Purgatory: The Devil's Game

by M. A. Carlson

  “If you want,” Asher said. “That little bit of extra resistance will make a difference.”

  I popped in that extra point and my resistance jumped again, this time from thirteen to fifteen. I know it was silly, but that little bit of improvement made me smile. Now I could focus on increasing my other soul stats, at least, for a little while.

  With that out of the way, I looked again at my experience earned. More than seven hundred thousand, and yet, I knew it wouldn’t go very far. It all went into my Soul, yielding six more unused points.

  “Shall we see what my new proficiency is, or shall we take a look at yours?” Asher asked, having been looking over my shoulder and watching me update my scroll.

  I shrugged. I had no preference. “Do you have a preference?”

  Asher hummed in thought. “Yours.”

  I nodded and pulled the proficiency from my inventory. “What is it?”

  “A Body proficiency called blunt instrument. I’ve never heard of that before,” Asher said, narrowing his eyes as he studied the scroll. “I think . . . I think it’s what we’ve been looking for. A mace, or rather, a blunt weapon specific proficiency like sword and board.”

  And that had me very interested. I wanted very badly to add it to my scroll right then. Unfortunately, I was still ten points of body shy of being able to add it. “I hate to wait to use that.”

  Asher bobbed his agreement and understanding, “Yes, but you’re so close to your next Soul proficiency. Once you get that, you’ll be able to focus on Body again. Just have a little patience.”

  It wasn’t often Asher spoke so genuinely thoughtfully. I chose to listen to him. Besides, it was only two more points.

  That left us with looking at Asher’s new bonus proficiency.

  Name: Asher

  Caller: Victor Goodspeed

  Level: 5

  Experience to Next Level: 15,625

  Path: Defender (Select Unique Proficiency)

  HP: 50/50

  EP: 50/50

  SE: 500/500

  Description: Asher is the Divine Call of Victor Goodspeed. Asher is one of the legendary flames of Enoch and a soldier of the Archangel Metatron. Asher was reassigned from the front as a reward for millennia of dedicated and honorable service.

  I grinned a little as I tapped on the ‘Select Unique Proficiency’. The ink bled away and re-emerged with a short list of three proficiencies.

  Available Defender Proficiencies:

  Asher's Improved Demonic Resistance: Passively increase demonic resistance by 75%.

  Asher's Evasive Maneuvers: Actively cause the next five attacks to be evaded.

  Asher's Burning Armor: Passively cause attackers to suffer fiery damage.

  The least I could do was let Asher select his own proficiency. Looking to the subject of the proficiencies, I asked, “What do you think?”

  Asher barely allowed me to finish the question before stating, “Burning armor. The Pride would have been much easier if I had that proficiency. Plus, you just boosted your resistance a lot with the points you spent. And I see no need for evasive maneuvers yet.”

  I didn’t question him. I just tapped on the line of the scroll, and it flashed once then reverted to Asher’s stat page, minus the ‘Select Unique Proficiency’ line.

  “Okay, what else?” I asked.

  Asher twisted side to side in his spot in the air. “Nothing for today. I suggest you go celebrate. Catch up with your . . . allies? What are we calling them?”

  “Allies is as good a word as any,” I replied with a shrug.

  I sat down in a booth after ordering drinks for Asher and myself. The little fireball settled on a cinnamon liqueur that I knew as . . . well, Fireball. It wasn’t called that here, and it didn’t really matter. I was just interested to see what Asher thought of it.

  “Ooh, I like this. This is tasty. Orde me another,” Asher said, slurping at the alcoholic beverage.

  I laughed, “Take your time. We’re not in a rush today. Just enjoy it.”

  And speaking of enjoying, I took a sip of my scotch, enjoying the flavors. It was still swill compared to what I preferred to drink. I supposed I was just getting used to it.

  Theo and Rebecca showed up a few hours later and joined me.

  “What’s got you in such a good mood?” Theo asked, then promptly chugged down his beer, slamming the empty back on the table. Of course, he added a belch for good measure.

  “I finished a floor,” I said.

