try to drag me back onto what you think is the right path, you're not saving me."He stepped closer, leaning toward her just enough that only she could hear his next words."You're trying to make up for your childhood regrets."His voice dropped even lower."You're trying to save that powerless little girl you used to be."Ashley's body stiffened.She staggered backward until her shoulders struck the side of the mobile command vehicle. For a moment, she nearly lost her balance.Her face was drained of color. Her breathing became shallow. Disbelief filled her eyes.He was right. Every word of it.As she looked at Michael, she finally understood