Hard Mode Awakening Challenge

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Dungeons had become an integral part of life after they were introduced by the enlightened powers of the universe. Earth needed mana in its atmosphere to sustain portals to other worlds. The dungeons were the avenue for humanity to collect essence stones to slowly increase the planet's atmospheric mana. Why was it done this way instead of simply supplying Earth with large stocks of essence stones and giving them technology? The answer was simple and universal. Entertainment.

Over the following decades, adventurers rose to prominence, becoming more and more important as society continued to adapt. The newest group of adventurers was no exception and found themselves worshipped like heroes. However, even the greatest heroes need villains, and when there wasn't a villain to overcome, one group decided to create their own.

Ian was one of those villains. He had pushed himself to earn a good degree, landed his dream internship, and had an amazing girlfriend. Everything was going his way until he decided to support his girlfriend's dream of becoming an adventurer by taking her to a starter dungeon. When he discovered he couldn’t level, he was relegated to cheering her on from a distance as she found herself thrust into the limelight. He promised to do anything to support her, but when she needed a sacrifice for the social media gods, he never saw it coming.

He had quickly lost everything and was forced to live in poverty while hiding his identity from the public. At the end of his rope and with only one opportunity giving him any hope to turn his life around, he needed a win, and he needed it fast.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Peyago

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 156
Views: 70,249

What readers say about Hard Mode Awakening Challenge

“This book's MC is the epitome of against all odds. What will you do if the person you love and trust most not only uses you to her advantage but also takes everything you have ever worked for with her to the point you can't even get a job or show your face…”
CharlyHaRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“This story deserves way more attention. I started it not knowing what to expect—and it completely pulled me in. The character growth is incredibly well written. You can feel the journey and how much every decision and moment matters. The pacing is tight, th…”
ThatSquilliamRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(3)

CharlyHaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This book's MC is the epitome of against all odds.
What will you do if the person you love and trust most not only uses you to her advantage but also takes everything you have ever worked for with her to the point you can't even get a job or show your face in public... all due to a massive shit-storm-campagne ... so that no-one (or nearly no-one) would help you and even your family abandons you without a second thought...
That is exactly what happened to Ian... who is at the rock bottom but still unbroken at the beginning of the first book. He still fights on... and finally he overcomes another hurdle, one set by the system, and is able to start anew. Calling himself Zero.
This story is about adventure, trust or the lack of and the need to earn it.
About social prejudice and machinations that totally disregard the feelings of others... but also about true friendship that is able to be developed when you take your time to listen ...
And about how obstacles can turn into advantages once overcome
This story is well written and has a consistent and well fleshed out world-building that leaves enough openings for this great story to go on...
It is character driven and the choices as well as the reactions of said characters are intelligent and relatable...
So thanks for the great story so far and I am looking to read on
ThatSquilliamRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story deserves way more attention. I started it not knowing what to expect—and it completely pulled me in. The character growth is incredibly well written. You can feel the journey and how much every decision and moment matters. The pacing is tight, the world is rich, and the emotional moments hit hard without ever feeling forced.
You don’t just read this story—you grow with it. It’s rare to find something that balances action, strategy, and heart this well. To the author: thank you for crafting something so real and raw. And to new readers: stick with it—this one is worth your time.
picuRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This book is a well-written and engaging read. One of its strongest points is the fascinating and unique nature of the characters' abilities. They're not just generic powers tossed in for action; they feel thoughtfully crafted and are intricately woven into the plot, adding a significant layer of depth and intrigue to the story. Furthermore, the pacing is well-managed, keeping the narrative moving forward at a satisfying pace, preventing it from feeling either rushed or dragging. This balance between character development, intriguing abilities, and good pacing makes for a truly enjoyable reading experience.