System Fiction

"A Pail of Air” by Fritz Leiber is a haunting and poetic science fiction short story set in a frozen, post-apocalyptic Earth where the sun has gone dark. Written in the early 1950s, this atmospheric tale follows a resilient family struggling to survive in a world turned to eternal night, where even breathable air must be collected by hand. Told through the eyes of a young boy, the story captures the stark beauty of isolation, the desperation of survival, and the enduring hope that flickers in humanity’s darkest hours.

As a software developer from Texas, Tom thought he understood broken code. But when mysterious obelisks transform Earth into a glitch-riddled dungeon crawler, he discovers that debugging the apocalypse won't be as easy as turning it off and back on again. Their lifeline? Vending machines turned into miniature storefronts. These mechanical saviors dispensed everything from swords to shampoo—until they started dispensing death.

They found ruins. Now they must build a future — or die trying. When Edwin and his weary band of survivors stumble upon the abandoned village of Greenreach, they uncover more than just ash and rubble. Signs of a brutal goblin raid mark the land — but so does the opportunity to start again. Armed with a mysterious Stronghold Stone and guided by a game-like System interface only he can see, Edwin has one shot to turn these ruins into a stronghold. But the village still hides secrets... and possibly traps left by those who came before. Goblins. Tragedy. A defiled shrine.

For Lori Straford, born into the lowest caste of citizens—the pleasure arts strata of their society—it is an inescapable fate that she can only hope to better by enlisting as a spa attendant and masseuse on one of the luxury world colonies under the purview of Darvel Exploration Corporation. When she is talked into working on one of their mining planets for a year with the promise of a hefty bonus and to be transferred to her choice planet after more non-gratas can be sent over, it is too good of an opportunity to pass up.

His heart is dead, The Emperor's mighty army roams the lands with impunity, and Sabashton's puny 'rebellion' is in jeopardy of ending before it even gets started. This isn't a game anymore, he isn't sure it ever was. With the future of Infinity and the entirety of human history on the line - Ash must follow Lady V into the underworld to find The Key and claim The Orb before The Corruptor does.

A questline mentioned in the very early volumes has finally pulled Clyde's interest. Niyoto. However, it isn't some side quest or filler. In this city, things will get very interesting. The party is introduced to a suspicious group that claim to fight for the good of humanity. That's in addition to the city's crazy cultists. Oh and there is also a cute demon lord with a rather...different personality.

Cadel Piggott has a genius IQ and a fascination with systems of all kinds. At seven, he was illegally hacking into computers. Now he's 14 and studying for his World Domination degree, taking classes like embezzlement, misinformation, forgery, and infiltration at the institute founded by criminal mastermind Dr. Phineas Darkkon. Although Cadel may be advanced beyond his years, at heart he's a lonely kid.

I’ve fought monsters big and small, but rebuilding civilization might be my toughest battle yet. We might have secured D.C., but that doesn’t mean the threats are over. This time, it’s more insidious and dangerous than we ever expected. I’m going to have to find a way to rebuild a community, develop infrastructure, keep on leveling, and save my people from a deadly, magical virus.

When Ramzan steals from the Chechnyan Mafia to create a better life for his sister, he knows he’s pissing off the wrong people. They want their money, and they’ve created a diabolical method of extracting information from their enemies. Full Immersion Virtual Reality sounds great, until he learns the horrors this incredible technology can cook up. Can Ramzan protect his secrets and maintain his sanity against this psychological onslaught? He’s gotta stay sharp, and he’s gotta stay sane, if he has a hope of escaping....

Dive into The Go-Getter, Peter B. Kyne’s inspirational classic that has motivated generations with its powerful message of perseverance and purpose. Set in post-WWI America, this compelling short story follows the relentless journey of William Peck, a war veteran turned salesman, who stops at nothing to prove his worth and earn respect.

