Isekai Magus: A LitRPG Progression Saga

by Han Yang

  I caught her point. She was calling me dumb for letting him go before we saved Bell.

  “Asha, come to me,” I said, my voice a whisper in the wind. I patted the pew in front of me, eyeing the goddess. “I’ll be back in a few days.”

  “Smart. Glad you saw the wisdom and good luck,” Terfi said, vanishing a second later.

  I neared the silo, my guards storming the building before I could enter. This was where all the prisoners exited from. The worn stone revealed fresh tracks in an otherwise dusty silo. If I had to guess, the structure had never held any grain and existed merely as a point into the tunnels.

  The descending stairs were too big for an ogre, but the lidka and Mini would fit. Well, assuming I wanted to take the living minion who was always a grouch.

  Asha’s boots slapped the cobbled stones as he neared.

  “A goddess told me to wait until Bell was recovered, and I’m going to wait,” I said.

  He didn’t whine or protest. Asha knew one last thing stood in the way of his freedom, so he walked into the tunnel.

  “Hold on a second,” I said, getting him to pause. “Look, the Prince said the tunnel leads into the royal treasury warehouse. I guess it sits empty, but it shouldn’t be too far from where they keep Bell.”

  “Are you going to raise the dead as I drop them?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure. Charlie can fit down there, and for you, it should only be two hard days marching without the worry of the snow. I can easily ride close enough to start raising the dead after you do a recon,” I said, watching him tap a foot while he thought.

  “You want to be careful?” Asha deduced.

  “I mean, if we can get the jump on Toneba and free Bell without a fight, great. I know what I’m asking, and I know that every day I stall makes even me feel bad, but let’s do this right. Get in there, do some proper scouting, and I’ll hop into a skeleton for reports. If we have to raise the dead to free Bell, then so be it. If you can snatch and grab her, also good. Most of these humans are zealots, so I don’t mind doing what it takes to win,” I said with conviction.

  “Okay, I won’t need the whole army then. How about three hundred lidka and a dozen humans?” Asha asked.

  “Double it. I… I believe Prince Tao, and maybe that is where there is a disconnect. This is for the victory, and I need the space here anyways. This blizzard is howling in, and it looks angry. I… I’m sorry we have to wait,” I said, rotating back to the core issue.

  “I died in the centaur camp for my sins of the flesh. I live with that every day because you freed me once, the second time will be a blessing untold, and if you need to save Bell, then my people can wait. You’re a good man, Damien, and a friend. Do not fault me for not staying by your side as you pile bodies around you,” he said.

  I respectfully gave a single nod. Asha had a point. “Six hundred lidka, thirty knights on mounts, come to the silo and follow Asha’s commands,” I ordered.

  “I’ll get a few going with satchels and will need an hour to prepare,” Asha told me.

  Tarla found us and said, “This looks intense. You boys want a drink?”

  “I was just leaving,” Asha said, excusing himself.

  I wanted to join my friend on the mission, but the reality was that I could go in skeleton form.

  It only made sense to take one of my human knights to occupy after the long march for Tarb. If everything went well, I’d have Bell and on my way home in a few days.

  “Yes, my lovely lady, the blizzard is coming, and the hearths are lit. Let’s have a drink after that long march.” I smiled and took her hand in mine.

  CHAPTER 74

  Tafo

  After a few beers, a nice bowl of stew, and a cozy fire, Tarla and I snuggled up for the evening. I was just drifting off when I felt a notification.

  Your minions lidka 1334, 1473, 1993, and human knight 17 have died beyond repair. Mana penalties negated. Find the site of their demise to reclaim 41.887 Zorta.

  “Shit!” I shot out of bed.

  “Everything okay?” my guard asked from the other side of the door.

  “Wake up, Nee!” I shouted to my guards.

  The death tally continued, my orb providing sensations into my bellybutton on a repeating basis.

  “By the Six, Asha only left a few hours ago. There must be tunnel creatures…” I muttered, my bare feet smacking the wooden flooring as I ran to the balcony of the inn’s suite.

