Into the Pit: A LitRPG Adventure (Brad the Impaler Book 2), page 57
What was good for the goose, right?
His name crackled with the red flames typical of the butchers in Darkworld. The fiery plume on his conical helmet fluttered in a breeze that never reached me. Between the slits in his visor, crystal eyes peered out. “You talk too much.”
“And you hide behind that armor, so I guess we can call it even. Unless you’re willing to show me you have a pair of balls and step into the game. I’m sure there’s a package deal you can buy that allows you to do that. Then we can sort this out instead of wasting each other’s time. In case you haven’t noticed, I have a farm to take care of, animals to tend to, and friends to help. I’m sure you can’t relate to any of that. You can’t even get that job your mom is begging you to apply for, so you can finally get the fuck out of her basement.”
BigDk’s steel-plated armor rattled as he chuckled in a voice so deep, it had to just be a game element and not remotely close to the real person behind the avatar. “You’re right about one thing, little man. I don’t have time to trade barbs with you. Not that you’re worth it.”
“Then how about you stop bothering me?”
“I just wanted to make sure you knew that I’m glad you beat the boss.”
I hefted the pitchfork. “That’s great. I’m glad you’re happy for me. Now if you don’t mind—”
“After all, if you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have gotten that clue about you.”
Whoever this guy was back in the real world, BigDk was definitely living up to his gaming name. “I thought I told you this before about all the shit-talking? It doesn’t do anything for or to me. Someone as insecure as you might not understand that. It’s why I gave you a pass the first time. I don’t like repeating myself.”
I tried to search around his avatar to find anything that would close him out of my window. Just as before, there was nothing obvious, no big or tiny ‘X’ to click on to end this torture.
“Fine, you don’t want me to waste your time?”
“I’d appreciate it. Show a bit of decency and get out of my face.”
“How about I show you something else?”
I waved my hand. “Not really into that online sex stuff. Sorry.”
“You’re a funny boy, aren’t you? Let’s see if you’re laughing after you see this.”
Another window opened on my mindscreen. When I saw what it contained, I dropped the rake.
“How the fuck did you get that? Did they give it to you?”
BigDk’s plated chest jiggled as he laughed. I wanted to rip the stupid plume out of his helmet and shove it down his throat. “Like I said, I truly appreciated you beating that boss, ‘Brad the Impaler.’ Stupid gamer name.” He lifted a gauntleted hand. “Or should I say, Brad Wright?”
I looked for a way to close out the new window crowding my mindscreen. I was staring at a picture of myself. Somehow, the designers of Darkworld had a copy of my driver’s license and provided it to my butcher. My fucking driver’s license. That meant he knew who I was outside of the game. He knew where I lived, if that place still existed. With that information alone, he could start wreaking havoc with my real life. With one simple gift, they’d screwed me.
“So keep talking big,” he said, snapping his fingers. The window displaying my driver’s license closed. “Let’s see where it gets you. I’ve got things to handle. Be seeing you soon. Real soon.”
In a snap, his avatar disappeared.
“Fortune?”
Almost immediately, my guide appeared on my mindscreen. Her nose wrinkled as her face twisted in torment. “Brad, I’m so sorry. I wish I knew what clues the Electors gave to butchers. I don’t understand exactly what they provided him, but I can tell it’s sensitive information. It’s just… lately.” She sighed, her chest heaving. “Much of what I used to be able to see is no longer viewable. I’m so, so sorry.”
“That’s going to cause problems for me. I’ve got to get out of this game. Every minute I spend here means I run the risk of my life being wrecked back in my world. I need your help.”
“You know I’ll do whatever I can,” she said, and in her comment, I heard an echo of my own promises to Kira.
“Yes, I know.” My mind swirled. “Fortune, if I help Kira in her PvP challenge, will my game advance? Does it open other options specific to my path? Not hers. Mine.”
“It can,” she said, stressing the last word. “I’d have to read a few things to advise you more appropriately.”
“Okay. Do that as quickly as you can. Please,” I said, adding extra emphasis to my request.
Maybe sensing my vulnerability, Fortune nodded slowly. Speaking softly, she answered, “Of course, Brad. Of course, I will do that for you.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
She looked away, but this time she didn’t flush with embarrassment.
“Fortune, what’s wrong?”
“I fear you might not appreciate my help when I tell you what I’ve learned.”
