Paintings of Terror - Chapter 254: The Newbies’ Demeanor

After being torn from the only life she knew, 16-year-old Margo is forced into a new home with strangers who call themselves her parents. Haunted by memories of her past and consumed by feelings of isolation, she struggles to adapt to her unfamiliar surroundings. School offers little relief—until she meets Lucien, a mysterious boy who appears just when she needs a friend the most.Gabriel is everything Margo needs: kind, attentive, and always ready to whisk her away from her troubles. Each night, he invites her to secret places—an abandoned playground, a fog-choked garden, a crumbling train station at the edge of town—each more unsettling than the last. Yet with every chilling rendezvous, Margo feels more alive... more seen.But something isn’t right. Gabriel never comes to school during the day. Her adoptive parents never see him. And when they catch her talking to thin air, their concern deepens into fear. They say Gabriel isn't real—that he’s a figment of her imagination. Margo wants to believe them, but Gabriel feels real. More real than anything else in her life.As the nights grow colder and more twisted, Gabriel’s true nature begins to surface. Shadows move where they shouldn’t. Time warps in his presence. And the places they visit seem to echo with whispers from another world. Margo is forced to ask herself: Who—or what—is Gabriel? Why does he only want her? And what will happen on the final night he asks her to come with him?As the line between reality and delusion begins to crumble, Margo must make an impossible choice: stay in a world where she feels loved, or return to one that barely feels real.But one thing is certain—some friendships never let go.

Caleb suffered an accident while driving a car that claimed his life. Only to reincarnate in an entirely different world. He thought that it was his second chance to climb the peak of life.However, he died in his second life at the age of five years old tragically. Then he was reincarnated again!He died in his third life at the age of fourteen years old; he died due to various reasons ranging from natural disasters to machinations of people.It was a vicious cycle of dying and reincarnating. His initial confidence and vigor were replaced by horror and fear. He can't seem to get past 18 years old! He noticed a pattern that he was dying before he could even reach adulthood. He didn't know whether his infinite reincarnation was a blessing or a curse.“Who can tell me why can't I get past 18 years old!?”The feeling of dying, again and again, pushed him to the brink of insanity. So Caleb made an oath that he would strive to live past 18 years old and break the vicious cycle! For that, he knew that he needed to give his everything, and do things he didn't want to do, to survive!'Wait how the hell did I get reincarnated in the body of an orc? Not only humans, but I can also reincarnate as a monster!? What's next? A slime? a goblin?' Caleb stared dazedly at the sky, full of questions....Caleb has reincarnated time and time again billions of times. After acquiring enough knowledge, combining different power systems of countless worlds, and strengthening his soul, he found a way to godhood.This is the story of a normal human living a true, eternal life! An actual god!

Transmigration.The word still hit Regal like a cold splash of water - a reminder of how his old life, against all his wild imagination, had ended in the least cinematic way possible.No heroic sacrifice. No tearful goodbyes. Not even a poetic monologue.Just… poof.Lights out, curtains down, and show over.Yet, here he was, still alive.Regal Seraphsail - same name, same dreams, but in a world fourteen years into the past.New packaging, though.It was December 2009, in a world that was almost - but not quite - Earth.Then, there was The System.It rewarded him with skills, scripts, and creativity, all tailored to help him become the greatest storyteller this world had ever seen.For Regal, it was the perfect tool.Because, with or without it, Regal’s singular dream had always been cinema - and he will achieve it this time.From writing world-changing stories to directing films that redefined the industry, Regal was determined to become the biggest figure Hollywood had ever seen.His first step?Penning a book called＜Harry Potter＞and watching it take the world by storm.=====Points to be noted:- This is a Parallel World. With different people, different backgrounds, and different ages. So, expect plenty of unexpected surprise cameos of celebrities.- No Harem (OC Female Lead).- The MC is not a money driven person, but he understands the practical need for success to bring his visions to life.- Don’t expect an overly realistic portrayal of Hollywood’s dark side, other issues, or any overly grim themes.- I am here to write a fun and entertaining story, not to delve into anything beyond that or political themes.=====If you are enjoying the story and want to read early chapters, consider supporting me on Patreon!–> /OrgoWritersI will be posting this story on RoyalRoad, AO3, and ScribbleHub.….

Set on a giant, almost finished bridge between Sadogashima and Niigata. Abandoned by the government, the bridge, and the giant man-made floating island at the center, has become a city of criminals and societal drop-outs.

Set in the same world as Durarara, but 15-20 years later. There is almost no overlap between Etsusa Bridge and the other novels.