Novels by Cliff Hanger

Anna's POV The world had watched Freddie Markson’s death unfold, but now, the world had moved on.His empire had crumbled, his enemies had been silenced, and those who remained knew better than to challenge the ones who had orchestrated it all. Anna and Dorian had won—not just their freedom, but the power to shape their own future.They settled into a life neither had ever dared to dream of.A Life Without FearThe estate that once belonged to Freddie was now theirs, though they had stripped it of anything that reminded them of its former owner. The rooms had been redecorated, the walls painted in lighter tones, the heavy, oppressive air of its previous life erased.Dorian had taken control of Freddie’s financial network, diverting assets, cutting ties with anyone who had been a liability. The wealth was staggering—far more than they could ever need. But it wasn’t about the money. It was about never having to run again.And for the first time in years, Anna felt safe.She spent her d

Anna's POV The world was watching.The chaos erupted within minutes.Freddie Markson was dead.The sprawling estate, once filled with laughter and murmurs of power, now buzzed with panic. Security flooded the halls, hushed conversations turning into frantic whispers as news spread like wildfire. Guests clutched their champagne glasses, some gasping, others exchanging knowing glances—men and women who had spent their lives in high-stakes deals, familiar with the consequences of power plays gone wrong.No one knew what had happened. Not yet.But they would soon.And that was why Dorian moved quickly.He had infiltrated the wedding unnoticed, slipping in through the mass of high-profile guests, blending into the sea of tailored suits and designer dresses. He had watched everything—Anna on Freddie’s arm, the way she smiled at him, the way she played her part so well it made Dorian’s blood boil. He had clenched his jaw through every toast, every scripted glance, every sickening display of

The world was watching.Hundreds of guests filled the sprawling estate, their laughter mingling with the soft notes of a grand piano. The ballroom itself was a masterpiece—vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate gold detailing, chandeliers dripping with crystals that refracted the warm glow of candlelight. Outside, the vast gardens were illuminated with soft lanterns, casting long shadows over the manicured hedges and reflecting pools. Waiters in crisp white jackets wove through the crowd, balancing silver trays laden with vintage champagne, caviar, and delicate amuse-bouches.The guest list read like a who’s who of power—Hollywood elite, Wall Street titans, political dynasties, and foreign dignitaries. They moved through the estate like chess pieces, each conversation laced with subtle negotiations and whispered alliances. Tonight wasn’t just about a wedding—it was a spectacle, an orchestrated display of power.And at the center of it all stood Freddie Markson and Anna.The cameras n

Dorian’s POVDorian woke to cold sheets.At first, he thought that Anna was in the shower or making coffee. But the apartment was silent—too silent. His gut twisted. He reached across the sheets, finding them cool to the touch.For a moment, he lay still, his mind sluggish with sleep, but then it hit him—Sophia was gone. She had taken advantage of the night and slipped out.He slept late which was what had made him wake up late as well. He knew it was futile to search for her on foot since she'd have had a wide head start. His heart pounded as he threw back the covers and sat up. The apartment was silent. Too silent. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and dialed her number. It went straight to voicemail.He tried again. Nothing.Panic gnawed at his insides as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, scanning the dimly lit room. Her things were still here—her shoes by the door, her jacket draped over the chair. But she wasn’t.Moving quickly, he checked the front do

The wind roared around me as the private jet touched down on a long, isolated runway. I had barely spoken since Viktor led me aboard. Part of me still couldn’t believe I had agreed to this. The USB drive he’d given me burned in my pocket, but I hadn’t dared to look at it. Not yet. Not until I knew exactly what I was stepping into.As the plane taxied to a stop, Viktor unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to me. “This is your last chance to turn back.”I met his gaze. “You and I both know that’s not an option.”His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He stood and grabbed his coat, nodding for me to follow. The moment we stepped off the plane, a sleek black car was waiting for us, the driver already holding the door open.I slid into the backseat, my fingers curling into my lap as Viktor settled in beside me. The moment the door shut, the car moved forward, gliding through the night.The estate was massive. Iron gates loomed ahead, the emblem on them gleaming under the dim security lights.

The fear never left me. It clung to my skin, wrapped around my throat and sat heavy in my chest. I told myself I was strong, that I had survived worse, but the truth was, I was exhausted.Every night, I laid awake listening to Dorian’s steady breathing. I imagined them finding us, breaking down the door, dragging us back into the nightmare we had barely escaped. I imagined what they’d do to us.After a while I couldn’t live like this anymore. I knew what I had to do.I waited until Dorian was asleep. He always slept light, but exhaustion had finally caught up to him. It was the only chance I’d get.I moved carefully, easing out from under the blanket, barely breathing as I pulled on my coat. My heart pounded so hard I was sure it would wake him. My boots were by the door. I slipped them on, then hesitated. My fingers hovered over the doorknob.If I left now, there was no turning back.I stepped out into the night.The cold bit at my skin as I pulled my coat tighter, shoving my hands i

