The Stork Tower
Tony Corden
In 2073 Brisbane, Atherleah Carroll grows up in a gang-controlled suburb and is accidentally implanted with an experimental Neural Enhancement Chip instead of the basic free AI. The chip removes government limits, evolves into a self-aware Personal AI (Geng), and rewires her neural architecture. To afford education and escape poverty, Leah enters the virtual fantasy MMO Dunyanin and other game-worlds (Pneumatica, steampunk, space). Across eight volumes she power-levels from beginner to landholder/title-holder, uncovers hidden dungeons and unique quests, battles a virtual crime syndicate using mind-controlled players, rescues allies and family, and fights government and corporate enemies in both real and virtual multiverse.
Progression: LitRPG / GameLit progression is central and explicit, verified via Goodreads series 222627 and book blurbs. Mechanics: (1) Explicit Levels & Stats — strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence increase per Level-up from grinding, hidden dungeons and unique quests; reviewers note power-leveling through lower tiers and stat-screen evolution. (2) Classes & Titles — Leah gains fantasy Classes and titles (thief, landholder, Elven titles) and business/college progression gating higher content. (3) Skills & AI Evolution — Personal AI Geng evolves into full character, granting quest hints, multitasking and neural multitasking abilities; Skills evolve at thresholds. (4) Dungeon / Quest Tiers — secret dungeons (anthill, oxen attack, mirror goblin mine), heaven/hell, vampire manor and Merkize Contest provide tiered dungeon ladder; unique quests repeatedly reward rare loot and paragon reputation. (5) Multi-world Rank Ladder — Dunyanin, Pneumatica, space/steampunk worlds each with own levels and War of the Gods scenario; virtual economy converts to real wealth. Every volume's blurb references leveling, class changes, quest completion and stat growth as plot engine.
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