DreamTickler

Chapter 107: Preparation

Thorian strode into the Alchemist's Lab, his presence commanding the immediate attention of those within. "I trust that you have all completed my quota for the day," he declared with an air of expectation.

Hamur, the chief alchemist, responded without hesitation, gesturing towards a neatly arranged stack of potions on a nearby table. "Of course, my lord," he said, his voice tinged with pride.

Thorian's gaze fell upon the potions, inspecting one closely. Its contents, a light green...

Chapter 106: Stink Mixer

As the meeting adjourned, the members dispersed, leaving Thorian alone in the lingering silence. He inhaled deeply, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. Descending the stairs, Thorian methodically accepted his daily quests, a routine that anchored his mornings. His steps then led him to the magus guild, where he added another quest to his list before emerging into the daylight.

The guild master's voice halted his departure. “My lord, aren't you training in mana infusion today?�...

Chapter 105: Meeting

As the twin suns of Wolvendale began their ascent, Thorian stirred to life, greeting a new day. Dressing himself, he paused, his nose wrinkling in distaste. "They're starting to smell," he muttered, eyeing his clothes critically. Determined not to carry the stench of decay throughout the day, he flung open the window and commenced a meticulous cleaning of his robe using orbs of water. The robust fabric resisted damage, easily withstanding the gentle onslaught of the waterballs.

He allow...

Interlude 8

Tristan POV:

As Tristan's forces navigated the city's ruins, an unsettling silence engulfed them. The spectacle of Thorian and his monstrous army's formidable might had instilled a palpable sense of dread. Eyes wide with shock, soldiers trembled at the mere thought of the havoc wreaked by the beasts.

General Henry, observing the fear-ridden faces, decided to intervene. With a sly wink at Tristan, he paused, turning to address the troops.

"I've noticed an unu...

Chapter 104: Smell of Death

"What do you mean by that?" Thorian asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "We have only killed two guardians."

Ventus's brows furrowed in puzzlement. "But, how? Weren't you the ones who killed it? I was certain it was you," he said, referencing the announcement they had all heard.

Zogarth stepped forward, his expression grave. "Something unforeseen has occurred," he said solemnly. "We must return to the northern gate immediately to ascertain the situation."

Thorian nodded i...

Chapter 103: Guardian Rewards

The deafening roar of the fire tornado gradually subsided, leaving a trail of desolation and smoldering ruins in its wake. A thick plume of smoke and ash rose to the heavens, casting an eerie shroud that obscured the moon and stars.

As the chaos dwindled, a cackling laughter pierced the silence. Thorian turned to find its source: Forlune stood there, exuberant. "Yes, yes! That is why you are our king!” he exclaimed with booming enthusiasm.

Hearing Forlune’s proclamation, the r...

Chapter 102: Colossus

Thorian’s POV

With a resounding howl that echoed through the air, the colossal azure wolf repelled its assailants with a potent electric shockwave. Standing tall in the aftermath of its devastating strike, the creature bore a majestic sight, its entire form pulsating with streams of azure lightning. Fixated on Thorian with eyes that seemed to pierce his very soul, the beast silently vowed to repay his inflicted pain manifold.

In a sudden and thunderous movement,...

Art Showcase

As today marks my official return to Royalroad. I wanted to share with you some concept art I have been working on for the characters. I am planning on releasing these on Royalroad tomorrow, but I wanted to give you a preview of them here first. As these are AI-generated, please don't take the clothing too seriously.

Ifrit:

2023-12-01 03:55:44 +0000 UTC View Post

Chapter 101: Frenzied Battle

Zogarth’s POV:

Zogarth, a towering and formidable figure, stood resolute at the southern gate, awaiting the imminent appearance of the guardian. His gaze fixed upon the two moons ascending slowly in the sky, their convergence signaling the imminent commencement of battle.

"These moments brim with tension," a voice announced itself, drawing near from his right. Turning, Zogarth beheld Vigil, whose eternal smile graced his face. "Once the battle begins, all uncert...

Chapter 100: Blue Lightning

Tristan POV

"I ask again, where is your king?!"

