Actus Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Actus

Actus has carved out a unique space in the progression fantasy and LitRPG genres by blending humor, accessible magic systems, and relatable characters. Because his series span different subgenres, your best starting point depends entirely on what you enjoy reading:

• For Cozy & Culinary Fans: Start with Morcster Chef. It is a lighthearted, slice-of-life progression series featuring an orc chef who cooks his way through quests. Plus, every book features actual recipes you can make at home.
• For Magic Academy & Character-Driven Fans: Start with My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror. This completed six-book saga follows a student who accidentally binds his soul to a world-ending cosmic entity, resulting in a fun, slow-burn academic adventure.
• For High-Progression Runes & Academy Intrigue: Start with The Return of the Runebound Professor. It leans heavily into a detailed runic magic system, reincarnation tropes, and a protagonist who has to survive a school full of enemies with an infinite-lives revival mechanic.

Morcster Chef Series

This series introduces readers to Arek, an orc who wants nothing more than to leave his war-torn past behind and open a tavern. Alongside his adventuring party, the Happy Sunflowers, Arek proves that a spatula can be just as mighty as a broadsword. The magic system is soft LitRPG, focusing more on progression and slice-of-life cooking rather than heavy stat tables.

1. Cleaver's Edge (2021)
2. Into the Fire (2022)
3. Best Served Cold (2022)

My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror Series

A completed six-book progression fantasy series that follows Damien Vale. After a summoning ritual goes awry, Damien binds himself to a terrifying cosmic horror named Henry. Rather than destroying the world, Henry takes on a teenager-like personality, and Damien must keep Henry's true identity a secret while attending a prestigious magic academy. The series transitions smoothly from cozy school life to epic cosmic stakes.

1. Blackmist (2022)
2. Greenblood (2023)
3. Duskbringer (2023)
4. Voidwalker (2023)
5. Dawnfall (2023)
6. Realmbreaker (2024)

The Return of the Runebound Professor Series

An ongoing, highly popular progression fantasy series. The story follows Noah Vines, an Earthling transmigrated into the body of Magus Vermil, a widely despised professor at a magical academy. Noah must master Vermil's powerful runic magic and survive his long list of enemies. Fortunately, Noah possesses an "infinite lives" mechanic that allows him to reform after death, though every death comes with a cost.

1. The Return of the Runebound Professor (2024)
2. Return of the Runebound Professor 2 (2024)
3. Return of the Runebound Professor 3 (2024)
4. Return of the Runebound Professor 4 (2024)
5. Return of the Runebound Professor 5 (2024)

Rise of the Living Forge Series

This series blends LitRPG with progression fantasy and crafting. Arwin Tyrr is summoned to fight the Demon Queen as a legendary Hero. After fifteen years of brutal war, he is betrayed by his own guild. Left for dead, Arwin loses his Hero class but awakens with a rare blacksmithing class: The Living Forge. By consuming magical materials, Arwin grows stronger, crafting his way toward ultimate revenge.

1. Rise of the Living Forge (2024)
2. Rise of the Living Forge 2 (2025)

Steamforged Sorcery Series

A completed magitech steampunk trilogy. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where a broken "system" reigns, the story follows Angel, a desert explorer seeking ancient magic left behind by a civilization-ending war. The series has been described by fans as "Mad Max meets Indiana Jones" with a unique progression system based on technological integration.

1. Steamforged Sorcery (2022)
2. Steamforged Heresy (2022)
3. Steamforged Apostasy (2022)

Shattered System Series

In this LitRPG fantasy adventure, Knell Coda is born outside the reach of the gods. Armed with the knowledge that the supposedly immortal gods can be tricked, bypassed, and killed, Knell gathers a crew to exploit the system and wage a campaign of vengeance against the heavens.

1. Advent of Eternity (2023)
2. Godrender (2023)

Gleam Series

A cultivation and progression fantasy series following Chance, a protagonist who gets a second shot at life in a brutal maze-like world. Chance must utilize luck-based magic and a system of good karma to survive and cultivate his powers.

1. Weaving Virtue (2023)
2. Reaping Fate (2024)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Currently, all of Actus's series take place in separate universes with distinct magic systems. Because of this, there is no overlapping chronology between the series. You should read each series in its publication order, as the plot lines are continuous and sequential. Reading across series will not spoil any plot details, meaning you can jump between them as you please.

What to Know Before You Start

Actus's works frequently originate as web serials on Royal Road before being edited, polished, and published via Aethon Books on Amazon and Audible. Because of this serialization background, books tend to have fast-paced chapters and serial-friendly hooks. Additionally, several of his series—including My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror and The Return of the Runebound Professor—have received webtoon comic adaptations, making them great entry points for graphic novel fans.