Live With Thunder [Dark Progression Fantasy]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

[Now on Volume 3: Dead Man Walking]Raiten wants blood. At ten years old, he helped his best friend escape their brutal clan to become a hero. Unfortunately, she left him behind. And no good deed goes unpunished. The clan elders captured him. Then… They killed his mother. They chained him to the Tower. They cursed his soul. They stole his childhood. For ten long, tortuous years, Raiten wielded lightning against the many enemies of Clan Adachi, surviving only through grit and dreams of vengeance. Now, however, his old friend has returned and set him free. And it's safe to say…He’s a little pissed. But revenge won’t come easy. Not in Katal, a war-scarred continent of djinns, dragons, and eldritch horrors clawing into reality. Armed with limited lightning amulets, a soul-consuming curse, and two overbearing allies, Raiten sets off to hunt the five Elders who destroyed his life. However, he’s not the only one thirsting for vengeance. Other, more powerful players nowplaguethis game. And somewhere, even beyond the Elders' reach, something vast and ancient is awakening... For new readers:Expect a blend of vengeance, fast-paced action, light romance, and intricate worldbuilding. Some slow-burn chapters will be there for character development and whatnot. Magic System:Expect a lightning-based system coupled with real world martial arts like Wing Chun and Muay Thai (and more, considering I really like MMA). Progression:This story is kind of a delayed progression fantasy. Progression elements are introduced properly in V3, but V1 and V2 are mostly dealing with character interactions, high-octane battles, and war. Post-V2, Raiten's growth will largely be influenced by Angel Dust and the mechanics of lightning magicks. Romance:Multiple love interests, but no harem. Perfect forfans of Red Rising, Re:Monarch, Roadwarden, The Witcher, Hundred Reigns, and Re Zero. Updating Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: Pen Cross

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 801
Views: 220,736

Chapters(177 total)

What readers say about Live With Thunder [Dark Progression Fantasy]

“Raiten’s Tragedy "This character is a masterclass in self-destruction. He knows exactly what he’s becoming . A monster fueled by vengeance , yet he can’t stop. Why? Because his knowledge cages him. He remembers every betrayal, every wound. That awareness is…”
flokiiiiiii_Royal Road5.0 / 5
“Style:The prose is rich but controlled, using vivid imagery without tipping into purple writing. Fantasy elements are described clearly, action sequences are easy to follow, and emotional subtext carries through. I think there is a slight misuse of italiciz…”
M. T. TrinhRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

