Skill Eater | LitRPG Slowburn Fantasy

Inside the Confluence Corp headquarters, Kenshiro is swept into a rapid sequence of evaluations, healing, and formal debriefings. The environment is sharply different from the open wilds he just left, replacing physical danger with bureaucracy and veiled intentions. Despite the impersonal process, he quickly adapts, using his past experiences to assert control and negotiate on his own terms. Kenshiro sets boundaries while leveraging what little bargaining power he has—insisting on fair compensation for information and showing awareness of the political game he’s now part of.

It becomes clear that Kenshiro’s presence in Nowhere is not only rare but politically sensitive. With conflicting interests from the Embassy of Shinsekai and the Confluence Corp,  With Fel’Tal’s quiet support and a new alliance formed under watchful eyes, Kenshiro agrees to cooperate, but on his own terms. The stage is now set for deeper entanglements and a confrontation with the system behind this strange world.

Kenshiro’s group arrives at Bethaven, marking a transition from survival in the wilds to navigating urban politics and society. As the city unfolds before him, Kenshiro is met with a whirlwind of sensations—noise, movement, and the unspoken expectations of the Confluence Corp.

While the outward welcome appears procedural, it's clear his presence is of interest to more than just his companions. The experience is both overwhelming and clarifying, giving Kenshiro his first real glimpse of how societies are organized in this world and hinting that his arrival has broader implications. The arrival at the Confluence Corp headquarters sets the stage for what promises to be a high-stakes political and personal journey.

Tara is led deeper into the spiritual realm, where she encounters a space that mirrors her home on Earth—comforting yet disorienting. This uncanny setting is revealed to be her domain, a manifestation of her growing divine identity. Within it, she meets Mela, a powerful and enigmatic goddess, whose presence exerts an almost irresistible compulsion. Their conversation explores the nature of domains, power, and the responsibilities Tara now bears as a godling. With the revelation that her domain is both sanctuary and seat of power, Tara begins to grasp the scale and significance of her new role in the grander metaphysical order.

tensions rise as Kenshiro negotiates both trust and power within his small group. The forest setting cloaks their discussion in secrecy as Kenshiro lays down terms for revealing more about his unique abilities. Despite resistance, a temporary alliance forms, culminating in a powerful and visually striking demonstration of one of Kenshiro’s skills. The event leaves the group stunned and cautiously curious, while Kenshiro himself grapples with the side effects of his power—particularly the cryptic consequences of being "Untethered." This chapter deepens group dynamics and sets the stage for Kenshiro’s evolving strategy in a world teeming with unseen rules and dangers.

Kenshiro and his group journey along the road to Bethaven. The mood is lighter than expected, with warm sun and pleasant conversation filling the air. Myrtle reignites her one-question game, and through it, Kenshiro shares details of his life on Earth, revealing parts of his past, including his parents’ separation and his father’s death. The discussion shifts to the significance of mana cores—valuable items used for healing, powering artifacts, and cultivation. Kenshiro, curious and increasingly aware of his limited knowledge of the world, presents a core he obtained, seeking insight from the group. This moment leads to tension, particularly with Ingot, who confronts him about his intentions and knowledge. 

Kenshiro finds himself at a crucial turning point. He joins his companions, Myrtle and Fel’Tal, at the bar, where tensions remain high after a fraught interaction with Ingot. Kenshiro converses casually with Fel’Tal in Orcish—thanks to his Fellowship skill—but underneath the small talk, his mind churns with frustration and a sense of inadequacy. Ingot’s criticisms have hit him hard, awakening a realization: he’s been floundering through this world without a solid plan, acting reactively rather than with purpose. Motivated by his mission to find Tara and shaken by his vulnerability, Kenshiro resolves to take a more deliberate, tactical approach to his journey.

As preparations for their next move begin, Kenshiro isolates himself to organize his thoughts and possessions. He empties his bag, laying out everything he owns in a moment of stark humility—his resources are meager. This act of taking inventory isn't just physical; it's metaphorical. Kenshiro evaluates his skills, his remaining slots, and the gaps in his strategy. Determined to stop stumbling through this alien world, he commits to taking control where he can. The chapter closes on this note of introspection and renewed purpose, as Kenshiro shifts from survival to strategy, ready to meet the coming challenges with clearer intent.

