Ushmoe grabbed a knife off the table and slathered some butter onto his bread. He tore off a piece and threw it into his mouth. “I know of a quest that could be beneficial to your leveling.”
“Oh, really?” I said nonchalantly, giving him a half-smile. “And where could I find such a quest?”
I copied Ushmoe and put some butter on top of the bread. The heat of it melted the pad of yellow goodness and it started to drip over the sides and onto my fingers. I took a small bite and had to restrain myself from jumping up in joy. I couldn’t tell whether it was my exhaustion or the butter, but this was the most amazing thing I had ever had. My second meal.
“It will be a bit difficult at your level but I’m sure you could survive it. I’ll need to help you, of course.”
“What’s in it for you?” I asked, taking another bite of the bread.
Ushmoe put down his bread and stared into my eyes. “We need to kill that bastard, Toxhin.”
A request popped up:
You’ve been invited to a Party by Ushmoe
Accept?
I accepted. Ushmoe’s name and level appeared at the top left of my vision along with his health stats.
5
Ushmoe and I were standing on top of the roof of the highest building, the Temple. The steeple stood in front of us with a giant, golden bell residing inside of it. The wind was crazy up here and it was hard for me to keep my footing. Once we’d climbed to the top I couldn’t help but look over the edge. The drop would surely have killed anyone who took the wrong step. My hands grew clammy at the thought.
“So I’ll explain it once more. The tavern cook needs Raptor-Raven Eggs, and the only way to get them is to slay a Raptor-Raven.”
“Couldn’t we just spook the thing away from its nest and take one of the eggs?” I asked.
Ushmoe laughed and shook his head. “Obviously you’ve never seen a Raptor-Raven or else you wouldn’t ask such stupid things. Plus, Raptor-Ravens don’t have nests. They keep their eggs inside their bodies.”
“Oh, great. And you know, you don’t have to be so damned rude to me. I’m a newb, like you said. Go a bit easier on me, will you?”
The wind picked up and about shoved me sideways. Ushmoe gave me a nasty look as if to say he was about ready to give up on me altogether. I decided it was best to keep my mouth shut and milk this guy for as much help as I could get. I could always ditch him after we freed Ashvell from the treacherous Toxhin.
The rays of the sun were blocked as a shadow crept over the roof. I looked up to see the outline of a winged beast that floated above us. A few of its feathers dropped with every swing of its mighty wings. I caught one of them and focused on it.
Raptor-Raven Feather
Description: The feather of a Raptor-Raven.
Rarity: Extremely Common
1 Copper
“Too bad these feathers don’t sell better. We could have made a fortune!” I said. But Ushmoe couldn’t hear me, not over the loud swooshing of the wings.
The beast, after surveying its surroundings, flew over to the tallest platform and landed on the furthest edge of it. Ushmoe was already making his way to the structure and I followed.
We started to climb and I couldn’t keep my eyes off the stamina gauge which reduced itself with each inch I pulled myself up.
“I don’t think I’m gonna make it all the way to the top!” I yelled up at Ushmoe but the wind was too strong and carried away my words. We were about six feet from reaching the top when I pulled a chunk of stone out from the wall with my right hand. That action forced me to dangle in the wind with one hand still holding on. My stamina reduced rapidly now and hit 0% before I even had a chance to cry out for help.
My hand opened on its own and I started to plummet to my death. A black, furry tail swooshed past my face and I grabbed at it.
“Yahh!!!” screamed Ushmoe at the top of his lungs. What the hell?
And there we were, Ushmoe clutching the top of the platform and me wrapped around his fluffy tail in a four-limbed death grip. Anyone watching from below would surely have gotten a tickle out of how we must have looked in that situation.
Strangely enough, and lucky for me, Ushmoe pulled us both up and neither of us said a word. We were going to pretend that never happened. A dirty little secret.
His plan was simple. I attack the beast with all that I had while he stood behind me and focused on healing.
I pulled myself up onto the final platform with a bit of déjà vu from my first quest. I was going from cat slayer to bird slayer.
