The World's First Monk - [Isekai][LitRPG][Dungeons]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

The created world of Arcadia is ruled by three Gods, but one seeks only ruin. The God of Monsters commands armies of monstrosities, corrupted denizens of the world, and beasts of his own design. For centuries, those born with strong magic have held the line against his Demon Lords. Those with weak magic form the working masses, protected by the Arc Wardens but powerless beneath them and the Adventurers.

Gifted with an unbreakable body, the complete knowledge of Dragon Style martial arts, and an unwavering companion at his side, Drake Long is given two impossible missions:to break the magical stranglehold that keeps Arcadia’s people in chains, and to redeem the God of Monsters before his wrath consumes the world.

Arcadia is his home now, and he will protect it with the gifts he was given.

He will finish what the Gods could not.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2025
Author: Sahqoreyth

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 3.8/ 5.0
Followers: 316
Views: 41,752

Chapters(45 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

alexUnderTheStarsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Arcadia is not just a planet but a story of expansive future.
Style:
A switch between third person and first person writing style happens early on which is nailed down to the tee. Mostly the story is in the third person perspective with the story revolving around our main character Drake Long. Style does when any character appears on screen introduces their secondary inner characteristics very well.
Story:
The prologue introduced us to a world filled with mysteries waiting to be unraveled and devoured. Drake Long's previous life seems normal and good, as Laurelin stated. Whereas Laurelin, our resident Goddess of Arcadia, one of the Divine duo of Arcadia is someone that holds your attention through her presence in the story.
Grammar:
Exposition shows that the author has thought about the grammar and vocabulary to be associated with at what point of the story. This aspect of the story helps in making the readers ease in well to reading the story at their pace without having to grab a dictionary time to time. A mark of good writing.
Character:
Drake Long has our attention since the start of the first chapter in his unnamed previous life. He continues to do so in the life he leads on Arcadia. The side characters introduced early on is quite good and has their moments.
Overall:
An isekai story to be read by people wanting to read isekai whether for the first time or the hundredth time in their life. Recommended for all.
Joeing_25Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story has a very gripping start with the touching, heroic act of Drake Long. The selfless main character is proven to be very likable and relatable. The lore is extensive and interesting ~ the prologue gave me big eyes. The academy arc begins right after the reincarnation, featuring great dynamics and nice world-building for both magic and Arcadia.
The tone leans toward a lighthearted feel, with vivid and detailed descriptions. The dialogue feels natural, and the pacing is well-balanced with a clear structure.
There is a nice introduction and memorable characterization! (Also, I skimmed the class list before reading the chapter, lol.)
- Drake Long: He starts as a selfless and heroic character, sacrificing himself for greater good. His initial act of heroism makes him instantly likable and relatable. Despite his past struggles, he shows determination and resilience in his new life. Some might said his flirt with high schoolers is questionable, I don't see it as a big issue, it's the point of Isekai, he starts a new life, at young age.
- Laurelin: The goddess who chooses Drake to save Arcadia. She plays a crucial role in guiding and supporting him. Very wise and compassionate, and she's a supportive mentor to her chosen hero.
- Falkor: Drake’s Luckdragon companion, reincarnated alongside him. He adds a unique dynamic to the story. Quite protective of the master.
While the story is well crafted and engaging, on early chapters, it still follows familiar isekai tropes, to which it might feel repetitive and predictable ~ however, that may change as the story progress!
Each chapter is quite long, but I don’t really mind that.
Avatar/Pokemon mentioned! Rrrrrrr!
Monk is a class... of course...
NaraveltRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Story: This novel starts off with the classic isekai setup: Truck-kun, an evil Demon Lord, and a chosen one. But while it leans into the trope, it doesn’t feel stale. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the Demon Lord isn’t the only problem.
Drake’s self-awareness and pop culture references give the story a fun vibe without taking away from the serious moments, though this ultimately depends on the reader. Some might not enjoy pop culture references because they can break immersion, but from my perspective, since Drake is from our current world, it feels natural. The battle scenes feel like an RPG, with debuffs and strategic party actions, mostly shown from Drake’s point of view. The battles against the Demon Lords are especially epic, vivid, and definitely a highlight of the story.
Character: If you're expecting the protagonist to be a bald guy spreading goodness, prepare to be disappointed... just kidding. Jokes aside, the MC, Drake Long, is a genuinely good guy with a strong personality, both strategically and socially. Instead of following the typical monk path, he takes on a different role... he’s an alchemist and an inventor, creating groundbreaking items that change the world. The cast is diverse, featuring a loyal dog-dragon companion, a variety of Class Seven members, each with a distinct personality, as well as loving gods, a possessive father, and a wise janitor. Their relationships with Drake feel believable, and his character development is solid
Style Score: The pacing is quite fast, and the descriptions are solid, but the chapters are quite long. I personally have no problem reading them bit by bit if they are too lengthy. If possible, some could be split into new chapters, as they feel like they contain the content of 3–6 normal chapters. However, I’ve noticed that the newer chapters are already shorter and much more manageable.
