On Top of the Food Chain [A Progression Dark Fantasy Origin Story]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Are you interested in a story about a man who becomes a ghoul-devouring monster? Imagine ghouls akin to those in Tokyo Ghoul. This tale is about a man who doesn't become a ghoul; instead, he transforms into a being that preys solely on them. If this piques your interest, why not give this title a read?

After a fateful accident, Kazuki's life is shattered when he begins to suspect he has become a Ghoul, a creature that feeds on human flesh.

As he delves deeper into the shadowy world of Ghouls, Poachers, and Awakened, he learns something worse. The truth is—he's a Ghoul-Devourer, a rare being that must consume other Ghouls to survive.When the strongest Ghoul of the past era takes him as his sole-disciple, the target on his back becomes much worse.

To survive the horrors of this new life, he must hunt, kill, and consume his way to the top of the food chain. But as his humanity slips away, will he succumb to the monster he fears or become the ultimate predator?

What to expect:

- Unique Power System(s)

- Weak to strong to OP.

- 0 Confidence MC turns into a Cold and Calculating Anti-Hero.

- Only One Love Interest

***

The starting chapters will feel very Tokyo Ghoulish, and trust me that's intentional as I was heavily inspired by that, but please don't drop this until you reach further ahead in the story. This story shapes up the world I'm trying to create, filled with different factions, goals, and the threads of fate guiding them. If you are giving this a chance then I'm very thankful.

***

I'll be uploading 5 chapters every week!

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: Ganu

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.2/ 5.0
Followers: 70
Views: 36,055

Chapters(70 total)

What readers say about On Top of the Food Chain [A Progression Dark Fantasy Origin Story]

“The references to Tokyo Ghoul are evident in the opening act, but the author has done an excellent job in spinning their own original take on the story. It's a tale of a man thrust into the dark and unforgiving world of Ghouls, albeit with a slight twist. T…”
Mesa MesaRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Overall 5/5 It bangs pretty hard. I'm down to get invested in the story and the unfolding world even though its out of my usual, Litrpg strike zone. With the Tokyo Ghoul base and vibes of Jujutsu Kaisen, or even more recent manga like Kagurabachi this is a…”
UlyssesRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

