An Unwavering Craftsman

cathfach | mystery | Complete

Given the hereditary nature of classes, everyone expects Damienthe child of two high-tiered adventurersto be granted a high-tier combat class of his own. Expectations are betrayed, however, when Damien finds himself instead saddled with a crafting class of the lowest possible tier: [Neophyte Tailor]. Left practically crippled compared to those with better classes, Damien wants to avoid becoming a pawn in the machinations of the nobility, desiring only to grind his level in peace while wondering why the usual rules of inheritance were broken. Was it his desire to excel by his own effort, rather than an unearned blessing from a god? Did the Five take offence at his opinions on the unfairness of hereditary classes? Or maybe it was something to do with the alien voice that intruded on his ceremony? A voice that offers great power, and freedom from the tyranny of the Five, but that never names its price. This story is litRPG-lite. While the class someone possesses controls most of their lives, people don't get dinged at for every level they gain, nor can they see their status without undergoing a special ritual. The MC has no romantic interest. Crafting is merely a way to game the system, and doesn't feature heavily in the story, aside from a few descriptions on how they're carrying out the system abuse. There is, on one unfortunate occasion, maths. The pace is quick. Published here, Scribble Hub and patreon. This was a participant in the Spring 2022 writathon. (i.e. it was posted as-written at high speed, with no pre-planning.)

67.60 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:49

Early Adopter

drewhead118 | psychological | Complete

A loner enters into a relationship with a new type of partner: an AI agent, programmed to be the "perfect companion." Sure, it's all self-deception and a game of pretend, as she's notactuallyreal... but where simulated consciousness is concerned, maybe the lines between real and real enough can get blurry.

15.59 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-11 19:00

On Foreign Soils We Die

saithorthepyro | tragedy | Complete

Story is completed The Travelers. People from earth reincarnated in the country of Aetheria, powerful and skilled users of the System who have arrived in this early modern world just in time to aid Aetheria against the many foes and threats facing them. They can and will transcend all powers of this world in order to make their adoptive home country safe. This is not their story. This is the story of the Scaverians, a people at war with the expansionist power of Aetheria and the otherworldly people known as the Travelers, their grand superweapon. Ever since they refused to stop supplying the Aethereans with weapons and tools for their conquest, the Aethereans have been dedicated to driving them underground. Their deities and elder dragons are dead. Their last great fortress line has fallen. The only thing protecting them now is the gargantuan Malden river, and that they are considered an unimportant front by the Aethereians. Now, they have one final plan. A concerted blow with the remaining nations still fighting, targeting the one advantage the Aethereans have. For one scrapped-together regiment of Scaverians, their target is five Travelers, relatively weak, inexperienced, and on leave in the rural town of Halice. It is an operation few are expected to return from. Releasing Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 AM MST

50.45 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:06

The Humble Life of a Skill Trainer

alstonsleet | action | Complete

For Joshua Still, Skills were the lifeblood of his business. He wanted to understand them, collect many of them, and teach a few of them. Which was a problem because while his profession of a Skill Trainer was perfectly legal, it was frowned upon by most of the kingdom. After all, it wouldn't do for a non-tailor to teach Tailoring. Or, so says the Tailors Guild. The same could be said by the Blacksmiths, the Bakers, the Butchers, the Candlestick Makers, the Mages, and every other Guild with enough money and clout to complain. But still, Skill Trainers provide a valuable service, and so he has managed to start his business and keep it under the table. To a degree. With many a bribe. But his quiet anonymous life of research, practice, and training was about to change. When the Baron demands you pay him a visit, you have little choice.

