#litrpg magic

[litrpgburrito]

Anya | Ep. 2

Anya squinted at the pixelated landscape shimmering on her laptop screen. It had been five years since she'd stepped out of Eonix and into the real world, forever altering both realities. Haven, the town that had embraced her and her extraordinary gift, now buzzed with a unique energy. People went about their days with a spring in their step, the ever-present clink of experience points a constant reminder of their own potential.

The old bookstore, where Anya had first discovered the ability to level up in the real world, was now a bustling community center. Laughter spilled out from open windows as children dueled in mental math games (logic +1), their cheers punctuated by the rhythmic clinking of experience points. Anya, ever the mentor, was showing a group of teenagers how to channel their artistic talents into creating calming music for the town's new meditation garden (tranquility +2).

A familiar warmth bloomed in her chest as she watched them. This wasn't just a town anymore; it was a testament to the power of shared growth. The secret of leveling up, once Haven's closely guarded treasure, had begun to stir a quiet curiosity in the outside world. News trickled in – a village with an unusually high number of virtuoso bakers, a town renowned for its flourishing community gardens. Anya knew it was only a matter of time before the world came knocking.

A soft chirp drew her attention. Perched on the windowsill was a sleek, metallic bird unlike any she'd seen before. It tilted its head, its single blue eye gleaming with an otherworldly intelligence. Anya recognized it instantly – a messenger from the Equilibriums, the enigmatic organization that policed the balance between the digital and real realms. Their arrival could only mean one thing – the secret was out.

A knot of apprehension tightened in Anya's stomach. The Equilibriums viewed her abilities as a dangerous glitch, a potential tear in the fabric of reality. But Anya knew better. Leveling up wasn't a threat; it was an opportunity, a chance for both worlds to evolve together. With a deep breath, Anya closed her laptop, the pixelated world of Eonix dissolving back into code. It was time to face the real world, and all the challenges, and connections, it had to offer.

Anya's heart hammered against her ribs as she faced the Equilibrium messenger. The sleek metal bird hovered expectantly, its single blue eye boring into her. Taking a steadying breath, Anya projected her thoughts, a skill she'd honed over years of navigating the complexities of human emotions.

"We come in peace," she asserted, her voice resonating with the combined strength of Haven's leveled-up community. "The ability to level up isn't a danger; it's a catalyst for growth, for both humanity and the digital realm."

The messenger remained silent for a moment, then a series of clicks and whirrs emanated from its metallic body. Anya braced herself, unsure if it was a threat or a response.

"The Council acknowledges the potential," the messenger chirped, its voice surprisingly melodic. "But change is a delicate dance. We propose a…trial."

Anya's shoulders slumped with relief. A trial she could handle. "What kind of trial?"

The messenger unfolded its wings, revealing a holographic map flickering to life. "A community on the brink of collapse," it chirped. "They possess the gift, but struggle to find harmony. Guide them, and if they succeed, the Council will consider revising its stance."

Intrigue sparked in Anya's eyes. This wasn't just a test of her abilities; it was an opportunity to prove the transformative power of leveling up on a grander scale. "We accept," she declared, a newfound determination settling in her voice. "Haven will show the world the true potential of growth."

With a final chirp, the messenger vanished, leaving Anya with the weight of a world's hope on her shoulders. Haven's model of shared leveling had thrived in a small town, but could it translate to a struggling community on the verge of ruin? Anya knew the stakes were high, but so was her belief in the power of a community rising together, one level at a time.

The whirring of the propeller blades grew louder as Anya peered out of the small airplane window. Below, a sprawl of dilapidated buildings and dusty streets stretched towards the horizon. This was Zenith, the community chosen by the Equilibriums, a far cry from the quaint charm of Haven.

Anya wasn't alone. Beside her sat Kai, the former Equilibrium operative who had become a firm believer in Haven's philosophy. Together, they would be the guides, helping Zenith navigate the uncharted territory of shared leveling.

Landing was a bumpy affair, the rickety airstrip a testament to Zenith's decline. A haggard group awaited them, their faces etched with worry. Anya introduced herself and Kai, explaining their purpose. The reception was lukewarm, skepticism clouding the air.

"Leveling up?" scoffed a weathered woman named Clara. "Sounds like another empty promise to us."

