《The Third Netherworld[On Hold]》 Chapter 1 - The Damnation Chapter 1 - The Damnation How things work: -¡± Dialogues, things spoken aloud. ¡° -¡¯ Thoughts of the MC. ¡® *Quotes* I opened my eyes and then closed them immediately. -¡¯ No, This can¡¯t be real! It must be some sort of a dream. ¡® I willed myself to believe those words. -¡¯ There is no way for it to be real, right? ¡® I tried to convince myself, despite the sensations and sounds coming at me. I tried to peek again. My vision was strangely wide, much wider than it should¡­ -¡¯ But that¡¯s not the issue! ¡® I wanted to scream aloud, but I manage to control myself enough to turn it into a small gasp. My agitation was caused by a gigantic figure that was standing around twenty feet away from me. Despite all of my disbelief a nightmarish fiend did not show any signs of disappearing. Eight feet tall beast stood on two hoofed legs and was covered with thick, blood red fur. It seemed similar to a werewolf from a fantasy games due to the long claws and a snout, which exposed a line of wickedly sharp canines. I closed my eyes again, trying to remember anything that might have explained the strange situation. -¡¯ What¡¯s the last thing that I remember¡­ Hmm, I remember skipping school to play games again. That was like a fourth day in a row that I marathoned without food¡­ ¡® -¡¯ Certainly I do not take drugs. I seldom leave the house¡­ ¡® The answer wasn¡¯t coming to me and the beast started to move around. I tried to remain motionless while fiend paced around, making loud thudding sounds with its hoofs. I shivered uncontrollably when it hit something with a whip that it had been carrying. -¡¯ Aiiieee! ¡® A strange, shrill cry of pain resounded. -¡± Enough sleeping runt! Go to work! ¡° Fiend growled the words and smacked something with a whip again. I was too afraid to peek, chances of being found out and whipped were too big. I concentrated again. -¡¯ Ok, I was playing my favorite MMO for the fourth day in a row, and I shut myself in the room to stop the parents from nagging me¡­ But what happened next? ¡® My memories were strangely fuzzy, I clenched my teeth, which felt strange, and focused harder. -¡¯ There was something¡­ Yes, we killed Oneyron - the last boss from the Throne Of Doom! My guild was the first one to clear it! ¡® I almost forgot where I was, barely stopping myself from jumping up and cheering at the victory. A sudden grunt of the beast brought me back to reality, it suddenly stopped pacing around and began to listen attentively. My guts froze in fear and I desperately tried to remember what happened later. -¡¯ Hmmmmm¡­ ¡® -¡¯ Ah, yes. I remember that I jumped up and suddenly a pain erupted in my chest. Then the floor hit me, I fell I think¡­ ¡® That part of my memories was really fuzzy¡­ I didn¡¯t know why, but an image of some really young girl came to my mind, but I was not sure why¡­ Then it hit me. -¡¯ Aieiieiie! ¡® Something screamed next to me, roused by a sudden blow. A small body scampered close by and then walked over me. I was too surprised, by my returning memories, to pay much attention to it. -¡¯ I remember! ¡® Memories flooded into my mind. I recalled how I was dejectedly looking on a familiar body laying on the floor and how I realized that it was me¡­ Dead due to a heart attack caused by the malnutrition and exhaustion. - '' Then there was a flash of light and I was transported somewhere.... '' My memory revealed a bright place full of clouds, where I stood before a magnificent golden gate covered with complicated etchings that depicted winged silhouettes, clouds and suns. I remembered how I tried to get past the gate, but was stopped by an old, robed dude. -¡± You shall not pass. ¡° He said, giving me a pitying look before readjusting his white beard. -¡± Gandalf is that you? ¡° I asked in confusion. -¡± And, why can¡¯t I pass? What is this place anyway? ¡° -¡± I am not Gandalf! ¡° He responded, agitated. I blinked when he suddenly collected himself and continued in a calm and chastising manner. -¡± We have had many like you coming here! Useless humans, that did nothing in life, and now try to go to heaven. ¡° He gave me a disapproving look. -¡± What do you have to say for yourself? ¡° -¡± But I did nothing wrong! ¡° I answered, as I was sure that I haven¡¯t done anything bad. -¡± Well, I haven¡¯t harmed anyone¡­ or interacted much with anyone for that matter. ¡° I admitted unwittingly, under the piercing gaze. -¡± You did nothing good either. Moreover, you made your parents miserable because they had to take care of you. While it is not a sin, as for that we would need to punish the babies too, it certainly won¡¯t grant you a free pass into heaven. " He stroked his beard. -¡± Moreover, I think you should burn in hell for being useless and wasting all of the gods grace bestowed unto you! ¡° -¡± Isn¡¯t this a bit too harsh? And aren¡¯t you a bit too, well, hostile for an angel or something? ¡° I exclaimed, shocked by his contempt. -¡± Hmph. I might be called merciful and kind by others, but it does not change the fact that useless trash won¡¯t get into heavens as long as I draw breath! And I am several thousands years old! ¡° As he spoke he became more and more agitated. Then, yet again, he suddenly calmed down and took on a more professional approach, buying time with readjusting his robe and coughing to clear his throat. -¡± Khem, anyway... With the power bestowed upon me by the gods I condemn you to a purgatory. Let your soul know not the blessing of the high heavens till its worthiness can be proven. Begone vagrant soul! ¡° At that moment the clouds parted and I fell down to a place full of grey mist. I looked around and realized that I was in some sort of a queue, with people standing in a line in front of me. I noticed another person appearing behind me. -¡± What¡¯s going on, where are we? ¡° I asked a person standing before me. -¡± Purgatory. We have to wait for the curator to decide our fate and atonement plan. ¡° He gave out the answer in a deadpan, low spirited voice before turning away from me. I was a bit taken aback by his attitude. I was about to try and ask him again when a sudden voice interrupted me. -¡± Hey, come here. ¡° A young girl¡¯s voice whispered from the mist to my right. -¡± I can explain what''s going on. ¡° I was curious and ventured into the mist. Soon I was met by a surprising sight - a girl in a cosplay. She seemed to be around twelve years old and had really long, black hair. Her almond shaped eyes were red and were really enticing for some reason. I realized that I was gazing directly into her eyes and I awkwardly tried to focus on something else, my wandering gaze travelled to her ears, which, I noticed, were pointed. With her smooth, white complexion and frilly, black dress she looked almost like a doll. -¡¯ A gothic lolita! ¡® Unwelcome thought came to mind and I grew beet red. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. She titled her head, making large bow on her head tilt, and looked at me with her big, enticing eyes. My heart was beating fast for some reason. -¡± Are you well? ¡° She asked in an innocent tone, getting half a step closer. -¡± You should lay down if you feel weak. ¡° At that moment I thought that I would die of embarrassment, I felt like a protagonist of a comedy/ecchi manga¡­ -¡¯ Getting off on such a little¡­ ¡® I kneeled on the ground to cover any awkward signs of the crime. -¡± Khem, sorry. I was really surprised. ¡° I tried to regain my composure. -¡± My name is Keita Shinamoji, and I seem to be a bit lost. ¡° -¡± They call me Deidre. ¡° Her eyes seemed to have a mischievous twinkle in them. -¡± I am a guide of sorts, I can help you find your way around. ¡° She gave me a shy, cute smile. -¡± Nice to meet you, Deidre-san. ¡° I felt really awkward speaking with the little girl so openly, especially after what just happened. -¡± Could you tell me what is this place? ¡° -¡± Of course. ¡° She gave me another small smile, that one seemed playful and somehow knowing. -¡± This is a purgatory, as you have heard, and in this place souls await the trials for the misdeeds they had in life. ¡° Her smile slowly grew solemn and her features turned into a look of pity. Somehow, the change was so fluid that it seemed to be almost magical, I felt enchanted by her vivid expressions. -¡± I am afraid that you will stay here for a long, uneasy time. ¡° Her sadness and pitying voice pierced me to the core. -¡± At least I met you, it''s always better to have a company. ¡° I tried to joke to lighten the mood. -¡± Unfortunately I cannot stay with you for long and you will find the company of others¡­ rather dull. ¡° She inclined her head in the direction of the queue. I sighed in angst. -¡± Is there anything that I should know about to make this smoother? You mentioned that you are a guide? ¡° I hoped to find some sort of an easy way out of that mess. -¡± That I am. ¡° She said with a bit of pride and gave me an evaluating look. -¡± For you I might know a way to get out of purgatory¡¯s confines. ¡° -¡± Really?! ¡° I exclaimed and jumped to my feet. -¡± Can you really help me? ¡° -¡± You seem more responsive than the others, therefore there still might be a chance for you¡­ ¡° Her voice grew soft and she looked at me inquisitively, as if evaluating something. -¡± ...but getting out of purgatory is not easy. In fact it¡¯s quite complicated. If you become something akin to my apprentice or cousin I should be able to help you. ¡° -¡± I kind of get the apprentice, but what do you mean by a cousin? ¡° I asked in surprise. -¡± If you sign a blood contract with me you will become like a relative of mine¡­ ¡° Deidre gave me a strange look, meaning of which I didn¡¯t understand. -¡± ...a distant relative. ¡° -¡± This isn¡¯t some sort of scam, right? ¡° I asked, suddenly wary of the strange circumstances surrounding the girl. -¡± Look for yourself. ¡° She reached out and a scroll appeared in her hand. -¡± Wow, what was that? ¡° I almost jumped her to examine how she did the trick, but I stopped myself with an utmost effort of will. -¡¯ It¡¯s a crime, you don¡¯t want to get in trouble for assaulting a little girl! Even if this is afterlife. ¡® I thought frantically. -¡¯ Hmm, wait can I even get more sins now? Since I am dead and all? ¡® One look at the girl, which innocently stood before me and unaware of my deplorable thoughts, made me want to pray to the gods for mercy upon my wicked soul. I collected myself and reached out for the scroll. Deidre seemed blissfully unaware of my inner struggles and patiently waited the whole time. I opened the scroll and scanned the contents. Blood Contract Per the rules of this covenant, that I sign with Deidre the White, I shall forge familial bonds with her, joining unto her realm as one of her relatives. I shall denounce the fate of purgatory and join my fate as a newborn child of my new family. That I sign with my very lifeblood, and let eternal damnation befall me if I were to break it. -¡± Em, this contract seems¡­ rather extreme, especially the damnation part. I don¡¯t really get this relatives and child part too, could you explain? ¡° I asked in confusion. -¡± You don¡¯t yet realize this, but things in the afterlife are final. There are no disputes - there are only choices. You cannot leave the purgatory without breaking your ties with it, and you cannot be my relative unless you expressly become adopted. ¡° She smiled at me, with cute and innocent looking smile. -¡± If you think about this, isn¡¯t this a simple adoption letter? ¡° I looked at the contract again and I had to admit that apart from extreme penalty for breaking it the contract seemed rather innocent. -¡¯ Ok, I will do it... ¡° Sudden pain rose me from my memories and I screamed into the air. -¡± Aie eeee ¡° Just like the creatures earlier. My back hurt, and the fiend was raising its whip again. -¡± What you waiting for imp! Time to work! ¡° Beast''s growl froze me, but smack of the whip that followed it made me rush out of the chamber. -¡¯ The Hell is this?! ¡° I thought desperately as I skimped out of the room. Small hooves, back angled knees, thick skin, unnaturally wide vision and something hanging on my back made me realize that I was not in my body anymore! ============ Hey~, Author''s Here~ Here''s chapter one, I hope you will like it. Feel free to leave comments - I like to eat them. And worry not I always read them~ Cheers, Mea NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 2 - The Exploitation http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=26410 Chapter 2 - The Exploitation Chapter 2 - The Exploitation I ran out of the chamber, unsure about what I should do. I was still befuddled by recent events and the strange place, that I found myself in, was completely alien to me. I froze at the sight before me, a giant pit carved deeply into the bedrock astounded me with its magnitude. It was so wide that the buildings carved on the opposite side of it looked like toys. The depth and height of it simply overwhelmed my imagination as I could see something like a small lake of lava deep down below, while high above me there was a tiny oblong of the grey sky. My gaze wandered in all directions, only to find countless tiny figures relentlessly working in the workshops strewn across the gargantuan cliffs. Everything was illuminated with infernal glow coming from lava pools and water...er...lavafalls? My sightseeing was interrupted suddenly, by a snapping sound and the pain of a whip slapping across my back. I managed to hold my voice while turning back to see what hit me. I found myself dwarfed by a menacing fiend from earlier. -¡¯ How could it get there soundlessly!? ¡® I wondered uselessly, while the fiend took another swing at me. Somehow, I managed to dodge the whip, but it only served to annoy the beast. -¡± Grwgh. ¡° The fiend growled menacingly. -¡± Stop dodging, stupid imp, you are only making this worse! ¡° A barrage of smacks followed, but, somehow, I was able to dodge them all. -¡± Who would stop in such circumstances! ¡° I responded in a shrill voice, I wasn¡¯t going to get smacked for no reason. -¡± Oho, you must be new. ¡° The fiend stopped, retracted the whip and looked thoughtfully at me. -¡± You probably do not know how the things work and how you got here, right? ¡° He looked at me with a big eyes, and he seemed almost...concerned and caring, despite the beastly appearance. -¡± Yes! ¡° I responded, relieved that there seemed to be some understanding *person* in this madness. -¡± I think that there was some kind of mistake... ¡° -¡± Certainly. ¡° He bent down slightly and scratched fur under his chin. Somehow it made him seem somewhat scholarly. -¡± Then let me break it out to you. ¡° His snout opened in something almost like a smile. -¡± This is a Netherworld, a lawless world filled with vicious demons. And do you know what¡¯s the most important rule here? ¡° I did not know why, but my subconsciousness was screaming for me to run, though what the fiend was saying seemed too important to just pass on. My curiosity had gotten the better of me. -¡± No. ¡° He motioned for me to listen, so I bent a bit closer to him and began to listen attentively. *Smack* Fiend used that moment to hit me with a surprise, backhanded blow and while I was knocked down he started to whip me ruthlessly. -¡± The. Rule. Is. To. Always. Listen. To. Your. Betters. ¡° Each pause was punctuated with a sharp smack of the whip. I could do nothing to resist and pain washed all over my unfamiliar body. After a while, which seemed really long, the fiend started panting and eventually stopped the beating. I felt really miserable and betrayed by the recent turn of events. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Also, deep in my mind, a smouldering spark of hope held the conviction that what happened earlier, with Deidre, was some kind of fluke and that she wasn''t responsible for my situation. -¡± Huff¡­ Now take the pickaxe and go dig with the others. ¡° The beast seemed somewhat winded by the ordeal. I felt somewhat better when I realized that I wasn¡¯t badly hurt. Actually, I noticed that the wounds were already healing on me. Somehow the fiend must have read my mind as it suddenly gave me a warning look. -¡± Don¡¯t get stupid ideas, consider this a friendly advice. Next time I will use pliers and burning oil. ¡° -¡± Aieee! ¡° I responded reflexively and ran toward the pile of pickaxes. Soon I was striking vehemently at the unyielding layer of bedrock, together with the other imps. And I felt really miserable as I couldn¡¯t even have a momentary break. The overseeing fiend seemed to appear soundlessly out of thin air each time I even thought about slowing down. After an eternity of tormenting work the fiend returned, announced by the thudding sound of its big hooves. -¡± Time¡¯s up, go to sleep. ¡° I was relieved upon hearing those words, but one of the imps suddenly started to argue. -¡± What¡¯s with food? ¡° -¡± I said go to sleep. ¡° Fiend looked at the imp threateningly and swung the whip around lazily. -¡± Haven¡¯t dug deep enough. ¡° Imp covered at the threat and scampered away, together with the others. I didn¡¯t want to be left alone and followed close behind. I could hear accusing voice coming from the front. -¡± Fat jerk, eating our rations! We should get him back for it! ¡° Group of imps started to calm down the troublemaker. -¡± Shh, he might hear us. ¡° -¡± Not so loud. ¡° -¡± We can¡¯t do anything. ¡° -¡± You want to get tortured? ¡° When we arrived back at our chamber, which was nothing more than a cave dug into bedrock, I realized that it was almost empty. All imps, apart from the ones I worked with, disappeared. Though I quickly focused on more important thing - after working for gods know how long I was tired and aching all over and, what''s worse, I was dreadfully hungry. I tried to fall asleep, but gnawing hunger in my belly kept plaguing me. Eventually I gave up and tried to approach the troublemaker imp. -¡¯ He must have some answers, right? ¡® ============= Hey~, Author''s here~ hell, rampant betrayals and excruciating work, how long will it take for our protagonist''s naivety to vanish... I wonder, muhahahahaha. Cheers, Mea NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 3 - The Substitution http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=26928 Chapter 3 - The Substitution Chapter 3 - The Substitution As I gotten closer my doubts started to surface. - ¡® How can I just approach him? What should I start the conversation with? ¡®¡® It was really uncomfortable to just approach a stranger and to start talking with him, lack of social interactions in my life made me hesitant. -¡¯ What if I do something and he will hate me, or...¡¯ A dread thought surfaced. -¡¯ What if I did something impolite without realizing and that¡¯s why I got whipped earlier! ¡® I shifted awkwardly. -¡± Whacha want, newt? ¡° The imp that I tried to approach opened the eye and looked at me threateningly. -¡± I m busy sleepin. ¡° -¡± Aiii, sorry! ¡° I bent forward, trying to bow, but it went really awkward due to my knees bending in opposite direction than usual. -¡± I wanted to ask questions about things here! ¡° I blurted out unwittingly. -¡¯ Ack. I just did the very thing I shouldn¡¯t! ¡® My heart sped up in angst caused by my shameless directness. -¡¯ How could I just ask him that first, without any introductions! ¡® Imp opened the other eye and stood up, I realized that it was bigger than me¡­ and that it had wickedly sharp claws instead of hooves¡­ and that its mouth was really wide and full of needlelike teeth. -¡± Aiii, I am sorry. ¡° I fallen to the ground to apologize, scared for my life. -¡± I didn¡¯t want to offend you! ¡° -¡± Stand up, newt. ¡° Imp¡¯s even but shrill voice had a calming note to it, taught by earlier whipping I didn¡¯t trust it at all. -¡± You want explanations and I can give you some¡­ for a price. ¡° I looked up in surprise, the imp didn¡¯t look like it wanted to hurt me. Somehow, exposed rows of teeth seemed strangely similar to a smile. -¡± What price? I have nothing! ¡° I exclaimed in desperation as I couldn¡¯t even share a meal because we haven¡¯t received any. -¡± Hold on to this and I will answer some of your questions. ¡° Imp extended a clawed hand from which a pendant dangled on a silver chain. -¡± Why? Is it cursed? How do I know that you will answer my questions? ¡° I asked warily, recent events made me extra careful. -¡± Gah. ¡° Imp looked in annoyance. -¡± I guess I will give you a freebie, but for next ones you will need to pay. ¡° Imp raised its hand and pointed at an elaborate seal carved on the pendant. -¡± This is summoning seal for which you would need to work for a few weeks without eating¡­ ¡° -¡± Then why are you giving it to me, if it¡¯s so precious! I am not buying! ¡° My wariness seemed to be well warranted, the offer was certainly some sort of scam! -¡± Listen! ¡° Imp exclaimed in annoyance and continued. -¡± This seal makes it possible for me to be summoned by the mage from another world¡­ ¡° -¡± It means that you can escape from hell?! ¡° I asked in wonder. -¡± No, stupid. ¡° The imp sighed. -¡± It means that he can summon you and make you his slave for some time. ¡° Before I had a chance to interrupt again imp raised its palm in front of my face. -¡± And what you get in return is a hefty amount of mana from a summoning ritual¡­ though in this case I get the mana and you get your questions answered. ¡° The possibilities surged through my mind. -¡¯ Getting summoned will definitely be a good thing! Getting out of Hell and frolicking in a world! ¡° I licked my face at the thought, it made me realize that my tongue was really long... -¡¯ Though I am stuck as an imp... ¡® It served to bring my attention back to the situation I was in. -¡± What is the mana that you mentioned? ¡° I asked. -¡± Stop! ¡° The imp looked at me impatiently and raised its hand in a typical *talk to the hand* gesture. -¡± Work first, ask questions later. For each service, usually five minutes long, I will answer three of your questions. Deal? ¡° -¡± Yes! ¡° I answered enthusiastically in a shrill voice. -¡± Though, how will I know what I need to do? ¡° I asked, suddenly uncertain. -¡± Don¡¯t worry, summoner will make his requests and it will all come naturally. Just accept the summon.. ¡° Imp bursted out in a cackling laughter, and went back to sleep. With nothing more to do and with excitement surging through my body I went back to my part of the chamber. I had a long, uneasy time falling asleep due to the countless scenarios that played through my mind. -¡¯ What if a summoner turns out to be some sexy sorceress¡­ ¡° An unwelcome image of the black haired girl came to mind just before I finally fell asleep... * * * -¡± Azah Kzanth Blirght Argham. ¡° The commanding words resounded, they were guttural and alien, but, at the same time seemed strangely familiar. -¡± With the force of a Covenant and a sacrifice, I bind you through the seal of Obedience. From Hell unto world of light, I command! Raumugounahr, appear before me and serve! ¡° I felt drowsiness draining from me, while some unknown force seemed to suck and twist my very existence. Sensation, much similar to being slurped by a straw, wasn¡¯t painful but it was vividly unpleasant nonetheless. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Before I had a time to gather my bearings I found myself in some kind of forest. A green and extremely ugly face was towering me. -¡± Aieeee! ¡° -¡± Waghhh¡± We both exclaimed, surprised. Before I had a chance to do anything a club swung by the green brute hit me, throwing me backwards. I did not understand the situation, but three green monsters looked like orcs and I didn¡¯t need much encouragement to run when they came at me, axes and clubs swinging. -¡± Ai. Ai. Ai. Ai. ¡° I exclaimed as I dashed around, barely dodging the onslaught. The group of orcs followed relentlessly. -¡± Hey, what are you doing?! Stop running and attack them! ¡° A seemingly young voice came from the side and I risked a quick glance around. There stood a thin, freckled guy with a wand. I had no time to notice more as my escape was abruptly stopped by some unknown will and a swinging axe hit my shoulder. -¡± Aiiiiiieeee! ¡° A shrill cry of pain came out unwittingly as I tumbled, my shoulder burning with pain. -¡± Shut up! I can¡¯t concentrate. ¡° Nerdy guy seemed annoyed by my screams of pain and his commands seemed to have an immense effect on me. I looked up, a gigantic orc was standing over me with his axe held high. With last ditch effort I jumped at him when he swung down the axe. Rusty metal whizzed past me as I ran between his legs. I tried to lash at him with my claws, but they were too small, a thick hide armor prevented me from doing anything more than a scratch. I was happy to notice that the wound on my shoulder started closing, caked in a black, tar like substance. -¡± What¡¯s with you today?! ¡° An annoyed voice chastised, I was beginning to hate it, especially the overabundance of question/exclamation marks. -¡± Get the one that¡¯s coming for me! ¡° There was an orc charging at the hateful nerd and I would be all too glad to leave him to die, but some force made me run at the orc. I jumped on its back and started clawing away, deep lacerations appeared on the orc¡¯s neck. -¡± Warrgfdgff! ¡° With a bloodcurdling cry the orc started to jump around wildly and tried to get me with its hands, but it was too hunchbacked, due to overabundance of muscles, to reach me. -¡± WAGGHHHHH! ¡° Other orc charged and swung its club at me. I let go of my orc and fell to the ground, the club smashed into the back of monster¡¯s head. With a sharp crack the club shattered and my orc fell forward, stunned. -¡± Ey! What are you doing?! ¡° The hateful voice was back. -¡± Get the one with the axe! ¡° Obediently, I rushed at the monster, which was closing on the summoner. It was as if it realized who was the most annoying guy there and ignored my weak scratching at its legs. -¡± Ey! Ey! ¡° The condescending voice bore signs of fear. -¡± What are you doing! I told you to stop it! Now! ¡° As instructed I vehemently scratched at the orc¡¯s hide armor, but it had little effect. Somehow the idea of an orc smashing this annoying guy with a rusty axe seemed wickedly good. The summoner seemed to not like the idea and grew pale, though that did stop him from screaming at me with accusing voice. -¡± Stop it! Somehow, I command you¡­ ¡° The orc was only a step away and was raising its axe¡­ -¡¯ Yeeessss! ¡® I thought in satisfaction. -¡± Nooooooo! ¡° The mage screamed. -¡± The jules! Go for the jules! ¡° Compelled by the overwhelming force I could not stop... *Chomp* -¡¯ Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! ¡® -¡± WRRRGGGHHH. ¡° Me and the orc both screamed in anguish. I did not want to register what I was biting, while the orc tried to loosen my jaws with its bulky hands. -¡± Good! Keep it busy. I am almost done with the spell! ¡° Suddenly I noticed that other orcs were rushing past me. I really hopped that they would get that son of a¡­ -¡± Ignist Foculus. ¡° With urgency in his voice the mage chanted an invocation, . -¡± From water to flame, Incaendium! ¡° -¡± AIIIIIIII! ¡° A wave of napalm engulfed everything, burning me to the core. Pain of agonizing death blissfully washed away most of the details of my recent ordeal, and my consciousness drained back into the pits of Hell¡­ =================== Hey~, Author''s Here~ Today''s chapter was slightly delayed due to hectic monday and sunday. At least its longer to compensate :P I hope you liked it, I do wonder what will happen back in hell... Cheers, Mea NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 4 - The Usurpation [ Umm, really?! So soon? ] http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=27680 Chapter 4 - The Usurpation Chapter 4 - The Usurpation A warm, calming sensation washed over my body. Weightless feeling seemed surreal compared to what happened to me recently. -¡¯ ...or did it? What a bad dream to have. ¡® I thought lazily while lounging in a warm liquid. I didn¡¯t remember taking a bath, but the things I remembered were surely a nightmare and I didn¡¯t want to get out of a relaxing bath just yet. -¡± Ara, what¡¯s an imp doing here? ¡° A modulated and quiet female voice exclaimed in a slight surprise, it sounded really nice. -¡¯ Almost like a voice of a maid from an anime¡­ ¡® I thought, while opening my eyes. As expected, I found myself in a gargantuan bath that was shrouded in a vapor steaming from the hot water. At the edge of the basin stood a maid. She was tall, elegant and perfectly composed. Her slim face matched perfectly with her dark hair tied into a long pigtails. She readjusted her glasses. -¡± How did you get here, small one? ¡° Somehow I had a really bad feeling, especially in regard to my recent nightmare. -¡± Um, I am not sure. ¡° I responded cautiously. -¡± Please tell me about yourself then. ¡° She asked in a calming voice, making me realize that I was panicking for some reason. Still her composed and attentive manner put me at ease, and I decided to confide to her. -¡± I think there was some sort of mistake, I was in a place called purgatory and then I spoke with a girl. She was called Deidre, and then I woke up in a very bad place. ¡° I spoke rapidly, hoping that the events I described were just a part of a dream. -¡± It...it was hell, they made me work for long hours, whipped me, and I was in some strange body¡­ actually I still am in it! And¡­ and¡­ ¡° I was at a loss and, for some reason, I felt really uneasy under maid¡¯s scrutinizing gaze. -¡± Thank you, I understand your circumstances now. ¡° -¡± Really? ¡° I asked in disbelief, surprised by her impassive response. -¡± Yes, there was a mistake during the transfer. ¡° Her professional attitude made me hopeful. -¡± Don¡¯t worry, I guarantee it won¡¯t happen again. ¡° -¡± You can really clear up this whole misunderstanding? ¡° I asked in disbelief. -¡± Most certainly. ¡° She responded without hesitation. -¡¯ Woohhhoo, I am getting out of this mess! ¡® I splashed water happily. She bent forward in a strange, slithering motion, it made me realize that the dress concealed a snake¡¯s tail that she had instead of legs. -¡± We can¡¯t have imps frolicking in the Palace¡¯s return circle after all. ¡° -¡± Wait, wha¡­ ¡° I tried to voice my objection, while she quickly gestured in the air, making a glowing rune appear. -¡± An imp¡¯s place is in the Pit¡­ ¡° Her words grew distant as I felt my being squeezed into a singularity, and then sent elsewhere¡­ * * * With a sudden pop I materialized over the pool of burning tar. -¡± Noooooo¡­ ¡° I barely had time to scream out before falling down into the pit. A wave of burning agony rushed through my body. -¡± Blurgh! ¡° A mouthful of black substance got into my mouth and piercing sensation enveloped me, inside and out. I flailed uselessly, kept in place by sticky tar. -¡¯ ARGHHH! ¡° The pain was overwhelming, and shown no signs of passing or dulling. With a desperate effort I reached out, but found nothing to use as a support. After what seemed like eternity of tormenting struggle some sort of force grabbed me and lifted me out of the tar. With my nerves raw and torment still fresh in my mind, I just laid on the bedrock. -¡± You know, I don¡¯t mind you laying there, but your shift started some hours ago. ¡° A monotonous, husky voice resounded from nearby. -¡± If your overseer comes down looking for you, taking another swim in the tar would be a nice alternative to what he¡¯s going to do to you¡­ ¡° -¡± Aiiiiuuu¡­ ¡° I groaned in a shrill voice. I felt so miserable that I just wanted to voice all of the bad things that happened to me recently. -¡± I don¡¯t care anymore, everything¡¯s unfair since I died! I even worked¡­ cos I got whipped and got nothing for it.¡° I wasn¡¯t sure why I clarified the working part.. -¡± Then an imp tricked me into getting summoned...and I don¡¯t even want to think what the mage made me do... ¡° Despite all of the misery I couldn¡¯t cry, somehow my body was incapable of it. -¡± Sounds like you had some bad luck, even for an imp. ¡° The voice responded impassively, I could hear a strange sound, like a quill scribbling on the paper. -¡± Still, you can¡¯t skip work in hell, if you won¡¯t do your due somebody¡¯s will get in trouble...and guess who that somebody will punish in return? ¡° -¡± But¡­ but this is unfair, inhuman even. No one should be made to work if they don¡¯t want to¡­ ¡° A reasoning, much similar to the one I had in previous life came out. -¡± Well, if you don¡¯t want to work you need to achieve something first. ¡° The scribbling continued. -¡± Like becoming a great demon, or snatching a lot of souls for hell¡­ though I guess you are the one snatched. Huhuhu. ¡° -¡± How...How do you know all that? ¡° I opened my eyes and looked at the person I spoke with. -¡± I am the Soul Keeper, Sidsir is my name. ¡° An unusual imp was sitting on a stone chair, there was a big book placed on the stone pedestal next to it. Sidsir¡¯s form was much different from mine - it was slim, almost humanoid like, with elongated arms and legs. It¡¯s face was heart shaped and feminine, framed by a mane of red hair. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. I blinked in surprise. Despite small and elegant red scales that glimmered in the infernal glow of the pit Sidsir was really human like. All of the imps I met were genderless, but that one bore distinctly feminine vibe. Embarrassed, I quickly turned away my questing gaze, though not before noticing that the imp didn¡¯t have gender as well. -¡± Er, nice to meet you, I am¡­ ¡° I began. -¡± ...Keita Shinamoji, not anymore. ¡° Sidsir interrupted me and continued, as if encouraged by my surprised look. -¡± I am the Soul Keeper, remember? Its like a boss of your boss¡­ ¡° I did a double take and asked in shrill voice. -¡± Really?! ¡° -¡± Yes. ¡° Sidsir said and closed the book, then stood up. -¡± ...and I am not amused by what¡¯s happening here. First, I will tell you what you need to know, and then I am going to punish your handler, he should have been here long ago. ¡° -¡± Wait, you are going to punish me? ¡° I exclaimed in doomed voice. Imp waved it¡¯s hand. -¡± No, I am not your boss, I am going to punish him for stealing rations and negligent supervision of his imps. ¡° Suddenly Sidsir sent me a piercing look. -¡± Listen well, scamp. If you want to survive in hell you need only one thing - mana. ¡° -¡± But what is it! ¡° I said loudly. -¡± No one told me anything! ¡° -¡± Mana is power. It¡¯s just that simple - its the power of creation, spark of the gods, present in all things. ¡° Sidsir raised a hand in front of its face. -¡± ...and the hell runs on it. ¡° At that moment a familiar fiend rushed inside. -¡± How dare you slack here when everyone¡¯s working! ¡° -¡± Too late. ¡° Sidsir¡¯s voice was barely audible, but the menace in it was so overwhelming that I froze in terror. -¡± For failing as the handler¡­ ¡° -¡± It¡¯s only an imp! I haven¡¯t failed enough to warrant such¡­ ¡° Beast yelled in defiance, interrupting the imp. -¡± ...AND stealing mana... ¡° Sidsir¡¯s voice suddenly become so loud it was almost deafening. -¡± ...I shall punish you! ¡° -¡± Gahh! ¡° The beast was taken aback by the fiery aura of power which surrounded Sidsir, but it didn¡¯t stop it from charging. -¡± So what? An imp is unfit to rule as a Soul Keeper! Your spot shall be mine! ¡° Beast¡¯s clawed hand swished savagely through the air. Sidsir rolled to the side, with a motion almost too quick for an eye to see. Fiend froze with dumbfounded expression on its face, still looking at the spot where the imp was in. -¡± Hellshard Blast! ¡° Sidsir chanted in a high pitched voice and raised its exposed palm in the direction of the fiend. A circle of runes appeared for a moment before instantly turning into a foot long shard of black glass, which shot forward to hit the beast in the side. -¡± Mughuhuhu. ¡° The fiend cackled maniacally, while its silhouette swelled, making its muscles bigger and bigger. -¡± An imp can only go this far, your puny magic stings a little. Kekeke. ¡° -¡± Tsk, that¡¯s what you get when you promote newcomer¡¯s early. ¡° Sidsir shook its head in disapproval. The beast charged again, despite its bulk it was wickedly fast and got to the imp instantly. Claws rushed past the space left by imp¡¯s almost dance like dodge¡­ and buried themselves next to my ear! I failed to comprehend what happened. At one moment the beast attacked and, at the other, its clawed hand was buried in the stone next to my head, and I was away from the fight! -AGWWWAA! ¡° The fiend screamed deafeningly in pain, while Sidsir licked her bloody claws, which were almost half a feet long at the moment. -¡± Are you ready to yield and accept your fate now? ¡° Sidsir asked in disinterested voice. -¡± You shall pay for iiiittt!!! ¡° Bestial scream was followed by another mad charge, but before the beast could take few steps it was intercepted by a blurry zigzag of motion. I blinked. All I could see was a spraying red liquid, and the image of torso and legs going in the separate directions¡­ Bloody spectacle had almost enchanting quality to it¡­ -¡± Learn from this. ¡° A matter of factly voice came from beside me. -¡± Mana might be everything, but stupidity can render it useless. ¡° I watched in horror as Sidsir made it¡¯s way to the corpse and then began eating. -¡± Also, you can¡¯t die in here¡­ ¡° The image of cannibalistic, gory feast burned itself into my mind. -¡± ...but you shall wish you did. Remember this when you see a small imp tomorrow. Huhuhu. ¡° I could not stand the spectacle, and self satisfied appearance of the imp, so I ran¡­ ========================= Hey~, Author''s Here~ somehow this took longer than expected. Still, it appeared and its longer than 1,5k so all is good. Comments are welcome... as always :P Cheers, Mea NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 5 - The Inclusion http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=28012 Chapter 5 - The Inclusion Chapter 5 - The Inclusion Without thinking I ran through the stone corridor, which was illuminated by the flames randomly gushing from the cracks in the walls. Bloody memory of recent events urged me forward. Abruptly, the passage ended and I found myself on the side of a steep road. I did a double take, the road was crowded by a grotesque, demonic beings. My darting gaze passed from an unnaturally thin hybrid of human and vulture to a gigantic gorilla like creature covered with bloody fur and bony spikes. Nightmarish creatures, there was no end to them, they kept going, oblivious to my horrified stupor. For a moment I tried to categorize them, make something out of the different shapes passing in front of me, but I couldn¡¯t, they were just too different and alien. Their interactions were incomprehensible as well. Big brutes, which looked like overwhelming mountains of muscles, gave way to puny insectoid creatures which in turn bowed in deference to a bloodied ape. Every place that wasn¡¯t occupied by the traveling demons was filled by a yielding and endless stream of imps, which nimbly scampered around bigger creatures barely avoiding trampling feet and other things. I was hesitant to enter the feverish stream of passing beings, but a mere thought of returning to the chamber of the Soul Keeper gave me shivers. I took a deep breath and jumped forward. A realization, that I didn¡¯t know where to go, came a bit too late. My attention was quickly occupied by more pressing matters as a gigantic feet came down on me. I barely had enough time for a panicky jump to the side,which saved me from being trampled by a hulk like demon with a purple, grafted skin. My hurried dodge made me collide with a bunch of imps that ran into me, they clawed and kicked their way past me without even slowing. Trampled by the rushing wave I was lying on my back for a moment and it turned out that I blocked the passage of a vulture like humanoid demon. For one terrifying second its glowing red eyes rested on me and an overwhelming feeling of dread fell upon me. I did not know why but a vivid vision of being ripped to shreds came to me, pain included. Though it was only momentary, I was suddenly lifted by an invisible force which thrown me to the side of the road. -¡± Aiieieiieie! ¡° My scream came out inadvertently as a dreadful realization came to me. -¡¯ I am going over the edge! ¡® Horrifying moments passed in slow motion as the stony edge passed below me, giving way to a steep cliff riddled with stony outcroppings . A drop extended to another meandering road fifty yards below. -¡± Aiiiiiiieieiie! ¡° My limbs flailed uselessly while stony surface turned into a blur, occasionally interrupted by windows, carvings and terraces. *Crash* -¡± Aiu! ¡° My fall was suddenly broken by a stony terrace, my bones protesting against the abuse with sharp pain. -¡± Aiiiii! ¡° I bounced of the unyielding stone and fell further, hitting some more things on the way down. -¡± Ai! ¡° -¡± Ui! ¡° *Thump* *Crash* -¡± Uuuuuuu! ¡° I exclaimed, a sharp sensation of wrongly bent limbs and nerve sizzling torment of abused bones made me feel really miserable. All I wanted to do was to complain about all of the bad things that happened to me. -¡¯ What have I don¡­ ¡® -¡± Hrumph, what do we have laying there? ¡° Preceded by a strange sound, a deep, nasal voice interrupted my thoughts and made me shiver, recent events shown me that there¡¯s no such thing as a good random meeting in hell. -¡± Looks like an imp, my lord. ¡° A shrill voice of what sounded like an imp responded. -¡± A new one at that. ¡° Then it added something that made my worst fears come true. -¡± It seems suitable for the tasks, my lord. ¡° -¡± Auuuuuuuu! ¡° I wanted to object, but my shattered body protested with pain, turning my efforts into incomprehensible whine. -¡± Very well, handle it. I will take care of the formalities. ¡° My fate was proclaimed with dignity and confidence, and due to my body I couldn¡¯t even cry about the fact. -¡± Understood, my lord. ¡° Unknown imp confirmed diligently and approached me. -¡± Off you go, there¡¯s no time to waste. ¡° I was quickly lifted into the air and placed like a bag over imp¡¯s shoulder. With surprise I realized that my body wasn¡¯t in contact with scales or skin, the imp wore clothes - a frock coat. My attention quickly lapsed when imp began to walk, making pain of my injuries worse. I didn¡¯t know how much time had passed, but after a while the pain became bearable, my regeneration must have kicked in. Hoisted over a shoulder I could see what was happening behind us. There was an orderly formation of imps following, and they seemed more presentable than the ones that I had seen so far, Sidsir excluded. They had elongated limbs, with clawless hands, wore rudimentary clothes, mainly loincloths, and just seemed like they fared better than the rest of their kin. I turned my attention to where I was, however pointless it seemed, as I couldn¡¯t find my way in hell anyway. To my left there was a sharp drop and a wide expanse of the pit, haunted by memory of my fall I quickly turned my attention to the right. There a stone surface was covered with elaborate frontispieces and archways, carved into intricate and frightening motives of skulls, demons, agonized silhouettes and many other dreadful things. I noticed that none of the buildings seemed to posses a door, all had just an empty entrance through which I could occasionally glimpse a workshop looking interior, each busy with toiling imps. My sightseeing ended abruptly as I was dumped onto the ground. Luckily, I managed to recover enough that it didn¡¯t hurt too much. -¡± Let me explain, newt. ¡° Frock coated imp bent over me. -¡± You will be working for his excellency and I am going to personally deep fry you if you slack or do a subpar work, that''s a promise. Is that clear? ¡° A widely set pair of yellow eyes rested on me insistently, but the gaze wasn¡¯t threatening, instead it seemed confident and assuring, making it all the more fearsome. I swallowed and nodded strongly, words couldn¡¯t get past my clenched throat. -¡± Good. ¡° Apparently satisfied, frock coated imp straightened up and waved on the other imps. -¡± Get the newt prepared for work. I will attend to his excellency. ¡° I was quickly grasped and hauled by a bunch of imps which suddenly dropped the casual and steady movements in favor of quick and efficient ones. While hauled, I saw frock coated imp bowing before a beast in a red cloak. The demon was seven feet tall, horned, covered with fur and looked like a minotaur, almost. It had a head of a hog instead of a bull and it¡¯s perfectly muscled body had a slight quirk - a sizable beer belly. -¡± What are your orders, my lord? ¡° -¡±I have to attend to a new venture, oversee the situation here. Hrumph. ¡° Lord grunted loudly. -¡± Make sure that they don¡¯t mess anything up while I am away. ¡° -¡± As you wish, I shall keep utmost order until your return. ¡° Imp bowed even deeper and said in deference. At that moment I was carried inside the building and lost sight of what was happening outside. -¡± That a new one? Show it too me. ¡° A commanding, grumpy voice ordered. Immediately, I was placed before a strange imp. It was small, brown and wrinkled, with a long and sparse white hair. Somehow an image of a grandma came to my mind upon seeing that imp. The scrutinizing gaze made me feel uneasy. -¡± Show me your hands. ¡° A grandma-imp ordered and I obeyed reflexively, extending my small limbs to her. -¡± Hmm, too long and too sharp. Silihr take care of it and show newt the ropes. ¡° Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Before i realized what was happening my arms were grabbed and I was hauled to the corner of the room. I tried to struggle but I couldn¡¯t overpower the imps that were dragging me, they were bigger and stronger than me. * Click * I realized that my arms were locked in some sort of stock like device and imp, likely called Silihr had a big file in its hand. Without warning the imp began its task. -¡± Aieieieieieei! ¡° Getting your claws grated was surprisingly painful and I couldn¡¯t keep my voice down. -¡± Oh, shut up. This ain¡¯t hurting this bad, your claws aren¡¯t even tempered. ¡° I was chastised by Silihr, who was all professional without any signs of malice. -¡± Aieieieie! ¡° Still, I couldn¡¯t stop, the pain was surprisingly strong though it could not compare to being boiled in tar or falling of the cliff. Finally my ordeal came to an end and I was released from the stocks. A raw feeling came from my fingers, which now ended with nicely rounded oblongs of opal like bone. -¡± Come, I will show you where the stuff is. ¡° Silihr said casually and motioned for me to follow. After such a warm welcome I didn¡¯t want to get on anyone''s bad side. A sudden realization came to me in regard to my past life. -¡± There are things worse than working, being tortured for example¡­ or hungry. ¡° My recent ordeals made hunger seem insignificant, but grating pain of not eating was slowly adding to the growing list of pains and issues that started to become common occurrence for me. Silihr led me to the other room, it was filled with metal tubs, basins and vats. Thick steam, buckets of water, burning fires and toiling silhouettes made me realize what place I found myself in. A laundry. -¡± Here, you can take care of this. ¡° Silihr stopped before a sizable tub filled with water. -¡± Soap, vinegar and conditioner are here. Work hard. ¡° Imp pointed to an assortment of vials, bottles and bars of soap resting on a small stool next to the tub. Before I had a chance to react he left me. Uncertainly I approached the tub. It was filled with cold water and small pieces of fabric were floating just under the surface. I hesitantly reached inside and fished a piece of cloth. It was white and triangular, with miniature red ribbon attached to the middle of it. My whole body froze and I could feel my heart beating fast. -¡± P-p-p-panties?!! ¡° Extremely embarrassed, I gave out a small shriek. -¡± What¡¯s going on in here? ¡° Authoritative voice of the frock coated imp came from behind me. -¡± Aieiiei! ¡° Surprised, I yelled out unwittingly and dropped incriminating object. Without thinking I kneeled on the ground and apologized. -¡± I am sorry! I really didn¡¯t do¡­ want¡­ er try to¡­ ¡° I lost my wits trying to think of any excuse. -¡± Silence! ¡° I fell silent and shivered, terrified by a harsh tone. -¡± Who¡¯s responsible for this? ¡° I was confused about the whole situation, and my imagination already did overtime showing me unwelcome images of painful torture. -¡± Silihr. ¡° A multitude of voices responded in unison. -¡± Silihr explain to me what were you thinking giving this task to a newt? ¡° Chastising tone taken on a threatening and malicious note. -¡± Um, I shown him where the utensils are¡­ ¡° Silihr responded hesitantly. -¡± And of all things you gave him silk to wash? ¡° A venomous notes appeared in the