CHAINS: The First Link (Book 1 Complete)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

[Progression High Fantasy, LITRPG-Light, Skill Evolution, Earned Power Growth] CHAINS is anIceberg **Layer 1: Book 1 Plot** Can one person make a difference? Damian is just your average adventurer. Coming from a less-than-humble upbringing, he's managed to carve himself a simple life. Unfortunately, that simple life of adventuring has come to an abrupt end. A grand conspiracy is unfolding in the capital city, and Damian and his party have found themselves caught in the middle. What can a bunch of underleveled adventurers do tomake a differencewhile the 'powers that be' fight? And whatrewardslie at the end of this initial journey? Maybe it will be thekeyto getting into the big leagues for these ordinary adventurers. - **Layer 2: Larger Story - Early Spoilers** Death Isn't An Escape. It's A Curse. All who die in these lands are cursed to return as the undead. Stronger, terrible, and hungry to kill the living. The lands of Tania have been plagued by this curse for over 1000 years, with no end in sight. The four goddesses have been missing all the while, and only their guardians, theValkyrie, remain to enforce stability in a slowly crumbling world. Our heroes must uncover the mysteries of this world and piece it back together before it's too late. They will not start as the most capable, or the smartest, or even the most courageous. They're just the ones whokeep getting back up after getting knocked down. Updates W/Th/F - **Layer 3: Grand Plan** This story is a progression-adventure litrpg that will cover a multitude of subgenres between books. Sometimes it will be a mystery adventure. Other times, it will be a slice of life or a dungeon crawler. Mix in a little horror episode here and there, and eventually, it's going to become a weak-to-strong adventure with world travel. The reason for this is that Tania is a complex world fraught with strife. A world that will change and evolve as this adventure continues. Sometimes it's happy, and you feel butterflies in your stomach and want to snack. Other times, it's so sad that it feels like your heart just got ripped out. There is no static with these chains, because the goal is to break them. - **Layer 4: Humanity** I've usedNO AItowritemy story. Not for writing or generating ideas. I use Grammarly to fix spelling and grammatical errors, as recommended by Royal Road.All the AI tools on Grammarlyare turned off, andto my knowledge,it's a much better version of Microsoft Word. Idouseemandendashes becauseI thinkthey look good.(Alt + 0151) You can toss any of my chapters into an AI detector and get a 100% human-reading result. I have failed as a human when it comes to the cover art, though. It is currently AI, and I hope to replace it. I looked into commissioning artwork, and it's expensive. But I have someone lined up for when I have the disposable income. - **Layer 5: ???** Not all things are as they seem.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2026
Author: SockySake

Chapters(67 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

mrcbooksRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’ve now read the first five chapters, and I have to say — this is a really enjoyable start to a dungeon-crawl adventure.The story opens with a strong, grounded protagonist in Damian and a lively party that already feels like a tight-knit group of friends. The banter between Alex, Frey, Donna, Fergus, and Damian is fun and natural, giving the story a warm, lived-in energy right from the beginning. You can tell these characters care about each other, which makes the heavier moments later land harder.The dungeon mechanics are introduced clearly and feel fair. The teleport circles, mana harvesting, and the way monsters work all make the world feel consistent and strategic without overwhelming the reader with numbers. The action in Chapter 2 is intense and well-paced, especially the desperate escape from Hans — that sequence had real tension and showed how the party works together under pressure.What stands out most is the heart underneath the adventure. The (name withheld to avoid spoilers) sacrifice and the aftermath in Chapters 3–5 are handled with genuine emotion. The way the group copes — through stories, laughter, and shared drinks — feels authentic and touching. Fergus’s cooking skill moment in Chapter 5 is a perfect light-hearted beat that gives everyone (and the reader) a much-needed smile after the heaviness.The larger world lore about the Spires, the curse, the goddesses, and the rites is woven in naturally through conversation and Damian’s thoughts. It adds depth and raises intriguing questions without slowing the pace. The cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 4 and the Guild Master’s announcement in Chapter 5 do a great job of expanding the stakes while keeping the focus on how it all affects this specific party.Overall, CHAINS has a very appealing mix of fun party dynamics, solid action, and real emotional weight. The characters are likable, the dungeon feels dangerous and mysterious, and the story moves at a pace that makes you want to keep reading. It’s cle
blugailRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Inspired by many popular manga , I found “CHAINS” to be a fun character-driven story with lots of action and an intriguing overarching plot.It follows a core group of six characters in a familiar RPG world where something has gone very wrong.After the party faces a catastrophic dungeon defeat at the hands of an undead who shouldn’t have been there, they flee to the overworld and discover that they didn’t get unlucky, this new threat is everywhere.The characters are a close-nit group, people you’d like to hangout and be friends with. They switch between good-natured banter, serious tactical/investigation mode, and match-making sexcapades. The main character, Damian, is a leader who’s in just slightly over his head. The situation is dire, and he’s not quite up to the task, but he’s going to try anyway using a mix of stalwart determination and clever deduction.The story focuses on this new undead threat, it’s practical, political, and religious ramifications. While the adventurer’s guild is on its heels, trying to get its bearings, it seems like the Gods and their agents, the Valkyries, might not have this as under control as they’d like you to believe.Grammar wise, it’s good. I hardly noticed any mistakes, and I enjoyed how playful the structure was: short quick paragraphs, occasional onomatopoeia, strong punctuation. It was fun.And, there’s a lot of action, it’s easy to follow and it does, from time to time, catch you off guard, hitting like a hammer.I'd probably describe it as litRPG-lite with just enough stats and skills to please the power-leveler in us all, but not so much as to become over-bearing.If you’re looking for a fun group-dynamic-based story with high-stakes, I recommend it!
