After a few minutes of ducking through side alleys, Grace doubled back just in case she’d picked up a tail. She hadn’t seen anyone, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. It was only paranoia when there weren’t people looking for you.
And even if she was being paranoid, it always paid to be cautious in this cursed city.
Finally, when she was sure she hadn’t been followed, Grace headed for the outskirts of lowtown to one her many stashes located throughout the city. W...
2024-11-26 15:35:17 +0000 UTC
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“Stop right there, you little thief!”
With a single raised finger of defiance, Grace ignored the guardsman’s shouts and took off through the bustling market at a dead sprint. She raced through the packed bazaar, weaving her way through the crowd all the while cursing her rotten luck.
An hour spent watching the Nawarian silk merchant who so carelessly left his bulging coin purse within easy reach.
Only for a guard patrol to happen by just as she cut the purse strings.
2024-11-26 15:32:27 +0000 UTC
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It’s a holiday week in the US, which means all 6 kids are home.
I’m off and on - (mainly off this week), as we do the holiday stuff.
Going to try and drop some beta chapters of the rewrite of my daughters story (The girl who killed a god). Getting a little more time with her and so wanting to make sure its as good as possible.
Goal is to write better. One of the hardest lessons I am learning is changing how I fhink while writing as well as the edi...
2024-11-26 14:50:59 +0000 UTC
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“You ready for this?”
Max nodded at Aimee, noticing how she didn’t seem to agree as she stood there with her hip cocked to one side.
“I’ll be fine. Stop worrying,” he replied as Max folded up the pad that had been lying on the stone bench. “From what I have learned, these first few fights will be easy.”
“Nothing here is easy,” she growled. “Everyone here wants you dead. Even the ones who bet money on you are looking forward to the day they can win money...
2024-11-26 14:00:07 +0000 UTC
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The foxkin had taken his last breath and Max wondered just how much Igarra knew about the strength of each competitor.
I would say even blindfolded I could have defeated him, but he was broken after she came down.
Do not fool yourself. What we are facing are strong compared to many. I allow us to continue to grow and keep pace. Igarra is a monster. For now we stick with the plan and use them as a stepping stone to get strong enough to return home.
<...
2024-11-25 14:00:03 +0000 UTC
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As the bells chimed, Max moved toward the twenty-five foot walls.
None of the other three hesitated, each of them moving as a group, keeping him pinned in as he let himself get pinned against a wall.
Knowing what was going to happen, Max had his spell already building up, waiting for the moment to let it out.
The one on his right curled up into a ball, starting to spin as it moved, flicking sand and purple ooze from the spikes on its body.
Carhena waited, spear out, an...
2024-11-22 14:00:03 +0000 UTC
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[ Skill Description - Stone Mastery ]
*****
Stone Mastery - Rare Skill: The user has the ability to control a variety of stones. Use may change its structure or keep its original form. There is no limit to the size or shape of what one may design. As long as stone is available and the user has mana, they can construct walls and even buildings. Weapons may also be created and controlled.
*****
The description was so similar to the Sand Mastery one.
“And it was o...
2024-11-21 14:00:03 +0000 UTC
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“You may enter.”
Max nodded, still keeping his head covered, having finally gotten a shirt that fit and a robe that didn’t itch as much.
The guards moved without waiting, having seen the glowing stone, and glanced over the paper.
As they moved through the gate, fewer people were around than in the previous section, and the entrance was slightly nicer than the last.
Instead of glass doors, two large stone gates were here, one open all the way, allowing them entran...
2024-11-20 14:00:02 +0000 UTC
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Hey all and welcome to the new folks!
It's been a crazy week already and last week I was at author nation in Las Vegas. Originally I hadn't planned on going but after a lot of people much bigger than me and a few publishers telling me I should, I went.
Lots of cool stuff lined up for 2025 and I'm excited to be on this crazy journey they call writing.
Story Stuff:
UL1 - So right now I'm almost 90k into book 7 which sounds l...
2024-11-19 16:48:48 +0000 UTC
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A guttural cry came from the stands where the praying mantis was in its box, bladed arms waving through the air as it said something Max couldn’t understand.
