“I have ten pastries,” the necromancer replied. “Enough for now. I carry Marinar. I am stronger. Give me ointment. We need to put on her head. Stop blood from dripping. You have protection. You go first. We go like everyone. Through Labyrinth. No other way.”
Once the Labyrinth doors shut behind us with a resounding crash, Zangar said:
“First test. We need to think how to pass. Time is limited.”
I have to admit, whatever I expected it was not what appeared in front of me. I associated the Labyrinth, first and foremost, with multilevel moving traps, a Minotaur roaming the corners, with Ariadne’s thread, after all! But not, under any circumstances, with a small thriving village full of life. Literally twenty meters from the wall the houses started; smoke was rising from their chimneys. Children were running back and forth between the houses, chickens were scratching, a pack of dogs chased a yowling black cat that managed to climb a tree, and from there, from a safe height, was expressing his attitude to the dogs in general, now using normal cat language rather than cursing everyone right left and center. There was the sound of blacksmith’s hammer, the smell of freshly cut grass just starting to dry... The Labyrinth looked nothing like a scary and formidable stage of passing through the Academy. Just in case I said:
“I see a village, with people,. Wooden houses, twenty in number. A crowd of villagers, simply dressed. Players, walking among them and arguing about something. Also, I sense such a pleasant smell of food that it makes my stomach rumble from hunger. Is this my hallucination or do you see the same thing as I?”
“This is not a phantom,” astonished Zangar confirmed.”Two cannot see wrong. I don’t understand. Respawn point on the right. Players there. Can ask what’s up. Find group. The more the easier.”
“Then let’s go. Be careful of the mages, they have a habit of first attacking and only then finding out the circumstances.”
Having decided, we took just one step towards the village, when a message appeared before my eyes:
You have reached the Labyrinth, a PVP-free zone
Any aggression against another player shall be punished by instant respawn
You will need to complete four sequential tests
Test one: transfer 27 potatoes to head of village
Object received: potato
“Yari! Homeboy!” I heard the joyful cry and almost immediately was wrapped in a bear hug by Monstrichello’s huge paws. “We’ve been waiting for yo so! Nata said you’d come soon, but we got worried. Teart thought you were plain dead. ‘Cause you left the group.”
“I was just concerned and warily I inquired about the others’ opinions,” leprechaun approached and shook my hand affably. “It’s good to see you again, partner. Are those two with you? Why do you bring a mage with you? And what’s wrong with him? Why can’t he walk? What happened to your hand? Where’s your glove? What happened to you altogether? Why did you and Nata decide to go as different groups?”
“Where is she?” I stopped the avalanche of leprechaun’s, questions, tensing as he mentioned the druid.
“Sleeping, it’s her turn to rest now. The first test involves providing 27 potatoes. Until you have them, the locals won’t even bother to see you. They just totally ignore you. There are two teachers in the village, for profession and attributes, but in order to train with them you need to first come up with those blasted tubers. The growth cycle of one tuber is twenty four hours. One cycle yields three potatoes per bush. The potato that you planted disappears. How good are you at math?”
“It takes three cycles,” I calculated at once. Or six cycles of Energy replenishment.
“We collected our first harvest today, but we have lost two levels each by now. We’ve organized guard shifts; now Logir and Sartal are guarding the crops, some people are sleeping and we were waiting for you. Oh, and I have to warn you right away: be prepared, here it’s not like in the forest. In the Labyrinth you need to sleep; at least you don’t have to eat and use the bathroom… perhaps they left that off until the wasteland. The food – Nata had food with her – replenishes Energy, but she has very little left, so we decided to save that for later. Good thing all of us leveled up above 8 in the forest. We’ll go through the first test and then we’ll see.
“Why do you guard the crops? If you can’t fight other players here?”