“What did they do now?”
She gripped her hands so tightly, the skin around her fingers lightened. “I’m still trying to understand the complexity of your world, but I fear things in Darkworld will become much more challenging for all players.”
“Why? What happened, Fortune?”
“Please forgive me if I get the details wrong,” she said, too apologetically. “The Electors own a company, which I understand. What is foreign to me is that they also launched an IPO, I believe it’s called?”
“Initial public offering,” I said.
“I’m attempting to understand it through the literature I found in the logs. It is quite a complex thing to grasp.”
“Don’t worry. Most people in my world don’t understand them either. Can you tell from the logs if the IPO was successful?”
Fortune seemed frozen for a second and I realized she was accessing the information she’d need to answer me. “The log says they raised two hundred and fifty million dollars. Is that a lot?”
I felt like someone had just punched me in the kidney. “Yeah,” I said exasperated. “It is. Did they share any other news?”
“There’s something about a press release.”
I ran a filthy hand through my hair. “Is there any way that you can put it on my mindscreen?”
“Give me a,” she said, and before she finished, a new window popped up, “moment. There. Now you should see it.”
I scanned the brief statement. Now I knew who the bastards were behind Darkworld. Dark Dominion Games, Inc.
Evil finally had a name. I continued reading.
Fortune stayed silent, though I sensed her watching me. When I finished, I closed my eyes and groaned.
“Is it bad?”
‘Sure, if you consider the vast funds they raised will allow them to hire more scumbags to code and a larger infrastructure that likely includes more servers for exponential growth of Darkworld as a bad thing, then it is,’ I wanted to say. Instead, all that came out was, “Yes. Very bad.”
“I hate bringing you this type of information.”
Not for the first time, and I feared, not for the last, I wanted to grab Fortune’s hand so I could give her a reassuring squeeze. “You’re doing exactly what I need you to do. You’re doing exactly what a friend would do for someone in trouble.”
“So, you’re in trouble?”
I nodded.
“Serious trouble?”
“We all are.”
BOOM!
WELCOME TO LEVEL 3!
TIME TO GET SERIOUS!
GAME ON!
Less than a hundred yards away, Kira was puttering around in the house, probably keeping herself busy as not to think about the tough decision ahead. Slash was likely doing his best to support her.
Away from our camp, Darkworld and its drama churned on for others. Tonia and Adrian and their alliance to worry about. Ricky hiding out there, somewhere. NPCs mindlessly following the scripts they were given. Players killing other players because they had to if they wanted any hope of getting back home. A mysterious third-level boss awaited me.
I stared at the house that shielded me from having to face Kira. Slash had said it all. I just needed to process how right he was. Could I? Did I have a choice?
Though we lived to fight another day, all tomorrow promised was more trouble.
With a sigh, I closed the game notification, said goodbye to Fortune, and got back to work. After all, Darkworld waited on no one.
Brad the Impaler will continue in Book Three!
Thank you for reading Into the Pit
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. We just wanted to take a moment to encourage you to review the book. Follow this link: Into the Pit to be directed to the book’s Amazon product page to leave your review.
Every review helps further the author’s reach and, ultimately, helps them continue writing fantastic books for us all to enjoy.
Also in series:
Book 1 – Brad the Impaler
Book 2 – Into the Pit
Check out the entire series here! (Tap or scan)
Want to discuss our books with other readers and even the authors? Join our Discord server today and be a part of the Aethon community.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website
You can also join our non-spam mailing list by visiting www.subscribepage.com/AethonReadersGroup and never miss out on future releases. You'll also receive three full books completely Free as our thanks to you.
Looking for more great books?
Join Dirk and his genius Goose companion in their relentless pursuit of the perfect run. Dirk was America’s golden boy. Olympic golds, Wheaties box—the works. That was ten years ago. Turns out going to prison is terrible for sponsorships. Now, he’s alone, a felony on his record, and bitter at the world. Enter the Tower of Conflict. Just what a man needs to get out of a rut—the end of the world and a Tower to Climb. Aided by his talking goose animal companion, magical cape, and the Goddess of Fate herself, Dirk is primed to take this Tower by storm. He was always more of a lone wolf, but when the competing alien races start smacking humanity around the Tower, he’ll be forced to lean on his teammates, unlock new magic, and broker reluctant alliances. Because if he doesn’t, humanity is doomed... Welcome to the Tower, Climbers. Try not to die on the first day! Don't miss this hilarious new LitRPG Apocalypse featuring a sometimes loveable and oftern muderhobo-ey MC, a know-it-all goose companion, honking good humor, a detailed System, time-loop magic, and more. It's perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, Towers of Heaven, and Tower Climber.