  The second the doors burst open, a gush of cold air assaulted my warm body. A blizzard blanketed the night, thick white snow pouring down from above.

  “TO ARMS!” I cried out over and over.

  I knew the howling wind of the storm was trying to drown me out, but I didn’t let up.

  Finally, the church bell rang, and the guard stationed there hammered into the device. I hurried inside, my guards coming to fill my room. Nee groggily followed them in, drawing her robe tightly around her.

  “The invasion force below ground is dying… over thirty already. I need to see what is going on, but we should prepare for an attack above ground as well,” I said with a slight shiver.

  The yellowed eyed goblin-ogre replied with a terse nod. An anger contorted across her face as she spun to organize our defense. Famo and Nick raced up the stairs, almost elbowing each other.

  “What’s the word, Boss?” Famo asked.

  “I don’t know yet, but we’re treating this as serious. Rouse the troops and form battle lines. If it's a false alert we’ll know soon and everyone will be back in warm beds,” I assured them.

  “What can I do?” Tarla asked.

  I wished the duo good luck, and they filled in Yermica. My army would prepare while I went to work. I gently shut the door, pulling her into a quick embrace.

  “I love you.” She eyed me with concern. “The deaths are slowing, please ensure no one gets near me.”

  I laid down on the bed.

  Without a second thought, I closed my eyes and projected myself out of my body.

  A loud whistling caught my attention, the kind you associated with something flying by at incredible speeds.

  Boom!

  The inn shook, and I realized that calling in my scouts because of the storm was a mistake. I had figured no one would brave the storm. The reality was that someone had to have been close to Tafo and had pushed even closer during the cover of the blizzard.

  I didn't return to my body, sliding down into the soil until I found my minion army underground. They hadn’t gotten too far, and I saw the chaotic situation of my troops falling back hastily. When I reached the front ranks, I dove into a human skeleton.

  The transition only needed a second before I stabilized. Asha shouted fallback orders.

  The snap of crossbows echoed over the cries from humans dying. I saw a stampede of humans in heavy armor charging my minions.

  Something unique instantly caught my eye. One of the humans wielded a sword that glowed orange. The blade barely glanced off a lidka’s arm before poof, the skeleton became dust.

  “Holy shit, enchanted blades,” I muttered in shock.

  Asha hurled a knife right into the swordsman's neck. The soldier's eyes flared in panic.

  He clutched his neck and dropped the blade. A second later, the soldier tried to retreat to his healers before he died.

  Additional infantry surged forward with heavy armor and trained maneuvers. The way they carried themselves spoke of knights. The dark tunnel glowed orange as three more enchanted blades lanced out, carving through my minions.

  I rolled for the dropped weapon and secured the hilt in my boney fingers.

  “Kill the holders of the magical weapons!” Asha cried out.

  Increasing snaps of crossbows rang loud in the narrow space. The clang of bolts smashing shields and the cry of dying men added to the chaos.

  The advancing humans fell back, earning a reprieve from the fighting. Our forces retreated as well.

  “Sorry, Damien,” Asha said with a frustr
ated huff. “We stumbled into each other, and I ordered a charge. Damn… enchanted blades are rare. Enchanting is a magic from a champion generally, and these are enchanted with arcane, killing our troops with a simple scratch.”

  I handed him the sword, reaching into my satchel.

  The exchange of magic and crossbows continued to echo loudly in the confined tunnel.

  I walked further from the front, writing my orders.

  Siege weapons are raining into Tafo. The enemy is likely trying a two pronged attack. We need to rob them of the tunnels. Destroy the tunnels at all costs.

  Asha followed me, accepting the note.

  “Are you sure?” he asked hesitantly. “We’ll lose some more minions if we blow the tunnel and retreat.”

  My real body vibrated from catapult rounds landing near our inn suite.

  I’m out of time. Seal this and get above ground. Clog the exit by all means, we cannot fight on two fronts.

  His ashen face became stern and determined. “Yes, Boss.”

