Isekai Magus: A LitRPG Progression Saga

by Han Yang

  While I stuffed them into my bag, I asked, “Why are you here?”

  “Caitlyn wants you to have a guide. My request was denied, unfortunately. The great goddess said to have your way with my daughter and limited my time with her champion. I built her a damn temple and she assigns the floor sweeper,” Nim said rudely, a resting bitch face went with her words.

  I hefted my heavy bag and grunted. “Okay, slow it down, Nim. The plan was to get me supplies for a month, books for me to learn from, maps for me to study, and then a miscee to help guide me.”

  “Except yer a dunce,” Bell said, and her mother laughed. “What’s a torrob? What do you do when you enter an outpost? Do you even know how to haggle?”

  “Uh... No idea, no, and I’ll admit, not a great haggler. Just give me your best price,” I said with my winning smile that fell flat.

  “The sex was legendary, at least,” Nim said with a snicker while Bell fake vomited. “Did you say bye to your father?”

  “Yes, he was wondering why you didn’t come home last night,” Bell said, deadpanning her mother and then glaring at me with disdain.

  “Caitlyn the Deviant,” I said lulling my head back, piecing it together. “I’m screwed.”

  “Ha, I’d say so,” Nim teased.

  Bell shook her head at her mother.

  “Alright, I fulfilled my end of the bargain. I even used your resources to purchase everything. Not like it matters. Don’t stick your Z in a bank that will lock you out for what you are. Silly man, you need Bell, so listen to her. Two mares and a wagon are waiting for you by the gate,” Nim said with a sigh. “It cost eighteen Z, and that was with my rate. You won’t get much of a pick.”

  “Wait, how much was the miscee?” I asked.

  “Half a gold, and we only got one. Now, let’s go,” Bell said with a scour. “That’s not the problem. You’ll see, but we need to hurry.”

  I went into the elevator first. Bell crammed in beside me. “Good luck, Bell. I wish I was you, and I’ll try not to resent you for being chosen.”

  Bell grumbled until I slid the door closed. The young woman sighed when she rested her bag on top of mine. She was probably only five foot four and a hundred and twenty pounds. Based on the added weight, her laden bag would be too much for a long trip.

  “Awkward…” I said, and she scoffed. I felt I needed to explain myself and knew I might very well be sticking my foot in my mouth. “Hey, I didn’t know she was married. I even asked, and she told me to shut up or I’d get gagged.”

  I cranked the wheel down.

  “Pa sticks his head in the sand. She runs their marriage and ruins it however she sees fit. I’m sure if she flaunted that she screwed a different man in front of him, he would just leave to go fishing. Great guy,” she muttered sadly.

  The rest of the ride was in silence, and when the elevator door opened, I followed her out of the kitchen then out of the building.

  I slung my bag onto my back. Bell needed help with hers. After a few stumbling steps, we got the heavy bag situated.

  “So, you don’t have to come,” I said.

  She scrunched her face and glared at me. For a second, I thought she was about to unleash claws and attack me.

  “I’m a chosen of Caitlyn. That may mean nothing to her champion from another world, but it means everything to me. I’ll let your jab at my duty slide this time. You need to be wary of judging my faith,” she warned.

  Her hazel eyes glowed with malice in the moonlight, and I nodded.

  “I feel bad, that’s all. I didn’t know,” I said.

  She nodded and replied, “You’re an idiot. Clearly. Hence, why I’m here and why I know you were deceived and why I knew mother would play you for the fool. With luck, we can change that and prove Caitlyn right. My hopes aren’t too high, though.”

  Bell turned, picking up the pace to leave the alley and not saying anything else.

  Life seemed to keep me busy. Knowing I might end up fighting on our way out, I quickly went into my stats and upgraded everything I could. Charisma drained my entire Zorta stash because it went from 1 to 10. The rest of the upgrades were minimal and cheap. I sighed, not loving how much Zorta I would need.

  My body didn’t change, but the intense struggle to even carry the bag lessened. I inspected my stats, following her footsteps along the cobbled road.

