cassioferreira

HC: Card Slinger | Ch. 25 - Shell Bay

Beyond the jutting outcrop of Gulls Rock stretched Shell Bay. 

Two cliffs curved inward to embrace the shoreline in a protective U-shape. The white sands shimmered under the afternoon sun, wide and inviting. Scattered across the beach were boulders, like milestones marking the transition from looming rocky walls to soft, open sand. Some stones were smooth and rounded by tides, while others jutted sharply, their jagged edges etched with the scars of time. As the rocks grew larger an...

HC: Card Slinger | Ch. 24 - Scizor Strike

Deckard crossed the boardwalk and stepped into the familiar confines of the Silver Shell. The store felt as it always did—crowded with the smell of salt and the faint scent of aged wood. He approached the counter and started taking stack after stack of feathers, about 300.

When I first started, I couldn’t even take down a single seagull. A single feather felt like a prize. Now I’ve got enough to stuff a mattress.

“Hi there. I’ve got some feathers to sell.”

HC: Handyman | Ch. 122 - Synergy

Jack raced up the stairs.

I shouldn’t have gone for that last lap around the block. The mead finished aging 10 minutes ago! 

On the one hand, he had never been as sedentary as he was now. On the other hand, he had never enjoyed physical activity as much as he did now. Every bone, joint, and muscle in his body screamed thanks every time he did something physical.

I should go for a run later, he noted to himself. It would all depend on how busy i...

HC: Handyman | Ch. 121 - Aging

After a nutritious breakfast and a rejuvenating shower, Jack lay back on his bed, staring at his phone.

No texts.

The disappointment was familiar, a daily ritual since he and Lydia broke up. He’d swipe through his apps, hoping for something—anything—but the screen always stayed silent. Today, though, it wasn’t just Lydia weighing on his mind. Rob hadn’t answered Jack's text earlier, and the silence gnawed at him.

“Hope you’re doing okay, man,” he muttered, se...

HC: Handyman | Ch. 120 - First Batch

The first sip of mead was an unexpected delight. Sweeter and lighter than beer, it coated Jack’s tongue with a gentle sweetness. Beneath the honeyed notes was a subtle tang, bright and zesty, reminiscent of lemon peel. As he swallowed, a comforting warmth spread through his chest, leaving behind an earthy, spiced aftertaste.

“So. How would you describe it?” Gretchen asked.

“It’s really good,” Jack said, lowering the cup with a satisfied nod.

Gretchen frowned, her...

HC: Card Slinger | Ch. 23 - Scavenge

Just as Deckard reached for one of the uncommon fox cards, a thought struck him.

He had played against Ratu for the first time not long ago. What if Ratu came knocking at his door soon with a third challenge? What if other NPCs in the village did the same?

He needed cards that could strengthen his deck now—not just long-term investments. His [Sunflower SeaStar] and [Shallows Swarm] combo was good, but he couldn’t bank everything into this one combo. Good decks should have more...

HC: Handyman | Ch. 119 - Mead

Gretchen wiped her hands on her apron and nodded toward the counter. “Uncle Billy, keep an eye on things, will you?”

The old man raised a bushy eyebrow but lumbered over with surprising enthusiasm. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep the mugs flowing. Just don’t blame me if I drink half the profits.”

“You touch the cider barrel, and you’ll have to answer to me,” Gretchen shot back with a smirk. “Come on, Jack. Let’s start with the basics of brewing.”

Jack follo...

New Editions of Two of My Novels!

Hi, everyone!

I’ve come a long way as a writer since I started—it sure feels that way! My first two standalone novels have been with me since the beginning. Recently, I revisited them, refining the stories and giving them brand-new covers. I’m thrilled with the results and excited to share them with you.

The first is Planet Ignis, a sci-fi novel featuring a fascinating form of alien chess and a progression fantasy vibe.

2024-11-16 13:24:16 +0000 UTC View Post

HC: Handyman | Ch. 118 - Plucking

The faint, stale smell of raw chicken clung to the air. Feathers spiraled down like lazy snowflakes, soft at first but prickling against Jack’s skin. Jack worked steadily, plucking feather after feather until his movements became mechanical. His shoulders ached, and his thoughts wandered, but his hands never stopped. He chuckled, finding an odd parallel between this and yanking grass to dry. 

The task was mindless, sure, but technique made all the difference. Wide, sweeping motio...

Alien Bet & The Rise of the Lake Puppets | Ch. 18 - The Colossus + Epilogue

Joey struggled to stay on his feet as the impact shook the building. “Is it an earthquake?” he yelled.

“No, I don’t think so,” replied the commissioner, straining to listen. “It sounds like it’s coming from outside!”

They bolted for the exit. As they reached the street, the screams and shouts from panicked citizens met them in full force. The ground continued to shake. People around them were pointing east, fear on every face. Following their gazes, Joey and the co...

Alien Bet & The Rise of the Lake Puppets | Ch. 17 - The Beetle

It had been three days since Joey had woken up with a pounding headache, and despite his best efforts, he still hadn’t managed to reach Esther. Finally, they’d agreed to meet at the hotel. The manager had practically pulled him by the arm the moment he’d arrived in uniform, dragging him to survey the bright graffiti splashed across the hotel’s once-pristine façade.