  I nodded, patted his shoulder, and then left the body.

  I zipped across the distance, reaching Tafo in a few seconds. I connected to myself, sitting up with a gasp inside my inn suite.

  Boom!

  The sound of battle from outside the walls told me the enemy had most certainly arrived. I could only imagine the chaos that would have transpired if we didn’t also go into the tunnels.

  I left my bed, grabbing my armor. Tarla realized I was back and helped me prepare.

  She said, “There’s only been minor updates. Arrows and siege rounds have rained in, but not a lot. We’re guessing they’re skirmishing to attract attention. A matogator fell to an orange blade, but the wielder quickly retreated. Besides that, the goblins are outperforming the humans with magic, and our siege is coming -”

  “For Arax!” a magically enhanced cry boomed over the area.

  “This is madness,” I grumbled.

  I dug my heavy armor chest piece out of my travel trunk. Tarla fumbled through hers, getting her jerkin on before I even had my chest piece on. Tarla came to help with the straps on the sides.

  I raised an arm to give her extra space and said, “They’re attacking in the middle of a blizzard. They have to know my minions don’t -”

  Triple booms rocked the building. An empty pitcher toppled to clang against the floor.

  “That sounded dangerously close,” Tarla said.

  Tarla hurried. After she finished, I left with regular trousers on.

  “All minions, shore up the battle lines and hold. Flee from orange blades and have the goblins handle those threats,” I commanded.

  I strode for the exit, Tarla hot on my heels.

  Nee argued with a korb, the male failing to comprehend her orders.

  “If we don’t stop this assault, we’re all dead or slaves for the mines. Get out to the formations or you're out of my tribe,” I commanded.

  “We don’t know how many are out there,” the korb complained.

  I smirked and replied, “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that we fight back. Trust me. The enemy has prepared for an assault, and they’re using hidden tactics that are winning. The battle is not lost if we fight back. I have a surplus of Zorta in reserves and a large army.”

  “For Caitlyn and Tribe Moonguard,” Nee said with unwavering conviction.

  I didn’t have time to argue, leaving the korb to remain flummoxed.

  An impact shook the building with enough force that I leaned against a wall for support. Dust filtered down from the ceiling after being shaken free from the tremors. Magical lamps cast ambient light that flickered through the haze.

  Tarla stumbled, recovering quickly by latching onto my arm.

  “Hurry,” I shouted, dragging Tarla by the hand for the exit.

  It was clear that the enemy had managed to surprise us. Troops attacked from underneath and the siege engines rained destruction in the dead of the night. It was a decent strategy for rain, not for snow.

  That much was evident the second I exited the inn. The flakey storm howled with anger, coating the night in a thick blanket of white. I ran around, trying to find where a fallen siege round had impacted.

  Boom!

  The jarring shake from a lobbed rock trembled through my frame. A quick glance over my shoulder revealed Arax’s church had a gaping hole in the ceiling.

  Based on the opening, the firing had come from the north, and I was able to adjust. I ran toward the siege weapons, heading for the defensive wall. Soldiers poured out of buildings, many confused and seeking orders.

  “Form battle lines, facing north!” I shouted.

  Chaos. The defining word of the battle was chaos for both sides.

  Battles like that required time to properly set - time my forces didn’t have. When I glanced out the gate, I could hear and see a mad charge for the enemy. In the distance, orange blades flared to life and illuminated the snow storm.

  It was insanity, but I couldn’t let the shock take away my senses.

  Toneba gambled everything on this attack, and based on the coming tide of humanity, I wouldn’t have long before two sides clashed.

  I passed the silo, noting it was open and vacant. I just had to hope Asha continued to prevail. I knew it would take a few hours for my other minions to return to the fight, so I couldn’t count on them.

  I darted into an alley and focused on my magic.

  You have connected to 74 likda minions, 37 humans, and 31 goblins. Your desire to consume only is accepted. Consume 1399.122 Zorta. Confirm (YES) - (NO)

  “What are you doing?” Tarla asked.