Mesa MesaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The references to Tokyo Ghoul are evident in the opening act, but the author has done an excellent job in spinning their own original take on the story. It's a tale of a man thrust into the dark and unforgiving world of Ghouls, albeit with a slight twist.
The story maintains a dark and sinister tone, perfectly encapsulating the transition of a human losing his "humanity". The protagonist, Kazuki, is relatable and realistic, being understandably confused about his predicament. A main character that I can get understand, get behind and support is essential for my enjoyment of any story, and Kazuki certainly fulfils those aspects.
The amount of characters being introduced was a little jarring at first, but I slowly got used to it. The key players in particular were easy to remember. The overall character dynamic was satisfying, and I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Kazuki and Rika, the female lead. Despite the relatively large cast of characters, no two characters felt like clones of each other, each having their own unique personality and identity.
The author is also able to very vividly describe scenes and characters. Personally I found descriptions a little too detailed, which may jeopardise the reading flow for some, but I understand there are plenty of people who prefer explicit depictions. On the plus side, it reflected confidence in the author's visualisation, and the story certainly stayed consistent and easy to follow. The pacing was just right as well.
Grammar-wise, other than a few minor inaccuracies, there was nothing overly egregious that may ruin immersion. A diverse range of vocabulary was used, keeping the words fresh.
To sum it up, this piece of fiction was certainly able to deliver what it's marketing.
UlyssesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall 5/5
It bangs pretty hard. I'm down to get invested in the story and the unfolding world even though its out of my usual, Litrpg strike zone. With the Tokyo Ghoul base and vibes of Jujutsu Kaisen, or even more recent manga like Kagurabachi this is a Must try.
Character 5/5
So far we've seen the most out of the protagonist and what we've seen is great. He is entirely capable of acting on his own, kind, and smart, but also emotional. Something that is often neglected from characters on RR. He feels like a teenager going through a very tough time and I hope things get better for him.
Grammar 5/5
Nothing to point out here. Clean.
Story 4.5/5
The story is unfolding in a complicated manner. Ganu has found a way to fit a lot of things in his chapters. With the hook being what it is, things can only get more intense from here as the protagonist finally begins to understand the world he lives in while that same world and the people in it are making big moves with the potential to drag him in. Potentially doesn't stay with any one plot point for as long as I would prefer, but that's just preference.
Style 4.5/5
Also great. From the first scene of action we get, to the moment where our Protagonist first meets Rika, the mood is there, and the description builds appropriately. if there is one singular problem and hence the deduction, it's that the chapters jump a bit too much in the same chapter form moment to monement, or between characters, or places. Hence disorienting me just a bit, or not letting a few things sit with me enough.
All in all, faithful to the feel of Tokyo Ghoul while being its own unique thing. Once again, a Must Try for all who have heard of the Manga, and also for those who haven't and are looking for an edgy little gem.
Devon BarringtonRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
"On Top Of The Food Chain" by Ganu is a captivating dark fantasy story. Ganu’s impeccable grammar shines through, making the narrative flow effortlessly and allowing readers to become fully immersed in the world they've created. The character descriptions are remarkably well-crafted, providing depth and dimension to each individual, making them feel real and relatable despite the fantastical elements of the story. This attention to detail ensures that every character, whether protagonist or antagonist, leaves a lasting impression.
The setting, is perfect for a dark fantasy tale. Ganu has made a world that is both enchanting and eerie.
GordonKingRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that there is a huge reference to Tokyo Ghoul. Not exactly a bad thing as the author was able to twist the settings and plots to mold his own story. It is a grimdark world for Ghouls, thriving to survive in horrible conditions. W40k fans might enjoy this kind of dark settings.
There was a huge amount of characters being introduced which is difficult to keep track at first. Some might find it jarring but it’s something you’ll have to get used to. However, the story is engaging and captures a good sense dark and bleak world. The main character Kazuki is likeable enough and not your typical dense or annoying MC, definitely someone you can get on board. The supporting characters are distinctive and great too. Their dynamic between the MC and the other characters are solid and you’ll root for them rather than hating.
To those newcomers, give this novel a shot as it is worth reading through. You’ll love it if you love Tokyo Ghouls’s plot and settings. This one have it’s own to story to tell. Nice change of pace if you’re looking to read something different than your typical LitRPG or Cultivation novels.
animeball zRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I don’t come across novels like this that just get me hooked right away but this one has certainly done that for me.
I love the writing, it’s engaging and the description is just enough to make the reading immersive but not too much where it seems overdone.
The action scenes are intense and it feels like I’m right there with the MC, feeling his emotions as well. You can really get and resonate with the dark and gloomy nature of the novel from its scenes.
The world is unique and a mix of some supernatural fantastical elements in an urban setting. I think the urban setting really captivates me more, and makes a lot of more sense with the powers on show.
The grammar is impeccable. I don’t really notice errors but I can’t remember seeing any. The writing is top quality and there aren’t needless descriptions. The author lets us understand the thoughts of our characters through action a lot more than just plain words.
My only complaint would just be the slightly overwhelming number of characters that we are introduced to in just the first handful of chapters. However, I’m sure they’ll all be of great importance going forward.
It’s actually surprising to me that this novel hasn’t blown up.
It’s a must-read in my opinion. Would definitely recommend it.
MeercatWhisperer112Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall: This story combines action with intrigue, creating a high stakes mystery that will leave you wanting more.