“What’s the mighty police force actually doing about this mess?”

“Mr. Pierre, I assure you, we’re ...

Alien Bet & The Rise of the Lake Puppets | Ch. 16 - The Android

Esther studied Dr. Neuer. He was short, his hair rumpled and sticking up in places. His lab coat was dotted with oil stains—an odd sight for someone in his field, but then, everything about Dr. Neuer hinted at eccentricity. 

She remembered his file well; she’d once been on the panel debating his nomination to the academy. Despite his dual degrees in mechanical engineering and neurology, his unconventional research led to repeated rejections.

“It’s no trouble at all, e...

Stubbing Hidden Class: Handyman 1

Hi, everyone!

I'm about to stub Hidden Class: Handyman, volume 1. That means that I'll remove it from everywhere, but Amazon and the book will become available on Kindle Unlimited.

I'll do this on Friday. Just to give you a heads up.

Have a great day,

Cássio Ferreira

HC: Handyman | Ch. 117 - Dance of the Turtles

Jack operated the menu and selected the obvious choice, causing several notifications to flash across his screen. A sense of accomplishment settled over Jack.

You’ve reached Bard, level 10!

You’ve reached the journeyman tier in the bard profession!

You’re now a journeyman bard, lvl. 1.

[Ocarina Mastery] has upgraded.

You've unlocked a new skill: [Soulful Performer].

<...

Alien Bet & The Rise of the Lake Puppets | Ch. 15 - The Hospital

Since the flood a few weeks ago, Geoffrey had been haunted by the same vivid dream every night. Each time, it felt clearer, almost painfully so. Even as he floated through it, he knew he was dreaming—if he weren’t, he’d be drowning. For hours, he swam beneath an endless blue, herds of dugongs gliding serenely past him like apparitions in the filtered light. 

He looked up. The sunlight above was warm and golden. White clouds drifted lazily beyond the surf, except for one—a l...

HC: Card Slinger | Ch. 22 - Rematch

A pulse of shimmering energy emanated from the boat, rippling through reality like a drop of rain breaking the surface of a still lake. Small castles began to materialize on the left-hand side of each player, solidifying into sturdy stone and iron-bound towers. 

Next, with a low rumble, a translucent wall flickered into place before them and cut through the battlefield, forming a horizontal ‘H’ shape. The walls were impossible to see through and would keep their moves hidden fr...

HC: Card Slinger | Ch. 21 - The Trainer

The trainer sold a package of eight basic skills, two for each of the game’s four core classes. [Healing Ray] and [Bolster] were designed for medics. Funnily enough, capturing all the creatures in the shallows had warranted him [Healing Ray]. As for [Bolster], Ratu had used it against him back in their match, and its AstroTerra version did basically the same as its Terralore counterpart—buffing its target. The buff was simple, increasing HP and energy for five ...

HC: Handyman | Ch. 116 - A Mysterious Creature

Despite being technically in the countryside, the compound had an industrial opulence that made Jack feel like he’d stepped back into the city. Metal wheels squeaked along steel tracks, and the carts, crafted from wood and reinforced with iron, were brimming with grain, crates of fruits, caskets of wine, jars of honey, eggs, and even slabs of meat. The facility buzzed with efficiency.

The Agropastoral Institute was a five-story white building, one of the tallest Jack had seen in the g...

HC: Card Slinger | Ch. 20 - Trap

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

-1

-1

-1

The diseased seagull cawed angrily as Deckard kept throwing card after card, dodging its sharp beak as it swooped toward him. 

His stack of cards finally ran out, forcing him to switch to his toy sword. He swung it left and right, each swipe a whoosh of air. Kicking up sand with every jump and sidestep, he dodged the bird’s vicious pecks. Finally, with one last squ...

HC: Handyman | Ch. 115 - Horde

The moment the gate swung open, the group took off. Amari and Marie ran ahead. Horace stayed close to Jack, his breath ragged and quick in rhythm with Jack’s own. Snowy and the bees took up the rear, their presence less of a promise for protection. At most, Snowy’s [Largeness] skill would prevent foxes from sneaking up on them.

Despite the veterans’ warnings, there was nothing but silence as they crossed the meadow. Jack’s heart pounded with every step, his ears straining for an...

Alien Bet & The Rise of the Lake Puppets | Ch. 14 - The Albatross

Joey and Esther arrived at the Aquil Airport. Fond memories flickered in Joey’s mind, and he smiled, recalling his father taking him on a hot air balloon ride. They’d floated over the lake estate, his father’s steady hand on his shoulder, as Joey marveled at the glinting water and sprawling trees below.

Back then, Joey had been eager to explore the unknown, dreaming of crossing borders, riding a Zeppelin, or diving deep underwater in a submarine. His father had gone to great lengt...

HC: Card Slinger | Ch. 19 - Milestones

As soon as the sunflower starfish card entered Deckard’s repository, a ripple went through the machine. The cards within shifted and rearranged, the pale paper lighting up with a faint, underwater glow. Gradually, the light focused, forming a rectangle that pulsed once and then solidified into a new card. 

A series of notifications floated into his field of vision, each one more exciting than the last.

Congratulations! You’ve captured all creature cards from the s...