Hero

by Paul Bellow

  Belt of Become Dwarflike – wearer gains ability to speak dwarven, grows a full-length beard, gets +15 CON, and has dark vision to 60.

  142 pp

  1,559 gp

  10,098 sp

  I sighed as I stared at the magic items spread on one of the two beds in the room. Would we keep it when traveling to level one-three?

  The game kept sucking me in deeper. Every day I spent in the game, I forgot a little more about the real world outside. Forgetting terrified me.

  After locking the room, I went downstairs. The others had dragged a few tables together. I saw pitchers of beer and plates full of bacon as I got closer.

  “You started the celebration without me,” I said.

  Eric looked up with a smile on his face as I stopped next to him.

  “Well?” Axelrod asked. “Anything good?”

  I tossed the parchment with the list down in front of him. He picked it up as I sat down.

  “Not bad,” he said. “We’ll divide it up tomorrow morning before we leave.”

  “Let me see,” Eric said, reaching across the table.

  “We’re not starting any arguments about it tonight,” Axelrod said. “Everyone did a great job today, but the black dragon will be a hundred times more difficult to kill, especially without a proper healer in our party.”

  I noticed the man in grey from the day before. He walked over to us.

  “Excuse me,” he said. “I couldn’t help overhearing you’re in need of a healer.”

  “Let me guess,” Axelrod said. “You’re a healer.”

  “I am,” the man said, his long, black hair tied in a ponytail.

  “Have a drink and tell us about your qualifications,” Axelrod said.

  “I don’t drink alcohol,” the man said. “But I’ll join you.”

  “You’re hired,” I quipped without skipping a beat.

  He turned his piercing eyes toward me again, and I looked away.

  “Sit down,” Axelrod said. “We’ve got a great party, but we need a healer. Have you adventured before? Are you looking for a group?”

  “I have adventured before,” the man said as he pulled up a chair and sat down between Eric and Josh. “All over the realms.”

  Was he another player trapped as an NPC? Could non-players who were NPCs even join parties? The questions piled up in my mind.

  “Do you have your own equipment?” Axelrod asked.

  “I do,” the man said.

  “What’s your name?” I asked.

  “I’m Ardeth Verd,” he said, still no expression on his face.

  “You’re welcome to join our party,” Axelrod said then looked around the table. “What says the group? Everyone agreed?”

  One after another, we agreed to allow the stranger to join our party. Having a healer for the battle against the black dragon would help.

  [PC] Ardeth Verd (Human Cleric) has joined your party.

  “Thank you,” he said. “I’ve been on my own so long.”

  “What’s your real name?” Eric asked. “Have you been in the game long?”

  “Give him a minute,” I said.

  “It’s okay,” the newcomer said. “My name is Ryu Akagi.”

  “Another female?” Bernard asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “No.” Ryu smiled. “It’s a male name in Japan.”

  “What were you locked up for?” Bernard asked.

  “Not a prisoner,” Ryu said. “They hired me to work on the combat mechanics in the game. I foolishly signed up to beta test.”

  “How long have you been in here?” I asked.

  “Does your group always talk OOC so openly?” Ryu asked.

  He looked from one face to another.

  “We’ve got magic,” I said. “Don’t worry.”

  He nodded, not saying a word.

  Is he trying to change the subject?

  “I’m the dragon slayer,” Evan said, lightening the mood.

  The rest of us laughed as we welcomed Ryu to the party.

  Who knew what the future would bring?

  14

  Revenge of the Hill Giants

  Eric

  I woke and glanced around the room, sensing something wrong.

  “Bernard?” I asked as I rolled out of bed.

  Once on my feet, I listened for any noises out of the ordinary.

  Maybe it’s nothing, I thought.

  As soon as the thought popped in my mind, the door to our room burst open. Two men wearing black armor rushed in. A short, stout man wearing green robes waddled in after them.

  I reached for my sword, but the two men in armor lifted their weapons.

  “Don’t do it,” the man in robes said as he closed the door to our room.

  Bernard sat up in bed, his eyes half-closed.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “I wish they’d tell me,” I said, still holding my sword.

  They had Bernard and I outnumbered. I wondered if the others were okay.

  “What do you want?” I asked. “Are you with the Black Guard? Is this about our sham trial in Esterhollow? Tell me.”

  The man wearing robes laughed.

  “We’re with the Temple of Magictology,” he said. “You’re here to pay for killing the last known liger in existence and not even using its blood constructively.”

  “Seriously?” I asked.

  “Magi Inyontoo is not happy with you,” the man continued. “We’re here to make sure you pay for your crimes with death.

  “Come at us,” I said, motioning them forward with my free hand. When they moved, I yelled, “Now!” then rushed toward the man in robes.

  The man pulled a wand out and zapped it at Bernard, freezing him.

  I stopped in my tracks. Behind the man in robes, the two fighters snickered.

  “Hold on,” I said. “Let’s talk…”

  The mage raised the wand and zapped again.

  I dodged to the left. The cobalt blue beam barely missed me as I tumbled on the ground. I jumped up by the mage, my FAST sword still in my hand.

  The mage’s eyes widened as slashed with cold, hard steel.

