About the Series
Rain is isekai’d into a world with a stat-based system and immediately starts doing math. His approach to progression is spreadsheet-level analytical: calculating damage-per-mana ratios, optimizing stat distributions, modeling ability scaling curves, and building his character around mathematical efficiency. He specializes in aura abilities (area-of-effect persistent effects) and much of the series involves him running the numbers on different build strategies.
Delve is the most mathematically intensive LitRPG in popular circulation. Where other series gesture at “optimizing your build,” Delve shows the calculations. Rain builds spreadsheets in-universe. He models damage curves. He runs actual arithmetic to determine whether +1 Focus or +1 Clarity provides more value at his current level. For readers who enjoy theorycrafting in MMOs, this is that impulse made into a story.
This works for readers who find build theorycrafting genuinely entertaining and want to watch someone approach a fantasy system with engineering methodology. The math is the content. The tradeoff: if you don’t find stat optimization inherently interesting, this will be one of the most boring LitRPGs you’ve ever read. The pacing is glacial — Rain’s actual progression in terms of power level is extremely slow for the word count. Character development is minimal. The web serial release schedule has gaps. This is for a very specific audience that it serves extremely well.
Reading Order
Published (Kindle):
1. Delve: Volume 1 (2022)
2. Delve: Volume 2 (2023)
3. Delve: Volume 3 (2024)
Web serial (ongoing):
Available free on Royal Road with many more chapters than the published volumes.
If You Like This Series
- Arcane Ascension by Andrew Rowe — Analytical approach to magic system optimization; more plot, less pure math
- The Path of Ascension by C. Mantis — Constrained build optimization with better pacing
- Defiance of the Fall by TheFirstDefier — Stat optimization with more combat and faster progression
- All the Skills by Honour Rae — Build optimization through card collection; different approach to the same impulse
- Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke — Analytical mage working within constraints; more character-driven