I'm Not the Hero 1 web novel and 5 books
A series by SourpatchHero
Royal RoadStub
Series: I'm Not the Hero
Series status: Ongoing
First published: February 5, 2022
Description: Orrin is NOT the hero of the story. That would be his best friend, Daniel. Somehow they stumbled into this new world with magic. While Daniel is the Hero, Orrin gained a new class Utility Warder. Who brought them here? Why does Orrin seem to have powers even the Hero doesn't? And where can Orrin find a good cup of coffee?
Published Novel
Series status: Ongoing
First published: December 4, 2023
Description: In addition to strength, steel, and courage, a hero discovers he’s in need of a friend, in the first installment of a daring and dangerous fantasy adventure.
When it comes to action and adventure, every hero needs a good sidekick. Holmes has Watson, Batman has Robin, and Daniel has . . . Orrin. More like brothers than friends, they always have each other’s backs. And as Daniel is the big, strong, handsome type, Orrin is more than happy to remain in his shadow at school, at parties, pretty much everywhere.
Then things take a turn for the truly weird when a terrible accident catapults the pair into a world totally unlike their own, in which the rules of a role-playing game hold sway. Naturally, Daniel is classified as a “hero,” while Orrin is—also naturally—relegated to the fantasy equivalent of “bleh.” Nothing new there.
But in this realm populated with lethal foes both inhuman and inescapable, sticking together matters more than ever, and soon Daniel and Orrin will discover more about themselves—and each other—than either one thought possible. In fact, Orrin just might find the confidence and strength to become something other than your average sidekick . . .
The first volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 600,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
When it comes to action and adventure, every hero needs a good sidekick. Holmes has Watson, Batman has Robin, and Daniel has . . . Orrin. More like brothers than friends, they always have each other’s backs. And as Daniel is the big, strong, handsome type, Orrin is more than happy to remain in his shadow at school, at parties, pretty much everywhere.
Then things take a turn for the truly weird when a terrible accident catapults the pair into a world totally unlike their own, in which the rules of a role-playing game hold sway. Naturally, Daniel is classified as a “hero,” while Orrin is—also naturally—relegated to the fantasy equivalent of “bleh.” Nothing new there.
But in this realm populated with lethal foes both inhuman and inescapable, sticking together matters more than ever, and soon Daniel and Orrin will discover more about themselves—and each other—than either one thought possible. In fact, Orrin just might find the confidence and strength to become something other than your average sidekick . . .
The first volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 600,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
Published Novel
Series status: Ongoing
First published: August 13, 2024
Description: The nonstop action and antics continue—and the hero–sidekick relationship is turned on its head—in the second installment of this thrilling fantasy series.When quiet Orrin and his extroverted best friend, Daniel, were transported to a strange RPG-based world, not much changed between them. Daniel became a hero of legend, while Orrin remained his unobtrusive shadow. Only when they faced a particularly lethal foe did Orrin step out of his comfort zone and display his true worth—with powers he didn’t know he had. Of course, Daniel got all the glory, but Orrin doesn’t mind. He’s just happy they’re both still alive.However, they are given little time to celebrate before a local authority offers them the chance to explore a newly revealed dungeon. They can hardly refuse, as the adventure would bring them within spitting distance of the woodland realm of the elves, which is currently enduring an attack by the neighboring country of Odrana. So Daniel and Orrin hope to get stronger conquering the dungeon and then lend a hand in the war.And though he’s not typical warrior material, Orrin has his own set of magical skills to bring to the quest. Skills he’s surprised to learn shouldn’t even exist. And for good it seems his ever-growing abilities have the potential to elevate him far beyond his bestie the hero . . .The second volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 600,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
Published Novel
Series status: Ongoing
First published: April 1, 2025
Description: A zero-turned-hero continues his action-packed journey to greatness through a world of magic and mayhem in this exciting LitRPG fantasy series.
On Earth, the scrawny Orrin may have been a big nothing, but he had a bigger buddy in his athletic bestie, Daniel. They were inseparable, like two sides of the same coin. But when a tragic accident transported them to an RPG-like reality, that coin got seriously flipped.At first, Daniel was the natural-born hero, and Orrin the dead weight. But Orrin found himself growing beyond the role of sidekick, gaining powers no one had ever heard of. Genuine hero stuff.Alas, trying to be a hero is how he ended up a prisoner of the ruler of Odrana, and his even more conniving mother, Anabella, who sees potential in Orrin as a political pawn. All Orrin has to do to gain his freedom is infiltrate an elite magical academy, make friends with some very influential students, and help maneuver Anabella back into power.Unfortunately, school in this realm is pretty much the same as school on Earth—albeit with less bullying and more attempted murder. Now, Orrin’s only hope is for Daniel to somehow find him and do what he does best: Save Orrin’s ass.