“It’s not allowed to fight, but there’s no rule against stealing. The potatoes would disappear literally just as they were about to produce new tubers. Already now there are plenty of desperate players here ready to do anything to pass the test at all costs. They’d find your crops, try to pull out the plant and take the potato. The task of the guards is to prevent that by standing in the attackers’ way and forcing them to push. Respawn here is instant‒ all it takes is touching another player. By the way, if you lose your potato, no one will give you a new one.”
“Wait, isn’t it silly to guard in twos? If one is sent for respawn even for a shove, why not encircle the crops so that no one could get through?”
“That would be a great decision, but not within the Academy,” the leprechaun smirked sadly. “As soon as the number of people per crop exceeds three, a huge bird swoops in and drags everyone so unfortunate to her nest, which is in a huge tree. It’s not far, about half a mile from here. She has two chicks there. Who are always hungry. Hundreds of players have already passed through their throats. Even our Monster,” Monstrichello shuddered from the unpleasant memory. “And that birdie flies very fast. You never answered about those two. Are they with you?”
“Yes. Let me introduce you: Zangar, necromancer. Marinar, mage, temporarily headless.”
“What do you mean – headle.. … Bleagh!” Leprechaun was overtaken by a retching fit as soon as Marinar’s hood was lifted and he saw the effects of acid exposure.
“We cannot wait,” Zangar said while Teart was trying to regain his composure. “Marinar second level. Two respawns. Then death. Elixirs useless for her. We have twenty four hours. For Labyrinth and wastelands. Even less. Must make it.”
“There’s only one way for you to make it in time,” Dolgunata appeared from behind Monstrichello, and cast an appraising look at the necromancer. “You need to kill the bird and its chicks. Then the locals will start talking to us. There are traders here, and I have money to pay. Hello, Yari. Doesn’t look like you hurried much. Your slowness cost us all two levels, so pull yourself together now. You need to kill the bird.”
Chapter Nine. Tests of the Labyrinth
“WELCOME to the Temple of Knowledge, young Judge.” The old man spread his arms in a friendly gesture. “It’s a pleasure to see that you crave knowledge. Description for official interrogation of witnesses and suspects is on the table for you. Please review it.”
I grabbed the piece of paper and started reading it. Dolgunata had finally done it. The girl’s words had thrown a switch in my head and the inscription "Evil Incarnate" appeared in my mind.
So much had happened recently that this case had sort of faded from my mind; however, the girl’s voice jogged my memory and thinking. While before the Labyrinth I supposed that we could coexist and complete not only the Labyrinth, but the Academy as well, after her statement, particularly given the way it was presented – as if I had broken all possible and impossible laws‒had set off a frantic search for a solution in my head. Using physical force would not be an option: even if I were able to deal a fatal blow to her, that would immediately send me to respawn, and right now was really not a good time for that. My group members had too little time for me to indulge myself by being provoked like that. Besides, I would have to explain the motive behind my actions to the Paladins; again, that would take some time, and there were no guarantees that they would even believe me. I was certain that all of them were under the influence of her ability and under her full control. That was why it would have been pointless to argue with the girl. That would not have been taken well. Putting up with it and swallowing the dish served by Dolgunata of a mix of
sarcasm and arrogance wouldn’t do either. The others may think you a pussy all they want, but it’s not right to fail in your own eyes. Self-respect is invisible, but it is too important to neglect. Ignoring the druid’s speech would have been wrong as well: Teart and Monstrichello stared at me with a mute demand for me to answer the question: “Is it really true that Dolgunata is right and we’re suffering because of you?” Dolgunata had not left a single way for me to extricate myself from this situation so that I would not lose face and become a “freak” in the eyes of the Paladins. That bitch was even appearing in a constructive mode: like, here‒ wipe the shit off your face, get up and let’s go kill the bird. She did everything to discount my return to the group.