The Raptor-Raven’s back was turned to us, giving me ample time to let my stamina rejuvenate. I pulled out my bag and drank some of the Ale I had saved from the Inn which quickened the pace of the stamina regeneration.
Ushmoe would like permission to view your gear.
Do you accept?
Accept.
After a few moments, he bent over to my ear and whispered, “Is that damn stick all you have? The damage is absolutely terrible! Surely, you found better loot than that in the Haunted Well.”
I didn’t respond but only shook my head.
“Damn. We are gonna be up here forever. I have a better idea. I’m going to disband our party and help you attack this thing but I’ll let you get the last kill. That way you get all the XP and loot. Got it?”
I nodded.
Ushmoe must have seen that my stamina was maxed out for he stood up and started to cast a spell. He held his staff out in front of him and whispered a sort of incantation. His voice grew louder and louder. A blue orb erupted from his staff and struck the ass of the Raptor-Raven, sending a big poof of feathers into the air.
I looked at my chat battle feed:
Ushmoe has struck the Raptor-Raven with Disfavor.
The Raptor-Raven turned and charged at us. This was the first time I was getting a look at its face. In fact, that’s all there was! The head on this thing was huge! But there was no body to it! It was just a massive bird head with wings attached to it and tiny, clawed feet. Its mouth opened and screeched at us and that’s when I was able to catch a glimpse of a spotted egg residing to the side of its tongue.
My feet began to move on their own, but not towards the beast. Instead, I moved towards the edge of the platform. My feelings were in turmoil. At first, I had felt brave and ready to strike. But something about that screech had left me wanting to escape.
The Raptor-Raven has feared you! You run away for your life.
I was just about to clear the edge when Ushmoe grabbed me by the collar. A few seconds later, the feelings of fear left me.
I turned just in time to catch a claw to the face.
You’ve been clawed by the Raptor-Raven.
Health: 70%
“Pay attention!” yelled Ushmoe, a green aura now flowing from his staff.
Ushmoe has cast Heal on you! You’ve regained 30% Health!
Health: 100%
I could feel blood rush to my cheeks. How could I be so foolish? This was my first time partying up and I was already making an idiot out of myself.
The bird’s gaze turned to Ushmoe and made for him. This was my chance to redeem myself.
I ran up to its backside and struck it as hard as I could with my pierce ability. A small spray of blood hit my face and flying feathers stuck to my forehead.
Raptor-Raven Health: 95%
Ushmoe groaned. What did he expect? I was only Level 7. It’s not like he was doing any better with that crappy disfavor spell.
What happened next made me want to shove my foot in my mouth.
The bird whipped around to me as aggro was pulled to me. It stuck out a grey, curved claw into the air and was just about to bring it down upon me when it raked a claw across its own throat.
Disfavor has caused the Raptor-Raven to harm itself.
Raptor-Raven Health: 65%
“GG!” I yelled and struck it again with my primary strike ability. I would have liked to use pierce again but I could sense tha
t its cooldown wasn’t finished yet.
Ushmoe ran to the opposite side of the platform and started to shoot the beast with his primary ability called Pop which sent a purple, spinning orb hurling towards its target. It wasn’t very powerful but was still more effective than my stick attacks.
The battle went on for an exhaustingly long time. The Raptor-Raven would lose its disfavor and curl in on itself with its wings creating a sort of shield. This was its self-healing ability. Lucky for us that our damage output was a little better than its regeneration.
“Finish it off!” Ushmoe cried.
Raptor-Raven Health: 2%
I had full health. This BAMF was going down!
It only took one last pierce strike which almost missed but luckily clipped the very end of its wing.
Congratulations! You’ve slain the Raptor-Raven, the flying terror of Ashvell!
Congratulations! You’ve acquired Level 8!
Abilities Acquired: Block (Take 85% less damage on next attack).
A larger than normal loot bag appeared in the air. I grabbed it eagerly and opened it.
You’ve acquired: Ragged Leather Helm, Raptor-Raven Beak
That wasn’t all that dropped but also the egg it had had in its mouth. There was a small crack on the very tip of it. I picked it up carefully with both hands. It was still wet with saliva and warm to the touch.
