Player Reached the Top. LitRPG series. Book I Page 24

  The rogue disappeared. Dark Warrior, wrapped up in savoring his victory, goggled in amazement. The following flash and attacking magic found nothing but air.

  A minute later, the Prison ended, and the cage vanished. The remaining players stood in a small glade marked by shadows of surrounding high trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of White Raven.

  In her arms, the priest girl pointed towards the Aykal who had conjured the Prison. Behind him, she a figure wreathed in smoke, with a wry smile on his barely visible face.

  The figure tossed the blade with one hand, caught it in a reverse grip by its handle with the other, and struck the Aykal a lightning blow to his neck. Instant death. Moments later the body evaporated, with only his sack remaining of the magician.

  The Massacre of the Innocents progressed until only Dark Warrior remaining. Now, even he understood he had been spared death on purpose, a in this unilateral fight, the rogue rushed by him with a crooked smile, killing one of his clan mates.

  “Hello again, Dark Warrior.” The rogue approached, rotating the dagger. His habit of playing with a bayonet knife, which he had developed in the army, managed to be reproduced in the game. “You turned out to be a unique person after all. Don't get me wrong, I’m always glad to meet such madmen and dreamers. I’m much the same. But this time, the scales,” Will clicked his tongue, “aren’t in your favor. Welcome to the unfair world…”

  The barbarian did not want to die without a fight, so he tried to strike back using all his available skills. Raven swung to the left, then to the right, ducked down, dodged three blows and drove his dagger through the warrior’s hip. Then he sharply jerked up, applying Cut. The rogue hit him with a debuff at once. And it didn't stop there. The sharp blow forced the opponent to reel and, exposing his side, allowed him to strike the following blow directly into the crack between Dark Warrior’s armor plates.

  Then, pulling out the blade, Raven dived under an axe, which flashing right by him, appeared behind his enemy’s back, grabbed the warrior by his hair, and tilted his head back.

  “It’s been real, buddy…” The rogue whispered, drawing the dagger across his last victim’s throat.

  Will methodically inspected each corpse’s remains and collected their rings, mentally praising himself for a successful hunt.

  After finishing, he approached the girl calling herself Kingmaker. All watching saw how the tiny being in her arms held its small leafy hands towards Raven, its eyes begging him to pick her up.

  “She’s very strange,” Ukumi said, nestling into his arms. “I’ve seen a lot, but there was something mad about the way this one looked at me.”

  “Mad? For example?” Will asked.

  “Well …” Ukumi put her finger on her chin and fell silent for several seconds. “I do not know how to explain it, but I felt like I was be the next toy in her huge collection. Admit it, human, it’s an unpleasant feeling.”

  “I understand. Sorry, just a moment.” He interrupted their conversation, put the confused Dryad on the earth, and approached the Kingmaker. He bent close to her ear and whispered, “Come on, fess up. Did you want that sweet little baby at your place?”

  “Mm?” Kingmaker mumbled, confused.

  “Why I ‘m asking, in principle, is because I can provide you a whole day’s worth of communication, and it won’t be expensive at all …”

  “What are you up to?” The childish voice of the priestess rang inside his head. “I feel how you’re shrouded with greed. I do not know what it is, but it's not going to work.” The girl stared at the huge man, frowning.

  “Shit. I forgot about you empathy… all I wanted was for you to take a walk with the girl. It’s not slavery. New people, new places, she would like it. And I would be given gold just for introducing you.”

  He noted Kingmaker’s puzzled look. “Sorry, I’ll be with you in just a moment.”

  “Hey, lovely priestess,” he addressed Ukumi again. “Your empath-meter needs a tune-up! It’s because we are on another Floor.”

  The priestess looked at him suspiciously, but nevertheless stretched her hands out. She did not like to crane her neck to look up at such tall being beings.

  “Excuse me, Kingmaker, but we should postpone our conversation for another time. And, by the way, what Floor am I on now?” Raven asked, hoping his query wouldn’t be met with a counter question.

