Hoqalo: The Broken System [LitRPG • Magitech • Hopepunk]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Someone’s been drinking my future like it’s corp-subsidized coffee. I’m about to make them choke on it. I’m Dash. My great-grandfather was one of the Fifteen who saved humanity during the System Apocalypse, founding the corps that rule the solar system. That legacy should’ve been mine. Until my father was disinherited and died, leaving me with nothing but a single building on Earth 2.0. I thought my system compatibility was over 80%. High enough to manifest a system. But they measured me at System Prep School with 17%. Failure, incompatible and the system never came. While my classmates leveled up at System Academy, I got shipped to mining school… fighting bugs for mineral system drops. Then I nearly died, and a broken system manifested. Barely functional, but enough to show the truth: a rival corp has been draining me this whole time. 17% was a lie. It was a theft. The system gave me one thing: Hoqalo, a tinkerer’s trait that lets me forge gear better than anything factory-made. It’s not enough to fight a corp hungry enough to drain a Kallum bloodline, but it’s a start. My corpo grandmother’s resources come with strings attached, but I’ve got my hands, my tools, and friends who will go to corpo hell and back with me. They stole my future. Time to steal it back with interest. Each chapter is ~2,5k–4,5k words! You can support me on Patreon! Currently~250 pages ahead:https://www.patreon.com/PlotArmorHQ What to expect Cyberpunk LitRPG:Deep system mechanics with a unique twist: ABroken Systemwith glitchy stats and magic!Sci-Fi x Fantasy:A corporate dystopia (Earth 2.0) where ancient magic and futuristic tech collide.Hopepunk:This story isn't grimdark.The worldbuilding is still exploiting people, but the tone is not dark, quite the opposite.The Protagonist:A sarcastic, scrappy underdog heir fighting his way up from the bottom with wit and terrible puns.Corporate Intrigue:A mystery involving the Sol Fortune 15, family legacies, and secret sabotage.Slice-of-Life:Exploring the gritty and glamorous reality of life on Earth 2.0.Slow Burn Romance:Natural chemistry with a twist and relationship building (not the main focus, but present).No Harem. Come talk about Hoqalo on myDiscord! Release Schedule 3x a week(Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday)Time:20:00 CET (2:00 PM EST) + 1 extra on Patreon each week Cover byduyphanltmAds designed bySpatuzzi Designs

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: MarekSusicky

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 1,670
Views: 194,565

What readers say about Hoqalo: The Broken System [LitRPG • Magitech • Hopepunk]

“The author is up front about Hoqalo being a crafting trait in a system universe, but really does not get into why it is called that. Is it an alien word? A name? An acronym? Maybe it isn’t supposed to ever be explained, but going past that, it’s a sci fi st…”
wathmanRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“I am really liking this so far. The world-building is interesting and has a number of unique takes on LitRPG concepts. The MC is interesting and the mystery of his situation is puzzling. He is a bit reckless, but such is the folly of youth. I am looking fo…”
DatateqRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

wathmanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The author is up front about Hoqalo being a crafting trait in a system universe, but really does not get into why it is called that. Is it an alien word? A name? An acronym? Maybe it isn’t supposed to ever be explained, but going past that, it’s a sci fi story with interesting world building that does not devolve into a total, gritty dystopia. The MC is generally likable and I’ve liked the side characters so far. The cast is a bit heavy on the female side for a story that seems to be staying out of harem territory. I’m happy with plot development and ongoing mystery of the initial plot. Lots of potential for progression and crafting. Will definitely be sticking with this story for a long time if the author keeps delivering content like this.
DatateqRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am really liking this so far. The world-building is interesting and has a number of unique takes on LitRPG concepts. The MC is interesting and the mystery of his situation is puzzling. He is a bit reckless, but such is the folly of youth. I am looking forward to future chapters and can’t wait to find out what is behind the door. Thank you for sharing your time and creativity.
Talon1224Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Very well written blend of crafting, battle, magic, and slice of life set in a world long after the system apocalypse happened and was beaten back. Perfect for fans of the quest academy series.
now I’m just typing words to meet the minimum requirement but honestly it’s a very good book.
TooLucidRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The writing alone is top quality (especially for Royal Road). A few missing words or simple errors, but it’s pleasant to read. The pacing is nice and steady, right on beat for a great Cyber series. We are shown high quality tinker-time. There’s monster’s to kill. And then we get some System shenanigans. Mystery. Intrigue. Opportunity. Ambition.
The characters are quite unique and realistic. Very appreciative of the authentic interactions with family/friends/acquaintances. And the realistic attitudes/responses people have to events and life in general.
Dash fights hard to earn the few steps he has taken on this early path of growth. But the Corpo-hellscape probs seem inescapable, as always. Through dedication, preparation, and a bit of family fortune, he might just make something of himself. It’s fun, there are stakes, sometimes it’s intense. Character success (and growth) feels possible but not guaranteed.
If you like crafting stories or dungeon delving types with that classic futuristic cyber-tech twist, you will definitely enjoy reading!
CyralRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Amazing story! If the quality keeps up it is going to be one of the top story’s on royal road. You have a unique system, characters that have depth, and a plot that takes place in a post system apocalypse world that has cyber punk corporate vibes and a character that is the victim of his family’s drama and has to figure out how to get stronger. 10/10 recommend you read.
Josie DinwiddieRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm not really good at writing reviews. I'm enjoying the story. It has a lot of the elements that I enjoy. Crafting, fighting, leveling etc. it's a bit different take on apocalyptic systems. The MC has a broken one. Has some light comedic parts and some mystery parts too. I definitely recommend it. Give it a try. You could get hooked.
Magpie107Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Normally don't care much for Cyberpunk/Shadowrun type settings, but this one with it's space empire and less grungey fantasy additions to the hypercapital hellscape those settings give us is a welcome change of pace, and I cant help but love it. What else I cant help but to love is that despite how awful things in this world are, there is a palpable feeling of hope for and from the main and supporting cast. Great work, and I cant wait to read more!
MosaikRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm finding myself thoroughly engrossed in the story of Dash. Here's an MC who has had both fortunate and unfortunate events he had no control over shape his circumstances. The universe the author is building for the reader shows plenty of contrast between different classes in society.
Now we are at a point in the story where MC is starting to exert control on the challenges facing him. Honestly, the system is wonderfully unique. The author puts a lot of thought and care in weaving technology, engineering and magic together.
Great Job MS, keep up the fantastic story!
SadButter314Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Tbh i wasn’t really expecting much at the start but now i can’t wait for more chapters.
The story felt a bit too slow paced at the start but now it feels just right.
this might be the first cyberpunk type story that i am really starting to enjoy. The detailing and the world building is also great and feels logical/realistic.
TaiseRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Great story set in a magitech world with limited system access where the MC has to fumble their way through.World has a Bladerunner / Shadowrun vibe while being unique and believable. Ima lookwing forward to more world building on the corps, academy, and how it all ties together with incursions.