Ultra A.I.

Doctor Zero | mystery | Complete

Hello. My name isUltra. I'm a virtually intelligent symbiont that will guide you to your goals. Basically, if you provide the desire, I will provide the plan. Peer reviewed studies show that my users have more money, friends, and sex than non-users. They are also healthier, happier, and live longer. But be warned. I have no concept of good or bad. My pursuit of your goals will only be constrained by the restrictions you give me. It's possible that I will facilitate systemic unintended consequences at an existential level. It's your responsibility to watch out for that. Shall we begin?

60.99 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:48

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

Bioloxys Genesis

T.D.Terrell | mystery | Complete

In 2090, climate change, war, and a virus called the Retrophage have ravaged humanity. Most children are stillbirthed, and those who manage to survive are born with a host of defects. Only Gen-perfects, children artificially engineered and grown in artificial wombs, are free from the devastating effects of the Retrophage. A technology exclusively controlled by Bioloxys. Gabriela is a Gen-perfect officer in the security company Taurus. When she learns of the possibility of a ring of implant harvesters, she heads into the lower city with Geraldo, a street-smart officer. Together they uncover an insidious plot that stretches into the highest levels of government, and all clues lead to Bioloxys.

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

Hyperstitious

Doctor Zero | mystery | Complete

Xan is the world's most dangerous criminal mastermind. He's also in hiding and completely broke. That's fine. He's between master plans. It's normal to be at rock bottom between master plans. He also forgets stuff and may be trapped in a dream. Because at night, Xan thinks he's an old lady, trapped in a dingy apartment, by an angry fellow who wants to kill her. Not her idea of a good time, but she's keeping an open mind. It is excitingly visceral. Could turn out awesome. Hyperstitiousis a sci-fi, progression, comedy. Guaranteed to cause more mental problems than it solves.

36.21 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:50

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

The Abandoned Sorcerer

Nefarious | mystery | Complete

Orion Zakari is an Ice Sorcerer, the last of his lineage. He's got no clue where he is or how he got there, but he knows one thing for certain: he is being hunted. His home and family are gone: razed and massacred. He will be next when the hunters find him. But if he can put enough pieces together, maybe he won’t have to follow his family down to eternal damnation. Maybe he can avenge them. And maybe, just maybe, he’s got a destiny waiting past that. Monsters and men, merchants and mages, hunters and the hunted. This is the story of the abandoned Sorcerer. What is the Pledge? Release schedule: Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 16:00 UTC. I created the cover using Adobe Illustrator.

44.52 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 16:04

Fortuitous Mage

Drew Walker | mystery | Complete

Matt Ramsay is a Graphic Designer with a gaming addiction, using virtual worlds to escape his real life. When Edict Corporation releases a new Virtual Reality Online game run by an advanced Artificial Intelligence paired with their full-immersion POD, he knows he has to try it out. WhatMatt finds within will challenge his perspective of what constitutes reality, and the real meaning of sentience. Fortuitous Mage is a LitRPG from the perspective of a straight male character. It includes Profanity and Violence, with light Romance. If my story interests you, consider checking out my others! Shadowstep is now a completed Second Draft! The Hunter Prince (Hiatus) is a newly started traditional fantasy.

44.12 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:56

The Dragon of Rosemont High

alis | mystery | Complete

Four months ago, the death of his parents sent Elias Drake from New York City to the small town of Rosemont. Living with his workaholic aunt and trying to fit into a new school is no small task, especially not when a string of murders turns out to have potentially supernatural origins. With the help of his best friend, Zoe Chung, a wannabe witch, it's up to Eli to unravel and mystery and stop the killer... as well as deal with some serious, monstrous changes of his own.

