The Guild Core: The Complete Saga Boxset: A LitRPG Dungeon Adventure

by TJ Reynolds

  The first volley of arrows streaked out from the murder holes in the gate and behind the stone wall to either side. Only eight archers fired away, but at this range, they were deadly.

  Starting with the slime nymph minion, Ban had modified the nimble creature by adding in a daldrim. After toying with the various percentages, Ban gained a minion coordinated enough to use a bow.

  The small matter of how to form bows and arrows had only taken Ban six or seven hours. He’d done his best, but the weapon couldn’t be trusted to fire accurately beyond thirty feet. When under that distance, however, the thick arrows and heavy iron heads wreaked havoc on the dalgard warriors.

  After his nymphs had fired their fourth volley, the third line of defense fell into action.

  Along both sides of the bridge, Ban had placed short stone walls. This forced the attackers to funnel in even tighter, and provided cover for the shield boar hiding in wait.

  Staggering their charge, four shield boar slammed into the enemy with Wind Bash.

  The blasts dropped six of the dalgard, and momentarily opened the rear ranks up to a particularly nasty volley.

  The second group of shield boar hit a second later, causing further damage.

  In total, fifteen attackers died in the initial defense.

  Pushing forward, and having their numbers refreshed by Ban’s dungeon magic, the dalgard reached the floor trap.

  The moment was perfect. Poetic even, pure majestic beauty, Ban declared as the floor of the bridge fell away. A dozen more attackers tumbled to their doom. Ban cackled to himself, utterly delighted.

  This felt like a victory, of sorts at least.

  For the hundredth time, he wished he could simply magic away the bridge entirely. And he supposed he could, but he would rather use the bridge for what it was, a method of guiding his attackers where he wanted them.

  Once his domain was breached, he could neither refresh his troops nor modify his dungeon, so Ban sought only to apply himself to the devious art of trap making.

  Skirting the hole, and coming up in two single-file lines around the missing portion of the bridge, the dalgards reached the platform before the gate at last.

  When Hastings attacks, he’ll have well over a hundred men with him, possibly more! Ban reminded himself as he renewed the dalgard’s forces. Twenty-four of the attackers filled the space before the gate. At this point, Ban was certain Hastings would rely on skills to breach the keep.

  If the tables were turned, Ban would use the shield boar to blast the thing apart. No doubt, the commander of the Vermillion Guard would have his own vile tools.

  As before, Ban didn’t seek to stop this powerful foe.

  No, my little friends. I aim for the ankle. I strike at the hamstring. I strive to slow, to soften, to bring low.

  He reveled in the tension as the dalgard began to pound their shields against the wooden slats of the gate.

  I seek only to weaken you, he said as he finished his evil prayer.

  Then with a single command, all hell broke loose.

  One of the slime nymphs pulled the rope that wound through a hole in the wall. The rope pulled free the simple latch that allowed the second trap door to open.

  Unlike the first, this one was positioned directly over the soldiers’ heads.

  The mechanism snapped open and a thousand pounds of stone tumbled out. The soldiers were sitting ducks.

  Dust blew outward in a plume, confusing the scene of destruction. Every sound of snapping bones or twisting steel was like music to Ban’s imaginary ears. The cries of the dying minions gave him hope. Suddenly, their terrifying task seemed possible.

  For of the twenty-four dalgard, only six were left alive.

  Ban wanted to cheer himself on, wanted to celebrate by spending the afternoon mastering a floral pattern or more appropriate lighting for his core room.

  But he forced himself to think realistically.

  He’d taken three lives with the storm darts, thirteen more with the continued volleys of his archers. Then after both blasts from the shield boar, the total slain rose to twenty-nine.

  Forty-seven dead, Ban praised himself sarcastically. Forty-seven killed in such a short time. Hurrah, Bancroft, hurrah.

  Quickly, he ran the other numbers, the ones indicating that despite his best efforts, he’d just witnessed a losing battle. 36 MCP wasted on the storm darts, 64 more on the shield boar.

