BlaiseCorvin

Sponsored Apocalypse art: goblins (edit 1)

Hey folks!

I commissioned some art for the goblins in Sponsored Apocalypse.  It isn't all the way there yet, but it's coming along!

Sponsored Apocalypse, ch 23

After fading away, the world seemed to be turned sideways.  Then it turned the other direction before resolving.  My vision flickered like an out of focus TV screen.  As the world came back into focus, my heart seemed to stop beating until it all stopped moving.  And then, just like that, I was standing back in my world.  Back to reality.

When I felt finally, firmly back in the moment, I looked around and saw that Aldina was in the room with me. The disturbance ...

Sponsored Apocalypse Ch. 22

If there are any egregious editing issues with this chapter, please let me know.  RL stuff has been slowing me down a lot and it's been difficult to get in the right mental state for editing.


------------


I found myself back in the stone room. The Faceted creature was basically unreadable unless it was “speaking” because it had no expression.  Still, I could almost sense irritation from it.  This would make sense if it actually had been hoping I died.<...

Sponsored Apocalypse ch 21

A notification popped up while I was staring at the door.  I’d gained a level.

My back tingled in excitement despite the danger of what I’d just faced.  Maybe something was wrong with me, or maybe I was changing.  Part of me was still aware that I was gambling with my life on the line, but at some point I’d decided it was worth it.  I had to get stronger.

The level gain was important information. Now I knew that the bugs, and likely whatever else I killed...

Delvers LLC 6, first rough draft of cover

...and it begins.

/hype

I've already sent some edits/corrections to the artist.

Sponsored Apocalypse, ch 20

[Debuff:  Venom]

Then,

[<Built Different> has activated.  Debuff: Envenomed canceled.]

I got swarmed almost immediately after that.  In the next 10 seconds, I was stung at least 100 times.  The status messages kept flashing like a strobe.  My entire body hurt but I had the feeling it would have been much worse if I hadn't already raised my stats. As it was, it felt terrible. But I could handle it.  Barely.  The sensation was sort of ...

Working on finishing Sponsored Apocalypse

There are some advantages to being an author.  One is that I can take Melli out to eat and spend the time working.  Then she just works, too.

Anyway, I'm trying to get the last of Sponsored Apocalypse done.  After that I'll likely be working on either Sponsored Apocalypse 2, or maybe Apocalypse Cultivaiton, but I'll be working on one of them at the same time as Delvers LLC 6.

It's been a while since I've written two books at the same time.  The idea of working...

Sponsored Apocalypse, ch 19

Long chapter

------


The system notification was about how [Built Different] had just stopped my bleeding.  Again.  That was good, but I was too frazzled to really focus on too much at the moment.

After the madness we had just experienced, Aldina and I had crouched down trying to get our breath under control. My high Endurance meant my body wasn't very tired. But the sheer nerves of the experience had worn me out.

I recovered quickly though, and stood up....

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 25 (end of book one)

Pretty much to no one's surprise, the barbecue was over, at least until everybody transferred to the Rusty Nail.

Lucas had several of the guards come discreetly clean up the scene as much as they could. Thomas had complained that the house had just been fixed up and now the back wall to the backyard was utterly destroyed.

Caroline had closed down business at the Rusty Nail for the night, stating that they were celebrating something for Joe.

Lucas's orders were that everybody...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 24

Joe's heart raced as he stared in horror at the monster's ghastly grin, a sight that seemed to belong in nightmares and horror movies. The creature's jaw unhinged, tearing its skin and stretching it to the extreme as if it were made of rubber. Rows of razor-sharp teeth glistened in the dim light, eager to tear apart anything in their path. The monster's eyes glinted with a malevolent gleam, as if it relished the thought of causing chaos and destruction.

Suddenly, the ground quaked benea...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 23

Lucas, after more than a week since Rick's monstrous injury outside the dungeon, made his way back to Lockwood. Each day, he delved into the dungeon, desperate for any shred of evidence that could help solve the mystery. His intuition led him to a conclusion, but he needed concrete proof before he could bring the matter before his superiors.

At the entrance, David, who had aided Rick during the ordeal, welcomed Lucas. Despite a few lingering bruises, he had recovered well enough to work...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 22

Joe meticulously picked up the bandages, cringing as the sticky, crimson stains clung to his skin. He deftly transferred Rick’s and Dave’s blood as properties onto the stones, their surfaces quickly absorbing the blood like a sponge. With a deft flick of his wrist, he tossed the stones into the sink, their once pristine surfaces now marred with scarlet streaks.

As he touched each bandage, his senses tingled with an otherworldly awareness. The slightest hint of poison or contaminatio...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 21

As Joe ushered Dave into the room, he noticed the guard struggling to Rick, who was nearly passed out over his shoulder. Without hesitation, Joe stepped forward to help, eager to be of assistance.