Even through the shouting and cheers of the crowd, it was evident that this champion had been its, and based on the smiles of the other three arena bosses, Max had just crippled that side’s pool of fighters.
“Your new champion! Ifrit!”
The announcer's shout once more brought the crowd to a frenzy, chanting his n...
2024-11-19 14:00:06 +0000 UTC
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“So now I showed off too much?”
Kauakan’s expression was hard to read, his exoskeleton not changing at all, yet the pair of eyes and how the eyelids moved were the only clue that he was nervous.
“You have made it difficult for me to convince one of the others to put their champion against you. Those two, while not strong, have survived in this place because of their teamwork. What you did…”
The insect’s hooked claws rubbed against each other behind his back.
2024-11-18 14:00:02 +0000 UTC
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The drums started to sound, and while many groaned at having missed out on betting, cheers and shouts made the air almost vibrate from how loud it became.
“Now for the moment we all love! Will another new warrior die, their flame snuffed out in a moment, or shall they burn away their opponents and stand tall upon their ashes?! Fight!”
Four bells chimed, and the intensity of the spectators rose to a new frenzy as both of the Flesh Rippers spread out around Max. Each held their ...
2024-11-15 14:00:04 +0000 UTC
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“You’re certain you don’t want any armor? Just that ratty robe?”
Max nodded, ignoring Kauakan’s gaze, unsure whether his eyes were conveying something or not. Two sets of slits would occasionally cover his eyes, one pair from the side and the other from the top.
“The goal is to appear weak, correct?”
“Yes… but still… one solid attack from your opponent might take your head off or pierce your heart. Surely, you must fear that.”
“If I’m dumb eno...
2024-11-14 14:00:02 +0000 UTC
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Max felt Aimee’s eyes on him as he slowly carved off a section of the wood Romandis had given him.
Small strips lay on the floor, and Max felt himself drawn to this simple task.
How many times did I whittle wood as a kid? Yet now… this feels so different. Like it’s a part of me.
Shaving the staff, Max let the wood almost guide him. It was as if something inside told him where to leave a little more of a bump, while another had him cut deeper, creating a groove...
2024-11-13 14:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Pretty excited at the first samples that came in for the webtoon! Wanted to share with ya all!
2024-11-12 16:20:30 +0000 UTC
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“Finally!” Dexic shouted as she pulled her sword from the eye socket of the fairy boss. “I’m glad you two managed to clip her wings.”
Tanila nodded even though the warrior couldn’t see her response.
“Elf tits, that thing wasn’t fun, but the worst was all of its summons!” Fowl exclaimed, the sound of crushed pixies and fairies under his boot making a squelching sound as he walked through the scorched forest.
Over two dozen bodies were burnt, frozen, or pulve...
2024-11-12 14:00:04 +0000 UTC
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“You want to use my shop to make your own weapon? Why would I give you access to such a thing?”
“First, I would pay to make my own weapon. The materials as well as a fee to use your tools and shop. Second, I would like to learn how you craft weapons and how that is done here.”
Grinning, Max drummed his fingers on the glass counter.
“Last, if I am able to, I will teach you secrets that I know about crafting weapons.”
Romandis leaned against the counter, draw...
2024-11-11 14:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Hey Everyone!
It's been a crazy 7 days since UL1 book 5 hit Amazon on the first! I just wanted to say thank you again for all the support! Never in my wildest imagination would I have imagined my story hitting #38 over ALL of Amazon for Kindle books!
We'll ignore that I had strep this week at the start (My mom was kind enough to share...), this made it a great seven days!
Production wise, I'm doing well, managing to get words and all written. 70k+ into ...
2024-11-08 14:24:04 +0000 UTC
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A smaller gate allowed them access to the third ring, and Max smiled under his hood.
The guards at this one apparently had gotten wind of their description and had not asked any more questions once Aimee identified herself and her master.
Each ring got progressively nicer. The buildings in this section occasionally had sculpted glass and stone statues. Different creatures, or Max finally realized, beings, were expertly crafted, and many looked better than statues he had s...
2024-11-08 14:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Another hour of walking resulted in them standing before a building that had a fair amount of noise coming from it, even being almost four hours since both suns had set.
