I Ran Away To Evil: Book 3 - A Cozy LitRPG RomCom

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

*** updates mon wed fri **

Book 1: Henrietta and Keith -The Zon Link

---

Book 2: Rufus and Brownie -The Zon Link

---

Book 3: Gerda and Julian

When she woke up in her favorite otome video game, she wasn't expecting to open the eyes of Gerda the npc troll.

It's been five years. Five long, intense years of leveling up and dungeon delving and treasure hunting and working her butt off to give everyone the happily ever after her favorite characters deserved. And she's managed well so far.

Season two is coming to a close, and the final season almost upon her. There are dragons in her future, and something even more terrifying: a lot of walking. Can she help her stan find love? Can she complete her work and find a way home? And can she hide the fact that she is Madame Potts?

...

Julian van Slyke watched his father die to protect their home in the revolution twenty years ago in a battle that split the country into a grand ravine... and he's been working hard to walk in those footsteps ever since.

To grow strong, he's been guarding the border to the Untamed Ice Fields, where a dungeon break sends out monsters to challenge their defenses in surges. He is determined to find the dungeon and defeat it, and prove to himself that he is ready to take over the duchy.

Now his home is being threatened by Blackfog spies, portents of doom are keeping him too long from the border, and he's caught up in something much bigger than he can understand. Not only that, he keeps tripping on Gerda no matter where he turns. Can he keep everyone safe? Can he conquer the dungeon his father didn't? And can he resist teasing a certain bridge troll?

A cozy LitRPG romcom reminiscent of the Bridgertons, with masquerade balls, fireballs, and butternut rumballs.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2023
Author: Mystic Neptune

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 2,224
Views: 334,225

Chapters(31 total)

What readers say about I Ran Away To Evil: Book 3 - A Cozy LitRPG RomCom

“This story is hilarious, I had a huge grin on my face the whole time I was reading. The chapters are much shorter than what I am used to, but that suits this story perfectly. (I want to say more but I've always been terrible at putting my thoughts into word…”
HIiAMLOGANRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Despite what I consider a rough first chapter, this is a delightful story about healing from abusive homes and finding love along the way. The author paints a delightful world just begging to be explored, and isn't it a bonus that that's exactly what our Fa…”
Homeless_OneRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

HIiAMLOGANRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is hilarious, I had a huge grin on my face the whole time I was reading. The chapters are much shorter than what I am used to, but that suits this story perfectly. (I want to say more but I've always been terrible at putting my thoughts into words, I apologise for that, so read it for yourself so you can write a better review than this XD)
Homeless_OneRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Despite what I consider a rough first chapter, this is a delightful story about healing from abusive homes and finding love along the way. The author paints a delightful world just begging to be explored, and isn't it a bonus that that's exactly what our Favorite Princess wants to do. I Ran Away To Evil (I.R.A.T.E.) is a beautiful story and I can't wait to see how it develops!
AlixRocheRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Finished book 1 and I have to say that it’s the most wonderful and cozy story I’ve read on RR. It was pure happiness all the way through and I absolutely adored all the characters. I didn’t skim anything even once which is saying a lot cuz I get bored easily. 10/10
AbruptlyMysticRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Transparency: This is for a review swap that I sought out after seeing my own story was getting some refers from IRATE, that being said…
I didn’t set out to read twenty chapters in one sitting, but I Ran Away to Evil really got me.
Although it could be rightfully called fluff, it’s grabby fluff; From the cheeky prologue to the main couple’s will they won’t they but we totally know they will but it’s just so charming to watch them try. Thus far there hasn’t really been any major twists or shocking reveals (not to say there never will be), but that’s not why I kept reading.
Both POV characters are equally engaging in their own rights; Henrietta is every bit the plucky, a little out of her depth, heroine we need her to be and Keith, yes even with his title of Evil Overlord, is just precious and fascinating to watch interacting with Henrietta but his minions as well. Reading the two leads navigate their situation and blossoming relationship is everything. As it should be.
The side characters are a hoot, the world building is just plain fun, everything about I Ran Away to Evil wants to be read and enjoyed. The litRPG elements flow very naturally along with the story. Like another reviewer, I’m not usually a short chapter enjoyer, but the pacing just works here. I’m only sad now I won’t be able to binge chunks at a time.
Baaron6Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
At time of review, I am just starting book two.
Edit: Books two and three weren't my cup of tea, but my review stands for book one.
I've not seen a book be such a perfect fit for what it's trying to be in ages. I believe the correct wording is that MysticNeptune has written the quintessential Fluffy LitRPG RomCom.
Style: Fantastic writing and pacing, avoiding all of the very many potential writing holes the litrpg genre is prone to fall into. The numbers are a vehicle and tool for the story rather than a crutch and bandage to hide off-the-shelf writing as many litrpgs tend to be. Forgive the engineering lingo, but the best word to describe it is that the book is homogeneous, consistent and unified through and through. Clearly a lot of effort and editing has gone into this masterpiece. (I was tipped off to the amount of editing because the author said so, not that it was obvious.)
Story: This is an intentionally fluffy romcom, and it fits the bill without falling into boring tropes, contrived events, or egregious foreshadowing. (with a pardon for Madame Potts because it just works) I admit to bias since I am a huge fan of well-planned comedic irony.
Grammar: Good vocabulary and editing. No excessive use of big words. never impedes reading.
Character: I was tempted to put this at the top because it's what matters most in a love story, but I had to save the best for last. The characters are very dynamic and are realistic to the extent a romcom litrpg character ever should be. There is a fine line to walk there, and I think the author has done so very well. Making Rufus a therapist and giving genuinely good advice I've heard from actual therapists is a big contributor to my belief that MysticNeptune has done a lot of research to round out her characters. I bet Bronwynn is in the story as a bard in no small part because the author wanted to write music for her story. The only thing I think felt a little bit forced was the (sort-of-obligatory) gay best friend, but even th
AbysseleneRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A refreshing story. I'm not usually into romance novels but this one is novel in my eyes. I won't spoil anything but I can say it is very much worth the time spent reading it and more.
Some rpg elements in the story reminds me of dungeon and dragons, it's not necessary to know about it to understand the story but those parts may seem strange to people who never played this kind of game.
I almost always avoid giving a maximum score because I believe that if we can think of a way to improve something, then the next iteration deserves a better score. That's why I didn't put 5 stars to everything.
The characters are not all developed yet. I understood other stories will show more about them.
Have fun reading this, I did. Thanks again to the author for sharing their world with us!
Gabby_SilverRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is so absolutely wholesome.
tl;dr:
Honestly, that's all the blurb this book needs, because I really don't want to spoil anything from this story. But I will tell you that the characters are sympathetic enough that I really want to offer the author a hug. And the use of necromancy as a metaphor for learning that not every mistake is the end of the world anymore now that you are out from underneath the abuse is truly on point.
Everything is okay. You are valued. And even if things go wrong, you and the people who love you are strong enough to stand up to the monsters of your past.
GentleKnightRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you're looking for a fun light read this is it, I'm completely in love with the characters. Everyone is so well written and flushed out, I'm interested in all their stories and background. The two MC's are adorable and hilarious. So much on RR is dark and gritty writing this was such a great change of pace. This is now one of my favorite RR novels now and looking forward to supporting the author.
GhostdogRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I can't wait for more, I read the whole thing in a day, but that was because I have the website burned into my phone and laptop. I will 10000% be getting the full thing on amazon.co.uk when it drops. keep up the good work! *gives Mythic cookies and cakes for the blood sugar and to share with her adorable three year old*
IronFist95Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The cinnamon bun which is henrietta deserves the world for together with Keith I'm sure it would be in good hands.
Well executed world development, vivid descriptions enabling the imagination, distinct yet faithful fantasy setting, a progressing story, doesn't take itself too seriously which is new for me but has been very enjoyable.
Reader feedback: (for author) (my personal thoughts & hopefully helpful constructive feedback)
So far, I feel that Henrietta and Keith have been putting forward their best foot, and they might be starting to construct an idealized version of the other in their mind (example: chapter 1 Henrietta believes she is far weaker than Keith, does she still feel this way? She certainly no longer thinks he is an oppressive dictator) It would be nice if during their courting faze they fall for the other, not their idealization of the other. Otherwise after 10 years of marriage, one might realise they don't know who they've married.
Similarly It feels like us readers have gotten to know the pair when they're at their best, with no flaws, and mostly* without needing to hide their inner self, I'd love to see when they get defensive or their opinions / world view differ.
Something I really appreciate is how you've introduced new knowledge: I've now heard of the languages of love, and I love when consumed media takes the opportunity to introduce real topics / has hdden life advice.
Chapter 53 example improvements:
show, don't tell:
Keith talked of how the cook is undead and Henrietta noted in her head how undead hadn't been considered human in her previous kingdom, Ria's precious, but consider how she was raised, what her profession is: how she might she feel of undead. Example:
Perhaps she's slightly on guard around undead. And explain why, Henrietta is tough it indoctrinatinate so as an example:
"I had to fight a undead burst dungeon", or "I had a bad experience when I was forced at a young age to clear an undead dungeon by my mother."
Friendly undea