  “On the third,” Crimson Berserker replied. “What Floor are you from?”

  “It’s not important.” The rogue waved his question away. “Can someone explain why there are so many people here?”

  “We’re waitin’ for the Floor opening.” Kingmaker intercepted the conversation, still trying to understand the young man’s previous statement. “Since you’re here, will you help us pass it? Your level will be appropriate for this dungeon. If we score victory, part of the loot will be yours, all right?”

  The girl frowned. This was like trying to capture a dragon in the nets of her clan.

  Chapter 71. Greed in the flesh

  “Hm… For a start, what’s the name of your clan?” Raven asked.

  “We’re the ‘Rollin’ Dice’.” Kingmaker answered, puffing her chest out.

  Raven rattled off the text he’d read on the game’s website. “So, I quote: ‘Rollin’ Dice’ will reasonably pay any sum that may satisfy the player if he agrees to meet with their clan leader.

  “P.S.: If the schedule of the player is too dense, or he does not want to reveal his name, we will offer one thousand gold coins for boosting our clan in the first lines of rating.

  “So, are you the leader aren’t you?”

  The girl hook her head. In light of today's events, this message had completely slipped her mind.

  “I’m so confused.” The rogue frowned. “I’m standing in front of you, in a raincoat, with my dagger, but no proposal has been heard by me during our conversation.”

  “Hmm…”

  Crimson Berserker, watching her, laughed. For all their hostility toward each other, he had never seen his rival so confused. It almost hurt to see the ‘Rollin’ Dice’ leader this way.

  Her people were angry with Raven for making their leader suffer, but said nothing because they did not want to interfere with Kingmaker’s talks.

  Will waved a hand before her face. “Reception… reception, are you there? Red five, red four, apparently, we've lost contact…”

  “Stop it!” The girl pushed away his hand. “I remember our proposal, and it’s not going to change. I always keep my word. Tell me how much you want for this conversation to take place. Don’t you want everyone to know you’ve helped us?”

  She scowled at him, her arms crossed. Her plans to capture this impudent bastard had failed. She realized more and more that this idea was idiotic to begin with.

  “Well, it was worth a shot, wasn’t it?” The rogue winked. “So you’re suggesting I join you? And how will we split the loot?”

  “May we discuss this in private?” Mollie asked, drawing in a deep breath.

  “Pretty good offer, from what I hear. Wait a moment. Berserker, did you change your mind about obtaining my info?”

  “No. I did not.” Ronald asked, surprised.

  “Well, you have not confirmed my invitation yet.”

  “Oh, yes. Events are changing rapidly. It got lost in contemplation.”

  “The player Crimson Berserker is your friend now.”

  “Expect my letter today.” Raven headed to the party of the Rollin’ Dice.

  “Let's discuss your offer now. If I don’t like it, I will just leave,” Raven warned the girl. “Choose your words carefully.”

  He sized her up from head to toe. She hated that someone would dare talk to her like this.

  “May I remind you that you called me a chatterbox?” She glared at Berserker. “You did not choose proper words there.”

  “Well,” Will interrupted her. “We’ll discuss it and nothing more. I won't be here long.”

  “P-f … We’ll, h
ave to talk about chatterboxes later…” Composing herself Kingmaker got to the point. “How about twenty percent of all loot? Or would you prefer items and skills?”

  Will considered this. If he accepted Berserker’s offer, he wouldn’t have worry about paying for his sister’s schooling or the subscription to the game, which meant it would be all about survival. “I will take my class items and/or unique skill books suitable for my level. Otherwise, you’ll go on without me. Decie quickly.”

  Kingmaker weighed the pros and cons. Unique skill books were scarcer than hen's teeth. Robbers of their clan had to improve too. As she knew, good things needed to be kept around. But if Raven did not join them, the risk of death went up, and that might leave them with no items.

  Katharine, Kingmaker’s assistant, approached her. “Five minutes left,” she said.

