Dungeon Core Academy: Books 1-7 (A LitRPG Series) by Alex Oakchest (book suggestions txt) 📕

“I wanted to ask you something, my friend. Does Kainhelm belong to your dungeon in the same way that your other creatures do?”

“I didn’t create him, if that’s what you mean. But we made an agreement that he would serve the dungeon,” I said.

“That is what I wanted to speak to you about. I would ask that you let old Kainhelm come home with me to see my homeland. I think it would be a better place for him. My people are not affected by the energy he gives out, and he has never, in his centuries of life, traveled beyond the wasteland borders. I believe that he would like to see the world.”

“The battle was disastrous for my dungeon, Razensen. We lost so many dungeon mates. I don’t think I can lose Kainhelm right now.”

“As you say, Stone. As soon-to-be-ruler of my people, I will respect the decisions of another leader. Thank you for the help you have given me. I will not forget it.”

CHAPTER 25

Pvat, head of the Hogsfeate Heroes’ guild, reclined on Sir Dullbright’s couch and sipped wine from a glass filled almost to the brim. Across from him, Dullbright said nothing. Mage Hardere, wearing a robe open at the waist to reveal his naked torso, scowled at the old hero.

“Do you have to be so blatantly disrespectful?” said Hardere.

Pvat glugged wine from the glass and let out a loud ah. He smiled. “Why not? We both know this…thing...here is a mimic, and not the real Dullbright. I have to say, I prefer this version. Much less self-important.”

“There are guards outside the house, you idiot. What if one of them looked in and saw you acting so disrespectfully in the mayor’s presence? Reclining on his chair and glugging his wine?”

“Well, I imagine that Dullbright here would have the men replaced if they dared say anything.” Pvat sat up now. “That’s the beauty, you see, Hardere. Your spell, so masterfully cast, made me the mimic’s new master, meaning that the mayor of our town answers to me. I’ve been thinking about that, you know. It occurred to me that with the mimic under my control, it’s not terribly convenient to have you around anymore.”

“Fine. You paid for my services. If you don’t want to pay for more, I’ll be off.”

“Actually, it doesn’t suit my needs to have you wandering around with this secret in your head, and with lips as loose as your robe.”

Pvat clapped, and the door opened. Four men in Hogsfeate guard uniforms walked in. These men were tall and lean, physically the complete opposite from most of Hogsfeate’s guards.

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” said Pvat. “Dullbright had a change of heart. He decided to replace the town guardship and have the heroes’ guild take over the role instead.”

“You sneaky bastard,” said Hardere.

“Compliments will get you nowhere. Boys, take the mage to the guard cellars and-”

Pvat didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. Mage Hardere bolted to his feet. He uttered eight words and held eight fingers in the air. He pointed six fingers at the newly arrived guards, killing them instantly with blades made from light.

Pointing the remaining two fingers at Pvat, he scowled. “A man performs a service, you pay him gold, and that’s that. There’s a nice balance in that way of doing things. You have no honor, you bloody heroes.”

Pvat, a career hero for most of his life, betrayed no fear to the mage. “Who needs honor when you have a mimic and a guild full of heroes? Mimic, kill this demented mage,” said Pvat.

The mimic got to his feet. Though he wasn’t particularly quick in Dullbright’s form, he had time to grab a sword from one of the guards.

“That’s right,” said Pvat. “Slit the mage’s throat. He can’t cast a spell on both of us at once.”

The mimic of Dullbright launched forward and stabbed Pvat in the gut.

Pvat clutched his belly and wheezed. “What…”

Hardere cackled. “Did you really think I had made you the new master of the mimic? You bloody idiot. Why would I do something like that? He’s served me ever since we broke his last master’s bond.”

CHAPTER 26

We were all gathered in the loot chamber where Razensen was standing in the center, clearly uncomfortable with having all the attention focused on him.

“As you all know,” I said, “Our friend Razensen is leaving us. He’s off home, where he’s going to find a job shoveling snow or something dull like that…”

“Very funny, Stone,” said Razensen.

“Razensen is going to be the leader of the bogans, and as such has promised to lend the might of his people to our town and dungeon whenever we need it. No matter what he is doing, just a whisper from me will bring him and his fellow bogans running to our aid…”

“Be careful, or I will revoke my offer of friendship.”

“Fair enough. We’re going to say bye to Razensen today. Our dungeon wishes him the best of luck, and we hope to see him again. Razensen, you are always welcome here.”

“You are also welcome in my homeland. All of you.”

Kainhelm approached Razensen. He reached out with skeletal arms and hugged his friend. “I will miss you, you poxing beast. A blessing to your people. A plague on your enemies. May…may we meet again.”

I watched Kainhelm and Razensen hugging, and yet again, I felt a flicker of guilt. What in the name of the underworlds was wrong with me lately? The longer I stared at them, the more I felt a horrible sensation in me. A wicked, disgusting feeling that I knew was called empathy.

Empathy for Kainhelm, who had spent centuries underground, alone and friendless. He and Razensen had inexplicably become best friends, and no sooner had