After the events of that fateful night—the night that he witnessed Alicia’s betrayal—Billy only had one thought.… To make Alicia his no matter what.He abandoned his principles and any last shreds of dignity.The self-control that held him back snapped, and now that he was unhinged, he could finally see the light.Billy knew what had to be done.He reached out to Evals Redart, and they both struck a deal.He would lure Alicia to the agreed-upon location, and that was where the deed would take place.The only reason he was successful was due to the effects of the ring he had on his right finger—The Ring of Deceit.All he had to do was touch Alicia with it once, and he would be able to transform into whoever she trusted most.Earlier that day, he took the first step of his plan and brushed past her, using the ring to touch her skin.She noticed it instantly and shot him a disgusted look, but Billy knew it was only because she was confused.She misunderstood his intentions.‘This is all

‘I-Is that really Rey…?’Alicia's shock was clear as day when she saw Rey's aggressive scowl. She couldn’t hide it anymore.“GET UP! DON’T TRY TO PLAY THE VICTIM ANYMO—!”“That’s enough!” Alicia yelled out, her eyes staring daggers at Rey.“A-ah, Alicia, don’t mind me. I’m just telling this—”“Save it. I don’t want to hear anything from you…” Rey attempted to explain, but Alicia wasn't having it. She raised her hand and walked past him, completely ignoring his lame excuse.Approaching the waitress, Alicia knelt beside her, gently taking hold of her trembling hands“It’s fine, don’t worry. I’m not mad at you.” The lady seemed immensely surprised by Alicia’s kindness, and even Rey appeared stunned from behind her.However, Alicia had no further business with him.“Please stand up.” She helped the waitress up, and after they both rose to their feet, she nodded and smiled even more broadly.“You made a mistake. It happens. Maybe take the rest of the day off,” she suggested kindly.Sinc

“U-uhh…”Alicia let out a groan as she slowly blinked her eyes open. The room around her was covered in darkness, and her vision struggled to clear the blur. The combination of darkness and her bleary sight made everything a chaotic mess.Her whole body ached and with each movement, her head pounded. Even the simple act of opening her eyes felt like a chore due to the pain that radiated throughout her body.“You’re… awake… huh?” A familiar voice asked, coming from somewhere close by.Though she couldn’t make out the face, she recognized the familiar voice instantly.“B-Billy…?” Her voice was barely a whisper, her throat feeling like it was on fire with each word.Her discomfort made it hard to focus on anything else.‘What happened? Why am I here? Where is this place? Why is Billy—?’Just as Alicia was about to piece together her thoughts, fragments of recent memories flooded her mind.She remembered how Rey approached her in the library, and how they went to a shady shop.And then…

‘S-something came up…?!’As Rey stared into Adonis’ eyes, he could tell that something was terribly wrong.An expression of concern swept through his face and it felt like anxiety was welling up within him.Before Rey realized it, his heart began to race.“Am I in trouble again?” He asked, a bead of sweat forming on the side of his face.“A-ah! No! No! This is something else. You’ll understand once you come with me. Everyone is waiting…”Adonis had never lied to Rey before—at least not to his knowledge. There was no reason to think he was doing so now, but Rey knew he couldn’t be too sure.After a few seconds of internal debate, Rey decided that his best option was to go with Adonis and see what was going on.‘I’ve not done anything wrong or suspicious lately, right? Or could it be another scheme by the mastermind of last time…?’Rey shrugged off his problematic thoughts and left his position, carrying the book he was reading in his hand without realizing it.“Don’t you need to return

“I was only ever interested in one, but when I realized he was a jerk, I cut ties with him.”Alicia then speculated that the senior’s bruised ego might have driven him to spread rumors about her. However, Alicia’s reputation was solid enough that people mostly interpreted it as her casually dating seniors—nothing more, nothing less.Rey's surprise was evident as he muttered, “Oh, wow. I never imagined it was like that.” He turned to Alicia, who simply shrugged in response.“Things aren’t always what they seem. If we listen to everyone’s opinions and don’t take time to form our own, we’ll just end up drowning in misinformation.”Rey thought about Alicia's words, finding them surprisingly insightful, yet he struggled to express his thoughts without seeming cheesy.“That's actually quite smart.” He finally settled on the most neutral way to put it."I know, right?" Alicia replied, her hand playfully sweeping back her long hair as she chuckled, trying to act like a wise diva."Pfft!" Rey

Silence.That was what came first.Suffocating, overwhelming silence, that settled deep into the minds of those who were witnessing what the fallen ones saw.Then, when the silence had stretched thin, horror followed.In the darkness of the Royal Dungeon, the fallen heroes could only helplessly watch as an overwhelming shadow loomed over them.The silhouette of a massive monstrosity that radiated nothing but sheer malevolence.This would be their first encounter with such a being.And from the looks of it… it was fated to be their last. *******[Several Days Earlier]A few days had passed since the entire incident with Adonis.Everyone was initially horrified and perplexed by what they saw, but after Adonis collapsed before them—barely breathing as he explained the situation—they could all understand better.It seemed one of their own—Adam Sanchez—had plotted to kill Adonis.His Skill reacted in instinctive self-defense and killed Adam before the Hero could tell what was happening.A

