The Center for Dungeon Management, Book 1: Gate Crashers [LitRPG, 5x Chapter Releases Weekly!]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

In the United States, the Center for Dungeon Management (CDM) manages anything related to gates, like licensing crawlers, enforcing harvester safety standards, and prosecuting gate crashers–people who enter gates without licenses and dungeon rights. Dorion has aspirations of joining a guild or a crawl team, but to do that, he needs levels. Since he can’t afford a crawler license or gate fees, he signs on with the Pittsburgh branch of the CDM. By day, he is a cog in the machine of dungeon bureaucracy. By night, he volunteers to cull unclaimed gates, a CDM initiative to prevent dungeon surges. The crawler industry isn’t what Dorion expects, but when his little sister appears on his doorstep looking for a place to stay, his goal of becoming a professional crawler turns from a career objective into a necessity. He needs the money and the stability to give his sister the life he wished he had. Solo Leveling meets Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions–This litRPG explores dungeon tropes through the lens of government administration. The MC isn’t an overpowered crawler making headlines. He’s a normal guy with a clipboard, an overflowing inbox, and a dream. What to expect: -Slow progression.MC is not the chosen one or the exception. He has to claw his way up like everyone else in the world. -Stats and skills that matter.Choosing to pursue one build means accepting its advantages as well as its disadvantages. MC doesn’t get to do everything, not even within his own class. -No MC romance plot.The MC is friends with and works with several female characters without deciding he wants to be with them. Romantic relationships appear in the background with other characters, but the MC falling in love or pursuing physical gratification isn’t a thing. -Twists on dungeon tropes.Many of the familiar elements of a dungeon gate story are here, but they are approached from a more grounded perspective where the dungeons are a part of a larger working-class world rather than the sole focus of the story. -A series that ends.The Center for Dungeon Management won’t go on for 12 books with no wrap-up in sight. The story has a beginning and an end that are already planned. I’ve finished the Wishlist trilogy on RR, and the final book (book 6) of Dead End Guild Master is starting soon (but is fully written already), so I have a track record of keeping this promise.

Information

Status
Ongoing
Year
2026
Author
marshalcarper

Tags

LITRPGACTIONFANTASYADVENTUREMAGICMALE LEADLOW FANTASYURBAN FANTASYCONTEMPORARYPROGRESSIONDUNGEON CRAWLER

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.7/ 5.0
Followers
2,740
Views
277,866

Chapters(67 total)

What readers say about The Center for Dungeon Management, Book 1: Gate Crashers [LitRPG, 5x Chapter Releases Weekly!]

  • “Realism mixed into this dystopian world with magic and dungeons . The characters feel really realistic and relatable as we go through our MC life we realize he made mistakes along the way but he is actively going through it and trying to find a solution to…”
    Redturbans02Royal Road5.0 / 5
  • “As a fan of Solo Leveling, I’m really into apocalyptic stories, so this one immediately caught my attention. I especially like that the post-apocalyptic world is already established and that the protagonist has to struggle to level up within it. The story h…”
    AngelNersusRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