The smell of spices and food came from inside, and Max felt his stomach growl because he realized it had been a while since he had eaten anything that smelled this nice in ages.
Moving beside Aimee, he saw the door that swung open wasn’t glass like so many but instead was metal.
“We’re here. My mother ...
2024-11-07 14:00:02 +0000 UTC
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“There is no sand here anymore,” Max stated as he studied the change in the land as they drew closer to Quan Ma. “And dirt… there is dirt and water.”
“Our people believe that Suljin herself came and stripped the sand from this place, crafting the city you shall soon be inside. She then carried the fertile soil you see here from far away and dug water wells and trenches that help everything to grow.”
Max was shocked at how quickly the temperature and environment was c...
2024-11-06 14:00:02 +0000 UTC
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“Who is this one who stands behind you? Why does he have a collar, and how do you expect to keep me from taking him?”
Max tried to not interfere. It was getting increasingly difficult as the crowd grew to about forty-plus lizard people.
Before Aimee stood a lizard woman who wore bands of leather wrapped around her body and tail. It was adorned with multiple shards of the sand glass, each one looking sharper than any object he had held yet.
“I have already told you, One...
2024-11-05 14:00:02 +0000 UTC
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She is blind…
There was no light in the room. Darkness was present, and yet Max didn’t notice at first, his Sonar skill having given him the layout of everything.
Only in the brief moment the door was open and he had seen Aimee’s mother did Max notice the eyes.
“He is a friend. He… his name is Max, and he saved me from those…”
Her voice changed, taking on a tone and language similar to when she had conversed with the two red snakes.
M...
2024-11-04 14:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Lights swirled around him, and Max could sense things were different than he had ever felt before.
You have drawn some attention to yourself. It couldn’t be helped, and it isn’t your fault.
The voice was something he had missed, and Max blinked, getting his vision to return, and saw that next to him in the darkness he was floating in was his doppelganger.
You’re ok! I wondered what had happened!
I have tried to figure out how to ...
2024-11-01 13:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Get the book here!
I just want to say thank you as always to each of you who support me! Remember if you love this story you can leave a day 1 review (simply state you read on Patreon). It helps the algo love me more and keeps me closer to the top!
If you want you can also comment on the reddit posts I put for todays launch!
2024-11-01 12:32:07 +0000 UTC
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Max couldn’t help but smile as he raced across the sand, their shapes illuminated by the blue glow of the moon.
His new companion, Aimee, screamed for only about twenty seconds, which didn’t matter, as he ran in the direction each of them had pointed for five miles before angling back toward the stone cliffs.
“What are you?! Who are you!?”
Aimee was backing away after being set down on the flat rock surface, her black eyes reflecting the fireball Max had summoned upo...
2024-10-31 13:00:04 +0000 UTC
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He could see and sense the perplexed looks on the warriors’ faces, two of them with a staff like his, one with a thick mace, and another with a scimitar and shield.
The one on the far left said something, and Max shook his head, tapping his ear.
“I can’t understand you! You don’t want to fight me!”
All four began to spread out slowly, and Max decided he needed to put on a show of strength, since words obviously didn’t seem to work.
Summoning a fireball, Max...
2024-10-30 13:00:07 +0000 UTC
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So... first... everyone but me is over their sickness which is good.
I'm finally back at the keyboard and typing, not being stuck to a place I won't discuss (Fowl feels my pain).
So as a treat - One lucky person will be chosen (Though you gota wait)
I need a red dragon name - It is a female red dragon. (only one entry per person)
Good luck!
2024-10-29 20:59:19 +0000 UTC
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due to amazon guidelines, tomorrow I'll be taking down book 5! Read read read if you want to catch up or wait till Nov 1st and read on amazon ;)
2024-10-29 20:37:01 +0000 UTC
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Wincing, Max waited as his arm regrew.
Tearing it from his own socket was something he never imagined doing, yet it had been necessary.
The sand worms he had slain wasn’t large like the one he had fought in the tower with his friends.
Instead twenty corpses were burnt to ash, scattered around him for thirty yards.
As a pack they had come, and when he gripped the first one to leap from the soil, its four-foot-long body, covered in acid, told Max his way of thinking wa...
2024-10-29 13:00:05 +0000 UTC
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