  I ushered her back onto the road. We hurried for the gate and the assembling formations.

  I replied, “Recovering the Z from my dead minions. I…” I picked up a trot. “I need to think about this tactically. The enemy will keep coming, and… they’re not killing enough to win. I’ll need to upgrade my necromancy unless the goblins start losing.”

  When we left the walls, I saw my forces forming a shield wall. Fireballs and arcane bolts flashed in the otherwise dark night, smashing into blue shielding.

  A sudden repeating snap from behind me brought hope. Large bolts soared over my forces and right into the charging mass of humanity. A few body parts went high into the air, creating a gruesome scene. The enemy didn’t turn on their dead like the orcs, instead continuing to run through the snow covered fields.

  I didn’t waste any time, condensing my magic, and sending a wave of connecting power out.

  You have connected to 92 humans. Your desire to claim only is accepted. Consume 435.117 Zorta to claim these beings as minions. This will earn Ostriva Points. Confirm (YES) - (NO)

  I quickly confirmed yes and my reaper shot out with a purpose. He vanished into the dark, working to complete my desires.

  Our front ranks firmed, the enemy pausing to lob arrows into our ranks.

  “Shields!” a troll shouted.

  I arrived at the back of my banyou, taking a knee on the ramp. My dwarven guards created a roof of metal above me.

  The repeating clang and thump of arrows ended, and the enemy ditched their bows, rushing to close the gap.

  I sped up the ramp. The front lines collided a second later.

  Nearing the cooking station, I halted my run and stood by the fire to close my eyes. I swirled and condensed my magic.

  Swoosh!

  The magic rippled over the battlefield.

  You have connected to 172 humans, and 12 goblins. Your desire to claim only is accepted, however, you only have space for 168 minions. Consume 755.154 Zorta to claim 168 humans as minions. This will earn Ostriva Points. Confirm (YES) - (NO)

  I confirmed, knowing whatever plan Toneba had was faltering. The deaths from below stopped and above, our shields rippled as they repelled the magic.

  Our heavily guarded treasury was there. I passed Mini, the living white-haired minotaur, and entered the small building. Every second counted, so I tried to hur
ry. I flipped the lid on the main trunk filled with Z.

  Whatever plan Toneba had created, he had failed to rob me. I ingested the 45,000 Zorta quickly.

  Upgrade Necromancer Level 7 -} Necromancer Level 8 for 50,000/57,332.119 Zorta (YES) - (NO) - Yes

  The reaper slid out of my chest, drew on my forehead, and then tapped my skull.

  “Show no mercy. Reach level ten, please,” its gravelly voice faded as he returned into my chest.

  The reaper robbed me of a chance to reply.

  Snow crushed outside the building as more guards and commanders showed up.

  Knowing I had thousands of Zorta to pick up the dead, I breathed calmly and exited the building to return to the battle. With a wince, I checked my stat sheet.

  Minions 4789/8000

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” I said with a sneer.

  Every exhale plumed frost from my hot breath, and I strode forward, desperate to watch the unfolding battle. I reached my scouting observation point and gulped at the sight before me.

  The mass of humans streaming out of the swirling snows was incredible. Small pockets fought the undead who rose in their ranks. The clash of weapons was minimal compared to the cries for blood.

  My crossbows snapped, siege weapons joining the salvo. Huge rents in the formations revealed the fallen. Enemy rounds soared over our formation and smashed into Tafo.

  I smirked, knowing how it was going to play out. The sound of a scuffle from behind caught my attention.

  “Damien! I know their plan!” Nim shouted, my guards holding her from getting close.

  “Out with it,” Tarla demanded.

  Tarla had never liked the woman and never trusted how she had become a recluse on our journey.

  “I need to tell it to him only and -”

  “Six hells,” Tarla said, turning her hands into flame. “I’m not letting you near my man in the middle of a battle. Out with it!”

  I gazed upon my lover with admiration. I didn’t dare override her, instead focusing on what I was meant to do. I was the necromancer. That was where I shined.