I was lying on the floor of my room, staring blankly at the ceiling, soaking the old laminate with water. It had already seeped into the cracks of the flooring and threatened to cause problems with dampness and mold growth, but right now, that was the least of my concerns. I was enjoying the silence, the tranquility, and the absence …

“Okay, Rhythm. It’s time to show these slimes who’s boss. Tell me how to use the skills I’ve learned,” I commanded the voice assistant. [A new submenu has appeared in the skills menu. When you click on it, the aggregate manipulation construction mode is revealed. At the first level of the Thermokinesis skill, two builder slots are available. As the …

For a good half hour, I sat on edge, my hand cramping from gripping the dagger, waiting for the invulnerable monster to appear. Fortunately, it either lost my trail or hadn’t left the confines of its hunting grounds. Breathing a sigh of relief, I finally decided to unclench my fingers, which had gone into a spasm. I took off my …

After exiting the portal, we instinctively rushed to the kitchen and, turning on the faucet, poured cool water down our throats, mug after mug. I didn’t stop until I’d had three large mugs in a row, and the disgusting taste in my mouth finally disappeared—the one left after I’d torn at a blanket with my teeth. My parched throat and …

My head was splitting after last night, but the naked girl lying beside me in bed, her hair splayed out on the pillow, reconciled me with this injustice. Our relationship had, after all, moved into a horizontal plane, and despite being significantly intoxicated, I gave it my all, hoping I hadn’t disappointed her. My bladder was demanding increased attention. I …

The world had long been on the cusp of change. The widespread use of computers and the growth of processing power meant humanity was talking more and more about the possible creation of artificial intelligence. Step by step, humanity progressed toward this momentous leap, thrilling some with the possibilities of the future while terrifying others—the more rational thinkers. The emergence …