Depraved Veracity

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

VRMMORPG was generic. Finding strange objects was cliche. But had these two intertwined enough to pose questions?One of which was experienced by Chen Luo.

Hisjust nowordinary life was shattered when he discovered "VR:Scanner," a helmet connected to "World: The Origin," a virtual game he had no memory of purchasing.

Trying to investigate it, he entered the virtual world. But then, the lines that separated thought, time, and emotions were trampled; he was forced to face powers that manipulated both worlds. Becausethis game knew more about him than he did.Regarding "who" he was, "what" he was, "where" he was, "what happened" to him, and "how" it happened—making him have to make a choice: bring the truth to the surface, or bury it all, or perform theultimate salvation for all humanity.

The deeper he went to investigate these mysteries, the more he thought...

"Is ignorance truly bliss?"

Also published on Scribble Hub and Wattpad

Cover made byEinira Vtuber

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: D.N.A.

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 47
Views: 9,186

Chapters(27 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

FalisRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’ve read up to Chapter 7 of Depraved Veracity, and I think it’s a preettty solid story! The world is really, really(!) well-built, and the VR and Heart Core system are well explained. It feels like the kind of game you’d actually want to play ^^.
The action scenes are vivid and easy to follow, especially the fight with the hybrid dragon. That part kept me hooked and made me look forward to more exciting fights with stronger monsters.
At the same time, the story has some deeper ideas about human psychology and survival, which give the book a nice extra flavor.
Chen Luo is an interesting MC. He’s smart and has depth, but he also feels like a relatable guy in a crazy situation, which makes him relatable. The other character that has been introduced is Noir. She is really cool and has a mysterious vibe that makes me wonder what her deal is.
The pacing is nice and steady and builds the world step by step. You can tell the story is going somewhere big from the prologue chapter alone!
This novel has a good mix of action and deeper themes. If you like stories about VR, fights and interesting characters you shouldn’t skip this book. In my case, I am excited to see what happens next.
Wizardly DudeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you're a fan of VRMMORPG style stories, or stories where the MC thinks about things a little more beyond (enemy = stab), then I'd say give this story a shot!
Story: The story starts off with a hint of mystery; the MC waking up to discover a mysterious box sitting in their bedroom. Immediately after they discover a startling threat that just leads to more questions being asked, and very soon we readers are finding ourselves dragged along into a web of drama that only expands as we access the virtual world.
Style: The author uses first person perspective, which while not my personal favorite, I have to say they do it pretty well! We get a deeper look into the inner workings of the MC's mind thanks to this, which for a mystery/drama story, actually works out nicely.
Grammar: No issues here, very clean read.
Character: The MC definitely has a lot going on, and it feels like there is a lot under the surface that isn't going to be revealed until much later. A little early to tell about the other characters at this point, but I feel like they have a solid foundation to build on!
All in all, it's a well written start to a story that I think has some serious potential. Again, if you're a fan of VRMMORPG style LitRPG, it's definitely worth checking out!
Fallen LilyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Story: This story has the potential to become a great one in the future, and it might just be one of the more intriguing VRMMORPG stories on this site.
First of all, the main character, Chen Luo, even though it’s still only a few chapters in, already feels like a protagonist with the potential to be compelling to follow, especially since he has a family. In most MMORPG stories, the MC is often an orphan or has no family.
So, having an MC with a family is certainly intriguing.
The pacing or flow of the story is fairly relaxed, making it a nice, easy read that doesn’t require intense focus. This suits me well, as I enjoy laid-back stories. If you also like a relaxed story pace, I highly recommend this!
As I mentioned at the start, because this story is still fresh, I can’t comment too much yet, but I will update my review as the story progresses.
I hope the author can really maximize world-building and character development in this story to make it even more interesting. Honestly, I have high standards for reading others' novels, but this one has captured my interest.
Do you enjoy VRMMORPGs? Do you like morally gray MCs? I highly recommend this story.
Style: It uses a first-person perspective, so we get to know the MC’s personality and thoughts more deeply, and with such an interesting MC, it’s a great combination.
Grammar: Well done, I don’t have much more to add here.
Characters: As for the characters, so far, I’m interested in getting to know the MC and his family more deeply. I hope the MC’s family is explored further, as I find that quite appealing.
Conclusion: This is a story full of potential. If the author can develop it well, I’m confident it will become one of the best VRMMORPG stories on this site.
- Fallen Lily
finchinkRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Wow, what can I say about this story? I believe the main narrative draws you in pretty quickly because of the engaging mystery surrounding the box – a compelling plot device that serves as the story's central enigma. This mystery effectively propels the story forward and maintains reader curiosity throughout the entire narrative. The prologue kicks off with crisp, clean action sequences that help readers immediately invest in the story's world and characters.