The resonant voice of the red-furred monster rippled through the ranks of the human army, sending shivers down their spines. Tristan glanced to his side, finding Oswald just as dumbfounded by the unexpected turn of events.

"Did... did that monster just speak?" Oswald's voice trembled with disbelief, his gaze fixed on the advancing creature.

Tristan's shock slowly yielded to a growing realization, his thou...

Chapter 99: A Minor Kerfuffle

As Thorian stood atop the towering eastern gate, his eyes swept across the vast expanse of his assembled army with a mixture of pride and anticipation. Before him stood a formidable force—a legion composed of monsters, kobolds, goblins, and orcs, organized into disciplined units. Even the humblest goblin, armed with innate abilities and honed skills, held the potential to wreak havoc upon the fragile human settlements. Meanwhile, his mightiest warriors possessed enough strength to single-ha...

Chapter 98: Preparations

"Ehm, my lord…" the aged goblin announced as he entered the grand Village Hall, escorted by the earlier dispatched messenger. "I heard that you have asked for me. How may I be of help to you?"

Thorian, seated in his chair, regarded the newcomer and rose to his feet. He approached the aged goblin with measured steps. "Are you a carpenter?" His voice carried a hint of expectation.

"Yes, my lord. I have been carving wood my whole life," the old goblin replied, bowing with reverence...

Chapter 97: The Way of Cultivation

Cultivation Hall

Aqua's POV:

“Before we initiate you into the art of meditation and cultivation, we must first discern the natural inclination of your constitution,” declared the yellow-robed elder, Lie Jie, his voice tinged with excitement and a wild smile gracing his features.

He subtly nodded towards Jing Xu, who promptly stepped forward. Clad in purple robes that fluttered slightly with his movement, Jing Xu approached Aqua and began...

Which chapter structure do you prefer?

Announcement

Hey guys, I am sure that you have noticed that my output has been dwindling a lot this past couple of months. The reason for such long breaks is that I am currently working on two major projects: this story, and my master's thesis. I am notoriously horrendous at working on multiple big projects at the same time and my productivity suffers dramatically when I try to do so. Case in point, the last three months. As such, after consulting with family and friends, it has become clear to me that it...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 96: More Than Adept

Atop the table, Fizzlegrin gazed in astonishment as Thorian sifted through the mound of spent mana rocks. The moment the flame kobold imbued his first stone, pride welled up inside Fizzlegrin, urging him to commend the impressive feat. But the words remained captive in his throat, held there by the sight of Thorian’s unwavering, almost mesmeric concentration. Such a deep immersion, a marriage of mind and task, was a rare sight, and Fizzlegrin would not be the one to shatter that sacred mome...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 95: Magus Quests

Surveying the expansive territory map laid out before him, Thorian made a decisive choice. "Upgrade the Magus Guild. Upgrade the Warrior Guild. Upgrade the Assassin Guild. Upgrade the Priest Guild. And upgrade the Cultivation Hall."

A deep, resonant rumble echoed throughout the village, capturing the immediate attention of its inhabitants. The four principal guilds underwent a remarkable transformation. Each expanded its footprint, its architectural details now radiating both elegance a...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 94: Village Upgrade

As Thorian completed his most urgent tasks, he descended the stairs to collect his daily quests. His next stop was the cultivation hall, a towering structure that held the promise of unlocking new levels of power. As he neared the entrance, Thorian's thoughts turned to the near future.

Once I advance it to the second tier, the Hall Master will come. Then, everyone in the village can begin their own journey of cultivation, he mused.

Considering the nascent stage of the apo...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 93: Military Restructuring

Thorian waited until all the unit leaders took their seats around the table before commencing the meeting. "I see that each of you has received the rewards for achieving the last milestone," he said, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "That accomplishment is a testament to your hard work. Be proud of yourselves."

Half the room erupted in cheers at Thorian’s commendation. "Those sleepless nights have finally paid off!" Forlune declared, laughter rumbling deep within hi...

Chapter 92: Briefing

The first sensation that roused Thorian from sleep wasn't the soft rays of dawn but rather a deep, insistent rumbling from his stomach. His immediate awareness was one of hunger. Since enjoying the piece of meat that Brix had roasted for him, he had gone without food. Even for a man of his considerable discipline, operating on an empty stomach was a growing challenge.