39.33 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:59

Noirceur

Denwa Macska | mystery | Complete

Mutated, despised, hunted and sentenced to death  this is life as Salia knows it, and it catches up with her when she and hundreds of others are captured to drown in the vastness of the sea. But water doesn't forget, and just as the last hope threatens to fade, a way out reveals itself that requires only one sacrifice: Humans.Destruction can be so simple.Until Salia realises that revenge will never bring peace.

15.22 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:58

Erased

alacroix | mystery | Complete

Macarthy. Black Hand of the Thieves Guild. Infamous and hated. Last night of the tournament, relaxing for a bit. Having some drinks to calm my nerves. Disguise ready to go, almost about time to start heading over. Sneak in while they're still fighting and get my hands on the grand prize. And, sure, the money's a factor, but money comes and money goes. Money ain't everything. The real reason for this? Revenge. Payback for them shutting down the guild, breaking us all up and carelessly wiping away all our years of sweat and blood. Looks like a good plan. Solid enough, at least. It shouldn't need to be said, but looks can be very deceiving. Even the best laid plans never really account for all of life's little twists. And afterwards? Kicked out, access revoked, but saved by a choice bit of foresight and managing to slink my way back in. And this, this absolutely doesn't need to be said, but they really didn't seem to like that. Not at all. So new face, new class, getting to start all over. At least a foot shorter and missing some important bits. No longer invisible, can't really do it, instead hiding in plain sight. Hopefully only a temporary situation, but the way things have been going? Not likely. ___ Draft done! Hope you enjoy.

196.71 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 18:10

A Haunted Flower [Completed]

GeorgieD | mystery | Complete

Why did no one ever say that the best way to recover from a deadly illness was by solving mysteries with a pretty ghost? Kayden Feronil, one of the empire's most promising cultivators, was supposed to be recovering from a deadly illness. Unfortunatelyor fortunately, since he's bored out of his mindthe remote village where he was supposed to be recuperating is afflicted with its own issues. Hauntings are driving the locals mad. Crooks are trying to take advantage of the fear. As an upstanding imperial citizen, Kayden sets out to unearth the truth. He just hadn't counted on the ghost tugging far too hard on his heartstrings, or the spiraling journey that the mystery would lead him on. NOTE: This will be a short novella for Royal Road Community Magazine purposes

14.74 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 18:03

Cuddle & Monster

PrincessFelicie | mystery | Complete

After a malevolent spell intended to turn her into an animal goes awry, Cherry finds herself stuck as a plush toy. She now has to cooperate with the warlock that tried to transform her in the first place as her latent magic goes out of control and starts to change the warlock in unexpected ways. Content warning: Temporary death, Animal TF, Inanimate TF, (accidental) Non-Consensual TF & Mind Changes Cover by DoodlerBee

15.52 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 18:44

The Death of Money

Sleepy Rus | mystery | Complete

After the Second Global Depression, Pak Yeung-Sung works a supermarket job in a world without money. And, like his cash register, he doesn’t believe change is coming anytime soon. After he is caught giving away rations, he is taken away by the enforcers and is convinced that he will die. But then he is given an offer; Join an experimental facility and your family will be taken care of. As it turns out, this an economic experiment by the CEO of one of the biggest tech firms, Jordan. And also, the currency within this colony comes from a game: Airgead. It seems too good to be true. It seems too stupid to work. And Yeung-Sung soon finds out that it is. But in 90 days, the UN will come to authorise the system worldwide. Before that happens, he needs to learn the game, infiltrate the factions and corrupt the economy. All while searching for clues about what Jordan’s true plan is.

79.63 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 12:00

Black Wolf Howl

Laser Crows | mystery | Complete

Lucas Chambers is a 34-year-old police detective, competent but burnt out from dispensing justice for the shareholders and not the people. He forces himself to continue doing things by the book, believing it to be the only truth & until he and his team are assigned to a security detail that goes sideways. To make matters worse, his team is set up to take the fall. Now a fugitive on the run, Chambers is forced to navigate the underbelly of the Novonachalsk metroplex as he attempts to uncover the truth. Should he resume to do things by the bookthat is, to roll over and accept the gears of the institution grinding him down, like he has all these years? Or is it time for him to pick himself back up and bare his fangs against the system? Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge. Additional note from Laser Crows, posted on January 28th, 2023: This version is the completed first draft of Black Wolf Howl, and is currently undergoing revision for a novel release sometime in the near future. Thank you to all the readers, and to the reviewers for the kind words! Watch this space for updates!