  Surely, Hastings would have his gate cracked open like a prize egg by now, and the eight slime nymph archers would be lost as well. Each of those cost 6 MCP, bringing up his total losses to 148 MCP down the drain.

  That left him 92 Minion Control Points to defend the keep.

  If Hastings had but two hundred men, that left him with over one hundred and fifty healthy fighters.

  A cold pang of dread filled Ban’s core as he considered his fate. Not just mine, you fool, but that of Kai and the dragonlings as well.

  For a time, Ban considered giving up, throwing up his white flag. He could tell Kai he’d been wrong, and they could run to the distant horizon. Maybe Hastings will grow tired of the chase? Maybe we can find allies strong enough to stand by our side.

  None of Ban’s reasoning and justifications placated his sour mood.

  In a fit of rage, Ban smote the spanning bridge, cutting lines through the support beams and watching the entire construction break apart into rubble.

  He stared at the dusty cloud that occupied the space that the bridge, only moments before, had been. He tried to read the dust like a book, hoping to glean some insight, some encouragement.

  All he saw was impending failure though.

  He saw his own ruin and that of those he loved most dearly.

  Then he heard something, a strange, chiming sound he barely noticed. It came from deeper in his dungeon, within the base of the keep.

  It came from his core room.

  Ban searched for the author of the sound, and discovered Imogen’s Soul Sphere pulsing in its chandelier, an occasional high-pitched note pinging.

  Ban’s heart flooded with emotion.

  Here I am, waylaying progress for the sake of my own fear, he told himself. All I needed to do was ask myself what would Imogen do? She would build, plan and scheme until her loved ones were safe.

  Inspecting the sphere in his interface, Ban learned he’d achieved Integration Threshold 1. His interface offered no other explanation, but when he searched through his designs, he cried out in joy.

  In regards to minions, Ban only learned how to craft the massive Frost Raven. Such a beast was best used for scouting. He had gargats to do that for him, but having the raven atop his tower felt right. He summoned the minion, marveling at its plumage before ordering it to fly up above the keep with the other gargats.

  He also learned mahogany and walnut, two brand new types of wood. He learned how to make spring, summer, and winter wines as well as an assortment of grains, legumes, and food stuffs.

  Nothing Ban had acquired would grant him mastery over the keep, ensuring victory against Hastings. It did give him a much needed reminder of all he did have though.

  With his perspective firmly back in position, Ban bolstered his courage.

  He started by restoring the bridge, an act that consumed a large portion of his reserves, but only took a second to perform.

  As the bridge solidified from a fountain of ether, Ban added a few tiny details. He carved a line of skulls into the stones that paved the bridge. In that way, Ban ensured any invaders would have a friendly reminder of what was at stake.

  For those who were dense-minded, the Earth Core humored himself with a note of sorts.

  On a wide stone tablet at the foot of the bridge, Ban scrawled in legible Brintoshi, the following words:

  Come ye mighty, come one and all.

  Try this treasure to reap.

  Come ye foes and throw your might

  ‘gainst the stones of the Sunken Keep.

  29

  The Perilous Deep


  Kai

  Sora and his warriors called upon every spear and axe in the Ruby Kobolds, and eventually, even Kotsi came about.

  As they were in a glowing subterranean forest, there was no need to delay the attack. Kai figured it would soon be nightfall outside, yet he’d had plenty of rest throughout the day.

  Besides, the idea of facing a powerful foe with a small army of kobolds on his side excited him. What could make me feel more powerful than my own force to command? he thought.

  Dealing with Kotsi promised to be difficult, but Kai was relieved when the war chief left the leadership role to Sora.

  Bearing his great axe on his shoulder, Kotsi walked with a puffed-out chest. His steps were less meandering as well, evidence that the tea Tessra had forced him to drink was working. It gave Kai some degree of relief.

  Heading into battle with a drunkard didn’t appeal to Kai’s sense of honor or safety.

  Kai wracked his brain, trying to think of any way he might improve his lot. He checked the baggage on Greg’s back, tugging one of the straps in an attempt to make it more secure.

