What do you think?
Rate this book
Created G.H.O.S.T. System 1: Book 1 - A Cyberpunk Dystopian Sci-Fi Progression Novel
Become a Wraith. Advance through the Tiers. Don’t go Cyberpsycho.
Trace thought his first job as an Edger would be the start of something bigger. Instead, he’s trapped in a Scav den with nothing but bad intel and a failing exit plan.
In New Denver, 2159, survival is measured in cyberware upgrades and blood spilled in neon-lit alleys.
The corporations that were responsible for the destruction of the old world have been replaced by hungrier, larger corporations that now control everything. The Steel Goddess, who shattered humanity’s future, still watches from orbit, no longer caring what humans did with Earth. Space, however, was hers alone.
This was the world Trace was born into a harsh, uncaring place, where immortality can be bought for the right price. But there’s a price for every upgrade. Every enhancement brings you closer to the yawning abyss of cyberpsychosis. And once you fall, there’s no coming back.
To live, Trace must master his cyberware before they infect his mind. To rise, he’ll need to claw his way through the Tiers of the Edgers, to become a Wraith—specialists who walk the line between man and myth. But the higher he climbs, the more he chooses to replace, the closer he comes to the edge of madness.
And falling means more than death. It means losing yourself forever, to the madness.
About the A blending of Slice-of-Life with Gamelit, CyberPunk, and Science Fiction. Set on a futuristic, alternative Earth with a fleshed-out history told through small Divergent chapters. This series is a perfect fit for readers who enjoy smart, emotionally complex characters inside an ever-evolving universe, with a protagonist who grew up on the streets and struggles to know what to do.
What RoyalRoad readers are
★★★★★ Fantastic gritty cyberpunk - Well paced, grimy cyberpunk with snippets of a creative and believable alternate historical timeline leading to current events. Honestly, it's just nice to read a well written cyberpunk story without excessive 'system' involvement.-ScoopdedoodiddlydooSunday
★★★★★ Great book! - The book is awesome, the story has me hooked. I just hope he keeps writing more.-MarsOrobotMonday
★★★★★ A perfect take on the cyberpunk genre - An excellent story that does a stellar job at addressing all the key aspects of the realities in a cyberpunk world. I personally particularly enjoy the main character's penchant for hoarding firearms and any other associated equipment and the more technical aspects being emphasized in the story so far.-Citrinitas_OpusSunday
★★★★★ It’s a fun read - The system isn’t as omnipotent and has an actual basis in the world, which is actually very nice... It’s not a portal fantasy... It’s based on our world but with interesting tweaked history and stuff.-SiniBonWednesday
★★★★★ Solid cyberpunk - I came over on a rec from plumparrots Cyberpunk story, not disappointed. I also like the world building chapters, the divergences, and a nice insight into what could have been.-EarthsleepTuesday
★★★★★ It does what it seeks out to do. - This story knows what it wants to do and achieves it. The pacing is good. I really like the pair dynamic between the male and female leads. It is so refreshing to see a bit of romance between two characters and good chemistry in a cyberpunk novel.
Trace thought his first job as an Edger would be the start of something bigger. Instead, he’s trapped in a Scav den with nothing but bad intel and a failing exit plan.
In New Denver, 2159, survival is measured in cyberware upgrades and blood spilled in neon-lit alleys.
The corporations that were responsible for the destruction of the old world have been replaced by hungrier, larger corporations that now control everything. The Steel Goddess, who shattered humanity’s future, still watches from orbit, no longer caring what humans did with Earth. Space, however, was hers alone.
This was the world Trace was born into a harsh, uncaring place, where immortality can be bought for the right price. But there’s a price for every upgrade. Every enhancement brings you closer to the yawning abyss of cyberpsychosis. And once you fall, there’s no coming back.
To live, Trace must master his cyberware before they infect his mind. To rise, he’ll need to claw his way through the Tiers of the Edgers, to become a Wraith—specialists who walk the line between man and myth. But the higher he climbs, the more he chooses to replace, the closer he comes to the edge of madness.
And falling means more than death. It means losing yourself forever, to the madness.
About the A blending of Slice-of-Life with Gamelit, CyberPunk, and Science Fiction. Set on a futuristic, alternative Earth with a fleshed-out history told through small Divergent chapters. This series is a perfect fit for readers who enjoy smart, emotionally complex characters inside an ever-evolving universe, with a protagonist who grew up on the streets and struggles to know what to do.
What RoyalRoad readers are
★★★★★ Fantastic gritty cyberpunk - Well paced, grimy cyberpunk with snippets of a creative and believable alternate historical timeline leading to current events. Honestly, it's just nice to read a well written cyberpunk story without excessive 'system' involvement.-ScoopdedoodiddlydooSunday
★★★★★ Great book! - The book is awesome, the story has me hooked. I just hope he keeps writing more.-MarsOrobotMonday
★★★★★ A perfect take on the cyberpunk genre - An excellent story that does a stellar job at addressing all the key aspects of the realities in a cyberpunk world. I personally particularly enjoy the main character's penchant for hoarding firearms and any other associated equipment and the more technical aspects being emphasized in the story so far.-Citrinitas_OpusSunday
★★★★★ It’s a fun read - The system isn’t as omnipotent and has an actual basis in the world, which is actually very nice... It’s not a portal fantasy... It’s based on our world but with interesting tweaked history and stuff.-SiniBonWednesday
★★★★★ Solid cyberpunk - I came over on a rec from plumparrots Cyberpunk story, not disappointed. I also like the world building chapters, the divergences, and a nice insight into what could have been.-EarthsleepTuesday
★★★★★ It does what it seeks out to do. - This story knows what it wants to do and achieves it. The pacing is good. I really like the pair dynamic between the male and female leads. It is so refreshing to see a bit of romance between two characters and good chemistry in a cyberpunk novel.
733 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2025
5 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Kern
37 books69 followersMy name is Joshua Kern and I am an anxiety riddled individual who is trying to write for a living. I've always loved reading and the escape books provide from everyday life. I've always wanted to be a writer and have finally decided to take the plunge.I am currently writing several series that span a few different genres from GameLit, to Fantasy to even a bit of Romance.
Connect with Joshua Kern here:
As well as at:
Patreon
Twitter
I was born in a little town situated somewhere in Ohio and raised in an even smaller town some place in Colorado. I attended University for a time, where I discovered that while I enjoyed Electrical Engineering and Computer Science my true passion lay in writing. I live primarily in Colorado but have been known to move around as the need arises. When not writing, I enjoy riding motorcycles, reading anything I can get my hands on, and anime.
Connect with Joshua Kern here:
As well as at:
Patreon
I was born in a little town situated somewhere in Ohio and raised in an even smaller town some place in Colorado. I attended University for a time, where I discovered that while I enjoyed Electrical Engineering and Computer Science my true passion lay in writing. I live primarily in Colorado but have been known to move around as the need arises. When not writing, I enjoy riding motorcycles, reading anything I can get my hands on, and anime.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.