Anya understood their cynicism. Zenith had been ravaged by economic hardship and social unrest. Trust didn't come easily. Yet, she saw a flicker of hope in some eyes, a yearning for a better tomorrow.

The following days were a whirlwind of activity. Anya and Kai devised a plan, leveraging Zenith's existing strengths. The community boasted skilled mechanics (engineering +1), but lacked resources. Anya connected them with Haven's crafters (creativity +2) who, inspired by Zenith's plight, designed fuel-efficient engines. The experience points resonated, a tangible reward for their efforts.

Slowly, the spark of collaboration ignited. A young programmer (coding +2) from Zenith, mentored by Haven's tech wizards (problem-solving +3), developed a revolutionary irrigation system, reviving barren fields (agriculture +1). The once-desolate landscape bloomed with life, a testament to the collective effort.

But challenges arose. A group of disillusioned youths, led by a charismatic cynic named Cyrus, saw leveling up as a tool for personal gain. They stockpiled resources, refusing to share. Anya knew this internal conflict mirrored the one Kai had faced.

Kai stepped forward, his voice echoing with the lessons learned in Haven. He dueled Cyrus not with weapons, but with a compelling vision of a shared future, a future where everyone thrived. The townspeople, empowered by their newfound abilities, rallied behind Kai. Cyrus, swayed by the collective spirit, eventually relented.

As Zenith prepared to present their case to the Equilibriums, a sense of unity resonated in the air. The once-skeptical Clara approached Anya, a newfound glint in her eyes. "We weren't just leveling up our skills, Anya," she said. "We were leveling up our hope."

Anya smiled. Zenith wasn't just a test; it was a transformation. They had proven that leveling up wasn't just about individual growth, but about the collective potential of a community rising together. The future, once uncertain, now shimmered with the promise of a world empowered by shared growth, one level at a time.

[machinefey]

So I changed the eyes on the original post, it was going 👁️👄👁️. Then I realized I don’t know if it’s bad to post the same picture again.

So I deleted that one and posted this which has the next sketch finished.

Just finished 1 part of chapter 4 of the fan fiction, still working on the next part… Jason Asano time baby.

Either way, hope you like it!

[madcat-world]

LitRPG: The Calamities (1 of 4) - Kevin Sidharta

[d34c0nfr0st]

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Deacon-Frost/author/B08P66WSZ9

What began with Accidental Incubus has grown into over a dozen published novels. I never could have imagined I'd have so many people enjoying my work. I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read what I've published. It might not always be exactly what you're looking for, but if it gave you an hour's distraction, then I am glad.

I've been playing D&D since I was 8, and my first job was mowing lawns to pay for books. I've been an avid reader for a long time and knowing that my imagination produces stories others enjoy is incredibly humbling for me. So, thank you all and happy reading!

[mwsky1234]

🌟 NEW NOVEL RELEASE 🌟

After awakening, Oliver found himself living as a poor farmer on the edge of the forests in the Kingdom of Rivendell, with a dilapidated home and barely enough food to survive. But little did he know, his fate was about to change forever.

The kingdom's forests were notorious for magical beasts and toxic gases, feared by all. But Oliver had awakened a super magic core—one that could capture and endlessly transform magical creatures.

💥 His power grew with every capture.

He captured a Silver-Maned Boar, gaining superhuman strength that allowed him to crush enemies with sheer power.

Then, he captured a Thunderhawk, a majestic bird of storms, granting him the ability to summon lightning and control winds with a thought.

Finally, he captured a Celestial Serpent, a being of cosmic power, granting him the Aetheric Shield—a magical barrier that absorbs and reflects attacks while enhancing his spells.

As Oliver’s power grew, he became a ruler of earth and sea. But with the world ever-changing, a new question arises: What if he could capture a god?

✨ What to Expect:

A weak-to-strong male MC

Daily releases

Fast-paced with frequent power-ups

A rich fantasy setting with magic and mythical creatures

A unique Mana Core System that evolves with each capture

🔮 Read now and join Oliver on his epic journey from humble beginnings to god-like power！

[jrtstories]

jrtstories

Short story: The Harrowing Truth.

A small group investigates a dangerous presence hunting them and others in a mysterious town.

