The Crystal Sphere (The Neuro Book #1) LitRPG Series, page 9
It worked instantly. My vision cleared. My whole body convulsed in a releasing wave of lightheadedness bordering on euphoria. I was alive.
I groped for my sword. The weight pressing down on me turned out to be the dead mantis which hadn't survived two blows to its belly.
There were two more still waiting nearby though. I lay unmoving, listening intently. I could hear a scraping sound very close. This time I wasn't going to wait. I had to act fast, directly and unexpectedly.
My left arm was all right now. Things weren't as bad, after all. The elixirs had worked — and that meant that a whole plethora of little tricks and features peculiar only to cyberspace were going to help me survive.
A triangular head loomed over the mantis' body, its mandibles dripping claret. I played dead, praying I didn't retch with the stench.
The mob must have been sensing blood. Or it could be the scent of the elixir that had attracted it. Not that it mattered, really. I grabbed the sword hilt with both my hands. Now...
Unhesitantly, I buried the poisoned blade between the creature's half-opened jaws. Before it could even squeal, the mantis shuddered and went limp. I'd one-shotted it!
I still had the third one to tackle. I'd heard nothing from it yet: true, the creature had received a helping of neurotoxin from me earlier in the fight.
I scrambled to my feet and cast a look around.
I was feeling okay. The experience had been ghastly, of course. My leather jacket was only good for rags now. The room was covered in my blood. The sight of it made me sick but I tried to suppress the nausea. I might get used to it over time.
Cautiously I approached the doorway and took a peek outside. The third mantis was stirring weakly a few feet away from the entrance. How strange. I'd only grazed him with my sword very lightly.
My mind expander kicked in, responding to my emotion of surprise with a message,
Wasps use their neurotoxin reserves to hunt much bigger insects, paralyzing and devouring them. Using a wasp neurotoxin against other insects gives a +200 bonus to both damage and effect duration.
Aha. That explained why the mantis was in such a bad way. I'd emptied all three venom glands onto my sword blade, and their effects were cumulative, weren't they?
I made a mental note to find out if wasp venom was available in alchemy shops and if it was, how much it cost there. If push came to shove, I could always farm some more. Having some in store for emergencies wouldn't hurt.
As I was thus musing, the last mantis died a quiet death.
A golden shimmer enveloped me, bathing me in warmth.
You've received a new level!
The Neuro development branch has been unblocked!
You have new ability and main characteristic points available!
* * *
Now the clearing was well and truly mob-free. The sun had already begun to set. I didn't bother to meditate: I had too much to do still. I would have to study the new development branch on my return to the inn. You shouldn't take these kinds of steps in a hurry. I couldn't afford to make wrong leveling decisions: unlike other players, I couldn't start anew. Each skill point had to be distributed wisely and only after careful examination of every skill's respective pros and cons.
I found the herbs I needed and cut them with the small and unassuming quest knife I'd been given. Then I walked back to the ruins to search the mantises' bodies.
You've received an item: a Large Chitin Plate. Can be used in making light and comfortable but extremely strong armor.
You've received an item: a Mantis' Spike. Can be used in making traps and arrowheads.
Not bad at all. I ended up having six Large Chitin Plates and three Small ones in addition to twelve Mantis' Spikes.
I had my doubts about their claims of "light and comfortable" armor, though. Either I'd have to look for an armorer who would make a bespoke set for me — which was an admittedly weird demand for cyberspace — or I might even have to make it myself, for which purpose I'd have to level Blacksmithing first (because strangely enough, the Crystal Sphere developers had listed chitin with blacksmithing resources). This was a bit of an overlook on their part, but then again, listing it under Leather Working wouldn't be too appropriate, either.
Right. I was done here. Time to go back to the pond to do a bit of fishing. I still had a quest to close before sunset. I was definitely going to come back here: I was too intrigued by the mysterious symbols covering my sword blade. Also, the sensation of energy coursing through my body had been impressive. There definitely was a dungeon or at least a cellar below these old ruins.
As I was about to leave, I remembered. The staff! I'd taken the sorcerer's belt and his bag, but left his staff behind.
I returned and picked it up, expecting the old bones to disappear with a quest-announcing message. Still, it didn't happen.
Never mind. I might look into it later. The dead sorcerer's notes might shed some light on his death. His bag felt as if it was full of books and scrolls. In any case, I'd had enough surprises for one day. I needed to get somewhere safe first, then I might open it.
It just shows you how fast a 100% authenticity of experience can change a gamer's mentality. I hadn't even noticed it happen. Before, I'd have rummaged through the bag's contents on the spot. Now, however, I was playing it safe — which was the right thing to do even though the temptation was great. I needed some magic abilities really badly. I doubted I could survive such intensity of gameplay as a pure warrior.
Lost in thought, I got back to the pond rather quickly. It had been a long day.
I gave a wink to my old friend the toad sitting back on its lily leaf. I filled the tin bucket with pond water, laid out my fishing gear, rolled a bread ball in my fingers and attached it to the hook, then cast the line into the pond.
The sunset was already glowing crimson. I was sitting on a hillock watching the float quiver as the fish began to bite. Good. Strangely enough, I felt perfectly happy and content.
