Drake's LitRPG Megabundle (7 Books)

by Adam Drake

  Rob thought about the Jade Bracelet of Sharding and its +3 Luck. “You can boost your attributes that way?”

  “Only proper way you can. The Gods are stingy when handing out attribute points. So to survive, or wield a weapon more useful than a stick, you need to find items with attribute gains. Or hire an enchanter to do it for you.”

  “Can you enchant things?” Rob asked, hopeful. If he could boost his strength, maybe he could wield his cool sword.

  They suddenly came upon creek, which meandered its way across their path, and they stopped. Heedless, the pathfinding orb flew over it and raced off into the trees.

  Rob looked at the creek, its surface pattering with the light rain. It didn't look deep.

  “Can't enchant things, no,” Dorrish said, looking up and down the length of the creek. The slow moving water vanished into the foliage a short distance in both directions. “If I did, I'd be rich. Would never have to set foot in the Marsh again. By the Many Hells, I could probably buy an entire Kingdom for myself!”

  I got one to sell to you, cheap, Rob thought. “Enchantments are hard to get?” He swatted at a large fly that buzzed in front of his face.

  “More difficult than sharding or most other magics. The enchanting skill cannot be learned as easily as all the rest. It must be given to you. And those with the skill are in no rush to spread their knowledge.” Dorrish picked up a rock and tossed it into the creek with a plop, testing the water.

  “A monopoly,” Rob said.

  “What's that?”

  “Means those who have it want to limit its availability, and therefore can set the prices.”

  Dorrish barked a laugh. “Yup, that sounds like the Enchanters Guild to me. Their snooty bungholes are so tight, you couldn't squeeze a single copper piece out of them.”

  Rob was about to ask about the Enchanters Guild when Dorrish raised a hand and froze. The Ranger scanned their surroundings more intently.

  Gripping his axe tight, Rob looked about, listening. He heard the chuckling of the stream and the buzz of insects. But behind all that, there was something else.

  Before he could discern what it was, Dorrish grabbed him by the arm. “We move!” He hissed and pulled him toward a moss covered outcropping.

  Confused, Rob let himself be lead over to the rocks.

  “Get in!” Dorrish said and jammed a hand into his large bag.

  “Get in where?” Rob said. The outcropping formed a slight depression which he wouldn't fit in, let alone both of them.

  “Get down there and shove your royal arse up against the rock,” Dorrish said as he frantically searched through his bag.

  Not wanting to argue, Rob crouched down and placed his back into the rocky depression, feeling foolish. This wasn't like the hiding place in the tree. He could be easily seen here.

  “Finally!” Dorrish said, relieved, pulling out a roll of mesh-like cloth. He crouched down beside Rob, snuggling up against him.

  Rob had no clue what the Ranger was up to. But if something was coming, they'd easily be spotted squatting next to the creek like idiots.

  Dorrish unrolled the cloth and suddenly it expanded to cover over them, hanging from the outcropping above.

  Its surface was a fine green mesh, like camouflage, spotted with real leaves and branches. It made it appear like they were hiding in a thick bush.

  Just like the camo-hides deer hunters used, Rob thought, surprised.

  Suddenly, something emerged from the fog shrouded trees on the other side of the creek.

  Rob blinked in amazement.

  A humanoid. It was tall, with incredibly long gangly legs and arms. Its skin was covered in bristly fur over its entire body. A short snout protruded from its dog-like face, with small triangular ears on the sides of its head.

  It wore armor, a leather vest which hung from broad knobby shoulders. In one of its enormous hands it clutched a spear, its tip jagged. Red feathers were strung along the spear's shaft.

  To Rob it looked strangely familiar, until he realized it was quite similar to some of the creatures he saw in that odd movie, when he was first brought to this world.

  What the hell was it?

  Creature: Gnoll Footman (Red Feather Clan)

  Hit Points: 85, Mana: 20

  Armor: 7, Speed: 12

  Abilities: Unknown

  The Gnoll stopped at the edge of the creek and looked around, its torso hunching over like a dog sniffing the ground. Its gaze tracked along to where Rob and Dorrish crouched, and Rob caught his breath in anticipation.

  Its eyes passed right over them and then looked to the creek.

  Rob exhaled and glance at Dorrish. The Ranger pressed a finger to his lips for him to be quiet as if that wasn't obvious enough.

  The gnoll tested the depth of the creek with the butt of the spear, then stepped into it. The water barely came up to its long shins.

  Rob watched as the being stepped out of the creek. Its feet were paws. Wide and flat like a tiger's.

  The gnoll turned back and let out a warble-like growl that echoed through the fog.

  Suddenly, more beings emerged from beyond the creek. More gnolls. Lots of them. Each one decked out in some variety of armor; armed with swords, spears, axes and occasionally shields or bucklers.

  The gnolls waded across the creek, their pace slow and purposeful. Their beady eyes constantly watched their surroundings.

  They're wary of this place, too, Rob thought.

