Tick Tock On The Clock [LITRPG Deckbuilding with Time Ticking down]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Beat the Clock or Die Trying

Revenge, Secrets, Cards, System, power what is that Cassian desires.

They Gave Him a Countdown. He Gave Them Hell.

Cassian’s days were filled with petty quarrels and quiet moments with his mother—until the doorbell rang. What should have been another ordinary evening turned to horror as her laughter twisted into a desperate scream. In an instant, her life was stolen. And with it, his own.

But death is not the end. In the silence that followed, an ancient voice called out, pulling Cassian’s shattered soul from the abyss. With it came a second chance—and the means to claim power. But power never comes without a price. And soon, Cassian must decide just how much he’s willing to pay.

Now bound by time, every second is a countdown to his end. The clock ticks away his borrowed time, forcing him into a cosmic game where he is mere entertainment for higher beings. But if he survives, he may gain untold powers—enough to take back what was stolen and make them all pay.

Life was stolen, time was rewound—will you rise or stay Timebound?

What to expect:

❂ Deckbuilding LitRPG with Time ticking down, there will be a lot of cards.

❂Slow burn "Average" to "OP" MC

❂ Complex Worldbuilding (Multiple Story levels)

❂ A Tapestry of Characters (Main focus on MC)

❂ A Competent andAnti-Hero MC

❂ STATS and unique Deckbuilding system with references to MTG

❂ There will likely be some romance in the future. No harem

This story is a healthy blend of ORV, The Devils Cage and MTGSchedule: 2 CH/Week (Tue-Friday)

[Winner in the Royal Road Writathon Challenge]

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: Lightxis

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.4/ 5.0
Followers: 839
Views: 118,831

Chapters(75 total)

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(4)

Azure_ravenRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I came hoping it lived up to devils cage and honestly it surpassed what I expected it truly is an amazing combination of devils cage, ORV and MTG.
It has the immensely interesting trial-type world hoping style of devils cage (which from where I’m currently at is done to perfection), the viewer system of ORV is adjusted and adapted fantastically for this novel along with being able to see the flavours of MTG with the card system. All taken and used to make this it’s own unique blend of the flavours.
The story is great it’s a slow burn at first but once you get past that it picks up its pace nicely and really draws you in to the pace and progression of the story and even power system the author likes tell you then show you how it works and is/ is used.
the grammar is great though some modern slang is used which I can see it taking points off for some people.
characters are done very well they have a little bit of depth and individuality to them I am hoping author continues to build up and use ( it does help that I see a little bit of Kieran in Cassian).
CaptainRumVsPiratesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
At first, Tick Tock on the Clock seems like another slow-starting isekai with vague stakes and lots of wandering. But if you’re patient, it reveals itself as something far more rewarding. The worldbuilding is easily its biggest strength—it’s rich, atmospheric, and delivered in that fragmented, environmental way fans of Fallout or Elden Ring will appreciate. You’re not given a history lesson. Instead, you stumble across forgotten temples, ruined cities, cryptic murals, and side characters who mention events that may or may not matter. It creates a world that feels ancient, layered, and real.
What makes the journey even more unique is the “viewer system.” The protagonist is unknowingly being observed by a group of mysterious, otherworldly “viewers” who occasionally comment on his choices. Their voices pop in at the strangest moments—sometimes offering insight, other times just roasting him. It adds a surprising layer of humor and meta-commentary that keeps things from feeling too heavy or slow. The banter between viewers is sharp and funny, and their reactions often mirror what you’re probably thinking as a reader.
While the plot itself takes its time to really kick off, the immersive setting and clever writing make the slower pacing feel intentional. It’s a story that trusts you to put the pieces together—and rewards you for doing so.
Die for jinxRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Tik Tok, on the clock, but the party won't stop
Seriously, this one's a wild ride! It's fun, engaging, and surprisingly deep. The mechanics are slick, and the overall concept is a breath of fresh air. I was half expecting the cards to be just skills but they are much better.
This story has been a genuine treat so far, and I'm genuinely intrigued to see how it unfolds. If you've ever dabbled in system-heavy or survival-style web novels, you might already have a sense of what kind of experience you're in for — but this still brings its own flair.
The writing flows smoothly with rich descriptions where it counts. There’s a great balance between showing and telling, especially when it comes to laying out the mechanics — they're introduced in digestible, creative ways. The system design feels fresh, especially how it weaves into the world through "cards" that aren’t just cookie-cutter powers but tools with depth and utility.
The setting is a unique spin on second-chance narratives. There’s this ever-present urgency, like a countdown in the background, adding a layer of tension to every move the protagonist makes.
Also — yes, it’s got that deckbuilding flavor with a sprinkle of randomness thanks to the card draw/gacha setup. It really keeps things dynamic and unpredictable.
Pacing-wise, it's been a smooth experience, and the supporting cast adds charm, especially a standout character that brings levity and intrigue.
While there are occasional minor typos, the writing quality is solid overall, and updates/edits show real dedication from the author.
Bottom line? Definitely worth a read if you're into smart worldbuilding, tactical systems, and high-stakes storytelling.
I.luv.AstolfoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Epic! Awesome! Enjoyable! Cards so good!
It has been very refreshing to read this story, I'm pretty excited about where it's headed. If you've read ORV and possibly the devil's cage (really old Chinese Webnovel), you should somewhat know what to expect here.
Style is well done and descriptive. No overbearing info dumps, except where it is needed like all descriptions about the cards, introducing system mechanics and stuff using knowledge packets which the system rewards as bonus, Really damn unique system and stats. Cards are not just skills to be used but have much more going for them.
Set in a world where there is a second chance at life if they have a strong will and most important of all is the need to manage time since MC is living on borrowed time like a literally timer counting down.
Did I mention this is a deckbuilding novel! and we also got gacha system for gaining more cards. ;)
The story feels good and interesting to read, which is an absolute blessing. The side character 'Dorian' is also pretty interesting.
Grammar is mostly perfect. There are generally a couple spelling mistakes per chapter, but the author actively fixes them which is a blessing.
All in all I highly recommend Tick Tock On The Clock.