HideousGrain

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 46

The Glacia Knight Captain was going to be Percy’s doom.

No sooner than he joined the knights’ training, Percy was ordered around. The Glacia Knights explained their training regime in great detail and enjoyed watching him suffer as he copied their movement sequences. They weren’t shy about calling out his flaws and punishing him for every wrong move. 

Calling it punishment was probably a little far-fetched, but being forced to repeat every wrong move dozens of times unt...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 45

The lizard hissed angrily and stomped toward Percy. Its tail smashed heavily onto the frozen ground, breaking it apart.

No matter how I look at this. You are not a lovely Common Monster! 

Percy swallowed hard, not noticing that his clothes were already drenched in sweat. His full attention lingered on the three-meter-long lizard. Its maw opened widely, and the surrounding temperature dropped even further as it spit out glacier-blue flames that froze everything they t...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 44

Cold sweat poured down his temples as he stood there frozen. 

What am I supposed to do now? The Glacia Knights know what is going on… They tricked me.

He trusted the Glacia Knights only to be betrayed. But…why?

Ulfhar cleared his throat and stepped between the youths. He lifted his hand calmingly, intervening before Melissa could say or do anything she would regret.

“He was in Trance and is thus not punishable for following some of your movements, L...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 43

The next few minutes felt like an eternity as Ulfhar explained in detail what exactly the Infernal Lair was and how it was used, but Percy was still having a hard time understanding everything.

“You carry a portal to the seven hells, just like that? The army of Archyeas was already troublesome to deal with. What if the portal opens again? Can’t you destroy it?” He asked for the Xth time.

“The Archyeas were their scouts at best. The seven hells are far more dangerous than y...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 42

He didn’t know what to expect to happen, but the Glacia Knights’ reaction was the complete opposite. It was lackluster, for the lack of a better word. Ulfhar and his Glacia KNights asked some questions but also said he didn’t have to answer anything if he wasn’t comfortable. 

“Your Ego’s power and special abilities belong to you. They’re your secret, and you should never feel you must tell anyone. Nobody has the right to force you to reveal your Ego to someone else,�...

Forgotten Lands - Temporary Hiatus

Dear Readers,

I've got some news – the current volume of Forgotten Lands is wrapping up soon. It's like reaching the last slice of cake at a party – sad, but also a reason to celebrate!

With a heavy heart (and maybe a tear or two), I will hit pause on Forgotten Lands for a bit. But don't worry, it's not forever! I've just got some other creative adventures calling our name. Path to Prosperity - is just one of many examples. (I...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 41

Ulfhar studied Percy with a calm, knowing smile. He expected to see uncertainty, confusion, and maybe even anger in the youth’s eyes, but all his eyes revealed was his determination to survive no matter what awaited him.

The young Adventures was probably confused and maybe even afraid, but he didn't show it.

“We are on our way to the Wintermoon estate and won't travel through any villages, let alone towns, for a few more days. I regret to inform you that the Wintermoon estate ...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 40

The campfire crackled quietly into the lukewarm evening as Percy approached the others. The Glacia Knights’ smiles didn’t cease, but they got up and scooched over.

“Some space to sit for our suicidal hero,” One of them joked.

Percy smiled wryly but sat next to the Glacia Knights. The atmosphere was light and cozy. The contrast to the battle with the demons was enormous. Everyone was at ease, other than the watchguards, and chatted lightly into the night. Percy didn’t say...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 39

Melissa glanced at Percy and saw the fiery fire in his eyes.

Don’t even think about it.

She channeled mana into her golden ring – her spatial storage – and replaced her wooden wand with a small rod. The rod was barely 30 centimeters long and black like the abyss. Melissa scoffed at Percy and infused mana into the rod as silver lines etched all over the rod surfaced. A bead of sweat trickled down her temples and her arms started trembling uncontrollably clutching the...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 38

The atmosphere tightened as more demonic creatures emerged from the Infernal Lair. The Glacia Knights grit their teeth and brandished their weapons without leaving their formation for a second while Ulfhar looked back to Percy, his eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

“Didn’t you say there was only one?!” 

Percy’s lips parted, but no word came out for a second. His eyes darted to the small mass of Archyeas and the larger demon walking toward them.

“There was only one�...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 37

Something about the Glacia Knight Captain felt different but to think he has an Ego. I wonder what his Ego does.