Get Darling of Fate Now!
Magic school isn't cheap. To be a Mage, he must work smart and learn fast. Fate dealt Nox the Alchemist unfavorable cards, but he has learnt to compensate for his shortcomings with scholarly pursuits, tenacity, and sheer grit. Fortunately, for him Woodson University and their scouts are always seeking individuals with his work ethic. The Department of Dungeon Studies sees the value of the mind and its ability to overcome all limitations. After all, they stripped the divine of their titles. The department turned gods into Dungeon Lords and their domains into Dungeons. Now, the department can teach Nox how to use magic to stand strong in a broken world. It will give him the tools to achieve his ambitions and his limitations will force him to the forefront of arcane discovery. Unfortunately, more immediate challenges await Nox, too. He lacks the means to pay the university’s ridiculous tuition. Only alchemy and smart business deals will earn him the hundreds of gold coins he needs. Join Nox on his journey from Novice to Archmage in this Arcane Academy LitRPG series from J Pal, bestselling author of The Houndsman and They Called Me Mad. It features a unique magic system which involves cultivating a solar system in one's core, Detailed spell crafting and alchemy, Dungeon diving, arcane archery,a magic university setting and so much more.
Get Department of Dungeon Studies Now!
In the ruthless world of cultivation, one man refuses to play by the rules. When Yao Shen, Patriarch of the Heavenly Sky Sect, ascends and regains memories of his past life on Planet Earth, he realizes that he can no longer allow himself to accept the cruel and violent ways of Eliria, the realm of cultivation. So he decides to change it. It was time to found a new sect. One based on the values of honor and equality over senseless violence and discrimination. A sect where all, from the mortal farmer’s son to a sect elder's daughter, were held accountable to the same rules. Welcome to the Modern Sect. Don't miss the start of this unique xianxia progression fantasy epic perfect for fans of The First Law of Cultivation, Beware of Chicken, and Cradle. Join a cultivator who is already at the peak of his power, but now must learn to evolve so that he may forge a better world. About the Series: Filled with detailed world building, martial arts action, multi-faceted characters, an overpowered but rational main character, magic and more, it's everything you love about cultivation yet with a fresh point a view!
Get Sponsored Apocalypse Now!
For all our LitRPG books, visit our website.
Acknowledgments
The first six months of 2023 were an adventure. I’d never dabbled in the LitRPG realm beyond reading the “big” series the world had to offer. So what did I do with that inspiration? I spent the first half of the year writing over 350,000 words of LitRPG across two novels (this & Brad the Impaler).
Nuts, right?
I’ve learned long ago that you can’t fight inspiration. Just as I allow the stories to take me where they want, even after suffering through the long process of outlining, even which stories must be told is something I rarely (fully) control.
Having said that, I couldn’t have enjoyed this process more. It was long and exhausting. Writing my urban fantasy novels is more like a 100-yard dash compared to these marathon behemoths. Each is exciting in its own right, but there was definitely a ‘sustainability’ challenge with this one that I had to battle though. Thankfully, I had amazing people along the way to guide me toward the end.
My wonderful, forever-present wife, Maddie, is so critical to the existence of this book. This was a long haul, one I wasn’t necessarily ready for when I started, and she helped push me through the long, dark days. I’m forever grateful for her belief in me.
My daughters, Nikki and Alex, had to suffer all their “Dad giggles” as I came up with ideas and lines for Slash (book version) to be inappropriate as they continued to oooh and awww over the real-life version of my wee man. That’s family, right there!
Elvis Tharg has recently come into my life like a whirlwind. Rare is it for me to get this sort of support from a reader. Wow! The excitement he’s shared of his excitement for all of my books was a godsend during the long months of writing these two Darkworld Online books. It gets real lonely for an author when they’re in the process of creating, and people like Elvis can make such a difference! Thank you, brother.
Louis Jackson, for continually tethering me to the story! It’s an epic job you have, my friend. One no one should envy! Thanks for being a rock!
