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

by Paul Bellow

  "Very well, Kali. I'm rather fond of the name. Thank you."

  Are you going to be talking in my head all the time?

  "Only when you need me, but please keep me safe," Charlotte said.

  "Agreed," I said out loud, still getting accustomed to the telepathy.

  We chatted, causing me to lose track of time until someone knocked on the door.

  "Quiet now," I said to Charlotte.

  I opened the door and saw Eric standing in the hallway. He looked gruff yet heroic.

  "Come in," I said. "Where are the others in our ever-expanding party?"

  "They're still shopping. I wanted to see if you were finished."

  "Oh? Why?"

  Does he have something he wants to tell me?

  "I can't read his mind, Kali," Charlotte said.

  "No, don't do that," I said out loud.

  Eric tilted his head to the side.

  "You okay?" His eyes widened. "Watch out, there's a spider on you."

  He reached his arm back. I stepped away before it came down and squished my familiar.

  "Don't," I said. "It's Charlotte, my familiar."

  "You got your familiar? And you named her Charlotte? Did you pick a spider?"

  "No, she came to me. I think she's cute. See the beautiful red colors, so deep and true."

  "Still a spider." He frowned. "Is she poisonous?"

  I stifled a laugh.

  "She's harmless. Trust me."

  "Okay. I do."

  We stared at each other a moment.

  "Oh, yeah, the reason I came up here. Can you help me find a buff ring? Ugh. OOC."

  "Smooth move, Eric."

  "I wanted to talk with you, anyway. Even five minutes of real-world talk makes it easier somehow."

  "Right? I've been thinking the same thing."

  "Anyway, I want to get a ring to buff my constitution. These other NPCs are fine for now, but I don't think we should trust them."

  "Oh, Eric, you're always so paranoid."

  "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you."

  I smiled.

  "Sure, I'll go with you. Anything else before we're forced back into game-speak?"

  "Only everything," he said.

  "Yeah, it's been amazing. This should be our last quest in the game."

  "They're making it so easy."

  "Well, it's the first level. They're usually the easiest."

  "Yeah, but...I don't know. We'll get through this then figure out the rest."

  "It's been fun," I said. "Exciting."

  "And funny. I swear, if I get poisoned one more time, I'm suing the makers of the game."

  "Like your father?"

  I studied his face for a reaction.

  "Don't tell anyone about that, okay?"

  "Who would I tell, Eric?"

  "I don't know. Anyone we might meet. There's other player characters in here."

  "We got away from him, and our party is big enough now to take care of him if he comes back." I put my hand on his arm. "Let's go get that ring."

  He grinned and nodded his head.

  ▧▨▧▧▨▧▧▨▨▧▨▧▨▧▧▨▧▧▨▨▧▨

  After learning the ring would cost twenty-five thousand gold pieces, we laughed our way back to the inn. Benji and the others were standing by the cart, talking to themselves.

  He coughed as we approached.

  "Everything alright?" I asked.

  "Fine, fine," Benji said. "I was just getting to know our new crew."

  "We're excited to be killing one of the foulest hobgoblins that ever lived," Athard said.

  Thrukad lifted her battle-axe above her head.

  "One less goblin in the world is one less problem if you ask me."

  "Not all goblins and hobgoblins are bad," Eric said.

  The silver-haired warrior stared at him.

  "We should get going. I want to make it to the base of the hills by evening. We'll camp there and make our plans to get up to the cave."

  Benji put his hand on Thrukad's shoulder.

  "I bought pillows for the back."

  "That sounds nice," she said.

  As the three of them climbed into the back of the cart, Eric and I walked around to the front. Sitting down, I took the reins.

  "Oh, wait, my bow," I said. "Ugh. Never mind. I'll get it fixed when we get back."

  "What kind of mage uses a bow, anyway?" Athard asked gruffly.

  "She's a powerful one," Benji said.

  He came to my rescue so often, I almost thought he had a crush on me. Then I realized he was that way with everyone we met on our journeys.

  I blocked out the conversation starting up in the wagon and concentrated on the beautiful scenery. The Grecian architecture looked brand new.

  "They built Mednia less than fifty years ago," Charlotte said.

  "Oh, that's nice to know," I said aloud.

  "Excuse me?" Eric asked.

  "Oh, nothing. I was daydreaming."

  Why hadn't I told him more about my familiar? Simply staying in-character or was there something more to it? No answers came by the time we reached the city gates.

  Once past them, Athard poked his head up front.

  "Just so you know, if we run out of food, I know five good mule recipes I learned during the Great War."

  "Yuck. There’ll be no eating Muley."

  "You named your mule?" he asked.

  "Why not?"

  I looked over my shoulder. Athard sat back and peered over at Benji.

  "They're strange ones, but I trust them," our faithful cleric companion said.

  I turned back around as Athard continued his verbal tirade. Had we picked the wrong tank?

  The talkative tank. I smiled. Eric would like that one.

  "All I care about is killing that stupid mother-grabbing goblin and smashing his..."

  "That's enough," I said. "Save your energy for the real thing."