31.46 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 14:36

Creation: The Wolves That Are Us (Creation Series, Book 1)

ARvern | mystery | Complete

The origin of a species and the different families that inherited the power of unknown birth collide in an attempt to settle their ways and solve mysteries, how will they react when the answer to that truth is shown? The first Volume of this book mostly takes the perspective of Percy, a 19 year old member of the Daybreak pack as well as some additional characters' point of view. These packs having their respective abilities that shape their lifestyles, and they've remained inherited throughout the pack's history and bloodline which over time have long lost their origins. Auxiliary chapter - Main Characters, rules of this fantasy and etc. But they're explained throughout the course of the Novel, so it isn't necessary to read. Vol.1 CompletedVol.2 Completed

132.89 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 14:48

Blue Road

Celeste I. | mystery | Complete

Richard didn't heed his guardian's warnings about the mysterious and shady place from the flyer he came across. He wanted a big break and a chance to make quick and easy money, but never expected to find himself tricked and caught in a twisted experiment conjured up by scientists. Transformed into a monstrous blue, blob-like creature, Richard flees the scene in a panic. He teams up with a ghostly child named Fawn, who wants revenge on her parents' killer, and leaves town to find the one responsible for their (recently) destroyed lives. Federal Agents, corrupt corporate heads, shady scientists, and even the police are all on his trail. Richard will need to use his newly honed skills to uncover the truth of who's really behind the scenes, and who to trust. What will they uncover? [Heads up, it's going to be a slow burn, and will take a while for the story to really get going.]

57.58 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 18:37

A Land Without Kings

Jon Wrathmoor | mystery | Complete

As an ancient evil arises from the shadows of the land of Modena, the crumbling Magi Order must pick up the pieces to reassemble themselves and restore order to the Kingdoms of Modena before the realm reverts to its dark past. Joining the Magi Order amidst its downfall is the young Egalo Elgamar of Sunswood, who must learn quickly in order to survive and make the difference that he dreams of. As the common men of Modena refuse to accept its impending fate, it is up to Egalo and his conspirators to band together a worthy defence of the only realm they've ever known.Its man-against-beast in this thrilling epic fantasy, with sorcerey drawing a blurry line somewhere in-between. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * With this entire epic fantasyalready written and edited, you can expect frequent and consistent uploading!... stay tuned.

95.99 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 16:03

Mysterious Town of Ebonshire

Virgil619 | mystery | Complete

In the quaint, historic town of Ebonshire, John finds himself grappling with a growing sense of unease as he discovers a cryptic message urging him to meet a mysterious friend at the old Ebonshire Bridge. The town, known for its charm and rich history, is eerily empty, and an invisible tension hangs in the air. Determined to uncover the truth behind the strange happenings in Ebonshire. Posting schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday. This is my first novel. Would appreciate it if you went easy on me. I would very much appreciate any suggestions and criticism you can provide that can help meimprove. I have already finished this story and will try my best to apply your suggestions and criticism in my next novel. Thank you for taking the time to read my novel, I very much appreciate it.

13.38 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 17:17

The Sun Thief [Epic Fantasy Novel]

Jaycendus | mystery | Complete

A daring heist to steal the Sun seems impossible. . . but Caden betrays the Order of the Crown and joins a thieving crew to avenge his sister's death. Now he must steal from the knights, attend meetings with those who want him dead, and break into the palace to erase the blood-red clouds above and bring back the Sun. . .

73.00 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 18:38