  Name: Damien Moonguard

  Race: Human

  Affiliation: Nordan

  Zorta: .073

  Nordan Score: 100

  Ostriva Score: 0

  Location: Tarb

  Magic Type: Healer

  Healer Level: 2

  Magic Type 2: Necromancy

  Necromancy Level: 0

  Fighting Level: Pathetic

  Mana: 14

  Mana Recharge: 2

  Strength: 3

  Stamina: 2

  Dexterity: 2

  Constitution: 2

  Willpower: 3

  Cultivation: 2

  Intelligence: 25

  Wisdom: 25

  Charisma: 10

  Tracking: 2

  Endurance: 3

  Perception: 5

  Burst: 1

  Reflex: 1

  Healing: 2

  Melee Combat: 1

  Aim: 1

  Hunger: 0

  Thirst: 0

  Aging: 47 years until death.

  I realized I’d fallen slightly behind Bell, trotting for a brief bit to catch up. If the heavy bag was too much, she surely powered through the struggle.

  “Do you know what the book seller said to me?” she huffed, avoiding a pile of horse shit. The nice estates changed to apartments and traffic increased.

  Instead of answering, I watched the bright orange morning light crest the horizon and beat the dark away. After spending years avoiding the sunrise to sleep in, I realized I missed it a lot.

  The morning glow of flowers on balconies and the quiet pace of the road welcomed us. Men and women left their homes to start the day, saying ‘I love you’ before getting on a horse or walking to their destination.

  When she didn’t reply, I caved and asked, “What did the bookkeeper say?”

  Her snooty tone barely reached my ears. “The vicissitudes of life tend to weigh heavy on one’s soul. These tomes you’re buying are vile. Do not return to my store,” Bell said with animated head flops to mimic the bookkeeper. “She’s the bitch selling them, and you, you need to explain what the hell is going on because I don’t even know what vetsicularsmishsabudes means.”

  I tried to contain my laugh, managing to only let a snicker escape.

  “Vicissitudes means a change of circumstance of fortune, typically one that is unpleasant. You must have given it away you were going somewhere and pissed off about it. She summed you up in a word,” I said with a grin. “Impressive.”

  “Ugh, you’re the worst,” she said, again picking up the pace until she almost skipped.

  I held in my retort, seeing distant clouds to the south rumbling and ruining my hope of another gorgeous early summer day.

  This got me thinking. This planet was tied to Earth and yet held more land than water.

  Will the seasons be the same? The weather sure feels like California so far with the dry heat.

  As if I let my thoughts wander too far, the threat of rain increased with a moist wind.

  Bell turned off the main road with the town’s exit already in sight. Additional wagons creaked, making their way out of the city for the day. Horses neighed from a patrol of mounted archers in their fine livery.

  The mounts clapped hooves in annoyance at the slow parting of the outbound traffic. I watched them in awe and then remembered I had an aim score.

  Could a necromancer even be an archer? I would -

  “Hey shit stain, this is Benny. Benny is our problem,” Bell said, nudging an intoxicated miscee with her foot. I bent down in confusion, not smelling booze on him. “Right, I have to tell you everything. Sugar. Plain old sugar d
oes this to them. Benny’s got a problem. Hence why he was cheap. Out in the woods he’ll sober up. Or we sacrifice him to the goddess and you get a minion.”

  I commented, “Dark.”

  “Yeah, I’m a bit sour at the moment. Plus, he’s not worth much Z and killin’ him earns you Ostriva points,” Bell said with a shrug.

  I shook my head in dismay. “Is this where we get our ride?” I asked, pointing to a side door that held a closed sign in the window.

  She nodded.

  I avoided the miscee who muttered gibberish and stepped inside.

  A sharp-nosed man that could have been a spokesman for a lobbying group stood behind a counter with an open ledger. He wore an expensive tunic and only glanced up for a brief moment.

  “We’re not open yet,” he said, and I didn’t budge. “Nim?” he asked, and I nodded. “Alright, you got limited options. Follow me.”

  I left the small room with a few chairs to head into an expansive barn.

  The floor mixed straw with dung, the crew not caring to constantly clean the animal barn. The heavy scent of animals overwhelmed my smell. After a few paces, we stopped at a pen on the right. Three mares drank greedily from a long trough.