  “Ok. Thanks.” She gazed at the rogue and answered, “How about this… we agree to give you either two items, two gold rank weapons, or one unique book if that’s what drops out. Decide quickly.” The girl returned his snot-nose phrase with great pleasure.

  “If that’s all you are capable of offering… I agree.” Will answered. A self-satisfied smile wormed itself onto the girl's face, which vanished when he added, “Plus, half the gold from the loot you gather that you sell will be mine.” Will grinned evilly. He liked to give hope to people, and then to take away it right there.

  Mollie looked at this mad negotiator. Was the man completely crazy?

  “Khm … I can probably offer you… ten percent?” Mollie asked, fighting to keep her self-control in check.

  “Ah, I see I was mistaken. Thank you for noticing.” the young man said without a trace of remorse. “What I meant was that fifty-five percent will be mine.”

  “You…”

  “Sixty.”

  “What the hell are you thinking?”

  “Oh, bad thoughts in my head. Happens all the time. Sixty-five percent.”

  Mollie felt angry tears well in her eyes. “You greedy slimeball!” She spat. “Ok, fifty-fifty. I’m already sorry I invited you at all. Your fares are like extortion. But remember, you get nothing if we fail. So do not slack off.”

  “Hey! I am an honest slogger. You pay me, I work. Eyes on the prize.”

  “We’ll see,” she seethed. “It's high time you show us your talents--”

  “Wait a moment,” he interrupted. “We have one more point to discuss.”

  She faced him, her fists clenched. “What else?”

  “I want a percentage from the video. Fifty-fifty seems fair.” The rogue flashed an evi smile.

  The leader of the Rollin’ Dice gnashed her teeth. The gargantuan gall of this man. She loathed the idea of having this greedy beast in her clan. But half of a lot was still better than 100% of nothing.

  “You got a deal,” she squeezed between her lips.

  “Okay then, let’s go.” Raven tapped the girl on a the shoulder and nudged her towards the Lost Time Labyrinth.

  Chapter 72. The Lost Time Labyrinth

  This dungeon wasn’t called a labyrinth for nothing. The map proved useless, forcing players to invent ways to remember the path. Someone employed a skill called “Hansel and Gretel,” using special stones as indicators. Others, like Theseus, used ropes, while some drew arrows and cut traces with their swords.

  Despite their best efforts not to bet lost, before long they were. Signs disappeared, ropes were torn, and stones merged with the earth. It was as if death awaited them. The fact that the thief had managed to reach the boss was a miracle.

  Will was invited to speak to the leader of a group called the Pangolins race, a man named Tangi. Will did not know his class, but his weapon was a kusarigama, much like a scythe with a chain.

  Tangi had seen the rogue fight, so he asked about Will’s melee kills that he had obviously developed before entering the Labyrinth. It was easy for Raven to discern why Tangi was the leader of group, as every order he gave was carried out competently and timely.

  Ukumi sat in a healer girl’s arms. Judging by her expression, the Dryad liked her much more than Kingmaker.

  Because of many players’ low levels, they chose ordinary as the dungeon’s skill level. When players moved into the Labyrinth, a system message appeared before their eyes telling them about this place’s Prehistory. Will glanced through it but didn’t grasp much.

  This time the Rollin’ Dice chose a spell, Tag, on the basis of alchemical endurance from crescent grass for their orientation. The spell allowed them to leave tags on any surface, clothes or weapon, and to trace them for a period of six hours. The endurance from the crescent grass fueled the tags by way of natural energy, meaning they would not disappear for a day. Such a tag could not be erased by any magic.

  The path they now trod was found by one of their alchemists. Mollie tried to keep her anger inside until Will was a member of their clan. Meanwhile, Raven crookedly smiled and continued to kill monsters with the others.

  They met 45 level Zeitgeist, which had a skill allowing to to go back in time a few seconds. It used this skill when being damaged greatly. It all seemed so funny.

  During the use of this skill, a viscous transparent sphere appeared around Zeitgeist. Every player who had been caught in it replicated all their previous actions upside-down.

