City of Fallen Souls: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 3) by Jez Cajiao (fb2 epub reader .txt) 📕

grinned, then let go, going our separate ways. I pulled up my notifications, quickly reading through them.

Congratulations! You have killed the following:

1x Undead Behemoth for a total of 10,000xp

1x Anubai Lord Mushek for a total of 12,500xp

A party under your command killed the following:

1x Lich Veriman for a total of 6,800xp

2x Anubai of various levels for a total of 10,180xp

Total Party xp earned: 16,980xp

As party leader, you gain 25% of all experience earned

Progress to level 16 stands at 154,787/165,000

I couldn’t help but grin at the confirmation of Veriman’s death. That little cocksucker had deserved it, and I was inching closer to the next level with every fight. The percentage increase with having my little ‘issues’ healed was immense, and I couldn’t wait to get up to the next milestone at level twenty. I had plans for those meridian points!

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Okay, people, last chance for a shit before we go!” Augustus shouted and I had to laugh, scanning the room as people cinched straps tight and checked weapons in their sheathes. I joined the others, laughing as Grizz staggered upright and shuffled off of the room to the loo, though I gave Augustus a concerned frown.

“Is he gonna be alright for this?” I asked, and he shrugged.

“He’s alive and a Legionnaire; he’ll either make it or he won’t. None of tonight is safe, and at least if he’s with us, we can help him. Besides, no matter where you told him to wait, the mad bastard would only sneak out and follow us. Best to have him where we can watch over him.”

“I don’t like how injured he is,” I admitted.

“Neither do I, Jax, but believe me, he’ll be safer with us than getting into trouble somewhere that he can hide his injuries.”

“Okay. Are we ready beyond that?” I asked, looking around. With the loss of the two Legionnaires at the Emporium, we were down to fourteen of Augustus’s Legionnaires, the three scout Legionnaires, my own squad of five, with Barrett already sent to help the refugees and new recruits, and Nigret and Mistress Nerin. Counting myself, that gave us a round total of twenty-five. The room was filled with the jingle of armor, grunts as people checked each other’s gear, and good-natured taunts getting passed around.

“We’re as ready as we can be,” he confirmed. I crossed to a chair, stepping up onto it so that everyone could see and hear me.

“Okay, people…” I started, and Augustus bellowed out at them all to ‘Shut the fuck up, or you’ll be tasting my boot polish.’

“Okay…” I started again, grinning and shaking my head slightly. “Look everyone, I’m shit at speeches, can’t do them to save my life. However, most of you haven’t been around most of the conversations I’ve had regarding tonight, so my guess is that you’ll have some mental as fuck ideas about what’s happening, especially from the whispers going around, no doubt. The truth is, we’re going to go fuck up the Skyking and free its slaves, and then we’re going to go steal the fucking Battleship that’s being built. It’s nowhere near ready yet, so once we’re in the air, we’re going to be slow and easily tracked. The other ships we’re stealing are going to help protect us while we make our escape. We’re going to be damn full, as we’re taking the entire Legion and all the families we can, as well as any slaves we can free. We’re going to head out to sea, loop around, and hopefully reach the Great Tower in a week or so. For most of that time, it’s gonna be a case of rest, relax, and help make the ships as good as possible, so if you’ve got a skill that can help at all, shout up when we’re on our way. Lastly, when we get to the Tower, you’re going to find a big change in your lives. You’re no longer ‘just’ the fucking Legion. You’re the LEGION. The bravest, baddest motherfuckers around, and you’re gonna be treated with the respect you deserve! We’ve got a Tower that’s in the middle of a monster-infested wilderness. It’s damaged and full of people that we need to keep safe, but they’re going to be there for you. They’ll support you, feed you, and love you. You’ll no longer be outcasts in a city that hates you. You’re going to be the men, women, and whatever the fuck Grizz actually is, that you were born to be. Are you with me?” I asked, getting a good-natured round of ‘yeah’ and ‘yes, sir’ and ‘man, he wasn’t lying; he’s shit at speeches’.

“Okay, people, quickly, before he comes back, there’s one last thing…” I said, holding my hands up. “When Grizz comes back, I want you all to cheer and applaud him, but don’t explain why if he asks, just say ‘you know why’ or something. Let’s wind him up!” That got a round of laughter, and I climbed down, gathering my little leadership cadre of Lydia, Yen, Amaat, Augustus, Nerin, and Gaion to me, with Bane hovering protectively as Nigret moved in curiously to listen.

“We’re going to move out in a minute, and our fliers will be screening us from any attacks; Amaat you’re in charge of that. Once we get inside, you fall back and just try and keep them from getting reinforcements. I know you’ve got some people trained to fly the ships, and we’re gonna need them to be kept safe. Gaion, lead us as quickly as you can. We’ve got no time for stealth tonight. Yen, you and Tang are our scouts. Push ahead and warn us as best you can. Augustus, you’re better at this kinda thing than me, I’ve no doubt, but I need to learn and practice, so you’re my second. Feel free to shout commands if they need to be done, and back me up. Lydia, you’re my personal squad, as always. Integrate with the rest, but stick close, and keep an