Enzian

"Grind to Glory"

Noah Greene was a nobody—an unlucky, broke, and aimless young man stuck at rock bottom. But everything changes when he stumbles upon the Grindstone, an ancient artifact that grants him the power to grow stronger through relentless effort. With every quest completed and every challenge overcome, Noah's stats rise, his body grows tougher, and his abilities reach new heights.

But the Grindstone’s power comes with a cost. Strange, nightmarish creatures called Aberrations are drawn to its energy, and Noah soon finds himself thrust into a hidden world where danger lurks at every turn. When a shadowy organization known as the Department of Paranormal Regulation (DPR) takes notice of his potential, Noah must decide whether to work with them or face this dark world alone.

Armed with nothing but his grit, a mysterious ally with her own agenda, and a system that rewards him for grinding his way forward, Noah is about to embark on a journey of growth, survival, and secrets. What lies at the end of the path? Power? Glory? Or something far darker?

If you're a fan of progression-based stories, gritty underdog heroes, and thrilling twists, Grind to Glory will keep you hooked from the first chapter to the last.

Grind to Glory

Noah's blade bit into the flesh of the aberration, black ichor spraying as the creature let out a shrill, otherworldly screech. He staggered back, panting, his muscles burning with every movement. Another aberration lunged at him from the left, its jagged claws raking through the air.

He ducked just in time, slashing upward in a desperate counterattack. The creature's grotesque form collapsed, but two more took its place. Their hollow eyes glowed with a malevolent light, their movements unrelenting and feral.

Noah's mind raced as he twisted and turned, narrowly avoiding one attack only to be grazed by another. His arms were heavy, his vision blurred. Every swing of his knife was slower than the last, his stamina draining by the second.

One aberration's claw caught him across the side, ripping through his shirt and leaving a burning gash. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright as pain shot through his body.

He had been fighting for what felt like an eternity. The sheer number of creatures was overwhelming—each one weak on its own, but together they formed a relentless tide that pressed him closer and closer to the breaking point.

No way out, he thought bitterly, slashing at another aberration. Its head split with a sickening crack, but it wasn't enough. Another was already closing in.

His breaths came in ragged gasps, his legs trembling beneath him. The knife in his hand felt impossibly heavy, and he nearly dropped it as a wave of dizziness washed over him.

One aberration latched onto his arm, its twisted claws digging into his flesh. Noah cried out, jerking his arm free and stabbing the creature in the chest. He stumbled backward, clutching the wound, as more of them began to close in.

A guttural roar filled the air as one aberration lunged straight at his chest. Noah barely managed to block with his knife, but the force of the impact sent him sprawling onto his back.

The creatures swarmed, their glowing eyes filling his vision as they bore down on him. His limbs felt like lead, his body screaming in protest as he tried to lift himself off the ground.

"I can't… keep this up," he gasped, his voice hoarse.

A claw raked across his leg, and he screamed as fresh pain tore through him. His knife fell from his hand, clattering uselessly against the stone.

The aberrations surged forward, a wall of writhing bodies and hollow stares. Noah's eyes fluttered shut, his body too weak to fight anymore.

The soft chime pierced through the chaos, a sound so out of place that it made him open his eyes. The familiar Grindstone interface flickered weakly into view, its words blurry but unmistakable:

[Ally Detected: Proximity Alert.]

Noah's heart stuttered in his chest. Through the haze of exhaustion and pain, he squinted, his vision swimming as he caught movement at the edge of his awareness.

The world blurred as she moved with incredible speed, her silhouette cutting through the mass of aberrations like a knife through butter. Her strikes were precise and brutal, each swing of her weapon—if that's what it was—sending black ichor spraying into the air.

Noah's head lolled to the side, his body too weak to react. His gaze lingered on the woman's form as she fought, her movements fluid and unrelenting. He could barely make out her features, her face obscured by the blur of his fading vision, but there was no mistaking the power behind her strikes.

The aberrations turned their focus to her, their screeches filling the air as they swarmed toward her.

Noah... he thought vaguely, unsure if it was his own mind speaking or something deeper.

The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the woman stepping closer, her figure framed by the crimson sky and the carnage she left in her wake.

Chapter 19: Desperate Struggle