From a technical standpoint, I found the grammar to be remarkably clean in my honest opinion. While there might have been minor errors that escaped my notice, I think that's unlikely given the overall polish of the writing. The author appears to have taken great care in the editing process.
Story Score-wise, although I genuinely enjoy this story, I must note that it leans more toward being a slow burn, focusing heavily on the technical elements of the world-building and the main character's day-to-day experiences. While this approach has its merits in establishing a rich, detailed universe, it might not appeal to readers who prefer faster-paced narratives. The author takes their time developing the setting and circumstances, which some might find too methodical.
Regarding the Character Score, I find the protagonist to be adequately developed, though not particularly memorable. He doesn't seem to possess strong motivations or distinctive qualities that would make him truly stand out from other characters in similar stories. However, I understand why many readers might appreciate this type of character – their more subdued personality can make them feel more relatable and easier to understand. This "everyman" quality allows readers to more easily project themselves into the story, even if it comes at the cost of having a less dynamic protagonist.
The world-building, while thorough, sometimes overshadows the character development, which could be seen as either a strength or weakness depending on the reader's prefe
Kleo EriliRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Chen Luo mysteriously gets access to a virtual reality game called "World: The Origin" and has no idea whats up with that. The game is far more than just entertainment, it's a riddle with deep connections to his real life, his personality and his past. Soon the boundaries between reality and virtuality, truth and fiction begin to blur.
Depraved Veracity is the first Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Roleplaying Game (VRMMORPG) story I've read and so far I think it's a good introduction into the genre and got me hooked. Like all good stories about the meaning and fringes of reality even in culturally more established forms of storytelling, like the works of Philip K. Dick, Simulacron-3 from Daniel F. Galouye, eXistenZ from David Cronenberg, and of course Matrix from the Wachowski sisters, Depraved Veracity makes you ask existential questions and answers them with mystery and suspense – and I quite like that. It would be a waste not to use this genre to open a meta narrative discussion and philosophize about the nature of games as a medium and what life has to do with it, and Depraved Veracity certainly delivers in that regard.
The grammar is well done and the style is immersive.
If you're looking for a good introduction into the genre and a suspenseful, mysterious and thought provoking story about the nature and meaning of reality, you're at the right place.
harsie.Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
for the opening chapter does a great job of setting a mood.. as i read the first chap until the last ones, i can feel there’s an eerie, heavy atmosphere that instantly makes the reader curious. The writing is generally strong, with a clear, immersive style, but some parts feel slightly over-explained. If the goal is to establish mystery and unease, trimming certain explanations could make the impact stronger.
This chapter is a strong ones! There’s clear intrigue, like. What was that dream? Why does Chen Luo feel so drained? The futuristic setting is woven in smoothly, and the mystery is compelling.
The dynamic between Chen Luo and Guo Dai is fun and well-developed. Their interactions feel natural, and each character’s personality is distinct. Chen Luo’s stoic exterior paired with his inner humor adds depth, while Guo Dai’s enthusiasm offers a nice contrast.
The characters continue to shine as the story goes along, especially the dynamic between Chen Luo and Guo Dai. Their interactions feel natural and add humor and depth to the story. The futuristic setting with advanced tech remains immersive, and the mystery surrounding Rhuzerv keeps things interesting.
However, the moment where Guo Dai reacts to a discovery could have more buildup to heighten the suspense. The pacing is mostly good, but more detail about the significance of Rhuzerv could strengthen the tension.
Overall, the story remains engaging with strong character moments and an intriguing plot, though a bit more suspense and detail could elevate it further. Great job D.N.A!! ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅
OwlsdoomRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Depraved Veracity starts with some interesting hooks. It starts strong with a scene featuring a powerful being, which sets the tone nicely. We are then introduced to our main character, Chen Luo, and we are faced with an immediate mystery.
Style Score: I gave this story a 5 because I think the general idea is well executed. This story is more of an old school litrpg, where our MC is literally playing a game, think SAO or Legendary Moonlight Sculptor. As such he leans into the tropes of this genre, npcs, coded behavior, etc. The game is also set in an academy - At the time of review this wasn't explored very in-depth but I look forward to seeing this fleshed out. I think it's a very interesting twist on the genre, and I'd like to see how that plays out.
Story Score: I had to give it a 4 here because I think the work, particularly in the first few chapters needs a bit of a rewrite. The introduction to the game world comes a bit slower as our mc explores the mysteries surrounding the mysterious box. I think this section could become a bit briefer, and perhaps a bit more of that space in the beginning can go towards fleshing out our mc, his friends and family, and the world. Once we enter the game world the story does become better paced.
