He Who Fights With Monsters

He Who Fights With Monsters - Chapter 1030: There Are many Steps on the Road

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:00:07 GMT

Jason stood on the moor, a carpet of unconscious souls spanning between him and the distant castle, often dumped in piles. Jason looked at the newcomer, an elf in a simple, sand-coloured dress that accentuated her delicate features and the warm brown tones of her hair and skin.

“Raythe,” Jason said. “I’d invite you in, but I’m kind of between places right now. My cloud house is locked away in my astral kingdom.”

“Umber did not want you to have ready access to a dimension ship.”

“It’s not like I can dimensional travel out of this realm to use one.”

“While you lack any specific power for dimensional travel, you have done so before.”

“Under some extremely specific circumstances. I’m assuming the Builder didn’t put a cosmic link between this place and somewhere else, the way he did Earth.”

“No, but if you achieve diamond-rank with your portal power, dimensional translocation will become available to you.”

“My understanding is that I will only be able to travel to dimensions that I’ve been to after unlocking that ability. Which means that even if I get that power to diamond, I won’t be able to go anywhere with it until I take the long way first.”

“Yes, but you have a habit of bending rules. Umber is wary of this.”

“Well, joke’s on him, because you’re here to get me out. You are here to get me out, right?”

“I’m sorry, but no.”

“No? We had a deal. I don’t break time and you would help me when no one else could. Given that you can come in here when no one else can, I’d say this qualifies.”

“My ability to intervene here is limited. I am an agent of the Keeper of the Sands, and this realm belongs to the Reaper.”

“My understanding is that he lost the lease.”

“Even corrupted, it is his authority that holds sway here. In accordance with the rules you restored by repairing the Cosmic Throne.”

“Yeah, but you’re an employee, right? I don’t need you to tap your boss for (...)

He Who Fights With Monsters - Chapter 1029: They Don’t Look Dead

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 22:00:05 GMT

With the first chance to truly flex his perception after having his astral kingdom sealed, Jason expanded his magic and aura senses. Immediately, a frown creased his forehead.

“The range and clarity of my perception have been crippled.”

“Your avatar is sealed away from your soul, Mr Asano, forcing it to produce an artificial aura, like a magic item. I submit, however, that ‘crippled’ is an exaggeration. Your aura strength, and with it your perception, is diminished, but your new limits are typical for an essence user at your level of progression.”

“Only because I have Gordon’s ability to boost my aura strength. It’s not something I’ve much needed in the past.”

“Then, instead of complaining, perhaps you should simply be grateful for his help?”

Jason let out a sigh.

“Yeah,” he conceded. “I’m not used to being behind the curve with my aura.”

“Adversity is an opportunity to build strength, Mr Asano.”

“That’s true. I really shouldn’t complain when I can still extend my perception for kilometres. Not that there’s much to sense.”

Grey clouds hung low in the sky, heavy with the promise of rain. Uneven ground was covered in scrabbly grass, muted green fading to straw yellow. Rocks poked reluctantly from the ground here and there, and there were scattered patches of wildflowers in washed-out purple.

“This place is strange,” Jason observed. “Colin, what do you think?”

Jason held out his hand and blood sprayed from his palm. It was a shot of bright red against the paleness of the world around them, as if the realm itself had been leached of colour. The blood coalesced into Colin, the familiar taking his blood clone form.

“I don’t like it,” Colin said, looking around with his face bunched up in distaste. “We’re the only living things here.”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Jason agreed. “Normally, any place is full of life, even when you can’t see it. Birds, insects, adorable little creatures that (...)

He Who Fights With Monsters - Chapter 1028: Children Need Boundaries

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 22:00:14 GMT

The dimension ship that ferried the army of energy vampires away from Pallimustus was large. It was a freight barge compared to the smaller and more luxurious private jet that Umber had used to move Jason. The magic used for the final step, passage into the corrupted afterlife realm, was likewise different. Jason had been moved by a small, hand-crafted ritual circle. In the bowels of the larger ship, in an empty cargo hold, a tall archway had been put in place.

The arch was made of thick, dark stone, with intricate ritual engraving carved over every surface. Set into the engravings was a very slightly less-dark stone. A long queue of energy vampires were shuffled into the hold and through the arch, where they vanished immediately. Looking on were Umber, who had arrived from his own vessel, and Thadwick Mercer.