The rest of the floor exploration was a breeze for Rey.He quickly realized that when he put his mind to it, C-Tier Monsters really weren’t a threat to him.He didn’t even let them get a chance to attack before countering and destroying them, whether they were out in the open or hiding.A few managed to unleash attacks like [Ice Breath], but Rey easily countered them with his [Grand Fire Magic] or [Greater Explosion].He also considered it a waste since he already had an [Icy Breath] Skill.Since they functioned similarly and were of the same Tier, there was no real need to keep the Skill he got from the monster.By the time he arrived at what was supposed to be the Boss Room, he was already Level 25.*******“Status Window,” Rey mumbled.[STATUS WINDOW] - Name: Rey Skylar.- Race: Human (Otherworlder)- Class: Elite Enigma (B-Tier)- Level: 25 (99.19% EXP) - Life Force: 22 (+16)- Mana Level: 84 (+16)- Combat Ability: 30 (+16)- Stat Points: 9- Skills (Exclusive): [Doppel]- Skil

“Haha! Is it all done?” A hefty man, his belly protruding, emerged from the 'staff-only' room.He had blood stains on his hand, and each finger had rings on them. His fat-ridden body moved slowly as he cleaned his bloodied hands with a rag and flung it to the side once he was done.“Oh, Leader? Did you kill that woman already?” One of the men who had secured both Alicia and Billy said with a somewhat disappointed face.“What do you think?” The fat man replied, a twisted grin on his faceThough he had cleaned his hands, stains of red still appeared in some areas.“I-I see… I shouldn’t have asked in the first place."In all honesty, this man—as well as the rest of his six comrades—wanted to have his way with her.He had been looking forward to enjoying the waitress for some time now.‘When we killed her Boss and took over this shop, I expected my time to come soon…’He felt frustrated that his Leader had done away with her already.“She intentionally tripped, that woman. I was watching

After the events of that fateful night—the night that he witnessed Alicia’s betrayal—Billy only had one thought.… To make Alicia his no matter what.He abandoned his principles and any last shreds of dignity.The self-control that held him back snapped, and now that he was unhinged, he could finally see the light.Billy knew what had to be done.He reached out to Evals Redart, and they both struck a deal.He would lure Alicia to the agreed-upon location, and that was where the deed would take place.The only reason he was successful was due to the effects of the ring he had on his right finger—The Ring of Deceit.All he had to do was touch Alicia with it once, and he would be able to transform into whoever she trusted most.Earlier that day, he took the first step of his plan and brushed past her, using the ring to touch her skin.She noticed it instantly and shot him a disgusted look, but Billy knew it was only because she was confused.She misunderstood his intentions.‘This is all

“Haaa… haaa…”A young, dark-haired man stood at the center of what appeared to be a corpse party.His face was hidden behind a dark mask, but his eyes glowed bright red, peering out from beneath the hair that covered his face.In this hellish world, one filled with unbearable heat, steam, and flaming geysers, the young man let out a musty sigh and chuckled.“Hehehe… hahaha… hahahahahaha!!!”Gleaning Monster Cores appeared around him, as well as the destroyed bodies of what appeared to be crimson-looking monkeys—a striking variant of the Monkey Monsters and BigFoot Monsters The creatures had dark, crimson bodies covered in dirt. Now, their bodies were a chaotic mess, with their insides strewn about and cooked by the blistering heat of the area.“Looks like I made it in time!” The boy chuckled, a smirk playing on his lips as he spotted a crawling figure ahead.It was the Boss Monster—a colossal Crimson Bigfoot—struggling to crawl away on just one remaining limb after losing three to th

‘S-something came up…?!’As Rey stared into Adonis’ eyes, he could tell that something was terribly wrong.An expression of concern swept through his face and it felt like anxiety was welling up within him.Before Rey realized it, his heart began to race.“Am I in trouble again?” He asked, a bead of sweat forming on the side of his face.“A-ah! No! No! This is something else. You’ll understand once you come with me. Everyone is waiting…”Adonis had never lied to Rey before—at least not to his knowledge. There was no reason to think he was doing so now, but Rey knew he couldn’t be too sure.After a few seconds of internal debate, Rey decided that his best option was to go with Adonis and see what was going on.‘I’ve not done anything wrong or suspicious lately, right? Or could it be another scheme by the mastermind of last time…?’Rey shrugged off his problematic thoughts and left his position, carrying the book he was reading in his hand without realizing it.“Don’t you need to return

Rey and Adonis didn’t speak another word to each other until they got to the Living Quarters.As they pushed open the door, they found everyone already gathered in the living room, just as Adonis had said.However, it wasn’t just the students there; Conrad and all four members of the Royal Council were also present, along with Lucielle.‘What’s with their faces? They don’t look so good…’ However, that wasn’t the only thing that caught his attention as he entered.He looked hard at the crowd of students before him, counting only twenty-four instead of twenty-six, excluding himself and Adonis.He didn’t see Billy in the crowd, which surprised him since Billy was always a stickler for the rules.However, much more concerning for Rey was the other person who also seemed to be absent.‘Alicia isn’t here…?!’The fact that he hadn’t seen her in the Library as well meant one thing—something had happened to her.‘What’s going on? Is she alright?’As he looked at the downcast expressions of th