Quest into Hidden Realms (Hidden Realms LitRPG Series Book 1)

by Tom Gallier

  Current status:

  Name: Asha

  Race: High Elf (Desert Tribes)

  Class: Sorceress (Novice)

  Level: 11 (29% to next level)

  Alignment: Neutral

  Health: 96/100

  Strength: 8/10

  Endurance: 9/10

  Agility: 10

  Mana: 100

  Skills: (Click to View/Hide)

  Battle skills:

  Swordsmanship (Lvl 1)

  Possessions: (Click to View/Hide)

  Weapons:

  Short sword.

  Dwarven long knife.

  Ork belt knife, single-edge.

  Armor: N/A

  Money/shekels: 0 gold, 1 silver, 13 copper shekels

  Wardrobe:

  Spawn tunic (Cotton)

  Elven Sorceress dress (Silk). Purple. Two piece (Halter and slit skirt).

  Player Kills: 2

  Deaths: 1

  She grimaced. "I'm saddled with two PKs, but gained a few coins and some average quality weapons. At least I didn't go Dark." Then she regarded the last line. "Why is it showing that I've died once?"

  Asha worried more about the PKs, since too many of them might push her toward the Darkness. In the previous realm, five PKs earned a player one point toward the Dark. So she needed to earn some Light points, and fast.

  "I have a bad feeling this realm is going to force me to do a lot more killing," she muttered as she returned to the street. A few mobs did double-takes, as if they were surprised it was her to emerge, not the two muggers. At least two of the mobs gave her wary looks when they noticed the sword that now rode her left hip.

  The elven sorceress headed toward the gate into the city. She moved quickly, with frequent glances back over her shoulder. No telling how fast Pawl and Uthor would return looking for vengeance.

  Chapter 11

  The forest was eerily quiet. Killum slowed down, hoping it was his presence that made all of the animals stop singing. Yet, they hadn't been concerned about him up until then.

  A terrifying roar thundered through the forest. The battle-mage dropped to his belly, while looking all around for an attack. The roar sounded again, and he realized it was coming from straight ahead. So Killum climbed to his feet and continued more slowly. Soon he recognized where he was.

  "The nest," he whispered, a thrill racing up his spine. "I can find out what it is. Raptor or dragon."

  It could even be some new monster found only in that game, in that realm.

  The human battle-mage moved with all of the stealth he could muster. He found comfort within the old-growth forest, figuring the trees were thick enough to slow down the biggest dragon if he had to make a run for it. And he couldn't imagine a giant eagle pursuing him into the confines of the forest.

  "My luck it'll be a giant snake," he said. "But then I can tell Rand what it's like to be eaten alive. That'll freak him out."

  He saw movement as he neared the top of the hill. A moment later Killum spotted his first real live dragon, in fully enhanced VR glory. The four-legged monster had to be a hundred and fifty feet long, from pointy snout to the tip of her tail. The tail was not barbed, which was disappointing for some reason. But all of the vicious looking horns and spikes on the beast's head and spine made up for it.

  "Holy crap. It's beautiful."

  Dragon (Lvl 9). Neutral.

  Momma dragon was a dark red, with black and dark yellow markings. Most of the horns on her head, some as long as he was tall, were tipped with yellow. The dragon's eyes were bigger than his head, red, and had slit pupils. And her wings were black and leathery.

  The dragon roared again, spread her wings, and leapt into the air. Killum watched her spiraling upward until the dragon veered to the east and flew away. He sighed, all tingly inside. His friends were going to be so jealous when he told them about the dragon.

  He started to turn away. There was still a long way to go before he reached Oxenbluff. But his eyes were drawn back to the nest. Rand wasn't there to stop him this time, so Killum started up to check it out.

  It'll be embarrassing if I get myself killed again, he thought. Be careful, Eddie. Momma might've raised a fool, but I don't need to prove it here and now.

