Qing Baker thought he had problems. A dead-end job, mounting bills, and a sick younger sister. Then he wakes up in a world where magic is real, monsters are hungry, and the only way home is to level up. Thrust into Elrydisan, a realm of swords and sorcery, Qing must quickly adapt to his new reality. No tutorials. No respawns. Every fight is a struggle for survival, and death is a one-way ticket to becoming the enemy.

Qing faces his greatest challenge yet. A descent into the heart of darkness, facing Hell's gathered armies to rescue Cleo and prevent the Devil's resurrection, all while saving Earth from obliteration. With allies old and new—among them Ghida, the fierce princess, steadfast warriors, Rowan and Jenny, and unexpected companions—Qing must face unimaginable horrors that test his courage, strategy, and resolve.

The immortal Lifetree, once the source of all creation in the world, has become corrupted. Nightmarish, tainted creatures now fill the realms, and the world calls out for a hero. Nikolas, a warrior resurrected from beyond the grave, has been given the insurmountable task of destroying the evil and bringing balance to the world. He must win the support of four beautiful champions, learn to harness the powers they control, and fight against the chaotic hordes whose very presence chokes the life from the land itself.

The 42nd Merging arrives, mass-transporting every human to a hostile new world with a System. Everyone must choose a Class, and Quest directives compel them to climb the leaderboards for categories like highest level… and most kills of other people. Jordan isn’t anyone special before the Merging, but the new start equalizes the playing field. He must exploit his versatile class to overcome powerful monsters and opportunistic strangers who kill people as a quick path to power.

The climb through the ranks often ends with a knife in the back. Slum-dwelling orphan Garrett Walker scrounges for scraps in the wildlands beyond the walls that guard society, salvaging valuables from the ruins of fallen civilization. Offered the opportunity to compete in the Warden Academy entrance trials, Garrett seizes the chance for a better life. However, the academy holds dangers a street rat is ill-equipped to handle and he’ll have to grow stronger while relying on his wits to survive.