The third volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 600,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
On Earth, the scrawny Orrin may have been a big nothing, but he had a bigger buddy in his athletic bestie, Daniel. They were inseparable, like two sides of the same coin. But when a tragic accident transported them to an RPG-like reality, that coin got seriously flipped.At first, Daniel was the natural-born hero, and Orrin the dead weight. But Orrin found himself growing beyond the role of sidekick, gaining powers no one had ever heard of. Genuine hero stuff.Alas, trying to be a hero is how he ended up a prisoner of the ruler of Odrana, and his even more conniving mother, Anabella, who sees potential in Orrin as a political pawn. All Orrin has to do to gain his freedom is infiltrate an elite magical academy, make friends with some very influential students, and help maneuver Anabella back into power.Unfortunately, school in this realm is pretty much the same as school on Earth—albeit with less bullying and more attempted murder. Now, Orrin’s only hope is for Daniel to somehow find him and do what he does best: Save Orrin’s ass.
The third volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 600,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
Published Novel
Series status: Ongoing
First published: December 2, 2025
Description: A former nobody is about to become a major somebody—and learn it’s not all it’s cracked up to be—in the fourth installment of this LitRPG fantasy adventure.
Back when things were normal, Orrin the Timid tried saving his best friend, Daniel the Popular, from a runaway truck. But he failed, and the resulting crash landed them both in a world of magic, monsters, and levels. There, Orrin grew from a mild-mannered sidekick into a legit powerhouse, unlocking Administrator-level powers unlike anything else. Still, things are tough for the former zero. First, the psychotic witch who recently tried to obliterate him just cut a deal to stay out of jail. Second, dealing with power and politics in Dey is becoming a major migraine. Third, the devious Hospital is dragging Orrin into its internal strife. And lastly, “hero” Daniel’s just barely hanging on to his sanity, on the verge of turning into a raging, uncontrollable murder machine. Trying to keep it all together has Orrin at the end of his rope—physically, mentally, and mystically. If all that wasn’t enough, the Demon Lord is at the gates, prepping his Dark Horde to roll in and rain destruction on the people of Asmea. Meanwhile, Orrin has stumbled onto a mystery whose every unraveling thread could have far-reaching implications . . .
Back when things were normal, Orrin the Timid tried saving his best friend, Daniel the Popular, from a runaway truck. But he failed, and the resulting crash landed them both in a world of magic, monsters, and levels. There, Orrin grew from a mild-mannered sidekick into a legit powerhouse, unlocking Administrator-level powers unlike anything else. Still, things are tough for the former zero. First, the psychotic witch who recently tried to obliterate him just cut a deal to stay out of jail. Second, dealing with power and politics in Dey is becoming a major migraine. Third, the devious Hospital is dragging Orrin into its internal strife. And lastly, “hero” Daniel’s just barely hanging on to his sanity, on the verge of turning into a raging, uncontrollable murder machine. Trying to keep it all together has Orrin at the end of his rope—physically, mentally, and mystically. If all that wasn’t enough, the Demon Lord is at the gates, prepping his Dark Horde to roll in and rain destruction on the people of Asmea. Meanwhile, Orrin has stumbled onto a mystery whose every unraveling thread could have far-reaching implications . . .
Published Novel
Series status: Ongoing
First published: August 4, 2026
Description: When quiet Orrin and his extroverted best friend, Daniel, were transported to a
strange RPG-based world, not much changed between them. Daniel became a hero of legend, while Orrin remained his unobtrusive shadow. Since then, they’ve toppled villains, saved cities, foiled devious plots, and fought their way through
hordes of lethal foes, each encounter forcing Orrin to step out of his comfort
zone and display his true worth―with powers he didn’t know he had. Of course,
Daniel gets all the glory, but Orrin doesn’t mind. He’s just happy they’re both
still alive. But in the fifth volume of this hit LitRPG fantasy series that’s
perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, the stakes have never been higher.
The Demon Lord has fallen. With the Dark Horde broken and retreating from the
new Walls of Dey, Daniel and Orrin’s quest has been fulfilled. Now they can
finally focus on finding a way home . . . or so they hoped. Whispers of a fallen
dungeon reach Dey, and all of Odrana is looking for someone to blame. Amid the
chaos, Orrin suddenly finds himself wondering which friends have secret agendas, and which enemies he can trust. Between a faction of desperate elves, captured demons spreading word of a dark messiah, and a suspicious offer from the Hospital that seems too good to be true, Orrin must divide his time to solve all
these mysteries―but all he really wants is a second date.
strange RPG-based world, not much changed between them. Daniel became a hero of legend, while Orrin remained his unobtrusive shadow. Since then, they’ve toppled villains, saved cities, foiled devious plots, and fought their way through
hordes of lethal foes, each encounter forcing Orrin to step out of his comfort
zone and display his true worth―with powers he didn’t know he had. Of course,
Daniel gets all the glory, but Orrin doesn’t mind. He’s just happy they’re both
still alive. But in the fifth volume of this hit LitRPG fantasy series that’s
perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, the stakes have never been higher.
The Demon Lord has fallen. With the Dark Horde broken and retreating from the
new Walls of Dey, Daniel and Orrin’s quest has been fulfilled. Now they can
finally focus on finding a way home . . . or so they hoped. Whispers of a fallen
dungeon reach Dey, and all of Odrana is looking for someone to blame. Amid the
chaos, Orrin suddenly finds himself wondering which friends have secret agendas, and which enemies he can trust. Between a faction of desperate elves, captured demons spreading word of a dark messiah, and a suspicious offer from the Hospital that seems too good to be true, Orrin must divide his time to solve all
these mysteries―but all he really wants is a second date.