Grammar: Well, since English is not my primary language, I might not be the best judge, but I had no problem rea
Nemo BlancRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I went into Sahqoreyth expecting yet another mythic space opera, and came out genuinely surprised by how rich and captivating its world felt. This is a sprawling genesis myth, gods creating a planet from nothing, shaping its forests and seas, populating it with elves, beastfolk, and dragonkin. The sheer scope is captivating, almost biblical in its breadth, and you can tell the writer knows their fantasy tropes well.
What worked best for me was the sheer vision of it. The early sections have this serene beauty as Laurelin and Galdurath shape their world, making it flourish like a cosmic garden. The grammar and style match that serene, almost lyrical quality, long, flowing paragraphs that invite you to slow down and wander alongside the gods. The prose is rich, confident, and mostly error-free, making it easy to sink into.
Then comes the shift, from golden ages to the slow corruption by Dagorion, and the rise of the Demon Lords. This is where the story sharpens its teeth. Suddenly it's about consequences, about immortals grappling with immortality, about ideals colliding with nature. The pacing works well here, making the descent from paradise feel both inevitable and tragic.
That said, the sheer length and density might overwhelm a casual reader. There are moments where exposition threatens to drown character, and certain sections could use tighter editing for clarity and emotional resonance. But for a fellow lover of deep fantasy, those are minor quibbles.
In the end, Sahqoreyth is an impressive feat: a vivid, expansive creation myth that blends profound beauty with deep-seated tragedy. It’s the sort of book that rewards patience and sparks the imagination long after you’ve put it down.
QaosRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The premise is classic but well-executed: modern Drake Long dies saving others and is reborn in Arcadia to fix its corrupt magical elite. The worldbuilding is rich – for example, Arcadia is described as “a verdant and magic-filled paradise” threatened by complacent Arc Wardens (magical aristocracy) who rule only 5% of the people. The pacing is deliberately immersive: each chapter is long (≈4K+ words), allowing detailed exploration of plot and setting. A quick example is the lengthy opening with the Goddess Laurelin explaining the world’s crisis, which some might call exposition-heavy but which clearly establishes stakes and lore. Overall coherence is good: events (Drake’s reincarnation, training at the academy, dungeon quests) follow logically. There’s enough originality (a dragon pet, magic-tech showers, gods granting boons) that the familiar isekai setup feels fresh. Some readers may find the early chapters info-dense, but this depth pays off with a clear, engaging narrative.
The tone is upbeat and often humorous. Drake’s voice is casual and witty (“Holy shit…” upon seeing Arcadia’s sky), which makes the prose feel lively. The narration shifts from first-person (chapter 1) to third-person, letting us see Drake’s thoughts and grand scenes alike. Descriptions are vivid (e.g. rainbow nebula skies) and the dialogue snappy. The author leans on pop-culture nods (Drake even jokes he’s now the “American Dragon…Monk”) and playful banter, which fans will enjoy. At times this slangy humor risks breaking immersion, but it generally adds charm. Sentences are well-constructed and varied – the prose rarely bogs down. The narrative structure stays straightforward (guild class → quests → strategy), though side scenes (like the alchemy classroom) add flavor. In sum, the style is clear, engaging, and fitting for a light LitRPG adventure.
Drake is a likable, proactive MC: compassionate in his old life and quick to grow in the new one. His humor and empathy make him relatable. Rose Va
Solaris king of dragonsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story contains a few tropes. It's an isekai in a magical school where our main character has been blessed and is the chosen one. However that doesn't make it bad in the slightest. People who think trope=bad don't understand why tropes exist. Fundamentally it's a fun story. Our MC Drake is a genuine guy with strong characterization. Compared to most isekai protags the man is not a blank slate one can self insert into. Also lots of pop culture references.
The style is great the chapters are rather long but there's nothing wrong with that. The pace moves quite fast as well despite the long chapters this story is anything but slow so you won't have to worry about being bored. The descriptions are on point and the author uses AI generated images to give a stronger sense if what is going on in the world he's created.
Like I said the story is just a fun story. It's true to its nature. If you are looking for an isekai with an interesting MC who hits all those isekai beats in your brain in a interesting way read this story. Also if you want to read interesting magic fights somewhat similar Dungeons and Dragons. The story is true to what it is and though there are darker moments you will enjoy every chapter and it might give you a laugh. Though I will say he puts some of his opinions into the story and uses some strong language. Personally I find nothing wrong with his views but it can be off putting to read for some.
Grammar is this guy's superpower. It's basically impeccable. At the very least I with my lower level of grammar acuity could not find any mistakes lmao.
Like I said Drake is an interesting main character with an interesting powers set However I'm only five chapters in so far but some of the other characters feel more one note. The characters definitely have their own personalities but I'd like to know more about their perspective and who they are outside of Drake. His party is better developed than the others though.
Like I said it's a fun story with an int
WhiteMystRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The World’s First Monk is an impressive LitRPG that truly delivers on world-building and character development. The author’s attention to detail makes the game world immersive and believable, with clear rules and mechanics that RPG fans will appreciate. The inclusion of vivid illustrations further enhances the reading experience by helping readers visualize the characters and scenes, making it easier to connect with the story.
