Player Reached the Top. LitRPG series. Book I Page 30

“It isss unacceptable!” the second guardian answered. “The priestesss can't faccce a human woman.”

  “Why not?” Raven asked, surprised.

  “It’sss no businesss of yoursss,” the warrior answered coldly.

  “Damn it…” Will thought.

  “But if I allow her to drink all my blood? Will she agree to meet with this girl?”

  “Raven?” Nanel gasped, her palms on her mouth. “You’ll be in excruciating pain! I can wait for you here. You can just tell me what happened later.”

  “No can do. You promised your father you would meet Lamia and get answers. I promised to make that happen, and I keep my word. Oops! Me and my big mouth.” He smiled.

  “Are you sure?” the princess, gazing at him in astonishment.

  “Stop asking! Should I repeat it a hundred times?”

  “Your relations with the princess Nanel are raised.

  Current relations: 14/200 – friendliness.|

  “However...”

  While they talked, two warriors watch them. At last, one of them nodded and said, “You’ll be essscorted to the priestessss. It will be ssshe who will decide what to do with you.”

  Kasseriss stood near them with a long spear and a three-foot rectangular shield in his hands. “Follow me, and do not ssstop. If you ssstep assside, you will die!” The half-serpent said in a metallic voice. He towered four inches higher than his comrades.

  “Got it. Lead the way,” Raven said.

  …

  A small narrow staircase led down a hundred feet. On its sides were magic lamps dimly lit the way. No turns or bends, just a straight-run staircase broken into by several platforms upon which stood large soldiers. At last, they saw a huge underground city lit by the artificial sun.

  “Wow!” Will exclaimed. The princess echoed him.

  “Congratulations!

  You are the first to visit the secret city altar Vakhaness.

  + 25 Influence points;

  + 2% XP in this territory;

  + 2 Energy.”

  The city had a radial structure. Houses, built in sectors like a web, led to the center hub. There, standing thirty-three feet in height, was a beautiful temple. There was a ladder, climbing in a spiral around this mountain, leading to the temple gates.

  It took an hour to reach the gates. On the way, they met female, male and babies half-serpents who bowed to the huge soldier.

  Many more warriors greeted them at the gates. They barely moved, standing like statues. It was the ideal military bearing.

  “Ssstop, Kasseriss!” A half serpent with two blades akin to a sickle and a yataghan on his belt, stepped forward. “Whom have you brought? All of today’ss sssacrificesss have already undergone the ritual near our Progenitresss on the top of our city.”

  “Lasssirisss was told that it’sss a willing sssacrifice. However, the priestesss should hear hisss conditionsss. You know what voluntarily given blood meansss.”

  The elite soldier faced them, watching them attentively. “What do you sssugessst, and what do you want?”

  “I suggest all my blood. There’s a chance I’ll recover, and she,” Will nodded towards the girl, “has to be present for our conversation with your priestess.”

  “All your blood?!” The right eyebrow of the bodyguard twitched. He looked at the rogue, then at their attendant. “Doesss he know how he will have to sssuffer?”

  “He wasss told, in brief. But, probably, he needsss ansswersss.”

  “Wait here. I’ll inform the priesstesss.

  After a short wait, the elite soldier with crescent blades exited the huge doors ornamented with ancient runes.

  “Sh-she’sss ready to make compromisesss. The woman may come. You are in luck. The priestesss had said that it’sss the sssign. Follow me.”

  In the temple, it was quite empty. Considering that it had been built for only one person, it was a fair example of how not to use available resources efficiently. Inspecting the internal rooms of the priestess, Will observed a small stone altar with a tall young woman standing beside it.

  Her long, serpentine half stretched twenty-three feet long. Raven had never seen anything with a similar tail. On her body she wore no clothes, her human torso covered with jewels and gemstones that enveloped her breasts and neck. On her body were tattoos of various symbols. On her head was a tall headdress, not unlike those Ancient Egyptian queens had worn, inlaid with some small, tear-shaped jewelry.

  Her face was so beautiful that Will couldn’t help but stare at it. Her eyes hypnotized him, as if conveying the wisdom of centuries, so much so that it was difficult to look at anything else.

  “Leave us, Granis!” The priestess’ voice was light but imperious, and did not contain the hiss or whistle usual for half-serpents.

  Granis bowed. “Yesss, my Misstresss.” Raising his head, he slid through the exit.

  Chapter 84. Cerberus and the box

  “So, Raven,” the priestess said. “Ask your questions, and if there are answers, you will have them. But before we begin, I would warn this girl not to look at me if she wishes to stay alive.”

  Raven looked at the princess and froze. Her face became a mask. Her eyes had become glassy, and she stood as still as a clay sculpture.

  “What’s up with her?” Raven asked, ready to attack Lamia. The princess could not die, not until her country was transferred to him.

  “Close her eyes, and she should turn away. Human women are very sensitive to beauty of Lamias. When they look at us, they have only one desire… to kill us.

  “It always has been, and Lamias of the past often faced assassins or set ambushes. As the princess is weak, I should kill her.”

