Manifold [An Interstellar Sci-Fi Progression Story with LitRPG Elements]

[Expect worldbuilding on an immense scale and extreme tactical violence! Please also note that this story rewards patient reading. It is Slow Burn.] (Winner of April 2025 Writathon) Betelgeuse is an Ash grade. In the world of Manifold, one's destiny is decided by the grade of his Destiny Incunabulum. But at 18 years of age, Betelgeuse Sakar is gifted an ashen-colored Incunabula, the lowest-grade and most common of artifacts. In seconds, his life is decided for him–a one-way trip to the Sylvan Protectorate on the planet Desert, at the very edge of human civilization, where he is expected to war and die against the Chimerae. Now, stranded half a galaxy away and embroiled in a multi-sided conflict involving lethal aliens and seething civil discontent, Betelgeuse "Dog Balls" Sakar must navigate various treacherous environments to find his way to the top of the food chain!  In the end, unto the end of all things, Betelgeuse fights for himself! Note: This book in not quite a typical LitRPG. There is more to it than stats/skills/money go up (but that happens after a certain fashion). Story Progression -Cadet arc completed! -Planetfall and Battle for Liberation's Reach completed! -The Civil War arc (serializing from chapter 33) is currently ongoing... If you liked this story or want to read extra chapters, check out my Patreon to support me (subscribers get access to: currently up to 15 advance chapters); thank you very much!  DISCORD: Here. General tropes: Sci-fi + Xianxia/LitRPG-abstracted power system.  Readers can expect: - action, space opera politics, war, science fiction, in-depth world building interspersed with long and occasionally meditative conversations. - Contemplative MC with a sprinkling of sociopathy, though MC will learn and develop throughout the series - MC becomes leader of his own faction. This story is about: the shadow politics of great houses, the exigencies of war, the control and exploitation of resources in the name of some nebulous goal; and, caught in the middle of it all, a common and introspective soul fighting like hell to change his received destiny. Nothing is so much as set in stone in the world of Manifold. Release rate: 3-4 chapters a week (usually M, W, F). Manifold is intended to be a long journey, and will therefore be a slow burn of interstellar scale; from abused cadet to bloodthirsty warlord and beyond, Betelgeuse' story will take him throughout the universe across locales barren, bursting with life or overshadowed by concrete—in search of the secret to remaking his destiny.  Do comment if possible-any feedback and criticism is welcome!