  • Redturbans02Royal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Realism mixed into this dystopian world with magic and dungeons . The characters feel really realistic and relatable as we go through our MC life we realize he made mistakes along the way but he is actively going through it and trying to find a solution to achieve his dream . His earlier goals not being enough anymore to provide for him just makes him seem like your every day dude .In terms of world building I really like the system and the way it’s designed I still don’t understand much about it but from what we know from our MC it’s a world where everyone has a class but doesn’t get to level it up due to the difficulty of accessing a dungeon due to the CDM who actively lock these dungeons behind a paywall . In the end it’s just so enjoyable since he has a dream and doubts he can reach it himself but is still trying his best and seeing where it takes him (my situation exactly ) . He barely understands this world that much due to his cult like upbringing as well so you get to learn along with him . Genuinely one of my favorite stories off the early chapters alone happy reading guys :3
  • AngelNersusRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    As a fan of Solo Leveling, I’m really into apocalyptic stories, so this one immediately caught my attention. I especially like that the post-apocalyptic world is already established and that the protagonist has to struggle to level up within it.
    The story hooked me from the very first chapter, which is saying a lot, since I’m not usually a fan of bureaucracy or paperwork. I also really enjoy how the author has built the world: monsters that escape from dungeons barely give any experience, you’re pretty much screwed if you’re not a mage, and the inclusion of streamers and sponsors adds a great touch.
    The situation with his parents, his sister, and the church is another highlight. At least for me, it made it much easier to empathize with the MC.
    For me, it’s a great story, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the plot goes next.
  • BigBadBlueBearRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    A very fun blend of a relatively typical dungeon real world thing but made even better through being told through the perspective of a young person entering the corporate laser which for some reason I find hilarious.
    The novels slice of life elements are well done.
    my only critique would be the world building choice to nerf xp and loot gains to hell when not in a dungeon. Which feels very weird to me, like nerf a little maybe but what do I know ???
    2 trolls should not be 4 xp is all I’m saying.
  • HaribonRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    This is a slice of life story in a fantasy Earth. It is a more realistic portayal of the world if gates appeared and people got powers.
    The MC feels relatable and grounded, he doesn't get any OP powers, traits, blessings and all the other bs that most protagonist have. He is just a regular Joe, who wants to pay his rent and works hard to take care of his sister. Also the side characters and regular characters that interact with the MC feel alive and not just narrative tools to progress the plot. (Also, Nathan is the best bro ever. We all need a Nathan in our lives.)
    The story itself is slow but you won't get bored with the pacing of the story. Although most chapters show the mundane day to day life of Doran as he goes about his work on CDM, there are still some action and drama sprinkled between chapters that shows the part of the world that makes it interesting.
    The world itself doesn't feel empty either. Unlike most stories that is based on alternate Earths it isn't vague or just an afterthought. There's a history there that can be explored. What's happening on other places that's just not the MCs surrounding. Lore is dropped in a way that makes sense and not full chapter info dump that doesn't supplement the story just for the sake of it.
    As you read the story you're starting to feel like you would root for Doran to cimb the bureaucratic ladder of CDM. That he would someday make it even as an average joe.
    You can also see as you the story that there's something brewing and it feels like a setup for something big and I can't wait for how it turns out.
    Keep it up and I would love to see how Doran ends up in the story.
  • LlayneRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Dungeons stories are pretty common, but this one is grounded in a refreshing way. There is no OP MC, so growth is meaningful and realistic.
    This is not the story of an adventurer that is the exception to "the rule'. He was not gifted a unique power that turned them into a god. He does not have a charmed life where they are always right and everything magically falls their way.
    The drive of the story is something most of us deal with... trying to move forward in life while having obstacle after obstacle thrown at us. And sometimes those obstacles are the MC's fault. That makes it very relatable, while still being fantastic.
    Because... dungeons.
    Its a world where dungeons crawlers are wealthy... and otften become celebrities. The whole world revolves around the gates and while it is often in the background, the social, political and economic impacts of dungeon gates feels well thought out.
    The characters all feel real and the relationships are one of the biggest draws for me. That could be family dynamics or the always awkward necessity of dealing with your bosses and coworkers.
    Give this one a shot. I think you'll really enjoy it.
  • DeverashRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    This has been a wonderful read.  It's more slice of life than balls-to-the-wall action combat, but it takes a thoughtful approach to what would be the result if dungeons started spawning all over the world, and how countries would pick it back up.  Everyone may have a class, but that doesn't mean they're powerhouses, and levelng is hard and expensive (because capitalism,, naturally).
    there are some wonderful characters and character interactions, and the MC tries to find a path for himself in the world.
    All in all, a great read.  Definitely worth checking out if you like a little slice of life in your litrpg
  • Michael GilbertRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    A grounded interesting take on an alternate time mine dungeon gate trope.
    Lead character has solid background and motivations while having reason for knowledge areas that need explaining to the audience.
    Fights feel grounded when stakes matter more while the routine one's get streamlined just as the mentality would for someone who's life this was regularly. Interested to see where jt goes.
  • Driftwood 621Royal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Having read the patreon releases, I can confidently say this story is excellent- very good characters and very good world building!
    It's a great litrpg in my opinion, for being very grounded and realistic, despite the silly premise. (if you like giant stat screens, e-girl system pixies, or characters that act like they're in a game with no consequences look elsewhere)
  • N_RyanRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Heading to the office for the usual 9-5, only to be tapped to inspect irregular activity at a dungeon that popped up on the far end of town, and just before your morning coffee break.
    This is the life now for our protagonist.  Where reality shows have actual consequences, YouTube streamers go live from the middle of dangerous dungeons, swinging swords and slinging spells, someone still has to do the mundane work of checking the forms and making sure support crew safety regulations are followed.  And at times get a piece of the action when the Center for Dungeon Management has to prevent an outbreak, or rescue a delve crew that got in too deep over their heads.
    An interesting twist on the standard fantasy dungeon crawl trope, now set in a mostly familiar modern day Earth with dungeons only having been around since post-WWII.
    Slow build, realistic characters behaving like real people, dealing with the excitement and BS that magic dungeons full of dangerous monsters brings.
    The third RR story from an author with a proven track record of consistent, high quality output, and who delivers on having a complete, self-contained storyline.
  • Richard BondRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    A likable protagonist, interesting and intricate world-building, and a magic system that reads like it's been tried and tested, all makes for a lovely read.
    Nobody in this story seems perfect, but they all seem real, and they all seem like people I would like to know.
    If the world suddenly became magical and the US Government tried to respond, I'm confident it would play out much like this story.

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