AlaEddine storiesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story starts off feeling light and familiar with a strong party dynamic, but it doesn’t stay comfortable for long. The early dungeon scenes are clear and easy to follow. Everyone has a defined role, and the banter makes the group feel real instead of like generic adventurers. The humor works because it feels natural, not forced.Chapter 2 is where the tone shifts hard. The golden armored figure shows up and things fall apart fast. Damian losing his arm is sudden and brutal. The chase through the dungeon is one of the strongest parts of the story. It’s chaotic but still readable. The earlier setup with Hans pays off well, and the reveal hits because he was already established in casual conversation.Isaac’s death lands emotionally without being dragged out. It feels unfair and quick, which makes it more painful. The aftermath in the infirmary gives the event weight and shows that something bigger is happening in the dungeon.Where the story struggles a bit is pacing. There’s a lot of explanation about dungeon mechanics, guild structure, and taxes. But I do like it so don't misunderstand me hehehhe... The worldbuilding is solid, but sometimes it comes right after intense moments and slows the momentum. Trimming or spacing that out would help.Overall, this is a strong start with good character chemistry, clear action, and a brutal turning point that raises the stakes. If the pacing tightens up, it has serious potential.
I L ShadeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style - I like how this book starts of with a slice of life kind of environment. The teams banter, friends teasing each other, and couple discussing their friends love lives made me feel all warm and fuzzy. And just when I though I was in for a cozy read the instigating event sneaked up on me and the team. And soon I was reading word after word to see what happens next.Story - Let me start with the world building. The book opens up with a map of the world. The attention to detail continues throughout the book. That difference separates this story from most books you find on this platform. The author has taken his time to think about the world and the challenges a team would face in this world. Even the tower sequence and the enemies within the dungeon have been prepared for the reader with careful thought.Grammar - The grammar is fine. Nothing notable distracts you from the story. Maybe a word choice over here and there would distract you but it is a part of world building and not notable after you understand why.Character - Damian, the main character is the leads of the party. He is a natural leader who looks out for his team first and then worries about himself. Even when he is injured, he sucks it up and thinks about his team. That makes him likable and dependable.
Phantom SageRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story starts like a familiar dungeon-crawl LitRPG and then steadily peels back the illusion until it becomes something darker, sharper, and more personal. What initially feels like a cozy party dynamic with a competent leader quickly turns into a survival narrative where the real threat is not “a hard floor,” but the world itself breaking in a way that nobody can explain. The tonal shift is handled extremely well. It does not feel like the author suddenly decided to add tragedy. It feels like the logical consequence of the setting finally showing its teeth.The strongest element here is the party. Damian’s exhausted internal narration, Frey’s teasing loyalty, Alex’s chaotic heart, Fergus being secretly essential, Donna’s emotional vulnerability, and Isaac’s quiet reliability all create a group that feels lived-in. Their banter is not filler. It becomes the emotional foundation that makes later losses land. When everything goes wrong, the grief and aftermath actually matter because the story took the time to make the “slow adventuring life” feel real.The conspiracy angle also escalates in a satisfying way. The undead threat is not just a random dungeon hazard. It ties into politics, guild corruption, and systemic rot, and the later city-wide collapse feels like the natural expansion of the same problem. The Valkyries, tier structure, and curse lore are introduced in a way that stays readable without losing scale. Most importantly, the story keeps its heart even as it grows bigger. It stays focused on how ordinary people keep moving when the world turns cruel.This reads like the beginning of a much larger arc, but it already feels complete in emotional impact.
SirJimothyTheCriticRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Review for up to Chapter 20: (so far!)Overall: Each reveal of great worldbuilding and a well thought out plot rewards the reader in different ways every single chapter. WARNING: Addictive.Style: The writing style is very accessible and modern without stumbling into cringe. Definitely shows instead of tells, often with a current in-world, plot relevant example. You won't find any meandering asides about irrelevant lore here.Grammar: I think the best grammar isn't noticed, allowing for best immersion. Any variance to the norms often reveals itself to be intentional to emphasize a characteristic.Story: The highlight of this book is the story. Lots of action and mystery with meaningful and satisfying payoffs. But each has another hook hidden inside... with a new, even more compelling question. And so far, I think its reasonable to believe that these will have answers too. Addicting!Character: The MC is sardonic and witty, but also caring and likeable. And the interactions between him, the rest of his party, and the rest of the world seems consistent and believable. While it may be a little tough to keep track of each member of the party in the first chapter, the author expertly reinforces their roles and personalities through events and actions, and I found myself remembering and understanding their dynamics a lot more quickly and easily than I was expecting.
Soichiro KRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Olha, sinceramente, pelo que vi da parte inicial da história (e não vi muita coisa), a narrativa está sendo muito bem construída, com esse contraste entre os protagonistas que ainda tentam rir e brincar um com o outro, enquanto percebem que o mundo é muito mais brutal do que parece.Eu recomendaria este livro a qualquer pessoa que goste de histórias com foco em múltiplos personagens, algo que notei que esta história faz muito bem; o estilo do autor parece se encaixar perfeitamente no gênero. De qualquer forma, tenho certeza de que esta história tem um grande potencial no gênero fantasia!O protagonista principal: pelo que vi dele, mesmo sendo um jovem adulto, ele ainda parece ter aquela "alma" infantil, sabe? E mesmo sem ter lido tudo, isso é definitivamente algo que ele... Ele vai superar o trauma de ver e perder coisas no mundo, mas não acho que ele vai permanecer assim. Acho que em algum momento ele vai mudar, especialmente depois desse triste capítulo 3.Outra coisa que achei legal na história é que, por mais estranha que pareça, me lembrou Made in Abyss. Sim, pode parecer que eles são malucos, principalmente porque a dinâmica entre eles é literalmente oposta, mas estou me referindo ao contraste entre o engraçado e o brutal.
Sunny_Shad0wRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Chains: The First Link offers a promise of a good dungeon crawling beginning with vivid world building and detail. The concept of the goddesses and the cataclysm are made clear and though it starts with a relatively mundane beginning, the first five chapters offer a grand spectacle. The characters are easy to follow, the setting has been established greatly, and pretty much all the elements do not suffer.Now, with that being said, not all of it is perfect. The writing style is okay at best. There was a lot more exposition about the undead with not actually showing it to later. Cataclsm mentioned in children story books don’t make sense, why would a child learn about dark devastation, and its really hard to imagine without all the explanation.That does not mean it’s necessarily BAD, it’s just I can see improvement being done. Love the twist at the start too, it promotes good terror. Chapter 1 serves as the beginning, in order to fully indulge in such features, it is best to read chapter 2 as well before you think of dropping the novel. Give the novel a chance, and you may see it flourish.To summarize all for those that had not read, (TLDR) it has potential, and I seek to learn more about the world the author is building, the characters etc. Thanks for the novel. I will ensure myself to read more throughout the months.
D.W.Sutton (Your Favorite Bug)Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This story comes out swinging with choices most books wait way too long to make and the kind that tells you the author is not protecting the cast with plot armor.You get consequences early. The kind that impacts how the main character has to hand..le problems, definitely something the MC struggles to get a grip... on.The ideas are strong too, and they aren’t just thrown in for flavor. The story commits to them and lets them shape decisions, strategy, and tone. It feels intentional, not random.What really impressed me is some of the earlier scene work. The author builds dense sequences, packs in motion and detail, and still keeps everything clear.That said, some of the later chapters aren't fully fleshed out, or can feel a bit 'reported' instead of being played out on the page. The good news is it's mostly a polishing issues, because the core is already strong. I think some RR readers with rougher work like this, while other will think it's a bit too rough.So, if you like fantasy/LitRPG that isn’t afraid to make bold calls early, delivers crunchy scenes you can actually follow, and keeps the momentum high, you’ll have a great time.
Roman StoneRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
There's something refreshing about a story that isn't afraid to let its characters face real consequences. I won't spoil the opening, but you'll see people make mistakes and pay for them hard. This place is crowded with stories that'll yank their characters out of danger at the very last second, so that alone makes this one worth a look.The writing style is an interesting hybrid between first and third, usually hovering at a close third but occasionally dipping into the MC's internal monologue directly. I think it's executed well, but it might throw you off if you're expecting a more standard literary convention. Having not progressed far enough into the story to really grasp what's unique about its world, the characters are definitely the selling point for me. You get introduced to a sizeable team in chapter one, but the author manages crowding by cutting out a lot of padding and having most characterisation come through direct dialogue. That worked great with a cast of this size, and I'm confident I'd be able to tell which character was speaking even if identifying tags were stripped, so they all have strong voices.Looking forward to reading more and unraveling the world and system!