  Theo grinned. “Well done, son. Well done indeed. That’s your second, right?”

  I nodded.

  “That’s fast. Two floors, in what? Seven? Eight months? Less than that? Are you sure you want to be going through them so quickly?” Theo asked.

  “The sooner I finish Purgatory, the better,” I said, taking a drink from my glass.

  Theo gave me a wary look that I didn’t really pay attention to. Eventually, he just shrugged, “If you insist. And since you’re in such a good mood, we’ll get you good and drunk tonight, then tomorrow, you can go buy yourself some clothes, maybe a pair of boots. You still look like a pauper in those rags.”

  “You mean the self-cleaning, self-repair rags?” I asked. I liked my clothes. Yeah, I did look a bit like a pauper, but they were good clothes. Of course, that was exactly the moment the clothes caused an inch on my chest were the fabric caught a chest hair.

  “They are fine inside Purgatory, recommended even. But out here, people are watching you. They look at you and see an easy mark or someone who is struggling inside. They would never know you’re making a killing in Purgatory,” Rebecca chimed in. It was good to see her coming out of her shell a little more. I didn’t know her very well before Gunther manage to ascend. I guessed the two were very close, because his ascension really seemed to have shaken her.

  “Aye, at the very least, you should look into some boots. You’ve got to protect your feet,” Theo added.

  Thea made a good point about the boots. The chausses I purchase were not comfortable over the top of my sandals.

  “And a gambeson,” Rebecca quickly added. “You’ve been wearing that chainmail hauberk without any padding under it. It can’t be comfortable.”

  I frowned. How did she know my hauberk was uncomfortable? I shook the thought away. That was a concern for another day.

  “Alright, alright, I get it. I’ll buy some clothes,” I promised. “Now, can we drink in peace and discuss the latest medieval fashion trends some other time.”

  Asher giggled and hiccupped.

  I sighed. His drink was empty as were three more glasses. I didn’t know when he ordered more of them or how he got them to the table. I just accepted that I would be dealing with a hungover fireball in the morning.

  “Your little friend really can’t hold his liquor,” Theo said with a bark of laughter, as though it were the funniest thing he’d ever seen.

  I smiled and shook my head.

  I managed the remainder of the evening with relative aplomb. I only stumbled slightly on the way back to my bunkroom.

  The morning, I forced a very hungover Asher up and into town with me. It was a little amusing to see other people jump back in surprise when he’d belched fire, seemingly at random.

  I started at Ezrata’s, Dazimel’s sister’s stall. It was where I bought my armor.

  “Back for more?” Ezrata asked. “Broken all that shiny new armor already?”

  “No, armor’s fine,” I said with a kind smile. Ezrata was what I’d have called a tomboy. She had short, cropped hair that was all mussed, and her cheeks and forehead had a bit of dirt staining them.

  Ezrata frowned, then sounding rather harsh, she demanded, “Then what do you want?”

  “I’m looking for a pair of boots and a gambeson,” I answered.

  Ezrata’s frown relented, though only by the slightest of margins. “I can sell you a gambeson, but you’ll need to look elsewhere for boots. The only boots I sell are considered armor and you need boots co
nsidered clothing.”

  “There’s a difference?” I asked.

  Ezrata’s frown turned upside down. It was nearly feral. She reached under the counter and pulled up a pair of boots and slammed them on the counter. “See these? Look like normal boots, right? Well, they’re not. Feel the lining,” she ordered.

  I felt inside the boot for the lining but all I felt was stiff leather. “I don’t feel any lining.”

  “Exactly, there is no lining, just thick, tough leather. This is armor, not clothing,” Ezrata stated firmly. Then she put the boots back and pulled a dirty white shirt and set it on the counter. “This is a gambeson. It is padding for inside of armor. Something you should have purchased when you purchased the armor.”

  I picked up the shirt. It was heavier than I expected, also thicker than your standard shirt. And it wasn’t dirty, it just looked that way from whatever the material was weaved from. “How much?”

  “Five hundred,” Ezrata answered.

