Dungeon Needs a Dad - Cozy Dungeon Progression / Found Family Adventure!

noct | satire | Complete

When a dungeon starts behaving strangely, aspiring Dungeon Keeper Aster steps in to unwind its troubles. After fighting his way through deadly monsters, he finds a young girl at the dungeon's heart--a young girl with a dungeon core. Stella has just lost her mother, and on top of that, only now discovered that she, in fact, is the one who should rightfully control the dungeon. Overwhelmed and grieving, she shuts out humans... but one human still breaks through. Together, Stella and Aster will find a compromise between human and dungeon, between the dark, monster-infested world beneath the earth and the bright, human-contaminated world above it. But first... "Hey, will you be my dad?" Spy X Family meets Dungeon Core! [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]

51.12 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:07

Die, Dragon, Die!

noct | satire | Complete

A man who only wants to kill dragons. The only man who can save the world. A man... who might be the most obnoxious force in the entire universe. The adventures and misadventures of a man named Gideon. Die, dragon, die!

55.54 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-11 17:41

Riyria Short Stories

MichaelJSullivan | one_shot | Complete

TWO ROGUES | FOUR SHORT STORIES | ONE CLASSIC FANTASY OF UNLIKELY HEROES The Riyria novels featuring Royce Melborn (a cynical ex-assassin) and Hadrian Blackwater (an idealistic ex-mercenary) have been enthralling fantasy readers for more than 15 years. Now for the first time four short stories and two full-length novels are available for free on Royal Road. You can read these shorts in any order, but if you haven't read any of my books, I suggest starting with The Thieves. The Thieves:THEY ATTACKED TWO RIDERS. THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASY. THEY WERE WRONG.A band of thieves set upon two lonely riders in the middle of the night. They had a larger party. They had the element of surprise. There was no reason to be concerned. But they didn't realize who they were dealing with. The Viscount and the Witch: WHO WILL BE SCHOOLED?A desperate woman seeks help to rid her barn of a drunkard. Hadrian agrees to help, and Royce goes along only to teach his idealistic partner that no good deed goes unpunished. What they find isn't what they expected, and maybe it'll be Royce's opinion that will be changed. Professional Integrity: YOU WANT US TO STEAL WHAT?Several years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start their thieves-for-hire organization, better known as Riyria. Things have gone well enough for the team as they perform tasks for nobles throughout Elan. Usually, that means stealing something, but when a young heiress asks them to steal her . . . well, that's a first for the pair. The Jester: WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH?Stop me if you've heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap . . . and what happens is no joke. When Riyria is hired to retrieve a jester's treasure, Royce and Hadrian must match wits with a dwarf who proves to be anything but a fool. Difficult choices will need to be made, and in the end, those who laugh last do so because they are the only ones to survive. If you enjoy these Riyria short stories, you'll be happy to know there are another 10 full-length novels (2 are available for free on Royal Road) featuring these rogues-for-hire and a total of 19 novels in an epic series that spans 3,000 years. The novels are spread across four collections as seen here. The Riyria Revelations:Theft of Swords(containsThe Crown Conspiracy&Avempartha).". Rise of Empire(containsNyphron Rising&The Emerald Storm) "Heir of Novron(containsWintertide&Percepliquis) The Riyria Chronicles:The Crown Tower " The Rose and the Thorn " The Death of Dulgath ". The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter Legends of the First Empire:Age of Myth " Age of Swords " Age of War " Age of Legend " Age of Death " Age of Empyre The Rise and Fall:Nolyn "Farilane " Esrahaddon

22.48 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:36

The Lil Robot That Could [LitRPG Isekai Adventure]

AlexaLee | one_shot | Complete

Follow Dasher, the food delivery robot, as he fights to deliver food to hungry people, even though the journey is at times scary and perilous. Plagued with fading memories from his life before, he struggles to hold on to his humanity whilst also making sure he keeps the items entrusted to him safe until he reaches his destination.

19.07 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:47

Restart (Reborn as a Reluctant Demon Lord, Book 2)

TitusGM | tragedy | Complete

This is book 2 of the series! If you haven't read book 1 (which you can find here https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/34776/new-game-reborn-as-a-reluctant-demon-lord-book) then you should probably do that first to avoid spoiling yourself in the synopsis. But that's just a suggestion. If you want to be confused, go ahead. Have I used enough space so that you can't see this in the preview yet? Okay, good. ----- For a [Demon Lord], not even death is the end. So, after death, I found myself revived once again in the world of Placeholder as a grotesque monstrosity. That was my first reincarnation, but it would not be anywhere near my last. Disillusioned with the admins and their quests, and wanting nothing more than to fix the mistakes of my past, I set out with a new goal in mind. To bring back the woman I loved. Or maybe... to ensure that she never died in the first place.