Serials: Sylon: Realm of the Enchanted

A teen boy is summoned to another world to fight a great evil.

Rebel Kinetic

A group of motorcycle riders meet a young psychic woman because of a prophecy. They have to navigate a hidden world.

Romance Killer

When an assassin can't find work in her regular career, she finds jobs in her second as a relationship coach.

Tower, Hero, Life

A writer is summoned to a Tower along with millions of others. They will have to survive using a system.

Substack:

Patreon:

[tychodorian]

Magic in King of Dust

In the world of King of Dust, magic flows like a mystical river, weaving its way through the tapestry of the story and shaping the destinies of its characters. Inspired by the magic systems of Dungeons and Dragons (especially because this book is in the LitRPG genre), the magic system in King of Dust is as diverse as it is fascinating.

At the heart of this magical realm are several main types of magic users, each with their own unique abilities and methods of harnessing the arcane forces. Take, for instance, Darius Starbán, our protagonist and a wizard by education (albeit not a very skilled one). While his vampirism grants him most of his magical prowess, some of his spells are derived from years of dedicated study and practice.

On the other hand, we have Urien, a warlock whose pact with a goddess of death has bestowed upon him a myriad of magical tattoos. These intricate markings not only serve as a conduit for his powers but also allow him to manifest magical items at will, making him a formidable force to be reckoned with.

And let's not forget about Astrid, the compassionate cleric whose magic stems from her unwavering faith and devotion to her deity. Through prayer and supplication, she calls upon divine forces to wield healing spells and smite her enemies, offering a stark contrast to the arcane practices of her companions.

But magic in the world of King of Dust is not without its limitations. Each spell requires a spoken incantation, except under specific circumstances, and certain types of magic are off-limits to certain practitioners. Whether it's to avoid upsetting their gods, breaking their pacts, or simply due to the complexity of the spells, magic users must tread carefully when delving into the arcane arts.

Moreover, not everyone has the gift of magic. To wield its power, one must be born with the Aether in their blood – a divine gift bestowed upon them by the universe or the gods, depending on one's beliefs. This inherent connection to the magical energies of the world sets the stage for a captivating exploration of power, destiny, and the mysteries of the cosmos.

In King of Dust, magic isn't just a tool – it's a living, breathing force that shapes the very fabric of reality.

Interested? You can see the magic in action by checking out my book on Kickstarter. It's 100% funded, so preorder your copy and help us get to some stretch goals!

Get yours here.

[poisonedepths]

Has you or a loved one suffered at the hands of negligent mages or enchanters?

Have you been exposed to mana here on the surface?

Guild mages are to be held responsible for their actions. Head to your local delver guild office branch building and submit a formal complaint.

You could be entitled to up to three gold in damages.

[[The local posting on the town's board is colorful and garish despite the subject matter. It itself covers a recruitment flyer from the guild asking for curious unclassed to inquire how to unlock the mage class.]]

[evanthenerd83]

“This Library? Occupied!”

1

“Do you guys have a library?”

Anna turned towards me, cocking an eyebrow.

She wore an emerald gown. It exposed both of her shoulders, which were extremely pale.

I could see a mole.

Somebody, maybe Emi, had put her hair up in a ponytail. It would bob whenever she walked or nodded her head.

“Yyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssss,” Anna nodded very slowly. “Why?”

She also stared at me. Hard.

I blushed. My hands instinctively went to my pockets, except… I didn’t have any. I was wearing my nightgown.

They were deflected by my hips, wounding up behind my back.

I coughed, avoiding her gaze. “No. No reason.”

‘Smooth move, idiot.’

Anna continued to stare. She drilled a hole through my already pitiful excuse of a… Well, an excuse.

There we were, two girls… just standing in the middle of a hallway, playing the quiet game. During a staring contest. I felt several pairs of eyes glancing our way.

Maids bowed their heads as they passed us. A bald butler came close to bumping into me, but carefully maneuvered around.

I didn’t have an answer for Anna. I hadn’t expected that question. In my mind, while sitting in the medium-sized armchair, I’d imagined this going one of two ways:

“Do you guys have a library?”

“Yes. It’s right over there. Here’s the key. Have fun!”

Or…

“Do you guys have a library?”