Matt Dinniman for his mentorship and guidance (and, of course, his absolutely wonderful Dungeon Crawler Carl series). I’ve found there are people in the genre who will support when it’s convenient, and then there are people like Matt—who go above and beyond at no benefit to themselves. People like him give because they’re good people and enjoy helping. It’s possible that Brad and Slash only exist because of some conversations I had with Matt (we’ll see if we should thank or blame him once I get an idea how this series will be received). Thanks, bud!
As always, to everyone on Paul’s Epic Peeps ARC team who reads these books before they’re ever released to help make sure I’ve caught the things I need to catch, and to help spread the word before the books comes out. I’m forever honored to walk with you on this journey.
And, of course, my Patrons who support me on Patreon and who were the first to read these chapters and not call me insane. Kevin and Gary, especially, thank you for every bit of feedback you provided! You’re absolutely epic!
Lastly, if this book is in your hands, thank you for giving Brad and Slash a chance!
To everyone, keep being epic!
About the Author
Paul Sating is an author, podcaster, and self-professed coolest dad on the planet, hailing from the Pacific Northwest of the United States. At the end of his military career, he decided to reconnect with his first love (that wouldn’t get him in trouble with his wife) and once again picked up the pen. Years on, he has published tons o’ novels and is living the dream… though he still has occasional nightmares that he’s back in the military and deploying to some obscure location around the world.
When he’s not working on stories, you can find him talking to himself in his backyard, working on failed landscaping projects or hiking around the gorgeous Olympic Peninsula. He is married to the patient and wonderful, Madeline, and has two daughters—thus the reason for his follicle challenges.
Find out more about his other books and free podcasts from his website: paulsating.com.
Groups
Don’t forget to join LitRPG Addicts and come hang out with me!
I’m also very active and thankful for Redditserials, LitRPG Books, GameLit Society, Western Cultivation Stories (Xianxia and Wuxia, etc), Cultivation novels, LitRPG & GameLit Readers, and LitRPG Books Group!
LitRPG
To learn more about LitRPG, talk to authors including myself, and just have an awesome time, please join the LitRPG Group.
Paul Sating, Into the Pit: A LitRPG Adventure (Brad the Impaler Book 2)
His name crackled with the red flames typical of the butchers in Darkworld. The fiery plume on his conical helmet fluttered in a breeze that never reached me. Between the slits in his visor, crystal eyes peered out. “You talk too much.”
“And you hide behind that armor, so I guess we can call it even. Unless you’re willing to show me you have a pair of balls and step into the game. I’m sure there’s a package deal you can buy that allows you to do that. Then we can sort this out instead of wasting each other’s time. In case you haven’t noticed, I have a farm to take care of, animals to tend to, and friends to help. I’m sure you can’t relate to any of that. You can’t even get that job your mom is begging you to apply for, so you can finally get the fuck out of her basement.”
BigDk’s steel-plated armor rattled as he chuckled in a voice so deep, it had to just be a game element and not remotely close to the real person behind the avatar. “You’re right about one thing, little man. I don’t have time to trade barbs with you. Not that you’re worth it.”
“Then how about you stop bothering me?”
“I just wanted to make sure you knew that I’m glad you beat the boss.”
I hefted the pitchfork. “That’s great. I’m glad you’re happy for me. Now if you don’t mind—”
“After all, if you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have gotten that clue about you.”
Whoever this guy was back in the real world, BigDk was definitely living up to his gaming name. “I thought I told you this before about all the shit-talking? It doesn’t do anything for or to me. Someone as insecure as you might not understand that. It’s why I gave you a pass the first time. I don’t like repeating myself.”
I tried to search around his avatar to find anything that would close him out of my window. Just as before, there was nothing obvious, no big or tiny ‘X’ to click on to end this torture.
“Fine, you don’t want me to waste your time?”
“I’d appreciate it. Show a bit of decency and get out of my face.”
“How about I show you something else?”
I waved my hand. “Not really into that online sex stuff. Sorry.”
“You’re a funny boy, aren’t you? Let’s see if you’re laughing after you see this.”
Another window opened on my mindscreen. When I saw what it contained, I dropped the rake.
“How the fuck did you get that? Did they give it to you?”
