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

by Paul Bellow

  I never wanted to leave the water. Closing my eyes, I sat back, almost submerged in the water. Everything faded away as I got lost in my thoughts.

  After a few seconds or minutes, I sensed a presence in the room with me and opened my eyes.

  "Drex, this isn't funny," I called out, thinking it was him.

  While I wanted to use his real name to emphasize my anger, I didn't want the OOC penalty.

  No one answered. Was it Benji? Basil? Someone else?

  I got out of the marble tub and dried off with a cotton towel hanging nearby. Not wanting to wait in the creepy basement any longer, I wrapped it around me then walked upstairs.

  Basil saw me and nodded with a smile as I passed his office. I returned the gesture, not mentioning the presence in the basement. Maybe I imagined it, I told myself as I made it to my room.

  I pushed the incident aside and got ready for the day. Dressed and smelling fresh for the first time in days, I went to the boys' room and knocked on the door.

  "What?" Benji snapped.

  I opened the door and walked in.

  "Hope you two are decent."

  Eric stood next to the window, looking at the street below.

  Was he the one spying on me in the basement? There's no way.

  He turned and smiled.

  "Where'd you disappear off to?"

  "There's a bath in the basement. I paid up for us."

  "I could go for one of those," he said.

  Benji stood up.

  "We don't have time. If we want the best deals, we need to get to the shops early,"

  "Fine," I said. "But if you ever want to be join our party, you need to work on your personal hygiene."

  "Sarah," Eric hissed. "Don't be rude."

  "We were all thinking it. Anyway, Benji's right. I want to get going."

  "Do you feel...um, more experienced?"

  I nodded and smiled.

  "Go get the cart ready, Benji. We'll be down in a minute."

  After he left, closing the door behind him, I turned to Eric.

  He shook his head.

  "We can talk later, okay?"

  I frowned. Josh not showing up had been weighing heavily on my mind, and I needed to talk to someone about my feelings.

  "We should go," he said.

  He stepped toward the door.

  "Ugh, I'll take the penalty, Eric."

  OOC Penalty

  For talking Out of Character in-game, you will receive

  -10% experience points next time you receive some.

  "Sarah...Why?"

  "I need to talk to you, Eric."

  "You couldn't talk in-game?"

  "Games are all you ever care about, aren't they?"

  He sighed then frowned.

  "We already have the penalty."

  "This game is so screwy."

  "Right? I'm having fun and all, but what if we never get out of here?"

  "We will," he said, putting a hand on my arm.

  I pulled away.

  "How can you be sure? We don't even know what happens if we die."

  "Wait..." he whispered, holding up a finger to his lips.

  I scrunched up my face in confusion.

  He stepped to the door of the room and flung it open.

  Benji stumbled, almost falling to the floor.

  "Were you listening?" Eric asked.

  "I heard nothing. Honest."

  "Why were you listening to us?" I stepped forward. "Were you the one in the basement spying on me this morning?"

  Eric turned his head.

  "What?"

  "Yeah, I said nothing, but someone or something was spying on me."

  "We were in the bedroom all morning," Benji said.

  "Yeah," Eric added. "I don't like your implications."

  "Can we please just go?" I asked. "Forget about it."

  "No. If someone was spying on you, we need to get to the bottom of it. Do you think it was Basil?"

  I shook my head.

  "No, it was an evil presence."

  "We're running late," Benji said. "Should I go get the wagon?"

  "Let's go," I said as I walked through the door and into the second-story hallway.

  "Our conversation?"

  "We'll finish it later."

  I almost slipped and called him Eric, but I caught myself.

  Benji must think we're both nuts.

  The other two followed behind as I made my way down the narrow staircase to the first floor.

  Basil stood in the lobby, talking to a local merchant when we walked by.

  Eric gave him a nasty look, but he said nothing.

  "See you later?" Basil asked.

  "We'll be back tonight," I said. "Thanks so much."

