Human: A LitRPG Novel (Tower of Gates LitRPG Series Book 2)
Page 24
"Don't bother," he said. "My spell is still wearing off. You should still be asleep, but your will is strong."
He turned. I wanted to wipe the smirk off his face.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked.
"To my lair."
As I watched in horror, his head shifted to that of a young black dragon.
He switched back, his grin even wider.
"You're the black dragon?" I stammered.
"I told you we should watch out for him," Charlotte said.
"Not now," I snapped.
"Are you talking to your familiar?" His eyes narrowed. "You shouldn't have a connection still."
"No, I'm talking to you, idiot," I said, playing it off.
He tilted his head again, still staring into my eyes.
I looked away, taking deep breaths to calm myself.
"He'll kill me and you," Charlotte said.
We'll be fine. I'll get us out of this mess.
"Are you scared?" Ryu asked.
I shook my head defiantly.
"You should be," he said then waved his hand.
Fear rushed through my mind, affecting my body. The hairs on the back of my neck stood. He grinned.
"My friends will come to get me," I said defiantly. "You won't get away with this for long."
"That's what you think," he said as the wooden platform continued down the Pit of Doom. "You're welcome to join the winning team if you want."
"I'm not evil," I said.
"Who said anything about being evil? It's all relative, just a number."
"You want to expel all the people playing dwarves from the game. That's kinda evil in my book."
His expression changed, anger sliding over his features in an instant.
"Be careful, Sarah..."
I stared into his eyes, not looking away.
"Are you working with Sylvar?" I asked.
He laughed.
"I didn't know those guys, but they could've joined us at the Magictology guild."
"Don't you mean cult?"
He rolled his eyes.
"You're cute when you're angry."
"Shut-up," I said.
"We're almost at the bottom," he said. "You were out longer than I thought you would be."
"You drugged me?"
"I cast a spell on you," he said. "I'm more powerful than you. That's why you should join us."
"No," I said firmly.
"Your call," he said.
The floating platform slowed its descent.
"We're here," he said. "Finally."
"If you're a dragon, why didn't you fly down?"
"You ask too many questions," he said.
The magic dwarven platform stopped a few inches above the ground. Ryu raised his ball of light into the air then spoke some hushed words. It stuck in the air, following him as he stepped off the magic item.
"Let's go," he said. "I'm already late."
I struggled to my feet and stretched. My entire body ached.
"Late for what?" I asked.
"My daily talk with Magi Inyontoo, the smartest player in this stupid game."
I shook my head then stepped off the platform to the ground.
"Walk ahead of me," he said, motioning with his head toward a tunnel leading deeper into the earth.
"Listen to him, Sarah."
I wanted to scold Charlotte, but I kept quiet.
Should I wait for the others to come rescue me? Or should I take matters into my own hands? What if Ryu had killed them before we left?
"What about the others?" I asked as I walked into the wide tunnel. "Are they alive?"
"Don't worry about them," Ryu said from behind me. "Keep walking."
"Where are we going?"
"I told you," he said. "My lair. Are you playing dumb?"
"Your spell hit me hard. My whole body hurts."
"At least you're still alive," he said.
I continued walking forward. The tunnel narrowed briefly then widened again. The rough-hewn stones on either side of the passage were dark like coal.
"Hold on," he said. "Stop."
I turned around.
"What?"
"I need you to do something for me," he said.
"What?" I asked again, making sure he knew I was annoyed.
"You need to keep walking and not say anything when we pass the force shield."
I squinted my eyes and scrunched up my nose while staring at him.
"Why would I say anything?"
"You'll see soon enough," he said ominously. "Let's go."
I sighed as I turned. The tunnel widened even more as we continued. The space above us also grew. In the distance, I saw a flickering blue force field.
"Wait here," Ryu said, his voice deepening.
I turned and saw Ryu's body twist and change before my eyes. He transformed into a dark black dragon roughly twenty-feet long.
I stepped back against the wall of the tunnel as the dragon lumbered forward, breathing slow and deep. As I watched in horror, a blast of dark blue fire raced out of its mouth.
The blast hit the energy shield, lighting it up. A thousand or more screams filled the air as the energy field further down the tunnel glowed more brightly.
I glanced down the way we'd come, wondering if I could outrun the majestic creature. Would he eat me? Kill me? The tortured voices continued rising in pitch.
Ryu transformed back into his human form.
"Let's go," he said.
"What are you doing to them?" I asked. "Are those the dwarves?"
"They'll be fine," he said, waving his hand. "It's just a stupid game."
"You're messed up," I said, struggling to stop trembling.
"Are you afraid now?" he asked.
Lips pursed together tightly, I shook my head.
He chuckled then rolled his eyes again.
"You're a good actor." He reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. "Let's go."
I pulled away and walked ahead.
"Where are we going?" I asked as we neared the magic blue energy field.
"Right here," he said. "Turn around."
I stopped, turned, and saw he'd opened a secret door in the tunnel wall.
"Inside," he said, waving his hand again.