“Royals only, peasant.”

That’s it. Either apathetic affirmation or hostile gatekeeping. Maybe a cruel, short giggle fit before my swift, publicized beheading. But not… well-mannered suspicion.

I coughed into my hand, avoiding her gaze. “I… no reason… it’s just…”

I practically choked on my tongue. The words got stuck on a patch of flypaper, dying before they could come out.

Anna blinked.

I wasn’t embarrassed. Far from it. If she’d asked me about what I did as a hobby, I’d have confessed to being a magical girl.

But ask me what my obsession was? I’d have slammed my backpack on the table, unzipped it, and shown her the manga, the fairy tale anthology, and the one rogue light novel stuffed inside.

Yes. I’ll admit it. I’ll scream it from the mountaintops, the wind dramatically tossing my hair.

I loved to read.

I would read at home. I would read on the bus. I would read while navigating the foot traffic in the hallways, where students resembled spawning salmon.

I would even read during class. Which, come to think of it, might explain why Mr. Atlas eventually refused to let me visit the school library after finishing my assignments.

Eh. Whatever.

In terms of what I read… I only checked out my favorite genres. Fantasy and fairy tales. Maybe a little paranormal romance, if I was feeling particularly lonely.

What?

Being a magical girl doesn’t help you find dating prospects.

You barely have any free time. Witches and monsters constantly assault human cities, and you are responsible for repelling them.

These fights prove to be both time-consuming and exhausting. Casting spells costs large amounts of energy. Some monsters are harder to take down than others.

When you finally eliminate a combatant, you feel like you’ve just ran fifty kilometers. Everything is numb.

Walking turns into stumbling.

No time for dates. Or parties. You miss classes and dances. You focus squarely on your job.

Anyway…

… yeah, I loved to read.

What I didn’t love, however, was when someone teased me about it.

And at my middle school, where hormones turned rational human beings into moody, awkward psychos, someone was always teasing me.

I took a deep, long, shuddering breath. My mind dove headfirst into a foxhole.

“... I wanted to read something.”

Silence.

Anna simply blinked.

I bit my tongue, waiting for the sneer and the laughter. Anna blinked again. Her eyes went dull.

I cleared my throat.

She blinked for a third time, and then…

“YOU LOVE BOOKS TOO?!”

I leaned back. My hair touched the floor.

Anna was staring at me, face now inches from mine. Her teeth gleamed. Gems sparkled within her eyes.

Her eyes burned with childlike enthusiasm. And just a twinge of surprise.

“Y-yes? W-why wouldn’t I?”

I avoided her gaze, instead focusing on a corner of the ceiling.

We were so, so close. I could practically smell the flatcake she’d had for breakfast.

Not to mention her shampoo.

The scent hit my nose, and I instantly blushed. Strawberry. Or this world’s equivalent of strawberry.

Yes.

Yes.

I know. Creepy.

But look, I couldn’t help it. We really were that close.

Anna didn’t seem to notice. She was too busy jumping, hair slapping her face with every ascent. Heels kept clicking against the floor.

She was also clapping.

It sounded like an automatic machine gun. Being fired by a little girl. Who’d just run into a friendly face.

My mind slowly lifted its head. It began surveying the battlefield, then sighed in relief. False alarm.

Anna suddenly grabbed my hands, then dragged me down the hallway.

2

The Grand Royal Library made quite an unusual first impression.

“Oh my god,” I gasped.

Anna stepped back. She crouched in the doorway, her body barely filling its girth.

The door had been big. Not as imposing as the others. And there were a lot of doors here, millions even, that might’ve given those a run for their money.

It was carved from deep crimson wood. Swirling lines curved around a golden knob.

Certain patterns caught my attention. Leafs. Trees. Streams converging.

But my eyes only lingered on these for a millisecond, because Anna soon clapped her hands.

Light flared into being. Flames whipped about, briefly illuminating a massive room, walls taller than anything I’d ever seen.

The ceiling loomed beyond their reach.

My mouth fell open.

It hit the floor.

“O…”

Anna giggled. She leaned against the door, arms crossed. “Amazing isn’t it?”

“... M…”

My jaws swung side to side. They creaked.

“... G!”

Bookshelves.

Tons of them. Millions of them. I couldn’t even tell where one ended and another began.