Percy eyed Ulfhar, who cursed his subordinate quietly before paying more attention to the small wolf summon. The monster rushed to the carriage and stopped before Percy. It circled him multiple times and sniffed in the air while exuding mana.

“Don’t block it.” A voice rang out beside him as something pressed against him. Whatever pressed agai...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 36

The receptionist was stunned and stared a second too long at the girl. She clicked her tongue disapprovingly and was about to act when the Glacia Knight at the front stepped forward, smiling kindly at the staff. The receptionist sweated profusely, trying to grasp what was going on. His head was red, and Percy imagined smoke oozing from his nose and ears.

The Glacia Knights’ arrival could have been explained by considering them as the reinforcement deployed to kill the Archyeas. Howeve...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 35

That was weird.

Percy’s expression distorted in pain as he got up. He turned in all directions, his lips tightly pressed together. The bodies of the four Adventurers were no more. Not even their blood remained.

Something like that was bound to happen…was there a way to prevent that? They wanted to kill me…I had to give my all to survive.

Percy had been avoiding the Adventurers since they started pursuing him. He’d given his utmost to avoid a fight, ...

Forgotten Lands - Epilogue (Book 2)

Zayn wanted to remain in the darkness of the Gaming Pod, escaping reality…escaping what was about to happen.

He wasn’t ready for what was about to come. 

Even though he’d advanced faster than before and procured powerful Cards and an extraordinary Class Path, Zayn had yet to prepare everything and everyone for what was about to come. The most crucial step, the final step to prepare the world for the Descent, was taken away from him.

“Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!!” Zayn c...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 34

Niko regretted everything. From following that naive-looking rookie, thinking he would be easy prey to attacking the rookie even after they’d seen him kill a Gnoll before devouring it. At that time, the darkness consuming the monster carcass didn’t feel dangerous or eerie. 

Now Niko knew better. 

But it was already too late. They – No. He – had been too greedy.

His lover was dead, devoured by the abomination under the rookie’s control, and his comrades ha...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 33

The Bronze Adventurers could have dealt a death blow to Hyean when the Gnoll escaped Niko’s sword with a dive to the side. Their blades glimmered dangerously but didn’t cut too deep into the Gnoll. They didn’t want to kill the summoned monster under any circumstances.

Niko could have killed the Gnoll as well, but his broadsword slowed down and created an opportunity for the summoned monster. The idea of earning a big handful of gold coins from selling the special Gnoll Card was to...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 32

Nobody taught Percy how to organize and digest foreign streams of information invading his brain, but it worked somehow. Percy’s understanding of blades, a blade’s trajectory, strengths, and weak points increased quickly. That was only the beginning. Even though Percy had been training a lot in the last few weeks, the old man was the only proper combat teacher he had.

Greg taught him a lot, but Percy forgot many of the old man’s teachings. At that time, he was a child and was more...

Forgotten Lands - Chapter 52 (Book 2)

“How?” Zayn felt a chill crawl up his spine. Something was wrong. No citizen of Forgotten Lands should be able to tell that they were perfect replications. Not even a Demon King.

“Does it matter? I told you that your precious time is running out. You are not listening to me, kiddo.” The Demon King’s tone changed ever so slightly.

“I already told you that I decimated the–...”

“I’m not talking about the Demon Horde.” The Demon King interrupted Zayn.

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 31

Percy was fully occupied with the clearing for a long time. It took much longer than expected, but the youth couldn’t care less. The wealth entering Percy’s pocket increased smoothly with more time spent in the clearing.

The days passed silently in a monotonous rhythm, and the Lesser Demon was forgotten. At least, Percy forgot the Archyeas and the fear it had spread throughout the town. He didn’t even know that the creature was still alive, escaping from Grandmaster Lexter’s blo...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 30

Acting tough worked much better than expected. Percy had been nervous and unsure how Erdwin would react, but it looked like behaving confidently was the key to success.

Merchant Erdwin didn’t ask him further about purchasing the Gnoll Card. He taught Percy some about the little forest's rare and valuable plant life. He focused on the dangers, how they had to be plucked and preserved to retain their magical properties, and what monsters usually lurked near these plants.

Apparentl...

