NANITE

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In the fractured sprawl of Virelia—a city of rusted steel, synthetic dreams, and brutal survival—Ray was just another forgotten face. A streetwise courier scraping by, burdened with debts and a sick mother, he did whatever it took to survive in a world ruled by crime syndicates and ruthless mega-corporations. Then came the ambush.Then came death.And then—something else. A mysterious injector of nanites rebuilt him from the inside out, transforming him into a living weapon. Now, he can consume machines and minds alike, wearing the faces of the dead, wielding their skills as his own, and reshaping his body into a formidable arsenal. What began with interfacing a toothbrush quickly escalated into something far more terrifying. Ray has become Virelia’s apex predator. Hunted by the corporations that engineered his power and the gangs that want to rip it from him, Ray fights to protect the few people he still cares about. But each consumed memory pulls him further from who he once was, blurring the line between protector and monster, man and machine. To save others, he became the thing they fear.But what happens when the man is gone, and only the weapon remains? A cyberpunk tragedy of survival, transformation, and the cost of holding on to humanity in a city that eats its children.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: Lord Turtle the first

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Followers: 1,757
Views: 497,414

What readers say about NANITE

“I love it when a cyberpunk novel isn't overtly copying anything in the genre. Especially when oversaturated market might lend itself to ever more soulless duplicates.But no, here's one that stands outthe story's beginning and the flow of the inner monologu…”
AgentGreenTrigramRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Very good. Enjoy this while you can. These high potential fics get sooner or later Hiatus-ed. Or unsuccessful rewrites. I hopeless hope that it doesn't happen to this fic. That this fic is well thought out with clear arcs in mind of the author . But as a Ro…”
RationalMindRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

AgentGreenTrigramRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I love it when a cyberpunk novel isn't overtly copying anything in the genre. Especially when oversaturated market might lend itself to ever more soulless duplicates.But no, here's one that stands outthe story's beginning and the flow of the inner monologue give you a clearer picture of the world than the glimpses of the heavy dystopia the MC lives in.The thoughts in the first chapter of who would take care of his poor mother.The Spartan and borderline disgusting living situation he finds himself in.GRIPPING and emotional.You definitely cooked with this one, I'll be finishing this story as well.
RationalMindRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Very good. Enjoy this while you can. These high potential fics get sooner or later Hiatus-ed. Or unsuccessful rewrites. I hopeless hope that it doesn't happen to this fic. That this fic is well thought out with clear arcs in mind of the author . But as a Royal Road veteran I'm too tired .
CodeBreakerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I should’ve written this review long ago, but honestly, I keep forgetting, even though this novel genuinely inspired me.
This story is a solid 5 out of 5, and here’s why.
The writing style is excellent. Moments and places are so vividly, intricately described that you can picture everything effortlessly. It flows seamlessly, and the novel is honestly hooking—dare I say, addictive. It’s chaotic in all the right ways, exactly what you’d expect from a cyberpunk world. Ray’s grief, fear, emotions, and life are laid bare in a gripping way. And the nanites? They’re straight-up dope.
The pacing is right in the sweet spot—not too fast, not too slow. Ray’s progression from the shocking discovery of his powers to the terrifying realization of what the nanites could do, to betrayal (as is custom in any true cyberpunk tale), is handled masterfully. The worldbuilding and atmosphere are top-notch.
The grammar is strong, with only a few minor errors (mostly just “As” and “Es” mix-ups), and honestly, I don’t mind them at all. It's still a 5 for me.
The fight scenes? Absolutely badass. They’re so well described that they explode in your mind like a movie. And Arty’s humor balances out the tension perfectly.
If you’re into cyberpunk, mind-blowing action, and a story that feels, you owe it to yourself to read this.
Honestly, one of my best stories on RoyalRoad.
AdorableCatRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This novel is a love letter to CyberPunk and Deus Ex.
What makes it to stand out, it's very well written one.
No info dump, MC explores secrets with the reader and what is already known to protagonist, but need to show to us is presented seamlessly via well crafted scenes.
Highly enjoyable.
IndicusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is one of the most moving stories I have read in awhile. Ray's problems and struggles are so very human. The brief moments of joy and happiness amid the brutality do well to show a picture of what could be. I honestly don't know truly how to put into words what this story has made me feel but I don't rate stories often take that for what you will.
blugailRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I have to admit, "Nanite" isn’t about all the things I’d normally read a book for. There’s not much in the way of snappy dialog. In fact, it’s full of the stuff I normally find boring: upgrading and combat.
The thing is L. Turtle knows how to write this… like really well… like really really well. In most books, the combat just sort of happens: characters yell at each other, there’s gunfire (or magic), and you don’t really know what’s going on—not really—and then one side or the other wins.
But here, Turtle sets up each combat in clear tactical terms… the MC is stepping into a kill box between two buildings. The bad guys have machetes, etc… And then a battle is executed clearly and concisely. It’s some of the best action scenes this side of a real Tom Clancy novel.
And then it goes on to explore what it means to be human or machine… or both. What happens when you no longer need to eat… to breathe… to love? Are you still you?
This is true science fiction.
It’s so weird to me that it seems based on a video game, with a video game plot. I never thought that kind of thing would be so engaging to read in prose form. But there it is. Lord Turtle took everything interesting and humanly emotional from playing a game and somehow transferred it to the written page without picking up the monotony or the grinding. I think he understands the game we’re all playing in our head, the meta game, the real experience, and built a story about that.
It’s a love letter to all the hours I spent in Cyberpunk, Prototype and Deus Ex, all rolled into one.
And it serves as a great template for anyone who wants to write tactically-realistic battles.
Grammar and Style:
Besides having very few, if any, mistakes, I like the way this is written. Just very clear, easy-to-read prose. Well-paced with a great understanding of how not to burden your reader. There's no info-dumping here. A real page turner.
Story and Characters:
The MC is a neutral mask, someone the reader can relate to, without a lot of
LahmatyiiRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Someone liked my old comment, and I found myself again on the pages and streets of this story...
A wonderful story. I really liked how the author gradually revealed the colors (and often the shadows) of his world, the characters, their interactions, experiences, and aspirations... you believe they're all alive, the story breathes life.
Unfortunately, I had to leave this story due to my personal dislike of some of the MC's actions :(
As I described - because this story is so alive, "real", I immersed myself in it completely, "lived" next to the characters... and it was really painful for me to make the decision to leave, but I could not step over myself and my principles, but it was sooooo sad to part with this world :(
Even so, I still recommend you read this story: it will definitely touch your soul, and it won't leave you indifferent.
After all, the story doesn't focus on just the MC; all the other characters also "live".
I liked the author's writing style; at first I wanted to give a lower "character rating," but there is no separate column for "character actions," and the fact that someone so deeply touched my soul and I didn't like it, I personally consider it a well-written character, after all, he was even able to touch not only other characters in his world, but also, so to speak, destroy the fourth wall, as if I really lived there, next to all of them.
And if you're not as uncompromising as one passing reader (: - you'll definitely be able to enjoy this world longer, empathize with the characters, and wander through the nooks and crannies...
I really want the author to be able to get the book published.
SPEERoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Really immersive and vivid prose.
Good, clean, body horror fun.
Still a bit early for me to comment on story structure, the early section (up to chapter 15) isn't enough for me to get an Idea of where things are going, but I can say with certainty that I'm curious to see where things go.
its_joveeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Nanite is a very unique story set in a very unique setting.
Our protagonist, Ray, has survived a near-fatal shooting. To survive, he's injected with experimental nanites, transforming his body into something beyond human. These experimental nanites only react to tech, granting him special abilities, and they seem to be tied to corporate/military projects (DARIS).
While the story hints at a much larger and deeper plot there, for now, we're focused on the myriad of powers and abilities these nanites grant Ray. It seems a very unique and different power system, one that ditches traditional LitRPGs stats for something more creative and organic.
The reader keeps wondering - what would happen if Ray used this piece of tech? Or that? Just as an example, his first usage is with a toothbrush, absorbing it and that attaining insane skills - which exactly? Not giving out any spoilers here, go read it for yourself!
I also have to mention the narrative prose. Incredibly vivid and immersive, the author does a great job at immersing you in this dystopia: rusted drones, flickering holo-billboards, and streets patrolled by armored VPD officers. They all combine into a believable backdrop of oppression and inequality.
Now, while the setting and premise are undeniably compelling, Ray’s character arc feels underdeveloped in the opening chapters. He reacts to events more than he drives them, and his internal journey remains a promise rather than a fully realized force. I look forward to seeing him embrace his uncanny abilities, assert his agency, and confront the forces that are after him.
All in all, a great cyberpunk tale that is definitely worth checking out. :)
PauljosephskiRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This is a well written story, the only reason I can't give 5 stars is due to too many flash backs. I don't have an exact count but it almost feels like over 10% or the story is flash backs to scenes I don't think are critical to the main story.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys cyberpunk style stories.