imps voice and his tone grew more and more agitated. -¡± To a newt? You want to see the fabric ruined? You want to be responsible for reparations? You want to take the lashings? And most of all you want to tarnish our lord¡¯s and my good name? ¡° -¡± No, ofcourse not! I didn¡¯t thin¡­ ¡° Silihr panicked. -¡± Silence, you are coming with me. ¡° -¡± Noo please, no! Have merc¡­ ¡° An authoritative statement caused Silihr to beg. -¡± I said silence! ¡° Final command was followed by a loud smack and I could hear Silihr¡¯s body rolling on the floor due to sheer force of the blow. *Huff* Frock coated imp took a deep breath to calm itself, I could almost feel his anger and agitation. -¡± Newt¡­ ¡° Frock coated imp said in a calm tone and I felt icy needless of fear coming down my spine. -¡± ...take care of what¡¯s in that tub to your left. ¡° -¡± Aiiii. ¡° I fervently tried to agree, but low whine was the only thing I could squeeze past my clenched throat. I thanked the gods when frock coated imp left, taking Silihr with him. On wobbly legs I rose and was slowly approaching the appointed tub when a blood chilling cry resounded. -¡± Aiiiiiiiooooooooooooooooooo¡­ ¡° It was distant, but did not show any signs of ceasing. I didn¡¯t want to know what sort of punishment was being unleashed upon Silihr. I rushed to the tub and started cleaning what was in it, after dreadful events I wasn¡¯t fazed even when I realized that my task was to wash underpants in many different forms and sizes. I worked diligently for a long hours, accompanied by a bloodcurdling yell of anguish. When I was done with one tub I received another one, after few of them an unending scream finally ceased. I was grateful for that, as the agonal sound was really unsettling. I lost track of time, everything shrunk to a vat, dirty clothes and soap. * * * After what seemed like an eternity of endless scrubbing I felt an unyielding grip on my shoulder stopping me. -¡± Well done, scamp. ¡° It was the frock coated imp that pulled me away from the tub and pointing. -¡± See this door? Go there, lord wants to speak with you. ¡° With the heart in my throat I went through the door and I was met by the sight of overwhelming and grotesque silhouette of the lord, who had a scroll in one hand and fat jerky in the other. -¡± You called me¡­ Sir? ¡° I said hesitantly and then added *sir* in a desperate attempt to not offend the demon. -¡± Mhomph. ¡° With loud lap he consumed a large piece of meat. -¡± Yes, your Soul Keeper¡¯s troublesome. She keeps saying that dig team is short imped and wants her property back. ¡° He sighed audibly. -¡± I heard you worked well, but that Keeper of yours is really stingy¡­ Hrmph. ¡° He hemmed in annoyance and spoke softly, as if to himself. -¡± I guess I have no choice, I don¡¯t want to cross that particular Keeper. ¡° I stood and tried to appear as inconspicuous as possible, getting on the lord¡¯s bad side seemed like a really bad idea. -¡± To hell with that. Come here imp. ¡° I didn¡¯t want to, but I approached the lord, urged by his authoritative tone. -¡± Take that. ¡° He extend a small crystal to me, I looked at several feet tall muscled giant that towered over me and just couldn¡¯t force myself to reach out. -¡± Oi, we don¡¯t have time for that. ¡° Without warning lord grabbed my neck and forced the crystal down my throat. -¡± Off you go. ¡° A sudden heat spread through my being, seemingly reaching to my very core, but I didn¡¯t have time to wonder about it as a familiar feeling of being squeezed into a single point appeared. Before I knew it I was teleported elsewhere¡­ ===================== Hey~, Author''s here~ I hope you liked today''s chapter, share your thoughts. ( Yes, im greedy for comments, but that''s the Overlord''s way - always in the spotlight :P ) About another chapter - I have a backlog on my other fiction that I urgently need to clear up, I dont know how it goes but just in case it takes long i released this chapter earlier and its longer than normal. Enjoy. Cheers, Mea Chapter 6 - The Recursion Chapter 6 - The Recursion I materialized over a familiar pit of tar and unwittingly I let out a loud whine. -¡± Nooooooouuu¡­ ¡° I closed my eyes, and curled into a ball, resigned to the cruel fate of falling into a boiling pool. -¡¯ Not again¡­ ¡® A tearful complaint appeared in my mind as I anxiously waited for the painful sensation of being engulfed by the burning liquid, but the moment seemed to last and last. -¡± Oh, you are back. ¡° A husky voice spoke out. -¡± I expected you back in the warren or spawning pool, it seems someone altered your respawn point. ¡° Hesitantly, I took a peek and found out that I was held over a pool of tar by some glowing force. As if urged by the memory, my gaze quickly traveled over the soul keeper¡¯s chamber, but dark stains on the stone was all that remained from recent events. My attention was quickly turned to the aquamarine aura that surrounded Sidsir¡¯s hand and matched the haze that kept me from falling into a scalding liquid. -¡± Anyway, good to have you back. ¡° Soul Keeper continued in absentminded voice, while she wrote in the book. -¡± As we had some delays in digging department. ¡° Being on a verge of falling into a pool of agonizing pain made me feel really weak and uncertain. -¡± Um, could you put me down¡­ ¡° I started and then realized how stupid of a request that was. -¡± ...on the floor! Please! ¡° I was ecstatic when, after Sidsir¡¯s inattentive gesture, I was thrown into the wall and fell to the blissfully solid stone. I didn¡¯t even mind the rough impact, as my tears came at a bleak but painful memory of my last visit to the tar pit. -¡± Thank you! ¡° I exclaimed while bowing down fervently. Somehow, recent events made me keenly aware of the small kindnesses and differences they could make. Suddenly, I froze in my homage as I registered the meaning behind Sidsir¡¯s words. -¡± Um, what do you mean by altered respawn point? ¡° -¡± The imps usually appear directly in the warrens, where they live, or in the spawning pool, which is just a pool of a cold water. ¡° Sidsir explained in an impassive voice. -¡± It appears that someone patched you directly to my chamber¡­ ¡° Somehow I had a bad feeling about this. -¡± ...which is usually used for punishment. Well, if I were you I would quickly get resistant to heat. ¡° Somehow, I could glimpse a bit of humor in the last remark. -¡± How could I¡­ ¡° I started but Sidsir stoped me before I could finish the question. -¡± A,a! ¡° She interrupted in a high pitched tone. -¡± That¡¯s a time to be digging tunnels, not asking questions. ¡° Sidsir raised a hand, which began to glow with red light. -¡± Good luck, work hard. Ianuae Magicae. ¡° Her sudden chant prevented me from trying to ask anything else and a familiar feeling of being compressed and stretched came over me. * * * With a sudden snap, that shook my very existence, I materialized in a cave. The sensation of being transported was something I couldn¡¯t get used to, it was as if I was a stretched rubber band that abruptly returns to its shape, but in reverse, as I was compressed rather than stretched. -¡± Ha! Caught one! ¡° A low, orotund voice came at me and before I realized what was happening I was grasped by some sort of demon. Reflexively, I tried to struggle, but it was fruitless as the demon was twice my size. As big, clawed hands gotten better grip on me and applied crushing pressure I grew desperate and tried to use my claws, though I forgot that they were trimmed. -¡± Hey! Hu! Stop that! Hahaha! Stop it! ¡° A demon lost its grip on me and stepped back, still giggling uncontrollably. It was covered with bony creases and thick, brown skin and could be mistaken for some sort of gremlin with horns¡­ a really dangerous looking gremlin. Suddenly, I was struck by the realization that I was free. With desperate effort I began to look for exit, but as I started scampering towards it the demon recovered. -¡± Ey! Stop, running! If you escape I will have to punish you! ¡° Somehow there was a desperate tone sounding in its voice, but I learned enough to not accept such declarations easily¡­ still I didn¡¯t want to get in trouble either. I decided to listen to what the demon had to say. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. -¡± Ah, good, you stopped. Chasing imps is hard and I just got the job! ¡° Demon sounded relieved and there was pleading notes in its voice. I couldn¡¯t decided whether I should run while I can or stay and listen to what he has to say. -¡± Look, I am new at this and there¡¯s awful backlog on the work. Please don¡¯t run and work hard. ¡° I took a step back, after laundry I wasn¡¯t too keen on working, especially if I not necessarily had to. -¡± Why should I? ¡° I asked obstinately to confirm my position. -¡± Look, I don¡¯t want to get in trouble, you don¡¯t want too. ¡° The demon said amicably. -¡± There¡¯s helload of stone to dig through and if we don¡¯t meet the quota we will get in trouble. So instead of running around, trying to torture each other, why won¡¯t we cooperate? I promise not to hit you and if you do well I will even give you some of these! ¡° The demon extended a hand with some small crystals lying on it, they looked like miniature shards of glass and vaguely resembled a strange crystal that the Lord fed me with. Suddenly I felt something much similar to a hunger, but different, a sort of craving for the glowing crystals. The urge came together with a realization that I wasn¡¯t feeling hungry since eating the Lord¡¯s crystal. -¡± How do I know that I can trust you? ¡° I was done with getting swindled and I was not falling for the weak guy act, I had a suspicion that the weakest looking demons actually were the meanest. -¡± I already digged for free. ¡° I added to bring my point across. -¡¯ If it¡¯s a trap I still should be able to run for it. ¡° -¡± Ehh, can¡¯t you just take my word for it? ¡° Demon sighed, but upon seeing my intransigence he looked at me with tired expression. -¡± I can vouch with a mana bound oath for all that I just said. Will you accept if we do it officially? ¡° -¡± First off, I don¡¯t know what exactly it is, and second, if it¡¯s working as you are suggesting why others aren¡¯t using it? ¡° I voiced my doubts instantly. -¡± Didn¡¯t you know that the demons can¡¯t go against sworn oath? Though it has to be confirmed with a binding seal. ¡° Demon explained impatiently. -¡± And it isn¡¯t widely used because it costs mana, so could we get this on with? We wasted enough time. ¡° Reluctantly, I agreed and learned that making a binding oath is quite simple, though I wasn¡¯t the one that paid the cost. Soon, we exchanged the vows and a silvery rune appeared on the Torith¡¯s arm, as that was his name. It appears that he was promoted to the Overseer¡¯s position after his predecessor was *demoted* in the Sidsir¡¯s chamber. -¡± What are you waiting for?! Get on with it, we aren¡¯t even half done and only several hours is left before the quotas estimation! ¡° Torith exclaimed and shoved a pickaxe at me. -¡± I am going to personally eat a mana crystal from your pay for each meter we are short on quota thanks to you being late! ¡° -¡± Ey, you said that you will pay me for my hard work! ¡° I protested. -¡± You swore it! ¡° -¡± That I did. ¡° Torith agreed matter of factly. -¡± So you better get that pickaxe moving, cos in the next seventeen hours there¡¯s nine yards of bedrock to dig through¡­ and I am going to eat one of your shards for each yard we are short. ¡° *Cinq* *Cinq* *Cinq* *Cinq* Sharp sound of picaxe striking the bedrock resounded loudly. -¡± Ai, Ai, Ai! ¡° I yelled while doing my best to break the unyielding rock. -¡¯ I knew the nice ones are the worst! ¡® Vengeful thought rushed through my mind. I wanted to cry at a realization that I was not going to have a break for a long time¡­ and that¡¯s just after finishing the shift at the laundry. =========== Hey~, Author''s here~ well I cleared some of the backlog on other fiction only to have one grow here. Meh. Anyway I will try to update both of them in semi regular manner, though I am still struggling with reaching a satisfying release speed. Well, back on topic- I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Cheers, Mea NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 7 - The Attrition http://royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30705 Chapter 7 - The Attrition Chapter 7 - The Attrition *Cinq* *Huff* *Cinq* *Huff* -¡± Aiiuu¡­ ¡° *Cinq* -¡± How is it¡­ ¡° Torith started in a gruff voice, but stopped abruptly. -¡± Third hell has it, woow. ¡° He exclaimed in surprise. -¡± How the¡­ how did you dig up all that? ¡° *Cinq* I brought down the pickaxe, breaking away a small pebble from the bedrock. I blinked and stopped myself from rising the pickaxe again. The words finally penetrated and I looked back, at Torith. -¡± Wh...wha...what? ¡° I whispered as I was hungry and weak, barely able to stand. -¡± I mean that I didn¡¯t expect you to be that hardworking. ¡° Torith shook his head as if in disbelief. -¡± Even burning mana for sustenance¡­ That''s gonna be the most selfless thing ever around here! ¡° He spoke loudly and with a tinge of respect. -¡± Wait! ¡° Abrupt suspicion dawned upon me and my body was flooded with rapid rush of fear driven power. -¡± What do you mean selfless?! And burning mana! I don¡¯t even know how it works¡­ ¡° I took a deep breath trying to calm down. -¡± Don¡¯t tell me I did something wrong?! ¡° -¡± Wrong? Overlords forbid, no. ¡° Torith responded, but somehow his attitude only made a chilling sensation growing in the pit of my stomach worse. -¡± Excessive and selfless? Maybe. As to your question¡­ ¡° He started explaining while shaking his head with good spirited smile. -¡± ...it appears that you had quite a bit of untapped mana and used it to work harder¡­ ¡° Suddenly he put a hand over his eyes, and a teary note appeared in his speech. -¡± Really, going that far for my sake makes me really moved... you really are a good¡­ ¡° With almost audible snap my suspicions arranged the facts in a whole picture, and I didn¡¯t like it one bit! -¡± I lost ALL of the mana that I received from slaving at the laundry?! ¡° A shrill complaint escaped my mouth. -¡± Um, that appears to be correct. ¡° Torith responded uncertainly and took a step back. -¡± Look, I can give you your pay¡­ ¡° He started weakly. -¡± Really?! ¡° My attention snapped back to the present, growing uncomfort over what I lost was suddenly replaced by the anticipation and hope. -¡± Yes, have these. I will even give you ten of them¡­ ¡° Torith¡¯s voice was really weak for some reason as he extended his clawed hand to me. My gaze instantly wandered to a ten, enticingly glimmering, shards of glasslike substance lying on it. Led by unknown craving I pounced at the hand and started slurping the crystals, which sent a blissful heat over my body. -¡± Uuuuu¡­ ¡° In an instant the shards were consumed and I unwittingly let out a whiny complaint. My gaze wandered to Torith, who had an expression on his face that was vaguely familiar to being sorry. Disappearing heat and slowly returning hunger made me realize that the mana I had gotten was nowhere near the amount of what I used up. I wanted to cry from the misery, but no tears could appear in my demonic eyes. -¡± Why did it happen? I worked earlier and I didn¡¯t loose anything¡­ ¡° I fell to the ground in despair and complained to noone in particular. -¡± Well, in the Netherworld you don¡¯t use much mana, living out of the residual energy¡­ ¡° Torith stopped retreating and started explaining, somehow he seemed apologetic. -¡± ...but when you do more than existing it taps into your mana¡­ and demons can boost their power by expending mana¡­ anyway I gotta go¡­ got things to do¡­ somewhere... ¡° Torith¡¯s voice grew uncertain and, as he spoke, he started to move further and further from me. -¡± Work well tomorrow! ¡° He exclaimed briskly and escaped. I laid down, depressed. -¡¯ Why am I always a victim¡­ ¡® I mulled over bad things that kept happening to me and a growing, persistent thought kept gnawing at my mind. -¡¯ Noo, it couldn¡¯t have been Deidre¡¯s fault¡­ no way¡­ ¡® I tried to object the growing suspicion, but couldn¡¯t¡­ Suddenly, a bunch of imps with pickaxes rushed into the chamber and started striking at the walls. I realized, with utter horror, that I was still at the work site and, with my luck, some demon was going to put me through another shift of forced labor. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. I glanced around in panic and found a tunnel other than the one used by the arriving imps. Without wasting time I scampered into it and started skidding forward. After few turns the tunnel widened into rough stone cavern that was filled with sleeping imps. Relieved, I walked further in, my gaze casually wandering over a grotesque, sleeping silhouettes. -¡± Ui! ¡° An angry yelp came out of my mouth as I spotted a familiar looking imp, it had a new pair of horns which looked like they were made out of a burning coal. -¡± You...you¡­ ¡° I started angrily as I approached the imp and vague memories of the summoning came to haunt me. -¡± Yaaawh! ¡° The imp yawned lazily and looked at me with half closed eyes and relaxed smile. -¡± Oh, your back. Good job up there. ¡° -¡± What do you mean good job?! ¡° I was almost screaming. -¡± I went through hell up there! ¡° Horned imp sat up awkwardly, probably due to its bent back knees, and looked at me sternly. It made me realize that it was bigger than me. -¡± Do you think that mana is easy to come by in hell? For that little gig I have received more than you earn in a month... ¡° Suddenly, his gaze lost its edge. -¡± Though, I admit, that particular summoning is one of the worst¡­ ¡° An awkward silence fell between us. Horned imp finally broke the silence and spoke out in an amicable tone. -¡± Look, we had a deal. I will answer your questions... ¡° As if struck by a sudden thought the imp looked at me inquisitively. -¡± Moreover, I can even give you half the mana from this and subsequent summons if you agree to do at least thre¡­ ¡° He looked at me doubtfully. -¡± ...er...make that two more summons. ¡° I was at a loss. At the one hand the offer seemed really good, almost too good to be true, on the other a vague memory was sending warning chills down my spine. -¡± You don¡¯t know how the mana works, right? ¡° Seeing my doubts, horned imp started explaining. -¡± See these? ¡° It pointed to the glowing horns. -¡± You can change your form, make it stronger, tough, or whatever you want really¡­ ¡° It smiled widely. -¡± ...for a hefty price in mana. In a long run, you might even become Overseer¡­ who knows, even a Soul Keeper might be within your reach. ¡° I listened to the words and my hell tempered suspicions grew stronger and stronger. -¡¯ He definitely wants to scam me, he is too kind! ¡® I thought and some of my doubts must have shown on my face as horned imp suddenly switched the angle. -¡± Hmm, let me put it that way. ¡° The imp stated openly. -¡± You might work for a month or two to get enough mana for your seal, one that is not bound to that accursed summoner, or you can take my seal and run in my place, earning what you need much sooner... ¡° In silence we looked at each other measuringly, until horned imp finally pulled out his final ace. -¡± If you focus on being summoned you don¡¯t have to dig, you know? Also, do you really like diggin that much? ¡° I swallowed, the offer was so tempting, but it was a real deal with a devil, and after experiencing the hellish price of it once I was hesitant to accept. My hand reached to the silvery brooch that magically clinged to my body and I felt a sudden heat. The booch started to shine and a weak, indistinguishable words suddenly started to sound in the air, becaming stronger with each passing second. The summon was coming, I had to make decision fast¡­ =============== Hey~, Author''s here~ My board of advisors, you can consider them a PR guys, came to me and said that for public image it will be better if I start releasing on the schedule. Since they seem to know what they are doing most of the time, and they had a proof for it, I decided to go with the idea. So the imp''s gonna be released weakly on mondays. I hope you will continue to like the story and cheer me on :P Cheers, Mea, The PR Overlord NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 8 - The Summon http://royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31512 Chapter 8 - The Summon Chapter 8 - The Summon -¡± ...appear before me and serve! ¡° Final words of the summoning resounded and I was brought somewhere. I quickly looked around and felt a bit of relief as a room, in which I found myself in, didn¡¯t contain any obvious orcs. My gaze darted around, noticing plain wooden floor, worn down wooden table and crude walls made of plaster and oak. Two people sat around the table, while a familiar nerd looking mage stood next to me, his hands extended in almost papal gesture. -¡± Yhuu! It certainly is ugly¡­ ¡° A short, slender girl with a thin mane of blonde hair, that reached to her shoulders, exclaimed with disgust. -¡± ...but it looks kinda weak. ¡° She had rather wide, plain face, but her lively, shockingly green eyes made her seem really pretty. -¡± Why is it looking at me? That¡¯s disgusting! ¡° She complained in a shrill voice, while giving me a curious look. A bit embarrassed, for staring, I quickly looked elsewhere, and my gaze crossed with a steely grey one, it belonged to a muscular, square jawed dude in his thirties, who had a scar running diagonally across his cheek. -¡± Are you sure? It really doesn¡¯t look like much. ¡° He spoke doubtfully in a deep voice, which, coupled with his ruffled short hair, completed an almost perfect image of a warrior. -¡± Its a demon, even a weakest one is much stronger than your average monster. ¡° Nerdmage said haughtily in an unpleasant voice. -¡± And I can control it perfectly. Look. ¡° He spoke in satisfaction and pointed his finger at me. -¡± Roll, demon. ¡° Urged by an unknown will, I fell down and started rolling on my back, which made me realize that having miniature wings can be really uncomfortable. Mage turned and addressed the warrior at the table. -¡± So do we have a deal? ¡° As soon as the compulsion vanished I stopped rolling and rose to my feet. Nerdmage was bending over the table and looked rather lame, as the siting warrior was taller than he was. I glared hatefully at the summoner, nitpicking at his flaws - long nose, freckles, bowl haircut, plain and scrawny face¡­ -¡± This certainly doesn¡¯t look like much¡­ ¡° Suddenly, a calm, modulated voice spoke from behind me. -¡± ...but I see little harm with inviting you, for a test run. ¡° We, me and nerdmage, turned swiftly, both surprised by the person who was standing near the door, unnoticed. Owner of the voice turned out to be tall and willowy, with a pale complexion that made a stark contrast to his dark hair and eyes. Considering his sudden appearance, leather armor, and assortment of daggers and short swords made me assume that he was akin to a rogue. -¡± Though, considering that you are new, I will propose half the pay until you prove yourself. ¡° The rogue didn¡¯t beat around a bush and briskly got to the point, I was impressed by his apparent competence. -¡± Deal? ¡° -¡± ...half a pay¡­ ¡° Nerdmage muttered quietly, but under composed, authoritative gaze of the rogue he quickly relented. -¡± Um, yes, of course, deal. ¡° Nerdmage agreed uncertainly. -¡± Good. ¡° The rogue noded lightly. -¡± Let¡¯s get the introductions out of the way. I am Kayden Windbrook, I am dealing with recon and decisionmaking. ¡° He spoke in a professional manner, quickly getting to the point. -¡± That¡¯s William, a combat specialist, he¡¯s in charge of patrols and guard duty. ¡° Then he inclined his head to a girl. -¡± And that¡¯s Lylah, a bard, she is taking care of the camp. What about you? ¡° -¡± Um¡­ ¡° Nerdmage started out uncertainly, in a weak voice. -¡± They call me Reed, and I know magic¡­ er¡­ of a destructive kind. ¡° Then he added as an afterthought. -¡± I can summon demons too. ¡° -¡± Understood, we depart in twenty minutes. Don¡¯t be late. ¡° I was impressed by Kayden¡¯s impartial response to mage¡¯s lame words, as I couldn¡¯t find any signs of distaste in them. Without another word the rogue turned away and left the room, but I was already looking back at the warrior, who, with a loud rumble, retrieved a bundle that was lying on a chair next to him. It was a sword and mace tied together with leather cords. But what really got my attention was a strange gaze that Lylah was giving me, as our gazes met she scowled cutely and rose up to leave the room together with a warrior. -¡± What are you doing, you good for nothing imp? ¡° Nerdmage suddenly started ordering me around. -¡± Grab my baggage and lets go. ¡° A malicious thought appeared in my mind as I approached an extremely large backpack, but before my menacing paws reached the prize nerdmage added. -¡± And make sure you don¡¯t damage it. ¡° -¡¯ Damn. ¡® I complained unhappily as I tried to pick up the backpack, which turned out to be ungodly heavy due to rectangular shapes inside. -¡¯ Freakin¡¯ nerd! Why does he carry so much damn books around! ¡® Burdened, with a backpack bigger than I was, and exhausted after a journey down the stairs, I passed a big room full of tables and chairs, and finally arrived on a street. Due to straining weight on my back, and painfully bent wings, I barely noticed stares of the people that I passed on my way. -¡± Iuuuu¡­ ¡° I whined a complaint, as I slowly placed the unyielding weight on a street outside the inn. -¡¯ I even can¡¯t drop the damn thing¡­ ¡® I complained in my thoughts as I got free of my burden. Finally free, I quickly looked around in curiosity. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. It was a first time that I could witness a medieval village made in an european style. Thatched roofs, wooden buildings sometimes covered with rough plaster, cobblestones of a main road and unpaved ground of side alleys¡­ I was feasting my eyes on the unfamiliar sights and on strangely clad people that passed me. They wore all kinds of historic gear - breeches, tunics, leather armors, chain mails¡­ there was everything and I almost couldn¡¯t get enough of it. -¡¯ Hmm, that¡¯s a first time that I enjoy outside, since like forever¡­ ¡° A sudden thought about my previous life suddenly sobered me up, and made me aware of the details that spoiled my idyllic moment. Smell of piss, spoiled beer, animal excrements, rotten things and sweat brought me back to reality. -¡± ...wh...what do you l-like...¡± I finally registered a nearby conversation between Lylah and nerdmage, who was stuttering and doing his best to sound like an idiot. -¡± ...I mean...like... what you are interested in! ¡° He finally exclaimed loudly. I quickly stifled a thought that I wasn¡¯t faring much better in my previous life. Lylah stopped looking at a ground behind me and turned her attention to the looser. -¡± ...ah¡­ sorry. What were you saying? ¡° She spoke absentmindedly. -¡± Um, I¡­ sorry¡­ I mean if you need something I will help! ¡° Somehow, nerdmage managed to respond. -¡± Also, I know a lot! You need only to ask! ¡° -¡± I see. ¡° Lylah spoke slowly and looked at me with curiosity. -¡± Why do demons look so grotesque, but somehow cute? ¡° -¡± W-what do you mean?! ¡° Nerdmage stuttered and exclaimed loudly. -¡± Like, those¡­ ¡° Lylah pointed at my paws. -¡± ...they don¡¯t look dangerous at all. ¡° Without looking, nerdmage waved a hand in the air with superiority and started speaking in all knowing manner. -¡± Demons often take misleading forms to lure and deceive the unwary. You shouldn¡¯t bother with such a minor demon, I assure you that I can summon much bigg¡­ ¡° He suddenly stopped as Lylah approached me, which made both me and nerdmage uncomfortable. -¡± You said that you can control it perfectly, right? ¡° Lylah asked innocently as she bent down. -¡± Y-yes! ¡° Nerdmage exclaimed in a panicked voice. -¡± Imp, you cannot harm her under no circumstance! ¡° Taken aback, I tried to retreat from the approaching girl, but I was stopped. -¡± Stay there. ¡° My eyes went wide with uncertainty, as Lylah approached, her emerald eyes brimmin with curiosity. -¡± I knew it! They aren¡¯t sharp at all! ¡° A small tingle made me giggle and writhe a bit as she touched my dulled claws. -¡± Actually they are kind of nice to the touch. ¡° She exclaimed as my claws grazed across her hand. -¡± What do you mean? Demons have sharp claws, that¡¯s common knowledge! ¡° Nerdmage bent down to look too, but he couldn¡¯t see anything. -¡± Excuse me. ¡° A calm voice suddenly interrupted. -¡± Since everyone¡¯s dillydallying I assume that the preparations are taken care of. ¡° Kayden was standing nearby and looking at us expectantly, William was behind him. -¡± Um, of c-course. ¡° Nerdmage quickly jumped back, as if caught red handed. -¡± Yes, let us go. ¡° Lylah quickly stood up and went to grab her backpack, nerdmage came up to her trying to offer help with carrying it, but she smiled and shook her head, which made me elated and my summoner sulky. I was wondering where and how we were departing, but a merchant wagon that stopped next to our group made everything obvious. A stockily built man pulled the reins and exclaimed a lively greeting . -¡± Greetings, I hope you are all ready for the journey. ¡° After a slight pause to see that there was no disagreement he continued. -¡± Then pack your bags inside¡­ ¡° His gaze traveled to nerdmage¡¯s baggage. -¡± Though that big one you will need to carry yourself. ¡° -¡± You heard the man, take my baggage and let us go. ¡° To my horror nerdmage issued a soul crushing order. -¡± And make sure you don¡¯t damage it! ¡° And so we walked out of the village... with me miserable under the heavy weight. ======================== Hey~, Author''s Here~ Today we''ve got another nice graphic from our dear Owlbear general, he''s done a really good job with it. Enjoy! *If image does not display, here''s a link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5MfJqSXtu7Fd3AtU0Y3Q1BJZTA/view Well, I hope you liked today''s chapter, see ya in a week * :P Cheers, Mea *Or earlier, as I will answer any comments/questions you might have (tho questions about locations of my magical weapon caches, treasures or other secrets are off limits). NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 9 - The Exclusion http://royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=32301 Chapter 9 - The Exclusion Chapter 9 - The Exclusion Next few hours weren¡¯t much different from digging bedrock in hell, just endless ordeal of lugging the baggage while everyone else leisurely strolled next to the merchant¡¯s wagon. Only thing that changed was a scenery, instead of hellish pits I had to toil on a road leading through a peaceful, lush countryside consisting of gentle rolling hills and occasional thickets. I sent another hateful glance to the nerdmage who was yet again trying to approach Lylah, that rode on the back of the wagon. Her cheerful smile and curious eyes that darted everywhere, as if seeing everything for a first time, was the only thing that uplifted my mood. That, and thought about a generous pay that I will receive after the contract is complete. -¡± Are you sure about taking him? ¡° My thoughts were interrupted by a gruff whisper of the warrior, he and the rogue distanced themselves from the wagon, but that brought them closer to me, and it seems that my hearing got better since I become an imp. -¡± You know that I trust your judgment, but when I look at him I keep getting second thoughts¡­ ¡° -¡± Look at him as an extra insurance. ¡° Rogue responded in a half voice, which were actually harder to overhear, and it made me shiver, there was no malice in his voice, but the cold calculation and open disregard were even scarier. -¡± The roads aren¡¯t as safe as they used to be and I haggled additional twenty percent, so we are still ahead since he gets half a pay. ¡° Kayden smirked. -¡± Also, I still remember how you complained about unloading cargo in Earthcrest village, guess who will do it when we are busy with other assignments¡­ ¡° -¡± Iuuuu. ¡° I felt like crying and a low whine escaped from my mouth, I already knew who will be unloading cargo in the end. -¡± Humph¡­ ¡° Warrior gave out a small laugh and patted the rogue on the shoulder. -¡± Thanks, I am really glad that you are the boss. You always think about us. ¡° William gave the rouge a final pat and began to walk away. -¡± But of course, we make a good team after all. ¡° Kayden responded to the warriors back, his voice silvery. I was gripped by a cold feeling while I was watching Kayden, there was a great discrepancy between his warm words and freezing cold smile that he had on his face when he thought no one''s watching. Suddenly he looked to the side and our gazes met. He didn¡¯t change his cold expression at all, but I knew that he must have realized that I was somehow able to overhear his conversation. His gaze slowly moved from me to the mage and then back, a cold smirk appeared on Kayden¡¯s face as he turned away. -¡¯ Scary! ¡® I thought as a wave of relief rushed through my body. I have never felt so happy, for being ignored, in my life. -¡¯ Or not¡­ ¡® I shivered as I remembered my awakening as an imp, with a menacing fiend pacing next to me. I quickly shook my head to banish the thought and looked at Lylah, she wore breeches, a short leather skirt, a linen shirt and a vest. I couldn¡¯t help but look at her slim legs. Suddenly, I realized that she was approaching me and where I was looking, and I quickly tried to look up. My questing gaze went upward, where I noticed that her breasts, hidden under the vest, didn¡¯t really seem that big¡­ In panic, I closed my eyes and shook my head, in a desperate attempt to hide my wicked deeds. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. -¡± Why is it shaking like that? Is it sick? ¡° Her shrill voice seemed caring, and it made me feel really bad for my deplorable thoughts from earlier. -¡± Maybe you shouldn¡¯t put it under so much weight? ¡° I was embraced by a really warm feeling upon hearing those words. I opened my eyes and looked hopefully at the nerdmage. -¡± Nonsense. ¡° But my hopes were dashed in an instant, as he started explaining in a self important voice. -¡± Imps are made to work hard! Did you know that when Archmage Naleus tried to order them to dig up cellars for his new castle they complained about the stone being too soft? ¡° -¡± Oh, I see. So it¡¯s just happy from working hard! ¡° Lylah¡¯s cute and caring words almost brought me to tears with their naivety. -¡± Castle probably fell sooniuuu¡­.aiiii..urrrkk?! ¡° I started to ask what happened to the castle in the end, but my voice suddenly failed. -¡± Iuuaik? Nooiu? ¡° I lost my words somehow, and when I tried to speak a strange feeling in my throat made words turn into incomprehensible garble. -¡± Ehh, wait? It can speak? ¡° Lylah asked in an amazed voice. -¡± Grabh? ¡° I tried, fruitlessly, to speak again and then looked at the nerdmage, who was concentrating really hard¡­ -¡¯ Damn bastard! It¡¯s his fault I can¡¯t speak! ¡® -¡± N-no¡­ ¡° Nerdmage spoke through clenched teeth with effort. -¡± O-only big o-ones can speak p-properly. Small ones m-manage to speak a random word from time to time. ¡° Nerdmage looked into my eyes and spoke directly to me. -¡± Small demons can¡¯t speak. ¡° I was sure that he placed some sort of compulsion on me. -¡± Oh¡­ I see. ¡° Lylah said in a disheartened voice. -¡± Why are you speaking so strangely? ¡° She suddenly asked nerdmage a million dollar question. -¡± Strange? Me? Ahahaha¡­ ¡° He put a hand behind his head and tried to laugh it off, and it made him look like a totally guilty retard. -¡± I am not strange¡­ I mean! I am not speaking anything strange, right? Aha-ha? ¡° -¡± I guess¡­ ¡° Lylah started with an uncertain voice, but the damned mage got saved by a dumb stroke of luck. -¡± Ey, you are falling behind! ¡° A booming voice of the merchant resounded from afar. -¡± It¡¯s too early for making stops yet! Get moving! ¡° Lylah and nerdmage ran after the wagon, and I had no choice but to follow, with a crushing weight on my back. Soon, they reached the wagon, but it took me quite a bit longer to catch up, especially since merchant sped up a bit. And so my ordeal continued, though it made me realize that while mage¡¯s orders were absolute he had to speak to make them last, and controlling me with his mind took quite a bit of effort. ======================== Hey~, Author''s Here~ I hope you liked today''s chap, I know its a bit short, but a weekly release is quite taxing in a long run. To compensate for it I will let you know a secret - we, together with Owlbear General, are making a mini comic for this fiction, which will be published together with next chapter. Look forward to it. [Ha, I already looked! It''s good... ] [ - Stop! No spoilers! ] Cheers, Mea NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 10 Chapter 10 - The Acclimation Chapter 10 - The Acclimation With great effort, I was able to catch up with the wagon, but there was no time to celebrate that minor victory, because immediately after the merchant sped up even further, so much that even William and Kayden had to lengthen their strides and march. I began to fall behind, though that had not gone unnoticed by the nerdmage. -¡± Ey, stop slacking and keep up, that¡¯s an order! ¡° He commanded and an uncomfortable, gripping feeling seized my very soul. I sent a vengeful glare at the nerdmage, who somehow managed to squeeze on the wagon next to Lylah, and redoubled my efforts to keep up with the wagon. Despite my small size and crushing weight on my back I was able to somehow keep up with the dreadful pace. As time progressed, I began to realize that something strange was happening. I began to panic, as the new sensation was identical to the feverish feeling of burning mana, which I had when overexerting myself in hell. -¡¯ That¡¯s unfair! I will be forced to burn all the mana that I will receive from this summon! ¡® A tearful complaint appeared in my mind and feeling of helplessness, at the injustice, engulfed me. But, after a time, I become aware of another thing. My strength was not dwindling, despite exertion, and I wasn¡¯t getting hungry, like before, instead, there was something akin to an electric, tingling wind that slowly seeped into me. It replenished my mana reserves and made me keep going. -¡± Ou?! ¡° A surprised yelp escaped my mouth when a conclusion finally dawned on me. My gaze darted in the direction from which the invisible wind was coming from, to the nerdmage. -¡¯ I see! He can¡¯t force me to spend my mana, and has to substitute his own! ¡® I have realized another thing, of which I was only marginally aware until then. -¡¯ Imps can¡¯t get tired, if I overexert myself I lose some mana, but that¡¯s that¡­ which means... ¡® My gaze yet again rested on the nerdmage, who was showing Lylah some book that he had pulled from somewhere. Fact that she wasn¡¯t paying any attention to the mage was a small consolation. -¡± Aiii! ¡° A tearful yiell made everyone look at me strangely, but I didn¡¯t care, as I felt like crying. Everything that happened until then suddenly turned into a whole picture. -¡¯ The mana, that I earned in the laundry¡­ after sooo much work¡­ and then lost it all during digging¡­ ¡® I stopped looking at the mage and hanged my head in defeat. -¡¯ ...and he just casually spends that much to keep me going¡­ how much one needs to work in hell to earn enough for anything?! ¡® I already had an idea what the answer to that question was. -¡± Stop doing strange things! ¡° Nerdmage ordered and I followed, obediently, after the wagon. My spirit crushed. To my miserable self time seemed to twist into a seamless loop of placing one leg in front of the other, and then repeating the action over and over, all the while a burden of the giant backpack weighed me down. -¡± Where are you going? You stupid demon. ¡° My timeless ordeal was suddenly interrupted by an annoyed command of the nerdmage. -¡± We are staying here for the night. Come here and prepare my tent! ¡° In stupor, I looked around and discovered that the merchant¡¯s wagon was stopped on the side of the road. Lylah gave me a curious glance as she retrieved a small cauldron from her baggage and took it to the campfire, which was being set by William. Suddenly, a nauseating, invisible weight rested on my mind, forcing me to immediately approach the nerdmage. Before I comprehended what was happening I was carefully unpacking the baggage and preparing the tent. -¡¯ Grrr, damn nerd. Why is he bringing all this crap around¡­ ¡® I complained in my mind, while rummaging for missing parts of the tent in the backpack. I never went camping and it took me a long time to erect the tent correctly. In the meantime everyone else finished their preparations and gathered. Left alone, in the coming nightfall, I wistfully looked at the scene of people gathering near the fire. Lylah was cooking, while Kayden and merchant sat together and talked about something quietly. A delicious smell, which was coming from the cauldron, reached me and I couldn¡¯t help but drool, even though I wasn¡¯t hungry. -¡± Ha, judging by smell alone I bet it''s going to be delicious. ¡° Kayden¡¯s silvery voice suddenly resounded in a peaceful silence. -¡± Maybe I should have hired you as a cook instead of supporter¡­ ¡° A bold declaration and roguish smile made Lylah blush, she quickly covered her embarrassment by handing the first bowl of goulash to the rogue. -¡± Please, don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t joke like that. ¡° She stuttered cutely and quickly turned to the cauldron to prepare another bowl. I was struck by Kayden¡¯s duality, when everyone turned their attention to Lylah his smile froze and turned into an impassive mask. It was a really unsettling sight, and I couldn¡¯t stop the shiver at seeing the cold calculation in a seemingly jovial and caring man. Lylah started handing the bowls to others and I wanted to pull out my hair, from jealousy, upon seeing nerdmage¡¯s shaking hands and flushed face when he accepted the bowl with a weak -¡± T-thank you! ¡° -¡± A truly splendid dish indeed, Miss. ¡° Merchant smiled broadly and exclaimed in a deep voice. -¡± Maybe I should hire you to accompany me on other routes? ¡° -¡± I should certainly ask madam Petunia about that. ¡° Lylah responded playfully and sat down with her own bowl. -¡± Um, on second thought I think that maybe someone more manly¡­ I mean versed in combat, would be more fitting. ¡° Merchant suddenly panicked and made vague gesture in the air. -¡± My wife certainly wouldn¡¯t mind that! ¡° The group bursted into laughter, which was soon joined uncertainly by the nerdmage, who obviously haven¡¯t grasped the point. I sat down and watched as everyone lively enjoyed their time in front of the fire. I was struck by a deep sadness and regret upon remembering my previous life, where I didn¡¯t have any friends either. -¡¯ Just like that nerd¡­ ¡® I thought while looking at the mage, but my animosity had lost it edge. Somehow, it felt like I was the loser, just like him. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Abruptly, my self depreciating meditation was interrupted, by Lylah. -¡± Shouldn¡¯t we feed your demon too? ¡° She asked innocently, and I was struck by her kindness. -¡± Nonsense. It¡¯s a demon, they don¡¯t need to eat.. ¡° Mage started the speech, in his usual haughty manner, but before he could make his point I decided to take my own action. I didn¡¯t care about my pride as I jumped forward and let out a low whine. -¡± Uiiiu¡­ ¡° I looked directly at Lylah while scratching the cauldron with my dull claws. -¡± Aww, isn¡¯t it adorable¡­ ¡° Lylah started, but before she could finish I felt an alien will upon myself. Without warning, mage¡¯s compulsion forced me to run away. -¡± W-wai¡­ Why did it run away¡­ ¡° She asked slowly and suddenly noticed the pale faced mage. -¡± It was you! Wasn¡¯t it? What did you do? ¡° Mage lost his concentration and I stopped several meters away from the camp. I could see him desperately trying to explain the situation, but with the charisma he had there were no chances to recover after being seen through. I grew jubilant when Lylah motioned to the mage to be silent and get away from her. I returned to the campfire while Lylah prepared a bowl for me. Feeling grateful, I approached her and hugged her leg, rubbing my face against her knee. I marvelled at the feeling of a smooth and soft surface under the leather, and a flowery scent mixed with something else. Abruptly, a bowl was placed next to me and I realized what I was doing. Ashamed by my actions I grabbed the bowl and escaped into the night. -¡¯ Argh! Why I had to become all pervy out of a sudden! ¡® I despaired silently, while barely stopping myself from bashing my head against a nearest tree. I anxiously looked back and noticed uncertain, but not hateful, look on Lylah¡¯s face. -¡¯ Ah, she didn¡¯t realize. ¡® I wanted to cry in relief. Lylah stopped looking after me and lowered a hand, which was raised in an uncertain gesture. I watched silently as she went back to her place near the fire. My gaze darted curiously in a direction of the nerdmage, who was sulking a distance away from fire. Suddenly he raised his head and looked around, animosity vividly painted on his face. At that moment I realized that he was trying to find me and that I still had Lylah¡¯s bowl of goulash. As an urgent call, issued by the Master, descended on me I desperately gripped the bowl and poured its contents into my mouth - satisfied that its width allowed me to complete the task swiftly. Unfortunately, I had little time to savour the thick, spicy broth. As I swallowed the goulash an unbearable pressure forced me to run to the Master, who gave me a hateful glare. -¡± What have you done with Lady Lylah¡¯s meal, you stupid beast!? ¡° He asked in insistent whisper. Obligated to obey, I pointed at my belly, what brought sigh of desperation from the nerdmage. -¡± How could you! To desecrate lovely Lylah¡¯s¡­ Spit it out! I won¡¯t allow you to¡­ ¡° The moment ambiguous command was issued I used it as an excuse to spit on his boots. -¡± How dare you, you mesly demon! I will¡­ ¡° I was elated by the small success, but simultaneously scared by the murderous intent that suddenly flashed in mage¡¯s eyes. -¡± Reed? You good? ¡° William¡¯s concerned question resounded strongly, making me realize that agitated nerd had raised his voice. -¡± Umm, y-yes please don¡¯t be c-concerned. ¡° Nerdmage responded in a surprised voice, momentarily losing his scary qualities. -¡± Try to avoid getting too far from the camp, who knows what monsters can roam nearby. ¡° William sat back down and seemed to lose interest upon hearing the response. -¡± I-i will be right back! ¡° Nerdmage said unnecessarily and gave me another scary look. -¡± This is not over, you fiend! ¡° He whispered hatefully as he turned his back on me and headed to the campfire. I sighed a breath of relief and wandered back to collect my bowl. The moment I picked it a strange thought appeared in my mind. I quickly looked around and located other bowls. As the time passed and everyone began to fall asleep, apart from William who was on watch, I sneaked in close and patiently retrieved all of the bowls while making sure I was not seen. Then, using the nightvision of which I become aware after the nightfall, I started looking for a place where I could clean up the bowls. My gaming sense told me that there surely should be a source of water nearby. After locating a small brook I washed the bowls, then I sneaked back to the camp and placed them nearby, on a blanket. I smiled to myself with pride and got struck with a thought that it was a first time that I had done anything for anyone, in my previous life I had never even washed my own dishes. A bit upset by my thoughts I laid down and tried to fall asleep, eventually falling into an uneasy dream of continuous digging while imp, which looked just like a Soul Keeper, waved a disembodied arm to encourage me, the scariest part was that she didn¡¯t wave her own arm but somebody¡¯s, and she took a bite out of it from time to time. Suddenly I was woken up by an alarmed voice. -¡± Everyone! Wake up, something''s coming. Get Ready! ¡° I looked around groggily, noticing William''s gigantic silhouette which was readying a big sword. And then I heard a sound of something loudly approaching through the underbrush¡­ and I was sure that it wasn¡¯t alone... [Meanwhile in Hell] ImpComic01 =================== Hey~, Author''s Here~ I hope you liked today''s chapter, as promised we have prepared a bit of Mini Comic, if you passed over it the link is just above equation marks. Also, I have organized whole Art repository and now you can browse all of currently released pictures. (Link is below in