Goblin: a LitRPG Novel (Tower of Gates LitRPG Series Book 1)

by Paul Bellow

  Both of us walked back over to Benji.

  "Lead the way," I said.

  "It's outside the city walls," Sarah said.

  “Not anymore,” the cleric said. “They moved it about twenty miles to the north.”

  "You know where it is, though, right?" I asked.

  "Sure, master boss-man."

  "Quit throwing random titles on me. I'm Drex. That’s it."

  Benji turned and walked toward the city gates without another word. Sarah and I followed close behind, keeping our eyes on him.

  "Wait," I said, grabbing his shoulder. "We need to walk twenty miles?"

  "No, of course not. You have money left, right? We’ll buy a used cart."

  "Can we afford one?" Sarah asked.

  Benji bobbed his head back and forth and smiled.

  "Not a good one," he said.

  We walked a few more minutes in silence, passing through the massive city gates. On the road leading out of town, we veered to the left and headed toward a farmhouse.

  "I hope he knows what he's doing," I muttered.

  "Has he failed us yet?" Sarah asked.

  "No, but he might."

  "I heard that," Benji called over his shoulder as he walked in front of us.

  As we approached the farmhouse, a man in tattered clothes stepped out of the front door.

  "Ello," Benji called out in his hypnotic and charismatic voice.

  "What do you want?" the man asked.

  I stopped and pulled my sword as I saw him raise a knife.

  "Hold on," Benji said, lifting his hands in the air. " We're here to buy a horse and cart."

  "You owe me money," the man said, still brandishing the knife.

  "My new employers will pay that and the cost of your worst horse and wagon."

  "Hold on," I said, stepping forward.

  The man thrust, stabbing the air with the rusted blade.

  "How much does he owe you?" Sarah asked, also walking forward.

  "Stay away, elf. Don't bewitch me."

  The man stumbled backward.

  Sarah shook her head.

  “Really?” she asked.

  "How much does Benji owe you?" I asked as I sheathed my sword and lifted my hands in the air.

  "Thirteen silver, plus interest,” the man said, still holding his knife.

  "Okay, and how much for a decent horse and wagon?"

  "I ain't got no more horses since the famine, but I have a mule. That and the cart would be thirty gold."

  "No way," I said. "We'll give you twenty."

  "Twenty-five and it's yours."

  "And you'll forgive Benji's debt?"

  "Sure.” The man smiled. “What debt?"

  You have learned a new skill.

  Bargaining – Basic Level 1 of 10

  You know how to haggle fairly well

  "Thank you," Benji said.

  "Go get us the cart and mule,” I said. “We'll get your gold ready."

  "I'm throwing a curse on it," Sarah said.

  The man's eyes widened in fear.

  I sighed.

  "Come on, Kali. Take it back."

  She laughed.

  "I'm kidding, I'm kidding..."

  The man turned and walked around the house to a barn in back.

  "You're getting on my nerves now," I told her.

  "Do you two ever do anything but argue?" Benji asked.

  Both of us looked at him.

  "You brought us here to pay off your debts, didn’t you?” I asked.

  "Two birds, one stone, you know the deal."

  He smiled, looking smug and humble at the same time.

  "We still haven't worked out my payment,” he said.

  "Can we do it later? We've got to get this book. I want to get it and be back to the city before sundown."

  I wanted to test how committed he would be to our party.

  Benji nodded, lips pursed tightly together. We left in the cart, heading north of Fishguard.

  ▧▨▧▧▨▧▧▨▨▧▨▧▨▧▧▨▧▧▨▨▧▨

  Four bumpy hours later, we arrived at a remote encampment on the plains north of the city.

  "Whoa," Benji said, pulling back on the reins.

  Our faithful horse stopped.

  "This is it?" I asked him, looking at the dozen tents pitched in a circle.

  "I'm sure of it."

  "Stay here," Kali said as she climbed out the back of the wagon.

  I hopped down from the front and walked around to intercept her.

  "You can't go alone."

