⚠️ (Stubbing to Ch. 75 after April 13!) ⚠️ Shaper of Metal Post-Apoc Progression LitRPG — Octogirl-approved

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Monsters overrun Earth like a plague, and System powers for a chosen few aren't enough to take it back. Humanity needs more. A former military transport pilot, Jack Laker once met the terrors on the borders and survived, receiving commendations, a lifetime of haunting flashbacks, and discharge papers when he refused a desk job. He becomes a civilian taxi pilot and side-eyes a boring, normal life. When Jack bumps into a strange, alien girl on the run from some goons, Jack predictably gets himself in over his head. But the power within the girl, and the unheard-of access she heralds, will change everything. Ushered into a whole new world of powers, government super-agents, and shifty avatars, Jack will have to relearn up from down to be who he's truly called to be. If he cannot, the ghosts of his past will never be banished, and as Jack discovers, they haunt more than one mere man.Farmore. Meta pitch: Intimate, slow-burn evolution of an average Joe into a badass, in a world where monsters plaguing the Earth need to die. Put on the jacket and get to work for humanity, son — we're behind schedule. Expect: — Powers choices/tinkering/training, step by step— Slice of life, deep characterization— Unique setting of a surviving, functional, Post-Apoc civilization— System as an enhancer++ to reality, not a replacement, not omnipotent—Octogirl Inspired by such works as Super Supportive, Worm, Industrial Strength Magic, and old Marvel Comics such as The Uncanny X-Men (favorite: Magneto). Not campy or forcing in tropes. You don't need to know any of these to enjoy it. Focused on progression and powerhouse team-fighting in the long term. Won't ignore living life and getting to know people. No smut or 'harem' stylings, but attractive people exist and sexuality isn't neutered. The first four chapters are oversized 5k+ on average, and beyond this, they'll be 3k+, aiming for 3200 - 3500 with some exceptions. Posting onThursdaysplus someMondaysin a month. Discord Link

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: RainHarlow

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 2,691
Views: 145,685

Chapters(125 total)

What readers say about ⚠️ (Stubbing to Ch. 75 after April 13!) ⚠️ Shaper of Metal Post-Apoc Progression LitRPG — Octogirl-approved

“there's a solid infusion of having an interesting world, a character that is round, and an ability system that we haven't seen much of but sounds interesting. The first conflict we have is intriguing and serves as a spectacular hook, which leads into the ne…”
SteadyRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“When I started reading this story I was half expecting to be boring however that was not at All what a I found,not only is this very interesting but also very well written ,the mc is smart but not in a annoying way and very humble. So far all the other char…”
ChaoticEnjoyerRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

SteadyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
there's a solid infusion of having an interesting world, a character that is round, and an ability system that we haven't seen much of but sounds interesting. The first conflict we have is intriguing and serves as a spectacular hook, which leads into the next conflict which leads to the next. It's a constant chain of events one after the other and it's keeping me on the edge of my seat. There's a sense of rushing- not in a poor quality way, but in a rollercoaster good way as I read the chapters.
I'll hold my applause for the ability system, but so far it seems relatively promising but I haven't seen much of it.
The positives are amazing, and I am excited to be reading a story whose loosely inspired by the stories the author has cited.
For some negatives... so far, I've been a little bit peeved by any woman that gets introduced in the story. On the one hand, I think it's okay if the protagonist is some combination of lonely/desperate/flirty; it's a character trait and I do get some sense of isolation or want of purpose from the protagonist that seems to overlap with him wanting to pursue a relationship. But there are some scenes where it closely resembles the things you would see reddit's r/menwritingwomen. An example is when he is negotiating a contract and he just goes 'i bet you are supposed to seduce me to try to get me to sign this'. To be clear, I think it's fine if a protagonist has these traits of being lonely or wanting to flirt, but I also think there's some tones of neckbeard that makes me want to cringe. The entire negotiation in the 10-15 chapter range felt a little bit too long; it just felt like peacocking or grandstanding for multiple interactions in a row and after a while I just got desensitized to it. But on the other hand we get to know more about the entity he is negotiating with so I think it was solid fleshing out the world and the characters within it.
Despite my criticisms, I'm enamored by the story. Jack has made several choices in the story
ChaoticEnjoyerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
When I started reading this story I was half expecting to be boring however that was not at All what a I found,not only is this very interesting but also very well written ,the mc is smart but not in a annoying way and very humble.
So far all the other characters have been delightful and feel alive.
YukifuriRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The very first paragraph got a laugh out of me.The world building is done with a combination of descriptions, character thoughts, and the interactions between characters which is a vast improvement over the wall of descriptive text paragraphs long that some author’s use. Small anecdotes and passing thoughts build out the main characters background seamlessly without bogging down the story, or even immediate notice if you’re not paying attention. It’s top notch so far in my book.Many stories lose me at the first paragraph, or sometimes even the firstsentence.This story in no way suffers from that problem and I'm looking forward to more.
DracoPyro26Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Alright so first of all I'm a bit early to the story to be making an in depth review, but I'm hooked. I will definitely be reading until completion. The author does sci fi right. It's got the alphabet soup of military jargon down pat and keeps things realistic enough to keep me grounded while amazing things happen around the main character. I do see a few parallels between fifth element and this story with Leelu and Neex being parallel and Korben Dallas and our Veteran Protagonist. I love it even more so because of this! It doesn't detract from the story at all given it's divergence with an overarching system-mommy who by the way.... ruffles my jimmies? Love the showmanship of our silver eyed All Mother. Thanks for the story! I love a good read. Keep it up bro!
Captain Sylvia HexRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style: It draws you in the first few sentences, describing a rather intriguing but frighteningly devasted world...Story: In world where being a 'citizen' can truly make you blind. Jack knows from personal experience not is all that it seems. Blindingly believing everything your told, can leave one dead. Secrets are like slow ticking timebombs... its only a matter of time till, the world you where made to think was normal is shattered by a single and simple encounter. In Jack's case, a valiant rescue, his destiny taking a rather sudden turn from being a glorified taxi pilot to a representative of a foreign Archon - the equivalent of a species god!Grammer: I have seen no spelling mistakes and if there are any its fixed quickly.Character: Gotta hand it too, the characters are ones I have gotten fond of quickly! Emotions and interactions are very well done, and I was not expecting one of the minor characters of such an action in chapter 8! Jack is a guy I can easily relate too, he's been bent and beaten by the world, but not broken. A rough around the edges kind of guy, whose heart is the right place. Neex is a garl who is brave as hell! Facing one thing after another, all for the sake of her species, Archon and the remaining humainty as whole!
ZSwaggerliciousRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm normally leery of any LitRPG stories, Super Supportive being one exception. This is the other one! World building is hinted at and foreshadowed very well, the characters are a ton of fun, and while it's early in the plot, what has unfolded leaves me excited to see where the story goes!
LordShenanigansRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I am a sucker for superheroes and unique power systems, and can confidently say that this checks off both of those boxes while still having a fairly lighthearted tone which is a very nice breath of fresh air. I am looking forward to what is in store for jack and how the system work.
ElFourRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Man, I love this world. It feels so alive, and I'm a sucker for novels with great worldbuidling.It's a great book, and Jack is an MC that you like and is actually smart. I like the combo of sentences that sometimes are vivid, descriptive, and then good dialogue between characters. It's all written so nicely, and well-made.Its a great read, and I'm so excited for more to come.
Eville BobRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
My favourite thing about this is the characters. I don't think we've met a boring one yet. Also I'm looking forward to finding out more about this world. What was behind the cataclysm and who else is left, and who the bad guys actually are. I like how we are shown more of the world and story without Basil Exposition having to make an appearance.
FantasticPlatypusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Loving this series so far. I’m 25 chapters in and enjoying how it is shaping up so far. The world is interesting and the system feels new. Already looking forward to it being picked up for an audio book adaptation haha. I think once the MC gets out into the wider world and some more of the world history comes to light there’ll be the opportunity for very interesting stuff. I’m also excited to see how his powers develop and what his team will look like.

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