The False Hero Series by Michael Plymel

Disillusioned businessman, John Lawrence Locke, finds himself summoned as a hero to another world, filled with monsters and magic! With his body reverted to the age of fifteen, the thirty-three-year-old's mind is filled with the possibility of battles and adventures, like the ones in his favorite video games. Unfortunately for him, life isn't always so convenient. Betrayed by the very people who summoned him, he's condemned as the False Hero and forced to flee for his life... moreDisillusioned businessman, John Lawrence Locke, finds himself summoned as a hero to another world, filled with monsters and magic! With his body reverted to the age of fifteen, the thirty-three-year-old's mind is filled with the possibility of battles and adventures, like the ones in his favorite video games. Unfortunately for him, life isn't always so convenient. Betrayed by the very people who summoned him, he's condemned as the False Hero and forced to flee for his life. Alone in an unfamiliar world and hunted by all of humanity, he takes on the alias of Lutz and uses his gaming knowledge to quickly adapt to the world's strangely game-like mechanics. less

After their escape from the city of Silvia, Lutz and Laya evade their pursuers by fleeing into the nearby forest. Now that he has a reliable companion, Lutz's future in his new world finally looks promising as they continue to level up and pick apart the underlying mechanics that only they are able to see, thanks to Lutz's unique Status Screen. They enter the city of Reim in order to resupply for the long journey ahead but quickly realize that this new city isn't any better off than Silvia... moreAfter their escape from the city of Silvia, Lutz and Laya evade their pursuers by fleeing into the nearby forest. Now that he has a reliable companion, Lutz's future in his new world finally looks promising as they continue to level up and pick apart the underlying mechanics that only they are able to see, thanks to Lutz's unique Status Screen. They enter the city of Reim in order to resupply for the long journey ahead but quickly realize that this new city isn't any better off than Silvia. If anything, it's worse. Surrounded by desperate citizens in a city on the brink of disaster, what will Lutz choose to do? less

Lutz and his companions have finally arrived at the eastern edge of the Orakian kingdom, just a few short days away from the elven lands. But he's not the only one who's made the trek east. Princess Lumina has deduced his destination and is hot on his trail. However, there are other forces at play in the far east, and Lutz finds himself dragged into the center of a storm that's secretly raging on Orakio's eastern border--one that could spell doom for the four races if left unchecked... moreLutz and his companions have finally arrived at the eastern edge of the Orakian kingdom, just a few short days away from the elven lands. But he's not the only one who's made the trek east. Princess Lumina has deduced his destination and is hot on his trail. However, there are other forces at play in the far east, and Lutz finds himself dragged into the center of a storm that's secretly raging on Orakio's eastern border--one that could spell doom for the four races if left unchecked. Soldiers, nobles, and even Princess Lumina herself have their eyes set on Lutz. Yet, there's another group whose actions threaten to undo all of their carefully laid plans--a fearsome clan who has invaded human lands to fulfill their own nefarious desires. less

At long last, Lutz and his party have reached the far eastern edge of the Orakian Kingdom, just a day's walk from the elven border. However, during a quest to save a town, they find themselves close to one of the ancient labyrinths--a dungeon. Monsters, traps, and treasure aren't the only things waiting for Lutz inside, and outside the dungeon, forces are beginning to gather. The Forsaken are appearing all over the region, and the local High Priest is determined to hunt them down... moreAt long last, Lutz and his party have reached the far eastern edge of the Orakian Kingdom, just a day's walk from the elven border. However, during a quest to save a town, they find themselves close to one of the ancient labyrinths--a dungeon. Monsters, traps, and treasure aren't the only things waiting for Lutz inside, and outside the dungeon, forces are beginning to gather. The Forsaken are appearing all over the region, and the local High Priest is determined to hunt them down. But not all is as it seems, both inside the dungeon and out. less

Being the False Hero isn't easy. Constantly hounded by soldiers and fanatics, never sure when the next casual encounter will lead to another life-and-death battle. When the ones seeking your life are too weak to even pose a threat, killing them will only turn you into exactly what they claimed you to be all along. Lutz can only flee, keeping ahead of his pursuers, his eyes locked on his final destination... moreBeing the False Hero isn't easy. Constantly hounded by soldiers and fanatics, never sure when the next casual encounter will lead to another life-and-death battle. When the ones seeking your life are too weak to even pose a threat, killing them will only turn you into exactly what they claimed you to be all along. Lutz can only flee, keeping ahead of his pursuers, his eyes locked on his final destination. The journey to the elven lands was long and difficult, but Lutz and his companions have finally reached it. But will they accept the False Hero into their lands? With the human kingdoms who seek his life at his back, Lutz doesn't have the luxury of many other options. less

Lutz finally finds a place in the elven lands where he's been accepted, despite his title of False Hero. He works tirelessly to protect the elven forest from a deadly disease and a rampaging horde of demons. But just as he puts a stop to the plans of Chaos to summon an army at the elves' doorstep, he receives a pleading message from Princess Lumina. The Orakian Kingdom's capital city of Roshar is under siege, and the walls have been breached... moreLutz finally finds a place in the elven lands where he's been accepted, despite his title of False Hero. He works tirelessly to protect the elven forest from a deadly disease and a rampaging horde of demons. But just as he puts a stop to the plans of Chaos to summon an army at the elves' doorstep, he receives a pleading message from Princess Lumina. The Orakian Kingdom's capital city of Roshar is under siege, and the walls have been breached. Fearing the end of her country, Lumina requests help from Lutz using the artifact he gave to her when they last parted. She follows his orders, heading to her private chambers to use yet another artifact give to her by Lutz. When she casts the spell held within, a teleportation circle appears on the ground. Immediately after, Lutz, Laya, Alisha, Belle, and Tylith all appear before the shocked princess. For the first time since his escape from the dungeon, the False Hero has returned to the castle. less

Lutz and the party are finally back where everything began, but as they found out when they encountered a full power Archfiend, their strength isn't enough to defeat the fiends of Chaos. So, Lutz decides that a grinding session is long overdue! This time, they're going to one of the most feared dungeons in the Orakian The Beast Warrens. But a trip to a dungeon isn't all Lutz has planned. There are many things to do and people to see... moreLutz and the party are finally back where everything began, but as they found out when they encountered a full power Archfiend, their strength isn't enough to defeat the fiends of Chaos. So, Lutz decides that a grinding session is long overdue! This time, they're going to one of the most feared dungeons in the Orakian The Beast Warrens. But a trip to a dungeon isn't all Lutz has planned. There are many things to do and people to see. Fooling nobles for his benefit, meeting old acquaintances, and perhaps even hatching a scheme of his own. Lutz and the girls will be very busy, indeed. less