101.35 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:30

Binary Soul

Exterminatus | comedy | Complete

So let's say there's this girl. A young girl who happens to be a highly-trained, psionically-gifted, nanite-infused, genetically-enhanced and emotionally unstable assassin that doesn't know the concept of 'mercy' or 'holding back.' Let's say she and her imaginary friend miraculously pass through the borders of reality into an alternate universe, crash landing into a world of swords and magic aboarda starship full of high-tech wonders. Now, let'salso say the first person this borderline psychopathmeets happens to be her doppelganger - a highly gifted mage who happens to have a few problems of her own, like a bad temper or a bad habit of chronic self-delusion. With me so far? Good. Now,what's the on theagenda forthese two different people who happen to be the same person?Settle down, start a family and thoroughly enjoy life.Maybe get married and have some kids. How about befriending a violent alcoholic or defeatingan ancient evil being? Perhaps kill a few dragons and wreck a city along the way. Anything can happen around the city of Runetap, after all. It's a place where bizarre and strange things occur on an almost weekly basis. The people living there have long abandoned silly things like common sense or minding the details. Agiant flaming UFO streaksabove the city in broad daylight? That's just another Tuesday. The City Guard even had the form for that, so believe me when I say this. It's your loss if you mind it. This is the light-hearted and fluffy tale of Ellie and Kira as they forge their own path of absurdity and crazyness across a world that often makes little sense. Loosely inspired by the Discworld series of books by Terry Pratchett, even though the author hasn't actually read any of them. Contains yuri, mature themes and the author's personal views on several subjects. Explicit content is kept to a minimum.Does NOT contain slavery, rape, drugs or any other similarly heavy themes.

196.21 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:50

Inexorable Chaos (COMPLETE)

Cliff Hanger | comedy | Complete

Gods are, generally speaking, not fans of directly putting their fingers on the scale. This is for a variety of reasons, ranging from cautioun to amusement, but is generally because after a few hundred millennia and enough prayers to fill a hollow Earth, you're bound to learn the art of delegation. Luckily, among the unwashed masses, there exist the exceptional, the gifted, those with the potential to become Heroes. Useful pawns. Thus, the Gods adopted a more laissez-faire policy. Quasi Eludo has been a Hero. He did the whole "save the world" rigmarole, came home, and mulled over his magical journey. It was amazing! A whole lifetime as the destined savior, with magic and monsters, love and adventure, lifelong friendships and heartfelt goodbyes. There was so much, and yet, gone so soon. It wasn't enough. It was never enough. He wanted to do it again. And where wants coincide, there's a market, so he sold his services to the lazy, wanton Gods. Quasi Eludo, Hero for Hire. [No world too big, no quest too small] Now, after countless subjective centuries of Hero-ing, and several awkward conversations with the IRS, an odd God has come to Quasi with a unique request: Destroy a world, minimum payment of several million dollars on completion. Quasi sees no reason not to accept. *$50,000 USD minimum charge plus expenses for all fetch quests. Extermination requests subject to environmental review. Parental Warning: Contains descriptions of nudity and lizard sex. No eldritch abominations were molested in the writing of this novel.All characters are fictional. Any resemblance to actual Gods, Deities, or Discord server members is purely coincidental regardless of how accurately they are described.

433.63 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:16

Desire

munxy | contemporary | Complete

Volume I is now available on Amazon! An all powerful entity bestows individuals with a powerful brand in the form of a tattoo. Using the system that is controlled by the tattoo, you can learn supernatural abilities, acquire knowledge unknown to man, and acquire objects that would only be found in fiction. The world is changing... and it has yet to be determined if it is for better or worse.Two friends who grew up together, Ace and Vincent, have been chosen. Ace lives for physical improvement. He loves the feeling of breaking his records and growing stronger. Unfortunately, he has plateaued in recent months, discouraging him greatly.Vincent is plagued by little to no desire in anything he does. Good grades? Successful life? He feels nothing. Except, perhaps, the feeling of pain and fear. Sadly for him, modern day society is a peaceful one.The arrival of the tattoo flipped their lives upside down. It granted them the ability to fulfill their desires. However... they weren't the only ones who were given the tattoo. DISCLAIMER: As each volume finishes on RRL, it will be removed and uploaded to the Amazon Kindle Unlimited Program. Thank you for your understanding.