He reached out to take some of the weight off Dave's shoulders, but Rick's muttered words stopped him in his tracks. "No, don't," Rick said, his voice strained with pain.

Confused, Joe looked over at Rick and noticed that his left arm was completely broken, hanging limply by his side. Th...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, chapter 20

As Rick slowly bent down, his taut muscles groaned in protest, like an old wooden floor under a heavy weight. With each stretch, his fingers reached for his toes, testing the limits of his body's flexibility. Despite the pain, he led the morning exercise drills for the guards, his body a testament to his determination.

Years ago, Rick sustained an injury that still caused his shoulders and arms to stiffen, a constant annoyance that he had grown accustomed to. But even with this hindranc...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 19

Joe had grown tired of the silence and solitude of his mansion, so he decided to pay a visit to The Rusty Nail. The cozy tavern was always bustling with people, and it gave him a sense of belonging that he couldn't find in his empty abode. The tantalizing aroma of the chef's cooking wafted through the air, making his mouth water in anticipation of the free meal he was about to enjoy.

Despite the luxurious amenities of his mansion, Joe relished the opportunity to roll up his sleeves and ...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 18

Long chapter here!

----------------------




Joe went back to the house the next day, carrying with him a sack full of meat - all of it lamb. Hopefully, the hellhound liked lamb. But the meat wasn't his special weapon. It was the other sack, full of spices, that he had brought with him.

As he sauntered along the lane, he met with approving nods and welcoming waves from the villagers. Their cheerful chatter and the sound of their children's laughter only served to ...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, Ch 17

Joe decided to retreat back to The Rusty Nail. It was evening, and most of the customers had left at that point. Joe was eating his food, and Rick had finished his shift early.

Sitting next to Joe at the bar, Rick asked, "Really, a hellhound?"

Joe shrugged. "That's what Thomas said." He looked down at the pendant and the old man's head. As clear as day was a hellhound, a small dog with bat-like wings and the smell of sulfur.

"I should have realized that as soon as you mentio...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 16

Joe fell into step behind Sheriff Lucas, the familiar streets of the town passing by in a blur. They were headed to Old Lady Corden's house, a place Joe had visited before and knew well. He hardly needed Lucas to guide him there.

It had only been a few weeks since Joe had last visited the old woman's house. But even then, he had been struck by the clutter and grime that had accumulated over the years. So, using his unique abilities, he had set to work, cleaning every nook and cranny unt...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 15

Got another few chapters!  Please tell me what you think at the end of the block. :)

----------------------------

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into a full month, Joe couldn't help but marvel at the familiarity of the passing time. The months on this planet seemed to follow the same pattern as those on Earth, and for that, he was grateful. The last thing he wanted was to learn a whole new system of numbers and dates.

As he went about his daily routine, ...

Sponsored Apocalypse, ch 18

Apologies if the editing here is a little rough.

-----------

Sure enough, the general store was near the river.  The road curved enough that we could see it as we kept following the water.  I spotted it before Aldina and touched her arm to make her stop.  Like before, even though her stealth field should block noise, neither of us wanted to make much extra sound when we were being sneaky.

We both crouched down in the underbrush, observing the store from behi...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 14

Joe walked through the nearly empty streets of Lockwood, leaving the locket open for Thomas to take in the sights.

"This place has changed considerably," Thomas remarked.

As they walked down the stony cobblestone street, Joe asked, "Like what?"

Thomas replied, "This wasn't always a port city. In fact, there weren't even docks down here. It was my house and a few other wealthy merchants."

He didn't say anything further, just taking in the sights, showing a disinterest f...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 13

Joseph struggled to contain his excitement as he gazed at the painting, his heart racing with anticipation. He wasn't afraid of encountering a ghostly figure within its frame; in fact, he was eager to experience whatever otherworldly phenomena the piece had to offer. Despite his ignorance of the painting's technicalities, he was determined to stay respectful and not let his enthusiasm get the best of him.

"I cannot believe that a stranger has been allowed to trespass within my walls," t...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 12

Emily's mood was sour, and she expressed her frustration by hammering away at the iron on her anvil.

She meant to use the same fire that was meant to fuel the Fire Spirit, but her misplaced trust had allowed the creature to wreak havoc in the town. The consequences of her mistake were severe: she lost all her savings to pay for damages and fines, and she put her friends’ lives in jeopardy. She already drained her savings to pay for the damages, but she still had months of steady work ...

Cozy Isekai Craftsman, ch 11

Joe pushed open the door to his new home, only to find the door handle melted and smoldering on the ground. It was like someone had taken a flamethrower to it, leaving it a twisted heap of metal. With a shrug, he stepped over it and took a step inside, relishing the feeling of cool, damp air on his skin.

As he wandered through the mansion, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer size of it. He felt like he could spend days exploring every nook and cranny. But one thing cau...