"Do what he says, Sarah."
Whose side are you on?
I walked through the doorway and into a cramped room. Bookshelves covered three of the walls completely, all of them stuffed with books and more.
A tall mirror like we'd seen in Esterhollow stood against the wall opposite the entrance. As before, the reflection only showed a cloud of smoke.
"You need to talk to your master?" I asked, hoping to upset him.
"Shut-up," Ryu said, closing the door behind them.
The screams of all the trapped dwarves became muffled, but I still heard them. Sounds like that would haunt me the rest of my life. I scanned the shelves full of books, bottles, scrolls and more.
Could I find something to help me escape and get back to the others?
"Sit over there," Ryu said, pointing to a plain wooden chair next to the mirror.
I sat, facing the door and away from the mirror. Ryu cleared his throat then straightened his robes as if he were appearing for someone special.
Can you see the mirror, Charlotte?
"No, but I can try to move."
Do it stealthily.
"I see it now. The clouds are disappearing. It's that man from earlier."
Magi Inyontoo?
"Yes, it's him."
Quiet now.
I strained to hear their conversation.
"She's here right now," Ryu said.
"I don't believe you," Magi Inyontoo said.
"Come here." Ryu grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the chair. "She's right here."
I saw Magi Inyontoo's ugly mug. His immense smile made the moment even worse.
"You're looking good as ever," he said. "Are you ready to join us at Magictology?"
<
br /> "I think you're all nuts," I said, shaking my head. "This is just a game, but you're taking it to dark places."
Magi Inyontoo's expression shifted, his brow furrowing and his eyebrows moving.
"They're the ones who made it dark by trapping us in here," he said, spitting out the words.
"It's all a mistake," I said.
"You don't know yet, do you?" he asked, the smile returning.
"I know a little," I said, remembering everything I'd learned about the game.
"You don't know enough," he said. "Not nearly."
Magi Inyontoo shook his head. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ryu step back.
"You need so sit back down," the mage in black said. "Ryu, make sure she can't hear or see."
The dark cleric turned and pointed his deadly palm in my direction. All sound went away along with my site. Charlotte? Are you here Charlotte?
"I'm here, Sarah. Now and forever."
That's cryptic, but I'm glad. I need you to listen in.
"I'm doing that now, Sarah. Quiet, please."
Even blind, my eyes opened wider, shocked that she'd given me a command. Was it the first time? I waited for her to report anything interesting.
Can you repeat everything both say? In different voices?
"Sure, Sarah. This is Ryu...Not been trouble at all. I've got in under control."
Her voice had gone up in pitch a few levels.
"And this is Magi...You need to keep them dwarves locked up and kill Axelrod."
Her voice changed to Ryu.
"They'll come to save her. I'm sure of it. This was the smartest move."
"We'll see about that," Charlotte said with her voice for Magi Inyontoo. "Talk to you later. Magictology is the Truth."
"Magictology is the truth."
"He's gone," she said in her own voice. "Ryu is getting rope."
You better hide, Charlotte.
I hoped she'd moved to a safe place as I felt Ryu tie my hands behind the back of the chair.
"Please don't leave me blind," I begged. "Let me see, please?"
I heard nothing and saw only blackness. His hands moved away.
Are we alone, Charlotte?
"Let me check," she said. "He's gone. What are we going to do?"
I need you to be my eyes and ears.
"Someone's coming in," Charlotte said. "Two new people. I think they're Bereginyas."
Bereginyas?
"You call them vampires, I believe."
How far down in my thoughts had she delved? I wondered without her hearing.
What are they doing now?
"Sitting down, one on each side of the door. They're sitting on the floor. I don't think they're too bright."
Are they players or NPCs?
"I can't tell, Sarah. You haven't taught me that skill."
Maybe later. We need to take them out so we can search the room for other magic items.
"Do you want me to search on my own?"
Not yet. I need you to be my eyes and ears.
"What are you going to do, Sarah? Are we going to die trying?"
Not if I can help it, Charlotte. What are they doing now?
"Looking around the room. One is picking his nose."
"Stop that," I shouted, pointing across the room, hoping it was at one of them.
"You ain't supposed to see," someone said.
"What's your name?" I asked. "Tell me before I get upset."
"It's Bob," he said. "And this is Tom."
"Shut-up, Bob," Tom said.
"You shut-up, Tom," Bob said.
I fought back a smile. Maybe this would be easier than I thought.
"Both of you be quiet," I said in a commanding voice.
What are they doing, Charlotte? Are they scared?
"They appear frightened, Sarah."
"I need one of you to stand and retrieve the potion for me."
"Um, what potion?" Bob asked.
He had a slightly lower voice – slower too – according to Charlotte. She relayed his question.
"The one to knock me the rest of the way out. You don't want me to kill you two numbskulls with my powerful magic, do you?"
I had no way to cast spells while being tied up, but they didn't know it.
"Um, I don't think we're supposed to give you anything," Bob said.
"Of course not, Tom, she's trying to trick us. She's a dwarf-lover. Likes 'em short and dark."