  I looked to Asher to see if he was going to haggle but the little guy was sound asleep, hovering in the air next to me.

  Sighing, I countered, “Three hundred.” We haggled for a bit and settled at four-twenty-five. I also asked if there was other padding I should be buying. She showed me a similar hood and collar combo for the coif and padded chausses for under the chainmail chausses. I didn’t have it in me to haggle and just paid her asking price. Let it be a lesson to Asher.

  After that, Ezrata was kind enough, and I use the word ‘kind’ generously, to direct me to a clothing vendor. There I purchased a pair of comfortable leather boots, nothing too expensive, as if they got damaged in Purgatory, they wouldn’t repair themselves.

  Looking slightly better than a pauper with my new boots, it was time to go back into Purgatory. Naturally, that was when someone stabbed me in the back.

  As soon as the blade penetrated my skin, I heard a yelp of pain and something metallic hitting the ground.

  I spun to face my attacker. It was Billy. He was holding his hand which looked slightly blackened and burned. I smiled a little. It seemed Asher’s passive burning armor was working and working quite well.

  It was my turn to smirk. I crouched down and picked up the dropped dagger. “Seems you dropped something there, Billy.”

  The demonic man just glared at me. Then very loudly, he stated, “I didn’t drop it, you attacked me, without provocation.”

  “And yet I was the one that got stabbed in the back,” I said, just as loudly. “Tell you what, how about I stab you in the back with your dagger then I’ll drop it and we can call it even.”

  Billy narrowed his eyes at me, glaring with such intensity. I’d never seen so much hate from someone before.

  “Let me guess, stabbing me in the back like that was just to remind me you’re still around. Believe me, I haven’t forgotten,” I said, watching as Billy’s previously blackened hand had already healed itself.

  Billy looked around at the gathering crowd and snarled. “Vicky, I am still around, don’t ever forget that. One day soon, I’ll make you regret it.”

  “I’d like to see you try it,” Theo’s thick accent bellowed over the crowd as he fought his way through.

  Billy’s snarl turned even more viscous. “You stay out of this, Viking. This is between the two of us.”

  “Nah,” Theo said. “See, Victor here is a friend. A good one at that. You mess with him. You mess with me.”

  Billy roared in anger then tucked tail and ran. Forcing his way through the crowd.

  “I really don’t like that guy,” I said.

  Theo chuckled. “No one likes that guy. Good to see you took my advice about the boots. That looks comfortable. Nothing better than a comfortable pair of boots on your feet, is there?”

  I laughed at the quick change in topics. “No, I suppose there isn’t. How are you this fine morning?”

  “Got a wee little demon wreaking havoc in my head,” Theo said. “But I’ll have him tamed in no time. Just as soon as the bar reopens.”

  I laughed. “Fan of hair of the dog, are you?”

  “Indeed, I am,” Theo said. “Me mother swore by it when I was a little one. I swear by it to this day.”

  Ignoring the comment about his mother, I said, “All the same, I should get on my way. Purgatory awaits.”

  Theo nodded. “Indeed, it does. Good luck with your new floor.”

  We parted ways and I traversed the last few hundred yards to the entrance. My turn to enter came quickly and I was once again inside a starting room.

  The starting room looked the same as the first floors. Stone walls with a single door.

  “Asher, you ready for this?” I asked, trying to wake the little fireball who seemed content to float along with me and sleep. I sighed. Then I yelled his name, “Asher!”

  “I’m up, I’m up,” Asher insisted twice, looking left then right. “What happened? Where are we?”

  I answered, “Purgatory. I let you sleep a little longer but now it’s time to work. Are you good?”

  Asher winced then bobbed up and down. “I’m ready.”

  I cracked the door open slightly then quickly closed it, feeling my cheeks heat up, bright red.

  “What? What is it?” Asher asked.

  There was only one word I could utter, and it embarrassed me so much to say it. “Lust.”

  Chapter 24 – Lust

  Let me start by saying, I am not a prude. I have a strong appreciation for the female form. I’ve been to strip clubs, with friends and with clients. I was just . . . not prepared for the demoness waiting for me on the other side of the door.