  "Don't mention it. You three are my best customers, and I want to make you happy."

  "Thanks, Basil."

  Once outside, I climbed up front with Eric while Benji climbed into the back of the wagon.

  "Sheryl's Fine Antiques is on the way out of town, and she'll have a good selection of offensive wands for you," Benji said from the back as he peered over our shoulders.

  "Great. I'm able to cast more magic every day now, but it will be good to have backup."

  "I want to buy a ring or something."

  Benji laughed.

  "You two don't have enough for a magic ring."

  "We will soon," Eric said.

  A few minutes later, we arrived at single story wood structure. The building appeared newly constructed. We headed inside, me leading the way.

  Wands and staves of all shapes and sizes covered the walls.

  "I wonder what this one does," Eric said, picking up a willow limb.

  "Don't touch unless you plan on buying," a snooty voice called out.

  I turned and saw a middle-aged man with a long, curved nose and outrageous bushy moustache.

  "Can I help you three?" he asked, looking down that monstrous nose at us.

  I stifled a giggle.

  "Sorry," Eric said, replacing the wand.

  "I only have about a hundred gold. What can I find that's offensive?"

  "For a hundred gold?" He laughed haughtily. "Let me take you in the back for the discount items."

  We followed him through the store to a door on the far wall. He opened it and walked in a smaller room with a table in the center. A wooden box sat on top of it.

  "This is all I have for customers like you."

  He nodded his head at the wooden box. I walked over and peered inside. A single wand sat on the bottom, carved from warped oak at first glance.

  Should I cast an identify spell on it?

  "It's a powerful wand that will do wonders for your group."

  "We can't trust this guy," Eric whispered into my ear.

  > Identify

  Cursed Ogres' Blowgun of Fire Beam

  This cursed item will backfire 50% of the time, hurting the one using the wand instead of the target.

  "Hey," I said, turning around. "This is a cursed wand."

  "Well, yeah. That's why it's only a hundred gold pieces."

  "This isn't the way to treat my employers," Benji said, puffing out his chest.

  "By your smell, I can tell they think little of you."

  "That's enough."

  Eric drew his sword.

  Seriously? What's his deal today and in games generally? He could act brutish or smart depending on his mood.

  "I'll call the local guard," the man said, backing into the main store. "Or use one of my wands on you."

  "We're leaving. No need to be hostile. Come, friends, let's go. We'll come back when we have more money."

  The man laughed as we made our way through the shop. We got in the cart and headed toward the city gates, intent on eating a late breakfast on the way to Shockly Forest to make up for lost time.

  Randall, a local guard, nodded his head as we rolled by.

  "Be safe," he called out.

  "We will," I said from the back as we rolled away
toward adventure.

  ▧▨▧▧▨▧▧▨▨▧▨▧▨▧▧▨▧▧▨▨▧▨

  Hours later, we reached the edge of Shockly Forest. The path narrowed as it entered the dark woods full of huge, old trees, ambassadors of time.

  "Should we leave the cart here? It's unpractical in the woods."

  "We can't leave it out here in the open. Things are still rough out here," Benji said.

  Eric stared down the trail leading into the forest.

  "I say we bring the cart in and stay on the path. We can hide it, but I want to scout the area before we make any firm plans."

  "Sounds like a plan," I said.

  He pulled on the reins. The mule stubbornly refused to go.

  "Come on," Eric said.

  I laughed.

  "What?" he asked, turning.

  "You remind me of this strange dream I had..."

  He cut me off.

  "Don't say it."

  "You two are the strangest," Benji said from the back.

  "Don't you have a spell you can use?" Eric asked.

  "No, but let me see if I can help."

  "You can talk to mules?"

  "No, but I have empathy with animals."

  While it wasn't a skill in the game, in the real-world I had an affinity with animals.

  I climbed down from the cart and walked over to the mule.

  "Good boy. What's wrong?" I asked in a soothing voice.

