Dungeon Apocalypse: Dragon Cosmos

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Ciara O'Connoris a terminally-ill Biology professor whose life is upended when she's transformed into a dungeon as a nuclear explosion destroys her city.

Memories and personality remain, but Ciara is forever changed. With her spirit guideSven, Ciara confronts a devastated world while facing down the predator that now lurks deep within herself.

Joe Schimpf, a US Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, was on leave, fishing the coast north of the city, when the war began.

With his best friendMike Elliott, Mike's sonMichael Elliott, and Michael's childhood friendRihelah Najibi, Joe searches for his wife,Anna. Along the way, they meet Ciara's studentsSiobhán KillarneyandJoy Petersonas they brave raiders and radiation, deep within the blast zone.

Enter a daunting universe ruled by Dragons and their kin. Earth will never be the same.

Chapters will typically be 2000-2500 words.

The release schedule is seven chapters per week—one per day, for the first ten weeks.

This novel contains harsh language, war, romance, gore, fantasy species, some disturbing content, and LitRPG elements.

Reader discretion is advised.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2026
Author: MaximumCat

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.8/ 5.0
Followers: 171
Views: 15,074

What readers say about Dungeon Apocalypse: Dragon Cosmos

“I've been following this story since early in the original run, and I've been waiting for this rewrite to go live for months. My only regret in following this story is being too scatterbrained to have the first submitted review. This is a great take on the…”
curufinIIIRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“You know it's a good one when it makes you want to go write your own story in the genre. Might have to do that for my nest story. lol A dungeon core story with some heart that's not afraid to lean away from harsh realities. Ciara is such a compelling charac…”
K. J. KikiRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

curufinIIIRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I've been following this story since early in the original run, and I've been waiting for this rewrite to go live for months. My only regret in following this story is being too scatterbrained to have the first submitted review.
This is a great take on the Dungeon Core genre with a great hook and a reason to be a Dungeon Core story that actually makes sense. Hint: its Dragons. After the end of the world in nuclear hellfire (don't worry about it, we have more important concerns right now). We follow Ciara through her new life as a Dungeon: constantly fighting her new instincts that sees all living things as delicious mana containers. There's a lot for our poor formerly-middle-aged dungeon to do along with Sven, her snarky...Manger? Sidekick? She has to expand her dungeon, grow her powers, protect her friends both old and new, expand her dungeon, and create new and exciting minions, all while dealing with everything else going on since the plot exploded onto the scene. She also needs to expand the dungeon or she will not be strong enough to survive what's coming.
Style: The Author's word choice and writing style both draw you in to the situation and the minds of the people at play. You feel the tension between what characters feel they should do and what they think they should do in any given circumstance. It feels like something you should be reading out of a leather-bound journal in a dusty archive under the soft glow of mana-lights.
Story: The plot itself is fantastic with the central hook giving us both an explanation for why this is a dungeon core story and why its a system apocalypse. So often a dungeon core is because reincarnation went wrong or a cosmic accident happened; and a system apocalypse is just that, suddenly there's a system because reasons, and now it's the apocalypse. Here you actually get an explanation for all of that and it's a welcome breath of fresh air for that alone.
Grammar: The spelling and grammar are all good with no jarring sentence str
K. J. KikiRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
You know it's a good one when it makes you want to go write your own story in the genre. Might have to do that for my nest story. lol
A dungeon core story with some heart that's not afraid to lean away from harsh realities. Ciara is such a compelling character and her journey from human to dungeon is incredible compelling. The system for the dungeon wasn't any new but Ciara brings a unique perspective that is very enjoyable. The mystery of what exactly is happen set up the first several chapters kept me reading all night. The state of the world and how it interacted with the dungeon was also something fairly unique. Honestly can't wait till things get crazy or the dragons show up for real.
The separate point of views are also incredibly interesting and I cant wait to see how they tie into the dungeon story. The little group of survivors are all unique and well written.
Do be aware potential readers that the story is very grim dark and does not shy away from what that means so be prepared. It was all done tastefully as well which I appreciate.
Overall the writing quality is good with good grammar, spelling, and pacing.
KosRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
What canI say about this glorious tale of a dungeon? It's set on Earth in the Post Apocalypse. Not only is it a living breathing dungeon, but its also mankind's last safe fortress.
The story is written in a very serious, no nonsense way where even the President is not safe! The glorious cast includes the dungeon, world ending dragons, several humans who found each other in the bowels of the dungeon, and a couple of lucky dogs who become beloved pets of the fungeon! That's right, I called it a fungeon.
The grammar is excellent for the most part. The story is epic, likely spanning into volumes. I read the previous version and it still had a long way to go. Also, there is a vague connection here with the others acclaimed Mantis story. I can't wait to see how that comes together.
You'll be in for a real treat if you check this novel out. It's masterfully written. Max Cat proves yet again that he's got to chops to release a true masterpiece. I only wish more of it was available to read right now.
I think i need a few more words in order to meet the word requirement. There. That outta do it!
SockySakeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
First things first, I'm here to showcase the author's infinite wisdom from his author's note on chapter 1: Ciara is pronounced, Kee-ar-a. Actual phonics for characters' names. If you're anything like me, 50 chapters in, and you find out that you were butchering their names. The author has these at the end of the first couple of chapters.
So Chapter 1 really pulled me into the story. It's filled with mystery and intrigue that had me begging for more. But then we get a character shift in chapters 3-4 to something much darker, the remains of a destroyed city, and what people will become to survive. There's hope there, but it's all a bit bleak with witty jokes mixed in to break up the harsh reality.
But then I read Chapter 5, and boy was I hooked. It's everything someone could want from a dungeon core story. Not only does it capture everything I love about the genre, but it also showcases Ciara in all her glory. She's a really fun character. Like really fun with a mix of crazy. I'm looking forward to her journey.
Grammar is all A++, very well done. Didn't have a single trip up when reading.
The story itself is very promising. I'm very early in my read, but from what the author has hinted at so far, it's going to be a wild ride. Also, the author gets into dungeon mechanics. Like, why do spikes actually pop up from the floor or walls? I've read other stories where it's explained as 'Magic', but not here. The author describes how it works in a fun way.
I highly recommend this read and getting to at least chapter 5 before you draw your conclusion. It's a blast.
TGreen-Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It really shows that this is a rewrite, in a good way, because all aspects of the delivery form are exceptionl. Grammar's extremely smooth, as are the sentence structure, paragraph structure, and the whole technical aspect is really well handled.
The story itself is fun. It doesn't drag itself with the whole apocalypse thing, it happens appropriately fast and realistically as well. That's great. Nothing like a nuclear apocalypse to blow stuff up.