  “Pick two,” he said impatiently. I pointed at the biggest two. “Not bad. Zeek! Gather the two biggest from Charlie pen.”

  We walked by a dozen pens while a ten year old rushed by us to get to my mares.

  “A go getter,” I said in a positive way.

  “Sister’s son. I got daughters who just want to be a horse’s friend. They get all mad when I sell ‘em. But, Zeek, yeah, good kid,” he said with a hint of pride in his voice.

  We left the stable for a second barn. Carts, wagons, and carriages rested in rows. The organization of this barn looked meticulously neat.

  Two men sitting on ale barrels hopped off, likely not expecting to see their boss in the barn this early.

  “Go help Zeek,” he ordered, and the men jolted to help instantly. We walked to a small carriage by a medium wagon. “The carriage is basic, small and only meant for two. It has a proper bed and will suit a lady’s needs. The wagon will let the rain in if you don’t tie the hide tight, but it’ll keep the water out with more space but less luxury.”

  “Wagon,” I said quickly.

  He leaned over his shoulder. “Perfect. Horses on the Treen wagon. Tell Nim we’re even and never come into my shop before we open again,” he said in a sour tone.

  I didn’t argue with the man, instead tossing my bag into the back of the wagon. While the others hooked up the mares, I worked on closing off the boxy bed.

  I stole glances at the mares. Their fawn coloration mixed with large white spots. I knew nothing of horses and yet these appeared healthy. Not a Sprinkles, though. Sprinkles would always be special to me.

  “You ready?” Zeek asked.

  “Yes, I need to grab two people on the side road. Can I use that door?” I asked.

  One of the men nodded and ran to pry open a creaking door.

  I hopped into the driver’s bench and tipped my head in respect to Zeek and the men. I lightly snapped the reins but nothing happened.

  “These girls were cheap for a reason,” Zeek said. “Hit em harder.”

  I whipped the reins, and we started with a slow walk. I didn’t steer them, but they figured to go out the door. Luckily, they turned right, and I saw Bell standing over the miscee’s crumpled form.

  Bell approached the mares who slowed for her.

  Interesting. Maybe they sense she’s a kind soul or something. I wonder if she was serious about sacrificing the miscree...

  She handed me her bag, and I chucked it in the wagon bed. A moment later, she hefted Benny with a mighty heave. I pulled him from her grasp then tossed him into the back. He rolled to rest by my bag, not caring in the slightest.

  Sugar had sure done a number on him. Weird.

  Bell said, “Get in there, please, and draw the curtain tight. It's gonna rain soon.”

  I heeded her words and went to work.

  “When we get out of the town, we’ll have a discussion about what happens next,” Bell said.

  Instead of arguing with her, I pushed the flap aside for the plain wooden bed with no comforts. The wagon rocked slightly when Bell sat on the driver’s bench.

  I only made it halfway down the lacing when we started to roll. Bell hummed a tune in irritation. I rested against the low wooden wall of the bed frame, working on getting my pillow and blanket out to get comfy.

  I had to wonder why Caitlyn wanted me out of the city so badly.

  CHAPTER 10

  Outside of Tarb

  I read in the back of the wagon as heavy rain slammed into the canopy, faintly irritating me.

  I raised my voice and said, “A dusk settled over the gloomy day and thunder cracked in the distance. The villainous necromancer had invested millions of Zorta to raise his mighty army, becoming a god of his kingdom.

  “When the great Emperor Norbok rallied his banners, the ground quaked from the unified steps. I stood among those who ruled the necromancer a threat so great that all must face him. Behind our unified lines, the rabble amassed; peasants not accustomed to battle and yet sturdy in their determination.

  “What choice did they have? Lord Harvish, the dark elf, was a defiler, a purveyor of the dead. And every one of our citizens were a tool to add to his army. After the great mists vanished, monsters like this necromancer knocked upon our doors. And on this day, humans stood as one.

  “None wavered and when the undead charged with their mighty war cries, I feared our resolute spirit might break. The undead crashed against stoic lines that failed to yield. Their horrific shrieks were countered by a rising song of the maiden.