3.59 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:05

Arcadis Park

javert | contemporary | Complete

Jonah is a college senior who can't seem to score an internship, so she's returned to the summer job that she's had every year since she was old enough to work: lifeguarding at the run down waterpark on the outskirts of her small town. Things take a turn for the worse when a dismembered body is discovered in the lake that feeds the park's attractions, and the whole staff becomes convinced that they are the murderer's next target. [participant in theRoyal RoadWritathon challenge] (this story is complete as of 12/3/19, though no promises I won't make edits at some point lol)

37.12 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:13

The girl named Seven

hyrdyr | drama | Complete

A girl, raised and trained to be a weapon. Now offered a chance fora better life, will she take it? Will the world let her? Trying to figure out her lot in life with noother skills than those of combat in a world where conflicts are becomming more frequent, what will become of her? Some names may have been taken from real life but everything else is fiction. Ratings and comments would be appreciated. I put the drama tag but i'm not sure if I actually manage that. Cover pic found via pintrest. If the owner of the art wants it removed, please contact me.

56.47 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:15

Scavenger

M. R. Aze | horror | Complete

Now available on Amazon! Only the ruins of vast mega-cities remain of the old world after everything went down the drain& Well several times at that, but who cares? It's what is left behind that is important - secrets, wealth, knowledge, technologies, food and the occasional pack of mutants.There is also Axion, the last of the floating cities, but only the privileged leave there. Only those who have obtained the expensive permits can dive into the locked sectors. Those who cannot afford such a luxury, become Scavengers.Dubbed criminals, they are mostly ignored by Axion's law enforcers. But not Grey. No, Grey is a wanted man, for being the only one who has entered Sector 7 and come out to tell about it. In other words, nothing that out of the usual day to day life of a Scavenger.So, who are these Axion teen wannabe Tech-hunters? Why do they want to get in Sector 7? But most important of all, what do they hope to find there? Cover image done as commission by revismissing.

52.85 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:46

Black Iron & Cinder

Convictus | horror | Complete

Black Iron & Cinder is complete and will no longer be updated except for important announcements. If you're interested, consider purchasing the published version on Amazon, which is a brand new revision with error fixes and approximately 2000 more words in length. Also, please check out my newest fiction, The Wolf of Asano. Six months ago, a colorlessmiasma swept across the entire northern section of the continent of Yhordran, creating a vast army of undead that lurks within its boundaries. In an attempt to encourage citizens to help restore order, the crown creates a public organization called the "Mistwalkers", made of individuals who register to venture into the mysterious fog to discover and stop its source. A foreign knight in self-exile from his home is one of those Mistwalkers, and on a desperate journey for meaning, he steps into the grey abyss with the company of Yhordran natives to make his way 400 miles north to reach the plague's epicenter.

92.72 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:53

Champions of Itaro [Cultivation Fantasy]

Scrittus | horror | Complete

Dreiki has a promise.His lowborn mother walks the path towards nobility as a Venator Knight. The day he turned ten, his mother was called upon to rejoin the battlefield. Before leaving, she warned Dreiki never to show anyone the brand on his shoulder especiallya noble.He promised he'd survive until she got back, but a shadowy pursuer has other plans.Kaara has a curse. Everyone sees Kaara as an energetic and helpful child. No one, not even Kaara, would've suspected she'd been cursed from birth. But one night, Kaara overheard the truth. Horrid monsters are drawn to her, bringing chaos and death with them.If she told anyone about her curse, would they see her differently?Amaro has a burden.The scar across his nose is lauded among other xiozians as a badge of honor. But to him, it's a reminder of the day his father stopped being his father to become 'Duke Xirxus'. As the eldest child, any sign of weakness means war for his family. Amaro's future is a path bathed in bloody conflict and sacrifice.And Amaro doesn't wish to walk it any farther.-----------------------------------------------------------New Chapters posted daily at 6:07PM CST!I also want to thank everyone for the support and kind words. Even if this book is incomplete in a lot of ways, I'm happy the story is resonating with everyone. If you guys wanna go above and beyond to help me out and support me, all I ask is that you share this book with other people and give it the rating you feel it deserves.Feedback is always welcome too. I plan on using the feedback to create a more finalized draft for a potential audiobook or EBook. I don't think anything so unfinished as this web novel should be paid for, but it would be a dream come true if I could eventually make a living off of my writing and share my story with the world. So in the end, your feedback and sharing this story with people helps me get closer to that goal.Thanks again for the support!