Then there're dragon gods, who happen to put sense into the whole dungeon core thing, which is always a fun thing to see in the genre.
The characters work great. Ciara is the highlight, which is important because the entire story hangs on her. Her inner conflicts (pun semi-intended) are fun and add a nice depth to story. The mama bear character trait works perfeclty for the story theme.
The rest of the cast hits the typical apocalypse cast, which is mostly standard, and works well. I mean, it's not an apocalypse story without a dog, is it?
The plot itself works well, I won't get into its details to avoid spoilers, but there's a plot, it fits the theme and the genre, which is great because this genre typically suffers on the plot angle due to obvious reasons.
Overall, this is a very fun read, especially if one is into the genre, as it has the classical-to-the-genre vibe.
TheswerdRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I kept the original version of this fiction on "Follow" for something like two years hoping it would come back. Now it has. That alone should tell you something.
Ciara is a formerly human dungeon core who is fighting against her new instincts to go all murder-hobo for mana, while also trying to provide a safe place for her former college age students, her dogs, the local cat(s), and her new slightly terrifying dungeon creations.
The story starts with a literal bang as the world leaders have seemingly decided to play a round of Global Thermonuclear War, and Ciara and everyone else in the world ... Well... Lost.
But, some weird dragon God dude decided that keep her alive as a glowing rock. Why? That would be spoilers.
There are also a couple of Marine combat veterans their band of survivors (including the aforementioned college students), newly talking pets, a snarky ass drake spirit guide (who is NOT the dragon God, and he will be VERY CLEAR on that point), and a mouse named Turd.
This is a dungeon story where the dungeon doesn't want to be a killer, but will 100% murk someone if her "kiddos" are given so much as a paper cut. Mama Bear to the max. Also, if she messes up and hits low mana, the Hangry gets real and EVERYONE looks like a buffet.
Give this one a shot. You should be able to tell in about 3-4 chapters if this is for you.
Based on the last iteration of the story, I can assume the scale of the story will be something like "Today, the neighborhood. Tomorrow, the world!"
Chimera WorksRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A dungeon core story that understands exactly what it is and needs to be.
Ciara is by far my favourite character in any dungeon core type stories. She's a former human who has to constantly fight against what she is. She's constantly fighting that inner voice to go on a full on murder spree.
Her constant banter with Sven keeps me entertained throughout. She's the very soul of a maternal... albeit slightly crazy mother.
This updated rewrite is a major improvement to the prose and style of the story. I am a fan of the newly improved and edited direction.
I haven't found anything to nitpick within the prose itself and I am loving the flavour text we get provided in the authors notes, it's on point to the chapter and doesn't feel forced.
No issues with grammar and the story is absolutely banging. It's a constant ride! In fact, one of it's biggest strengths is the way every chapter is opened giving us location, date and time. It makes it easy to follow on with the story.
Honestly. Everyone should give this story a read. It's the epitome of a dungeon story that just works. Excited to keep reading!
Weasel WarriorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is a story worth paying attention to. MaximumCat does a fantastic job crafting a real, heartfelt, intense story and the effort really shows.
This is the first dungeon core story for me, and I'm really enjoying it so far. Its not juvenile and really leans into the harsh realities of life that would come about.
I'm a fan of Ciara. She's a great and a compelling character, and I really enjoy her transition from human to dungeon. Again, new to this, but MaximumCat explains how the whole dungeon system works and I enjoy the professor's perspective. Also wild to find a book set in a city I grew up in and a MC that's a professor from my Alma Mater. So it feels very... personal to me.
The mystery element in the first couple of chapters keeps you reading. Its easy to just press "next chapter" over and over, and it's Easter so I'll have to pick this back up instead of hiding in my family's bathroom to read.
I enjoy multiple perspectives, and I'm excited to see how they all tie together. Each character is unique and has their own voice that I feel like develops over time, which is just good writing.
Also nice to read a well polished piece. Again, the care MaximumCat put into this book really shows. (Good grammar, spelling, and pacing).
WhyndRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A sort of post apocalyptic fantasy written about the aftermath of a catastrophic nuclear war that seems to be the result of a much bigger plot…. It spans multiple genres and I’m here for it!
Exceptionally well written story so far, interesting plot that pulls you in one chapter at a time, good structure and character development..you get a good sense of what the characters are feeling, whether it’s Ciara’s almost numb disbelief and acceptance yet refusing to completely give up..that sort of grieving that people go through when they find out their situation is hopeless…. Or Michael, carrying the weight of responsibility and just trying to make the best of a crap situation, or Joes staunch clinging to hope even when there’s so little, the characters are both interesting and relatable.
grammar and word usage is on point! It’s refreshing to read a story written by someone with a strong command of the language they’re writing in…
Very much refined, streamlined, and flows so much better than the original, even though the original was already good to begin with. The structure, pace, and flow of the story is solid… Honestly I’m loving it so far if you couldn’t already tell!
If you’re looking for an Interesting story, this is a definite must read.
UdaydarRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
This author does a very good point of view from various characters and authentic voice for the United States Marines. As a United States Marine Corp veteran myself, I approve. Oohrah!
Really looking forward to reading more of it.
Would love to patrean but money is tight, but if it ever comes on kindle unlimited will check it out and rate on there also to help support.