Forgotten Lands - Chapter 51 (Book 2)

It was just like everyone had expected. Zayn’s root network inflicted more damage to the surroundings than the Demon Horde. Fortunately, nobody complained about the damages. Earth Mages, the Dwarven Artisans, and others could fix the damage caused to the volcano’s insides and Spyro’s walls. It would be a bit pricey, but the money was well invested.

At the end of the day, it was always better to destroy some things to protect lives than leave others to die. The volcano and Spyro’...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 29

B1 Chapter 29: Merchant’s Offer

Percy decided not to restrain the Gnoll in any way. He gave it full rein in the battle against the Hill Hog.

His understanding and control of the Monster Card had skyrocketed since he procured it, but it was painfully obvious that he was still a rookie. That was also how Percy played the Gnoll’s support instead of leading the monster into the battle.

He observed the Gnoll as it charged at the massive, fully-matured Hill Ho...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 28

The thought of selling the Monster Card was present. Using [Consume] to gain 25000 Prosperity in a single go sounded like a great deal, but the idea of earning several gold coins for the Monster Card at Erdwin’s shop was even better.

No. The Gnoll will help me gain more. 

Percy shook his head, various plans forming in his mind. The Monster Card would help him earn much more than 25,000 Prosperity could ever. Seeing the possible Augmentations he could add was enough...

Forgotten Lands - Chapter 50 (Book 2)

B2 Chapter 50: War III

“They reached the wall!” A City Guard screamed at the top of his lungs before a Demon’s claws ripped through his chest. A pain squeal escaped the man’s lips before he collapsed to the ground. He writhed in pain, unwilling to die yet unable to escape his fate.

“Jeremy!” One of the other City Guards shouted, charging the Demon in fury.

However, before the City Guard could reach the demon, a sword blade sliced through it. The ...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 27

The Monster Card was the size of an ordinary card used to play cards, but it was slightly thicker and far more durable. The material – Percy had never seen or felt a material like this – was polished and bright, almost pristine. At the first glance, the Card’s frame looked silver metallic, but at the second glance, it was grayish like iron. But if Percy could tell one thing, the Monster Card wasn’t made of iron. Too much mana resided in the Monster Card. If the frame was iron, the amo...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 26

A single flower had been plucked, but that was enough to kill a mature Gnoll. It was more than enough reason to be vigilant but not enough to run for his life. That wasn’t necessary.

Percy eyed the plucked flower and inspected it intently from a safe distance. He studied the dim glow shrouding the ocean-blue petals, the flower’s vibrant stalk, which seemed to writhe in pain, not unlike the dying Gnoll, and the light brown roots, which were also shrouded in something. 

2024-06-29 12:13:02 +0000 UTC View Post

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 25

Selling the Tempered Leather Chestplate was worth consideration. If he could earn more coins from selling the Artifact than he’d used on purchasing the armor and applying the Enchantment with his Ego, Percy could create an infinite amount of money.

Other than the massive haul of money he could earn, Percy would have an easy time increasing his Tier since he would have to use his Ego to apply the runic enchantments. 

Using his Ego to enchant the Tempered Leather Chestplate, ...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 24

“You got what you wanted. Leave now!” Erdwin cursed, gesturing to Percy to leave. 

Percy wasn’t going to drag this out. He grasped the bundles of goods and grinned when several interfaces popped up. It looked like he had a lot to check out later. 

“Thank you for your generosity,” Percy bowed to the merchant teasingly and rushed out of the shop. 

Erdwin’s playful anger dispersed, replaced with a faint smile. He glanced at the book displaying the Arc...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 23

“I’m certain! There is a Demon in the forest!” Percy repeated with even more certainty. He retrieved the corpses of the corrupted Berserk Rabbits and pointed at them.

The Adventurers standing around the wooden counter heard Percy and frowned deeply. They didn’t believe the rookie’s words, but their disbelief didn’t block their smelling sense. The receptionists and Adventurers standing around Percy smelled a waft of the rotten, acidic smell coming from the corrupted Berserk R...

Path to Prosperity - B1 Chapter 22

Should I [Consume] the bunnies and continue hunting until I’m tired, or do I need more money? The Prosperity earned through [Consume] is too low. The Guild’s additional rewards, in addition to the guild missions, should earn a fair bit. I can always use [Consume] after earning a fair buck. 

Percy looked down on his body and winced. After fighting a few more Berserk Rabbit packs, Percy’s clothes were torn in multiple spots. Several spots were drenched in blood – not...