Jack stood slowly. Though he had been smacked hard, it was nothing but a scratch to his new, iron-like body. The true loss was the energy he’d expended so far. Going into the boss fight weakened was a terrible idea, but what could he do?
“Sure,” he replied, dusting himself off. “Are you sure you’re ready, though? I can wait another hour.”
“Silence, weakling.” Rufus paused for a moment before continuing. “I admit I...
2023-02-03 17:36:00 +0000 UTC View PostHey all,
The final three chapters of this arc come out in a few hours. In the meantime, remember how I talked about entering the DnD publishing space a couple months ago? Well, it happened. Our first title is out!
Take a look: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/423324/Cult-of-the-Sheep-A-5e...
2023-02-03 13:42:20 +0000 UTC View PostVivi and Alexander clashed mid-air, each flying around the other as they exchanged attacks. “You got better,” Alexander noted.
“I practiced!” she shouted back between strikes. Her whip was sharp and unpredictable, rapping the air with a series of fiery booms. A ring of liquid fire surrounded her, blocking Alexander every time he approached.
“So what? You are just a girl, a child. You are useless. Your achievements are due...
2023-02-02 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View Post“WHAT!?” Professor Margaret Rust grabbed both armrests of her chair and squeezed, making them creak.
Next to her, her assistants stopped celebrating and looked mutedly at a television screen, where the arena was displayed. Just a moment ago, they had seen Jack Rust, the leader of their faction, become the strongest person on Earth and receive tremendous rewards. Everything had been going perfect.
But now, things had suddenly go...
2023-02-01 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostMaster Shol had already flashed back to his seat, hiding his excitement and nervousness as well as he could, and Edgar hurried to pick up Brock and fly back to his seat. The moment he landed, he began conversing with their allies in hushed tones.
Dorman and Alexander Petrovic landed next to Jack. He gave Dorman a smile and a nod, which the young man returned.
“Fourth and third place receive a Trial Planet Token,” the head jud...
“There is no time for sentimentality!” Master Shol seemed to regain himself. “We must find a way out of this or you’ll die at the stake. The tournament will be over in a few minutes, and the Animal Kingdom will surely find an excuse to attack you as soon as possible.”
“I see.”
“Luckily, it seems you are going to win the tournament. One of the rewards for first place is a D-Grade robot bodyguard. That should be enoug...
2023-01-30 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostMolten iron flowed through Jack’s veins. No, it wasn’t iron; it was his blood. He screamed and seized as his entire body tensed at once. From his skin to his intestines, even the muscles he couldn’t control cramped up, tightening to their hardest.
They didn’t relax again. However, over the following seconds, Jack slowly felt the rigidity leaving his body. In just a moment, he was fine, and his body was flooded with more strength ...
2023-01-29 17:37:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe arena had fallen silent. Most humans didn’t understand why, but they could tell that something was wrong.
All the aliens were gaping at Jack like he was a monster. So were the most knowledgeable of humans, and even the immortals. The C-Grade lioness was gripping her throne’s armrest tightly, but no one noticed. Vocrich’s dark eyes were blazing. Only the ascetic of Barren High seemed to maintain his cool, though even he was surp...
2023-01-28 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View Post“I’m begging you, Master.” Shol gritted his teeth, conversing mentally with his master. “The boy is worth it. Even the Barren High advised that we take him in.”
“His reputation is stained, Shol,” a woman’s voice echoed into his mind, filled with age and majesty. Her will was absolute. “I cannot provoke the Animal Kingdom for a baby. The risk is too big, the cost too high. I requested a victory, and this is no victory....
2023-01-27 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostThe moment Jack sat down, everyone knew they were in for a wait. Some people complained, but most simply settled down. Before the most exciting battle on the planet, one hour was nothing.
The C-Grade lioness was furious. She sent wave after wave of mental pressure at Jack, whose only reaction was a set of furrowed brows. Even she couldn’t hurt him like that, at least not covertly; the soul was inviolable.
