Glitch Factor ZERO

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

“When reality itself is broken, will you survive the reboot?”

Jax is a resourceful scavenger in dystopian Neo-Veridia Prime, scraping by under acid rain and an oppressive Authority. On a disastrous salvage run he bonds with an ancient alien power core, becomingArchitect Zero– a living glitch in reality with dangerous new abilities and a bounty on his head. Haunted by cryptic system readouts and hunted by cyborg enforcers, Jax’s only hope lies in the forbidden high-tech dungeons beneath the city. Guided by a rogue precursor AI, he must battle ancient sentient machines, master his catastrophic powers, and uncover cosmic secrets that could reboot reality… or end it.

To survive, Jax must outwit the Authority and the horrors of the deep before the glitch kills him.

What to Expect:

• Reality‑bending glitches & powers• Deep, dangerous dungeon crawls• Wry, cynical anti‑hero• Mysterious & powerful AI• Brutal, high‑stakes combat• Ancient cosmic horrors• Progression system failures• Existential dread with jokes ;-)• A universe that wants you dead

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Qaos

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 117
Views: 27,359

Chapters(61 total)

What readers say about Glitch Factor ZERO

“Overall Score: 5/5 Wow. Glitch Factor Zero grips you the moment you start reading it, and it doesn’t let you go for even one second. Every sentence pulls you deeper into the world. The author’s word choice, the metaphors, the sci fi lingo, everything works…”
Adrian SixRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Review swap The story starts as a typical "desperate scavenger takes dangerous job" setup (but with a very atmospheric flavoring) quickly spirals into something way more intense and weird. The author has created this absolutely brutal world where reality is…”
BlurpleRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(9)

