Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Hell Difficulty Tutorial #3

Hell Difficulty Tutorial 3: A LitRPG Adventure

Rate this book
Maybe provoking a colony of bus-sized ants wasn't the smartest plan...

On the fourth floor in Virelia, Nathaniel and Group 4 are gearing up to take down one of the Four Calamities. With their newly formed guild, Angry Kittens, they challenge the city’s powerful matriarch and the five big guilds. Meanwhile, the bus-sized ants are leaving their distant nests and ominously marching toward the city. No one knows why.

It's time to confront The Colony, battle The Fallen Hero, tackle The Living Tree, and uncover the mystery of the fourth Calamity. Along the way, Nathaniel takes on the Beyond Trials, deals with the lynthari race, spends big at a once-in-a-decade auction, and faces an opponent who must be killed at all costs.

And on the 5th Floor, a young half-demon awaits in a world nearing its end, where the remnants of civilization hide in bunkers.

Continue Nathaniel's crazy journey in Book 3 of HELL DIFFICULTY TUTORIAL as he takes on nightmarish foes and teams up with a far-from-normal group of bus passengers in this action-packed LitRPG Adventure. He must outsmart the odds, survive, and emerge stronger than anyone else!

With more than 10 million views as a web serial, this definitive version is perfect for fans of The Primal Hunter , Defiance of the Fall , and Generic System . Grab your copy today!

Audible Audio

First published December 4, 2024

730 people are currently reading
109 people want to read

About the author

Cerim

8 books40 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,257 (71%)
4 stars
384 (21%)
3 stars
107 (6%)
2 stars
14 (<1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Trey richardson.
216 reviews18 followers
December 7, 2024
Another character ruined by family

I miss the cold calculating OP character. He is all family friendly and annoying now. Port emotional control and basic. What was an interesting character, has officially been ruined. The one upside of the book and the reason it’s not one star is because the magic is still interesting. I like how the MC explores it and it still hold unique aspects unlike any of the rest of the plot devices. Not all that engaging looking at plot or characters but I love unique magic systems.
Profile Image for William Howe.
1,747 reviews79 followers
December 9, 2024
so

Lather, rinse, repeat. Largely just more of the same, building to ever higher levels of power.

I struggled a bit with reading this one. I still liked it, and I will pre-order book 4, but it didn’t *hold* my attention the way some other books can.
48 reviews2 followers
December 8, 2024
Loved it

This story keeps draining me back into it every time there's a new book. I love the characters and seeing them grow. The different POVs are nice too.
Profile Image for Joseph Neville.
18 reviews
January 16, 2025
Character development continues

I really enjoyed reading the development of the main character and look forward to reading more in the series. Now to binge book 4.
Profile Image for The Legend.
176 reviews9 followers
April 7, 2025
Disgusting
A lot of reviewers call it 'character development' I'd call it character washing. Washing out all the unique aspects of this character to make them as white washed normalized same as the rest of any progression fantasy MC.

This book took MAJOR steps to go from the cold calculating practical unique MC to the whiny self reflecting, constantly worrying and soft loving power of friendship MC of every isekai/litrpg/progression fantasy.

Don't believe it? Here's an example, In the first book we have a character willing to threaten and perhaps carry out killing a child if it would get him ahead or protect himself. In this book we have him getting all sad and woah is me reflecting over not getting someone a gift when he bought everyone else a gift.

It's like the author read the reviews, saw lots of negatives for how cold the MC was and tried to fix it in book 3 by making him super sappy and spend all the time 'developing' by reflecting on his own actions until he was gary stu normal.
First world he went through killing every single beast in the forest he could to level up. We know they are all fake because they got exact copies of other groups doing the same thing with same people.
Yet when we get to this world and he becomes stronger, he just beats people up he doesn't like now until they cross a 'line'. Really?
He could have slaughtered the whole city, killed everyone for levels, got their relics to sell. Got extra shards for doing stuff but didn't. First world MC would have done anything to grow stronger, now were sparing basically video game AI NPCs?

This character has become so hero of justice he won't hurt the AI NPCs that he likes?....
I swear by the end of this series were going to have such a white knight, that he'll be refusing to kill anyone. The sort who is going to sit at a table and see a steak, then start streaming tears over how bad he feels for the cow who died for him to get that steak....