Discover the intriguing story of an extraordinary agnostic couple as they traverse the complex landscapes of belief and existence amidst the majestic South Sudanese savanna. With the tempestuous heavens looming overhead, they confront the timeless question: Is there divine intervention shaping the cosmos, or is it all just a series of random occurrences? Follow along as this dynamic duo navigates their emotional rollercoaster ride, brimming with fear, fascination, and the unshakable strength of their love. Delve into their intimate thoughts and feelings as they share moments of ...

Alec West and his party made it to Bastion. They thought that was the hard part. Inside the Obelisk’s largest remaining stronghold, survival has changed: shifting alliances, faction politics, and the latest system update—PvP enabled, even within the Safe Zone. Safety is an illusion. Loyalty is leverage. And someone inside wants Alec’s team shattered… or dead. As rival factions clash and the party uncovers a deeper conspiracy, Alec must navigate a web of bounty boards, backroom deals, and escalating threats. But beyond the walls, something darker stirs. The Obelisk isn’t done ...

Day-to-day life is hard for film students. Whether you're an editor, a scriptwriter, or a videographer, it's never easy. More so when an apocalypse has arrived, taking with it the industry you've dedicated your life to, and leaving you with skills ill-suited to a post-apocalyptic fantasy hellscape.

A bounty hunting survivor. A Galactic dark elf. A woman who has given up her humanity to become something more. These stories and more are available in the first short story anthology for the System Apocalypse, covering year one on Earth. When the world ends, humanity steps up, finding new ways to survive in a world with classes, magic, and monsters. The anthology features exciting, new stories by five new writers and a new, never publicly released short story by Tao Wong.

The Grand Inquisitor by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a powerful standalone parable from The Brothers Karamazov that explores the tension between freedom and authority, faith and reason, love and control.

The final battle of the stone-viper games is upon us...Clyde and Aunder will finally face off in a battle for Satovia. Can Clyde stand up to an opponent of overwhelming strength? Aunder’s convictions are revealed. His methods, though imperfect, are brought to the light. Who will you side with: Team Stone or Team Viper?

🌀 Reality is unraveling. Fragments of time and space are collapsing under the weight of a fractured system no one understands. Clara, an artist with a rare and dangerous gift, discovers her sketches can reshape the chaos—but even her abilities can’t stop the world from disintegrating. Drawn into a web of dark secrets and hidden forces, Clara faces a relentless figure wielding a mysterious tablet 📜 and an unstoppable collapse that threatens the erasure of everything she knows. With each fragment that shatters, the danger grows—and Clara’s place in this twisted reality becomes ...

After carving out a foothold in this odd new world, Long Fang must now defend it. Enemies swarm when the System calls for war, but cultivators thrive on the brink of disaster. As foes of incredible strength gear up to destroy Lonely Mountain, Long Fang pulls out all stops in his quest for power. But can he make it in time, or will the sect fall? Fortunately, he is no longer alone. The world's most inventive kobolds are about to turn the System on its head.

It seems like the use of forbidden magic in Lot City to resurrect friends, allying with the goddess Venus, and growing incredibly powerful as a team has finally decided to come back and bite Team Stone. Can Clyde and his party survive one of the most ruthless and reckless divisions of the Punishment Squad, Celestial’s executioners? Will they give in to their demands or fight to the last breath. The Anime Trope System’s first Super Volume...Clyde and his party return, bringing the humor and fun, ass-kicking, and the rising from weak to completely unstoppable.

Leon loves chocolate bars, Saturday morning cartoons, and his beautiful, golden-haired baby brother. When Jake is born, Leon pokes his head in the crib and says, "I'm your brother. Big brother. My. Name. Is. Leon. I am eight and three quarters. I am a boy." Jake will play with no one but Leon, and Leon is determined to save him from any pain and earn that sparkling baby laugh every chance he can. But Leon isn't in control of this world where adults say one thing and mean another, and try as he might he can't protect his little family from everything.