  Having met a similar monster more than once, the Rollin’ Dice developed an effective strategy based on timing of Zeitgeist’s skill and the radius of its sphere. Everything behind it, continued to move at usual speed, so a couple of archers, anticipating the end of the sphere’s action, shot Zeitgeist by arrows saturated with magic, because after application of “the Return sphere,” the monster was vulnerable for two seconds.

  The monster launched an attack against one player. It launched the same transparent viscous sphere at an enemy’s body, and all his or her available active skills were siphoned away. Having learned about such a quite unpleasant effect, Will endeavored to kill these monsters as quickly as possible. He himself possessed skills which could save lives, so it would have been very bad to lose them. Will organically fitted into the party, executing the leader’s commands without arguing. Work had to be done, and done well.

  In the tangled corridors of the Labyrinth, there were monsters besides Zeitgeist, such as Sowers of Distemper who used smoke bombs and smart devices with a breaking-off effect, which they would use to kill players in this confusion.

  There were also Mockers who took the shape of players during the fight. Shrouding the battlefield in fog for several seconds, they applied the skill; when the fog dissipated, players saw two identical characters. Even the name, levels and an amount health points were highlighted the same. The worst part was that the player being copied could not write in the chat until the Mocker was killed. But the method to fight this was simple: parties used signals they had discussed in advance, to recognize each other in such cases.

  Will, whom they had forgotten to warn, became the first target. The Pangolin saw two Ravens and slapped his own forehead for his oversight. All the players looked at him and shook their heads. Tangi awkwardly smiled at Kingmaker. All she, and the others, could do was watch the fight of two rogues.

  Fifty-level Mockers were beneath Raven’s station. At first puzzled by the monster, Will quickly gathered his wits, which puzzle the Mocker.

  “Clone!”

  The body of Raven became shrouded by the haze the two rogues had appeared from. Now there were three identical Wills who participating in the fight. The Rollin’ Dice saw gave wolf whistles. They did not have such a skill in their clan, but they knew a player from the Faceless Army who had. They were a top clan, who occupied fifth place spot at the moment.

  The fight ended quickly. The real Raven caught the copycat monster by its pincers and struck blows in different parts of the Mocker’s body, distracting it from the clone’s blow to his hip. After that, Will ducked behind the monster and cut its throat, applying the Double Attack.

  …

  An
hour later, the party of players passed through a small room where they killed an Ekhomlot. This monster used its voice like a Banshee, mentally attacking its opponents. In addition, its voice echoed off the walls, continuing to damage rivals. This took away thirty points of life every five seconds for a period of forty seconds. It resembled a man with a spider’s head with a vocal sac beneath it, and three pairs of hands. It paralyzed its victims, immobilizing them for three seconds.

  The room had only one entrance and one exit. After the party’s thief inspected the walls, the others moved forward. Will looked around this room and noticed a dim flash. It reminded him of when he had found the hiding place of the famous rogue. But now it was most likely a game effect which imitated the intuition of thieves and rogues for hiding places. He separated from the party and headed towards a blank wall.

  Mollie watched him but did not say a word. Though this guy behaved strangely, spoke in vague hints and was excessively greedy, he always had a goal. Kingmaker, being the Warriors of the Chaos race and having Priestess class, ordered her people to stop.

  Raven stopped before the wall, claspin his hands behind his back. What had drawn his attention? Keeping in mind that he had not found the chest yet, the young man examined the surface without hurrying.

  The players crowded behind him, not speaking as their leader watched his strange gestures. The majority soon realized that he was looking for a secret door, which their thief had missed. Except this case was for thieves, not for rogues. Did Raven think he could find anything, being a higher level?

  Such a search was not for rogues. Thieves had a special skill, Searching for Secrets, that helped reveal secret doors and hiding places. If they found them, they received bonuses of good luck and increases in efficiency.

  The first rank increased an opportunity to find secrets by 3%. Now their thief had 16% of this characteristic, thanks to the traps, hiding places and others he had found before. 100% were the maximum value. They did not know that the rogue had 25%.