BigDk’s plated chest jiggled as he laughed. I wanted to rip the stupid plume out of his helmet and shove it down his throat. “Like I said, I truly appreciated you beating that boss, ‘Brad the Impaler.’ Stupid gamer name.” He lifted a gauntleted hand. “Or should I say, Brad Wright?”
I looked for a way to close out the new window crowding my mindscreen. I was staring at a picture of myself. Somehow, the designers of Darkworld had a copy of my driver’s license and provided it to my butcher. My fucking driver’s license. That meant he knew who I was outside of the game. He knew where I lived, if that place still existed. With that information alone, he could start wreaking havoc with my real life. With one simple gift, they’d screwed me.
“So keep talking big,” he said, snapping his fingers. The window displaying my driver’s license closed. “Let’s see where it gets you. I’ve got things to handle. Be seeing you soon. Real soon.”
In a snap, his avatar disappeared.
“Fortune?”
Almost immediately, my guide appeared on my mindscreen. Her nose wrinkled as her face twisted in torment. “Brad, I’m so sorry. I wish I knew what clues the Electors gave to butchers. I don’t understand exactly what they provided him, but I can tell it’s sensitive information. It’s just… lately.” She sighed, her chest heaving. “Much of what I used to be able to see is no longer viewable. I’m so, so sorry.”
“That’s going to cause problems for me. I’ve got to get out of this game. Every minute I spend here means I run the risk of my life being wrecked back in my world. I need your help.”
“You know I’ll do whatever I can,” she said, and in her comment, I heard an echo of my own promises to Kira.
“Yes, I know.” My mind swirled. “Fortune, if I help Kira in her PvP challenge, will my game advance? Does it open other options specific to my path? Not hers. Mine.”
“It can,” she said, stressing the last word. “I’d have to read a few things to advise you more appropriately.”
“Okay. Do that as quickly as you can. Please,” I said, adding extra emphasis to my request.
Maybe sensing my vulnerability, Fortune nodded slowly. Speaking softly, she answered, “Of course, Brad. Of course, I will do that for you.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
She looked away, but this time she didn’t flush with embarrassment.
“Fortune, what’s wrong?”
“I fear you might not appreciate my help when I tell you what I’ve learned.”
“What did they do now?”
She gripped her hands so tightly, the skin around her fingers lightened. “I’m still trying to understand the complexity of your world, but I fear things in Darkworld will become much more challenging for all players.”
“Why? What happened, Fortune?”
“Please forgive me if I get the details wrong,” she said, too apologetically. “The Electors own a company, which I understand. What is foreign to me is that they also launched an IPO, I believe it’s called?”
“Initial public offering,” I said.
“I’m attempting to understand it through the literature I found in the logs. It is quite a complex thing to grasp.”
“Don’t worry. Most people in my world don’t understand them either. Can you tell from the logs if the IPO was successful?”
Fortune seemed frozen for a second and I realized she was accessing the information she’d need to answer me. “The log says they raised two hundred and fifty million dollars. Is that a lot?”
I felt like someone had just punched me in the kidney. “Yeah,” I said exasperated. “It is. Did they share any other news?”
“There’s something about a press release.”
I ran a filthy hand through my hair. “Is there any way that you can put it on my mindscreen?”
“Give me a,” she said, and before she finished, a new window popped up, “moment. There. Now you should see it.”
I scanned the brief statement. Now I knew who the bastards were behind Darkworld. Dark Dominion Games, Inc.
Evil finally had a name. I continued reading.
Fortune stayed silent, though I sensed her watching me. When I finished, I closed my eyes and groaned.
“Is it bad?”
‘Sure, if you consider the vast funds they raised will allow them to hire more scumbags to code and a larger infrastructure that likely includes more servers for exponential growth of Darkworld as a bad thing, then it is,’ I wanted to say. Instead, all that came out was, “Yes. Very bad.”
“I hate bringing you this type of information.”
Not for the first time, and I feared, not for the last, I wanted to grab Fortune’s hand so I could give her a reassuring squeeze. “You’re doing exactly what I need you to do. You’re doing exactly what a friend would do for someone in trouble.”
“So, you’re in trouble?”
I nodded.
“Serious trouble?”
“We all are.”
BOOM!
WELCOME TO LEVEL 3!
TIME TO GET SERIOUS!
GAME ON!
Less than a hundred yards away, Kira was puttering around in the house, probably keeping herself busy as not to think about the tough decision ahead. Slash was likely doing his best to support her.