As dawn quietly approaches, he reflects on the emotional baggage he left behind and the surreal reality he's now entrenched in—where quests, magic, and summoned creatures are part of daily life. While the rest of the party sleeps, Kenshiro grapples with loneliness and the overwhelming weight of the tasks that lie ahead.

It's a deeply human moment in a fantasy world, showing us not just what Kenshiro is fighting against, but what he's fighting for. A tense interaction over coffee leads to a hard truth—he's not yet ready to face the challenges ahead. But it's his fiery response and resolve that reveal a spark of something more.

This chapter is a quiet but powerful pause in the journey—a reminder that even in worlds filled with monsters and magic, the hardest battles are often the ones we fight within ourselves.

Kenshiro and his companions arrive at Spinebrook, a rugged logging outpost nestled at the edge of civilization. After days in the wild, the shift to noisy roads, hard stone buildings, and warm sunlight is both welcome and jarring. The town is alive with activity—burly laborers, tattooed orcs, massive beetles used for hauling timber—and Kenshiro finds himself absorbing a new layer of culture in Nowhere.

As the party splits up to take care of errands, Kenshiro stumbles upon something at the town’s notice board that shakes him deeply, forcing him to confront a part of his recent past. Fel’Tal tries to reassure him, but the emotional weight lingers. Later, the group reunites at the local inn, where laughter, drinks, and a moment of camaraderie help ease tensions. Through it all, Kenshiro gets a small taste of normalcy—and a reminder of just how foreign, dangerous, and unpredictable this new world truly is.

As Kenshiro and his companions continue their descent from the mountains, their journey becomes one of discovery and reflection. The group shares stories, teases each other, and slowly opens up—especially through a curious, meandering question game between Kenshiro and Myrtle. Cultural misunderstandings lead to both confusion and humor, with Kenshiro struggling to explain concepts from his world while learning more about the strange new one he’s found himself in.

Amid the light-hearted exchanges and nightly rituals, Kenshiro begins to piece together deeper truths about the organization his party belongs to and the mysterious forces shaping this world. A moment of explanation reveals a looming, reality-altering event known as the Confluence—one that redefines everything Kenshiro thought he understood. The revelations are overwhelming, and Kenshiro is forced to reckon with his own limitations and the enormity of the path ahead. Would you like suggested tags for this chapter as well?

After a tense battle deep in a forest of towering pines, Kenshiro Perez and his companions defeat a powerful creature known as a Fellcat, leaving Kenshiro puzzling over an unusual phenomenon: a rare double core drop. As the team quickly harvests the creature for valuable materials, Kenshiro grapples with the limitations of his current strength and the group's decision to sell the second core rather than let him use it. Though grateful for their protection and guidance, a seed of frustration grows in him, knowing how much the core could have meant for his survival.

As the group journeys onward toward the city of Bethaven, Kenshiro seeks to learn more about the world’s strange, mana-filled cores. Myrtle eagerly explains their nature, how they form within magical beasts, and the dangerous effects they can have on creatures. Despite some tension between Kenshiro and the others over the differences between beasts and sentient beings, the group bonds through shared conversation, small moments of music, and simple comforts, offering Kenshiro a fleeting sense of belonging in this foreign, dangerous land.

However, as night falls and the camp settles into quiet meditation, Kenshiro's homesickness returns with full force. Staring up at an alien sky under the watchful gaze of his companion Sombra, Kenshiro clings to the faint hope that reaching Bethaven might bring him closer to finding a way home—and closer to reuniting with the wife he was torn away from. Despite the camaraderie he’s found, the weight of his longing keeps his heart heavy as he finally drifts into a restless sleep.

Tara isn't in Colorado anymore. 

After escaping the inky black void and finding herself in a city of spirits and power Tara finds herself on a beech talking to a man with the head of a frog. With powers, godlings, and gods now shaping the landscape what will Tara have to do to save her husband and save herself?

In this episode we shed a little more light on what is actually going on behind the scenes. 