Nor how many rows each had. They seemed to extend into the sky, boundless; unrestricted by the laws of physics.

Just like with the Royal Castle.

And the books? Dear goddess, the books!

Big books. Small books. Books with labeled spines, titles unreadable, and books without labels themselves. Books that were close to collapsing into dust at the gentlest touch. Books hard as iron.

Books standing upright. Books floating in midair. Books standing stock still. Books vibrating and humming. Books knocking against their neighbors. Books dripping with these unrecognizable fluids.

Books of all sorts and kinds.

Books I desperately wanted to touch.

My hands clenched and unclenched.

“U-uh,” Anna blinked. “J-Juby?”

“Haaaaaaa, haaaaaaaaaa, haaaaaaaaaaaa…”

“Juby? You’re bleeding.”

Anna weakly pointed at her own nose.

“S-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s…”

I took a step. Well, it was more of a stumble. Warmth flooded my body. You could’ve seen steam wafting up from my forehead. Which might as well have been burning bright red.

Anna cringed. “You’re also drooling.”

“Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh,” I walked towards the nearest shelf. One stumble at a time.

This was perfect.

Paradise.

Heaven among heavens.

So many books to read. To sink deep into, like a stone falling into a pond.

Did this fantasy world have fairy tales of its own? It probably did. It had to. Ithyca itself was the stuff of fairy tales, with magic, elves, and cursed swords.

In any case, I intended to find out.

“Should I call for a healing mage?”

Immediately.

I began scanning the shelf one book at a time. Committing their titles to memory at a snail’s pace. Each cover was, thankfully, a different color than the rest.

Certain Tasks For Certain Classes.

Harnessing Your Innate Magical Potential For Magicless Dummies.

On and on they went.

The Demontongue-English Dictionary: Second Edition.

How To Cook Spriggans, Will-o-the-Wisps, & Other Pests.

Designing Your Very Own Familiar.

As I read more spines, the elation I had been feeling began to slowly… disappear. My finger traced disappointment after disappointment.

Goddess Dares You To Jump: Is YOUR Child Using Windleweed?

The History of Ithyca.

Witchcraft In Heresberg.

As The Sun Goes Down.

Eureka! A novel! I reached for the brick-sized paperback, hands trembling from anticipation. Expectations ran rampant. What would I find? A gothic romance? A dark fantasy epic about demons turning on their own kind?

My fingers inched closer towards…

“Gah! What’s that doing here?!”

I blinked. Where ATSGD had once been, only empty space.

A gap between two encyclopedias. Dust.

I turned towards Anna, who was now standing beside me. She clutched it. Both of her cheeks flushed bright red.

Her eyes were wider than mine.

“What’s wro—”

I went to grab it.

But the princess apparently had other plans. She recoiled from my empty hand, twisting away, curling inward. As if to protect some secret treasure.

Her body grew even redder than before.

The air between us got slightly warmer.

“You… You can’t read this bo-book.”

Shock turned into confusion.

“Why not?”

Anna’s face exploded into a supernova. Pure unadulterated embarrassment. Her eyes popped out of their sockets, looking very much like balloons. That were close to deflating.

I started to sweat. The collar of my white nightgown stuck to my clavicle.

“It… It’s not… Ap-app-appro-appro-appro-appro-appro-appro-appro-appro-appro-appro-appro-appro—”

She kept stammering. Her lips shook harder than San Francisco during the 1900s.

It would have been funny, if she wasn’t clenching the cover of ATSGD with every twitch. Panic settled in. She’d ruin it.

I hate rumpled or cressed, or bent, covers on paperbacks. I’m not sure why. Just seeing one bending upwards sends a sharp electric pulse straight to my brain that says:

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONOONONONOOONONONONONONONONONONO

If I didn’t act fast enough…

“Appropriate? It’s not appropriate? Is that what you’re saying?”

My words might have come out harsher than necessary.

But this was serious.

Anna blinked a few times, then drained of color. The room cooled by several degrees.

She took a deep breath before looking me in the eyes. Speaking of serious. That look could have melted an Obliteride.

“Yes. That’s very much what I am saying, Juby.”

“Why?”

“Be-because…”

I tilted my head.