  "You're kidding, right?" the mule replied.

  I stepped backward, tripping over a tree root and falling.

  Benji and Eric burst into laughter.

  "We have a magic talking mule," I declared. "Why is that so funny?"

  "Benji knows how to throw his voice," Eric said then twisted his head to look in the back. "I want you to teach me that trick."

  "Not funny," I said as I got to my feet.

  For whatever reason, the mule took a few steps deeper into the woods.

  "Get on," Eric called out. "I think he's going."

  "Can I join your party now?" the mule asked in Benji's voice.

  Eric chuckled as I climbed in and sat down next to him.

  "Not funny," I muttered.

  The mule pulled us down the path and into the forest. Sounds of birds and other woodland creatures hit my perky ears. They filled me with a sense of calm and peaceful serenity.

  None of us talked as we rode a mile or two down the path. When we reached the giant bee hives I'd skirted on my way out of the woods a few days earlier, Eric stopped the cart.

  "What are you doing?" I asked. "We need to go another mile or two at least."

  "Look at those bee hives," he said, pointing. "They're huge."

  "Well, yeah, they're made by giant bees."

  "I don't think messing with them is a good idea," Benji said.

  "There's no bees around," Eric said, handing me the reins. "I'll be right back."

  "Eric, don't..."

  He ignored me, jumping off the cart. I watched as he crossed the path and looked up at one of the monstrous hives. How does he think he’ll get it down?

  When he failed, I'd have a good laugh. Until then, he could make a fool of himself. Benji climbed over the bench and sat down next to me – a little too close for comfort.

  "I've got a bad feeling about this."

  "Me too," I said.

  We both watched as Eric attempted to climb one of the humongous trees. I heard a buzzing noise getting louder. I stopped smiling and looked around.

  "There's bees coming," I shouted, standing up.

  "Aargh," Benji screamed, clamoring back over the bench and into the back.

  "I hear them," Eric said. "But I don't see them."

  The moment he stopped talking, two five-foot bees buzzed out of the woods and in our direction.

  "I don't think they're happy with you," I said.

  "Can someone help me, please?"

  "Benji's in the back hiding, but I have you covered."

  I hopped out of the wagon and began a spell, my hands moving through the air rhythmically.

  Eric drew his sword and ran at one of the two bees that had appeared.

  "Are they gone yet?" Benji asked.

  I ignored him and everything else, concentrating on my spell.

  Your Golden Bolts MAUL the giant bee for 24 damage!

  The giant bee is dead!

  "Be careful with those," Eric shouted. "You nearly hit me."

  "Can you take care of the other one by yourself?"

  "I'm doing my best," he said, dancing around the bee that had dropped to the ground.

  "You okay back there, Benji?" I called out.

  "Are they dead yet?"

  "No, but almost."

  I watched Eric swing, parry with his buckler, then stab at the bee.

  He's got this, I thought. Or not.

  The bee turned around and stung Eric's arm.

  Crap...

  I cast another six golden bolts.

  Your Golden Bolts MAUL the giant bee for 24 damage!

  The giant bee is dead!

  Combat is Over!

  You receive 800xp split between 2 party members.

  400xp (-10%) = 360xp

  "Are you okay?" I asked.

  "I'm fine," Benji replied.

  "Not you," I hissed then rushed over to Eric.

  "He got me. I think it's poison."

  "Again? What is it with you and poison?"

  "If Benji had been out here, we would've been fine."

  "Did I hear my name?"

  Our so-called fearless cleric stepped over.

  "We need to use one of our remove poison potions. That only leaves two. I'm about out of mana too."

  "Can't we ever get a break?" Eric asked, rubbing his arm.

  "Don't touch it," I said.

  Benji and him watched as I pulled out a potion. As I poured it over the wound, the skin magically healed as we watched.

  "Feel better?" I asked.

  "Ugh," he moaned.

  "What is it?"