Away from our camp, Darkworld and its drama churned on for others. Tonia and Adrian and their alliance to worry about. Ricky hiding out there, somewhere. NPCs mindlessly following the scripts they were given. Players killing other players because they had to if they wanted any hope of getting back home. A mysterious third-level boss awaited me.
I stared at the house that shielded me from having to face Kira. Slash had said it all. I just needed to process how right he was. Could I? Did I have a choice?
Though we lived to fight another day, all tomorrow promised was more trouble.
With a sigh, I closed the game notification, said goodbye to Fortune, and got back to work. After all, Darkworld waited on no one.
Brad the Impaler will continue in Book Three!
Thank you for reading Into the Pit
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. We just wanted to take a moment to encourage you to review the book. Follow this link: Into the Pit to be directed to the book’s Amazon product page to leave your review.
Every review helps further the author’s reach and, ultimately, helps them continue writing fantastic books for us all to enjoy.
Also in series:
Book 1 – Brad the Impaler
Book 2 – Into the Pit
Check out the entire series here! (Tap or scan)
Want to discuss our books with other readers and even the authors? Join our Discord server today and be a part of the Aethon community.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website
You can also join our non-spam mailing list by visiting www.subscribepage.com/AethonReadersGroup and never miss out on future releases. You'll also receive three full books completely Free as our thanks to you.
Looking for more great books?
Join Dirk and his genius Goose companion in their relentless pursuit of the perfect run. Dirk was America’s golden boy. Olympic golds, Wheaties box—the works. That was ten years ago. Turns out going to prison is terrible for sponsorships. Now, he’s alone, a felony on his record, and bitter at the world. Enter the Tower of Conflict. Just what a man needs to get out of a rut—the end of the world and a Tower to Climb. Aided by his talking goose animal companion, magical cape, and the Goddess of Fate herself, Dirk is primed to take this Tower by storm. He was always more of a lone wolf, but when the competing alien races start smacking humanity around the Tower, he’ll be forced to lean on his teammates, unlock new magic, and broker reluctant alliances. Because if he doesn’t, humanity is doomed... Welcome to the Tower, Climbers. Try not to die on the first day! Don't miss this hilarious new LitRPG Apocalypse featuring a sometimes loveable and oftern muderhobo-ey MC, a know-it-all goose companion, honking good humor, a detailed System, time-loop magic, and more. It's perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, Towers of Heaven, and Tower Climber.
Get Darling of Fate Now!
Magic school isn't cheap. To be a Mage, he must work smart and learn fast. Fate dealt Nox the Alchemist unfavorable cards, but he has learnt to compensate for his shortcomings with scholarly pursuits, tenacity, and sheer grit. Fortunately, for him Woodson University and their scouts are always seeking individuals with his work ethic. The Department of Dungeon Studies sees the value of the mind and its ability to overcome all limitations. After all, they stripped the divine of their titles. The department turned gods into Dungeon Lords and their domains into Dungeons. Now, the department can teach Nox how to use magic to stand strong in a broken world. It will give him the tools to achieve his ambitions and his limitations will force him to the forefront of arcane discovery. Unfortunately, more immediate challenges await Nox, too. He lacks the means to pay the university’s ridiculous tuition. Only alchemy and smart business deals will earn him the hundreds of gold coins he needs. Join Nox on his journey from Novice to Archmage in this Arcane Academy LitRPG series from J Pal, bestselling author of The Houndsman and They Called Me Mad. It features a unique magic system which involves cultivating a solar system in one's core, Detailed spell crafting and alchemy, Dungeon diving, arcane archery,a magic university setting and so much more.
Get Department of Dungeon Studies Now!
In the ruthless world of cultivation, one man refuses to play by the rules. When Yao Shen, Patriarch of the Heavenly Sky Sect, ascends and regains memories of his past life on Planet Earth, he realizes that he can no longer allow himself to accept the cruel and violent ways of Eliria, the realm of cultivation. So he decides to change it. It was time to found a new sect. One based on the values of honor and equality over senseless violence and discrimination. A sect where all, from the mortal farmer’s son to a sect elder's daughter, were held accountable to the same rules. Welcome to the Modern Sect. Don't miss the start of this unique xianxia progression fantasy epic perfect for fans of The First Law of Cultivation, Beware of Chicken, and Cradle. Join a cultivator who is already at the peak of his power, but now must learn to evolve so that he may forge a better world. About the Series: Filled with detailed world building, martial arts action, multi-faceted characters, an overpowered but rational main character, magic and more, it's everything you love about cultivation yet with a fresh point a view!