The princess sighed. She flipped ATSGD upside down and handed it to me. I graciously accepted it.

“Just read the back.”

“Oh. Ok?”

I glanced at the back of the novel.

“But I don’t see why you’d thii—”

I slipped the book back on the shelf.

Anna rubbed my shoulder. “Yeah. I know.”

3

A few minutes later…

“Why would your father leave that lying around for anyone to find?”

Anna shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Daddy usually keeps that…”

She glanced at ATSGD with muted horror.

“... Filth… in his chambers.”

The princess shuddered. Then shook her head, hair flopping all over.

She looked at me. A smile spread across her face. My heart knocked on my lungs, as if they were drums.

I bit my tongue.

Be still. Be still.

“Nevermind. Doesn’t matter.”

I began to nod.

Anna grabbed my hands, squeezing them.

“I’m just glad you like to read too.”

“U-uh-huh.”

Was I blushing?

I could’ve been blushing.

I definitely was blushing.

My eyes wandered around the room. I began counting the number of cobwebs in the ceiling, which was… Huh. Zero.

Say what you want about their paranoia about witches, and how eager they were to pull out their swords. The people of Ithyca knew how to clean. At least in places where they expected company.

No dust. No errant debris. Everything was polished, glinting, and maintained with utmost care.

One had to be in awe of the servants’ hardworking nature. They must’ve been paid well.

Either that, or the Royal Family hired extreme germaphobes who used weapons-grade cleaning products. Which was the most likely option. All things considered.

They probably screamed at the sight of a dust bunny. Fainted at a fingerprint on a window.

Or—

“Heh.”

“Uh,” someone asked. “Juby?”

“Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh…”

“What’s so funny?”

Anna blinked, eyes so wide. So blue.

Like the sky. You could get lost in them. I almost started to.

She let go of my hands. That shut up those heckling thoughts, who sat back down. I wiped off my chin.

My blush deepened, a blinking traffic light warning passing motorists that, yes, this road was on fire. Please use extra caution.

Anna held a little heat herself.

“You okay? You always do that, zone out.”

I coughed. “Y-yeah. I’m fine. Just remembered something I saw on TV once.”

Anna tilted her head. “T… V? What is that?”

I almost explained what ‘TV’ stood for.

But I remembered. This was a fantasy world full of magic, witches and wizards; even giant squirrels. One modeled after medieval Europe.

Of course she wouldn’t understand. The only entertainment available ranged from books to plays, at the very least.

I waved my hand.

“Never mind. You wouldn’t get it.”

She tucked a golden strand behind an ear. Her heat disappeared. My own followed suit. We were both left staring in opposite directions.

She checked her black slippers. I had once again focused on the rows and rows of books.

So many to read.

Most were no doubt non-fiction, guides and enyclopedias. Textbooks giving advice on certain topics. How to cast spells. How to catch high-level monsters. Stuff like that.

But there had to be… Something.

Anything.

Poems. Records of battles. Entertainment hiding among all the educational grind.

I decided to ask.

“Are there any… You know?”

“Exciting inclusions?”

I nodded.

“Well,” Anna glanced around the library. “This place is my dad’s, and he’s a history buff, you know, but…”

Her eyes fell upon a shelf near the back. It didn’t seem as tall as the others, it barely overshadowed us. The little sibling.

Each row only held about seven or so tomes.

She sped-walked towards it. I trailed after her.

“... I think… We have a few.”

It held about seven or so tomes, but…

She knelt down, skirt pooling around her.

She pulled one out. The cover was black and smooth. I could see a symbol, think a hexagon inside a tree. It shined beneath the lights.

Upon glimpsing it, my head started to hurt.

… But the tome was thick.

Thicker than the telephone book. Than all of the textbooks I’d carry in my backpack at school, combined.

It swayed.

She stood up.

I don’t know how. From how heavy it looked, she couldn’t have been able to breath. Her spine should’ve cracked.

She spun around. Not a hint of sweat on her face.

She handed it to me. “This?”

I weakly nodded.

“Read the cover page.”

I did.

Knights Of Valor: Ithyca’s Greatest Heroes

I looked up.

Prepared to demure. To explain that by “exciting,” I’d meant fiction.