  What else might I do? Kai wondered. My glaive is sharp, and my belly is full…

  Then he remembered the odd item he’d received in the last fight of the Sunken Keep.

  Glancing at the bracelet, Kai decided it was due time for an experiment.

  Such a device could be useful when fighting against an enemy who used spells or skills. But natural creatures, like spiders for example, Kai couldn’t imagine the bracelet working to trap a skill like Venomous Bite. He also doubted the spiders would fling fire balls or streams of charged Water ether either.

  So, while the kobolds roused their troops to action, and Kotsi nursed a waterskin, Kai considered which of his spells might be most advantageous to store away.

  Breeze Step and Flame Spear were out. Both had Instant cast times, and therefore, the only advantage to storing one of these would be to allow his stores of AE to refill completely. In that case, the bracelet could be seen as an additional 10 AE to his reserves.

  It was a modest but undeniable advantage.

  But eliminating the cast time of Confounded Core or Restoring Tide, as well as bolstering his reserves of AE, that felt like using the bracelet to full effect.

  Though the healing spell was important, Kai chose Confounded Core instead. He strode a few dozen paces away from the communal fire, and summoned his spell.

  Purple Soul ether formed around him, drawing a few looks from the kobolds. He ignored them, and waited for the charging time to complete.

  Then, as the spell became ready to release, Kai mentally directed it towards the bracelet.

  He released it.

  The sensation of the spell transfer couldn’t under any circumstances be described as pleasant. A rush of cold ether flooded his core and rushed out of his right hand. Striking the bracelet directly, the sphere of Soul ether latched onto the item and immediately began to drain into it.

  A mirrored sensation occupied the transfer. Kai’s wrist and arm throbbed with the increasing pressure, and for a moment, he worried he might just be killing himself.

  But the discomfort eased when the spell disappeared completely, the final wisps of purple ether sucking into the item.

  Kai shook out his left arm, aware how the limb hung a little heavier than before. I hope this feeling doesn’t last. It’ll be a distraction to say the least, Kai mused as he walked back to the group of kobolds.

  Sure enough, though, the heaviness retreated shortly after leaving behind the barest tingle of power.

  Tessra, having seen Kai’s little demonstration, smiled openly. Though the chief didn’t say as much, Kai felt the kobold was pleased such a display of magic had been made.

  If it gives any of them more confidence, all the better, Kai thought as he stepped aside to allow the column of tiny soldiers to march into place. Fifteen Crimson Spears and seventeen Cobalt Axes rode into the clearing in the center of town and sat in rigid formation.

  Sora nodded at Kai, and when the young dragon nodded back, the leader shouted loud and clear. “Forward, march!”

  With the spears leading the way, their modest force took the first steps of this joint adventure.

  Kai and Greg pulled up the middle of the formation while Kotsi boldly walked before them. Behind, the Cobalt Axes clambered along on the backs of the spider mounts.

  After an hour of marching down a different path, the scenery showed signs of the corruption Tessra had mentioned. Patches of grass or, on occasion, entire trees of fungal growths would be found covered in a fine, black fuzz.

  The kobolds’ spider mounts would skitter around the patch, hissing softly.

  Why Sora and Kotsi chose to walk while their fellows rode bothered Kai until he considered the decline of the spider kin.

  If Kotsi were to ride a spider, a much larger one would be needed. And if such a spider existed, it might already have fallen to corruption or in battle, Kai considered.

  Either way, it worked in Kai’s favor. The kobolds were so short that without their nimble mounts, Kai would have been forced to walk at an intolerable pace.

  As it was, the war band made exceptional time. All Kai had to do was urge his long legs to do what they did best.

  Through his exploration of this great chamber, Kai had seen countless hills. It made for an undulating forest, one that appeared tall and overgrown at times, and small and quaint at others.

  But now, as they followed a broad trail into the heart of the forest, Kai noted how the earth had begun to slope ever downward.