  Your slash INJURES the mage for 14 damage.

  He must be high level, I thought. Where are the others?

  I leaped over a bed then attacked the mage again but missed.

  He pointed the wand at me one more time, zapping it.

  “Nooo…” I screamed, drawing out the word as the wand’s beam paralyzed me.

  As I stood completely frozen, I remembered all the times I’d struggled with walking in the real world. Was the game messing with my head by paralyzing me again?

  The monkey ghouls had done it before, but this was different. Right then and there, I could hear everything around me, but I couldn’t force myself to move—not even an inch.

  Bernard stood nearby.

  I struggled to move my head.

  While my eyes were open, I couldn’t see the soldiers or the mage. They might kill us both at any moment. My heart beat faster.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the door smashed open. Axelrod ran through with his battle-ax held high. The startled mage screamed as the fighters attacked.

  Josh came into the room a moment later, helping the dwarf dispatch all the Magictology cultists. I watched the entire battle, unable to move my body.

  Combat is Over!

  You get 4,000 xp divided by 9 party members.

  You get 444 xp You have 45,303 xp You need 5,697 xp for Level 8 Rogue --> Bounty Hunter

  Ewen and Evan ran into the room, daggers waving. Sarah, Sheldon, and Ryu followed, all cramming into the room. I struggled to move, but still couldn’t budge.

  “Can you help them?” Axelrod asked from somewhere out of my view.

  “My magic is not powerful enough,” Ryu said. “The effect will wear off.”

  “How long will it take?” Sarah asked.

  “A couple days at the most,” our newest party member said.

  I w
anted to open my eyes wider in shock, but I couldn’t move them.

  Terror raised its ugly head in my mind.

  I hated being paralyzed; I despised it.

  “We’ve got to get into the mines before the fire giants find out what happened,” Axelrod said. “There’s no other way. We can’t wait around for them.”

  “Fire giants?” Sarah asked.

  “Yeah,” Bernard said. “Why’s this the first time I’m hearing about fire giants?”

  “I’m sorry,” Ryu said. “I know where to buy a potion to overcome the paralysis wand, but it’s expensive. Do you want me to take you to my potion dealer?”

  “How much will it cost to unfreeze both of them?” Axelrod asked.

  “At least five thousand gold each,” Ryu said.

  “What?” Axelrod walked over and stared into my face. “This is coming out of your share. Do you hear me? You can’t nod your head, so you’re agreeing.”

  I don’t care, I thought in a panic. Just get me back to normal. Now!

  What would’ve happened if the others hadn’t come to save us?

  I avoided thinking about it as Axelrod cleared his throat.

  “Sarah, go with Ryu to buy the potions,” he said. “We’ll leave when you get back.”

  I took shallow breaths, trying to stay calm, cool, and collected.

  After Axelrod handed over gems worth enough for the potions, Sarah and Ryu left. He then sent the brownies downstairs to get a cheap breakfast.

  “I better go after them,” Josh said. “No telling what they’ll get up to on their own.”

  “Good idea,” Axelrod said. “The other mage and I will watch our frozen friends.”

  I calmed down as Axelrod talked to Sheldon about battling a dragon. Time slowed. Every second ticked by excruciatingly slow. I felt like they’d never get back and unfreeze me.

  Two hours later, they reversed the magic by forcing a potion down my throat. I stretched then bent my legs, happy to be able to move again.

  “Are you okay?” Sarah asked, putting her hand on my shoulder.

  “I’m fine,” I said. “But we need to have guards wherever we go.”

  “You should’ve told me there was a bounty on your head,” Axelrod said.

  “I could use some healing,” Josh said. “That one guy got me good.”

  “Me, too,” Ewen said. “I never get healed enough.”

  “We’ll spend another night in the city,” Axelrod said. “But we must leave in the morning. The fire giants will be coming to replace the stone giant we killed.”

  Josh walked over, stopping in front of me.

  “Let’s go get a drink,” he said, surprising me.

  “A drink?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I want to talk.”

  “Okay,” I said, still cautious about trusting him.

  Josh smiled, his half-orc teeth showing.

  “I’m going to study,” Sarah said. “Ryu, I have some questions if you have time and don’t mind helping me.”

  “Sure,” he said.

  The two spellcasters left the room, followed by the others.

  “Let’s go get that drink,” Josh said then patted me on the back.

  I tried to hold my ground, but his strength forced me forward. We walked downstairs to the tavern in the back of the first floor. He ordered two pitchers of beer before we found an empty table.

  “Drink up,” he said, pushing one of the glass containers toward me. “At least we can’t get carded in the game, am I right?”

  I smiled and grabbed the handle of the glass pitcher.

  “To getting out of here,” I said, raising it.

  He clinked his against mine then took a big gulp. I took a smaller drink of the sour, bitter beer.

  “Ah, that’s good,” he said as he wiped the foam from his mouth with the back of his huge hand. “Not the best, but not bad either.”

  “It’s okay,” I said. “But we shouldn’t be getting drunk. There’s a chance we might be attacked again. We’re wanted by the cultists.”

  “There’s a huge chance we’ll be attacked again,” he said then laughed as if it didn’t bother him. “You’re too careful, Eric. That’s your problem.”