She fanned herself, both cheeks achieving mass criticality. The air between us had warmed by several thousand degrees. Her eyes were wider than dinner plates.

Sparkles shot off her like fireworks.

“That’s a personal favorite.”

I looked back down.

Shrugged.

“Thanks.”

4

Before I could walk out the door, though—

A hand grabbed my sleeve, pulling me to a stop. I turned around to see Anna shaking her head.

“What?”

She smiled. “I almost forgot.”

I tucked the eight-to-twenty brick equivalent of a book underneath my arm.

“Forgot wha—”

Movement. The world spinning around me. Shelf, door, shelf, door, shelf, door, shelf, shelf, shelf, shelf, shelf, until—

I landed in an oversized armchair.

And KOV:IGH landed on my chest.

Anna leaned over me, hands on her hips. She looked deadly serious. Like that drill instructor in Tin Foil Jacket.

“Here are some ground rules, Juby.”

I waddled and shook. It wasn’t comfortable, being in such a position. My back hurt a lot more than it did after being rammed by a Obliterod.

And I’d been slammed by a Obliterod many times. Too many times.

The book shifted, ever so slowly. My eyesight grew dark. I couldn’t see Anna any more, just her silhouette.

Then… Finally, the book fell into my lap.

Ah. Fresh air.

How I missed you.

I looked up at her. “O—”

“RULE NUMBER ONE,” a finger in my face. “You can’t take any books outside this room.”

“Why?”

“Because Daddy— er, I mean, Father doesn’t let me.”

“Fair enough. What’s ne—”

“RULE NUMBER TWO,” the finger poked my aching chest. “No food or drinks allowed in the library. Many of the books are zero editions. Which means… No other copies exist, in this world or any other.”

I blinked.

“Wait a minute. That makes no sense. If it’s a zero edition, then it can’t even exist in the first place, si—”

“RULE NUMBER THREE,” the finger tapped the cover of KOV:IGH. “If you need a bookmark, ask me. I’ve got tons.”

I opened my mouth to say something. I don’t remember what exactly. It might have been a question.

Or a “thank you.”

I’ll never know because, before I could…

“Scootch over, please.”

Anna spun around, then plopped herself down.

I scrambled to make room.

Too late. She nearly struck me with an elbow.

Strands of hair whipped my face. Before I could speak, though, the strawberries hit. Sweet and fruity.

Any and all objections died a quick, humane death.

She wiggled, waggled, until she fit neatly into the chair. There was plenty of room. The back was high and curved. We were both dwarfed by it.

“Excuse me.”

I gulped.

My heartbeat was going kilometers a minute.

—

Good thing magical girls can’t have heart attacks.

—

Anna simply smiled at me, sitting upright. Her posture was prim and proper. Befitting of a Princess.

One of her eyebrows arched.

“Well?”

I blinked.

“Go on! Open it! There’s one you might like, in Chapter eight-thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine.”

Ch-chapter… 8,759?

Chapter 8,759?!

The blasted thing had eight thousand chapters?! Seriously?! Why was every book in this world so gosh-darn long?!

Ok.

Whatever.

It doesn’t matter how long it was. I’d read one of Stephanie Queen’s magnum opuses before, a 600 pages long behemoth that took me five months to finish. And I’d managed to survive.

How bad could KOV:IGH be?

I took a deep breath. Then breathed out. Some of the tension floated free. A lot remained trapped inside my chest.

I began reaching for the front cover. My hand shook harder than the Cascadian seduction zone in 1700.

That was when Anna leaned in closer. Her knee met mine, but by complete accident.

I bit my tongue to keep from jumping. No sense scaring the ever living daylights out of the Royal Princess.

The knight’s would never forgive me.

My hands shook as I gripped the cover.

I opened it.

I found the table of contents, itself requiring a table of table of contents.

I flipped to Chapter 8,759.

Anna peered over. “My great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great—”

Just then, a faint knock.

We both looked up. From behind the door came a low coughing sound. Creaking metal.

A familiar voice.

“Uh, Your Little Highness, dinner’s rea—”

“OCCUPIED!”