No that's not an over exaggeration. That just how bad this book was in 'development.' I am debating if I will read the next book because of it. I guess i'll check reviews myself first for book 4 and if they say he's gone all sweet and friends are the true meaning of happiness, lets all sing by the fire. Then I'm done.
Profile Image for Deadering.
17 reviews3 followers
June 12, 2025
Man... not gonna lie, I considered dropping book 1 and did actually drop book 2 about half way before coming back to it a month or 2 later. Well happily I can say book 3 finally completely sold me on the series and has some scenes in particular that go in my top memories of the entire genre. I put a lot of weight on that personally and I'll forgive a lot if the author can cook up some truly amazing scenes that I'll never forget, but honestly it's solid outside of that too. When it's good it is very good.

The main character's character growth (personality, not level) has finally hit a point where he's not hateable/almost likeable, the group has stabilized and had some time to flesh out their backstories and develop as people and their skills too, and continues the trend of interesting and unique side characters but even expands on that as well. The fourth floor in particular had plenty of time to have some cool world building and plenty of interesting events. The vague overarching plot and mysteries even saw some development, which is always nice.

Overall I loved the book and I'm really looking forward to seeing where the series will end up.
Profile Image for Bradley.
Author 9 books4,810 followers
August 16, 2025
Oddly enough, this series is really starting to grow on me. Is it perhaps because a general asshole of a character actually starts growing as a freaking human being even as he becomes truly beast in power?

Yep.

Old trope, but damn if it doesn't WORK.

I really enjoyed finishing up world number 3 with all the great calamities, interpersonal stuff, nyaa, and the whole point of the tutorial: to get beast. The fact that these remnants are so memorable is rather heartbreaking, though.

For world #4, I think I just fell in love.

It got very simple. Train a disciple. Of course, he gets a 6 year old half-demon girl who's had it real rough before she almost died before getting plopped in his lap.

There is no worse trap. And I'm all here for it. Asshole will protect.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.

Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

Arctunn.com
Profile Image for James Ellis.
527 reviews9 followers
February 9, 2025
I could almost clone my review for The Primal Hunter 11 here - this is a book where I considered not buying the next in the series, only to do so primarily because these books are cheap, and not because I think they are worth the four-stars-or-better that normally is my cutoff for purchase.

In this series, my main issue - as always - is with the unsympathetic protagonist. That said, he continues to soften enough as time goes on to earn some empathy from me and in particular the circumstances of his current world level have engaged me enough to drag me along into the next book, so as a whole I'd award this one a soft 3.5 star rating.
Profile Image for Patricia Reese.
4 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2024
Exactly what I wanted.

Aside from a small repeat in paragraphs somewhere through, the novel was well written and Grammer wasn't as bad as previouse ones, not to say they were terribly bad grammar wise etc. I can't wait to see what else is in store for group for and the rest of the Hell difficulty players and earth as a whole. I really hope it continues past 4 books, bc I feel 4 isn't enough to fully flesh out and give Nathaniel and group 4 the space they need to fully grow and the world at large. Or maybe just migrate into a Kinda-new second series going off this one, except for on earth and them surviving in the new transformed world after the tutorial.
1 review
Read
December 11, 2024
Another!! *smashes my glass on the floor*

I like the multiple character developments through the books, especially with the 'cheeky' dialogue. The story keeps a hold over me until I finish it. The MC discovering his own changes emotionally and how he deals with them brings in a humanity of a person not used to these feelings while he awkwardly reacts. The background stories to some of group 4 really hone in that everyone in the difficulty has a few screws loose for good reason and despite that they find themselves part of this group that they would all kill to protect. Looking forward to book 4.
79 reviews
December 20, 2024
I really, really enjoy this book series.

I cannot put it into words exactly, but this book series is a very thoughtful one, for me at least.

I like that each book, while similar, does seem to be varied and peels back a layer or two of the main character, the world/system, and the other..[..FOOD!....sustenance!..]..wha?

Damnit Biscuit stop interrupting my revi[..Asshole!]ew..BISCUIT! Naughty doggo, stay in your book.

Now where was I?..Oh yes..ahem..
..other characters. The funny side characters are well done and a valuable part of the story threads.

Excellently done in my opinion. Well worth the read.
17 reviews
January 5, 2025
keeps on getting better

I wasn’t sure I was going to continue after book 1 as I thought Nate the main character wasn’t very believable. By book 3, he has turned into an interesting character and I am enjoying the story arc with its twists and turns. The author has a wonderful imagination that builds on ideas and introduces character developments that keep things interesting - although more work is needed on the group members - hopefully their stories get told to add more depth.
Profile Image for huntërre thomässön.
88 reviews
March 3, 2025
Big fan of Nathaniel Gwyn. I binge read this series up to this book in about 5-6ish days, so I have to give it an obligatory 5 star rating, since it clearly caught my attention.