  Number one, she was mostly naked, maybe all naked, I couldn’t be sure without looking again. She had horns on top of her head and red skin, but otherwise she looked completely, and I mean completely, human.

  I peeked again and quickly closed the door.

  Yep, completely human and completely naked. Adding a little detail to what I saw before, I took note of a spade tipped tail dangling behind her. That was also when I saw her fingernails, or claws as they might be called. They were blood red and looked exceedingly sharp.

  “What is on the other side of the door?” Asher demanded, finally letting his irritation show.

  “A demon,” I answered.

  Asher gave me a ‘no duh’ look then asked, “How do you know it’s a lust demon?”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s a succubus,” I answered. One thing about being a gamer, we know a lot about a lot of weird stuff. Sex demons, like the succubus, are a fan favorite. They never did much for me personally, but I knew how to recognize one. Besides, I’m not a huge fan of whips and chains if you know what I mean. “Looks human with a few demonic features. Completely naked.”

  Asher bobbed, “Yeah, that would be a lust demon. What about the room?”

  In both of my glances, I failed to look at the room. I couldn’t remember if there even was a room. I opened my mouth to answer when I decided it would be better just to take another look. I held up a finger to Asher to let him know to give me a moment.

  I peeked into the room again, except it wasn’t a room. It was a hallway, one that branched in two directions at the end.

  “Hallway, not a room,” I answered.

  Asher hummed in thought. “Could be a maze floor.”

  “Is that good or bad?” I asked.

  “Depends on your perception score, which is not the greatest,” Asher answered. “If it is a maze floor though, it means lots of chances for treasure and crystals. Remember that secret passage you found on the first floor. Imagine if there were dozens of them.”

  I wished he hadn’t said that. I knew my weaknesses while I was alive. I was greedy. I’m pretty sure that’s what eventually led to my death. After my divorce, I threw myself into my work. I was good at my job before, I was even better after that. I became obsessed with making more and more money. I died very wealthy. I have tried very hard to not be that guy since coming to Purgatory. But the idea of hidden
treasure . . . it was a temptation I wasn’t sure I could resist.

  Asher continued, “But, there is a caveat. If you are lacking in perception, they will be mighty difficult to find, let alone open.”

  I glowered at Asher for dangling that little tidbit out there. I complained, “And you said I shouldn’t invest in Fortune.”

  “How was I supposed to know?” Asher asked. He was right. He couldn’t have known.

  I deflated a little, “Right, what do we do now?”

  “Kill the demon,” Asher said as if it was easiest thing the world to do. “Kill all the demons.”

  “Right, why didn’t I think of that?” I questioned, rolling my eyes. “Any advice for handling the succubus?”

  Asher grunted, “Don’t look her in the eyes. You should be able to resist her charm aura but if you look in her eyes, it’ll be even worse. I’m not sure if you’d be able to resist that.”

  I nodded. Calling out my mace, I tried to psych myself up. “It’s just a naked lady, you can crush her skull, no problem.”

  “That is so disturbing,” Asher said. “But yeah, pretty much.”

  I opened the door and charged into the hall, shield first. I seemed to have caught the succubus by surprise. I easily lifted her off her feet then drove her into the ground. Then I saw her face. It was . . . disgusting. I thought succubae were supposed to hold an ethereal beauty or something. This was more akin to a burn victim with strange patches of fur. All her skin looked that way on closer inspection. I didn’t see a beautiful woman. I saw a monster with razor sharp teeth and hideous flesh. That was when I brought the mace down, once, twice, three times. Black blood flowed into the ground, leaving behind several small crystals.

  “You looked her in the eyes?” Asher questioned in worry. “Did you resist?”

  I stood back up and shook my head. “It didn’t work. At all. In fact, once I was close to her, she was hideous. I didn’t see a person, just a monster.”

  Asher sighed in relief then perked up. Excitedly, he said, “See, this is why I said to get your resistance up first. When the demons can’t enthrall you, they die pretty easily.”