flokiiiiiii_Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Raiten’s Tragedy
"This character is a masterclass in self-destruction. He knows exactly what he’s becoming . A monster fueled by vengeance , yet he can’t stop. Why? Because his knowledge cages him. He remembers every betrayal, every wound. That awareness is his prison. So when he finally crosses the border and laughs? That’s the key. His line about foolishness being freedom haunts me. For a man drowning in trauma, obliviousness isn’t stupidity… it’s oxygen."
The Irony of "Freedom"
"The tower’s curse is lifted, but he carries worse chains: memory and immortality. Those amulets aren’t just power, they’re reminders of everything stolen from him. His mutilation of one of the characters isn’t justice. It’s the act of someone who knows cruelty intimately. And that’s the tragedy: his awareness of his own decay makes him complicit in it."
Hui’s Role
"She mirrors his ruin. Her heroism reeks of survivor’s guilt. She offers him partnership, but he sees pity , another cage. Their dynamic aches because they speak different languages: she talks of duty, he speaks in scars. When he snatches his hand from hers? That’s not rage. It’s terror. Letting her touch him would make his pain real again."
Why It Works
"The prose doesn’t flinch. Action scenes are visceral (lightning lasso defibrillation!), but the quiet moments devastate more: Raiten eating poison berries just to feel something new. This story understands that violence isn’t catharsis , it’s the language of the trapped."
Your Insight Embodied
"That line, 'being a fool means being free' , isn’t philosophy. It’s Raiten’s survival mantra. Knowledge cages him with ghosts. Oblivion? That’s the only 'escape' left. But we know the truth: his amulets still jingle in the sack. His memories still breathe. Some cages follow you."
Verdict
"A grim, brilliant character study. Raiten isn’t 'likeable' , he’s real. And that realism? It’s what makes you watch him walk deeper into darkness, knowing he’ll burn everything... including himself."
M. T. TrinhRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style:The prose is rich but controlled, using vivid imagery without tipping into purple writing. Fantasy elements are described clearly, action sequences are easy to follow, and emotional subtext carries through. I think there is a slight misuse of italicizations in certain parts, and in some cases, I feel they throw off a sentence/dialogue, but this is a minor nitpick. I personally am not a fan of first-person present tense, but that is a purely personal thing and not a reflection of stylistic shortcomings.Story:An interesting take on the revenge story type drama, that does not lean too far towards edginess or dark overtones for the sake of being dark. There are elements of comedy intertwined in the story that give it a fresh atmosphere, and I'm interested in how the relationship between Raiten and Hui plays out over time.Grammar:Clean and readable. Sentence structure varies well, with strong rhythm and flow. Minor issues like the occasional run-on or awkward phrase, but nothing disruptive.Character:Raiten is emotionally complex, sympathetic, bitter, and wounded. Hui Long feels real through her hesitation and guilt. Their shared history is felt even when not fully explained. The other side-characters are well developed, and the changes in perspective help to get further insight into other characters' mental states.Overall:Live with Thunder is an interesting and gripping fantasy story revolving around themes of revenge, regret, and decisions. If you're looking for something that delivers on those themes while also giving you tight, exciting action, then take a look!
RatzerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
From the very first chapter, Live with Thunder yanks you from your seat and hurls you into an adrenaline-fueled ride. The pacing snaps with intensity. No fluff, no filler—just visceral, high-stakes action that demands your attention. Yet alongside the pulse-pounding sequences, there's real soul: the emotional resonance is immediate and compels you to the next chapter.
Raiten makes for a compelling lead who is powerful, but not invincible. His flaws, inner tension, and driving force give the story weight. Other characters like Yuna and Shiro add texture without ever slowing things down, supporting the core momentum rather than distracting from it.
Though Live with Thunder occasionally shifts point of view, the transitions feel deliberate rather than jarring. Yes, the new perspectives can be a touch unexpected at first, but they enrich the world and deepen your understanding of character motivations. It’s a bold stylistic choice that elevates the narrative rather than dilutes it.
What I appreciate most is how this story skips the genre clichés. It doesn’t retread familiar tropes—it subverts them. Every battle matters, every emotional exchange has weight, and the overarching worldbuilding hints at a grander design without drowning the reader in exposition.
Verdict: Live with Thunder is a fresh, impactful fantasy-thriller that expertly balances explosive action with emotional gravity. The main character is compellingly crafted—powerful, flawed, and authentic—while the supporting cast enrich the tapestry with genuine bonds and mysteries of their own. Whether you're here for heart-pounding thrills or heartfelt connections, this one delivers on all fronts. I am excited to see the future of this book and I hope dearly it reaches many. A definite must-read story that constantly leaves you wanting more.
Lofar, The one who hates swordRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I really like the story; it's very interesting and always leaves you wanting to discover more about the universe. The main character is in a very mystical world with many mysteries and stories unfolding, and he just wants revenge. Not against an evil universal demon or the supreme God who is playing with his life. He wants revenge on the people who imprisoned him. It doesn't even come close to seeming like the strongest people in the world. They are strong, but the things that happen and the mysteries that emerge seem like his revenge is just a page in the world's mystery book. This leaves me eager to read more, hoping for more pieces to be found in this puzzle that is the world. I like not knowing the main character's ending. He doesn't want revenge on the strongest person in the world and consequently become the strongest. He wants revenge afterward. There's so much going on, and it's hard to know, and I get anxious, wanting to know where it will lead.
Shadowlord4318Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
First off, I really like this novel. The writing style is engaging, and the idea of a MC imprisoned/enslaved and then seeking revenge isn't exactly new but the way the author does it gives it a breath of fresh air. The writing style gives vivid imagery and it doesn't draw out certain thing with dialogues and explanation as the concepts seem to explain themselves as the story progresses.
The characters so far have a clear personalities. The MC Raiten is emotionally scarred due to his experiences, plagued with anger due to tragedy and perceived betrayal by Hui Long. To me, his goals seem to be shifting between being consumed vengeance and just having a normal life, and I'm curious to see which way it will go. Hui Long seems to want to reconcile with the MC, feeling genuinely guilty for leaving him behind and allowing him to suffer for helping him.
