NPC for Hire

The Ascension Protocol, Book 1

By: S.C. Culligan

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

The SynthNet is a galaxy-sized simulation where every sector plays by its own rules. One moment you’re casting fireballs in high-fantasy ruins; the next, you’re hacking elevators in a neon megacity or fighting off raiders in a sun-scorched desertpunk outpost.

For Fen, a gruff NPC whose job is to hand out beginner quests and pretend it still matters, it’s just another day in the loop—until everything changes. A mission glitches. A player dies. Permanently.

Now the system blames him. Rogue AIs whisper through the dark code. Corporate enforcers hunt the only NPC who isn’t supposed to exist outside his script. With Auri, a sharp-witted AI who never knows when to quit, and Seraph, a fearless fighter with a smile that usually means trouble, Fen dives headfirst into a collapsing digital war that could erase everything.

The simulation is fracturing. Memories long buried are rebooting. And the overseers running the SynthNet are hiding something far worse than corrupted data.

He was built to serve the system.

If he wants to survive—or matter—he’ll have to break it.

Looking for a GameLit trilogy that blends sci-fi, cyberpunk, fantasy, and stat-driven adventure?

Dive into a sharp, funny take on AI, the Singularity, and the fractured future of simulated worlds. Log in—and welcome to the SynthNet.

©2026 S.C. Culligan (P)2026 Royal Guard Publishing LLC

a great example of the genre.

If your into LitRPG or wild weird fantasy then this is a really fun listen you should check out.

Just wasn't for me. It set different expectations than what it delivered

I just didn't like it personally. It feels more like it's made with ready player one in mind. Big evil ai running a digital universe. An apocalypse of the online world frying people's brains in real life. Title and cover art just don't seem to match the story.

Awesome

Great story, action packed then it builds from there. Can’t wait for the next book.

Engaging combat and a great story!

The opening takes its time laying the foundation, but that world-building adds real depth to the story. Once the momentum builds, it’s hard to put down. The combat scenes are exciting, and the story keeps you wanting to know what happens next.
Give it at least four chapters, that’s when it really hits its stride. Glad I stuck with it!

This was decent

So this was decent, a little disjointed, with some of the characters' relationships and interactions, especially toward the end, which felt a little forced, more likely to set up the next book. However, all in all, a solid book, and I will probably check out the next one.