  After closing her eyes and turning the princess’ back on Lamia. Will listened for any sign she had come out of her trance. In this world even such details were thought over.

  “I wonder, if it also works with the female players?” Will mused.

  Several moments later, Nanel came to her senses with a moan.

  “What's happening to me?” The girl whispered.

  “You should not have envied others’ beauty!” the rogue said. “Now, if you don’t want to die, stand with your back to the priestess and listen to us. After that, you’ll be escorted from the building. Wait for me. If I don’t return in three days, go back to the capital. I’ll be there. And don't you dare die!” Raven sighed and rubbed his forehead.

  “You're that concerned about me?” The princess said, slightly smiling and blushing.

  “And you thought I wouldn't have a life if you suddenly die!” Will said sincerely. And even though he thought only of her country, she didn’t need to know that.

  “How much longer are you are going to waste my time?” Lamia's voice interrupted them.

  “Excuse me, there are things that have to be decided,” Will answered.

  “I am listening to you, Envoy. Get on with it.”

  He produced the crystal from his ring.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  Even a beautiful, almost divine face such as hers could express emotions, apparently. Lamia's eyes narrowed, and she stared at the rogue. “It is a very dangerous object. Where did you get that?

  “This story is so long that I don’t want to tell it, but yours I will listen to with great pleasure.”

  “Okay. We have a deal. Do you know anything about the Dolfs race?”

  “I ‘ve heard only about them recently. The Latian race are their descendants?”

  “Correct. This crystal was created by their emperor …”

  …

  Lamia related the same story that Will had heard from the Captain Emin, except that the ending was more detailed.

  “The Latians were going to conquer the other continent, but were met by an ancient sea creature. The crystal burst in attempts to subdue this beast but was lost in abysses of waves. If it has appeared on our continent again, it means that shards washed up on beaches after many years. It’s possible the device has also emerged somewhe
re.”

  “The first part of the secrete chain of the quests “Secret of Shards” is completed.

  Reward:

  + 1000 XP;

  + Unique book of skill.

  Collect all shards:

  Found: 6/9.”

  “You have received the book of skill: “Backwind”

  Rank: Unique.

  Passive skill: Apprentice.

  Description: Increases your speed during fight by 14%, out of fight by 35%

  Wish to study: Yes/No?”

  “Consequently, that spy’s story must be true. One less secret,” Will muttered. “Second question: do you know anything of the Pandora’s box?

  “It’s not the kind of information you should know. Ask about something else.”

  “Well then, are you aware of the Box which belonged to Pandora?” Raven continued without batting an eyelid. He figured out she had to know something.

  Lamia’s face remained impartial, but there was a definite threat in her voice. “Do not joke with me! Even though you are a willing sacrifice, you should not test my patience!”

  “This is the last question I would like to ask. Is there anything I can execute for you in exchange for this information?

  “Mm … Are you ready to die? Voluntarily?” The priestess said, examining the rogue.

  “I am ready to die voluntarily, if I die at once.”

  “It’s impossible. The ritual, involving the blood of a willing sacrifice, which I have to drink gradually, until I completely assimilate her or his energy.”

  Will frowned. “There’s no way to kill me and to decant my blood?”

  “No, blood must be from living bodies. My family has accumulated this knowledge over generations.”

  “Are there any methods for anesthetizing the victim, or is pain an integral part of the process?”

  “No. There are no drugs, potions or spells that will ease your suffering.”

  “Do you know that Messengers come back from the dead?

  “Of course.”

  “Then wait for me after my death.” He turned to Nanel. “Princess, have you heard everything?”

  “Yes, the facts have been confirmed. Thank you.” She pressed her palm to the rogue’s chest, grateful.

  Current relations with Princess Nanel:

  47/200 - friendliness.

  “Now return to the others, and wait for me.”

  She nodded and left.

  He faced the priestess again. “So, I have to be tied down?”

  “Ready the box, and then we will begin your strange and unclear ritual.” Raven flinched at the thought of the pain he would suffer again.

  “All right. I know about this box, or as sometimes it is called, the casket. It’s from our heritage, or more precisely, a damnable part of a past era. You must know the legend about the portal opened and let demons in this world. This box was one of ten objects that opened a passageway for monsters. It belonged to Cerberus, who guarded the gate of the demonic world. But somebody stole it and after the portal was closed, the casket was lost.

  Now, as legend has it, Cerberus is searching for it, moving across the Floors in the guise of a man accompanied by the servants.”

  “Cerberus … Are his servants smoky dogs?” Raven wondered.

  “I believe so,” the priestess said. “I haven’t seen them, but my mother told that she met him on this Floor once.”

  “Which means he either left and returned, or was never gone,” Will said, staring at the earth and remembering the hunter.

  For the first time, Lamia's face expressed interest. “Is Cerberus here? When did you see him?”

  “When I received the task from him,” the rogue shrugged.

  “A task? Did he ask you to find the box?”

  “Yes. I’ll ask one more question, since I’m dying soon. Do you know about a sorcerer? The man who, probably, is the notorious Cerberus, told me this sorcerer was somewhere in the Taargada forest.”