my signature [Art(with Owlbear General]). Big thanks to Owlbear General who drafted and colorized all of the CG art and also decided to immortalize the scene in a form of a comic. Cheers, Mea NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 I looked in the direction the sound was coming from, my gaze somehow pierced the cover of darkness. I saw shadowy silhouettes moving between the trees, forcing their way through the bushes. I was frozen by a dreadful, unwanted memory. -¡¯ Why the orcs again? ¡® A whining complaint resounded in my mind, past events vividly refreshed by the approaching brutes. -¡± Reed! ¡° Suddenly, I heard a commanding shout, it seemed to project calmness and assurance, making me snap out of my stupor. -¡± Procure some light spell! We need to counter their night vision! ¡° -¡± Erh¡­? ¡° A stifled, confused gasp escaped the nerdmage. -¡± I...I-i don¡¯t¡­ I mean light spell¡­ ¡° He was stuttering and gesturing in panic, he looked like he couldn¡¯t recall or didn¡¯t know any such spell. -¡± F-fireball¡­ ¡° He whispered under his breath. -¡± Damn, too late, goblins already on us! Be on guard everyone! ¡° Alerted by Kayden¡¯s command, I looked around, only then I noticed small silhouettes that had gotten really close under the cover of the bushes. They were stunted, wrinkled and ugly, I inadvertently noticed that they had a really big noses. -¡¯ And spears! ¡® A panicked thought appeared as the nearest, and seemingly the meanest, goblin looked at me with a small, beady eyes. We looked at each other measuringly, both seemingly alerted by each other¡¯s appearance. In the corner of my vision I noticed rogue throwing something in the air and the standstill was broken. -¡± Cover your eyes! ¡° Kayden shouted just before a blinding light erupted from the sky, bringing out screams of pain from me and the goblins. -¡± Get as many you can while they are down! ¡° I fell helplessly to the ground, my eyes burning from the flash of searing luminosity. -¡± Already on it! ¡° William¡¯s calm voice was punctuated by a whooshing of his sword coupled with a sickening sounds of cleaved meat and bone. Inhuman, high pitched screams resounded from everywhere while I struggled in panic, scared by the blindness. Sloshy and crunchy sounds of the goblin massacre should be sickening, but somehow that was not the case. A strange, inciting feeling arose from somewhere deep within me. Led by impulse I arose to my feet, my fear forgotten, drowned out by the unknown, inciting sensation. I licked my mouth in anticipation, some sort of craving was rising within me. -¡± Airgh!¡­ ¡° Scream of a dying goblin suddenly awoke something within me, my blind gaze instantly focused on a dying monster. My unseeing eyes somehow retained some sort of vision, I could still perceive a strange. glowing mist hanging in the air. Obeying the strange impulse I ran to the mist¡­ ...and bit it. A foul taste spread through my mouth. -¡¯ A goblin...er...wait...what?! ¡® For a brief moment I regained a semblance of sanity, but it was drowned out by an energizing, exciting sensation that rushed through my body. I wasn¡¯t sure what was happening, but a craving to just get more of the addictively energizing mist made me forget everything. Unthinking, I continued to gnaw on the mist, oblivious to what was happening around me - only the exhilarating feeling of consuming it mattered. Abruptly, it ended. I consumed all of it, but one unseeing look around made me realize that there was much more of it just lying around. I rushed to a freshest and juiciest one, biting at it vehemently. It was thicker and stronger, a corner of my mind screamed something about an orc, but I paid it no mind. -¡± Awk! ¡° A gasping sound suddenly penetrated through my feeding frenzy. By an utmost effort of will I looked up, noticing a golden, magnificent halo in front of me. My eyes were blind, but urged by a thought that it was really important for me to see I tried to focus on the thing before me. To my surprise, an exhilarating feeling within me suddenly obeyed and my eyes were engulfed by a warm sensation. My eyesight returned abruptly, showing me a terrified expression on Lylah¡¯s face, who looked like an angel due to a golden halo surrounding her. My mind went blank as I tried to comprehend the situation. I was grasping a dead orc, more than thrice my size, and I was gnawing at its skull, while Lylah¡¯s blade was still buried in the neck of the monster. *Crack* The time seemed to stop when the thick skull suddenly gave way and caved in with a crunching sound, I haven¡¯t realized that I kept trying to bite through it. Lylah¡¯s face turned green and she fell back to her knees and to retched; her blade left forgotten. Like in one of those enchanting moments, where time seems to slow down to a crawl, I looked around, trying to disbelieve the situation I was in. But the reality was far from enchanting. The orc, the goblins and the aftertaste, they didn¡¯t want to disappear, and at the same time I felt something akin to a loss - that I could feel no revulsion, despite all the gory, revolting things that were happening. -¡¯ Things which I was doing¡­ ¡® Distraught with the thought I tried to focus on anything else, to take my mind away from the dreadful reality. William was beset by three orcs, but he gave no ground. With a mighty swing he cleaved an opponent''s head, and quickly twisted to skillfully block a blow from the other opponent¡¯s axe, the shaft impotently bounced off the sword just above the hilt guard. Third orc tried to use the opening to strike at William¡¯s exposed side, but a nearby shadow suddenly sprang upward, extending a gleaming blade that struck the orc in the armpit, swiftly piercing its heart. As quickly as he appeared Kayden fell back down, turning into a low shadowy object, that was really hard to keep a track of. -¡± To a depths below, I issue a call! ¡° I looked behind me, alarmed by the chanted words. The nerdmage was being attacked by an orc and I wanted to cheer for it when it swung its axe down, unfortunately nerdmage was somehow able to sidestep the overhead blow. As an orc tried to backhand the mage in the face, which gave me a really warm feeling, the mage touched orc¡¯s side and finished the chant. -¡± Flamma Inferni! ¡° If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Orc suddenly let out a bellowing scream in the air. An orange flame erupted from its mouth while its body began to shine with orange light. I watched in morbid fascination while the orc was consumed by the fire raging inside it. Orc melted, its eyeballs and skin seemed to turn into a vax and flow down its body, all the while the beast continued to scream in agony, letting out a pillar of flame from its mouth. A rustle and a sliver of motion on edge of my vision made me alerted to something happening to my side, I was a bit glad for my widened field of view when I noticed that the mean goblin from earlier was charging. I was terrified when I noticed that it was heading for Lylah, who was still helplessly kneeling on the ground. Without thinking I rushed to intercept the goblin and somehow succeeded in blocking its way. A late thought appeared in my mind. -¡¯ How exactly am I supposed to stop a charging goblin wielding a spear? ¡® But the thought came in too late, the rusty blade struck me and pierced my chest. The pain was agonizing, but nothing compared to the tortures of hell. Forced back by pain and impact I flailed my hand and struck at the painful implement, somehow breaking the shaft. Certain that I was dying, I lunged for the surprised goblin and lashed at it with my claws. First blow hit the monster across the face, forcing it back, while the second encountered thin arm raised in defense. The second blow shattered the goblin¡¯s forearm, giving off a satisfying crunch. Before I could mete out a third blow the goblin suddenly reacted and bull rushed me, our collision forced the blade in my chest even deeper. I tried to scratch at the goblin¡¯s back, but my dull claws couldn¡¯t do much harm. I felt despair dawning on me when I felt another blade piercing my side. -¡¯ Damn thing must have a knife! ¡® I thought while redoubling my efforts at clawing. -¡± Rghhh! ¡° The goblin growled as it continue to stab at my belly and side. I felt hopeless, while the piercing pain continued to come from my body. I noticed that the previous exhilarating sensation was waning, seemingly gathering in the wounds left by the goblin. I could feel weakness and hunger approaching swiftly. In despair I tried to push the goblin away from me, which produced a surprising result. The goblin was thrown few meters back and gasped in pain from its broken arm. -¡± Ashhs! ¡° Our gazes crossed, I could glimpse respect, malice and hatred in the beady eyes of my opponent, but before anything more could happen a sharp pain in the back of my mind appeared. -¡± Damn imp! Come save...Serve! Your master¡± Nerdmage¡¯s urgent command forced me to turn back and run to him. I tried to oppose with all my might, but inexorable grasp on my mind didn¡¯t even let me turn my head to see what was happening to Lylah! I was still in anguish when me and the mage suddenly passed each other. I was confused for a second and tried to understand where he was running, then a group of orcs ran into me, knocking me to the side. Still under the compulsion I rose to my feet and jumped on the back of one of the running orc. I tried to claw and bite at it, but in my position I couldn¡¯t penetrate orc¡¯s chainmail. The feeling of power from earlier was gone. While I was fruitlessly trying to break through the armor a familiar gentle breeze of power appeared ,entering my veins and strengthening me. I felt my claws growing back, long and sharp, due to the new energy that must have been sent by the nerdmage. When my new claws found opening in the chainmail the orc tried to shake me off, but my new claws firmly nestled themselves between the metal rings of his armor. With my position secured I used my free hand to slash at orc¡¯s body. With a surprising ease my claws found their way past the armor and the orc stopped its efforts to shake me off. Instead, the orc fell down on its back trying to crush me underneath its weight. It turned out to be a bad idea because the combined strength of my arms and his weight allowed my hand to fully pierce the chainmail and bury itself deep within orc back. I made a grasping motion inside his wet and soft flesh, a familiar hunger started rear its nasty head again. The orc gave out a final shiver and died, I could feel the familiar, delicious mist hovering just inches away from me, but before the feeding frenzy began an urgent compulsion forced me to untangle myself from under the big body. I rose to my feet and saw the nerdmage beset by the orcs. There were three crisped orc bodies lying on the ground, another orc just began screaming in agony, affected by the hellish spell from earlier. Urged by the compulsion I started running to help the mage, but at that moment one of the orcs punched him across the face, knocking him out instantly. I was somehow jubilant when I saw the red o the blood mixed with the white of the shattered teeth. Though I still continued to run, but the distance seemed to stretch out, farther and farther, turning into an expanse, so wast that it was nigh impossible to traverse. At that moment I realized that my summoning must have been undone and I was being forced back into Hell. In the last moments I tried to find out what happened to Lylah, but the reality was stretched at an impossible angles and I couldn¡¯t find her. Then the sensation of being compressed befell me, together with a feeling of motion. I was pulled across the dimensions, headed straight into Hell. * * * I looked around, noticing that I appeared in a familiar room. A despaired yelp escaped my mouth, the pit of tar below me was also familiar¡­ =========== Hey~, Author''s Here~ I hope you liked today''s chapter. I seem to have made a blunder with picking the naming convention for the chapters and will need to figure out a new one. Anyway, see ya next chapter. Cheers, Mea Ps Comments are welcome. NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Chapter 12 After my materialization over a pool of tar I swore to myself that I would do my best at being a better demon. The torturous torment of scalding tar, coupled with that one moment¡­ I shook my head to try and forget Lylah''s face twisted in disgust. Somehow all the events since my death made something within me snap, forcing me to accept one simple truth. -¡¯ My old life was gone. ¡® It was a disturbing thought, but at the same time, a liberating one. Falling into pool of boiling tar was bad, crawling out of it was incomparably worse, but I managed. Somehow, after countless tries, I was able to find an opening in the stone, that was wide enough for my claw to fit, and allow me enough leverage to pull myself up, and then find another and another. I was worn down after climbing measly meter, but having to do it while covered in scalding liquid was an extremely hard and painful ordeal. I was somewhat recovered after spending some time on the ground near the tar pit. Finally I managed to gather enough strength to look around. I saw a small. petite figure of the Soul Keeper impassively sitting on a nearby stone throne and reading a book. A real book, not the strange book that was used for work and levitating nearby, though it certainly had a medieval look to it. I felt a sting of dismay appearing in my mind, but I pushed it away, not wanting to end up in a worse situation than I was. -¡± Khm, excuseme? ¡° I tried to interrupt politely and was rewarded with a frightening look of the eyes that burned with yellow light and were pursed into thin, angry slits. -¡± I d-don¡¯t want to interrupt, b-but I don¡¯t know how to return to my post. ¡® I asked uncertainly and stuttered twice despite my utmost effort. -¡± I am really sorry! ¡° I exclaimed and fell to my knees, deciding that it''s better to be subservient than sorry and in pain. -¡± It¡¯s you again¡­ ¡° The thoughtful words filled the air with a growing tension. I was unsure what was going to happen. -¡± You know it''s troublesome to handle you every time¡­ ¡° My heart would probably froze from dread which I heard upon hearing those words. -¡± Just let me know how to return, I won¡¯t bother you! I swear! ¡° I pleaded desperately. -¡± Hmm¡­ ¡° I could almost feel evaluating gaze passing over me. -¡± ...I can sell you a tracking amulet¡­ ¡° Soul Keeper seemed to weigh its options, speaking slowly, bringing me on a verge of tears which I couldn¡¯t shed . -¡± ...But, can you pay for it? ¡° -¡± I-i don¡¯t know. No one explained anything to me! ¡° My voice was weak and I sighed in my mind, already accepting the fact that some sort of punishment was unavoidable. The Soul Keeper sighed in annoyance. -¡± Let me check you then¡­ ¡° After a moment, of nothing happening, the Keeper exclaimed in a satisfied voice. -¡± You have some! Enough for the amulet and my trouble. Here¡¯s the item. ¡° I heard a thud in front of my face and I looked at a small, stone attached to a metal chain that was lying before me. -¡± It¡¯s going to show you the route to any place you desire, in hell of course. That way you will never get lost and bother me again. ¡° The suddenly prideful and cheerful voice of Keeper freaked me out, it was scary to see the sudden changes of the mood. -¡± A-and how do I pay up? ¡° I asked uncertainly. -¡± Oh right ,there¡¯s that¡­ ¡° Keeper looked at me measuringly and clicked the tongue loudly. -¡± You got enough for a plate or I can just drain you, which one¡¯s you prefer? ¡° I didn¡¯t like the mention of draining so I asked. -¡± What¡¯s that plate that you have mentioned? ¡° -¡± A minor magical item, it allows you to pour your mana into it and creates mana crystal of corresponding mass. ¡° The Keeper¡¯s eyes were shining, or rather it was almost as if they were sparkling. -¡± Where do you get them from? ¡° I asked gripped by sudden curiosity. -¡± I make them! ¡° The Keeper smiled widely, presenting a wide array of needle-like teeth. -¡± I will gladly buy both items from you, if you are sure that I can afford them. ¡° I spoke cautiously, while picking the amulet from the ground. Whole thing seemed like a dream, with scarily jubilant Soul Keeper jumping around and explaining how the items work. I hoped that it wasn¡¯t a scam, as I was not in a position to negotiate. The deal was soon concluded and I hurriedly left the cave. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. The amulet seemed to work, though its use was¡­ peculiar. It was like following a car navigation system that spoke left, right, up and down in a shrill voice of the Soul Keeper which only I could hear. Still, it allowed me to quickly find my way to the imp cave. Taught by my previous ordeal I was extremely cautious while on the road and I managed to get into the crowd and avoid any troubles. I sighed in satisfaction when the cave entrance appeared before me and I managed to get into it safely. After venturing deeper in I got into a place where imps from my shift rested. Actually I wasn¡¯t sure that those were from my shift, but there was the one with a glowing horns sleeping in a corner. As if woken up by my presence the imp jumped up and rushed to me. I wasn¡¯t sure how I could tell, but he seemed¡­ ragged. -¡± Wha¡­ ¡° I started but he interrupted me instantly. -¡± Give it! You must give it back. ¡° He almost pleaded at my feet. -¡± What? ¡° I asked again and was rewarded with being grabbed by the shoulders and shaken fervently. -¡± The seal! I need it back! ¡° He spoke desperately. -¡± I don¡¯t want to dig anymore! Summonings¡¯ better than the new Overseer! ¡° -¡± If you really want it¡­ ¡° I started uncertainly and was shaken violently again. Annoyed by the overbearing imp I pushed him back, only then realizing that he was now smaller than me. I watched in surprise as he crashed on a nearby wall, though he was back on his feet, and me, almost instantly. -¡± Please give it to me! ¡° The imp with glowing horns changed the attitude and asked in a fervent, pleading tone. -¡± If this keeps up I will have to sell my horns! And I am already half my original size! ¡° -¡± Ok, ok! I will give it back! ¡° I said while trying to keep the imp away from hugging my feet. -¡± You hear? I will give it back! ¡° -¡¯ I wasn¡¯t sure what had happened, but the new Overseer didn¡¯t seem like that bad of a guy. ¡® Still, I felt a bit uncertain when I handed the seal back to the imp, who would have probably cried the tears of joy if it could. The imp put a seal on itself and it adhered to its body. -¡± Gotta grab the mana back and grow, gonna get the bastard! ¡° He whispered, suddenly collected, and, before I could blink, the imp was already at the cave exit. I shook my head in wonder, trying to comprehend strange and chaotic event. -¡¯ I guess that I should get my seal¡­ oh shit! ¡° I suddenly remembered that the horned imp was still owing me half the mana from the summoning! Without thinking I started chasing the imp, who was nowhere in sight. I stopped for a moment and touched my new tracking medallion, imagining the imp I was trying to pursue. Without warning a shrill, predatory voice that brimmed with promise of pain and menace resounded seemingly next to my ear, almost giving me a heart attack. -¡± Let the hunt begin~ ¡° I stopped for a moment, collecting my traumatized thoughts. -¡¯ Never again! ¡® I promised to myself upon realizing that the menacing voice belonged to the Soul Keeper, when it was in a particularly sadistic mood. I left the cave and arrived at a junction, unsure where I should be heading. When Soul Keeper¡¯s voice resounded next to my ear I instantly gave up on the chase. I just couldn¡¯t handle the menacing glee and returning memories. -¡± Did you know that drowning an imp in the cauldron of burning tar never seems to kill it? And the one¡¯s you''re looking for is to the left! ¡° I shook my head to dispel the nasty thought and returned to the cave, wondering what I should do now¡­ My gaze traveled over the sleeping imps, some big, some small and some around my size. A truly demonic thought appeared in my mind as I headed for a small one, who looked like it haven¡¯t been doing well recently. -¡¯ Gotta get some answers! ¡® I smiled to myself, and scowled at the other thought. -¡¯ ...finally. ¡® ============= Hey~, Author''s here~ I hope you liked today''s developments. Cheers, Mea NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Chapter 13 [ There are two alternate endings to this chapter, once you read the chapter please vote in the poll to decide which choice the MC made. ] -¡± Hey, you. ¡° I prodded the small imp, who was sleeping on the stone slab. -¡± What! I dug my share alright¡­ ¡° The imp answered instantly in a whining voice. -¡± Oh, it¡¯s not him. ¡° It mumbled when it realized that I was the one who woke it. -¡± Go bother someone else! ¡° The imp grew defiant instantly and waved its thin arms threateningly. -¡± I¡­ ¡° I was taken aback by its hostility and reflexively started to apologize, my old habit of avoiding conflict resurfaced. -¡± I want you to answer my questions! ¡° I somehow forced myself to change my voice, giving it a threatening vibe. I felt a bit of pride at my achievement, but the imp haven¡¯t yielded. -¡± Bother someone else diwb! ¡° The imp shrunk back, but responded in a challenging manner, with the arms extended and showcasing the claws. Other imps looked at us curiously, though seemed declined to intervene. -¡± Just answer my questio¡­ ¡° I started, opting for a compromise. -¡± No! ¡° The imp interrupted me instantly and let out a guttural growl, while exposing its needle like teeth menacingly. I was surprised by its unrelenting stance, and a sliver of doubt appeared in my mind. -¡¯ What if it¡¯s stronger than it looks? ¡® Faced with fierce opponent I took another step back and noticed the onlooking imps, I could feel their estimating gazes and realized that if I showed weakness I wouldn¡¯t be able to pressure any of them into answering my questions. I looked at a dauntless imp in front of me and a shocking comparison appeared in my mind. -¡¯ What if I did resist back then? ¡® I reminiscence of the time when two of my classmates forced me into running errands for them, because I was too scared to fight back and how it ultimately ended, with bullying and me quitting the school... I banished the painful memory and looked around, noticing gazes of the surrounding imps. With a shiver of fear I realized that some of them were looking at the items that I had gotten from the Soul Keeper¡­ My gaze wandered back to the defiant imp, it somehow seemed bigger and more menacing than a moment ago, especially its claws that glistened with the reflected infernal fire. I could feel a chunk of ice appearing in my stomach, I realized that if I shown weakness then I would become prey to the onlooking imps. Still uncertain, I crouched and extended my hands forward. My gaze wandered over straight and long claws, which seemed wickedly sharp. -¡¯ I don¡¯t want to be a pushover again! ¡® I voiced the resolve in my mind and forcefully stifled my doubts. -¡± Aiiiiii!!! ¡° My shrill, desperate cry resounded loudly as I began my charge, despite my previous experiences with fighting I still couldn¡¯t gather any courage, so I just forced myself to run at the imp. -¡± Tssrss! ¡° The imp didn¡¯t shrink back from my charge, instead, it opened its maw and hissed threateningly. My fighting experience was meager and I wasn¡¯t sure what to do, so I just pulled back my arm, wanting to swing it at the imp when I get close. Before I had a chance to attack the imp it suddenly jumped at me! I was still surprised when countless teeth dug painfully into my shoulder, while claws raked against my chest. Furious assault made me trip and we rolled on the floor, while the imp relentlessly bit, chewed, slashed and kicked at me. It was like trying to hug a big, raging cat. In panic I tried to push the ball of teeth and claws away from me, but it was impossible, the teeth anchored themselves in my shoulder, like a pair of spiked vices or a bear trap! A memory of a time where a goblin stabbed me relentlessly appeared in my mind as a similar type of despair descended on me. -¡± Argrrr! ¡° An uncontained, guttural cry of pain escaped from my mouth as the flesh gave way to opponent''s claws and torment of countless injuries made me want to escape, hide away from the pain. My weakening arms futilely tried to push away the frenzied imp, despair gave way to hopelessness and I wished for the ordeal to end. As if hearing my inner thoughts the opponent suddenly stopped for a moment, the momentary relief allowed me to look at the imp, a terror engulfed my very being when I realized that it stopped biting my shoulder to go for my throat. A momentary thought appeared in my mind. -¡¯ I don¡¯t want to be like that¡­ ¡® A lone complaint made me want to change something about myself, to stop being a loser. The menacing jaws opened widely and descended on my throat. I watched the event as if it was happening in a slow motion, fear of death froze me with one continuous thought . -¡¯ I don¡¯t want to die! ¡® -¡¯ I don¡¯t want to die! ¡® -¡¯ I don¡¯t want to die! ¡® -¡± I don¡¯t want to¡­ ¡° A desperate scream left my throat as my impotent arms finally registered my urgent commands and moved. Somehow I gripped the opponent''s throat in time and stopped the snapping maw fraction of an inch from my own. -¡± ...die! ¡° I roared as I rolled to the side, getting on top of my opponent, paying no heed to its claws leaving deep gashes in my forearms and painfully hard kicks to my gut. All my consciousness seemed to compress into a singular resolve, to survive, to kill the threat. -¡± Aughrhgh! ¡° A bestial sounds rang from my throat as my hand closed around things throat. I barely registered wetness on my other hand, as it methodically began swinging up and down, spraying black blood everywhere. I was heedless of my surroundings, there was only the enemy in front of me, one that had to be obliterated no matter the cost. So I stabbed it again and again and again with my claws¡­ A light pat on my shoulder broke my trance and I lashed at the possible threat, my claws whizzing through the air. My effort was rewarded instantly, with a swift strike of the club that hit me across the face and sprawled me on the ground. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. I shook my head, still dizzy from the blow, and looked at the demon standing before me. I felt my sanity returning, making me realized that I was sprawled over ripped apart remains of the defiant imp and that the Overseer was the one who wielded the spiked club. -¡± You with us again? ¡° The Overseer stated casually and rested the club on his shoulder, seeing that I wasn¡¯t feral he continued. -¡± Good. I don¡¯t mind my imps fighting each other, but I hope that you remember the rules¡­ ¡° -¡± The rules? ¡° I repeated dully, still confused by what just happened. -¡± Yes, rules! ¡° The Overseer affirmed and pointed his club at me. -¡± The killer has to do the loser¡¯s share! ¡° The club traveled to the side, pointing at the remains. -¡± Now, get to eating and we are going to do some digging! ¡° -¡± What¡­? ¡° I asked weakly, refusing to accept the outrageous statement. -¡± Don¡¯t make me repeat myself! ¡° The Overseer exclaimed and his club whizzed in front of my face. -¡± Eat! ¡° Trying to disbelieve the reality I looked at the remains, noticing an insistent hunger growing in my very core, one which could hardly be denied. My eyes saw an agonizingly appetizing mist slowly wafting from the corpse. I tried to close my eyes, but it only made the mist all the more prominent and appealing. [ Poll: Option 1 - It''s wrong, do not eat that! ] A wave of saliva appeared in my mouth and I almost jumped at the appetizing energy, but then a sudden memory struck me, of a girl surrounded by the golden halo. -¡¯ This is not me! This is wrong! ¡® A scream like thought froze me in my tracks and allowed me to stand up. I felt that I was going to lose something if I yielded. -¡± No! ¡° I exclaimed defiantly. -¡± What do you mean by a no? You want to get clubbed? ¡° The Overseer asked threateningly in surprise. -¡± I am not going to eat! ¡° I stated with determination. -¡± You stupid or something? ¡° The Overseer said reflexively and then continued matter-of-factly. -¡± Whatever, I hope you are not objecting to digging then? ¡° He whirled his club in a spiral, menacingly. I almost shivered at the threat, but I somehow managed to stand my ground and state calmly. -¡± I will dig. ¡° -¡± Good choice. Come on. ¡° The Overseer gave out a satisfied grunt and urged me ahead. Most imps had a hungry look on their faces and were insistently looking at the remains, and as soon as I went away they rushed to the corpse and started consuming it with sickening sounds. My gaze wandered around, noticing other, bigger, imps that didn¡¯t bother rushing for a free meal, those looked at me curiously, their gazes were different from previous evaluating glances. I left the room and was led to a digging chamber¡­ Suffice to say I spent there a lot of time, and I was on a verge of fainting from tiredness long before my shifts were over. [ Poll: Option 2 - Anything for great power! Eat it! ] Trying to disbelieve the reality I looked at the remains, noticing an insistent hunger growing in my very core, one which could hardly be denied. My eyes saw an agonizingly appetizing mist slowly wafting from the corpse. I tried to close my eyes, but it only made the mist all the more prominent and appealing. A wave of saliva appeared in my mouth and I jumped at the appetizing energy, just as I was about to take a lick a sudden memory of a girl surrounded by the golden halo struck me, making me hesitate. -¡¯ This is...wrong? ¡® I froze reminiscing the recent events, wondering about who I was. I shook my head, forcing the memory away. -¡¯ I swore that I will change myself! ¡® I exclaimed my resolve in my mind and bent down to lick the sticky, awful substance. The taste was fleeing, and I soon forgotten about it, marveling at a rush of energy coursing through my veins. Making me feel alive, making it seem like everything is possible. Before I could comprehend what was happening the mist was no more, I consumed it all, but the hunger didn¡¯t subside. On the contrary, the craving for more only grew stronger and I jumped at a thick, dark brown mist next to me. Without warning I was thrown back, mindlessly, I jumped to my feet and tried again. To the same effect, something hard hit my head again and sprawled me on the floor. Few more blows followed and sudden rush of pain made me snap back. -¡± Ai! Aiuuu! ¡° I exclaimed a pained protest. The Overseer struck me again across my back and asked. -¡± You sane again? ¡° -¡± Yesss! ¡° I said quickly, shrinking at a sight of a club. -¡± Good, let''s go. Time to dig your share. ¡° Overseer said and motioned with his club, urging me ahead. As I was leaving the chamber eyes of the imps were focused on me. When I looked at them small ones shrank away while the big ones looked at me directly, challengingly. I left the room and was led to a digging chamber. After getting a pickaxe I started digging, easily breaking away chunks of the stone. -¡± Hm, remember that you have two shifts to do. Don¡¯t slack. ¡° After a while the Overseer grunted with approval and left, seemingly satisfied. I continued the task, marveling at a fleeing sensation of¡­ mellowness that seemed to be just at the edge of my consciousness, but I couldn¡¯t spare enough attention to explore it fully. ============= Hey~, Author''s here~ hope you liked today''s chapter. I wonder what choice would you made considering that the humanity does not seem to be held in a high regard these days... Cheers, Mea Ps Choose wisely. Suspended Greetings Readers, I wanted to let you know that recent loss of readers and ratings made me think, and to consider my other commitments and the reason I started publishing. I came to a conclusion that, honestly speaking, keeping up with a weekly schedule is just not worth the effort, I also decided that any other sort of release (like Bi-Weekly) would simply not work for this fiction, not on RRL at least. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Therefore I am henceforth stopping the release of The Third Netherworld on the site. My thanks for the comments, and my apologies for the confusion this, no doubt sudden, notice had caused. Especially in light of the recent poll. Anyway what''s left is for me to say my goodbyes to you, readers. Fare thee well. Regards, Mea