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

Bolton prowled the edge of the light that the orb had made around them. He was feet away from an insect, yet the arc of light made it safe.

“Interesting,” he said. “It looks like we might not just be passing through the wasteland after all. We may just have a reason to stay awhile.”

CHAPTER 9

Reginal led me into the lodge that he and Galatee shared. It had been just months since he’d stopped being chief, but he looked much older. He’d lost muscle mass. He had a limp. So slight you’d swear it wasn’t there. But watch him hard enough, and it was obvious.

It was a lack of purpose. The older you got, the more dangerous time became. Time became an enemy with a sword, and having a goal was like a shield. It stopped age beating on you. When Reginal gave up being chief after his last heart attack, he’d put aside his shield. With no purpose, time had begun to wear him down.

“I hope you know the risk I’m taking, Beno,” he said, leading me past their living room.

I glanced in. I saw a picture frame clamped into an easel. A painting less than half-finished, so it was hard to tell what it was. This was supposed to be Reginal’s retirement hobby. I’d even considered commissioning a painting for the dungeon, just to encourage him. Something really dark. Like, a giant mole creature tearing out a hero’s eyes and using them to see better. Something like that. The problem was that the same picture frame had been in the stand for months now. His brushes were left untouched.

“Here we are. Try not to provoke her, Beno. Don’t be your usual self.”

“Thank you, Reginal. I just need to see her for a few minutes.”

“You’ve earned a few minutes, I’ll admit. The things they’re saying about you may be true, may be lies. But there are certain…facts…that can’t be denied.”

“Facts?”

“The bodies. Your spider monster being caught near them.”

“Spider monster? You know his name, Reginal. Why is everyone doing this? You used to play poker with Gary in the tavern. You’d make up excuses not to pay him when he won. Why is everyone acting like they don’t know him?”

“Perhaps we don’t, Beno. Perhaps we never really knew you either.”

“It wasn’t long ago that you were endorsing me to become chief. Am I to take it that’s changed?”

“Bodies in bakeries. People going missing. Kobolds sneaking into the scene of a murder to perform desecration rituals.”

“Shadow wasn’t…”

“Save it, Beno. Please. Let’s not erode our friendship further. It’s out of respect for the past that I said I’d convince Galatee to speak to you. I have done that. The rest is between you both. My healer says I mustn’t have the slightest stress.”

“I understand. How are you feeling?”

“Years of battle, Beno. Countless duels and fights. And at the end of it all, my own heart is my biggest threat.”

“Well, if you fall in love with a gnome, what can you expect?”

Reginal grinned. “Perhaps Riston is wrong about you, Beno. I don’t know. All I hear is what people say. And more people say it every day.”

“Who is this guy, Reginal? Why is nobody stopping to ask where he came from and why he’s so popular?”

“Riston has always been here.”

“What?”

“He’s always lived in town.”

“No, he hasn’t!”

Unbelievable. I had already figured that Riston was a mage and that his spells involved manipulating minds. But he’d worked his magic into the core of the town. To the point where even Reginal, who had helped found Yondersun, believed Riston had been here all along.

The longer this went on, the worse it was getting. I had to end it.

I’d talk to Galatee. Have one last try at getting her to see sense and help me. If not, Riston had to die.

Reginal paused at the door.

“My favor is done now, Beno. I’ve played the part friendship demands of me. Please don’t ask any more of me.”

“Thanks. Stay well. And keep up with the painting.”

“Pah.”

Reginal pushed the door open for me, and I entered the room, where I found Galatee waiting for me.

And Riston.

Riston, with his stupid beard and stupid hair. Hands clasped, a placid expression on his face. A hint of mockery, but subtle enough he could deny it.

“Reginal, you double-crossing-” I began.

“Don’t blame my husband,” said Galatee. “He didn’t know.”

Riston gestured at a chair. “Sit, Beno.”

I stayed where I was.

“Sorry,” he said. “I forgot you cannot sit. I forgot you are not like us.”

“I wanted to talk to you alone, Galatee.”

“We’re beyond the point of having a chat,” she said.

I heard the lodge door open, and then footsteps just outside the room. Too many to be just Reginal. Guards. It had to be. Guards with core-whips, most probably.

Though the only window in the room had wooden slats covering it, I saw a silhouette move around the building.

There were guards outside the room, guards waiting outside the house.

It looked like Riston had finally influenced Galatee enough to get her to make a move against me, and not just my monsters.

I needed to keep them talking for a while.

“I suppose the three of us can have a chinwag,” I said. “See if we can make friends.”

“Friends. Lovely,” said Riston, smiling.

Galatee’s face was stony. “We heard from Mage-Mayor Hardere in Hogsfeate today, Beno. Though why he insists on that bloody title, I’ll never know. Either way, people have been going missing there, too.”

Riston whispered in her ear.

“Yes,” she said. She faced me. “Someone has also been desecrating graveyards. Digging them up. Removing bodies.”

“People have the strangest hobbies,” I said.

“This is no laughing matter.”

“Seems pretty laughable to me. What do you suppose I’d