  A large black bear trundled out of the fog with a gnoll sitting on its back. A bridle with reins had been fashioned over its thick snout, and a small saddle was firmly strapped to its back.

  As they approached the creek, the huge creature paused at the water's edge, as if uncertain.

  The riding gnoll stabbed at the bear's flank with a white stick which crackled sparks.

  The bear roared in protest, but immediately calmed down, subdued. It splashed across the stream and Rob could see patches of burnt fur across the bear's body.

  Dozens of gnolls emerged from the fog and marched past their hiding spot. Some came within a few paces of them.

  Rob watched in childlike amazement as these dog-beings moved on in the direction of the ruins. Had Dorrish not sensed them, they would have run headlong into this strange feral army.

  Soon, the last gnoll vanished into the fog and out of sight. The little clearing was empty, and no others appeared.

  Rob gave Dorrish a questioning glance. The Ranger shook his head and motioned with his hand for him to wait. He was being cautious and Rob couldn't blame him. If they were discovered by a rear guard or straggler, a warning could be given and the entire troop of dog-things would be on them in minutes.

  Not wanting to twiddle his thumbs, but eager for a distraction, Rob checked his notifications.

  You have killed a Shambler. You have gained 200 experience points toward your next level.

  You have advanced in Axes! Skill has increased from 1% to 2%.

  You have killed a Shambler. You have gained 200 experience points toward your next level.

  You have advanced in Basic Combat Attunement! Skill has increased from 10% to 11%

  You have advanced in Dodge! Skill has increased from 3% to 4%.

  You have killed a Shambler. You have gained 200 experience points toward your next level.

  You have advanced in Stealth! Skill has increased from 2% to 3%.

  Killing Shamblers was great for experience points, especially since he now knew their weak spot. Also factoring in that they didn't give you a disease, and Rob found himself almost yearning to go back to the ruins so he could hit his next level.

  Dorrish gave him a nudge. “Okay, lad. I think we're good.”

  “You said the same thing before that spider attacked us, too.”

  “Well, this time I mean it,” Dorris said with a chuckle. He pulled at the mesh and it collapsed into a roll in his hand.

  Rob slowly stood, axe and shield at the ready. They were exposed. But, other than th
e large footprints in the mud, the gnolls were gone. “Who were those guys?” Based solely on his first encounter, they appeared to be a species not to be messed with.

  “Gnolls,” Dorrish said with a shrug. “Typical lot, those Red Feather bungholes. Common scourge throughout the world, unfortunately. Raiders, mostly, but can be a right pain in the arse when they get over their clan squabbles and join forces to raid a town or kingdom. Another reason for you to get an army, baby-king. Don't want a horde of gnolls razing your castle.”

  If I had a castle, Rob thought. But even the prospect of having that one group attacking the little camp at Castle Hill gave him pause. It would be a massacre. Oddly, he found himself feeling protective of the people there. If gnolls attacked, he'd do whatever he could to protect them.

  Jesus, Rob thought to himself in wonder. Maybe I am becoming a king.

  The two men walked to the creek, then waded across. The depth may have been shallow for the gnolls, but the water easily came up over Rob's knees.

  They entered the marshy forest on the other side, the fog undulating around them. The rain had thinned out but still persisted. After the dry respite in the stone room, Rob was soaked through again, and found himself wondering if there was a spell to stop the rain.

  “Is your mind at ease now, lad?” Dorrish whispered as they moved through the trees. The appearance of the gnolls made the Ranger lessen their pace, being more cautious.

  “Why at ease? Because I'm getting out of here?”

  “No,” Dorrish said, ducking under a fallen log that bridged their path. “Because those gnolls came from the direction the spider supposedly went.”

  Rob hadn't thought of that. “What's that mean?”

  “Means that bug has scampered off somewhere else. Trust me. Had the spider run into the gnolls, the whole marsh would have heard that mayhem.”

  This made Rob feel a little better, but not by much.

  Following the orb, they came upon a clearing and Dorrish suddenly stopped, hand raised.

  Apprehensive, Rob's eyes darted around, bracing for an attack.

  Ahead of them was a body, splayed out in the mud, face down. From his vantage point Rob could see it was a man. He wore brown leather armor, pants and boots. Clutched in one hand was a sword. Beside him was a backpack.

  Dorrish's brow furrowed. “Oh, dear,” he whispered. “Looks like an adventurer got himself good and killed.”

  “Did the gnolls do it?”

  “Can't tell,” Dorrish said as they cautiously approached. “Doubtful, as he's still kitted out.”

  They stood next to the body. Rob could tell from the bloated flesh of the hands and neck that he'd been there for some time.

  Rob stared at the corpse. This could have easily been him laying there if the disease had done its job or the shamblers had their way.

  Dorrish crouched down to inspect it. “Oh damn.”

  “What?”