But Dolgunata had left out the most important thing: I wasn’t just any player. I was a Judge! Before accusing her of committing all the deadly sins I needed to open the Paladins’ eyes as to what she really was; that’s why I had asked the Game to describe the principle of interrogating witnesses. As I found out, the players constantly tried to mess with each other's heads, gaining their own goals by whatever means it took. However, there should be some process or point, when the player is forced to tell the truth and only the truth. As if he were under oath. In order to make the Paladins oust Dolgunata from their heads I needed to show them what she was like for real, when she was herself. Even though the method I used was far from trivial. The Game kept silent for three entire heartbeats before it fulfilled my request and let me into the Temple of Knowledge.
“Teart, in the name of justice I demand that you tell the truth and nothing but the truth! You are summoned as a witness in the case “Evil Incarnate”,” I said in a voice devoid of all emotion, as soon as I returned to the Labyrinth. It sounded like pathos, but such were the rules: that was the beginning of the official procedure for questioning witnesses. I was right: the Game actually had a protocol for questioning witnesses in judicial cases. While the suspect could ignore this procedure (no one, not even the Game, could force someone to testify against himself) the witnesses had no option to speak an untruth. You could omit things or skirt around things — that was fine, but you could not openly lie. That was punished harshly, up to final death.
“For the duration of your testimony you are released from all physical, moral and emotional binds,” I finished the key phrase and Teart’s eyes glazed. Apparently, a system message appeared in front of the leprechaun and he was reading it, surprised.
“Witness: state your name, class and level.” I started the questioning as soon as the leprechaun’s eyes cleared and incredible surprise appeared in them instead.
“Teart, Paladin, level seven,” Teart said slowly, shifting his eyes from me to Dolgunata, who took several steps to the side. The druid frowned. Apparently events as they were unfolding now weren’t going as she had planned. By the way, the Paladins had leveled up quite well before the Labyrinth. Where did they get so much experience, given that they’d already lost two levels?
“Teart, please explain: how did Dolgunata explain my absence from the group?” I continued my questioning.
“She said that you had agreed to move on separately, to avoid provoking the mages. That it would be easier for you to travel through the forest alone. Even though I didn’t quite understand why …”
“In what way did you achieve so many levels?”
“That’s not relevant!” The druid interfered, but then fell silent, encountering my cold stare. We stared daggers at each other for a few moments, then Dolgunata’s pupils widened as she suddenly realized: she couldn’t control me anymore. Headhunters really are formidable creatures if you think about it.
“Teart, I repeat the question — how did you achieve so many levels?”
“We killed players,” leprechaun responded dispiritedly. “Mages, warriors… Everyone who came to hand, we never asked their level, nor if they were initiated. Yari, I don’t know why we were doing that… At that time it seemed that we were doing the right thing, but… We killed all of them …”
“Did you leave the concrete forest and enter the Labyrinth of your own will?” I kept inquiring.
“No,” Teart thought for a while. “We wanted to wait for you, but Dolgunata and Sakhray convinced us that we should go on. Killing everyone we encountered along the way."
Hearing an unfamiliar name I slowed down for a moment, but immediately understood who that was: the male druid.
“Thank you, Teart, I don’t have any more questions for you. In the name of justice I release you from the obligation to tell the truth and nothing but the truth,” I said the official phrase to end the interrogation and turned to the next witness. It was Monstrichello‒ by this time Dolgunata was practically hiding behind him.
“Monstrichello, in the name of justice I demand that you…” I started the process for questioning the second Paladin, when Dolgunata suddenly screamed hysterically:
“Monstrichello! Save me! They want to kill me! Darling, you are my only hope!”
“WHO?!” The giant roared, pulling out his shield and activating his defense. “I WON’T LET ‘EM!”
“Kill them!” Nata continued to yell. “Kill them all! They aren’t your brothers! They are demons!”