Book 3 took things slower, in my opinion, but with how long each book is (6-800pgs?) it might have been fatigue setting in. Nonetheless, I thought this was another great installment, and I am excitedly waiting for book 4 to come out on the 12th of March.
1,021 reviews9 followers
December 10, 2024
2,5 stars

For me the story felt all over the place. Nat is torn between being more social and remaining a lone wolf,the situations keep changing at the sleigh of a hand and Nat's attitude keeps changing between grown up and juvenile..

By now i got tired of the fight scenes and more enjoy the mysteries of the realms he visits..
Profile Image for Mike Parsons.
12 reviews
December 31, 2024
Interesting progression

There’s a lot of cohesive and imaginative advancement in skill use for combat and a number of good plot lines that get resolved in this book.
There are also some plot lines emerging with interesting hints of future events woven well into the story that I am keen to see play out.
Will definitely pick up book 4.
- Mike Parsons, author of The Mana Influx
42 reviews
August 4, 2025
Fantastic!

Top 3 litrpg series I've ever read. The power progression is well explained and makes sense. Unique, diverse cast of characters that have dynamic growth. Good writing style and usually decent grammar. Lastly, and most impressive, the story has real stakes, and the characters face real danger.
28 reviews
December 8, 2024
I Love This Series

The book is just amazing. Delightfully humorous and very touching. If you are looking at reviews of book 3 to see if the books stay as great as the first, then you need to keep reading. Book 3 is the best so far!
72 reviews
December 9, 2024
Hmmmmm

I’m REALLY enjoying your universe! Thank you for bringing me along for your ride! I can only imaging how crazy it would feel if it happened to me, but I believe with your tutorial, I’ll be just fine… ;-)
503 reviews6 followers
December 9, 2024
A Fine Correction

This series has been pretty good, but the MC is antisocial and self-isolating, minimizing interaction and relationships with other characters. This volume corrects that twice over, without forcefully changing the MC.
Recommended.
Profile Image for Mark.
950 reviews82 followers
December 11, 2024
Author surprised and delighted me with the challenge he introduced for Level 5. We get a tiny little peak behind the curtain at Earth's competitors. I am SO looking forward to the coming tournament where Hell Group 4 finally meets the other Hell groups.
8 reviews
December 12, 2024
Surprisingly Evolved story telling

The main character is morose loner who
is emotionally stifled. He is overpowered for his level and doesn't want to care. He manages a balance between protecting his companies and forcing them to develop on their own.
9 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2024
The story continues.

This is a great series to read if you like op characters on their journey to becoming even more powerful. The mc uses unique ways to game the system in his search for strength.
Profile Image for Francois.
11 reviews
December 19, 2024
Best in LITRPG

This series is absolutely amazing, and should eventually be rated amongst the leading LITRPG series (DCC, HWFWM, DotF, etc.). All 3 books so far are 5*, with excellent character development and progression, a very cool system, an OP MC that isn't perfect without delving endlessly in self doubt. I. WANT. MORE.
Profile Image for Stephen Grantham.
96 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2024
as usual with author

As usual with this author, it took me a little bit to get into the story, due to the quirkyness but once it got going well, it was a sleigh ride! Ready for book 4!
Profile Image for Kolby Kinsey.
5 reviews
January 3, 2025
Talk about progression

The MC from book one to now has grown in power but has also grown in warmth. He has gone from almost untolerable to pleasant to be around….for his people. There still some of that old MC you enjoy though. I enjoyed this read and can’t wait for book 4.
Profile Image for LaziMantis Vasquez.
511 reviews3 followers
January 12, 2025
Good book

I like this series a lot. I have a hand ful of mental disabilities that are socially inclined its awesome to read about a series where the protagonist is slot like me I look forward to reading more
1 review
February 7, 2025
My favorite series. I love the writing style, it's exceptional work. I.e. Nats fight with Myrra in the tunnels was just *chefs kiss*
Character development is really showing by this point in the story too.
This series has become the standard I measure every other litrpg against
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
7 reviews
February 26, 2025
Another fantastic entry in the series

Very fun read and similar qualities to the last book, with great character development and story. The world building is developing nicely as well!
2,105 reviews7 followers
December 5, 2024
Very good read

I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
10 reviews
December 5, 2024
im not crying, ur crying

Did not expect such fun characters when I first started the series. Definitely fun seeing a diverse range of personalities.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.