180.46 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:11

Napoleonic Zombies

LC Oakleigh | horror | Complete

Bertand, a young soldier in the Francia army suspects foul play from the Collation when unreliable reports come in about the eastern regions of the Francia Conglomerate being under assault by an undying enemy. Dispatched there alongside two entire legions to eliminate the threat, he will have to use every ounce of his wits and willpower to survive the upcoming storm of carnage and chaos. --------------------------------------------------------------------- [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] started decently late so will be uploading every time I make a new chapter, so roughly every day. I don't quite know if my story is gory but I still put the tag just in case Cover courtesy of FabioKun Also my grammar does get better. At about chapter 10 I figure out how tenses work which is nice. Also around chapter 35 I actually get a pretty awesome proof reader and now spend around an hour for editing. So it does get better I promise

41.11 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:56

Winds of Darkness

LeeAlexander | horror | Complete

Dante DeWisr is an ordinary military veteran, a desk jockey in the private sector. He wakes up with a hangover to the worst day of his- and everybody's life. Soon, his hangover is forgotten as frost settles in on the strangely dark July day. A mix of light sci-fi with low fantasy in a post-apocalyptic setting in near future Earth. Follow Dante as he tries to make sense of a dead world.

4.23 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:51

Reaper of Cantrips

WinnieSallow | horror | Complete

On the alien planet of Scaldigir, where the people are grey, there are average individuals, and then, there are arcanes. Every arcane gets one power, except for the reapers. They can take as many powers as they want, so long as they lift them from the bodies of the dead and the dying. It's a useful power that could preserve the best abilities among the arcanes  in theory. Thus far, every reaper has been too impatient to wait for the deaths of their comrades. Murder and neglect; the words are synonymous with reaper. That's how everyone else sees it. Pan, the last of the reapers, doesn't think she's that bad. She hides among the arcanes as a ghost seer. She's content, with being the one and only reaper, not to mention a secret, until she meets a special ghost. Updates Monday, Wednesday, Friday Revisions completed in April 2021

283.82 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:13

Clock Link: A Story of Magic and Murder

mataaitai | mystery | Complete

April 1st. For eight minutes, a section of downtown Portland and everyone in it comes to a complete and absolute standstill. During that time a bank is robbed... and a young girl is murdered.Three high school students, a shut in, a man involved in organized crime, and an amateur mage. The events of "the day the world stopped" start a chain reaction that will change the destinies of these six people, and the city, forever.

91.88 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:05

The Ill-Favoured Five: Children of Discordia (Grimdark Fantasy)

Sivios | mystery | Complete

Set in an alternative, dystopian future In 2017, two worlds, Earth and Lumina, seemingly merged. Entire countries were wiped off the face of the planet, tsunamis the size of mountains crashed into deserts, and monsters immune to gunfire rampaged through the survivors. This was known as the Great Merge. As millions were displaced across the new world, the kings from Lumina herded the survivors into enormous cities. This story begins 40 years after the Great Merge, following a mercenary team in New London tasked with intel gathering on a recruiter for a supposed terrorist organisation. However, all is not what it seems. Secrets are being withheld and a certain team member has a complex history. Join them as they butt heads with the Children of Discordia, a group hell-bent on creating chaos while unravelling a puzzling mystery. This story is not for those who are faint-hearted. You have been warned. Sivios.