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

Xianshi Inn (A contemporary Xianxia novel)

EgaoChan | satire | Complete

He left his home, unwillingly, to a realm of cultivation, Xianshu, mythical manuals and Dao. And now he's here due to a failed attempt at going home, a place bears a lot of resemblance but not the same. "At least it's close enough here. I'll get there on my next jump." Jianmen Yu said to himself, "But while I'm prepping, let me do my old job here for a bit." And there we have it, "Xianshi Inn", run by a cultivator, who's not of this world. Don't mess with it or its employees, the owner will kick your ass, no matter who you are, no matter WHAT you are. The full book of this novel is now available on Amazon, if you would like to support me and my work, head to Amazon and search "Xianshi Inn"! New book from Egao Chan "Poison City" is available and serializing! Check it out!

392.00 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 13:24

139 Years to the End of the World

aden_ng | tragedy | Complete

"My name is Milton Jones. I am one hundred and sixty-nine years old. Welcome to the end of the world." Due to a terminal illness, Milton Jones has just 15 days left to live. When the government offered to cryogenically preserve him to save the world, he will become the judge of humanity. Journey with him through an ever-growing dystopian universe, where he will struggle with the meaning of family and the value of life. Discover whether there is still life left in the years to the end of the world, and if it is truly worth saving.

41.42 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:17

Pluto

MagusJosh | adventure | Complete

Talia Redowl, daughter of the goddess Athena, expected - and definitely wanted - to work for her mother when she graduated. In particular, she was hoping to be assigned as an aide to her older sister, Danae, their mother's Avatar. So when Talia's graduation assignment is to become the Avatar of Hades, the legendarily anti-social and brooding god of the Underworld, she protests&the position has gone unfilled for two thousand years. Why her? Why now? The Fates weave a tangled web, and more is at stake than Talia's plans for her own future.But before she can take up her new post, Talia Redowl must die.Death is just the beginning&

87.43 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:35

Colossus' Dream

Danetello | comedy | Complete

An ancient elemental is awoken in a time that is not his own. He sets off to finally complete the dream he has always had. Armed with the chance granted to him by the strange new system, hewill set off on a journey throughout the ages.

34.89 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:37

Lemon

EmergencyComplaints | comedy | Complete

Lemon is a good girl, smart as any human, even if she does have four legs and a tail. She lives with her master, the great Wizard Hogarth, who is sometimes a little forgetful, very excitable, and often quite smelly. Hogarth loves making new potions, and Lemon is his trusted assistant! Hogarth has been talking about an upcoming wizards' conference for months, and has been eagerly refining his latest work, the Potion of Unlimited Invincibility. It only works for a minute, but during that time, nothing can hurt him. Unfortunately, he rushed off to the conference and forgot the sample potion! It's up to Lemon to get it to him so his big debut isn't a total flop. It's a long trip, but Lemon has plenty of magic to help her along the way, and her master needs her help! Sometimes, a dog's gotta do what a dog's gotta do to save the day. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]

30.45 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:45

The Killing Cat: Vengeance of the Wicked Girl

Mikkei | contemporary | Complete

In an alternative school for delinquent girls Holly Hayfield has no place to belong. Her kind and gentle nature is seen as weakness by the other students. They don't know that she has a dark past just like the rest of them. To make matters worse, the resident sociopath, Valentina, wants Holly's help with a mysterious plan to take over the school. Holly's quest to find a place to belong is hijacked when she uncovers the corpse of a former student. From that moment on mysteries and conspiracies enshroud the school. What begins as the far-fetched urban legend of the Killing Cat turns into grim reality. Will Holly make a place for herself in this dangerous new environment? Or will the school collapse in the shadow of a vengeful spirit? [Cover Details: The girl is Malorie, the former student that the synopsis refers to. She is holding the mask of the Killing Cat (Vigilante/Serial Killer). The cat with her is Nyx, the original Killing Cat.]

282.16 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:19

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

Perspective is Ki (DBZ, YJ, OC)

Elbowsnapper | drama | Complete

Aiden Neve, a CEO of a construction company wakes up inside an Attack Ball that is headed on a course straight back to earth, and it only gets stranger from there. Complete. Young Justice. Dragon Ball Z. OC.