  "I don't need you to protect me here."

  "What's going on with you? You're acting weird."

  "It's you, Eric. You're treating me like...I don't know, but I don't like it."

  Her furrowed brow and squinted eyes concerned me. I knew her angry-look well.

  "Fine." I raised my hands in the air and stepped back. "But I don't like it."

  She walked around me and approached the tents. A man in red robes outlined with gold stepped out and waved at her as she approached.

  Okay, she needs to level up on her own. I get it, but still...

  "We're on schedule, don't worry," Benji said as he walked over.

  "Good. I want to get back to Fishguard before the sun goes down."

  "That shouldn't be a problem."

  We waited a few minutes. Instead of checking my stats, I watched Benji pace back and forth as if having an intense conversation with himself.

  What's that all about? I wondered.

  Sarah walked out, breaking me out of my thoughts.

  "Let's go," she said.

  "You get the book?"

  She smiled and nodded.

  "This is a cool game. Except for trapping us in here and everything."

  "Argh," I groaned.

  "Game?" Benji asked, one eyebrow raised.

  "Stupid magic stuff," I said, glaring at Sarah.

  She frowned.

  "It's fine," I said. "But we need more levels, so try to not mention the unmentionables?"

  "Levels?" Benji asked, this time raising his other brow..

  "Don't worry about it," I said. "Turn the cart around."

  "This is the most stubborn mule," Benji said.

  A young boy screamed.

  I pulled my sword and scanned the immediate area. Three dog-like creatures were chasing a boy toward us. I noticed leather armor strapped to them. Hyenas.

  Your Monster Lore Skill Has Increased!

  Monster Lore Basic Level 2 of 10

  "Hyenas," Benji yelled as he pulled out his mace.

  "Battle formation," I said. "Let's save that boy."

  Sarah moved her arms while swinging her body around and singing. A moment later, golden bolts of energy shot out of the palms of her hands, striking a hyena.

  "Attack," I screamed, rushing forward.

  The boy darted to the left, narrowly escaping.

  I struck the one damaged by Sarah's magic bolts.

  Your slash HITS the hyena for 9 damage.

  The hyena is dead!

  You receive 400xp divided by two party members.

  You get 200xp (-10% penalty) = 180xp

  Why xp for just one kill? This game changes so much.

  Benji struck one of the nasty beasts on the snout with his mace, causing it to yelp.

  "That's not very funny, is it?" he asked.

  I ran forward and brought my sword down.

  Your pierce GRAZES the hyena for 5 damage

  The hyena snarled, turned, and lunged at me.

  The hyena misses you.

  Benji connected again with the other. I delivered a killing thrust.

  Your thrust HITS the hyena for 8 damage.

  The hyena is dead.

  You get 400xp divided by two party members.

  You get +200 xp

  I turned to see the last one go down as several more energy bolts hit it.

  The hyena is dead.

  You get 400xp divided by two party memb
ers.

  You get +200 xp

  You Level Up! You need to find a trainer.

  "Yeah," Kali screamed, raising a fist in the air. "We did it."

  I nodded my head in the direction of the boy.

  "We should help him," I said as I walked over.

  Sarah and Benji followed. The dirt-covered boy had curled up in fetal position. His tears and cries pierced my armor.

  "Are you okay?" Kali asked in a soothing voice.

  "No," the boy yelled. "They killed them all."

  "Who killed who?" Benji asked. "We should get going."

  "Hold on," Sarah snapped then turned to the boy and adjusted her tone. "Tell us what happened. We can help."

  "The monsters are moving into the forest. I tried to warn my family, but it was too late. When I ran away, they saw me and sent their dogs after me. I almost didn't make it."

  He burst into a fresh round of tears.

  "The gnoll rumors are true," Benji said.

  "What rumors?" I asked.

  He frowned, shaking his head.

  "They're trying to start a community here, so they've probably sent an advance team to set something up. If we don't do something, they'll keep growing in the area."

  "We have to take them out," I said.