His eyes were closed, bu...
2023-01-26 17:36:00 +0000 UTC View PostBtw, the story has a fan-wiki page where you can look up information or enter your own. Credits to the awesome Nilbog for creating and populating it.
---
The previous night, just as the sun was about to rise,
Rufus Emberheart sat alone in his house.
There weren’t many moments when he could think freely. Around others, he ...
2023-01-25 17:37:00 +0000 UTC View PostCongratulations! Meteor Punch (I) → Meteor Punch (II)
Meteor Punch (II): When meteors fall from space, they cause exponentially more damage than their size would indicate. Your punches can carry the same effect. Overdraw your body’s potential and combine it with your Dao of the Fist to unleash a devastating attack. Shoot out your punch like a meteor.
The skill descript...
2023-01-24 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostJack once again stood in his house’s sparring room, cracking his knuckles. It had taken him two hours to find Li Xiang and bring him here. That made it afternoon, but the wasted time was more than worth it. Jack could feel it.
The old Chinese master stood calmly against Jack. He wore new robes, and his face was still warped from the morning’s humiliation. Anger and hatred burned in his eyes. Unfortunately, he knew he was was too weak...
2023-01-23 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostJack and Dorman walked side-by-side. Brock walked between them, too.
They entered the participant district and reached Jack’s house. Jack swiped his identification token to let them in, and the door slid open soundlessly.
“Isn’t it odd to see such high-tech next to swords and sandals?” Jack asked, walking in.
“It is. But the magic is odder.”
“I guess.”
Both were ready to kick each other’s asses. ...
2023-01-21 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostJack stood opposite Alexander Petrovic, glaring into his eyes.
He hadn’t forgotten how Alexander tried to murder Vivi, his friend and ally. He also hadn’t forgotten how the Ice Peak shamed humanity by prostrating like cowards. And most importantly, he hadn’t forgotten that Alexander was only a stepping stone. The real enemy was Rufus Emberheart.
“Bring out your strongest form, Alexander Petrovic,” Jack declared, cracking ...
2023-01-20 17:36:09 +0000 UTC View PostThe arena was as busy as ever.
Merchants wandered the stands and hollered for people to buy snacks; spectators gathered in groups and discussed excitedly with each other; and the crowd was still trickling in through the two entrances.
“I can’t believe it’s the semi-finals already,” Edgar said, taking in the excitement around them. “It feels like yesterday when everything began.”
“I can’t believe this will all ...
2023-01-19 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostJack scrambled to reach. He flew over the treadmill and punched the air, sending the shockwave of his punch to meet an airborne wooden target. The moment he punched, he was already turning the other way, shooting another punch at a different target.
His jabs flew like arrows as they shot down targets, yet many snuck through. He tried to punch again, but he failed to hold on to the feeling, and the shockwave exploded way too early, letti...
Jack walked down the streets of Integration City. On his right was Brock. On his left, Karvahul. The streets were mostly empty right now since the fights had just finished, so if they kept their voices low, nobody would overhear.
“It isn’t looking good, Jack,” the djinn said, shaking his head. “You spent everything we had at the auction. I want to bet, but our funds are just miniscule now. So are our profits.”
“Mhm.”<...
2023-01-17 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostVivi had lost, but she could not resign!
Through his pain, Alexander took that in with grim pleasure. He’d attacked her lung on purpose.
His tail reformed and snapped out like a lance, aiming to penetrate her head and kill her on the spot. He was sluggish, exhausted, and injured, but still moving faster than any pre-System human.
Vivi barely managed to dodge. Completely out of mana, she tilted her head to the side and fell ...
2023-01-16 17:36:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe head judge jumped to the air quickly, trying to announce the next fight, but she was swarmed by the audience’s shouts. “Fuck you, Rufus Emberheart!” still echoed across the Integration City.
She didn’t stop trying to calm the crowds, probably too afraid of what would happen to her if she let this continue, but she was helpless.
It took a few minutes for things to calm down.
