[Participant in the Royal Road  2024 Fall Writathon] Kael has always been a survivor, scraping by in the slums of Kaszai, a crumbling city on the edge of the Mer Empire’s slow decline. In a world dominated by adventurer guilds and powerful nations, Kael’s life was nothing more than a daily struggle—until he stumbles upon the Void Shard. Thrust into a web of secrets beyond his comprehension, Kael learns of the Realms—pocket dimensions teeming with dangerous creatures, forgotten relics, and untapped power. With the Void Shard, Kael can access these Realms and gain strength in ways no one else can, but the deeper he dives, the further out of his depth he find himself. As the line between the Realms and his world blurs, Kael finds himself pulled into the deadly politics of adventurers and nations alike, all while facing dark forces rising from the shadows. In Realm Rift Chronicles, follow Kael's journey as he navigates guild and national politics, delves into dangerous Realms, and forms complex bonds with those drawn into his orbit. Power is within his grasp, but so is the risk of losing himself in the process. What to expect: - Weak-to-strong MC- Dark and gritty storytelling with intense emotional turmoil and inner conflict- MC starts off largely ignorant of the world, but grows with time and experience- Progression, quests, and system screens- Detailed and dynamic combat scenes- A growing cast of secondary characters- Slow burn Schedule:  5 chapters per week, Monday to Friday. Book 1 is complete, with Book 2 well on its way.  This is my first time writing for an audience; thank you all for reading.