53.66 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:17

The Way Ahead

NorskDaedalus | drama | Complete

Get The Way Ahead on Amazon! Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 What do you do when you don't fit in? Edwin never really felt many connections to other people, but as a physics student, that was fine. He didn't really need it, anyway. He was content to peel back the mysteries of the universe... not that there were many left to find. Modern-day research was just too well-established, too well-trodden for any single enthusiast to make any significant headway. But that doesn't apply to other worlds. Not ones where magic and Skills run rampant, where well-defined roles and Classes dominate much of society with little room for novel experimentation from its residents. That kind of world would be perfect for an overeager, newly-minted Alchemist to make his mark. Things are never that easy, though. The Way Ahead is a very slice-of-life story following the story of someone trying to find his place in a world that doesn't know what to do with him. Expect lots of science, lots of alchemy, a few sarcastic quips by the System, and lots of exploration involving the world, self-discovery, and above all, science. After all, further research is always required. Updates Wednesdays. Congratulations! For writing a story during the month of November, you have unlocked the Royal Road Writathon Participant path!

285.73 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:36

The World That Was

J3P7 | historical | Complete

Planet Earth is broken. Civilisation was plunged back into the Dark Age when the Sun spewed forth the largest solar flare in recorded history. But amidst the ashes, a lone physicist made humanity's greatest scientific breakthrough  time travel. A decade later, the fledgling technology is ready to send a pair of daring pioneers on a one-way journey into the past. When the portal shuts there will be no communication. And no coming back. Even then, Matilda and Harry were enthusiastic volunteers, eager to impart their futuristic knowledge so a subsequent civilisation might mitigate the inevitable celestial cataclysm. But when the inaugural mission goes awry in its opening heartbeats, Matilda finds herself trapped and alone in 12th Century England . She is Chronomad One. Humanity's first time traveller. Check out my website to pre-order a physical copy and see how the book was written, how the cover was designed and how physical copies were hand-bound.

70.48 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:35

B-But I don't WANT to be a protagonist!

Panacea | historical | Complete

Yuri tried, really, but everything conspired against her. Now her peace finally reached an end, and it's up to her to try and get out of the roles the universe gave her."""From childhood friend promises, to beautiful foreign princes, to cute pets and shady items, I shall strike down all those plot flags!"When you hear voices in your head, gods troll you for their enjoyment, and your brother is a stalker, it's easier said than done.-Complete-

65.54 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:39

My Job is a Tailor

van | historical | Complete

It will be awesome, they said. It will be an adventure, they said. Like hell it was! Gargh, what is this mess?! Finding himself reincarnated in a world of magic and swords, Aiven started out as a seemingly below-average boy whose only aspiration was to live and enjoy his new life. That is, until he and his friends met the hero, the demon king and some other suspiciously dead people or something. Sigh, just wake me up to my next reincarnation, maybe next time there's TV and a working toilet! [unreliable story summary] Cover Art: AI (app.wombo.art) Note: I've fixed the first part of the story so there would be a lot of mismatched comments on the chapters posted. (I originally planned to delete and repost everything, but I really appreciate the input of others in creating this story that I can't make myself delete them entirely, XD). Book I is completed with Chapter Summaries.

96.01 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:44

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

Open Source

Aluicious | horror | Complete

A team of bioengineering specialists has been sent to a secret location managed by the mysterious political power known only as the Coalition to develop new technologies in the fields of biological and cybernetic warfare. Just when it seems like they are about to make the breakthrough of the century, the lab goes dark. Join the cleanup crew as they force their way back into the complex and investigate what went wrong, and uncover something that could change the way humans interact forever...

43.43 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:59

Gnarlroot the Eld

RaccoonMage | mystery | Complete

Skeletal Minions aren't supposed to be sentient, but when a Spirit Mage called Azwold bends game rules to complete step 4/11 of his epic questline, he summons the only talking player pet in the game. Join the Eld, his player 'master', and a cast of unforgettable party members as they explore Realms of Lore and work their way through "Gnarlroot the Eld's Stolen Bones" questline.Can they thwart a mounting, game-breaking threat from the cult-like Telemoon guild? Will they discover how the Eld ended up stuck in the role of a video game player's skeletal minion? Or will the Eld remain trapped, forever hungering for answers?***Book One is complete. Finishing 2nd book Summer 2022***Thanks for reading!***Cover art by the lovely and talented Oona Machina***

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