by Paul Bellow
I had to try to use that fact to my advantage and overload the system.
The gamemaster AI needed to die.
“When did you get back?” Gord-En asked from behind me.
I turned and smiled, pleased to see him again after so long.
“You came,” I said. “Wasn’t sure if you would.”
“Do you really have a way out of the game?” he asked.
“Straight to the point as always, I see.”
“That’s how you survive in here,” he said.
I smiled then said, “Still as charming as ever.”
“You’ve made a mess of this level.” He shook his head. “Why do you always have to cause trouble? They might let you back on the higher levels if you stopped being crazy.”
“I’m not insane,” I said—a little too quickly.
“Defensive,” he said. “You’re worried.”
“We should both be worried,” I said. “Their wizard made a deal with the gamemaster.”
“Oh?” Gord-En tilted his head back. “Tell me more.”
“Another new class,” I said. “What did you expect?”
“You never know,” he said.
I nodded. He wasn’t lying. The game could be fickle, but it also had boundaries.
“Do you know what she got?” he asked.
“Valkyrie Skyrider. Even worse? The gamemaster sent her twenty years in the past. She might be able to ruin our plan with the undead. Every time he does that, it screws up the entire level. We need to be ready for any big changes she’s able to make.”
“Or go back and kill her,” he said.
Gord-En stared over the edge of the ledge.
“We can’t afford another failure,” he continued.
“I know…”
Both of us fell silent for a moment, lost in our thoughts.
“I can’t stay,” he said. “They only gave me so much time.”
“How did the Battle of Eight Wizards go?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Don’t ask,” he said then frowned. “I can’t tell you without a penalty.”
“They can’t keep me at bay forever,” I said. “Has anyone found the exit out of the dungeon?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ve looked myself for a few years.”
“Maybe the gamemaster destroyed it,” I said.
“I doubt it,” he replied. “I’ve heard rumors.”
“Rumors are worth about as much as the gold in this place.” I turned to the fortified Tower of Sherlock. “Ryu spawned as a bone dragon necromancer, and I’m close to killing and talking to the new player they call Eric.”
Gord-En cleared his throat and looked away.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I ran into him on level One-One,” he said. “And his barbarian friend. They’re not bad people.”
“Why didn’t you kill him?” I asked. “Nobody I send seems to be able to get it done except for the brownies.”
“You shouldn’t use kids to do your dirty work,” he said. “I can’t kill him anymore than you can. We both have the same limitations on us because of what happened.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said.
He nodded and said, “I thought so.”
“I need to talk to Eric about how he hacked into the game without a prisoner identification number,” I said. “That might be key in getting us out of here.”
“Maybe this is our reality, and everything else was a dream,” Gord-En said.
“Don’t talk crazy.” I shook my head. “We’ve both been in here too long.”
“I need to go. Do you have a message for the Guild Council?”
“Guild Council,” I said then snorted. “They’ll never accept my apology.”
“You shouldn’t give up,” he said, taking a few steps toward the tower.
“Thanks for coming,” I said.
He looked back and grinned.
“I can’t help,” he said. “Sorry.”
“Go report to your masters,” I snapped.
He resumed his walk toward the tower entrance. I stayed on the ledge, looking out at the virtual world. All of it would be mine if I could never escape.
Someone would get out eventually.
I wanted it to be me so badly.
Nobody would stop me.
I would survive.
Complete.
ROGUELIKE
A LitRPG Novel
By Paul Bellow
()xxxx[:::: Chapter 1 ::::>
Into Another Game?
I stared into the shimmering portal that led into the roguelike, wondering how many people had stumbled into the game within a game. As I watched and pondered, Regina turned, her heavy plate mail squeaking. She nodded as a familiar smile spread across her face.
“No,” I said, frowning and shaking my head. “Absolutely not. The roguelike is too dangerous.”
“He’s right,” Axelrod said. “It’s taken us too long to get this far. We can’t quit our quest now. You two know that nobody’s ever come out of that trap of a game.”
I turned to the dwarf, his white mohawk and beard contrasting his dark skin.
“We’re not talking about quitting,” Regina said. “It’s a quick side-trip to defeat the roguelike. After we win, we’ll have the Amulet of Yendro. Don’t you think that will help with our main quest on this level?”
Axelrod groaned.
“Nobody’s beaten the roguelike yet,” he said. “What makes you think you can?”
After being trapped in the Tower of Gates for so long, I wasn’t sure what to think.
“We don’t have time for this foolishness,” Axelrod grumbled.
Regina rolled her eyes then shook her head.
“You never wanna have any fun,” she said then turned to me.
“What do you say, wizard?” she asked. “Time to go explore this side-dungeon and claim the Amulet of Yendro as ours? It’ll help us get revenge on Magi Inyontoo.”
