The Crimson Quest: A LitRPG Adventure

by J. B. Smith

  I put both my arms in the air. I cherished the moment and spoke with confidence. “My name is Walker. Remember my name. "

  “All right,” one player shouted.

  We walked over to the tavern and a smile came to my face. It was so cool. I couldn't believe the players were actually approaching me and asking me questions about my next fight. I had to provide them with decent entertainment for them to do this. We entered the tavern and looked for Johnny and the others. But, the first thing I saw was the Grand Champion and his girlfriend. He was busy beating beers like the last time I had seen him. I walked over to the bar and positioned myself next to him. “Great drinking skills,” I say.

  The Grand Champion did not answer. He just opened another beer and started drinking it. Beside him, his girlfriend laughed. "I saw your fight last night."

  "Really? Did you like it?" I asked nervously.

  She laughed a little longer. "Very impressive."

  The Grand Champion turned to me. Then he pulled her closer to him. "It was beginner's luck," he mumbled.

  She wrapped her arms around him and turned away from me. Then I got the silent treatment. Still, I stayed there for a while. But then I realized things were getting awkward. I quickly turned and walked back to Douglas. After that I started looking for Johnny in the red and hazy air. I narrowed my eyes and saw him and the others sitting at a nearby table. "There they are," I say to Douglas with a finger in the air.

  Douglas started to act a little strange. “I hope they like me,” he said. "I mean. I know they'll love me. I'm just nervous sometimes to meet new people. That's all."

  "Do you suffer from social anxiety?" I asked as we approached the table.

  “Sometimes. Just when it comes to big groups. But it's only for a few minutes. After that my shyness goes away.

  It was weird. It was hard to imagine that Douglas was shy. When we got to the table, Johnny and the others looked delighted to see me. In the middle of the table was a big pile of beers. “We saw the fight last night man,” Johnny said, kicking a chair near under the table.

  I sat down in the chair and Douglas sat down next to me. I put both elbows on the table. "How did I do it?"

  “You beat him,” Todd laughed. "Have a beer. It's on us."

  “Thank you,” I replied. "I still like the free beer."

  I drank a beer and hoped to catch a buzz. It had been a long time since I had drunk much, but I felt nothing. I opened another beer and drank it. Johnny leaned closer to me and I realized he was already pretty drunk. "What did you do? This uppercut movement? It was pretty cool.

  “It was a skill I learned just before the fight. It's called IronPush. "

  Johnny looked at Douglas and a confused look appeared on his face. "Where did this troll come from?" I just realized I didn't know him.

  Douglas started to shake. His fingers crept in and began to spin. What the hell? Why was Douglas acting so strangely? “He's my cellmate,” I replied.

  Douglas nodded. “My name is Douglas. Yes, I am a troll. That is true."

  “He's a very good cellmate,” I replied.

  Sonny cocked his head. Then, a worried look came to his face. "How do we know if we can trust him?" We can't talk about the plan here now. We just can't.

  Todd slapped Sonny's shoulder. "It's okay. Everything is fine."

  I lowered my eyebrows. "What plan? "

  Todd started to speak, but Sonny put his hand over his mouth. "Do not say it. We don't know anything about this troll.

  Johnny looked irritated. “Relax man. Just let him talk. The troll seems pretty nice.

  “What the hell are you guys talking about? ” I asked.

  On the corner of the table, the animal's cage began to shake. “All I want is a beer. Is that too much to ask?

  “Give your pet beer,” Johnny yelled. "I'm sorry about this thing."

  Todd opened a beer and pressed it against the bars that contained the animal. Two small hands rushed over the bottle. “Tilt it down. I can't drink it unless you tip it.

  Todd took the cage and tilted it. "What are you doing?" Sonny asked. “You are trafficking private property. Did you know?

  "Cal m down. He just wants a beer. Let him have a little fun for once.

  Sonny looked frustrated, but didn't stop Todd. I took another sip of my beer. "So what's this secret plan?"