"Silence," I shouted, folding my hands together.
"I think she's casting, Tom. We should give her the potion. Maybe we heard our instructions wrong again."
"He's standing," Charlotte said in my mind.
She continued to relay their responses with different voices.
"Tom, untie me," I said.
Maybe it was the slight charisma boost or some other intimidation factor, but he listened.
"He's standing too," Charlotte said.
"Find that potion," Tom hissed.
I smelled his breath before I felt his hands fumbling with the rope.
"Can't untie the knot," he said after several seconds.
"You better hurry," I said, sitting up straight.
"Hold on, I'll get it," he said.
"The only potion is marked cure," Bob said to my left.
"Bring it here," I said.
"Why would Ryu want us to give you a cure potion?" he asked via Charlotte.
"You're as stupid as you sound," I said. "He labels his healing potions as non-healing and his non-healing potions as healing so no one steals them."
It had taken a moment to get accustomed to Charlotte relaying their spoken words into my mind, but it was becoming more natural.
"There," Tom said. "I've got it."
I stood and stretched out my hand.
"Give me the potion," I said.
The dumb Bereginya pushed it into my hand.
Can you read the label, Charlotte? Is it safe?
"I think that's what we want," she said.
You think?
I uncorked the vial.
"This is stressful, Sarah. I'm doing a lot at once."
Here goes nothing.
I lifted the vial to my mouth and drank its contents down quickly. The bitter taste hung around on my tongue, but my vision and hearing were both restored.
"Now what?" Bob asked.
I grinned and cast Snares of Dust for fifteen points of mana to stop him from doing anything.
Your Snares of Dust confound Bob the Bereginya.
You have 245/260 mana remaining.
"What are you doing?" Tom asked, pulling a thin, twisted blade from his belt.
Afraid of a lightning bolt bouncing around the room and killing me too, I went with another spell.
Your Charm of Thought is successful.
You have 205/260 mana remaining.
"Sit back down," I commanded.
He obeyed while Bob flapped his arms around helplessly.
I cast another spell on him.
Your Charm of Thought is successful.
You have 165/260 mana remaining.
"Get on the floor," I said, pointing.
He obeyed, still coughing from the Snares of Dust that followed him.
"We should kill them," Charlotte said, surprising me.
"Are you kidding?" I asked out loud.
"I'm not kidding," Tom said.
"Me either," Bob added then coughed.
"Shut-up, both of you," I said.
We can't kill them, Charlotte.
Had her wires gotten crossed somehow?
"We have to kill them, Sarah. It's the only way to make sure we're safe while searching the room. Who knows what other traps or spells are at work in here. And what if Magi Inyontoo comes back?"
I turned to the mirror, seeing nothing but swirling clouds of smoke in the reflection.
He can't come through the mirror, can he?
"We don't know, which is why we must act fast and find the rest of the party."
I glanced at Bob, still coughing, then to Tom in the chair. He looked up at me with his deep brown eyes.
"Tom, attack Bob," I said, wondering if it would even work.
He stood then tilted his head.
"What a minute," he said. "This must be some sort of magic."
Ugh. Why do I always have to test things? Curiosity killed the cat.
"What cat, Sarah? I don't see one, but they scare me. They eat spiders."
It's a figure of speech, Charlotte.
Tom stepped forward. I cast a spell.
Your ten golden bolts DECIMATE Tom the Bereginya for 39 damage.
Tom the Bereginya is dead!
You have 135/260 mana remaining.
His body fell to the floor, landing on Bob.
"What's going on?" he yelled, struggling to get the body off him.
"Save your mana, Sarah. We might need it."
I hated when she made so much sense.
After picking up my nearby staff, which had been close enough to keep giving me extra mana, I clutched it tightly before bringing it down on Bob's head covered by a cloud of dust.
Your Staff of the Caverns GRAZES Bob the Bereginya for 6 damage.
"Ow," he said, lifting his hands to his head for protection.
I didn't hesitate, swinging again. This better not take long.
Your Staff of the Caverns HITS Bob the Bereginya for 8 damage.
"Cut it out," he said, getting to his feet.
I poked him in the throat with the staff.
Your Staff of the Caverns HITS Bob the Bereginya for 9 damage.
Bob the Bereginya is dead!
Combat is Over!
You get 1,000 xp
You have 76,971 xp
You need 29 xp for level 8 Wizard -> Warlock
"Seriously?" I yelled as Bob fell to the floor. "You're kidding me."
"Be quiet," Charlotte said. "We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."
How can I get a quick twenty-nine xp? I wondered.
"Check the shelves, Sarah. We need to find magic to help us before Magi Inyontoo comes back in the mirror or Ryu returns."
"Okay," I snapped, adrenaline still rushing through my veins.
"Are you upset with me?" Charlotte asked.
I sighed.
"No, it's not you. This stupid game is getting to me."
"Are you going to tell me about this game, Sarah?"
"Not now." My spider-familiar sighed, more new behavior. "Eventually, but not now, okay?"