The forest grows stranger and more dangerous as Kenshiro and his companions push deeper into enemy territory. A disturbing presence fills the woods—unnatural, watchful, and ever-present. The group’s cohesion is tested as they must rely on instinct, discipline, and each other’s strengths to survive. A confrontation with a fearsome adversary pushes them all to their limits, revealing new layers of trust, resolve, and power. As the dust settles, Kenshiro is left with more questions than answers—about the forest, about himself, and about the path ahead.

The fire is low, and the tension is high as Kenshiro officially joins Ingot’s party on their hunt for the elusive and dangerous Fellcat. With no great options on the table, Kenshiro chooses to follow the group rather than be tracked down later. What starts as an uneasy truce becomes an opportunity for mutual discovery. As they trek through the forest, Kenshiro and Myrtle swap questions about each other’s worlds. Listeners will learn more about the strange rules of Nowhere—

The lesson is cut short when the party discovers unsettling evidence of the Fellcat: a grotesque bark with a watching eye. Combat feels imminent as Ingot explains the threat. This isn’t just any monster—it may be infected or hunted by something even worse. With weapons drawn and tension mounting, Kenshiro is forced to confront his new reality not just as a lost traveler, but as a potential ally in a deadly hunt.

A simple handshake gone wrong sets the tone for Kenshiro’s struggle to understand the customs of this new world. From recalling his multicultural upbringing in Arizona to realizing just how alien this place is, Kenshiro must adapt fast. The trio he meets—Fel’Tal, Ingot, and Myrtle—are no ordinary adventurers. They’re part of an enigmatic organization called the Confluence Corp and are on a mission to hunt a creature called a Fellcat.

As Kenshiro tries to gain their trust, he asks after his missing wife, Tara, whom he suspects may have also crossed into this world. But trust doesn’t come easy, especially when his companions can literally Scan him, uncovering truths he’d rather keep hidden. What begins as a reluctant alliance may be Kenshiro’s only chance at survival—and at finding answers.

Coffee.

Kenshiro find himself surrounded by new 'friends' including an Orc and a Dru'ven, which it turns out aren't monsters. 

Kenshiro is now faced with dealing with how he will make it to the smoke in the distance. Does he take his chances with these member of the 'Confluence Corp.' or does he strike out back on the road and try to make it to whatever lays beyond the trees. 

Oh, and his loyal shadow wolf is here to support him every step on the way.

In this moody, rain-soaked chapter, we’re dropped into the shadows of Bethaven alongside Vahl.
He’s been watching, waiting, calculating—every detail meticulously timed for a meeting that must unfold on his terms. What begins as silent observation slowly escalates into a high-stakes encounter, where power dynamics, timing, and patience are everything. This episode is a slow burn, rich with atmospheric detail and tension. It explores themes of performance, control, and the subtle games people play to protect their truths—or exploit them. 

In this bonus breakdown, we’re diving deep into the guts of the game system that drives Nowhere—and Kenshiro’s survival. From the mechanics of Skill Eater to the mysterious sacred aspects and the cost of becoming Untethered, this is your cheat sheet to how the world works.

Also, I had my baby. So there is that. 

Kenshiro’s journey through Nowhere takes another sharp turn as he finds himself at the wrong end of a drüven arrow in this tense, character-driven chapter. Surrounded by a trio of mysterious and potentially hostile strangers in the deep woods, Kenshiro must rely on his wits, his system powers, and sheer resolve to survive a standoff. We’re introduced to Fel’Tal Leftra, a towering orc Brawler, and Myrtle, a sharp-tongued guide with more than a little sass, and Ingot, the Druven Huntress/Dervish.

Tara has been healed. More than that, she has entered Hevin, the home of the godlings. 

No longer burned or stuck in the inky black void, Tara is thrust into the Spirit world of Hevin where Godlings and Celestines abound. They claim she is one of them. The question is, What do they want from her?

On top of that Tama, the child of the greater god Yoki, the being who taught Tara how to create blessings seems to want something...

Kenshiro is no alone in Nowhere. 

Tired, hungry, injured, and running on fumes Kenshiro finally meets the first people in this new world. Just maybe not theway he thought he would. 

After fighting off the Adze, and moving through the forest, Kenshiro is in for a major surprise. One that will change his trejectory forever.