  "It's not our battle," Benji said.

  The boy cried harder.

  "Cut it out, you two," Kali said, soothing the boy.

  I looked over at Benji.

  "This is our battle now..."

  He nodded.

  New Quest – A Hunting We Will Gnoll

  Stop the gnoll advanced scouting party from setting up permanently in Shockly Forest. On completion of this quest, you will receive 2,000 experience points and all their treasure.

  "You get that?" Sarah asked.

  I nodded and opened my mouth to reply in-character, but before a sound came out, I heard a deep, throaty voice yell out in an unknown language.

  "What now?" Kali asked, looking around.

  "Gnoll," Benji yelled. "Can we negotiate my payment now?"

  "No," I said.

  "I was only kidding," he said while brandishing his mace.

  The terrified boy leapt to his feet and ran toward our wagon.

  "We'll talk about this later," I said.

  A gnoll and two more hyenas approached cautiously.

  "Let's do this smart," I said. "Kali, get a hyena or two if you can. Benji, back her up. I'm going for the big guy. Ready?"

  Sarah danced and sang another spell. Benji ran forward, keeping the other hyena busy. I stepped toward the tall dog-like creature.

  He growled and ran forward, swinging a long sword.

  The gnoll scout GRAZES you for 6 damage.

  Ouch. I'm already down half my health. This is it. Do or die.

  I screamed and swung my blade.

  Your slash SCRATCHES the gnoll for 2 damage.

  That won’t do it.

  I dodged to the left as the gnoll swung again.

  The gnoll scout MISSES YOU.

  I slashed again, hoping the others were okay.

  Your slash HITS the gnoll for 9 damage.

  A little better, but...

  "Watch out," Sarah yelled.

  I dodged at the last moment as three energy bolts shot by.

  The gnoll screamed and went down to the ground.

  The gnoll and two hyenas are dead!

  You get 1200xp divided by two party members.

  You get +600 xp

  "Everyone okay?" I asked, scanning the battlefield.

  "Fine here," Sarah said.

  "I'll be fine," Benji said in a strained voice.

  "What's wrong?" I asked.

  "Dumb hyena bit me," he said.

  "Use one of the healing ointments," I said. “We need you healed.”

  "You would do that for me?" he asked.

  "While you're not officially part of our party, we do like you, Benji."

  Sarah walked up and gave him a vial full of healing liquid.

  Benji perked up after quaffing it. He stretched his arms and legs.

  "How's the boy?" I asked. "We should get back to the city for the night."

  "I'll go check on him," Sarah said.

  We found the frightened child in the back of our wagon, huddled under a pile of straw. I watched a moment as Sarah comforted him.

  I tapped Benji on the arm.

  "Let's go. I want to get back to the city."

  "I agree," he said. "These woods are nowhere to be after dark."

  Benji and I sat in the front of the cart and got the mule going in the right direction.

  We reached the gates of the city at dusk. They were closing them for the night when we rolled up. A bribe of a gold piece got us inside.

  Back at the Hall-Full Inn, we splurged for two separate rooms. Sarah and the boy would take one with me and Benji in the other. He took me downstairs before we went to sleep.

  He knew a man who gave me the book needed for level two. I read it late into the night, finally leveling. I checked my stats before I fell asleep.

  > Stats

  Name: Drexmao ("Drex")

  Race: Human (Special)

  Class: Rogue

  Level: 2

  Experience Points: 2805

  XP for Next Level: 2195

  Alignment: +85 (Quite Good)

  Health: 31(31)

  Strength: 75 (+10%)

  Dexterity: 75 (+10%)

  Constitution: 75 (+10%)

  Intelligence: 75 (+10%)

  Wisdom: 55 (+0%)

  Charisma: 44 (+0%)

  Not bad. Could be better. I need to buff up my stats before I level again. Looks like I get d10 hit points plus bonus each level? I wish I could min-max this game better. Maybe that was the point?

