Program Zero

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In Tokyo’s neon-lit sprawl, college student Kenji juggles exams, part-time work, and the weight of growing up—until one night he crosses paths with the Chasers, cloaked warriors who wield nanotech to battle the monsters haunting the city’s shadows.

Dragged into their secret war, Kenji awakens powers of his own—abilities that make him as dangerous to the Chasers as the creatures they hunt. Hunted by rivals who see him as a threat to their order, Kenji must fight not only to survive, but to uncover the truth of his origins.

As the line between hero and monster blurs, Kenji faces a choice: remain a pawn in an endless struggle, or rewrite the game entirely.

Program Zerois a tale of courage, identity, and survival in a world where humanity’s champions may be its deadliest predators.

Releases every Monday and Friday, 4:30PM CST

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: NameNotIncluded

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Followers: 42
Views: 38,960

Chapters(152 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(6)

GiGi24Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall
BY
The story line keeps you interested and the story gets you engaged with the characters early in the box .The reader is able to actually visualize how each character look and some of their personality .
I am looking forward to seeing how the characters develop and the awaking of their strengths ,
BY
The story line keeps you interested and the story gets you engaged with the characters. The reader is able to actually visualize how each character look and some of their personality .
I am looking forward to seeing how the characters develop and the awaking of their strengths ,
Happy MangoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I stumbled on this story while looking for fresh urban fantasy and fantasy stories and was pleasantly surprised by this. It has familiar story beats you'd see from a young adult novel, but the characters feel natural. None of their interactions feel forced, and I find most of the characters enjoyable. I find the lore of the world to be interesting and looking forward to them diving further into it. It is very obvious that they haven’t even scratched the surface, and there is already so much of the story I want them to explore.
One of the few complaints I had is that it looked like it was going to hyper focus on a few characters and not leave room to explore the others. Which I thought would be a shame because there are several compelling characters. However, a chapter or 2 later they spent portions of the chapter exploring the other characters. This gives me high hopes for further exploration going forward, as characterization and dialogue seem to be one of their strong suits. They do a good job of showing characters' personality through the dialogue without explicitly telling you.
There are some minor grammar errors here and there, but nothing that takes me out of the story. As far as the story itself is concerned, it has just started to really sink its teeth into the parts of the world that really fascinate me, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.
I'm a bit torn on the writing style, I would have really liked a first-person point of view, with different perspectives, BUT that could just be my desire to get into the head of some of these characters. Objectively, I feel the story from an action standpoint is better served by the third person perspective the author has chosen. Also, it helps to preserve some of the mystery surrounding some of the characters. So, I'm looking forward to the action set pieces moving forward. From the looks of Chapter 9 they are building up to an epic one.
Overall Program Zero is a piece of fiction that has tremendous potenti
Storm10Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am a lover of all things with powers and action scenes, so this story was just what I was looking for! I was in search for something fresh and original and this did not disappoint. It took me a minute to get used to the third person perspective, but I believe that ultimately that was the correct choice by the author because it allows for vivid and clear descriptions of the action sequences. Program zero is full of unique and intriguing characters and the author does a fantastic job of revealing their personality through organic dialogue and interactions. The author has created a world that has so many different layers to explore and I can't wait to see where he takes this story! Actually, I am so impatient that I decided to join the patreon so I can get early releases on the chapters! I won't give out any spoilers but ugh you all are in for a treat!! I highly recommend giving this story a read if you are a fellow lover of all things superpowers and exciting action. Also, I need a community to discuss theories and plot with so do yourself a favor and check it out!!!
fcshjkkllRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Program Zero is a gripping story that combines action, mystery, and futuristic intrigue in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. Set in a near-futuristic Tokyo, the book follows Kenji, an ordinary student whose life is turned upside down when he crosses paths with the Chasers—enhanced warriors who battle against threats most humans never see. The blend of advanced nanotechnology, supernatural beings, and high-stakes urban combat creates a world that feels alive and layered, pulling readers in from the first chapters.
What makes this book especially good is the way it balances worldbuilding with character development. The dialogue flows naturally, giving readers a chance to understand each character through their actions rather than heavy-handed explanations. While many stories stumble when juggling large casts, Program Zero thrives by giving meaningful depth to multiple characters, making every interaction feel significant. Even secondary characters stand out, leaving lasting impressions that keep you invested in the unfolding drama.
Another strength is the pacing. The book builds tension steadily, revealing new layers of its universe at just the right moments, ensuring readers stay hooked without feeling overwhelmed. The action scenes are written with clarity and energy, while quieter moments provide emotional grounding.
Though minor grammar slips are present, they hardly distract from the storytelling. Instead, the story’s originality and immersive style make it an exciting read. Program Zero has all the hallmarks of a series that could grow into something remarkable—an ambitious mix of science fiction and urban fantasy with a cast worth following. For readers who crave a story that balances thrilling fights with compelling characters and a mysterious, evolving world, Program Zero delivers.
WoodlandbirbRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
Program Zero is a story with tremendous potential, and I'm genuinely invested in seeing where it goes. Enough so that I created an account. It only felt right to leave a review.
The story and style follows some familiar beats you'd expect from a young adult novel, but the characters feel incredibly natural. Their interactions never come across as forced, and I genuinely enjoy spending time with most of them. I'm hoping to see much more of the world's lore—it's clear we've only seen a glimpse of what's beneath the surface, and I'm eager for them to dig deeper.
I'd love to see more exploration of the wider cast. The story introduced several compelling characters early on, and I was hoping they wouldn't get lost in the shuffle. Thankfully, a chapter or two later, the narrative shifted to give several of them meaningful attention—which gives me confidence going forward, especially since characterization and dialogue are clearly strengths here. The author does a great job revealing personality through conversation without resorting to telling us outright.
There are a few small grammatical hiccups here and there, but a little edits couldn't fix. For the story itself, it's just starting to sink its teeth into the parts of the world I find most fascinating, and I can't wait to see where it goes next. I'm especially looking forward to future action sequences. Feels like they're building toward something epic.
oglarkRoyal Road
★★★ 3.0
The series looks like it could be interesting. It is a copy cat of several manga/manwha/light novel ideas (think Darker than Black, Eminence of Shadows). The first chapter is fine but the training arc is pretty awful and I ended up dropping it after only a few chapter. Maybe it gets better afterwards.