“I cannot guarantee that the energy vampires will obey me,” Thadwick said. “My people will follow me, but your Order of the Reaper vampires have their own hierarchy, and I’m not in it. You have taught me how to convert regular vampires to energy vampires, but I did not sire the Order vampires in the first place. I have no means to command them should they decline to listen to me.”

“You are closing in on diamond-rank, while they are all silver or gold,” Umber said. “If you cannot control them, the failing is yours.”

“I acknowledge the point, but does it matter where the blame lies? Failure is failure, regardless of who is responsible. If your influence doesn’t extend to within the realm, then you must establish your authority to the point that they continue to obey, even when your power cannot reach them.”

“If I left sires amongst them who had created the others, you would represent a challenge to their supremacy, and they to your command. They understand that they are there to hunt Asano, and the consequences of straying from the path.”

“Even if they remain focused, what do you hope to accomplish? Many of these people (...)

He Who Fights With Monsters - Chapter 1027: A Place Within the Cosmic Order

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 23:00:13 GMT

Jason’s true form, his actual body and soul, was his astral kingdom. A pocket universe the size of a solar system, it had a sun and several planets whose habitability varied by occupant. The vampire prison planet had a perpetual atmospheric gloom that filtered the sunlight, excising the magic that sapped their powers and warped their minds. By contrast, the planet for the messenger prisoners of war had wide open skies, a place of soaring mountains and floating sky islands.

For the main planet, Jason had sought to create a paradise in every climate. Winter wonderlands at the poles. Archipelagos set in cerulean tropical waters. There were currently two cities on the planet, one occupied and one not. New Water was an oasis containing the former population of Boko, a city of scholars and poets from Pallimustus. Jason had given them a new home after an attempt on his life had led to the city’s destruction.

The sprawling city of Arbour was in a temperate goldilocks zone, with seasons that shifted noticeably through the year without ever reaching extremes. The nearby mountains were capped with snow in the cool, pleasant winters. The lake to the north was perfect for quenching the summer heat. Spring was vibrant and filled with new life while the pleasant breezes of autumn stirred golden, falling leaves.

Arbour was dominated by the towering trees for which it and the spirit it embodied were named. Its terrain was vast, primal and grand. A mountain range bordered it to the west, shielding it from the sharp winds blowing in off the ocean. The valleys and hills were rich with life, plants and animals both. A majestic waterfall fed a river running through a tree-lined gorge containing manor homes, waiting for occupants. At the heart of the city, trees towered like skyscrapers. Even so, one central tree reached heights beyond even them, yet the light passed through its branches to reach the canopy below.

A literal living city, buildings grew right out (...)

He Who Fights With Monsters - Chapter 1026: To Be Worthwhile

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 23:00:12 GMT

Helsveth’s astral ship, inherited from Dawn, looked less like an interdimensional transport vessel and more like a snow globe. It consisted of a rustic cottage and surrounding garden, all sealed within a dome. The interior maintained the theme, with a main room occupying most of the space that could be seen from the outside. A wooden kitchen table with matching chairs had an unassuming vase of flowers from the garden outside. The lounge area had well-worn but comfy armchairs, and a couch with plush cushions, faded with age.

It was in the details where the building’s magic could be found. The flowers on the table cleansed the air, leaving a pleasant floral scent. The doors leading to the other rooms hid formidable dimensional magic. While the building seemed small, the interior could expand dynamically at need, adding extra bedrooms, bathrooms or other amenities the occupants might require.

This allowed each member of Team Biscuit to have their own space. Neil sat in a study that alone held more room than should have been possible, given the size of the cottage. Bookshelves were lined with titles on magical healing relating specifically to diamond and gold-rankers. Several titles sat on a reading desk behind which Neil was sitting. The ship’s book collection was extraordinary and he was taking advantage of the chance to study exotic maladies that existed through the cosmos.

He forced himself to read the same paragraph a third time, but the words didn’t sink in any better. He gave up, closed the heavy tome with a thump and leaned back in the large, leatherbound chair. He took a long, slow breath, letting his eyes shut as he tried to clear his mind with meditation. He was just in danger of succeeding when a knock came at the door.

He let out a sigh and announced that the door was open. The walls of the cottage prevented his aura senses from perceiving who it was. The door cracked open and Estella Warnock poked her head in. The pink-haired (...)