  “I know him. This is Morgg. By the Many Hells, I didn't expect him to get killed. He's an adventurer, like us. Was. Still, old Morgg wouldn't mind if we took his stuff. Adventurer's code and all.”

  “I'm sorry about your friend,” Rob said.

  “Could happen to any of us,” Dorrish said as he grabbed the backpack. Then he froze. “Strange that he hasn't been picked at by the animals. Dead things get eaten fairly quick around here-.”

  Dorrish suddenly stood, eyes wide. “Oh, damn me for a day old fool!”

  “What?” Rob said, but there was already movement around them.

  In the blink of an eye, a group of gnolls rushed out of the fog to surround them, weapons at the ready.

  Rob spun around, surprised.

  “Old Morgg ain't just dead,” Dorrish said, clutching his curved sword.

  The gnolls completely encircled them, snarling and growling.

  “He's also bait.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  A quick assessment showed there were seven gnolls; four armed with spears, the other three with swords and shields.

  Rob and Dorrish stood back to back. “Be mindful, lad.” The Ranger said. “Just keep one or two of them busy, and I'll deal with the rest.”

  “Okay, but-,” Rob started to say when Dorrish suddenly moved.

  In the blink of an eye, the Ranger switched from his sword to his bow and fired a volley of arrows. One spear gnoll cried out as a pair of arrows sprouted from his body, one in the chest, the other in his head.

  A third arrow struck another spear gnoll in the shoulder and it cried out in pain, falling back injured.

  One of the gnolls barked a command, and they all moved in.

  Unlike the goblins, these creatures didn't rush headlong into the fray. Instead, they took their time, worked as a group, angling for placements.

  Rob had two spear gnolls on his shield side, and a gnoll armed with a short sword and shield on his right. Everyone hesitated, waiting for the other to make the first move.

  “Take the fight them, lad!” Dorrish shouted. He'd switched to his curved sword and leapt into the approaching gnolls. A couple more gnolls appeared out of the fog and ran at the Ranger.

  Inspired by the Dorrish's bravado, Rob tried to follow suit. Concerned with the reach the two gnolls had with the spears he moved toward them, keeping the sword gnoll in view.

  One spear gnoll jabbed at his buckler as if testing his strength. The spear tip glanced off its hard surface.

  Rob swung at the extended spear and managed to clash against its blade with his axe before the gnoll pulled it back.

  The other spear gnoll lunged forward at that same moment, and despite Rob trying to twist out of the way, felt it slice across his right shoulder. He grunted and batted the spear away with a backhand swing.

  He didn't feel any pain in that moment. Instead, he felt angry he'd been hurt.

  The sword gnoll pushed forward, shield up and sword jabbing forward. Rob parried the strike away, but didn't hack at the gnoll's shield until he had a fleshy target to aim at. He didn't want to risk his axe getting stuck in its wood.

  The trio gurgled and snarled in what Rob took to be laughter. They could tell he was inexperienced and lacking skill. They had him, and they knew it.

  Rob's anger flared, and he fought to keep it in check. Getting pissed off now could make him do something reckless and get himself killed.

  The spear gnolls took turns jabbing at him, keeping his focus on them. Sword gnoll kept moving forward, crowded his guard, trying to get him to panic.

  Rob's heart pounded in his throat, afraid their tactic was working. He was entirely on the defensive here. How could he turn things around?

  As Rob was slowly backing up, swatting at spears and parrying sword thrusts, he could hear Dorrish behind him, fighting like a rabid lion. Metal clashed on metal, Ranger and gnolls shouting and screaming.

  Rob couldn't afford to look, but it sounded like a hell of a fight.

  Growing tired of their game, one of the spear gnolls lunged at Rob's head. He reacted by pushing his shield up, knocking the spearhead upwards. The second spear gnoll lunged, too, and Rob swatted at it, but felt the blade cut into his right side.

  As he winced from the pain, sword gnoll closed in. But instead of turning to deal with him, Rob suddenly rushed forward at the first spear gnoll, its deflected weapon still held high.

  With a shout, Rob charged into the gnoll with a Shield Bash, hitting the surprised creature in the chest.

  To Rob, the impact made him feel like a run away freight-train, and the gnoll, a lost cow on the tracks.

  The gnoll flew backward off its feet, the spear snapping in half. Even before it landed, Rob turned in time to barely parry aside an attack from the second spear gnoll.

  His movement had changed the dynamic of the fight. Both gnolls appeared apprehensive of their opponent having just seen one of his skills in action.

  Knowing the subterfuge wouldn't last, Rob kept side stepping, keeping the gnolls from getting on either side. He exchanged blows with ea
ch one, but he couldn't get close enough to draw blood.

  Sword gnoll suddenly lunged forward swinging, causing Rob to turn his shield into the attack. Spear gnoll jabbed forward, and he felt the spear lance several inches into his left hip.

  Screaming in pain, Rob's anger flared and swung his axe over and downward. His blade struck the being's hand which gripped the spear shaft at its highest point, slicing through both.