I placed the egg in my bag just as Ushmoe was walking up with a big smile on his hairy face.
The cook pranced around like a pony when we handed him the egg.
“Oh thank ya, both! Dis here will make a fine stew! I’d go up there and slay that damned beast myself, but eh… ya know… I gots a business tuh run!”
I gave Ushmoe a puzzled look and he shrugged.
Quest Complete! Bird Stew.
You’ve acquired: Experience and 5 Silver Coins
Congratulations! You’ve acquired Level 9!
I knew, down deep, that this wasn’t some extraordinary sum of money. But the sound of the coins jingling in my coin purse made me feel giddy and warm inside. Or was that just the feeling of leveling up one more level?
“All righty, now we wait until tomorrow.” Ushmoe patted me on the shoulder and exited the establishment.
“Wait up!” I ran after him but he was nowhere to be seen. I searched for a minute, thinking he might just be hiding behind a tree or something but, no. He was really gone.
I couldn’t help but think that this Badron wasn’t the friendliest of players. But should I really be thinking that in the first place? I mean, the guy was helping me level up when he could be more focused on himself escaping. Or was he doing just that? Was I just merely an escape plan for him? Was I expendable?
I decided I wasn’t going to put all my trust in this guy. Not yet.
I brought my coin purse out and tossed it up and down in my palm. One thing was for sure, I wouldn’t be sleeping on the streets or in a dirty sewer tonight, baby.
6
It was on the fifth day that my life changed forever. Ushmoe and I had met every morning at the break of dawn at the cook’s restaurant but only I accepted the quest for the egg. Ushmoe was afraid that one more quest completion would send him to Level 13 and he knew his level was already pushing Toxhin’s limits.
We were just climbing down from the steeple. I was able to obtain a new Rugged Leather Chest Piece and Rugged Leather Shoes. The Raptor-Raven also dropped another Rugged Leather Helm. I planned to sell it later that night. My coin amount had grown to 1 gold piece and 2 silver after selling all the extra loot I was getting.
I was just placing the Raptor-Raven Egg in my bag when we heard it.
A male scream erupted from the town square. Ushmoe and I looked up at each other and made our descent as quickly as possible. We didn’t say a word to each other as we sprinted towards the sound of the screams. A large crowd blocked our view of the spectacle.
“I hope it isn’t what I think it is,” Ushmoe groaned.
“What? What do you hope it isn’t?” I asked, now feeling a bit of nervousness in the pit of my stomach.
A drop of sweat formed on the tip of Ushmoe’s head and dripped down his muzzle. “A sacrifice…”
I shook my head in disbelief. I could only imagine what he was talking about. I grabbed his shoulders and turned him to face me. “Please don’t tell me that monster is about to kill someone up there.”
Ushmoe just stared at me, his purple, thin lips pierced together.
I slammed into the edge of the crowd forcing my way through inch by inch. It was a mixture of players and NPCs that had come to see what all the commotion was about. All were standing on their toes trying to get a glimpse of what was going on. As I made my way forward, their faces began to turn from questioning to repulsion. I stood up straight and felt my stomach drop as my eyes scanned the scene.
There was Toxhin, his two-handed mace resting on the ground held by one hand, a sick smile on his face.
Toxhin Level 18 Warrior
I swallowed hard. It looked as though he’d been doing some training himself.
Before him were two players with their hands tied behind their backs and their legs tied by their ankles. Over their heads was a thick burlap sack. One player lay on his side in the fetal position.
Lehn Level 8 Artisan
Another character remained on his knees with his head bowed.
????? Level ?? Trickster
Why wasn’t his name or level visible? Surely this was a mistake.
“I’ll ask you one last time! Reveal to me your level or I take this innocent’s life.” Toxhin kicked Lehn hard in the stomach.
Health: 22%
The Trickster was quiet. He probably made the mistake of leveling to too high of a level in violation of Toxhin’s rule. Why listen to this brat when you could die with a little bit more dignity?