Adrian SixRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall Score: 5/5
Wow. Glitch Factor Zero grips you the moment you start reading it, and it doesn’t let you go for even one second. Every sentence pulls you deeper into the world. The author’s word choice, the metaphors, the sci fi lingo, everything works to create a living, breathing world that is gritty and grimy and glitchy.
Following Jax is exciting in the same way taking a ride on a half-rusted roller coaster is. You are just hanging on for your life, screaming into the wind, and also having the time of your life.
It’s heart-pounding action all the way,
Style: 5/5
You can say the author’s style is dense, but I think this story wouldn’t be what it is without the richness in detail that we are provided. The writing feels like it perfectly complements the story, as if you couldn’t have one without the other.
Story Score: 5/5
Granted, I only read up to chapter 8 ‘cause it’s a new story, but I got what I came for from the plot. It’s fast-paced enough to keep you gripped, while also taking its time in unfurling the world to the audience and introducing us to this sci-fi version of LitRPG. Simply put: it delivers.
Grammar score: 5/5
Not much to say here. Well-written and polished writing. Some suggestions here and there and they are corrected appropriately.
Character score: 5/5
Jax, being the MC, is the stand out character so far and feels like a genuine product of his world. Like he belongs in the story. He’s got grit and quips for days and I’m into it. Beyond Fingers, which we don’t get to know much about yet but seems interesting, the only other character we get is unique and mysterious enough to make me want to keep reading, so this gets a 5/5 for me.
BlurpleRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Review swap
The story starts as a typical "desperate scavenger takes dangerous job" setup (but with a very atmospheric flavoring) quickly spirals into something way more intense and weird. The author has created this absolutely brutal world where reality is literally glitching out, and every time the protagonist uses his newfound powers, it feels like he's paying for it with pieces of his soul.
Jax is the perfect guide through this nightmare. He's got that cynical, gallows humor that keeps you sane while everything goes to hell around him. Watching him stumble through increasingly dangerous situations while making sarcastic quips feels authentic rather than forced.
The worldbuilding is good. Neo-Veridia feels lived-in and awful, the kind of place where synth-protein tastes like "ozone and regret." The Anomaly zones are genuinely terrifying, not just because of the monsters, but because the rules of reality keep changing.
I love how the LitRPG elements aren't just tacked on. The "system" feels like broken diagnostic software trying to make sense of impossible situations, which fits perfectly with the cyberpunk aesthetic. Every skill point feels earned through genuine suffering.
Only complaint is some of the technobabble gets heavy, but honestly, it adds to the authenticity. This feels like proper hard sci-fi horror that doesn't pull its punches.
Cowabunga_BluewriterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is one of those books that just makes you want to keep reading. While the style may be a little dense, it is rich in details and absorbs you right into the world and action. The characters are three dimensional and nuanced. The story so far has been great as well. It has lit rpg elements, but they don't strike you in the face, and you don't have to learn a whole new system for you to enjoy the story. They are there but not glaringly so.
Style: A little dense but rich in details that immerse you in the world and into the action.
Grammar: I saw a few things but nothing heart stopping terrible. Some could be worded clearer for better information retention but that's purely preference.
Story: So far, the story is engaging with some lit rpg elements that are subtle of this genre. Still, the world is great a mix of sci-fi cyberpunk, and futuristic elements that are brought to life with details like phosphorene fungi. The creatures Jax comes to arms with are as fascinating as the setting.
Characters: Jax is three dimensional. A sarcastic, smart, quick acting, rogue who makes plans and thinks logically. This is shown in how he systematically attacks his enemies and gets past obstacles. Fingers is to me a bit of a coward at least he gives the impression of one. Even the enforcers whose different actions on covering or fleeing in the explosion delineates personality, were good characters.
All in all, Glitch Factor Zero is a Great story one I shall keep my eye on. It has a great start and is definitely one to watch out for.
Drunken Sailor822Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The first thing I noticed when reading was the intense atmosphere that made me feel like I was a part of the cyberpunk / dystopian future city. Literally, I looked up, imagining the setting Jax was in in just the first chapter. As I continued reading it combined a lot of different elements into an action-packed sequence that made me want to keep reading. What really got me hooked was the LitRPG / Matrixy vibe, where I was questioning: Is the character in a simulation?
Jax is a guy, essentially just trying to survive. Morally grey, a lot of sarcastic quips when he is alone like an action hero talking to himself. His choices are logical, trying to progress while dealing with the situations at hand.
The style and grammar seem to work well to me. It blends enough description to let you know what is going on, especially important in a sci-fi world, with word choices that fit in. Sometimes it's sarcastic, metaphorical, and many times, it complements the character's situation. I didn't notice any major grammar flaws either, but I'm not a grammar expert.
So far the only character, other than the MC And Authority Enforcers, that I've read is Fingers. And he seems like your typical and nervous nerdy gig handler. Maybe a coward? I couldn't quite get a feel for him. Not in a bad way, but in a way that spoils the story, which is nice.
Overall, amazing story! I've enjoyed reading it thus far!
EdenCRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Glitch Factor Zero
Underrated!
You hear me.
This story is an absolute masterclass in building oppressive, desperate atmosphere without ever feeling slow.
The writing style is vivid, gritty, and often darkly funny, making Jax's struggle against both physical and existential threats painfully real.
The world feels alive (and half-dead) with environmental storytelling everywhere, from collapsing tunnels to glitched reality fields.
Each chapter raises the stakes smartly, without relying on cheap twists. The introduction of "Unit 734" adds a chilling new layer of cosmic horror and scale.
Characters are sharp. Jax’s voice is distinct, sarcastic but believable, and the AI feels alien in just the right way.
Premium writing!
The pacing is relentless in the best way, balancing brutal survival moments with sharp doses of humor and dread.
The LitRPG elements are subtle yet meaningful, adding tension without breaking immersion.
Descriptions are vivid without bogging down the momentum.
Even secondary elements like notifications and system prompts feel woven naturally into the storytelling rather than forced.
Every chapter leaves you hungry to know more about the world, the Bleed, and Jax's increasingly impossible odds.
If you enjoy high-stakes sci-fi with smart horror undertones and razor-sharp character voice, this is absolutely worth your time.
Eternal_WinterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall 5/5 The story of Glitch Factor Zero is dark and dystopian in nature. Our main character feels like the typical person you expect in this kind of world were every day means surviving instead of living. It introduces elements of classic LitRPG in an exciting way and it feels like a part of the story and Jax path. It' fresh, it's LitRPG in s Sci-Fi setting. If you enjoy that you should give it a read!
Style 5/5 The work of the author is very detailed and you can immerse yourself in the story. It feels dark and gritty, the world is on it's last leg and you can feel it. The author build something immersive here and I'm all for it!
Story 5/5 The story so far is interesting. Going into the equivalent of a fantasy dungeon where everything is in constant flux, even Jax himself. It feels new and original while still reminding me of the things I usually read.
Grammar 5/5 There is not much to say, it reads well, the text is properly formatted and I didn't spot any mistakes so far that would disturb you while reading.
Character 5/5 Our MC is perfectly written. Depressed, stubborn, resourceful and with a will to survive. He doesn't want to do the things he does, why risk your life but he takes chances to maybe someday live a better life. He fits well in to the world of Glitch Factor Zero
Liam BlackwoodRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is fantastic, and I often found myself wanting more even while reading through it. Like a whisper of hope, praying for the author to release more chapters. If you love futuristic sci-fi novels, this is your one-stop shop to read. Everything about the descriptions, the items, the scenery, is all futuristic and dystopian.
Style: Amazing, the way it progresses forward, the way the first battle and first "mission" is held. Awesome. The only thing I can criticize about the whole novel is the length of the paragraphs, and even then that's just my personal preference of how I like to read a book.
Story: You're thrown right into a futuristic haven of tech and new-age descriptions that makes your brain salivate. The story is clear even after the first chapter. You get an inkling of whats about to happen.
Grammar: I maybe noticed one or two issues, but they were completely overshadowed by the writing and story.
Character: Oh man! This guy is absolutely 3-dimensional. You can feel like doneness but also hope to wanting to score big at the same time. I found myself loving the character every second, even in the battle scenes he's observant and logical about the way he fights.
Paq URoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Wow—Glitch Factor Zero blew me away! The blend of visceral action, mind-bending anomalies, and raw human grit kept me glued to the screen. I laughed at Jax’s sarcastic quips, winced at the uncanny horrors, and cheered every hard-earned stat boost. This is LitRPG at its most thrilling—can’t wait for the next glitch!
SahqoreythRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style:
This author understands atmosphere without drowning in it. The prose is sharp, clean, and oppressive. Environmental descriptions are vivid and do a great job of selling the setting. Jax's humor hits dry and bleak, perfectly matching the decay of both the world and the protagonist’s sanity. Dialogue feels natural, with Jax delivering exactly the kind of self-deprecating snark you would expect from someone too broke to care and too stubborn to die.
Story:
This is not another “system appears and everyone becomes a hero” story. The system is hostile, confusing, and probably illegal under several metaphysical treaties. Progression exists, but it is earned through pain, and bad decisions. You feel the collapse of reality because the environment actively tries to kill or corrupt the protagonist at every turn, not because someone lectures you about it.
Characters:
Jax is one of the most authentic burnout protagonists I've seen. He is not some reluctant chosen one. He is a barely functional human being stuck between a paycheck and a death wish. His decisions are pragmatic, his survival instincts believable, and his humor feels like the last defense against an uncaring universe. Secondary characters have been few twelve chapters in, but we did meet a new one recently, and he's becoming more and more integral to our protag's survival.
Grammar and Technical Execution:
Practically flawless. I think I saw maybe one error, and that was just some text that wasn't italicized. I like to think I'm good at grammar, but the author has used several words I've had to look up, and have added to ye olde repertoire.
Final Verdict:
This is high quality slow-burn existential dread wrapped in progression mechanics that barely function, set in a universe held together by broken code and Authority lies. And that is exactly why it works.