The 5th Hero is a Beast [Queer LitRPG Isekai]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

A power-hungry royal summons five heroes... and ends up with four. After waking up on the outskirts of the capital of Amnasín, the fifth hero stumbles along unnamed, relying on charades and the kindness of others for weeks until a near-death experience leads them to regain the ability to talk. And they havea lotto fucking say. Their loyalty lies with the Adventurer's Guild who saved them, but the 5th Hero must contend with the King-Consort's demands and survive until the Queen returns home. From nobody to beastmaster and beyond, join the 5th hero as they discover their identity and voice... and delve into a little romance in their free time. What to expect:The progression isslow, as the hero struggles without magic or knowledge for a while, building relationships through a complex game of charades. There are POV shifts to fit backstories or side plots in, but the main character is the only character whose stats and skill progression will be focused on for the majority of the story.When do we get to the good stuff?Chapter 12 Here's the thing:I overexplain lore. I dig my fingernails into the side characters and hold on for dear life. If I feel that it's interesting to learn that this lichen is used in bleed effect poisons and that it propagates in the wild by attaching to animal's backs from overhanging rocks, only to be rubbed off on different rocks when the bleed effect starts to cause a rash... I'm going to tell you that, in detail. I'm not writing to suit a broad audience for publishing; I'm writing to enjoy my own world and give you a chance to enjoy it too. About the Contents:- I sink my teeth intoworldbuildingand chew on it like a hyena-Character developmentbeyond skills and loner trope-Queer themes, overt and subtle-No AIat any point in the process- system interfaces + stat sheets as a loose guideline, I play by the rule of cool-the occasional explicit encounterinterlaced with learning about why characters behave as they do- mentions ofsensitive contentas points of trauma, not jokes-graphic violence! spill their guts!- we loveprofanityhere - $%@! Releases Tuesdays + bonus content every 10 chapters!Sibling fiction toWorth Their Salt

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: SgaireRookily

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 311
Views: 112,802

What readers say about The 5th Hero is a Beast [Queer LitRPG Isekai]

“Gods, I love this story. The characters are fleshed out and fun, the system manages to have a personality without having a personality, the way attributes and stats are conceptualized are unique and fresh - I cannot list anything I don't like about this sto…”
sbdragRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Fun portal fantasy with a brilliantly-voiced MC that you can't help but want to get behind and support. Progression is slow, yes, but the events that occur keep you engaged, so the slow progression never felt like an issue for me. Style I really enjoyed the…”
CogsRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

sbdragRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Gods, I love this story. The characters are fleshed out and fun, the system manages to have a personality without having a personality, the way attributes and stats are conceptualized are unique and fresh - I cannot list anything I don't like about this story.
I know it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really love the way characters' backstories are woven into the story at the point where knowing them becomes the most relevant. For some (notably Anton and Viktor) it's when they're introduced - for others (like Stella), it's after we've gotten to know them.
Also the way the systemification of the world affects socio-economic and political situations is very intriguing to me.
CogsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Fun portal fantasy with a brilliantly-voiced MC that you can't help but want to get behind and support. Progression is slow, yes, but the events that occur keep you engaged, so the slow progression never felt like an issue for me.
Style
I really enjoyed the writing style, specifically the choice of words and the voice of the main character who takes you through the story. There are many humourous sentences littered within the chapters, which at times act like a hook to keep you reading on and at other times help prevent the mood from dipping too low when the MC is being treated roughly.
Story
The story starts off with an immediate hook because the first chapter and the premise laid out there is funny - it takes a trope and breaks it in such a mundane manner that you can't help but believing it as a reader. In fact, it is precisely the reason there are rigorous protocols to follow when doing any experiment (or any kind of technical procedure, really) as the risk of human error is otherwise too high.
Personally, I would have preferred it if the story continued in the light-hearted way brought up in the first chapter, although I also acknowledge that that would be rather unrealistic given the MC's state. Thankfully, the mood cheers up not long after, and I would say it's a good sign that I'm rooting for the MC and hoping things get better for them.
Grammar
There were no grammatical issues that took me out of my reading experience so an automatic 5 from me.
Character
Most definitely the highlight of the story for me. The characters felt three-dimensional, with no one appearing immediately bad or good, and it was clear that everyone was acting upon their personal motivations + levels of selfishness, which felt accurate to reality.
As for the main character, I have to regard their resilient spirit; for me, it was one of the main reasons why the early chapters worked so well, because it would have been all too easy for them to drop morals and behave worse given the treatme
GeorgeDBeardRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Wake up in the rain? Check.
Suddenly switched genders? Check.
It's physically impossible for you to understand or be understood by anyone? Check
Thrown into a world of magic, elves and street thugs? Check.
Now either that's the recipe for a bad day or a good novel. Maybe both. You decide!
The narrative setup is straight out of Rising of the Shield Hero, but not in the oh-no-another-bad-remake way, rather in the yes-finally-I-needed-more way. Anybody who enjoyed that anime/manga should 100% pick this up. Just stop reading this review and start reading the story.
World building is especially strong. Geography, ecosystems, politics, languages. Hell show me where I sign up to be a Rules Magician. I compel you to mispronounce the word spell as smell. "Just wait till you catch a whiff of my magic smell." And I can feel we're going to be introduced to a veritable zoo of magical creatures. The MC appears to have been a field biologist or something, so I think I can predict fleshed-out, exotic and intriguing creatures (dungeon meshi is listed as an inspiration after all).
I love all the characters so far (am I the only one who hopes we see more of the Wandering Scholar?), except... the MC. I'm still waiting for my aha moment with them. I know the author has an elaborate backstory and I do get hints, but they still feel a little generic to me. I'd like a glimpse of their spirt. You know, a spark.
Story keeps moving. It's not action-scene, action-scene, action-scene, but stuff happens, development, rising stakes, new characters. I'd only say the author might consider cutting out long side-character digressions and grouping them into their own chapter 3.5 etc... Some people love these side-stories and others want to stay on the main arc. Personally I'm enjoyed the digression, but then I am someone who tends to digress. And no this is not a digression.
I do feel the need to add. In all seriousness. Rooming with a beautiful, green-eyed elf woman is certainly not my idea of a nig
GweenyPig123Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
One of the best things I've ever read on Royal Road. Every character is so wonderful and fleshed out, and the story has silly moments but not so much as to be completely ridiculous (both pet peeves of mine).
Overall, just so well done. Truly a delight to read every chapter. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
JmbfarmerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Well at first I wasn’t sure really thought the mc was being jerked around but it makes sense the more you read through glad I kept reading it’s been an interesting and fun story so far excited for more chapters. The mc really made a turn around from meek to learning their own strengths and shoring up weaknesses. Please continue the good work
WetdryvacRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Some LitRPG I read to watch the numbers go Vrrrr. This one, I'm reading because the writing is just plain fun. Excellent use of language, solid character building, and the world building is top notch. Looking forward to directly jamming the rest of it into my brain meats. Perfect for after a day in the garden with a cup of something smokey in the tea department.
BardLyreRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This novel’s opening delivers a fresh and engaging twist on the traditional fantasy setup. The style is both clever and accessible, blending wry humour with a subtle sense of unease that keeps readers intrigued. The narrative voice is particularly strong, offering a sharp, sometimes sardonic commentary that complements the protagonist’s bewildering journey through an unfamiliar world.
Characterisation is a standout feature here. The protagonist’s initial confusion and gradual adaptation are portrayed with a realistic, almost relatable awkwardness that makes them instantly likeable. Despite their disorientation, their inner monologue is peppered with dry humour and moments of genuine insight, which helps to ground the story and keep it from veering into overly dark territory. Stella, with her kindness and quiet determination, contrasts nicely with the more complex and guarded figures of the guildmaster and the court mage, whose own motivations are intriguingly ambiguous.
Plot-wise, the story avoids rushing into grand, sweeping arcs. Instead, it takes its time to establish the protagonist’s place in this new world, with each small victory—whether it’s acquiring a knife or finding a moment of peace in a bathhouse—feeling earned and significant. The language barrier adds a unique challenge that raises the stakes, isolating the protagonist in a way that feels both genuine and tense.
Overall, this opening is a well-crafted blend of character-driven storytelling, subtle world-building, and a plot that promises deeper complexities as it unfolds. It’s a strong start that invites readers to become invested in both the characters and the journey ahead.
Nameless13Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I have to admit, the first few chapters make me doubt if I want to continue the story. It felt a bit choppy. But I thought 'what the hell, a few more won't hurt'. And now I'm making sure I get a notification when the next chapter comes out.
The story so far has been, sad, funny, silly, adorable and fairly realistic. I won't spoil anything, but I recommend giving it a try!
NolzenRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall: Although there haven’t been many chapters yet, the story remains faithful to what the author promised in the synopsis—a slow start. However, this gradual beginning is masterfully executed, setting the stage beautifully and fulfilling its purpose effectively.
Grammar: The grammar is mostly solid, with only a few minor errors here and there. These issues are small and do not significantly disrupt the flow of the narrative.
Style: The author employs a highly expository writing style, which deeply enriches the world-building. This approach significantly enhances the reader’s immersion, drawing them into the intricately crafted setting. It is strangely calming and something you will only understand once you've read it.
Character: The characters are well-developed, with interactions that feel natural and stay true to their established personalities. Their dynamics are consistent, making their meetings more believable and engaging.
Story: The story is a high-fantasy tale featuring the classic races. The author’s writing style is perfectly suited to the narrative, seamlessly blending subtle humor, politics, expansive world-building, and the interactions between the MC and the other races.
All in all, if you're seeking a calming yet intriguing and charming story to immerse yourself in, this one delivers beautifully. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a world-building story.
SAH_AuthorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
(Note: It says 'Reviewed at Stats Sheet #1'. This is after Chapter 20, the last available chapter at the time of this review)
This book definitely falls into my strongly recommend list! Here's why:
The World
The world itself is established to be exciting and dynamic. It makes you want to follow the heroes out there and explore, knowing it will be different each time.
I really like how Rookily presented the stats and skills of the system. It is well organized, logical, and easy to follow. It is detailed enough to understand, but not so long as to be exhausting. Even its visualization is outstanding. Its probably the best organized system I have seen.
The Writing
The writing itself is excellent. The work is very well edited, and I came across no blatant grammar mistakes. In fact, I expect there are more mistakes in this review than there are in the entirely of the twenty chapters I have read. It absolutely reads like a published work.
The descriptions are wonderful, and you feel yourself drawn into the world. The author has a way with language that I wish I had, able to paint the picture of the scene without repetition in an exciting way. A diverse vocabulary goes a long way.
The Characters
'The Stranger', our protagonist, is very much the definition of zero-to-hero. They start with nothing, and Rookily shows wonderful patience by not simply throwing them into battle. A fetch quest for flowers is thereby made meaningful and not simply a check-box on the road to godhood. They have an interesting story that comes out in easy to digest pieces.
All the supporting characters are well fleshed out, with Rookily taking the time to tell their stories in a way that also adds to the world itself. It is a creative way to show the history that presses upon our hero.
The other four heroes also have well defined and differing personalities. They fit into stereotypical roles, but you quickly learn they are not stereotypical people any more than The Stranger is. It's quite refreshing