  The battle-mage moved as quietly as he could, while listening for any inhabitants inside the nest. It was nice and quiet, so he felt confident when he started climbing up the nest's woven side.

  "Holy moly, Batman," Killum whispered, eyes wide and incredulous. "Baby dragons."

  There were two dragons and one more egg. The little monsters were as big as Rand, but so young their egg shells were still in the nest. Both baby dragons were snuggled together asleep.

  The remaining egg was on Killum's side of the nest, just a few feet away. He sucked on his lip, looking all around. Mostly looking up for danger.

  I bet that egg is worth a lot in town.

  He would need money for weapons and spells, and maybe even some armor. A horse would be nice, because he was already getting tired of walking. Literally getting tired.

  Killum eased over the side and into the nest. He stopped to scan for danger again, before moving up to the egg. It was bigger than he originally thought, but lighter than it looked. And it wasn't a hard shell, but a leathery thing. He was able to lift it without too much effort, feeling heat radiating from it. So he slowly crawled back out of the nest, carefully balancing the dragon egg on his shoulder.

  With the egg held in both arms, Killum headed toward town. He had to stop and rest a lot more often. At one point he considered rolling the egg to town, but decided if the dragon was close to hatching, that might kill it. At the very least the baby dragon would get dizzy.

  So the sun was touching the western horizon by the time he reached Oxenbluff. Killum noticed all of the people on the roads between the farms, and got worried.

  "I'll leave it here, and ask about selling it in town," he said. "I've already been killed on my first day. I don't want to get robbed, too."

  To his surprise, about every third peasant he passed proved to be a player. None of them spoke to him, so he didn't engage either. He hurried into the rag-tag shantytown and located a merchant in expensive looking robes.

  Colum. Human merchant (Lvl 34). +18 Light.

  "Excuse me, merchant," Killum said, giving a quick bow. "I just arrived in town. May I ask a question?"

  His two ork bodyguards moved closer, hands on hilts. The mobs gave Killum dark looks. The fact they were level 20 and 31 warriors was worrisome.

  "As long as it doesn't cost me anything, battle-mage," Colum said.

  "Thank you, sir. You are very kind, sir," he said. "If a man found a dragon's nest…" The merchant perked up, as did several unsavory characters within hearing. "And managed to steal an unhatched egg, where might one sell such a thing?"

  "I might be interested," Colum said. "If the hatchling inside is still alive."

  "There were two others, both freshly hatched," Killum said. "And this egg is radiating heat, so I assume it is still alive and will hatch shortly."

  The merchant's dark eyes filled with mercenary glee. Others moved towards them.

  "I'll give you ten silver shekels for the egg," another man said.

  "Eleven," Colum said.

  Others started bidding. Killum didn't have to say a word. They competed with each other. He did check out everyone bidding. All were players. Most were aligned with the Dark, which didn't bode well in any dealings with them. Thankfully, Colum won the bidding war.

  "The egg is yours, my friend," Killum said, holding out his hand. "I believe you bid fifteen silver and fifty copper shekels."

  "I don't see the egg."

  "I'll take you to it as soon as you pay me," he said. When the merchant hesitated, giving him a wary look. "Don't worry, merchant. I'm unarmed, and you have two big, burly bodyguards protecting you and your purchase." He leaned in and whispered, "Besides, we both know I'm so new to this realm I don't dare cheat anyone, especially not such
a powerful and experienced player as yourself."

  "Hmm, a little too ingratiating for my tastes, but you are correct," Colum said, and counted out the agreed upon sum into Killum's hand. Then he smiled. "I'll sell you a coin purse for five copper shekels."

  "That's kind of expensive."

  "So is your dragon egg."

  Killum paid him the five shekels, and received an undyed leather purse. He led the merchant back up the road, while the two orks ensured no one followed. Colum did grab a street urchin, whispered something to him, and gave the little boy a copper piece.

  "What was that about?" Killum asked.