I need to have Brix roast some Thumpalopes soon. Our cooking logistics also require immediate attention, he mus...

Continuation of the last Interlude

Author's Note:

The scene you're about to read was in my plans for yesterday's interlude. However, as I finished the latter, I thought that it had went on for too long and adding this scene might have been excessive. After sleeping on it and reading the Interlude once again with fresh eyes, I do believe that this scene is actually needed as it pushes the story forward. You can either read it below or check out the past Interlude which I have updated, whichever suits your reading tastes b...

[Apocalypse] Interlude 7

"Too clean," Tristan murmured, studying the decapitated head of a knight whose body lay a short distance away. The cut was precise—a straight line devoid of any jags or irregularities. "This wasn't the work of goblins or those large felines. A human did this."

As he spoke, his thoughts drifted back to his encounter with Nalia, the mysterious woman in green who had graced this very plaza two days prior. She had been nothing but a vexation since.

With a solemn prayer, Tristan gent...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 91: Slow Integration

As Thorian approached the gate, the wooden doors creaked open, revealing Forlune and his band of warriors, their faces alight with smiles.

"As expected, my king," Forlune said, his laughter rich and hearty. “You disappear for a few hours and you come back with a full army by your side.”

"It's been a long journey to this moment," Thorian acknowledged, his eyes meeting Brix's. He turned back to Forlune and issued his orders. "Escort our new allies to the Village Hall, along with...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 90: On Ruling

After the shaman elders tended to the wounded hobgoblin champions, Thorian approached the venerable Elder Omn. "I trust you won't renege on your word now that your warriors are healed?"

Elder Omn, with golden eyes that shimmered like ancient coins, met Thorian's gaze. "Never," he replied firmly. "Your leadership is evident, King of the Kobolds. To align with you is to elevate our tribes."

Thorian's laughter was rich and genuine. "How refreshing it is to negotiate with one so astut...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 89 voice over

I tried my hand at using elevenlabs to voice over this chapter. Tell me if you like it and if you want me to do it to other chapters coming forward.

[Apocalypse] Chapter 89: Charred Green

The instant Thorian snapped his fingers, a thunderous roar reverberated through the air, disorienting his opponent. Caught off guard, the hobgoblin champion—clad in flickering lightning—instinctively covered his ears.

Seizing the moment, Thorian lunged forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. His eyes met those of the hobgoblin, and the scant inches that separated them filled with an electric tension. Unleashing a rapid-fire series of strikes, Thorian's palms—abl...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 88: Lightning Dispute

As Elder Omn relayed Thorian's challenge to the assembled elders and champions, a cacophony of outraged shouts and guttural protests erupted. However, with a commanding presence, Elder Omn quickly quelled the uproar. Gradually, expressions of disdain transformed into anticipatory smiles, their eyes glinting with the prospect of an unexpected opportunity.

After a brief deliberation, Elder Omn approached Thorian, his face breaking into a grin. "The council has accepted your challenge. Sho...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 87: Duel And Proposition

One of the goblin champions stood up, spear in hand, and walked confidently toward Thorian. The rest of the council also rose from their makeshift stone chairs, signaling the end of the negotiation meeting.

The goblin champion who approached Thorian barked some words at him in his native tongue, but Thorian could not understand them. He turned toward Brix and gestured for an explanation.

“He is saying that he will be the one to duel you,” Brix explained, his voice even. “As ...

[Apocalypse] Chapter 86: Negotiations

Taking a moment to absorb Brix's comment, Thorian raised an eyebrow. "You're saying that as long as they receive their share, they don't truly care? That seems surprisingly short-sighted."

Brix looked back at the cave entrance, his hand trembling slightly. "The elders and the champions are strong. They don't have to worry about the monsters, even if the weaker goblins die."

Goblin champions, huh. They should be slightly weaker than my unit commanders.

After a brief ...

Which dungeon did you like more?

Yo guys, no chappie today but I will release one tomorrow. I put this poll up to see which dungeon you liked more so that I know how to make the next dungeons that Thorian and the boys will explore.