  I pushed thoughts of the real world aside. The game had trapped us, but somehow I didn't mind. Having full mobility meant so much. Adventuring with Sarah made it even better.

  While I wasn't sure what awaited us next, I needed to tell Sarah my true feelings for her. I fell asleep with Benji snoring in the bed next to mine.

  ()xxxx[:::: Chapter 10 ::::>

  A Hunting We Will Gnoll

  SARAH

  When I woke in the morning, I forgot where we were at first. Too quickly, I remembered the Tower of Gates game had trapped us.

  The boy had disappeared out of the room and never returned, but I had other things to worry about. Like my stats at level two.

  > Stats

  Name: Kali Tracaryn

  Race: Elf

  Class: Mage

  Level: 2

  XP: 4695

  XP for Next LeveL: 2805

  Alignment: +75 (Very Good)

  HEALTH: 12 (12)

  MANA: 48 (48)

  Strength: 72 (+10% To Hit Melee, +2 melee damage)

  Dexterity: 96 (+35% To Hit Ranged,+35 Armor Class)

  Constitution: 52 (+0%)

  Intelligence: 93 (+30% INT saves, +6 mp every level)

  Wisdom: 43 (+0%)

  Charisma: 44 (+0%)

  Any new spells? I wondered.

  > Stats Spells

  Spells: Level One

  Fish Slaying (1mp)

  Slay fish in ten-foot radius.

  Golden Bolts (2mp per bolt up to 4+ lvl of caster)

  Golden bolts of energy shoot out of your palms.

  Glorified Cloaks of Bronze (2mp per armor adjustment up to 4+ lvl of caster)

  Golden energy surrounds the target of the spell, improving their defense by 10%

  Choose one new first level spell from the following list:

  Ritual of Clean Helms

  Conjure Bronze

  Illusion of Earth

  Negate Sneaking

  Ladder of Dwarven Earth

  Purify Arrows

  Identify

  Tip: At level three, you will gain one second level spell and one more first level spell.

  Ugh. No second level yet, but a few useful first level ones. Negate Speaki
ng is so tempting, but I’ll choose identify. That'll save us from having to buy more expensive identify scrolls.

  I dragged myself out of bed and stretched. Before going to get the others, I went downstairs to talk to the innkeeper, a nice man named Basil who liked us because we'd spent a lot in his inn.

  "Good morning, Kali," he said as I approached a tiny room that served as his office.

  I smiled.

  "Good morning. You have wonderful rooms here, and we're very happy, but I was wondering..."

  "We have a bath in the basement. Easier to heat the water that way."

  "That's wonderful," I said. "How much?"

  "First bath is free, but after that it's five copper each."

  "Here's enough for all of us for a few weeks."

  I tossed him a gold coin.

  He smiled, swiping it from the air with his thick, hairy hand.

  "You need anything else, let me know."

  "I will, Basil. Thank you. We'll be leaving for a day or two, but we'll be back."

  "That's what I like to hear."

  I nodded my head then walked to find the bath in the basement. Elves in Tower of Gates needed little sleep. After only three hours, I felt refreshed.

  The book of wizardry had taken me half the night to read, but it was worth every minute. I'd learned so much about the magic in this world. Big things were coming.

  When I reached the door to the basement, I peered down into the darkness. A damp odor emanated from the depths. Do I want to go down there by myself?

  It's a bath. What could go wrong?

  Step by step, I descended the steep stairs to the basement. Sconces on the wall lit the way but left flickering shadows on both walls.

  I meandered toward a light at the end of the hallway. When I reached it, I stopped in wonder and amazement at the luxury bathroom.

  Boris or someone had spent a pretty penny creating an expansive room etched out of marble. In the far corner, a massive tub sat filled with water.

  I saw steam rising from it. This will be so good, I thought as I crossed the room, undressing on the way. When I slipped into the warm water, I moaned in pleasure.

  Various perfumed soaps filled a nearby shelf carved into the marble walls. I tried two or three until I found the best scent, a touch of rose and lavender.