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  • Hell to Pay

Hell to Pay

Ascend Online #3 / 6
by Luke Chmilenko
Hell to Pay (Ascend Online #3) by Luke Chmilenko
Unrated

A new side novel set in the Ascend Online universe! 'Book 1.5'

Lazarus Cain is a member of the Grim Shadows, one of the Thieves Guilds in the city of Eberia. Unfortunately, Lazarus is having a bad day. Waking up in a torture chamber, suffering from amnesia, he’d be pretty much screwed if not for the mysterious, magical sigil burned into his chest.

Sometimes a really bad day should be shared with others, especially professional torturers.

Lazarus will need to use all his cunning and skill to work with his comrades, uncovering schemes within schemes, discovering that The Grim Shadows are not the only Thieves Guild in the city mired in conflict. What’s more, the leaders of the other guilds, the Thief Lords, don’t respond well to treachery…

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FantasyLitRPG
Release date: April 30, 2017

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Luke Chmilenko

Luke Chmilenko

When Luke Chmilenko first sat down to write Ascend Online, he wasn’t trying to start a movement—he just wanted to tell the kind of story he’d always wanted to read. A story where the game wasn’t just background noise, but the world itself. Where the stakes were more than loot drops, and choices had lasting consequences. That book, published in 2016, quickly became a defining entry in the LitRPG genre—one that helped shape the virtual battlegrounds readers now devour with fervor.

Read more ...

Raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Chmilenko didn’t come from a literary background. His early career was rooted in IT security—logical, structured, and grounded in real-world systems. But behind that daily grind was a lifelong gamer and worldbuilder, someone who understood how immersive mechanics could be used to explore human dynamics just as deeply as traditional storytelling. It’s that fusion—mechanical precision with emotional stakes—that sets his work apart.

In Ascend Online, Marcus and his friends enter a full-immersion MMORPG expecting adventure. What they get is a harsh, morally complex frontier where players aren't just adventurers—they’re citizens, soldiers, and leaders. This theme—of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary systems—threads through Chmilenko’s body of work, whether it’s the fantasy-forward Legacy of the Fallen or his sci-fi venture Starfall. His stories lean into hard decisions, blurred lines between hero and villain, and the evolving relationships between characters navigating volatile digital worlds.

Chmilenko’s impact goes beyond the page. He’s been a quiet force in legitimizing LitRPG and GameLit as serious storytelling forms, showing that game mechanics and rich character arcs aren’t mutually exclusive. His commitment to his craft—and to the readers who grew with him—has made him a respected figure among fans and fellow writers alike.

Now living in Burlington with his wife and two daughters, Chmilenko writes full-time. The game worlds he builds may be virtual, but the questions they ask—about identity, choice, and consequence—are anything but.

Ascend Online

In the world of Ascend Online, reality is just one layer of a sprawling universe waiting to be explored—and conquered. This immersive virtual game isn't just a pastime; it's a battleground where players face high stakes and even higher rewards. At the heart of the story is a young man named Marcus, whose journey begins as an ordinary gamer seeking escape but soon turns into something much more. When he logs into Ascend Online, he finds himself swept into a game where the stakes are real, and the line between virtual and physical begins to blur.

Read more ...

Set in a vast, evolving world filled with magic, fierce battles, and untold dangers, Ascend Online is more than just a virtual reality game. It’s a place where progression isn’t just about leveling up but about mastering every aspect of the game’s systems. Whether fighting against monstrous creatures, forging alliances, or navigating the intricate politics of in-game guilds, Marcus must learn that survival isn’t just about skill—it’s about understanding the game’s deeper mechanics and the consequences of every action.

Chmilenko’s world-building is rich and immersive, pulling readers into a game where the laws of physics are rewritten, and every quest is a chance to evolve. The characters are complex, and their arcs evolve as much within the game as in their personal lives, with Marcus’ journey being shaped by his decisions both online and offline. With every victory, he gains not only power but the knowledge that his choices have far-reaching effects.

For fans of virtual reality and LitRPG genres, Ascend Online offers a compelling mix of action, strategy, and personal growth. The series explores themes of identity, the impact of technology on human relationships, and what it truly means to "level up" in both a game and in life. As Marcus ascends through the ranks, he faces moral dilemmas, explores a world that grows with him, and ultimately confronts the true cost of his newfound power.

In Ascend Online, nothing is ever as it seems—and with every quest, a new challenge awaits. Dive into a world where every decision counts, and only the cleverest, most strategic players rise to the top.


Ascend Online consists of five books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Ascend Online (Ascend Online #1)
Unrated
Legacy of the Fallen (Ascend Online #2)
Unrated
Hell to Pay (Ascend Online #3)
Unrated
Glory to the Brave (Ascend Online #4)
Unrated
Threads of Fate (Ascend Online #5)
⧗ 9.00 / 3
Ascend Online Book 6 (Ascend Online #6)
⧗ 8.00 / 1


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