  My thoughts returned to the game. Would we be successful in our quest? Could we get out? And what about Josh? We had more levels, sure, but less answers.

  In the distance, with my superior elven vision, I spotted hills leading to a vast range of mountains. The artwork had been wonderfully well in this first game world. Was each level different? Did we keep our levels and skills between worlds? How did it all work?

  Non-continuity would be a bummer. Even if we got out of the game, I might consider coming back to play with Eric when the stakes weren't as high. Not knowing what happened when we died was a bummer.

  I heard our three companions chatting to each other in the back of the wagon. The depth of the game fascinated me. How did they have enough processing power for more than one level? So far, I'd gotten precious little information from help commands.

  The thoughts and questions floated away as I found myself drawn deeper into the game. I called up my new spell list to figure out the best way to cast as many as possible with the mana I had available.

  > Stats Spells

  Spells: Level One

  Fish Slaying (1mp)

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

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

  Ladder of Dwarven Earth (2mp per square foot) – Build an earthen ramp.

  Spells: Level Two

  Snares of Dust (3mp) – Clouds of dust particles rise up, often rendering a person unable to do anything other than cough and stumble away.

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

  > Stats Mana

  You have 48(48) mana points currently.

  And how far to the next level?

  > Stats xp

  You have 8855 xp. You need 7455 xp for next level.

  You have a -20% xp penalty next encounter.

  Ugh. Stupid OOC rules.

  The road went ever, ever on, but we eventually reached the foothills that eve
ning. Eric gave out orders to make camp near a group of trees. I stayed up for the first watch, letting the others rest.

  "You don't need as much as them, anyway," Charlotte said in my mind.

  Indeed, but I want to talk to you about other things. Tell me what you know of this world, Charlotte.

  "I know nothing, Kali. My eyes were only recently opened to the gloriousness of reality."

  You're rather smart for a spider, a class all your own you could say.

  "If you say so, Kali. Study your spells. We may have to battle tomorrow."

  Can you help me in other ways?

  "As you progress, our bond will grow and more will be possible. For now, I need to rest."

  Very well. Good night, Charlotte.

  In the morning, our new adventure awaited, and, maybe a way out of the game.

  ()xxxx[:::: Chapter 15 ::::>

  A Maze of Twisty Little Passages

  ERIC

  When I woke from my strange dreams that mixed in-game and real-world memories into a collage of emotions, I saw Sarah reading from one of her books.

  She didn't notice me, and the others were nowhere to be seen, so I watched a moment, so glad she was with me. I should've listened to my father.

  At the same time, the game had blown away my expectations. We were in another world, a realm beyond imagination. Sarah looked up and smiled.

  "Morning," I said.

  "Good morning. The others went to catch a rabbit before we ascend the hills."

  "You sleep okay?" I asked, standing up and stretching.

  "As well as a Forest Elf in the plains can rest, I guess."

  "This is it, the final part of our quest already. It's been fun, but I have good feelings about this."

  She nodded as the others returned with three rabbits. We feasted on the protein and planned our assault on Snargao in the Cave of Fish Smells.

  "I've heard he doesn't even guard the entrance the smell is so bad," Athard said.

  He turned the meat over the fire, roasting it perfectly.

  Should I try to pick up a cooking skill? Nah, we won't be here that much longer.

  "We should still go up there with a plan."

  "Agreed," Thrukad said. "A plan is better than no plan."

  "You're so good at this," Benji said, nodding his head and smiling.

  The rest of our breakfast before the big raid comprised small talk, each of us preparing in our own way. I thought about who we might have to battle to destroy the pendant.

  All of us stretched the meal out to over an hour. I stood up.

  "It's time to get this done. Today, we earn our place among the names of the famous of this realm."

  Athard stood and said, "Hear, hear..."

  The cheers didn't last long as our party tied up the mule then trudged up the first hill. A rain during the night made the grass slick as we walked.

  Progressively steeper hills came across our path. Even the most fit in our bunch were struggling to catch our breath by the time we reached an impassable area.

  "Stand back," Sarah said.

  As she danced and sang, Athard snickered. Thrukad shoved him.

  When the earth itself rose and formed into a ramp leading higher, everyone shut their mouth. Sarah stopped, smiled, and motioned for us to go.

  I nodded my head as I approached her.

  "After you, m'lady."

  She rolled her eyes.

  I followed close behind as the group made its way up the earthen mound.

  This is it, I thought. We should have brought masks.

  At the top of the magical ramp, a sweet floral scent wafted in our direction.

  I looked from one face to another, searching for an explanation from someone.

  "Do we have the wrong cave?"

  "I know what it is," Sarah said. "Snargao named it the Cave of Fish Smells to keep people away. I mean, if you knew of a fresh smelling cave, everyone would flock here."

  "Brilliant," I said.

  "No, but it's clever with a hint of evil."

  "You two talk strange, but I'm glad we're here."

  Athard drew his blade. I got my sword ready.

  "Let's do this," I said. "Slow and steady wins the race. Everyone do their part."

