Eric quickly jumped through the portal, coming up in a roll, Crimson Orb manifesting with a surge of his will as his right fist clenched and crackling with ruby-colored lightning. Darting eyes showed no specters approaching, so he took the long seconds needed to summon his blood shield ward, ready to unleash crackling doom in the blink of an eye.
Yet there was nothing to be seen, save for the flickering remnants of a phantasmal city revealing the featureless expanse of an impossibly vas...
2023-08-09 03:59:00 +0000 UTC
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“Ron! Shield on full! Jack, back him up! Steve, we need those orbs, Emily, freeze the fuck out of them!”
Richards voice held steady, despite the perilous odds.
Eric emerged to the stench of coppery blood, animal musk, and ruptured entrails.
He took in the hastily made fortifications and the half dozen giant six-limbed bears with four beady red eyes and massive oversized jaws that had no place in Earth’s own ursine evolution. But clearly that didn’t mean shit when a p...
2023-08-07 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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'You have successfully saved against NIGHTMARE!
You laugh at the specter of your own terror!
You have critically struck your foe!
Eric jolted awake, finding himself once more in the ruins of Newark, and his rune shield was gone as if it had never been.
The despairing wales and desperate cries of those doomed for the Orc fire pits filled the air.
Eric jolted upright, eyes alight with terror… before Unified Perception kicked in and he b...
2023-08-04 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Eric hummed to himself as he drove them to the next delve sight, pausing only to gaze in admiration at the magnificent stegosaurus and ankylosauruses that were far more massive than any earth equivalent, contentedly munching on a plethora of giant conifers as the air turned increasingly hot and humid.
“Fuck, Eric, I don’t care if I’m level 49. I’m fuckin’ dying back here. AC please?” moaned Jack.
“This is the part where you turn on the force fields and give us all a ...
2023-08-02 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone! It's been over a year of writing, polishing, stressing, and just hoping that I can make a fresh world for everyone to enjoy! But we did it, we're finally here! Thanks in large part to your feedback, inspiration, and support, Book 1 of Battleforged is finally out!
Right now we're at a super critical junction, the start of a new series where first impressions are absolutely everything and it can be ...
2023-08-02 03:35:48 +0000 UTC
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“Do you, Vooch, give an oath of your own free will to act in the best interests of myself and my companions for any future heists that one or more of us embrace, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, in return for a share of the spoils equal to whatever one standard share of said heist will bring each of us, on average? And furthermore, do you swear, in any and all cases, to inform no one about my or my companion’s inolvement, whereabouts, personhood, or activities, directly or indirec...
2023-07-31 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Richard frowned. “Eric, there’s no such thing. It’s the Federal Reserve Bank in New York that holds around what, half a million bars of gold?”
But Yuki’s eyes widened with something close to awe. “Fuck, fuck fuck! He said black book. That means it was outside of formal channels. I heard something about that, Richard, and you did too!”
He furrowed his brow. “I’m sorry, Yuki. I’m not sure I...”
“Don’t you remember how furious the goblins were about wh...
2023-07-28 03:59:00 +0000 UTC
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I have some great news that I'm excited to share with all of you! After a heck of a lot of polish, edits, and re-writes, Battleforged Book 1 will soon be up for sale on Amazon!
The title will be - Battleforged: Survivor
It's been an exciting journey getting this far, and I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who have been been enjoying my stories and giving me your awesome feedback! It's only thanks to readers and supporters like yourselves that I've ...
2023-07-27 11:51:47 +0000 UTC
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“Do you think he’s alright?” Emily’s worried voice earned a handful of nods and a worried grimace.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Jack said while helping Steve navigate the trail just under cover of the trees. “This is Eric Orcbane we’re talking about! Did you know that cat single-handedly overthrew Gilton? Proper fucking badass, that one.”
Steve snorted. “I seem to recall that you weren’t always that enthusiastic about him.”
“Yeah, sure, but that wa...
2023-07-26 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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“And I’m telling you that there’s no way in hell any pathetic natives actually cleared an Orange tier delve!” The gnoll hissed, glaring back at his passengers, clearly unfazed by the arcane blaster rifles they held so casually. “My Interface has made no mention of any active attempts at conquest in this sector, and why the hell would anyone start with Orange? Anyone that powerful would have claimed the White-tier territories adjoining New York City long before risking themselves on ...
2023-07-24 03:59:00 +0000 UTC
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Congratulations, Contender! Your Finesse has exceeded 200 points!
You are the ninth Earth-born Classer in the Northeast Sector to achieve this feat!
