This is painful to write.

  When I first started this story I was working on a whim, I was bored and wanted to MAKE something rather than just consume others content.

  The first few chapters of this were really bad, quoting from one of the most constructive comments I received from : "To be frank, this first chapter is a very bad way to start a story." (he then went on to explain his thought process and was EXTREMELY helpful in pointing out places where I could improve in both this story and in general)

  However, the first few chapters were also a blast to write, I was having a ton of fun creating jake and the world around him.

  at the same time though, my inexperience was also creating chains that would bind the rest of the story. I was basing geography off real-world locations (i literally had to print out a map of Washington state), stats essentially served no purpose, magic (while offering some fun creative development) was a silver bullet type action with no real way to expand it without breaking immersion.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  finally this morning, after putting the next chapter off ANOTHER day. I really started to think about it. this isn't the kind of story I want to write. This was written on a whim, I had no notes or anything (I do now but I developed them as I wrote the story) no plan.

  On the other hand I have been mulling over a completely separate idea for years now, I have basic notes for it, the world is based off a trope (VRMMO) so I have a world structure already set. Something much easier for a beginner to develop. and to top it all off it's based around my favorite sub-genre (crafting).

  so it really came down to the question, why am I writing this. and my answer was I don't know.

  so, for now, I'm gonna let this rest. it will go on hiatus, and with luck in the future ill rewrite it into something more expandable.

  and ill start a new story that I've had planned for years.

  I'm sorry if anyone was really enjoying the story. I want to say sorry specifically to people who rated and commented, in particular, as well as my one discord server member scottf89, tbh I probably would have done this earlier if I hadn't been talking to him over there.

  thanks for reading :)

  TLDR: I'm dropping this story for now and starting another one that I actually planned out a little. I might restart this at some point.