Get Sponsored Apocalypse Now!
For all our LitRPG books, visit our website.
Acknowledgments
The first six months of 2023 were an adventure. I’d never dabbled in the LitRPG realm beyond reading the “big” series the world had to offer. So what did I do with that inspiration? I spent the first half of the year writing over 350,000 words of LitRPG across two novels (this & Brad the Impaler).
Nuts, right?
I’ve learned long ago that you can’t fight inspiration. Just as I allow the stories to take me where they want, even after suffering through the long process of outlining, even which stories must be told is something I rarely (fully) control.
Having said that, I couldn’t have enjoyed this process more. It was long and exhausting. Writing my urban fantasy novels is more like a 100-yard dash compared to these marathon behemoths. Each is exciting in its own right, but there was definitely a ‘sustainability’ challenge with this one that I had to battle though. Thankfully, I had amazing people along the way to guide me toward the end.
My wonderful, forever-present wife, Maddie, is so critical to the existence of this book. This was a long haul, one I wasn’t necessarily ready for when I started, and she helped push me through the long, dark days. I’m forever grateful for her belief in me.
My daughters, Nikki and Alex, had to suffer all their “Dad giggles” as I came up with ideas and lines for Slash (book version) to be inappropriate as they continued to oooh and awww over the real-life version of my wee man. That’s family, right there!
Elvis Tharg has recently come into my life like a whirlwind. Rare is it for me to get this sort of support from a reader. Wow! The excitement he’s shared of his excitement for all of my books was a godsend during the long months of writing these two Darkworld Online books. It gets real lonely for an author when they’re in the process of creating, and people like Elvis can make such a difference! Thank you, brother.
Louis Jackson, for continually tethering me to the story! It’s an epic job you have, my friend. One no one should envy! Thanks for being a rock!
Matt Dinniman for his mentorship and guidance (and, of course, his absolutely wonderful Dungeon Crawler Carl series). I’ve found there are people in the genre who will support when it’s convenient, and then there are people like Matt—who go above and beyond at no benefit to themselves. People like him give because they’re good people and enjoy helping. It’s possible that Brad and Slash only exist because of some conversations I had with Matt (we’ll see if we should thank or blame him once I get an idea how this series will be received). Thanks, bud!
As always, to everyone on Paul’s Epic Peeps ARC team who reads these books before they’re ever released to help make sure I’ve caught the things I need to catch, and to help spread the word before the books comes out. I’m forever honored to walk with you on this journey.
And, of course, my Patrons who support me on Patreon and who were the first to read these chapters and not call me insane. Kevin and Gary, especially, thank you for every bit of feedback you provided! You’re absolutely epic!
Lastly, if this book is in your hands, thank you for giving Brad and Slash a chance!
To everyone, keep being epic!
About the Author
Paul Sating is an author, podcaster, and self-professed coolest dad on the planet, hailing from the Pacific Northwest of the United States. At the end of his military career, he decided to reconnect with his first love (that wouldn’t get him in trouble with his wife) and once again picked up the pen. Years on, he has published tons o’ novels and is living the dream… though he still has occasional nightmares that he’s back in the military and deploying to some obscure location around the world.
When he’s not working on stories, you can find him talking to himself in his backyard, working on failed landscaping projects or hiking around the gorgeous Olympic Peninsula. He is married to the patient and wonderful, Madeline, and has two daughters—thus the reason for his follicle challenges.
Find out more about his other books and free podcasts from his website: paulsating.com.
Groups
Don’t forget to join LitRPG Addicts and come hang out with me!
I’m also very active and thankful for Redditserials, LitRPG Books, GameLit Society, Western Cultivation Stories (Xianxia and Wuxia, etc), Cultivation novels, LitRPG & GameLit Readers, and LitRPG Books Group!
LitRPG
To learn more about LitRPG, talk to authors including myself, and just have an awesome time, please join the LitRPG Group.
Paul Sating, Into the Pit: A LitRPG Adventure (Brad the Impaler Book 2)