He Who Fights With Monsters - Chapter 1025: Easy or Swift

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 23:00:09 GMT

“This is not the end,” Umber told Jason. “In fact, this is the beginning.”

Jason, Shade and Umber walked through the giant standing stones that anchored the dimensional bridge between Pallimustus and Earth. The size of a sports stadium, the stones had intricate sigils and diagrams carved all over them. Jason looked over the complex changes made from his and Clive’s original design, most of which were beyond his comprehension.

“I know this feels like a culmination for you,” Umber continued. “This business with the goddess and your homeworld all feels so important. But a few billion years from now, they’ll both be gone, at least in any meaningful way, while the three of us will still be playing my game.”

“You’re keeping me from my family and my friends. From the people I’m responsible for. It’s not a game to me, and while I think you know that, you do not understand it.”

“Oh? Are you going to educate me?”

“I have worse than pawns and henchmen to deal with. Our reckoning will have to wait.”

“Well, that’s the joy of immortality; we have all the time we need.”

Jason moved closer to one of the stones to examine it closely.

“I’m not sure I can even complete the bridge like this,” he said. “This was already pushing the limits of my astral magic expertise when Clive and I built it. The modifications you’ve made are beyond my understanding. Was it really necessary to weave a separate soul magic ritual into it?”

“We had to make sure that you would participate in both. You are known for being tricky.”

“But I’m not known for soul engineering. To call my grasp of it embryonic is being generous. I have some instinctive understanding, because of what I am, but the theory is beyond me, let alone the praxis.”

“I’ve been careful with my changes, to make sure you can invoke the magic. You just have to trust that I haven’t done anything that will affect you too negatively.”

“I know what it will do. I understand (...)

He Who Fights With Monsters - Book 13 chapters (tp to 1024) coming down in a couple of days.

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:29:16 GMT

G'day all,

Just a reminder that the book 13 chapters, up to 1024, will be coming down in a couple of days, in preparation for publication on ebook and audiobook next month.

I'm sorry that they weren't up for longer, but the last year and a half have really knocked things into a cocked hat for my writing, between the illness and other obligations like the book tour.

He Who Fights With Monsters - Announcement

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 07:36:07 GMT

A quick and unfortunate announcement: due to my mother's declining health

He Who Fights With Monsters - Books available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and Audible

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 08:39:45 GMT

Firstly, I'd like to thank all the fantastic readers who have made this story a success. Royal Road has been an amazing launch pad that has allowed me to expand into ebook and audiobook releases, and the latest chapters continue to be released here. The rules for Kindle Unlimited mean that chapters for published books can no longer be made available here, with only a selction of sample chapters serving as an introduction.

Free chapters will continue to be released on the regular schedule going forward. This will continue all the way to the end of the story.

The ebook, audiobook and paperback editions are available through Amazon via Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and Audible at the link above.

He Who Fights With Monsters - Chapter 13: This is the Part Where We Step Back

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 07:00:00 GMT

The three former captives pounded down the stairs as Jason followed unsteadily behind. As they went down the steep staircase, the smothering heat rose up to engulf them. The air became wetter and heavier until even breathing was a chore. The copper taste of blood felt like it was coating Jason’s tongue. The pool was churning loudly, as if something was thrashing just below the surface. The sound echoed loudly, especially as they neared the base of the chamber. Near the end of the stairs they stepped over the corpse of High Priest Darryl, splayed out like a discarded puppet.

Jason touched a finger to the body as they passed.

Would you like to loot [Blood Cult Leader]?

Jason gave his mental assent as they continued down the stairs.

[Recovery Potion (Bronze)] has been added to your inventory.
3 [Gold Spirit Coins] have been added to your inventory.
11 [Silver Spirit Coins] have been added to your inventory.
216 [Bronze Spirit Coins] have been added to your inventory.
341 [Iron Spirit Coins] have been added to your inventory.
471 [Lesser Spirit Coins] have been added to your inventory.

Like Landemere Vane, the high priest had been holding more than a thousand coins on his person. As to where he had them stowed away, Jason could only guess.

“Does everyone here have an inventory?”

“What?” Farrah asked loudly. It was hard to hear over the wild splashing of the blood pit as they drew closer.

“Nothing,” Jason said loudly.

Jason’s real interest was in the recovery potion, which he took form his inventory and tipped down his throat as soon as they reached the bottom of the chamber.

(...)