  "Insurance."

  That sounded ominous, but what was he to do? Killum led the merchant back to the forest, and to the spot he hid the egg. He panicked when he saw the dragon was well into hatching, having torn enough shell away to thrust his little pointed head through. But the merchant cried out in joy and rushed to claim it. His bodyguards followed, and Killum made good his escape.

  He took a different route back into town, noticing some more armed men hurrying up the road toward the merchant. Killum didn't know if those men were friends or foes of Colum, but assumed they were the "insurance" he sent the urchin to summon.

  A bell rang from behind the town walls just as he reached the edge of shantytown. He looked up in time to see the town gate boom closed as people raced in and out. Killum let out a gust of air, feeling that the wind was kicked out of his sails.

  "I didn't make it in time. I bet the others are all inside waiting for me."

  Killum considered exiting the game and calling it a day. It's been his experience that the time of day in the game mirrored that in the real world, though the Game ran on Pacific Standard Time. That meant it was already two hours past sunset where he lived in Austin, Texas. But then he spotted a beer garden, with some very scantily clad serving girls.

  Human serving girl (Lvl 5). Easy virtue.

  "Well now, this realm seems to have other perks that need to be explored."

  Killum hurried over and found a table. There were five serving girls; three were human and all blonde, blue-eyed beauties with bikini model faces and bodies. Their clothes made Asha's outfits look matronly.

  "Hello, milord, how may I serve you?" one of the girls asked in the most sultry voice imaginable.

  "I'm Killum. What's your name, beautiful?"

  "Bambi," she said with a giggle and wiggle. She bit her lip while looking him over, eyes lingering on his heavy purse. "I'm going to take such good care of you tonight, milord."

  Chapter 12

  The streets of Oxenbluff were pretty dry, compared to those down in the shantytown, and a lot less crowded. Overall, the residents dressed better, too. But as the end of the day neared, she noticed the poorest looking people of all races were heading for the gates.

  They probably can't afford to live in the town proper, Asha thought.

  It became dark in the town's narrow streets long before sundown. The houses were all half-timbered, though many had stone ground floors. Only the widest, main thoroughfares were paved with cobblestone. The rest were hard-packed earth. She noticed a pair of elves, male and female, astride magnificent horses, and a lone armored knight who was mounted, but everyone else walked. Even the ox carts were hand-led, not driven.

  None of the windows had glass. Just open air, with heavy wooden shutters to close and secure them. Half of the ground floor shutters were closed, and she was starting to see light in the upper floors. There were no gas lights, or mage lights, on the streets. Not even torches.

  "It's actually going to get really dark, really fast," she said, looking around. Spotting a friendly face, she caught her attention, "Excuse me, ma'am."

  The elderly human stopped and regarded her kindly. "May I help you?"

  The woman was dressed in a plain brown blouse and long skirt, and a flowery headscarf wrapped around her head. Up close, she didn't look as old as Asha first thought, and the reason she walked stooped over was because she was carrying a heavy sack of candles on her back. When the woman's eyes glazed over looking above her head, Asha took the opportunity to check her out, too.

  Corinne. Human chandler (Lvl 19). +3 Light. PK: 1.

  "Hello, Sorceress Asha," Corinne said. "Why do I think this is your first day in the Kingdom?

  "Kingdom?"

  "Kingdom of Kumar. Oxenbluff is located in the far south of Kumar."

  "Ah, yes. I forgot. Thanks," she said. "Yes, this is my first day, and it's has actually been very eventful. And not in any good ways, either."

  "Well, you've managed to level up and win some weapons, I see," Corinne said. "Is there something I can help you with? A candle maybe?"

  Asha smiled at the candle maker. She'd like to buy a candle to reward the woman for helping her, but a candle wouldn't stay lit out on the street.

  "Could you recommend a safe inn that isn't too expensive?"