“BASH’EM ALL!” Monster rushed right ahead, swinging his shield for a blow. It all happened so suddenly that no one had time to react. Teart, Zangar with Marinar and I fell to the side like bowling pins. Hitting the ground took my breath away, but failed to kill me: I activated my defense even as I was flying through the air. Once the stars stopped jumping in my eyes and faded, I jumped to my feet to try and deflect Monster’s next attack, but he was already gone. I barely saw the last ripples from his figure dissolving in the air: the Game had punished the tank for an attack within the Labyrinth. A couple of yards away Zangar was rising to his feet; he managed to save not only himself but Marinar as well; however, Teart wasn’t there. The leprechaun was the first to take Monstrichello’s blow and be sent for respawn.
“Babies,” Dolgunata snorted testily, looking on disdainfully “You are so easy to control! You are just helpless kittens‒ the main world will eat you for breakfast and won’t as much as burp!”
“Dolgunata! I pronounce you guilty of controlling the Paladins’ minds, disregard of all ethical norms and incitement to murder,” I said with unconcealed malice, shifting my artifact into attack mode and advancing towards the druid. “I sentence you to be stripped of initiation and final death in the Academy! This sentence is final and not subject to appeal!”
Verdict is confirmed
Verdict is deemed harsh
Verdict shall apply within the Academy only
Player, level 10, Dolgunata, is non-initiated
Case “Evil Incarnate” is closed. The task is assigned to the nearest Headhunters
Received: reward for Headhunter: 1 granis (reward shall be transferred to the Headhunter that will deliver the final fatal blow at the first level of the convict)
Received reward for verdict: character allegiance determined
The arrow of the virtual meter that was already within the dark side now moved for the last time, and a note appeared on it: “100”. A new icon appeared on the control panel and immediately started blinking and jumping demanding that I should pay attention to it; however, I was occupied. I was looking at the druid and couldn’t understand her joy. It created an impression that the girl had everything completely under control.
“Oh, scary-scary,” Dolgunata smiled, confirming my thoughts. “I am oh so afraid! Oh, the scary Judge, he wants to destroy me! Oh, please save me, kind beings. Hа-hа-hа!"
Agitation began in the village. Everyone suddenly started running and rushing about; a few moments later I saw Logir, Dangard and a few more players walking slowly towards us. Apparently, all the local headhunters had received the assignment and now, as if sleepwalking, led by the magic word “granis”, were moving towards us.
“Silly little Paladin,” the druid continued to express her mirth. She
cast a quick glance at the advancing hunters and grinned as if completely unconcerned by the new threat. “In the Labyrinth you cannot inflict physical damage on other players. I have just demonstrated this to you. Logir! Dangard wants to kill me! Save me! He is the Paladins’ enemy!”
Before I could stop the femorc, she dealt the mage a crushing blow and the two characters slowly faded in the air, never having figuring out what happened to them.
“I could continue this forever,” the druid continued mocking. “Within the Academy there are no mental protection amulets, so I am like a goddess here! If you’re unhappy with it – it’s your own problem, you may open as many cases as you can stuff down your throat. There’s no one here who would be able to punish me. You two! Get out, if you don’t want to join the dead Paladins!” Dolgunata barked at the hunters who came up, and they ran off at once.
“Yari, I want to know how you got rid of my mental control. And until I find this out, I will keep sending Paladins to respawn time and again. The fact that you released Teart means nothing. I’ll subdue him again. He is weak. Just like the rest of you.”
“Worthy opponent,” Zangar reminded me he was still there. “You’re lucky, Paladin. If survive – will be strong. Hello, Dolgunata. I’m Zangar, necromancer. We have met before.”
“Sakhray, relax, they aren’t going to attack,” Dolgunata said to someone behind my back, then turned to the necromancer. I don’t remember you, necromancer, how do you know me? Where did we meet?”
“Your teacher‒ Archibald. He visited my teacher. Two months before Academy. You were with them. I remember you. Archibald taught you much. Your brother remember too. Smelt him a while ago. Cannot sneak well. Not so strong. Was a tournament. You were in finals. Not won. Took second place.”
“You’re Levard’s student?!” Dolgunata exclaimed, astonished. “What did you tell Yari?!”
The Beginning (Dark Paladin Book #1) LitRPG Series Page 31