  "I'll tell you later."

  Something about the game? I bet he lost strength or constitution points because of the poison.

  "You'll be fine," I said. "Next time we leave the hives alone, okay?"

  "I hate rats and bees," he said, sheathing his sword.

  "We haven't even run into any gnolls yet, but I don't want to waste my last potion to restore my mana."

  "I can fight gnolls," Benji said. "They're no problem. It's the bees."

  "And the rats," Eric added.

  "Come on. Let's get going. I don't want to be out in the wilderness after dark."

  "We have plenty of time," Eric said. "Those bee hives could bring a lot of money in the city."

  "Are we honey-collectors or adventurers?"

  Benji laughed as Eric glared at me.

  I walked back to the wagon and climbed in, taking the reins. The other two rushed over as I started back down the path, moving around the two dead bees.

  Another mile into the forest, three gnolls appeared out of the woods and stepped onto the trail ahead of us. Two of them had two hyenas in armor by their sides.

  "This is it," Eric said, hopping out of the wagon.

  "Come on, Benji," I said. "Time to earn your keep."

  "You guys still haven't technically paid me anything."

  "Really? Now?" I asked.

  The NPCs in the game acted so real.

  "I'm kidding," he said, crawling over the bench.

  We joined Eric in front of the cart as the three gnolls talked amongst each other.

  "I can take out a hyena or two myself if Benji can get the others."

  "That leaves the gnolls for me," Eric said, drawing his blade.

  All four hyenas growled and rushed toward us. The gnolls hung back on the edge of the path.

  I swung into action, casting six Golden Bolts at the lead hyena.

  Your Golden Bolts WOUND the hyena for 18 damage!

  The hyena is dead!

&
nbsp; Maybe I should try fewer bolts on the next one. I'm down to twelve mana.

  Benji bolted forward with his mace lifted in the air. I wasn't sure if he would do more damage with that or the odors coming from underneath his sweat-stained robes.

  He connected with a hyena, sending it flying across the trail as Eric dashed past him. The other two dog-like beasts continued toward Benji and myself.

  Perfect.

  I cast another Golden Bolts spell, only sending three shooting toward one of the fresh hyenas.

  Your Golden Bolts HIT the hyena for 9 damage!

  Uh oh. I've only got six mana lest, and I never fixed my bow. Why is this stupid game so hard?

  Benji took out the wounded hyena then moved to another. I repeated the motions for my Golden Bolts spell, using the last of my mana to shoot three of them at one hyena.

  Your Golden Bolts spell INJURES the hyena for 12 damage!

  The hyena is dead!

  Better, I thought as I looked past Benji to Eric.

  He had closed the gap on the gnolls and was fighting all three at the same time.

  I need to help him.

  On the way around Benji and the last remaining hyena, I reached into my pouch and grabbed the last potion of mana restoration. My body tingled as I felt energized once again.

  "Your mother was a dead goat," Eric screamed as he slashed and stabbed.

  One of the gnolls fell down as I made it within range and cast my spell.

  Your Golden Bolts MAUL the hyena for 23 damage!

  The hyena is dead!

  The hyena dropped as the bolts of energy hit his body.

  More mana gone, but we can't lose this battle.

  Distracted by the magic, Eric hit the last gnoll with his sword.

  The gently curved blade plunged into his stomach.

  Ouch. That's gonna hurt.

  Instead of fighting more, the gnoll took off into the woods.

  Combat is over!

  You get 2,400xp divided by two party members.

  You get +1,200xp

  "Get him," Eric yelled. "He’ll warn the others."

  I rushed over, but I couldn't get line-of-sight.

  "He's gone," I said. "Are you okay?"

  "No," he snapped. "I had a sword thrust into my stomach, and it hurts."

  "Do not fear," Benji said, walking up. "I can heal him. We'll want to save the other potions."

  "Are you poisoned again?" I asked, unable to stifle a chuckle.