(Boon has already been claimed.)
Your remarkable feat means that you are now visible on the Top 10 Player Charts!
Congratulations, Contender! Your Perception has exceeded 200 points!
You are the seventh Earth-born Classer in the Northeast Sector to achieve this feat!
2023-07-21 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Eric froze, his fiery fist just inches from pounding into the side of his opponent’s neck, finally in position to finish the crippled groaning creature once and for all.
Eric took a deep, shuddering breath as he gazed down at the groaning minotaur, curled up over the burst remains of its own balls now wheezing for breath as Eric’s spiritual fires cooked its organs and lungs to the point that only Bronze-tier life-support skills were keeping Minose from spiraling right into death.
2023-07-19 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Bronze Killing Aura boosted by 1200 points in Martial characteristics has FAILED TO SUPPRESS your own!
Radiated Aura reveals your opponent’s build!
Minose Trueblood. Rank 10 Bronze (Cultivator/Classer hybrid) - 350 Strength / 350 Vitality / 200 Quickness / 200 Finesse / 100 Perception / 200 Spiritual Energy
You have dodged Meteor Fist!
You have shin-checked roundhouse kick! - Blow-through damage causes one Light Wound.
Yo...
2023-07-17 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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- Emily's POV -
Emily was captivated by those sky-blue eyes that shown with such crazy Machiavellian strength, exciting her in ways that sent her cheeks flushing even now. He was a wildcard that she knew was pure trouble and would only get her hurt in the end. Thrilling her in ways that the boy of her dreams, standing so tall and strong beside her, never could.
And she was okay with that, she realized. Okay living a storybook life of domestic bliss, standing by Richard’...
2023-07-14 03:59:00 +0000 UTC
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“Me too! Me too!” Jack crowed, kowtowing before Jack. “This unworthy one bows before his master!”
Eric laughed. “Very funny. But seriously, you guys want to learn cultivation?” His gaze turned solemn. “Can you all keep a secret?”
To this he received several rapid nods.
“Good. Because it just so happens that there’s a cultivation academy adjoining the territory with those twelve endless delves I was talking about. Rich tear delves with Adventurer’s Promi...
2023-07-12 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Richard stared at Eric for long moments. “What can you tell us?”
Eric smiled, knowing exactly what was being asked of him. “It’s another one of those juicy secrets our humanoid ‘friends’ would prefer to keep to themselves that will make all the fucking difference in the months and years ahead as their chosen ascend to crazy levels in power, and we, the natives, who should be earning experience points a full ten-fold faster than them, will be left ever further behind.” He h...
2023-07-10 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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“Oh fucking hell, that thing is huge!”
Eric had to nod in agreement at Jack’s panicked declaration, even as Richard hurriedly began screaming orders, not quite as cool-headed and together as he had purported to be while calmly going over what seemed to be myriad tactical methodologies in between explaining choice stochastic modalities.
Thankfully, Richards commands were far more concise and practical.
“Ron! Shields Up! Emily, Crowd Control! Yuki… hamstring that bas...
2023-07-07 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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“Yuki! Brace our passengers! Everyone else, MK Alpha on three!”
“Eric! What the fuck’s MK Alpha?”
Eric frowned at Jack as the pair of minotaurs that just turned into their corridor, their surprised bleats quickly turning to furious bellows as they raised their battleaxes high.
“Minotaur Killer, plan alpha! Seriously, we didn’t go over this?”
“No, Eric, we did not!” Jack shouted with growing anxiety as the ground shook with the pounding of massive cl...
2023-07-05 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Congratulations! You have successfully slain 11 Greater Minotaurs!
You have successfully defeated 1 Minotaur Chieftain in single combat!
You have achieved Level 56 as a Primal Adventurer!
Quickness / Finesse / Perception have each increased by 3 points, for nothing is more crucial in battle than striking your foes before they can counter.
Eric gave whoop and when his final shot sent the minotaur titan crashing to the ground with not ...
2023-07-03 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Author's Note - Emily's POV
7000+ word chapter for your reading pleasure.
Enjoy!
“Glacio! Glacio!” Emily’s voice was a high pitched, desperate scream as she gazed upon death’s grinning countenance in the form of a full score of massive axe-wielding giant minotaurs while huddled before the ruins of their fort.
Emily could barely move, so thick was the terror crushing down upon her. The cold soulless eyes of the bull-faced titans promis...