  Sonny looked at Douglas, then back at me. “Fine. I'm just going to go ahead and say it. We're going to take FlatFall back. I'm going to change everything about it.

  I leaned back. "Take over? What are you talking about?"

  "Keep your voice low," Sonny whispered.

  "This place is fucked up," Todd replied. “We want to change the way it works. Take the Emperor out of leadership.

  "But how? How would we do that?

  Johnny took a sip of his beer before dropping it on the table. "Just do it!"

  What the hell? I have never seen such a determined look on Johnny's face. I twisted my lips. “But I kinda like to fight in the Colosseum.

  “We're not going to change that,” Todd replied. “It's always going to be there. We're just going to make this place more user-friendly. We are not going to lock the prisoners in cages and force them to fight. No one should be forced to fight. "

  Douglas held up his hand. "I'm going to be a great champion one day."

  I blinked. It was a random statement. Sonny looked at Douglas and leaned closer to him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

  “You can still be a great champion,” Todd replied. "But we are going to build this prison and make a kingdom out of it."

  "A Kingdom? Really ? I asked.

  “Yeah, and we're going to execute it,” Todd replied.

  I had to admit I liked the idea of being king. But how was it all going to work? "But who will be the king?"

  “Any of us,” Todd replied. "We'll find out later."

  The animal's cage began to shake. "Open that damn thing." I'm in the mood to dance, ”he shouted before letting out a long laugh.

  Sonny's head was going side to side. “You must think I'm a fool. I'll never let you out again. Not until you prove your love to me .

  "I don't want to prove the shit to you," the animal hissed.

  I popped another beer and made it run down my throat. A warm, fuzzy feeling washed over me as I started to catch a buzz. “I have to admit that sounds like an interesting idea. I'm all for it , but how are we going to do it?

  “It won't be easy,” Todd replied. “In fact, it's going to take teamwork. We all have to work together if we are to make this happen.

  "What do you mean?"

  “It's kind of like running for president,” Johnny replied. "You have to be the people on your side."

  “Yes,” Johnny replied. “We all have to make our way through the Colosseum. Win people over and create an ascension. "

  "Yeah, we've got to riot people and everything," Johnny replied with scrambled words.

  I still drink beer. Ma ybe, it was because I was getting drunk, but the plan was starting to make sense. “I will become the Grand Champion. I can rally people and make it happen. "

  “We will all become powerful and influence the people,” Johnny replied.

  “I'm usually a man of peace,” Sonny said, sipping his beer. “But, this place treats me badly. This is simply not correct.

  I slammed my fist on the table. "Alright then," I shouted. "It's official. We will take over FlatFall! "

  Johnny raised his beer in the air. "Shall we drink there?"

  Me, Sonny and Todd raised our beers in the air. But, Douglas looked uncomfortable. Then a smile came to his face and he raised his beer. I smiled. "Let's drink to the four new kings!"

  "And me?" asked the animal.

  "You're just a pet," Sonny replied. "Know your role in life."

  "I wasn't a pet until you made me be." Open this cage. I ask you to open this cage now.

  Without asking, Todd opened the cage and the creature jumped out of it. He fel
l down beside her and tried to dance.

  Sonny looked at Todd. "What are you doing? Are you crazy? He will run away and never come back.

  Todd rolled his eyes. “Relax. He just wants to do this.

  The animal stood up and clapped its hands. He walked over to an empty beer can. "Damn it can," he yelled, throwing her off the table. Both of his arms flew as he spun in circles. Everyone laughed and continued to drink more and more beer.

  "You're a pretty cool pet," Johnny yelled, banging on the table.

  The creature continued to dance as Sonny stared at him like a hawk. I looked at everyone in the tavern and smiled. Someday I will own this place. I had to admit it was a powerful feeling. Not only would I become Grand Champion, but I would also become King. It was official, I loved my new life. The future was bright and I couldn't wait for it to happen. But for now, I would just like to enjoy my beer.