The Sage turned to Jack with an amused s...
2023-01-14 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostProbably one of my favorite chapters!
---
Rufus Emberheart stood at one end of the arena. He wore a set of chainmail armor that glistened in the morning sun, with armored pants underneath. There was no helmet, leaving his majestic mane free to sway with the breeze. He was unarmed and supremely confident, though his piercing eyes left no doubt that under the arrogant nonchalance slumbered a mighty titan.
Li Xiang faced him....
As Jack watched the healers pour green energy over an unconscious Edgar, he marveled at how close the battle had been.
Truthfully, he’d walked in expecting it to be a walk in the park. He’d walked away with two broken hands, several cracked ribs, many superficial wounds, first-degree burns, and entire chunks of skin missing on his legs. Plus the pain of all those.
You little fucker, he thought, watching Edgar regain ...
Edgar stepped into the arena under the deafening cheers of thousands of people. System-enhanced lungs thundered with roars, feet stomped on the wooden stands, and the constant din of conversation flowed underneath the rest of the noise, difficult to perceive but always there.
The cheers hit Edgar like a warm wall of humidity, like entering a marsh. The sun came immediately afterward, shining on his eyes and making him shield them, while...
The middle of the night found Brock rushing over rooftops and jumping from house to house. He landed a long leap, then did a tippity dance in celebration before continuing. The big dog bros who hid on the rooftops looked at him with disinterest, so he ignored them back.
Brock was happy because he had food!
Big Bro had arrived with a Big Sis and told him to go elsewhere. Brock didn’t understand that; they would just mate, right?...
Jack rested at the entrance of the participant district, leaning against the side of the open gate. He wore a dark blue buttoned shirt—taut over his wide shoulders and bulging muscles—and light brown pants, while his hair was tidy and his shoes polished—not by him; he’d just found them in a cupboard.
He simply stood there with his arms crossed, gazing at the setting sun and letting his mind wander.
I don’t have a cell...
2023-01-09 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View PostDespite his resolve to train, Jack took Brock and spent an hour after leaving the arena to visit a seaside cafe—and not because he liked the coffee. A guillotine was hanging over his head, and if Master Shol refused to help, he needed to do something. With the light of day and his frustration vented, his thoughts would hopefully flow smoother.
An hour later, Jack entered his house, let Brock snack in the kitchen, and headed directly t...
Edgar jumped off the stands and rode a blue cloud to the arena stage. The crowd cheered.
Opposite him, the Sage excused himself through the audience and reached the stairs. A few moments later, he appeared in the arena amidst kind laughter. Everyone knew him, by now; he was just like that.
“Are you ready?” Edgar asked him. Jack could see his friend’s resolve in his eyes, the tightening of his grip on the crystal-topped staf...
The impending fight drew Jack to the present. He was full of dark thoughts, and the best way to get rid of them was to punch something hard and repeatedly. His Dao agreed, too.
Jack grinned as the sharkman landed in the arena. The nearby crowd cheered at him.
However, before jumping in himself, Jack had something to do. Reaching inside the white bag he carried, he removed a head-sized glass sphere shining with all colors of the r...
Jack reached the arena in a haze. His mind was filled with dark thoughts, and he was torn.
Images of the professor’s house on fire sprang uninvited. He saw Valville razed to the ground, five dark forms darting through the streets and massacring anyone on sight. He saw Harambe and the brorillas valiantly stepping up to protect themselves, only to get easily butchered. He saw the light leaving their wide open eyes as their blood stained...
The moon hung high. Jack sat on his rooftop, enjoying the night breeze. He was alone. Not even Brock was there. His brows were deeply furrowed.
He needed to think.
I am an enemy of Gan Salin, Shard Presht, and most importantly, Rufus Emberheart.
What had happened in the auction was different than every other time. Gan Salin and Shard Presht envied Jack’s strength and were bitter that they’d lost to him. Gan Salin...
2023-01-03 17:36:02 +0000 UTC View Post