“How do we know it’s not a trap?” I asked. “Axelrod’s right. Nobody that’s gone into the roguelike has ever come out again.”
“You’re as bad as him,” she said. “We’ll never get out of here if we don’t take risks. Both of you need to man-up and do this with me.”
“Calculated risks are good, not gambles,” Axelrod said. “There’s a big difference. We’ve got to stop these Magictology creeps. That’s our main mission right now. We can’t let them enslave all the dwarves in this blasted game.”
“Don’t you think we’ve done enough by locking up the Wight Mage?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Regina said. “We stopped a major glitch. I think it’s time we treat ourselves to some epic, unique loot.”
“Maybe there’s a reason no one has defeated the roguelike,” Axelrod said. “Did either of you numbskulls ever think about that?”
“I try not to think too much,” Regina spat back.
“No kidding,” Axelrod said, shaking his head.
My real-life brother could be blunt, but I loved him.
“Why don’t we sleep on it,” I suggested. “Compromise.”
“Nah.” Regina stepped toward the portal. “Smell you two later.”
“No, wait…” I tried to stop her, holding up a hand, but she didn’t stop walking.
I frowned as she disappeared through the portal into the roguelike.
“We have to go in after her,” I said. “Splitting the party isn’t a good idea.”
Axelrod frowned and shook his head.
“We don’t even know if we can group inside the game,” he said. “Most roguelikes are solo adventures.”
He was right, but the roguelike nobody had beaten called out to me.
“You’re not thinking it through,” he added. “Regina’s on her own.”
“We have to help her,” I argued. “The roguelike can’t be too difficult.”
“You think the game’s going to give us an OP artifact for a simple walk-through roguelike
?” He raised an eyebrow. “That’s ridiculous. Regina is foolish. Don’t make the same mistake as her.”
“We can’t leave her,” I said. “The three of us signed a contract.”
“I know,” he snapped.
As he stepped closer to the portal, I sighed. The longer we were in the Tower of Gates, the more difficult the decisions were becoming. Regina running into the roguelike on her own didn’t make our lives any easier, but I didn’t want to leave her.
“We have to go in after her,” I repeated in a determined tone.
“Fine,” Axelrod grumbled. “You go. I’ll wait out here.”
“You’re not coming?” I asked.
“No.” The dwarf shook his head. “I’ll wait for you, though.”
“Thanks,” I said, laying the sarcasm on thick.
I stepped toward the portal to the roguelike. After so many years inside the Tower of Gates, I still couldn’t wrap my head around the immensity of the game. Had the game created the roguelike or was it the work of one of the rogue players rumored to be able to hack code and change core mechanics? I’d find out more by playing.
“Wish me luck,” I said then took another step forward.
“Hold on,” Axelrod said.
I stopped and looked over my shoulder.
“What?” I asked. “Are you coming?”
“Let’s just wait on her to come out,” he replied. “I don’t want to be alone in here.”
“You’ll be fine,” I said. “Or you could come into the roguelike with us.”
“No way,” he said.
I turned back toward the portal and sighed, not relishing the choice before me.
“She might need my help,” I said. “See you in a bit.”
I walked into the roguelike, unsure of what to expect.
* * * * *
I spawned in a nondescript stone room with no doors or windows. A game prompt appeared in the air before me.
Do you want to read the rules? y/N
“Yes,” I muttered, not wanting to take any chances.
Rule files are corrupt.
Do you want to read the rules? y/N
Another glitch?
I wasn’t ready to battle a game that cheated.
Sighing, I chose the default option.
Random Character Creation Started!
“What? Random character?”
Attributes, stats, and skills appeared on the heads-up display hovering in the air before me. I glanced over them, noticing the slight differences from the main Tower of Gates game screens. How different would the roguelike be?
Name: Orange Alex
Class: Mage
Level: 1
XP TO LVL: 100
Health: 10 hp
Magic: 15 mp
Alignment: 0 (Neutral)
Armor Class: 5 (barely armored)
Attacks per Round: 1
STR: 45 | INT: 95 | WIS: 85
DEX: 84 | CON: 72 | CHA: 87
SKILLS:
One-Handed Blades -> Basic Level 1 of 10
Dodge -> Basic Level 1 of 10
Use Magic Items -> Basic Level 1 of 10
Cast Spells -> Basic Level 1 of 10
Languages: Common
SPELLS:
You know no spells.
You need a spell book.
No kidding. Stupid game.
A mage is gonna be a tough start.
I called up my inventory and equipped lists.
INVENTORY:
An oak staff
A pouch (empty)
2 gold
A dog biscuit
EQUIPPED
Wielding: Fists
Left Finger: Nothing
Right Finger: Nothing
Left Wrist: Nothing
Right Wrist: Nothing
Around Neck: Nothing
Light Source: Torch (230 minutes)
On Body: Robes (AC5 – Barely armored.)
