Core • Learning Phase

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

A cozy slice of life adventure with gallows humor and a twisted imagination. The day was supposed to end like any other: a shirt ruined by a coffee stain, my bosses lecturing me about due diligence, and a badly needed drink to cure the Monday blues.So why did I end up in a faux-world with cleverly defined rules no one bothered to write down?And why, prey tell, am I being told I'm enrolled in a human experiment that could decide the fate of the planet?The drink wasn't strong enough for this.I'm in a fully integrated virtual-reality system where I’m expected to “level up” stats—whatever that means—battle bizarre monsters designed by someone with a seriously twisted sense of humor, and win challenges.There’s a catch, of course.If we die in here, we die for real. No respawns.And if we kill in here?No consequences.We’re trapped in a trial of human nature, one meant to test how far we’ll go when the rules don’t apply. To save the world, we’ll have to prove there’s still something human left in us... even as the fight to survive tries to strip it all away.New chapters are posted every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2026
Author: KFBreene

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.8/ 5.0
Followers: 576
Views: 54,196

Chapters(37 total)

What readers say about Core • Learning Phase

“I have read as far as I can currently go- Chapter 9 so far… it’s got me hooked. Can’t wait to read the rest! This is my favorite author so my expectations and hopes are high. I’m strapped in for the ride in this crazy new genre.long live Queen Breene!”
ArkchendRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“I'm not a gamer and don't like playing video games. However, it adds such an interesting perspective to this story. Not to mention the characters are well presented and very realistic. Add in the sarcastic/ironic humor, and this is a very entertaining sto…”
BJThompsRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

ArkchendRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I have read as far as I can currently go- Chapter 9 so far… it’s got me hooked. Can’t wait to read the rest! This is my favorite author so my expectations and hopes are high. I’m strapped in for the ride in this crazy new genre.long live Queen Breene!
BJThompsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm not a gamer and don't like playing video games. However, it adds such an interesting perspective to this story. Not to mention the characters are well presented and very realistic. Add in the sarcastic/ironic humor, and this is a very entertaining story you can't put down. It is definitely an addictive read.
BonkerzRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Oh my good pop tarts I love this story so much. I've never read anything like Core before and I had so much fun. It's amazing! I'm completely in love with these badass characters and also the exceedingly helpful but less kickass characters.
I lmao reading this and I didn't want it to end. I just want more!! It's so good.
Ayela ArcanaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Firstly, that COVER! Then, the characters!
Core is absolutely the kind of novel I want to see more of on Royal Road. Well-written characters with snappy dialogue. An internal monologue that drives the plot forward and entertains! It feels like I’m hanging out with friends reading this book, and that makes it the perfect escape.
It’s funny, it’s slice-of-life, and I can tell it’s gonna get better and better. That’s how high -quality the writing is!
Go on, take a bite!
Ellie_mamabearRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This genre is different than K.F. Breene’s usual but in no way is it less than. Like the rest of her books, it draws you in, keeps it real while adding a bit extra, and makes you laugh out loud. I can’t wait for more updates. I thoroughly enjoyed reading what was already out.
Ettelyn15Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I love k f Breene’s writing and so excited to find her on Royal Road with chapter drops. The story starts with backgrounding the main characters, independent women as usual and warps into an alien world with a game for betting on human contestants with the planets survival part of the outcome. The interactions and banter and totally engaging and laugh out loud on many occasions along with sayings that need to go on t shirts. So happy to find this and totally recommend.
NighthonestyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
First time reading a LitRPG and loving it. The FMC is great. She's street smart and she's learning the game mechanics with us.
Every chapter adds either a new game mechanic or a layer of complexity. The FMC has grouped up and the side characters add so much to the overall storyline. The FMC relies on her background and ends up being the scary one in the group. They also get a video game nerd who explains the strategy.
Occasionally, we get a different POV for the eventual MMC. Every time he comes up with these assertions that as soon as he meets the FMC will just fly out the window. I'm so excited for when they finally meet.
So far, there is not a large Squid Game component. It has been very video game like with some regular questing and a little PVP. K.F. Breene rarely does too dark though so I doubt it will get to actual Squid Game level.
Overall, the story has everything we love about K.F. Breene: a funny, sassy, strong FMC, MMC who will let her do her thing (even if Seryn will take some convincing), and hilarious side characters. I laugh out loud in every chapter and am so excited for the rest of the story.
ReedurRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm enjoying Core so far and getting invested in the characters. I love the sarcasm and dark humor and can't wait for more episodes.
Quinn and Kym's friendship is definitely one I want to see develop. Understanding what exactly the aliens are doing with Earth is interesting as it unfolds.
CDBWRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am enamoured with this story! As a complete K.F.Breene fan, this is like seeing a slightly different side of her uniqueness. The juxtaposition of aliens and gamers is something I have not experienced in a book ... and I love it! I look forward for each and every chapter!
ShabtiRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm a female gamer and I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have a feminine point of view in this genre. Usually it is written by testosterone fuelled guys who dress us in bronze bikinis with all our bits hanging out and expect us to fight monsters without breaking a nail. The world building is great. I can picture it perfectly and it isn't the standard trope of the town and all the endless stats which frankly break the flow in all litrpgs to me. I'm enjoying the characters and the perfectly normal WTF of the non-gamer combined with the UAP! LOL It cracks me up! Gotta go for now and see what Queene Breene has cooked up for me next!