Litrpg Science

Max was murdered, but now he is mostly over it. Living on earth as a recent college graduate, he can still perfectly recall his past life on Albion, a sword and sorcery world. He'd been hailed as the "Hero of the World" after crawling his way up from poverty, eventually enjoying great fame and luxury. But on mana-starved Earth, he's just a guy.

When quiet Orrin and his extroverted best friend, Daniel, were transported to a strange RPG-based world, not much changed between them. Daniel became a hero of legend, while Orrin remained his unobtrusive shadow. Only when they faced a particularly lethal foe did Orrin step out of his comfort zone and display his true worth—with powers he didn't know he had. Of course, Daniel got all the glory, but Orrin doesn't mind. He's just happy they're both still alive.

These stories and more are featured in the third short story anthology for the System Apocalypse, continuing the saga of survival in a world transformed by the arrival of the System. Humanity has adapted to a new reality filled with Classes, magic and monsters, but the struggle for life, love and purpose never ends. This anthology brings together gripping tales from returning authors and two new short stories by Tao Wong.

When a Demonic Assault occurs, most people stuck inside of a Fracture end up hiding inside of a bunker in the hopes that they don’t get killed by a demon. Others might even hope for the slightest possible chance at signing a contract with a spirit and becoming a Guardian. So when Scarlet was caught in a Fracture, the last thing she expected was to become a demon herself. Exactly two centuries ago, humanity was struck with their very first Demonic Assault.

Becoming a knockoff Dracula in tight leather pants was never part of Vincent’s plans. Neither was being summoned to another world by a cult of vampire wannabes. But both happened. Now, Vincent’s left to pick up the tattered pieces of his humanity as he tries to grow strong enough to keep his family safe. The world is filled with nightmares, and the looming threat of losing his soul stands between his goal and his reality, so it’s not like it will be too hard or anything. Hell should tremble. A good man is going to war.

One day, six towers appear on Earth. Each one stands hundreds of stories tall, and are invulnerable to all attacks. At the base of each tower is a portal, welcoming in all who dare enter it. All sorts of magical monsters can be found inside the towers. Even treasure, magic and superhuman strength can be acquired. The problem is that the towers aren't a friendly place. Even worse, the towers sometimes release waves of monsters to attack Earth. In the year 2083, there are only a hundred survivors. In one last attempt, they challenge the final floor without regard for their lives.

In the aftermath of an unprecedented magical disaster, Edge wakes up in a monster-infested wilderness, standing on the bottom of the food chain. But he won’t be there for long. After finding a unique core known as Skill-Eater, Edge gains the power to steal the skills of monsters, men, and beasts, and a chance to battle his way up to the top.

It seems like a lifetime ago that Thedeim was a mortal man. After a fatal accident, he was transported to a strange realm to begin again as a living low-level dungeon. But he didn't stay small for long. With a powerful will, he built his dungeon self into a force to be reckoned with, full of minions, creepy crawlies, and a hedge maze to die for. Except Thedeim isn't a place where delvers die. He's a different, friendlier kind of dungeon, which suits both him and his many allies just fine. But being a nice dungeon means taking on some not-so-nice entities.

Felix has survived the tribulations of the Void and returned to the Continent. Civilization, at long last. Yet the city of Haarwatch has a terrible new issue. The Inquisition has arrived to stamp out sorcery and unnatural monstrosities...and Felix still has the Primordial Maw riding shotgun in his soul. Now, he must find his friends and a way to remove a section of his very essence before everything comes crashing down. All the while, sinister plots in Haarwatch's center promise dire, bloody consequences for anyone who catches the Inquisition’s eye.

Seth Willard is broke, sick, and running out of time. A single dad drowning under bills and a cancer diagnosis, his last chance comes from a desperate gamble: taking a job as an NPC in a real world, fully immersive zombie survival experience. The nanites injected into his body that will project the game’s experience into his senses will also cure his cancer as he safely sells supplies to rich players out killing monsters that aren’t really there. At least, that’s the plan.