  So many raids over the years made a run like this second nature. The game might throw surprises at us, but I doubted it. We were winning the game.

  I marveled at the detail of the cave entrance as we entered. Athard and Thrukad were in front as our tanks. Benji and Sarah were in the middle. I covered our rear.

  The narrow width of the cave as we walked further in concerned me, but I said nothing. Our torches cast flickering shadows on the moist walls covered in slime.

  "Curve coming up," Athard said.

  "Follow it." I glanced backward over my shoulder. "We need to move."

  The others picked up the pace. I did the same, nervously waiting for something to jump out at us. My reflexes were decent, but having full use of my body still felt weird.

  "A room ahead," Thrukad said. "All clear."

  We entered a round cavern cleanly carved from the rock of the base of the mountain.

  "There's runes," I said, pointing above the entrance we came in.

  Sarah looked up and studied the hieroglyphics.

  "I think is says...Atari?"

  "What does that even mean?" I asked.

  The roof above the entrance suddenly slipped down with a deafening thud. A huge stone blocked our way. Six giant centipedes rushed out of a hole in its bottom.

  Colored red, blue, green, yellow, orange, and black, they attacked without delay.

  Sarah stepped back and danced a spell as Athard, Thrukad, and I all rushed forward to confront the giant insect. They better not be poisonous, I thought.

  I swung my sword at the orange one.

  Your stab HITS the giant centipede for 8 damage!

  Immediately after striking it, my armor glowed with golden energy.

  Spell Effect: Glorified Cloaks of Bronze

  +12 Armor Class. Your AC is now +42. You are well protected.

  The highest mention of armor class I'd seen was +100, so her spell must protect me somewhat. I stabbed at the same centipede, hoping Athard and Thrukad were winning their battles.

  Your stab INJURES the giant centipede for 12 damage!

  The giant centipede is dead.

  Combat is Over!

  1200xp divided by two party members.

  You get +600xp – 10% = 540xp

  You have 8,105 xp.

  You need 895 xp for level four Rogue.

  Your Weapon Craft skill has increased to Basic Skill Level 5 of 10

  Sarah smiled, wiping her brow.

  "We didn't waste as much magic on the first encounter"

  "This is all your fault." Athard walked over. "Why didn't you detect that trap, thief?"

  "Hey, I'm not a thief."

  "I know a thief when I see one."

  He stepped forward, puffing out his chest.

  "Knock it off," Sarah said. "We need to get out of here before something nastier comes along."

  "How do you propose we do that?" Athard asked.

  "Stand back," she said.

  I grinned and moved away as she did a dance and song she'd performed earlier. This time, the earth below the massive stone moved away, forming a staircase down.

  The sheet of rock blocking our path fell, clearing the way.

  "Great job," Benji said, patting her on the back.

  "We still have to find out where we went wrong. I’ll look for whatever I missed."

  "Be careful," Sarah called out as I climbed over the stone and back into the wet tunnel.

  Roses, lavender and other floral scents were almost overpowering, but I powered on. At the curve in the tunnel, I searched and found a hidden door. Pressing a stone in opened it.

  I smiled. This is a good raid so far. Some centipede trap, but that wasn't much to guard this place. Maybe Snargao was more powerful than we reali
zed?

  "Come on guys, I found the way."

  "Why should we trust you now? It's not like you're letting us join the party officially," Athard said.

  "Do you do anything besides complain?" I asked as he passed.

  We had to stop Benji and the others constantly asking us to join the party. Did they want more money? That soon wouldn't be a problem.

  Athard grumbled but moved into the other cave leading deeper into the mountain. Thrukad went through next with me close behind. I wanted a better chance to spot anything ahead.

  On the other side, I found myself in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. We walked. I still found myself in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike

  "Stop, guys. We're in trouble," I said.

  "What is it?"

  Athard looked around, weapon at the ready.

  "We're going in circles, I think. This is some sort of maze. I can't figure it out."

  "I've got this," Sarah said.

  "Another spell to save the day?" Athard asked then smirked.

  "Um, no, it's common sense. I'll use this spelunking chalk and twine I brought along. We can use it to map our way through the maze. Easy."

  "You're the most intelligent elf I've ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on," Benji said. "Songs should be written about your beauty and intelligence together."

  "Okay, okay, that's enough," I said. "Good idea, but we don't know what's at the end of the maze. Is it a minotaur? Or something else?"

  "I want to kill goblins," Athard said. "They all deserve it."

  "Calm down," I said. "Do you hear chanting?"

  "I do," Sarah said. "Doesn't sound good at all."

  "You have that chalk?"

  She nodded. At every turn, we made a mark to find our way. The chants became louder as we neared the end of the maze.

  "There's nothing here," Athard said. "It's a dead-end."

  "Alright," I said. "Let's be smart about this."

  I searched the stone wall and found another hidden door.

  You have gained a new skill!

  Find Hidden Doors – Basic Skill Level 1 of 10

  "Okay, it's open, but I want to scout..."

  "Charge," Athard yelled, cutting me off.

  He rushed through the hidden door and into a short hallway that opened into a larger cavern.