  He stopped smiling.

  “I forgot Sarah’s upstairs with the Amulet of the Party,” he said.

  “What level are you now?” I asked.

  “Almost seven,” he said. “Getting closer.”

  “I wish you knew more about what happened to you,” I said.

  “All I remember is that a year passed,” he said. “I had some adventures. Most of it’s a blur of memories. You know how it is in here.”

  I nodded then took another drink.

  “We should practice some more,” he said.

  I glanced across the table. He stared into my eyes.

  “Practice what?” I asked.

  “Fighting,” he said. “Aren’t you about to level up to advanced?”

  I nodded, amazed at how far he’d come in the game.

  “Let’s spar a bit more,” he said. “Grind out another skill level.”

  “Okay,” I said with hesitation.

  “Great,” he said. “We can go out around back. It shouldn’t take long.”

  He drained the rest of his pitcher then stood, towering over me.

  “Do you have any skills at advanced level?” he asked.

  I shook my head then pushed back my chair.

  “No,” I said. “What about you?”

  “Close on barbarian rage,” he said. “But I won’t use it on you.”

  “You can’t control it at all, can you?” I asked.

  I stood then took a last drink from my pitcher.

  “Not yet,” he said. “It’s still dangerous.”

  We walked out the back door and headed down an alley.

  “Here’s good,” Josh said. “The moon’s lighting it up.”

  I pulled out my FAST sword while he drew his weapon.

  The smell of manure and stale beer filled the air.

  “I’ve been thinking about killing you,” he said.

  “Oh yeah?” I asked, not taking my eyes off him.

  He nodded. “To make you feel what it’s like to die in here.”

  “But you’re over that now, right?” I asked.

  He raised his sword; the moonlight hit the blade.

  “I’m over it,” he said. “We need to get out of here.”

  “Good,” I said.

  He yelled and swung his sword. I raised mine to block.

  We fought back and forth, steel clanging against steel. A bell rang in the distance as we parried with each other. When I heard screams all around, I stopped.

  “Hold on,” I said, lowering my sword. “What’s that commotion?”

  “Let’s go find out,” Josh said.

  He walked around the building to the main street. I strode toward the same direction, close behind.

  “We should check on Sarah and the others,” I said.

  He ignored me and walked into the street, grabbing a poor gnomish farmer.

  “What’s going on?” he asked in a thunderous tone.

  “The hill giants are attacking because the stone giant is dead, you big, ugly moron,” the gnome said. “We’re all going to die because you killed that stone giant.”

  I ran over and said, “Sarah needs us.”

  The gnome broke free from Josh and ran away.

  “Get in here,” Axelrod said from the door of the inn.

  I walked across the street to the entrance, followed by Josh. Gnomes continued streaming by, most of them screaming in terror. I stood in front of the inn and glanced around, still not seeing any giants.

  “What’s going on?” Axelrod asked.

  “The hill giants,” I said. “They must’ve heard about the stone giant’s death.”

  “Hill giants?” Axelrod snorted. “A hill giant or two ain’t no problem for our party. It’s the fire giants we need to worry about.”
r />   Ewen, Evan, Ryu, Sarah, and Sheldon walked out of the empty tavern.

  “This is a lot of panic for a couple of hill giants,” Sarah said.

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “We should get out of the city and head back to the mines. This isn’t exactly our fight.”

  “We’re staying,” Axelrod said. “If we run away now, we’ll never be able to show our faces in Westwood again. We need to protect them.”

  Before anyone complained, a dozen scraggly looking hill giants sauntered down the street toward us. They looked about a foot shorter than the stone giant.

  Four wolves as big as small horses walked beside them, sniffing the air. They howled as they turned their snouts toward our group in front of the inn.

  “That’s them,” the tallest hill-giant yelled.

  He pointed an immense accusatory finger in our direction.

  “Get them!” he shouted. “Kill them all.”

  “Battle positions!” Axelrod yelled then ran forward with his battle-ax.

  Josh, Bernard, and Ewen took off after him, ready to meet the band of hill giants head-on.

  “Come on,” I said, grabbing Evan’s arm.

  I ran across the road and into the shop on the other side.

  “Get out here,” a hill giant bellowed then kicked in the door.

  I heard screams outside as Evan and I ran past a confused shopkeeper and up a set of stairs in the back. On the second floor, I scanned the ceiling for access to the roof.

  “There,” Evan said, pointing to a door at the end of a hallway.

  After running over, I opened it and saw a ladder inside.

  “Brilliant,” I said, looking down at Evan.

  As always, he smiled back at me.

  The yells and explosions continued outside as I climbed the ladder.

  “What’s the plan?” Evan asked from below me.

  “Plan? We don’t need a plan,” I said then nervously laughed.

  We emerged on the flat roof. I saw three thick plumes of black smoke rising in the air. Evan followed as I ran to the edge and peered over.

  Six of the hill giants had fallen, along with two wolves, but the rest of our group looked battered. I watched as Ryu ran to Axelrod and laid his hands on him. Our dwarven leader sat up then stood, grabbing his battle-ax from the ground.