Condition Evolution 3: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure by Kevin Sinclair (ereader with dictionary .txt) 📕

whether I wanted one or not, but then I knew that from the moment they landed. Heiliun seemed to be talking to someone internally, because he fell quiet for a few moments before speaking again. “Here is the situation. We have traveled a tremendously long way and used a lot of vital resources hunting you. This fight, despite what you may think, would result in our victory. However, it would be unpleasant for everyone concerned. So rather than bicker here, I am prepared to give you an offer. Your planet Earth has not yet been destroyed, and currently we work on reducing their available technology. Be warned, if you do not return with us, I will give the order to have it destroyed.”

“Hey, you fucking tool! Why would we agree to that?” Ember shouted over. “If we just kill you now, then you can’t order Earth's destruction.”

The daft arse actually went red with embarrassment or anger, or maybe both. “You must be Ember. I have also heard about you,” he said, distaste dripping from his words. Looking back at me, he continued: “How about a duel of honor, then? You against me? If you win, you walk away. If I win, your people come back with me, peacefully.”

“Oh, yeah. Great idea!” I said sarcastically, though the grin lightening his face told me he hadn’t picked up on the sarcasm. I carried on before he could speak. “Couple of things first; how old are you? And what transcendence level are you?”

Havok shouted at me. “Shaun! We can do this cocksucker. I’ve got this. Trust me.”

“Havok, I believe you. We could do it, but we don't need to. If we fight and win, I really don’t think they’d honor any deal they’ve made. They’re purebred wankers. Now, tell me honestly. Do you disagree?”

“No, I don’t,” he said, “and I don’t think this is ending without a good fight, anyway. So fuck it, it doesn’t matter, though duels are fun.”

Heiliun stuttered in response to my question. Looking at one of his crew, he then finally spoke, “I am 6000 years old. Transcendence level 800.”

“Okay… so that seems like a little bit of a mismatch, if you don't mind me saying. I’ve only just gone above transcendence level 100. Oh, and I’m like 32 years old, or less in galactic years. Anyway, you get my point: no duels.”

He looked outraged. “Fystr do not refuse duels, especially those which could save their people.”

“Number one,” I raised a finger, “I’m not a fucking Fystr. Number two,” I raised another, “My people will be okay. Yours, however, are fucked.”

“How disappointing,” he said, then launched an attack on my mind. I smiled grimly as I felt his presence. So predictable: I'd left my mind unguarded intentionally. This time I wasn't taking any chances. I went into my Mindscape to face Heiliun.

He was there in my corridor, waiting for me. “You don't get a choice whether to duel or not,” he cried. “You’re mine, Shaun. You’re not getting away from me. I will jump at least two commander ranks for killing you and bringing your people back.”

I leaned on Havok. “You're a fool, Heiliun. All those years of experience and skills, and you still waltz in here like you're an untouchable god. You’re not.”

“Compared to you, I am. Child! I can have you weeping on your knees in seconds.”

“Nope. No you couldn't,” I grinned.

He was getting angrier and angrier.

This was so much fucking fun. “You’re an ignorant prick, Heiliun,” I continued, “and unless you get the fuck out of my head quick, you’re going to die in here.”

He laughed an insane laugh, then lunged with the six-foot sword that he held one-handed. Havok came up on his own accord to deflect, then reversed in a heartbeat to take Heiliun's head cleanly from his shoulders.”

It missed, as in a remarkable feat of skill, Heiliun disappeared then reappeared a foot out of Havok’s range. Heiliun came back with a series of blistering attacks, wielding his heavy sword like it was a bamboo cane. Not that Havok gave a shit; he blocked tactical missiles for fun, and easily resisted every attack. We were at a standstill for a few seconds, when Havok and I began pushing Heiliun back. He teleported backwards again, which I assumed was a skill that was only possible in Mindscapes, and it was one I had to learn.

“You have uncanny skill with Jotun’s blade. I do not understand how you fight so well. I have far more advanced sword skills, yet you seem capable of meeting my match. I have tested you, and now it is time for you to die.”

I sighed like a bored teenager. “This is just getting stupid, now. Guys! Come out will you. I’m getting bored.”

Mick, Gus, and Ember all stepped out of various doors into my corridor, Fystr weapons in hand.

Heiliun paled. “How?” Then before we could answer, disappeared.

“I assume that was a rhetorical question then?” Ember laughed before disappearing herself. We all did the same.

“Take them down!” Heiliun was screaming as I came back to my normal state. This coincided with a good number of my crewmates falling to the floor, writhing in agony.

I knew it would not take long for them to be killed if I didn’t act quickly. “Attack!” I shouted at the top of my lungs while I charged Heiliun, hovering over the top of the ground faster than I could run. I was pretty confident that I could take him in a melee now, so I took the initiative.

Havok screamed in delight and rage while playing my favorite metal song as we hurtled through the air like a bullet. Balls of flame flew past me into the ranks of waiting Fystr. The accuracy of the Torax was remarkable. Yet even though most of the Fystr were busy attacking my crew mentally, they were still able to deflect most of the attacks. What they couldn’t cope with, however, were the 20 invisible knives coming from behind them, slicing into arteries.