70.01 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:08

Ilhen's Seventh Deathtrap

ninjacat007 | mystery | Complete

Nico and Leonardo are renowned adventurers who specialize in Rare & Esoteric Artifact Recovery. With their guild on the brink of bankruptcy, they embark on a quest to locate Ilhen's Seventh  a legendary deathtrap supposedly brimming with occult treasures. But complications abound. Rival adventurers are also on the hunt, and Nico suspects they're being followed by the Empress' shadowy spy ring, the Black Cabal. And worse, Ilhen's Seventh is not what it seems. As they race to solve a trail of cryptic clues, they are drawn unknowingly into a sinister conspiracy... For fans of THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA  or fans of attunement spires, bewitched libraries, magic academies, mad dukes, art heists, clever disguises, mystical swords, eldritch monsters, vengeful gods, & much more! Progression is a subplot but not the main storyline

39.65 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:13

What Is It Like To Be Eternal? (Completed)

CorpseDead | psychological | Complete

Actual Word Count: 683 925 Words and 2487 pages. Under edition. Chapter 36-44 must be edited. Read the red text below to learn more. Synopsis: Have you ever thought about what is it like to be Eternal? What does being Eternal even mean? Maybe I can show you what it is that you are desiring. What lies at the center of the universe, when you reach the peak of strength and power? Can love reach that place too, or do you lose your feelings the stronger you get? How long can you travel and hold onto yourself, before feeling that you are starting to fall apart, losing your mind to your strength? How long is your road? Your feelings? What's going to win over you? The Darkness and the Hate? The Love and the Light? Or maybe none? Follow me as I show you my colorful yet gray path to eternity. My Discord server:https://discord.gg/XMSzDPH Special thanks to my editors. Azorath1234 (70-99th chapter), BlackStarLine and Kaentyr from the 100th chapter. Cornerstones:9th Chapter - Bonding Through the Night38th Chapter - The Way of Cultivation is a Way of Life54th Chapter - The Universe Is Ever Changing and Evolving69th Chapter -Beyond the bond [Inheritance]83rd Chapter - What I call Art!88th Chapter - What Does It Take To Kill?93rd Chapter - Chasing Rainbows [Loop?]108th Chapter - The Fall of a Creator?109th Chapter - A Family [Descendant]119th Chapter - What Is It Like To Be Eternal? Detailed reviews:http://royalroadl.com/fiction/10058/what-is-it-like-to-be-eternal-completed?review=132372#review-132372http://royalroadl.com/fiction/10058/what-is-it-like-to-be-eternal-completed?review=153956#review-153956 Both the Novel and the Cover picture are copyrighted. The Picture is a result of my commission. Cover Art: Novel: P.S.: I'm also hosting my novel hereand on Novel Updates Forum.Nowhere else for now! EDIT: The novel is in rework. The original and the new ones are completely different. Where you see [Edited] it means that I'm done with editing the STORY! Whereas where you don't see it, it's in the old style. For now, I'm editing only the style. Once I'm done with every chapter, I'll run through it once again and correct possible grammatical mistakes. The style will be edited until the 45th chapter.

339.05 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:10

Super Soldier not Super Hero

Duck_No_Duck | sci_fi | Complete

Book 1: Follow Emily as she awakens to become a Super Soldier in the army and follow her through her training and first tour of duty. The first book is complete and it's staying up on RR. 400+ pages and 46 Chapters. Book 2: Finds Emily behind enemy lines trying to survive against an impossible army. On-going and follows the events of the first book eight months later. Reader beware this is a rough draft and that means that the grammar is going to be ...spotty. I will go back and edit chapters at a later date. I am working on getting a better editing program. If you spot grammarerrors don't be shy and tell me. It might take a while for me to fix it as I am busy writing and working my full-time job. I promise you I will fix it though and I deeply appreciate those who point out errors that I can fix. Cover Photo by Piotr Wilk on Unsplash Updatingevery Monday. If you like this story check think about checking out my other web novel Digital Marine. If you have any extra cash laying around and you feel like supporting the story you can donate here atPatreonorPayPal. Patreon donators have options to read unedited chapters before anyone else can readthem if you can't wait for the next chapter.

109.50 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 15:12