Toxhin spun and swung his heavy mace with one hand, letting gravity raise the very tip of it. He kept spinning just until…
SMACK
The mace struck the Trickster in the jaw and he fell over to his side.
Health: 82%
“I don’t want to have to do this,” Toxhin said, looking down and shaking his head. “I’m tired, okay?”
“Yeah! Boss here has had a tough day!”
I hadn’t noticed Jegg on the other side of the plaza.
“Not another word,” commanded Toxhin without looking up. Jegg covered his mouth but kept smiling with his eyes. I couldn’t tell who was more sick in the head, the Bard or his master.
Toxhin walked over to Lehn and grabbed his wrist. He then swung his leg over the character’s arm and used a pelvic thrust to break the elbow.
SNAP
Lehn’s body jumped up and down like a dancing worm. The pain completely taking him.
Health: 3%
The Trickster raised himself back to his kneeled position.
“Still nothing?” Toxhin asked, his face showing genuine surprise. “And I thought I was sinister, but you… you, madam, are an intense player.”
Madam? The Trickster was a woman?
Jegg was bouncing up and down, circling the arena and tapping the characters and NPCs on the heads. He was one sick-minded groupie.
Toxhin let go of Lehn’s arm and walked back over to the Trickster. He did not hit her this time but grabbed the sack over her head and ripped it off. Amber hair flowed in the wind before it rested on her shoulders. Blood smeared her pale, pronounced cheek bones. Her eyes were closed and she kept her head facing downward. Toxhin grabbed her hurt jaw and manipulated her head so that she would be forced to look at Lehn.
“Look at him, damn you! Is this what you want?” He shoved her head aside and stood himself straight. He walked back to Lehn and leaned his mace on his legs. Putting both arms into the air, he said, “Do you all now see what happens when you defy me? All I ask is you stay below a certain level and pay me your player tax! That’s it. That’s all! That doesn’t make me unfair. No. I am a just leader!�
��
“He is just! He is just!” sung the Bard who was now getting closer to where I stood.
“Very well,” Toxhin said, letting out a deep breath. “I grow tired of this. Time to finish you two off.” He grabbed his mace with both hands and readied himself for one final strike.
It was now or never.
Jegg was crossing my path just at the right moment. I grabbed him by the waist and unsheathed my stick, placing it to his neck. The crowd gave a surprised gasp in unison. Toxhin looked around wildly, looking for the cause of the sudden surprise of the audience. Finally, his eyes rested on me. He gave me a grave look, his lower lip quivering.
“Let them go,” I demanded, circling the arena with Jegg in my grasp. “Let them go, now.”
Toxhin did not follow me with his gaze but just kept staring forward. What was going through his head?
“I said, let them go! There is no need for all this.”
Without warning, Toxhin swung his mace in an arc and cracked it over Lehn’s skull.
I watched as the poor player’s health drop from 3% to 0%. Lehn couldn’t have known where I was standing but his hand shot out in my direction as if trying to grab my hand. His body began to dissipate into a white smoke. Little by little, Lehn rose into the air like a ghastly ghost. His outreached hand was the last to go.
All that was left was a floating loot bag. Toxhin still wasn’t looking at me.
“What did you do?” I cried. I struck Jegg in the head with my stick.
Health: 85%
That must have gotten his attention. This time, he turned to me. I could see a small bit of Lehn’s blood that had stained his Dagger Heart tunic. But even that turned into wisps of smoke.
“Kill him already,” is all Toxhin said. His eyes were dead and not focused on anything.
“Wuh-what, Boss? No, Boss, please!” I could feel Jegg’s body trembling. A puddle of urine grew underneath his feet.
“Kill him,” Toxhin repeated.
I released the Bard and he fell to all fours, crawling rapidly towards Toxhin. Once he’d made it to his feet, Toxhin pulled back a leg and kicked him in the neck, sending him flying to the brink of the arena. Jegg lay there whimpering, not daring to stand back up.
The Lionheart_a LitRPG Novel Page 4