Coming Soon — Demon Healer Naberius: Volume Nine!
Lucky day, reader.
Hope you enjoyed the commissioning article I threw on here a couple weeks ago. That was a pretty fun project, especially since it gave me an excuse to ask some of my artist friends for their opinions on certain topics, and it’s my sincerest wish that it helped at least one person communicate their ideas and kick off their own project.
As far as life goes, I’m still technically unemployed at the time of this writing, but I’ve formally rejoined my old employer and—barring any unforeseen issues—should start working for them again in early July. I very much enjoyed my sabbatical, and it was a terrific opportunity to better connect with my friends and learn more about myself (as well as get halfway decent at Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (I ended up maining Anila instead of Zeta, by the way)), but I’m ready to have steady income again.
Of course, this won’t impact my next novel. It’s my pleasure to announce that Demon Healer Naberius: Volume Nine is on the way, and I’m aiming for a release in mid-July at a latest but ideally before I go back to work. I apologize that this volume is a little late compared to previous years, but I promise it’s got all the goodness I lovingly season into every book, and Tostantan has continued to lend his talents for our character designs and covers. Love that guy—please give him a follow and consider supporting his Patreon if you enjoy his work as much as I do. And if you enjoy dogshit posts as well, you can get those alongside the announcement of when Volume Nine drops at my own Twitter.
Alright, here’s our preview.
Introduction
Past introductory articles are available in the Archive here.
At long last, Nabby has set off for Monstralia with Bune and Alke…while Bosa stayed behind in Ambarino. Demon Healer Naberius: Volume Nine introduces our heroes to the deadliest land in all of Rullia, and to pursue their ambitions, they’ll team up with faces old and new—including the very man who set Nabby on the healer’s path.
Their adventurers in Monstralia will see them join an expedition outpost run by scion who holds unique beliefs about the Source of All Monsters, defend their new home from a monster invasion, and venture into the wilds to exterminate the same beasts who attacked them. Then, once they’re prepared, they’ll journey into a unique region sealed off by a sandstorm known as the Shrouded Lands, and what they discover inside will reshape their understanding of Monstralia’s mysteries.
For this volume’s character profiles, you’ll find the faces new but the names familiar. Please allow me the pleasure of reintroducing some of our beloved cast members.
Characters
Reese Bloomheart
Race: Human
Class: Alchemist
Age: 31
Likes: Adventuring, altruism, large mammals, digital TCGs
Dislikes: Greed, red meat, pollen
Skills: Alchemy, herbalism, marksmanship
The man who gave Nabby a helping hand after she was stranded in the mortal plane of Rullia, Reese is as kind and generous as he is skilled and determined. Coming from an unremarkable background, he suffers from Locked Mana Syndrome and is unable to use magic, and when paired with his scrawny physique, he nearly had to give up his dreams of becoming an adventurer alongside his childhood friend Heath before they even began.
However, after playing a game that featured a healer who used a rifle, Reese was inspired to modify an old crossbow to fire syringe-like bolts that could be loaded with healing potions, and after a couple test runs, Reese found his place as a healer who mends without magic. From there, his party made a name for themselves as they adventured all over the world, and after a few years, they set their sights on Monstralia. While most of his team has since given up searching for the Source of All Monsters and returned to the mainland, Reese and Heath persist, and they’ve found new camaraderie in Nabby and her friends.
Reese is the ever-smiling heart of the party. Well-liked and eager to share what he’s learned with his peers, he feels blessed to pursue his dream of finding the Source of All Monsters alongside his friends, though he has an “act first, think later” attitude and is horrible at managing his money. He is often mistaken for a woman due to his feminine voice and appearance, but he never faults anyone for assuming as much.
Heath Bodega
Race: Orc
Class: Knight
Age: 31
Likes: Adventuring, endurance training, mobster movies, blonde hair
Dislikes: Heights, public displays of affection, studying
Skills: Swordsmanship, shieldsmanship(?)
Reese’s childhood friend, Heath was the one who suggested they form an adventuring party after high school and was the main force behind them traveling to Monstralia to search for the Source of All Monsters. Heath is as large as Reese is diminutive, yet the two are equally bold, and he would have chosen a different path if Reese weren’t able to adventure alongside him.
Heath grew up adoring stories about legendary adventurers and hoped to become like them one day. He’s more in it for the journey rather than the destination now, but don’t assume that means he’s lazy: he’s as dedicated to his ambitions as Reese. He doesn’t have any special abilities or even a sliver of talent for magic, but his raw skill with the fundamentals of sword and shield play is unmatched, making him famously reliable.
Heath is sarcastic and crass, often playing devil’s advocate to Reese’s optimism. His confidence suits his role as the team’s leader, though he tends to power through monster encounters rather than strategize. While likeable and often considered a man’s man, Heath has a poor relationship with his parents, especially his father, and instead considers his teammates his real family.
Maia Marea
Race: Mermaid
Job: Mechanic
Age: 29
Likes: Her motorcycle, swimming, stuffed animals, Bosa and Nabby
Dislikes: Hot weather, long commutes, being stonewalled
Skills: Vehicle maintenance and repairs
Bosa’s ex-girlfriend. The two first met when Maia was looking to recruit people for their college’s water polo team, and after her insistent requests were met with Bosa telling her to “go fuck herself”, it’s a miracle they ever started dating. The two saw each other for eleven months, and while they got along, Bosa realized she wasn’t in love and decided they should break up so Maia could find someone who actually deserved her. The two were able to end their relationship on good terms, and they’ve remained close friends ever since.
Maia is a gentle giant who is as soft in personality as she is in body. While she towers over most people, anyone who’s spent five seconds talking to her will know she’s anything but intimidating, and her mellow maturity makes her a welcome addition to any group. She works for an auto shop, and when the owner decided to make her the manager for his shop in Nabby and Bosa’s city, she accepted Bosa’s offer to move into her apartment as her new roommate. However, now that Bosa has traveled to Monstralia to chase after Nabby, Maia now has the place all to herself.
Where can I find Demon Healer Naberius?
All my novels can be found on my Amazon author page. They’re priced at $2.99 for an ebook and $9.99 for a paperback except for Demon Healer Naberius: Volume One, which has a $0.99 ebook so that it can be a low-risk introduction. Volume Nine will have a $2.99 ebook and $9.99 paperback.
Any updates on Volume Nine or any of my other works will be posted on this website, my Twitter, and my Bluesky. I don’t really have anything special to offer you on my social media, but if you ever feel like saying hello, please feel free to drop me a message.
In Closing
Volume Nine kicks off the final arc of Demon Healer Naberius, and while I tried to stick to the series’ usual tone and rhythm, it was equally important that I introduce our new setting and long-term members of the cast. As the first arc’s theme was perspective and the second’s was progress, I would like you to keep the concept of partnership in mind as we follow Nabby and Bosa’s tale to its conclusion.
I was planning to take some time to continue working on a side project after this, but seeing as I’m already late getting Volume Nine, I’ll do my usual thing and get to work on the next volume right away. I’ve already got the basic outline done, so it’ll just be a matter of fleshing things out before beginning the draft proper. I hope you’ll look forward to that one as well.
I wish you nothing but the best, dear reader. Don’t ever let the devil in your heart tell you you’re not worth loving.