The grammar is readable and engaging with little to no errors being discovered in the text.
Overall, this story is rather engaging as the authors writing style is beautiful and the concept not be new, but the author uses it well. I'm not very sure what exactly is the power system in the novel, as I've seen the characters use spirits and the MC uses a substance called Angel Dust, but I look forward to finding out. All in all, I think this novel is a must read whoever reads it will find it enjoyable.
Skrill879Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I cam into this story expecting a pretty edgy mc and not much else tbh. But, I was surprised by how expansive this world is and how immersive the plot became--especially the drama present in the first few chapters. Its all incredibly immersive.
Style score: The style is pretty interesting. I'm not a big first-person POV guy, but I was actually pretty invested in this rendition of it. The writing is smooth and almost rythmic. Its pretty different from any other litrpg or progression novel I've read on this site.
Grammar Score: there are a few mistakes here and there and sometimes, I feel like the author doesn't use commas correctly. But most of the grammar rule breaks seem stylistic so I'll give it a pass.
Story score: there are a lot of emotional moments throughout. I really like the relationship Raiten has with Sorina and his horrible relationship with Hui--who everyone seems to hate. Me included. I like how the author presented her as this person whose pretty selfish. She has no consideration for Raiten's feelings.
Character score: Raiten isn't just edgy trash. He's pretty self-aware and knows of his faults. But, he also seems like the type of dude to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Real interesting stuff.
Overall score: overall, this story is really good. I just finished one of the more major fights that happen later on, and I'm glad to say it delivered. Really sold me on the story overall. I'm excited to see where this goes.
Sunny272118Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Live With Thunder truly stands out amongst a lot of the novels I've read on Royal Road. It's refreshing in the sense that it doesn't beat the same dead horse: LitRPG, Cultivation, or Power Fantasy. There's no unimaginably unfair system giving the protagonist freebies at every turn, no endless cycle of arrogant young lords, and no protagonist that breezes through all their problems due to ridiculous strength gains. Live With Thunder is a more classical style fantasy novel focusing on character development, high paced fights, detailed action, and plot development.
Another major point to consider before reading is that the story is written in first-person present tense, like Red Rising is. Even if this isn't your usual cup of tea I would still recommend giving it a try, as it's merely another aspect that makes this story unique and adds a lot to it.
Another strength of the novel is the protagonist. He's gritty and realistic. His flaws are clear, but so is his personal progression, as he struggles to navigate the world and come to terms with his choices for the future. The worldbuilding and power systems are unique and detailed as well, with more nuance and explanations that come as the story progresses. The magic system is somewhat soft, but still has structure, and doesn't seem nonsensical.
While there are certainly dark themes, the author also manages to blend in hints of comedy and lightheartedness, shying away from an overly angsty/edgy revenge novel. The dynamic between the protagonist and the side characters is also a big point for this novel. The side characters get developed quite a bit, and are far more than shallow plot points to aid the protagonist in their journey. Their names are one's that you'll remember rather than forgetting the moment you click on the next chapter.
Overall, I believe Live With Thunder is an excellent novel, and you should definitely check it out if anything I mentioned resonated with you. It's well written, both prose and plot wise, a
Sushi123Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story starts off with a pretty interesting premise. Though the idea of a vengeful slave isn't wholly unique, the author's spin on it makes it interesting. We don't get an overly edgy mc who focuses everything on getting stronger for his vengeance. The main character Raiten seems more human, with conflicting desires and goals, ultimately struggling between the decision to live a normal life outside the Thunder Tower and getting revenge on the Clan Elders who enslaved him and slaughtered his mother. The inner conflict and struggle is one of the best parts of the character, making him more than a one-dimensional murder hobo.
Another thing I really like is the power system. Although it's not very clear from the start - there's various types of magics and power systems mentioned, nothing seems too op. Raiten's power stem from a unique substance called Angel Dust, used by smashing amulets containing them. However, his supply of amulets is limited, and it has its own drawbacks. This forces him to learn other, more mundane forms of fighting, and enhances the tension in battle scenes. Angel Dust allows Raiten to fight against powerful enemies when he needs to, but even those battles are hard fought, and causes him to have to watch his dwindling supply of amulets. I really like this, as it feels exciting to see him actually use it, rather than it being spammed every fight.
The writing is clear and the prose is good. There's no grammatical mistakes, and no clearly clunky writing. The descriptions and imagery further elevate the story.
Live With Thunder is definitely something I'll be reading and following. The story has been good so far, and with what's being hinted, I definitely think it'll get even better, and I'm eagerly awaiting those chapters.
Zollomun BurnerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Followed the previous version of this story before relaunch. Like the additions to this one. Mc is pretty competent, which is refreshing. Also, author uses lightning based magic system, which is cool. Sometimes, can get a bit melodramatic, but most of the time, the story is solid.
Fights are also good. Like this fight that mc had against a "sentient tree".
Side characters are also good---well written. Decent enough grammar, though author seems to overuse fragmented sentences at times. Still, it reads clearly.
danger tamerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Live With Thunder is a highly emotional book, we follow our lightning-wielding protagonist who like his element is fittingly, sharp and wrathful
The book is a roller coaster that takes you deep into the life of Raiten Kuragami till you feel his sadness, his rage, till you start wishing horrible death to his enemies
If you let it and I highly recommend that you do, let yourself be swept by the emotions you will feel, it makes every fight and encounter ever more fruitful and tense
The characters are rational, but are also beings of emotions and irrationality, like all living beings should be
Last but not least, the protagonist has character development that is obvious and is not an edgy character at all
Highly recommended.