  “No. I’ve heard nothing about any sorcerer,” She waved a dismissive hand. “I’ve answered all your questions. It’s time to start the ritual.”

  “Just a moment.”

  “What else?” Lamia huffed, out of patience.

  “Your warrior said I had arrived on time and there were signs. What did that mean?”

  “How talkative this Granis is!” Lamia shook her head.

  “And the answer is?” Raven narrowed his eyes.

  “And how talkative the sacrifice is.” She sighed. “It doesn’t matter. It will mean nothing to you.”

  “Please satisfy my curiosity, Lady Priestess.”

  “Fine. Today is the last day of summer. This day stars are built in certain order, and the force of the blood from a willing sacrifice increases its power almost double. Generally, I become stronger.”

  “Stronger at the expense of my blood?”

  “Exactly.”

  “And won’t I fall in my development after your ritual?”

  “No, you just feel unwell. Very unwell.”

  “Well, just in case, I must warn you that if I lose levels, I will destroy your nest. It won’t matter how strong you are.”

  “How dare you threaten me in my temple?” The priestess hissed, blinking her eyes rapidly.

  “Oh, no, Priestess, I’m not threatening you… I’m stating a fact.”

  “I can cage you, and you won’t be able to do a thing. You may not be afraid of death, but doing nothing won’t make you become stronger.”

  “You were going to drink not only my blood, but also a part of my development?”

  The face of the priestess frowned, her mask of indifference shattered, and she glared at the rogue. “Where did such clever beings come from?” She could not sustain the sudden silence. “I just want to become stronger. Is it so much to ask?”

  Raven had not foreseen this turn of events. He clearly heard the offended tone in her voice.

  “Tell me how many levels you can take away drinking my blood?”

  “Three…”

  “The truth!”

  “Five!” Lamia hissed, looking at the ceiling.

  “What are you going to reward me for my five levels?”

  “Are you are ready to part with five levels?” She obviously had not expected anybody to discuss this with her after learning the secret of their ritual.

  “Answer my question.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I want skills nobody has. And one item from your treasury of my choice. Decide.”

  …

  The face of the priestess became very thoughtful. The choice was difficult. To receive five levels at once, which would normally take five years, was tantalizing, but to lose unique skills and a diamond rank item… Was it worth the cost? Or should reject the deal?

  Eventually, she spoke, fumbling for the right word. “I’ll kill Granis… I will give him only two skills, and an item, as agreed.” She could give more for five levels, but Raven did not need to know about that. “I’m sure he'll be very excited to receive it. They are such silly, these human beings,” she girl said to herself.

  “No, priestess. You misunderstood me. For each level I want one unique skill.”

  “What?!” Her face distorted with horror.

  Chapter 85. Pay me for my death

  “Do you understand what you're asking?” Her light and profound voice disappeared, her eyes no longer shone with the wisdom of centuries, and her face distorted.

  “Do you understand what you're asking?” Raven retorted. “I collected those levels bit by bit, without closing my eyes. Suffered and battled, battled and suffered. You drink my blood, and voila, you’ll become stronger and, if I’m not mistaken, younger. I’d call that compensation for hiding the information about ritual consequences. If you deceive me, I’ll have to kill you and all who protect you.”

  “But five skill books? You understand that the word ‘unique’ means that nobody has it or won’t have. And you ask for five!” The priestess lost c
ontrol, her tail lashing angrily about with a thunderous sound. Granis, who did not suspect he was at fault, entered.

  “Stop!” Will raised his hand.

  Lamia thought that she had convinced this impudent rogue, but, as before, she went from giddy to devastated. “Haven’t I told that these books don’t suit me? Otherwise… you will give me books for magic when I can’t conjure at all.”

  Her mouth opened and closed as if she were gasping for air. Will just gazed serenely at her. He was not going to give up his levels just for the information.

  Then Lamia turned her attention to the Nag-warrior, who was inclining his head. Her eyes narrowed, and she appeared before him. That Nag didn’t dare raise his head, feeling Lamia’s anger against him.

  “Mistress, what has happened?” he asked, surprised. He thought she had been attacked, except there was no fighting. Her wrath was directed at her, but not at the sacrifice.

  “Your tongue should have been cut off long ago!” she hissed. “Just leave now, lest I kill you. Wait outside.”

  “I obey.” The half-serpent slid towards the exit. The door slammed shut, leaving the two alone again.

  “We don’t have five skill books.” After regaining self-control, Lamia returned to the altar.

  “I don’t have five levels. I can play this game a long time. If you don’t have many books, offer me something that will be interesting for me.” Will shrugged the shoulders.

  “Are you really a Messenger of Gods? Lamia asked, trying to convince herself if she was mistaken, looking at his ring. “You are destined to unite the world, but you’re plundering me!”

  “I am a rogue. If you have not caught on, my calling is plundering, and all deals with Floors, are as luck would have them. Cut to the chase. Do you agree, or do I look for another Lamia?”

  “What other? Where will you find her? Do you think we’re everywhere?”

  “Well, the world is enormous, you know. Yes or no?” Will did not want to give her time to think it over while she was in a disadvantageous position.