While the chapters are longer than what some readers might be used to (often exceeding 4,000 words), this is actually a strength for those who love deep, immersive storytelling. The pacing allows for thorough exploration of the plot and character interactions, creating a rich narrative without rushing through key moments. Though the length might make it challenging to find convenient stopping points, the payoff in story depth is well worth it.
The diverse cast of characters adds freshness and complexity to the story, with each member playing a meaningful role rather than simply existing as background. The main character stands out by being thoughtful and proactive, avoiding the typical “dense MC” trope and even developing relationships early on, which adds emotional depth.
Overall, The World’s First Monk is a rewarding read for anyone who enjoys detailed RPG progression combined with engaging storytelling and strong character dynamics.
AbdirahRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Arcadia is the kind of high-concept fantasy that immediately grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. With its divine conflict, monster-ridden landscapes, and deep-rooted magical hierarchy, this story delivers a sharp punch of epic stakes, visceral combat, and meaningful purpose.
Drake Long is a standout protagonist. He’s not your typical overpowered hero—though with a body that won’t break and the full mastery of Dragon Style martial arts, he certainly could be. What sets him apart is the dual purpose behind his power: to free the oppressed and try the unthinkable—redeem a god bent on destruction. It’s a bold emotional throughline in a genre often filled with mindless fighting and no heart.
The worldbuilding feels rich without overwhelming. Arcadia is a land ruled by gods and stratified by magical ability, and you really feel the social tension between the magically gifted and the everyday masses. That sense of injustice gives the story real teeth. The God of Monsters makes for an epic looming threat, and the idea of redemption rather than eradication as the solution is both unique and compelling. It adds depth to what could’ve been a simple black-and-white divine war. Combat lovers, rejoice: the Dragon Style martial arts are vivid and cinematic, and if you're into systems with divine magic, cursed beasts, and monstrous armies—this will scratch every itch.
TheDyingOfLightRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Intro
A truck, three wishes and divine relationship trouble. And then he goes to Hogwarts. An enjoyable Isekai with more serious undertones.
Style 5/5
This story has images! They are amazing and showcase characters very well, greatly adding to the immersion. They are also quite cute.
The writing style is very cerebral and action-focused. Descriptions are rich in details and the narrative is very genre aware/meta.
Story 4.5/5
Truck-kun starts our protagonist and his companion off on their journey. The MC goes for a martial arts with elemental abilities build, which I haven't seen often. MC is clever, strategic and maneuvers social situations well. The setting is a world embroiled in a war between two gods and their son. MC is sent to the elite magic academy to contract the magic based stratification of society and to redeem the demon god? Will he make it? I at least am curious.
Grammar 4.5/5
A few minor issues, but nothing that reduced the enjoyment from reading the story. Sometimes sentences tend towards being a bit too wordy. But again, I found 3 things in 12000 words.
Character 5/5
The characters are complex and interesting. No one seems to have just one goal, perspective or past. Characters have histories and deeper, human motivations. Even the gods have some relationship drama. MC seems smart and did I mention the cute companion with an image? He often engages in references to his old life, but is also quite strategic about his actions.
Conclusion
I'd continue reading. I'm very curious about the dungeons (one of which has literal flaming shit) and how MC will develop relationships with peers and the gods. Go check out the cute doggo-dragon!
VaendrylRoyal Road
★★★ 3.0
This is true orthodox self-insert isekai webnovel, complete with picture perfect Gary Stu main character, effortless harem and as a bonus a big heaping help of reddit hivemind approved political commentary. the kind of thing that wouldn't really work anywhere other than a site like this, but at the same time it's exactly what the people come here to find.
The author channels his love for 90's and 00's cartoons/anime (and various other media) of his youth into a world where literally "everything is canon". his patently obvious self-insert, a chimera of jake long from "american dragon", naruto and goku (original character, do not steal) doesn't just simply spawn with plot armor, he gets a plot custodes power armor AND a literal plot dragon. who is a very Good Boi.
enemy levels don't really matter, the MC's level doesn't really matter, anything he faces just dies anyway. not to mention that his level skyrockets from 1 to way above his peers in merely a single afternoon. that's the kind of story this is, love it or hate it.
if you like classic isekai stories like mushoku tensei you might as well give this story a chance. especially if you like AI generated content, as the author adds a lot of that too. I think it's a great and cost-effective way of adding to the overal style of the story, but I know a lot of people dislike it. or fear it. (cue star wars quote) but if genAI is to be used for anything, I'm convinced this is what it's used best for.
speaking of Style, the author put a lot of effort into world building and designing his characters. even if many are "liberally inspired" on existing characters outside of this story.
despite all this world building, the actual chapter to chapter Story isn't very deep or original, which honestly is pretty par for the course for the genre. something bad exists, the MC walks by and swings his manhood around and the problem disappears. commence adoration sequence and on to the next problem nobody was able to fix for thousands of y