Second Story Man
“Has your life here been so difficult? You seem to fail upward at every opportunity.” So says Careena, the hag teaching Clyde Hatchett how to use magic. It certainly doesn’t feel like that to Clyde, who’s still got a day job scraping mud (at least he hopes it’s mud) out of monster pits, and whose “thieves’ guild” is more concerned with baking cookies than with protecting him against a rival gang. He keeps accumulating roommates - like a freed sex slave and a retired paladin - who make him nervous, but for very different reasons. And let’s not get started on the mimic that’s taken up residence by Clyde’s shower, or the supposedly-tame grimeling in his closet... And yet even with all the annoyances, distractions, and occasional death threats, Clyde’s found himself at the center of a massive conspiracy to kill the Emperor. He’s the only one with proof that could save the man, and take down an entire network of corrupt nobles, evil slavers, and power-hungry despots. Clyde really hopes Careena is right about him - the fate of the entire Empire depends on it.
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Eric Ugland
Eric Ugland's writing journey is as unpredictable as the fantastical worlds he brings to life. Born with a love for stories that venture beyond the ordinary, he quickly realized that his imagination couldn’t be contained by the typical nine-to-five grind. His love for adventure led him on a winding path through various life experiences before he found his true calling in the world of writing.
While many authors follow a linear trajectory, Eric’s path to literary success has been anything but conventional. From his early days, he’s embraced the chaos of life, letting it inform the depth and complexity of his characters. His work often features protagonists who aren’t perfect—individuals with flaws, quirks, and an undeniable thirst for redemption. It’s this raw authenticity that makes his stories resonate, especially within the realms of LitRPG and fantasy.
The Bad Guys
In the world of LitRPG, not every hero wears a shining armor, and not every villain is truly evil. In The Bad Guys, Eric Ugland turns the genre on its head by bringing readers into a virtual realm where morality is as fluid as the game's mechanics.
At the heart of the series is Clyde Hatchett—a charming, slightly crooked anti-hero with a knack for getting himself into (and out of) trouble. He’s no stranger to a life of low stakes and high rewards, but when he's thrust into a game-like world where everything is more than just a game, he must navigate the perilous landscapes of guilds, magic, and unpredictable alliances. The rules? They’re as slippery as the people Clyde encounters, and trust? Well, that’s even harder to come by.
The Bad Guys consists of eleven books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