  As if the entire region were a vast sinkhole, the floor of the forest dove deeper and deeper into a central ravine. The trees overhead towered more than ever, and the black infection became more prevalent.

  It was clear the kobolds’ mounts couldn’t avoid the powdery fungus any longer. Kai could only hope there was some cure or else they were all sacrificing their lives.

  Ever since he’d nearly ruined the first interactions with the Ruby Kobolds Ban had gone back and forth between working in the Sunken Keep and popping in to check in with Kai.

  Kai sensed his friend felt guilty for leaving this dangerous mission to him. As Ban’s awareness filled Greg’s otherwise-vacant eyes once more, Kai did what he could to ease the Earth Core’s worries. I will be okay, Ban. Please, do your business and do it well. But if you keep coming and going, chances are, it will lead to an accident.

  You are in the right, Kai, Ban answered back. Reaching out through Greg’s body, Ban patted Kai on the back. I am proud of you, young dragon. Look at you, marching to wage war on an unearthly fiend of unknowable power! It is quite courageous.

  Kai groaned. Come on, Ban. Seriously, how is that supposed to help?

  Sorry! Sorry, yes, of course, and again you are right. Anyhow, things are coming along back here. The Soul Sphere is working towards its second threshold, and the keep is more lovely than ever! I’ll leave you to it!

  With that, the Earth Core departed, promising not to return until Kai asked him to.

  As the group entered the ravine, tall walls of stone growing up on either side, Kai felt the slight tremble in his core that meant danger.

  Once more Kai made to activate Shadow Shroud. The spell would be the perfect way to obscure the movement of the kobolds before and behind him. Without such an advantage, Kai was left to sigh in frustration.

  When I ascend to Emerald, I’ll make sure to add the spell back into my repertoire, Kai promised himself, though he still wasn’t sure how many more spells he could hold when he did hit Emerald. He could only hope it would be enough.

  The ravine, if it could be called that, looked more like a crack in the bedrock itself. The crack soon spanned out to either side, however, and a sloping pathway dove down into the earth between. Two walls of stone rose up on either side. The enormous crack zig-zagged away into the distance like the aftermath of some heavenly battle.

  And maybe that’s precisely what it is, K
ai thought. The rock broke open somehow and exposed the chasm below. What force could be so great as to have such an immeasurable effect?

  Suppressing his analysis, Kai wondered yet again when he might encounter Briga. She’d visited him during his previous ascensions, and with another on his horizon, he hoped the Water goddess would favor him with her blessing yet again.

  As they walked down the ever-sloping path, the walls of the ravine became taller and taller. Soon, Kai had to squint to make anything out despite his dragon eyes.

  Sora stopped and commanded every other kobold to light a torch.

  When it was possible to see where they were going again, the group pressed on.

  Patches of webbing clung in corners, and occasionally blocked their path entirely. Black fungus covered everything in sight, and Kai felt an itching in his lungs.

  Instantly, fear strung Kai’s mind along a dark pathway. Was the fungus contagious to half dragons? Could he unwittingly bring this back to the daldrim and Ban’s other minions? And what cure was there for preventing infection?

  Regardless, they were breathing the stuff in.

  A few short minutes later, the first attack was sprung.

  Their group walked in a column that stretched little over fifty feet. Each rank was two wide but for Sora and Kotsi.

  Had the spiders attacked from one side or the other, the results might have been long and drawn out. Only two, maybe three fighters could fend off either front at a time.

  The infected spider kin dropped from the towering walls of the ravine, however, and landed on the shoulders of several unsuspecting kobolds.

  Kai held back. A single spell could decimate one or more of his new allies.

  Flame Spear had a wide and random trajectory, and testing out Confounded Core and the bracelet held its own risks.

  Greg moved with precision though. The hulking champion roared as the skirmish unfolded. His javelins dotted the sky and the black spiders were skewered one at a time.

  The kobold warriors made a good show of it as well.

  In moments, flint axes crushed the hides of a half-dozen infected spiders. The spears proved just as effective, piercing the ugly foes easily.