Style: This writing is fast paced and action packed, with just enough description to orient you into the scene before the story takes off again. It's hard to write fight scenes which don't drag, so big kudos to Ganu on this. Written in bite size paragraphs, the story manages to maintain this momentum throughout so that there's never a dull moment - nor an opportunity for the poor MC to catch his breath. The tone and worldbuilding do so much with so little- in spite of the minimal detail, the world created is vivid... and dangerous.
Story score: I'm not super familiar with this genre, but as a newbie it was gripping. Information is drip fed, and at chapter ten I'm just starting to get my bearings. There are several different subplots at play, both for the MC and in the background, and there's a good balance of screentime between each of them. That said, it doesn't just feel haphazard- you can see how they link, or how they might link in the future, and I'm curious to watch it play out.
Grammar score: No notes are good notes here, and I have no notes. If you told me it was proofread by a professional I would believe you.
Characters: My poor dude. I feel so bad for this MC, he's just really going through it right now. My guy is doing everything right and fate is still kicking him in the teeth. Due to the fast pace of the story, the characters are a little shallow at first. In spite of this, they're distinct, each with their own clear motivations and personalities. I'm dropping it to four, however, because the cast is *huge*. It reminds me of watching the first few episodes of Game of Thrones, trying to keep track of who is who and what's going on.
edelle08Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I liked the story. Kazuki, the protagonist, is relatable and kind-hearted, which surprised me and I didnt expect. I suspect though that the kindness will change to ruthlessness at one point, considering the author's summary. I am eager to see what he will become.
The grammar was really good. I noticed some minor places it could be edited, but on the whole, it was well-written.
The style and pacing was well done as well. It felt suspenseful and it hooked me from the very first passage.
Cutie_OniRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
...then this is something you definitely want to read!
Simply enough, this is quite good! Read up to 15 chapters and the story is quite interesting. Premise is pretty darn cool, and the main character's status is certainly something I want to see more of. While it might seem a little generic at times, the entertainment value won't necessarily die down, at least for me personally! Won't be spoiling anything here, just go and read it!
Some things to list that I want to see improved though (Granted, I've only read up to chapter 15):
- The style of narration is a bit too standard for me. While it's good, and it might be just my preference in terms of writing, this has room for improvement. More substance in the narration other than just character actions will be appreciated!
- At times things can be a bit too fast? Might be because of me being used to slower paced stories like Re:Zero and all, but this might be something worthy to consider for the author.
- The world as a concept is hella cool, as said it feels like Tokyo Ghoul! But other than that, as far as I've read it doesn't offer anything much else other than the fact that the character has a unique circumstance amongst his kind.
Anyways, that's all I can say! Happy reading!
BitEater829Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I actually ended up really enjoying this. I don't usually read this kind of story, as I didn't particularly enjoy the Tokyo Ghoul story, but I found myself pleasantly surprised. The author does a good job of adding in a certain bit of mystery that had me clicking through chapters one after the other.
For the style score, I really feel that the author does a good job sticking to the dark mystery that I would expect from a story like this. the author is excellent at giving us details about things while keeping an edge of mystery.
Grammar is for sure a 5 star for me. any story that has me reaching for a dictionary to learn new words gets extra points from me, and I didn't notice anything in the regular grammar or spelling while reading.
I personally am going to give the story on this a 5 stars. As stated above, this isn't really something I would normally be interested in, but somehow it still managed to suck me in regardless and keep me reading. I was honestly surprised by how good it was, so I for sure recommend giving it a shot.
For the character score, I'm giving it 4.5. I feel like everything was really well done, but there were some things that had me slightly confused when first meeting a given character, or in other cases, I felt like I didn't really get to know the character well enough before the story moved on. These are ultimately very minor nit picky things though, which is why it still gets a 4.5 from me. and I'm sure any of these things will get resolved as the story goes on.
KonstantinKRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Disclaimer: I have not watched Tokyo Ghoul, and by all means and definitions, this is not my usual cup of tea. Alas, I stumbled upon this fiction and I got caught by its style and pacing. So if you are looking for a review by someone unfamiliar with Tokyo Ghoul, here it is.
With hundreds of pages of action and multiple storylines unfolding early on, the author reveals a complex horrible world full of conspiracies, villainous powerful characters, and a main character that grows chapter by chapter, stepping out of some anime tropes (like self-serving characters or fan service) and leaning hard on the best tropes of the genre (like high-stake fights, swift narrative and intense imagery).
Let's talk about style: the strongest suit of this fiction. I personally enjoyed that this dares to step out of the single-POV-LitRPG-linear storytelling that otherwise could have been the easy choice for this story. The author navigates multiple points of view, even changing per chapter, and there is no difficulty in following the pace.
The grammar is by no means perfect, however, there is a big divide between earlier chapters (which you can see have not been edited in months) and later chapters, where the author has grown and their grammar is amazing. And the style is so good that the minor early mistakes are rarely noticeable anyway.
The story is perhaps the rougher spot of this fiction early on. It feels like the anime-style of quick narration pulls the fiction down here, with the author making the creative choice to swiftly skip over details that break down the suspension of disbelief.
I would recommend you judge this on your own, but for the sake of review transparency, here is what I am referring to: the main character's initial accident and follow-up hospitalization, some of the relevant interactions with other characters around his hospitalization, and his paranoia/Tokyo Ghoul reference, which feels a bit clumsily pushed into the main story.
These issues are not present in the