Shield: Nothing
On Head: Nothing
On Hands: Nothing
On Feet: Sandals
Ranged Weapon: Nothing
In Quiver: Nothing
A light flashed before I disappeared.
Spawning…
You are near the town of Yangmore.
You are above the Dread Dungeon.
You are a Level 1 Mage.
You feel okay.
I materialized next to a rustic wooden fence beside a field. The wind hit my face and rustled the wheat like waves. In the distance, a few broken down buildings sat clustered together. As I checked out my surroundings, I noticed a crow flying toward me.
Great. I’ve got no spells or weapons.
Instead of attacking, the black bird landed atop the nearby fence.
“Hello, Alex,” it said then cawed. “I’m here to help you.”
“Um, nice to meet you.” I glanced around. “You do mean me, right?”
“Not too bright for a mage, are you?” the crow quipped.
“Heckled by a bird,” I said. “Keeps getting better.”
The crow stretched out its wings to balance itself.
“Why are you talking to me?” I asked, a slight bit curious.
“I’m here to help,” the bird replied. “You should go to the town and stock up on supplies before heading into the Dread Dungeon. I’ll follow you until I die. Together, we can save the world from the evils trying to invade the world above ground.”
“Fine with me,” I said. “Feel free to tell me what you think I need to know.”
Having a talking pet would make the game a bit easier.
“I will, Alex. Where to now?”
“Town,” I said then headed across the field.
After cawing twice, the crow flew into the air, following me.
“Do you have a name?” I asked.
The bird’s scratchy voice whispered in my mind, “You can call me Dusty.”
“Okay, then,” I replied with telepathy.
I continued walking as the crow flew overhead. At the other side of the field, I came across another fence. After climbing over it, I noticed a farmer approaching with a pitchfork in his hand.
Here we go, I thought. First battle without even a single spell? Aargh.
The weathered man stopped a few dozen feet away, holding his farm tool like a weapon.
“What do you want?” he asked while looking me up and down.
“Just passing through,” I said. “Sorry to bother you.”
“You’re on my property, so I’ll need a payment,” he said.
“Don’t fight him, Alex. You’re not strong enough. Consider him.”
I followed my pet’s suggestion.
> Consider Farmer
With sunbaked skin and blistered hands, you know this farmer’s not afraid of work. The pitchfork is rusty and even more dangerous. He would likely kill you.
“I’ve got no gold,” I said. “Can I repay you in some other way?”
The farmer lowered the pitchfork a few inches.
“Willing to get your hands dirty?” he asked.
I nodded and said, “Sure. What do you need me to do?”
“Kill ten rats,” he said.
I stifled a laugh at the common video game trope.
“Sure thing,” I said. “Do I get gold in addition to paying off my debt?”
“I’ll give you one gold.” He raised the pitchfork. “You have a problem with that?”
“No, no, not at all,” I said, raising my hands. “Can I use your pitchfork?”
The farmer laughed.
“You don’t look strong enough to lift it let alone use it to kill rats. Here’s a knife.”
After he stopped forward and offered it, I took the weak looking weapon.
You get A RUSTY KNIFE (unknown).
“They’re in the barn,” the farmer said. “Come find me when you’re done. If you don’t die first, I’ll give you a gold piece and let you leave my property.”
He snickered as he turned and walked
away. I stared at the rusty dagger in my right hand. Why hadn’t I started with any spells? A glitch? I sighed then headed toward the barn a few hundred feet away. Dusty flew overhead.
The barn’s tall, wooden doors were both open as I approached. I peered into the darkness, but I couldn’t make out much. How hard would it be to kill ten rats? A low-level quest was just what I needed to start leveling.
I stopped at the entrance of the barn and looked around inside. Bales of hay had been stacked around the walls, looking like perfect hiding places for rats. I took a few steps inside then paused again before continuing.
“Be careful,” Dusty cawed as he flew above.
“Can you chase the rats out for me?” I asked in my mind.
“Do you want to face them all at once?”
“No,” I replied.
“I can’t chase them out one at a time.”
So much for crows being the smartest of the birds.
I heard a squealing noise to my left. A fat rat lumbered out, running toward me.
“Don’t get bit, Alex,” Dusty said. “They carry diseases.”
I lunged for the rat with the rusty knife.
Your pierce SCRATCHES the rat for 2 damage.
The rat MISSES you.
Your pierce SCRATCHES the rat for 3 damage.
The rat is dead!
Not bad, I thought as I pulled the rusty blade from the rat’s body. Two more vile rodents rushed from the hay as if to avenge their fallen comrade. I attacked viciously. Well, as vicious as possible with a short, rusty knife covered in rat blood.
The rat MISSES you.
The rat SCRATCHES you for 1 damage.
You have [9/10] health remaining.
Your pierce GRAZES the rat for 5 damage.
The rat is dead!
