The Cryopod to Hell Classic is the original version of TCTH, written based on the original writing prompts, expanded into a full series, with 490 chapters of fun adventures. However, it is extremely flawed, with paper thin characters and plotlines that don’t resolve properly. It abruptly ends at the finale of Route C, and was never finished with a proper ending. Classic is best read after Refresh so you can appreciate where the story came from. As its own story, Classic has too many flaws for anyone to recommend reading first.
"Look what the Hellhound dragged in," Beelzebub quips as I teleport to Ben’s location. Cassiel and Samantha pop in beside me and shake the sensation of disorientation off in an instant. "I’m guessing the Orcs, Skeletons, and Vampires couldn’t delay the mighty Wordsmith for as long as I’d hoped." I shoot a glance at Samantha,…
One week ago, a demon murdered several humans in my city. Yesterday, two shadow-walkers took out a company of off-duty soldiers while they were supposed to be safe behind our defenses. No more. The sun in the sky, large, shimmering, splendid, beats down on my face as I gaze into the air and aim my…
"Hey! Ylvusk! Why not play a game of Sticks and Bones, eh?" Smealum waves at me the moment I step into the dining hall. I’m a little surprised at how quickly he noticed me, but then, members of the Animus species are unusually good at telling individuals apart by their auras alone. He may have…
Ben’s helmet opens up to reveal a scowl as I teleport to his location. "You’re late, but at least you’re here. Look at this mess." "Hey, I can’t help it if it takes the messenger a while to find me." I glance around quickly and shudder. Fine lines of blood streak across the walls and…
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, a breeze is blowing, and I’m goddamn annoyed! I can’t even enjoy the beauty of the castle courtyard! Argh! Women are frustrating! Three days it’s been since Samantha got back from the Labyrinth, and she just keeps ducking away every time I run into her. It’s getting…
Beelzebub stares ahead silently, trying not to let his shock overcome him. As Diablo said, this was indeed where the lair of the First Emperor was hidden, all this time, right in the heart of the Labyrinth. Black magic must have been the reason none knew of its existence, he thinks to himself. The massive…
"Easy there, Ben. You’re not looking too good." I carefully keep one hand on his shoulder as we exit the bar. It occurs to me that I could easily erase the drunkenness from his body with Wordsmithing, as I did to myself, but Ben wouldn’t want that. OMEN is already back at the castle by…
As always, the first thing I see when I arrive is chaos. Dozens of men and women pull themselves across the ground, many with blood running down their faces, albeit without any significant visible injuries. One woman lifts her head up and spots me. "Hero! We need you! The intruder- he’s too strong!" The sounds…
"Jason. Wake up… you dozed off." The dreamless blackness lifts off in a flash, and I leap to my feet, nearly knocking Cassiel over as she pulls away. "Huh? Wha-? I wasn’t sleeping! I was just resting my eyes!" Normally she’d giggle and make a funny comment, but she just stares at me evenly. "I…
"P-please calm down! Sam!" I flinch as a sturdy oaken chair smashes against the wall beside me, and Samantha screams again, pounding the chessboard Jason was playing with last night into a thousand pieces, much of them the size of dust fragments. "I lied! I’m worthless! I’m pathetic!" Samantha kicks a metal pail hard enough…