Mark Fields finally escaped the deadly underground prison known as the Tomb—at the cost of his former life. With a new identity, he joins the Hunters’ Association, tracking down the dangerous Exlian aliens in the dead zone outside New Emery. Despite the danger, Mark thrives, his power growing exponentially with each hunt. But every step leads him further from humanity—and closer to the alien Exlian. As rogue raiders target hunters outside the city, and corruption and ambition brew evil plots within, even Mark’s enhanced powers may not be enough to save his friends—or the woman he’s drawn to …

Betrayed by the Gods, bearing unwanted Blessings which stain his soul with their foul divine taint, Orodan faces pursuit as the hostile divinities of Inuan seek to reclaim what they see as theirs. Dire odds, even for a time looper. And if unwanted godly attention wasn't enough, the ever-present threat of the Eldritch Avatar and the world's inevitable corruption draws nearer as always. Facing danger right from the beginning of each loop, Orodan must fight, die and repeat. Too bad he's never been one to quit; and never been one for planning and clever schemes.

Gary doesn’t have all that much going for him. He’s a teenage boy who lives in a Tier-3 town that’s barely hanging on, and his family’s just a rung above dirt poor. Which is why he’s taken the very dangerous step of becoming an errand boy for the savage Underdogs gang. He doesn’t like what they do, but if he tries to get out, he’s pretty sure he’ll get very dead.

Without any warning, Amber is transported from her dingy student apartment to a fantastical realm with magic, monsters, and a universal System. However, even though she is forcibly ripped from her home and thrust into a dangerous new life, for the first time ever, she finally feels free. There are no cheats for her. There are no gods to guide her, and some would even laugh in her face. But the pain, the hardships, and the challenges only give her strength. As the first Cursed Berserker seen in over a hundred years, Amber welcomes the world of Vir with a smile on her face.

Victor Sandoval—aka Lord Victor, Duke of Iron Mountain—has continued to expand his legendary status fighting for the kingdom of Gloria in the world of Rhun, where savage duels between champions are the ultimate deciders of fate. But his trials in the arena pale in comparison to what comes next.

Michael's plans have shifted, or rather, he has upended them. His once simple plans for raising House Wolf have morphed into something different. Will he succeed at his new goals? Will the Forerunners? Or will Michael's allies be made to pay for his overreach?

Not long ago, all Belissar wanted was to be left in peace to tend his apiaries. But that ended when Ruckanos, the brutish son of the local lord, slaughtered his village to make way for his new tower. Rescued by a bee—who happened to be a core—the one-time beekeeper then became king of his own bee realm. Belissar quickly learned how to thrive not only as a leader but as a fighter, using his winged minions to battle the dreaded Hunger that threatens all life. Now, aided by the mystical bear folk who share their knowledge and wisdom with him, he must continue to grow.

After the cliff-hanger ending of the last book, Michael is still not any closer to finding out who The Other is, and the stakes have never been this high. The 11 have been captured. Herobrine marches his army towards the Resistance Village along with The Other. Michael must prepare the defense of his village and get ready for his final battle in the War of the Chosen Ones. Can Michael defeat Herobrine and The Other?

They were told to stay out of the ten-day war, but their side lost in the first hour. Their future is at stake, so now the Butcher and the other workers have to do the impossible: Win a war without anyone know they are fighting. Luckily, they have Fearless Leader on their side to help them carry out their campaign of terror and sabotage as they use every dirty trick they can think of to even the odds. Twenty-Five workers with no weapons or magic versus two-hundred and fifty regular players. The other side is in for a big surprise.

As a monster, Shrubley is forbidden from joining the adventurers guild. In a world where essence artists rank up in power and most monsters are feral beasts, Shrubley is among the weakest of creatures and is treated as an outcast. With curiosity essence bound to his spirit, Shrubley might be weak, but he's intelligent and determined. Against all the odds, he discovers a loophole from the Druid that gave him life—but there's a deadly catch. For a chance of ever being accepted as a true adventurer, he must challenge an otherworldly realm threatening to consume everything.