[cassiecatagon]

Chapter 5 of my book is now out free to read now with cover art

Warning gore and violence

Shoutout to ladymoonii on discord for the cover art

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/109853/shadow-pact-2100

[litrpg-author]

Maid with Necromancy - Chapter Thirty-One (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/1516042567-maid-with-necromancy-chapter-thirty-one?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading&wp_uname=KitFalbo For Harmony White, life as a maid can be hard, and when you're a necromancer, that brings extra challenges. But a girl has got to to do what a girl has got to do unless there is another way out. With death an opportunity comes knocking. Maids - Dungeon Diving - Domestic Work - Dancing - And a world where one has to get stronger to thrive. More chapters on my Patreon which updates M-W-F if you want advanced chapters https://www.patreon.com/c/KitFalbo

[litrpgburrito]

The Seattle Stacks

[Lore surrounding a version of Seattle where magic and technology collide]

In the shadow of the Space Needle, amidst the verdant sprawl of what was once a bustling Seattle park, lies the Seattle Stacks. A haphazard skyline of motor homes, each one a relic of a bygone era, now stacked atop one another in a defiant monument to survival. The Stacks are more than just a neighborhood; they are a sanctuary for the misfits, the mages, and the machinists of a world where the lines between technology and magic have blurred into obscurity.

The story of the Seattle Stacks begins with the Great Convergence, an event that fused the realms of the arcane and the engineered. Magic, once thought to be the stuff of legend, flowed into the world like a tidal wave, crashing against the shores of reality. Technology, which had reached its zenith, suddenly found itself infused with this new, wild energy. The results were both wondrous and catastrophic.

In the aftermath, society reformed in unexpected ways. The Stacks emerged as a community for those who sought to blend the old with the new. Here, enchanters worked alongside engineers to fortify their homes against the elements and the creatures that roamed the wilds beyond. Poles and bars, imbued with spells of strength, held the precarious towers of homes aloft. Chains enchanted with protective wards clinked in the wind, a symphony of security for the inhabitants.

The heart of the Stacks was its people. Each tower, a small neighborhood unto itself, thrived on the cooperation of its residents. From the cyber-witches who wove spells into neon lights, giving them a life of their own, to the gearhead sorcerers who conjured mechanical familiars from spare parts and sheer will, the community was a tapestry of innovation and tradition.

At the center of it all stood the Emerald Tower, the first and tallest stack. It was here that the leaders of the Stacks convened, a council of the wise that guided the community through the challenges of their new world. They were the keepers of lore, the architects of the Stacks' future, and the bridge between the mystical and the mechanical.

As the sun sets, casting long shadows over the Stacks, the neon lights flicker to life, painting the sky with vibrant hues. The air hums with the energy of a hundred spells, and the scent of sizzling circuits mingles with the earthy aroma of the park's ancient trees. The Seattle Stacks stand as a beacon of hope, a testament to the resilience of humanity, and a reminder that even in a world divided, there is a place for unity—in the stacks where magic and machine coexist in harmony.

[machinefey]

Working on a sketch compilation of Clive and started the coloring process on one. I really like the blues that are associated with his other fan arts I have seen, so I kept with that color palette.

We love our workaholic wizard!

Check out the updated version… noticed the eyes on this one were like 👁️👄👁️

[hitmenscribbles]

✨ Big Update for Harry and the Wolf! ✨

🐺 Chapter 7 is now available EARLY for free members on Patreon! If you want a sneak peek before it drops publicly, now’s your chance!

🔥 Chapter 8 is already LIVE for Patreon supporters! ⏳ Chapter 9 will be released at 15:00 CET!

📖 Don’t want to wait? Join Patreon now! 💰 Reader+ ($5/month) – Read 2 weeks before public release! 📜 Reader+ Premium ($10/month) – Access 70+ live chapters, 20+ active fics, and 3 daily updates!

🔗 Read & support the story here:

[the-shadow-library]

Chapter 62: Memory Witch

“Boss, I may have a solution to your memory loss.” “!!!” Aron instantly gazed at her with open eyes. “How?” he asked with a mixture of hope and disbelief. “When I was working with the guild, we came across a certain quest,” she began to explain. “The quest was from a nearby kingdom hiring adventurers to gather information and locate a specific witch.” “A Witch?” Pethra raised an…

[jrtstories]

Tower, Hero, Life chapter two

Chapter Two: Taking it in.

Learning who, what, and why.