Disillusioned art teacher Kai awakens in a vivid fantasy world he believes is a dream—a world where he refuses to take abuse from anyone ever again. In a tavern brawl, he humiliates a party of arrogant adventurers, catching the interest of Skye, a timid neko girl trapped in an exploitative team. As Kai navigates a realm rife with classism and beastfolk oppression, he battles not just enemies but his own scars from a failed marriage and a life of powerlessness. When Skye tries to stand up for herself and is captured by slavers, Kai is forced to decide whether he’ll remain detached or intervene. Torn between his desire for freedom and an emerging connection to those around him, Kai discovers that even in dreams, fighting back has consequences—and perhaps this world is more real than he dares admit.
Thank you for picking up I Don’t Take Bull from Anyone, Not Even a Demon Lord. This story was born from my own struggles with burnout, toxic workplaces, and the quiet question many of us whisper to ourselves: What if I could start over somewhere else? Kai is a man who’s tired of taking abuse—from his job, from relationships, from the world—and finally decides to push back. But even in a fantasy realm, freedom comes with consequences. Through bar brawls, unexpected friendships, and moments of raw vulnerability, this story explores what it means to reclaim your voice—and maybe find love in the most unlikely places. I hope you’ll laugh, ache, and root for Kai and Skye as they carve out a new path, proving that sometimes the greatest battles we fight are the ones inside us.
Thanks for joining me on this journey.
— Joel Portillo
Thank you for picking up I Don’t Take Bull from Anyone, Not Even a Demon Lord. This story was born from my own struggles with burnout, toxic workplaces, and the quiet question many of us whisper to ourselves: What if I could start over somewhere else? Kai is a man wh...