  The chandler nodded and pointed up the street. "The Crooked Staff Pub is the next street up, on the corner of Witchers Alley. It's not an inn, but they rent rooms to spellcasters, and are pretty reasonable. And it is where the local spellcasters congregate. And if you need to work off your room and board, the owners are pretty reasonable about that, too."

  "Perfect," she said. "Thank you so much, Corinne."

  The sorceress hurried up the street. And it was UP. Prince Carl Street was pretty steep in places. She found the next intersection, and looked up and down Witchers Alley. It wasn't an alley in 21st Century terms, but a street. Asha noted an herb shop, another called Gale's Grimoire Shop, and other shops selling anything and everything a sorceress could want or desire. The Crooked Staff Pub tilted out over the intersection on the south-east corner.

  "They should call it the Crooked Building Pub," she said, leaning back to look it over. For a second, Asha worried about going inside. It wasn't the safest looking building she'd ever seen, but then none of the surrounding structures looked all that straight and safe. "It should be okay for one night. Tomorrow I'll find the others and we can figure out what is going on."

  The door was open, and flickering orange light came out the door and windows. She heard voices and laughter inside. The heady scent of fresh baked bread and roasting goat wafted out to sing to her senses.

  Asha's stomach tightened and growled.

  After palming her purse, to ensure she hadn't been robbed, the elven sorceress stepped inside. The common room slowly quieted as everyone turned to stare at her. Asha quirked a brow, tilting her head.

  "Take a picture," she said, seeing enough of them grin to know she didn't have to complete that sentence. Everyone she checked out was a player. Immortals, she reminded herself. Then a drop-dead gorgeous redhead stepped out from the kitchen. "Half-elf?"

  Tilly. Half-elf human hedge witch (Lvl 45). +38 Light.

  Asha smiled brightly to see such a powerful follower of Light. Tilly didn't look elven at all, though her ears were just a little more pointed than common for a human. She had the most piercing shade of blue eyes, with her dress being the same shade. The half-elf was tall and willowy, with her long red hair braided with small white flowers.

  "Hello, sorceress," Tilly greeted her with a bow. "Welcome to the Crooked Staff. How may I serve you?"

  "Are you the owner?"

  "I am, but don't tell my husband." Others laughed, and Tilly winked. "Naws thinks he is master here."

  "Perfect. I'm actually looking for room and board for the night, if it isn't too expensive."

  "Five shekels for room and board, or a single shekel to sleep in the common room," a newcomer said as he followed Tilly out. He was almost as tall as Tilly, bald, and limped. He didn't look human. He paused to check the sorceress out. "I'm Naws, the owner of this pub, Asha."

  Naws. Half-hobgoblin human hedge witch (Lvl 46). +8 Light.

  "So I've heard," Asha replied, pressing her hands together before her, and bowing respectfully. "I am honored to meet you, sir. I am Asha, but newly arrived in this
realm. I would stay here tonight if it pleases you."

  He wore a plain white shirt, long sleeves rolled up, and brown trousers. He was barefooted, as were most of the patrons. Tilly stroked his arm lovingly.

  "If you're paying with coin, then it pleases me," Naws said, looking Asha over. "If you're paying with labor, talk to my beautiful bride."

  Asha quickly counted out five copper coins into Naws' hand. He smiled and led her to a small table.

  "I'll get you a plate. We're serving roasted goat, if it pleases you, Lady Elf," he said. "We also have a stew of goat meat, potato, and various herbs and vegetables."

  "I'll have the stew."

  After he bowed and hurried back to the kitchen, Asha waved Tilly over.

  "I'm new here, confused, and have some questions, if you're willing to indulge me?"

  Tilly smiled, nodding as she sat opposite the sorceress. "I bet you have a million questions. Go ahead, my dear. I'll answer them as best as I can."

  "Well, the most important is…" Asha paused, looked around, and leaned forward. Lowering her voice, "How do I exit the Game? Even my help button has vanished."