Grammar Score: Grammar received a 4. The earlier chapters were very well written, but I started noticing some simple mistakes in the later chapters, such as using me instead of I. "Pick one, and me will work on it." The author has stated that they are not a native English speaker, so give them some leeway in this regard. That said, most of the grammar in the work is very polished.
Character Score: I gave this section 4 1/2 stars. For the most part Chen Luo is an MC with a good personality. I think there could be some more work done in this regard, and I think there will be more work to come as he explores his inexplicable memory loss.
Overall Depraved Veracity is a nice take on the genre, with good hooks and an interesting plot. I thin
S.O.ARoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This novel manages to pull off something pretty rare - a VRMMO story that actually feels like it's trying to do its own thing rather than copy-pasting SAO's homework. The style maintains consistency in perspective and chronology, keeping a tight focus on our MC's point of view without random jumps or perspective shifts that would break immersion.
The story setup is intriguing, with the mysterious VR:Scanner and threatening note creating genuine tension rather than relying on the usual "trapped in game" trope. The world-building stands out by mixing sci-fi and fantasy elements in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The "magic" system through the Catalyst class and the connection to real-world physical therapy gives the game mechanics actual weight beyond just power fantasy numbers going up.
Our MC Luo comes across as competent without being overpowered, with clear character motivations driving his actions. His analytical nature and social anxiety make his decisions feel authentic rather than just plot-convenient. The way he approaches problems methodically while still showing vulnerability (like his reaction to memory gaps) helps ground him as a character.
The grammar and vocabulary maintain a professional standard throughout, with good variety in word choice that keeps descriptions fresh. Technical terms are used appropriately without falling into purple prose territory.
While there are some familiar elements here (academy setting, class system), they're implemented thoughtfully rather than just checking genre boxes. The focus on the MC's strategic thinking and problem-solving gives weight to game mechanics that could otherwise feel arbitrary.
Weak points? The pacing in the early chapters could be tightened up, and some of the game system explanations get a bit info-dumpy. But overall, this shows promise as a fresh take on the VRMMO genre that respects both its game and story elements.
fakerdakerhahahaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Style and Story:
A thick blanket of intrigue seems to constantly shroud Depraved Veracity in mysteries, which can be seen from its very first chapter. Blood, death, tragedies and the like… A foreboding feeling haunts the novel’s every page, for in a digital world so life-like – yet constantly acting out of one’s expectations – who can say what’s real and what’s not, or when disaster would ultimately strike?
Grammar:
The grammar is clear and concise. There is no major grammar error that I could spot, which is certainly a plus
Character:
Chen Luo is an odd case of a protagonist, to be sure. His interactions with others as well as inner monologues reveal a chaotic past – where a certain troublemaker who insists he’s just your average joe got into all kinds of misadventures. Still, exact details are scarce, similar to the mysterious object that would soon plunge said scoundrel into a deathly game of VR
That said, it’s only when Chen Luo dives headfirst into the digital world that we get to see another side of him. He is cautious, yet not enough to resist the temptation of danger. He is careful, though still can’t help but slip up out every now and then, especially when something unexpected gets the drop on him. Chen Luo is doing his best to not stand out while getting to the bottom of a puzzling mystery, even when he himself acknowledges that maybe, just maybe, he should just turn around while he still has the chance…
In other word, Chen Luo is an enigma, as mysterious and paradoxical as the “gift” which was delivered onto him, and us as readers could only watch with bated-breath as he digs himself deeper, until it’s too late
ThrillianRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
This is a fun and clever LitRPG with some nice twists and turns along the way. The story focuses on Chen Luo, a young high school graduate gifted with a mysterious set of VR goggles which plunge him into a virtual game called "World: The Origin".
One touch I really like is the sense of unease even in the ordinary world. There's a sense that even among Chen's family that something is...off. This creates an intriguing mystery both inside and outside the game, as well as building a tension that runs throughout.
I also like, for all the game's own mysteries, it also feels like a real game, with quirky NPC's and way too many notifications.
Perhaps most interesting is that Chen himself is a morally gray character, which sets up some interesting situations and conflicts throughout.
The layout of the text is accessible and easy to understand. The prose and grammar are also effective and free of error.
The first ten chapters introduce the world as well as hints of the characters Chen will be interacting with. That said, I’m very excited to read more. The story itself has a lot of neat touches, building suspense and mysteries that will definitely be further explored in the game.
I definitely recommend this, and I’d love to read more!