2023-06-30 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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“You’re the enemy, motherfucker!” Ron roared, spittle flying in Eric’s face. “Admit it! We’re just pawns in your twisted game. Our delve was disrupted and we’re conveniently rescued by the man who has every reason to hunt down the children of the administrators who sentenced him to death? Bullshit!” His crimson blade pricked Eric’s flesh, drawing blood. “Admit it, asswipe. You’d happily destroy us all!”
Eric clenched his jaw with bitter heat. Ignoring the sting o...
2023-06-28 03:59:00 +0000 UTC
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Eric felt a jolt of alarm upon hearing Jack’s desperate cry for aid, not certain if he had been lost in a fugue for countless minutes, or just the blink of an eye. Either way, he could do nothing but move forward, no longer bothering to hide his strength this deep in the corridor he had chased the minotaurs in, racing for what he thought of as the central hub, his bow and new arrows at the ready.
Arrows that were now reinforced with the Essence of Dominion and linked to his soul, thei...
2023-06-26 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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“Eric! What the fucking hell was that!?” Jack was gazing at Eric with a wild look in his eyes. Emily was still trembling and dry heaving, pristine silks now scuffed and dirty, their delicious repast now a puddle of vomit by her face.
“What the fuck was what?” Eric asked, the height of innocence.
Jack’s eyes bulged, jabbing his fingers over the parapet. “That, Eric! Whatever the fuck you did that blew up that one asshole’s head… and the other...” His outrage coole...
2023-06-23 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Author's Note -
I realize it's been awhile since I laid out Eric's complete character sheet. I'm doing so here at the end of this chapter just for fun, including listing all the titles (not in any perfect order either, but if you were at all curious about titles and the key bonuses they provide, it's here!) - For those who enjoy concise character sheets and heavy on the action, I got you! - They key points including stats and favorite abilities are always on top, and most character ...
2023-06-21 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Eric frowned, taking a good hard look at what had been a well-made fortress, comprised of cemented stone blocks and giant wooden support beams. Now its defensive properties had been utterly compromised, with one entire wall shattered to rubble, the floors inside having collapsed in a great big pile of wooden beams, shattered furniture, and stone.
Eric rubbed his chin thoughtfully, ignoring Ron’s snort as he casually walked to the three other walls of the keep, pressing his weight agai...
2023-06-19 04:00:05 +0000 UTC
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Eric didn’t hesitate to join Steve and Emily in scaling up the ruined fort, embracing the advantage of height and terrain visibility while Ron and Richard positioned themselves behind a barricade of partial rubble to foil the minotaur’s charge.
Eric spotted Jack nearby, his raised javelin already vibrating as he waited for the perfect shot while Yuki positioned herself to strike their foes from the flanks, once they engaged the tanks in melee. She then became one with the darkness b...
2023-06-16 03:59:02 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone, I just wanted to share with you my Book 1 Battleforged Cover! - The official title will be Survivor (though I'll probably include a note in the blurb that it = 'The Billion Dollar Heist!')
If you'd like to pick up a copy (which would do absolute wonders for helping it pop up in the Algos and I'd be EXTREMELY grateful!) It should be coming out sometime in July!
Anyway, I hope you all like the cover :) I'm going to try to be more pro-act...
2023-06-15 18:19:06 +0000 UTC
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“Will you guys at least let me explain myself before trying to decapitate me? Honest to fucking god, the goblins and, yes, the gnolls, would love nothing better than for us to all destroy each other!”
The entire party, however, was busy staring at his hand, now effortlessly gripping the shaft of Yuki’s naginata, just before the crackling blade now bleeding obsidian death, could score his flesh.
Jack’s eyes were wide. “Fuck. How the fuck did he move so fast? Yuki! You had...
2023-06-14 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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In the best case scenario, Eric had hoped to at least earn some appreciation for rising to the challenge and coming to the aid of the party before him. But clearly they were no fools, not by temperament or experience, all of them glaring his way as they instantly put two and two together.
The rough middle-aged man glared with furious dismay. “It’s him! That fucker’s why our party shattered, our fort ruptured, and the damned maze reset!” He jabbed an accusing finger Eric’s way....
2023-06-12 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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You have successfully saved versus fear.
Minotaur Bellow fails to effect you!
Stealth check made!
Eric’s heart was hammering as he darted around one of the side corridors he had passed while on the hunt. And it was only now, mentally drained, dealing with the after effects of extreme trauma and fleeing for his life that he realized just how hungry he was. So fucking focused on his skills and pushing away all memory of the white hot agony that had...
2023-06-09 03:59:01 +0000 UTC
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