Alpha Zero (Alpha LitRPG Book 1) by Arthur Stone (top 5 books to read TXT) 📕

and more furtive. Within moments he was so close to his goal that the enemy troops began wrinkling their noses, not quite understanding that they were smelling their imminent defeat.

And then, out of the darkness came the staggering cloak-and-dagger blow.

Well, not quite a blow. Perhaps there was some actual physical impact, but that wouldn’t be intentional. The plan had been to avoid any serious physical trauma.

The injuries were meant to be of the moral variety.

I perked up at the sounds of a commotion ahead, further down the passage running along the wall. The battle had begun.

Then, an indescribable scream pierced the darkness. The mighty sound was a blend of mindless rage, shock, fear and unbearable disgust mixed with umbrage at the great injustices of life, the universe and everything. It was a wonder how much one had to express to the world after pulling off of his head a bucket of ripened sourpiss that had been placed there moments earlier by a sinister foe.

However, a neutralized general didn’t necessarily spell victory—not when his army was still intact. Untouched by the perfidious attack, the troops rushed after the operative, who was already darting through a passageway that just happened to be illuminated by the glow of some biological lanterns hanging on the wall directly above.

It was time to send in the cavalry. In other words—me.

I waited for Beko to dash past at middling speed. Then, trusting my ears more than my eyes, I waited for all three pursuers to crash to the ground. Unlike the ghoul, they hadn’t seen the trip-wire—nor been aware of its existence.

I pulled the rag off the cage of fireflies to spotlight the villainy that was about to take place here. A kick in the ribs reacquainted Jakos with my foot (lest he forget it!) and sent him flying into his two accomplices. Then I pulled on the rope and watched the trio become ensnared in the fishing net they had so graciously dried for us earlier.

The next step involved whipping the enemy troops with a tree branch, causing them to panic, fumble about and act erratically, which only aggravated their situation.

Finally, I returned to the lantern unhurriedly. After wrapping my hands with burdocks to keep them clean, I picked up the bucket.

I paused to aim, then splashed the contents over the three prisoners, making sure each got his fair share.

Little Tatai turned out to have quite the singing voice. It almost drowned out Satat’s unintelligible shouting and wolf-like howling—in between spitting in humiliated disgust. Torchlight flickered from the direction of the towers just as human shapes stirred from amid the houses. Fearful as these people were, no way such a commotion would be left unexamined.

Leaving the Carps to deal with their predicament on their own, I hurried down a previously marked escape route. Only once did I need to hide and let pass a guard carrying a torch overhead. Aside from that, there were no incidents. Even at the finish line, where I had expected to run into some difficulties, there was no one. Either Satat had himself moved down the passage or he had been led there, to the main scene. His familiar sonorous voice reverberated from that direction for all the fort residents to hear.

I found Beko in his usual spot, cowering in the dark corner of the barn, teeth chattering. The ghoul was likely overwhelmed with positive emotions.

Listening to the hubbub outside, I spoke in a contentedly weary voice.

“We have rebuffed the enemy away from our home. So, how did you like the battle?”

“They will see us dead for this! They will! If not today, then tomorrow!”

“You get put on a stake for murder.”

“And that’s exactly what Ash will do!” Beko persisted.

“Why would they kill us, anyway? We were simply doing our job. And doing it well. The Carps were getting in the way. So we had to explain to them that such behavior was unacceptable.”

“The Carps will kill us. Sure as the sun will rise, they will kill us. And they’ll bring Romris with them,” Beko added in a whisper. “They’ll catch us all together and kill us.”

“Don’t worry. They will spend all day tomorrow washing and scrubbing. Maybe more than a day. Sourpiss is no joke.”

I couldn’t hold back a fit of laughter.

Beko resisted for a few more seconds, then relented and joined in the mirth.

His laughter sounded more hysterical than joyous. It’s all right; a little more time with me will teach him to rejoice like a normal person.

There was much I still needed to teach him. And if ever I needed help, I could always lean on the Carps.

Chapter 17 Safari for the Unhinged

 

 

No Stat Changes

“Maybe I should start calling you the Shiteaters,” Ash said musingly. “It has a ring to it, and certainly fits you better than the Carps. Way better.”

Our four adversaries were trying to look anywhere but at the fort’s commander. At his last words, Tatai’s lower lip started quivering, the boy teetering on the brink of crying from the grave insult.

Ash turned toward me and Beko.

“Or should I reserve the name for the two of you?”

I shrugged.

“If Blackriver Fort is made stronger in any way from Beko and I being dubbed the Shiteaters, then let it be so. Then we all benefit.”

Ash gave me a long, strange stare.

“Who are you, really? Don’t give me any of that hogwash about running off from some farm. Sharp cheekbones, thin lips, blue eyes, self-assured manner. You’re no more a farmer than I am a strumpet.”

Infusing my voice with a dash of mystery, I explained.

“I am heir to the throne, traveling my lands incognito, forbidden from revealing my true identity. So, forgive me but I must plead the fifth.”

“Plead the what