  “A soft voice of life lifted the spirits of the amassed humans. Emperor Norbok himself rode atop his fierce griffin and soared down to the front lines. His elite guards crashed down among them and the flying cavalry almost broke the enemy’s formation.

  “When dead humans stirred their brethren lopped off their heads. Healers resurrected trying to outpace the necromancers’ ability to claim the dead, and so the conflict raged on multiple fronts.

  “The battle was not a battle, it was a war for the very survival of the realm. Lord Harvish feared his forces would break and tried to plug his faltering lines. A fact not many knew was that his scouts had broken during an engagement.

  “The Emperor knew the minion army of undead would falter, and the front lives bent from the sheer will of humankind. As if a gift from the heavens, the maiden who sang unveiled herself. Walking atop the shoulders of her shield maidens was the Empresses herself. Her tune swapped from somber to celebration.

  “The song of birth belted from her magical lung and the army surged. All knew the song, it was silly in its phrases and simplicity. The exact thing you wouldn’t expect to hear during death and yet, our troops bellowed out the words.

  “I wept while I recorded what I saw. My heart overflowed with pride when the singing unified mankind and the untrained surged forward. The undead lines broke, and Lord Harvish signaled his reserves to slow the growing rout.

  “Undead golems and even a massive cyclops lumbered out of the treeline with units of dark elf archers. The undead lord had found an ally in his kin. Unfortunately for Lord Harvish, he failed to deliver his promise - an army of slaves and a successful campaign.

  “The dark elf ambassador lopped his head off, and in an instant, the undead returned to their resting places. The humans cheered when the army they fought collapsed.

  “A hundred dark elves fought over Lord Harvish’s Zorta. Those who wanted to live erected ice walls to slow the humans. Emperor Norbook halted his main army, sent out harassing troops, then went home to celebrate a new birth of his empire. The message was clear; human lands were not to be defiled.

  “And so ended the greatest threat of the Islagarn Empire. The rumor was that Lord Harvish fed all his power to the undead minions and when both groups d
ied, his orb held millions of Zorta. For the next decade, mercenaries and adventurers sought the night elf treasure of Harvish. As for the rest of us, we heralded our heroes, and the great age of the gods began.”

  I closed the book, sitting across from Bell. This story came from a faraway land and was predicated on happening right after the mists dissolved.

  It scared the ever living shit out of me. I knew I had been sent to exploit this planet, but it sure felt like those who soared high would quickly face an impending doom. Plus, I couldn’t be a good guy or a bad guy.

  “Never heard that one,” Bell said, digging at dirt under her nails.

  I glanced down at Benny who trembled with sweats. My attempts to heal him were moot. We simply had to let the process work itself out.

  The wagon went over a bump, and my ass complained from the hard impact.

  “So, you sure we’re okay with the horses not being driven?” I asked, thumbing the front of the wagon. A trickle of water seeped into the wagon bed, falling down slats.

  “Yeah, they won’t mind the rain, and we just need to get far from Tarb. That way we can start to build our empire. Are you ready for all that I know?” she asked.

  I nodded and kindly said, “Please and thank you.”

  I pondered why some of her accent suddenly went missing. Maybe because she was serious and not in the bar setting, or maybe she had been a plant by Caitlyn all along to be seen as weak and in need of help.

  “My mother ordered me to storm off to my room as if I had been scorned for the last time. To be fair, I was. The cute boy who healed my arm called me a whore, and my mother got to speak to the god I introduced her to,” Bell said, digging into her bag.

  She extracted a book, and I barely missed reading the spine. Bell placed the small airport sized book in her lap, sticking two hands on top of it and straightening her back.

  “I’m going to tell you how I met a god. You will listen and then you will share your story. Just like you will heed my warning and obey my commands to help keep you alive. Do you accept?” she offered.

  I wanted to scowl at her uppity tone or scoff at the fact I didn’t enjoy the way she stared down her nose at me. I had no idea where my burning anger was coming from. Maybe a boiling point from all the events reaching a crescendo.