* * *
Nicholas the innkeeper waited impatiently on the porch. "Have you got it?"
"Sure," I handed him the herbs and the bucketful of fish.
He beamed. "You kept your word! Well done!"
He hurried to give me an already-prepared backpack. It felt heavy. "I'm off to heal Dimian! Your room's been cleaned. Your dinner's already there," he darted off, disappearing down the street.
Quest alert: First Aid! Quest completed!
Your Reputation with the inhabitants of Hinterwood has improved!
Current Reputation status: Friendly.
You've received an item: an Old Scroll.
You've received an item: a Chunk of Dried Meat
You've received an item: a Piece of Bread
You've received an item: a Water Flask.
You've received an item: a Whet Stone
To tell you the truth, I could barely stand on my feet. The day had been too eventful — hectic even. I was falling asleep. I wasn't even that hungry anymore.
Ignoring the food supplies in my bag, I went back to the inn and headed directly upstairs into my room. The dinner was already there. I wolfed it down, peeled my clothes off and climbed into bed, hoping to spend another hour tying up all the most pressing loose ends.
I finally had to check out the Neuro's development branch.
I couldn't keep my eyes open though. The interface windows quivered, floating in my mental view.
I couldn't help it. I was past exhaustion. I just hoped that with time, my body would adapt to the new levels of exertion.
I was asleep before I even knew it.
* * *
About midnight, I was awoken by the dogs' insistent barking outside.
I rolled over in bed and opened my eyes, listening intently to the sounds behind the open window, but it was already quiet.
Could I have dreamt it? Did that mean that I was under the neuroimplant's control at night as well as during daytime?
I drifted off without bothering to get up to close the window.
The wary silence seemed to be pregnant with quiet sounds. The roof joists creaked. A breeze rippled the plain curtains, bringing a whiff of sulfur.
A lithe shadow wrapped in a weak crimson glow slid through the half-open window.
I stared at it breathless, unable to move.
Christa?
She was so repulsively beautiful. The fiery aura did nothing to conceal her naked body; the glow clung to her chest, coursing down her hips, lending her dark olive skin the texture of cracked lava.
What a terrible, torturous dream.
The crimson glow faded. She walked over to me and perched on the bed's edge, then ran her fingers over my chest.
"Christa, don't. Please."
"You've been dreaming about me, haven't you?"
I didn't reply. This may be a nightmare but I still didn’t want to discuss her horrendous choice of character.
"Alex, does it really matter to you? Is it the color of my skin? Or maybe," she leaned over to me, "this?"
Her long lithe tail wrapped around my throat several times and slightly constricted, as if strangling me. She was so close I couldn't breathe. The stench of sulfur was gone. Her lips burned my chest.
"We're both free now," she whispered. "You and I, we both have neuroimplants installed. The rest doesn't matter," her hot breath sent an unbearable sweet shiver down my skin.
Some dream!
"Could it be why I agreed to all this?" she whispered. "Because I couldn't stop thinking about you, either?"
My fingers played with her hair. She groaned and pressed her body to mine, shuddering.
* * *
I was screaming, choking on the stench of my own burned flesh.
Someone broke the door down. They were dousing the room with bucketfuls of water, pouring it over the smoldering floor, the burning curtains and the smoking bed.
"We need some elixirs! Fetch them, quick! He's burned all over!"
By now I wasn't screaming anymore. My throat was making croaking noises. The touch of water on my body felt intolerable. Instinctively I tried to sit up but my skin kept bursting, peeling off. I could barely see.
"Quick!" it must have been Nicholas the innkeeper.
"There's been a demon in his room!"
"We should leave him to die! That'll teach him!"
My scorched lips found the vial. The aroma of healing herbs somewhat cleared both my mind and vision. The first thing I saw was bare footprints, scorched black, on the wooden floor.
"Give me another elixir!"
My wounds stank. The room was full of smoke. Still, the pain had already subsided.
"Again!"
I was right: it was Nicholas. A group of armed peasants crowded behind him, one of them a boy barely ten years old, clenching a wooden stake.
After the third elixir, my wounds began to heal before my very eyes. Soon I was able to scramble to my feet, vacating the wet, burned bed.
"So?" the innkeeper's glare promised me nothing good.
"I thought I had a dream."
"Tell us the truth! Who was here? Whose footprints are these?"
"I'm telling you the truth. I had a bad dream. A nightmare. That's all I know."
"He's possessed by a demon! Impale him! Bury him in the woods and drive a wooden stake through his heart!"
"Shut up!" Nicholas yelled. "This is my inn! I'm the one who decides here! Out now!"
He began driving the villagers out of the room. I used the pause to locate my clothes in the mess created by my rescuers and hurried to put my leather armor on.
"We saw it with our very eyes!" shouts came from the corridor. "The demon stealing up the roof! It climbed into his window!"
Warning! Your Reputation with the inhabitants of Hinterwood has plummeted!
Current Reputation status: Animosity.
Nicholas came back soon, dark as a thundercloud, avoiding my gaze.
"You should go," he finally said.
By then I'd packed all my stuff. I wasn't welcome here anymore which was perfectly understandable. I just couldn't believe it. So it wasn't a dream, after all.
I clenched my teeth, unwilling to make the situation any worse than it already was — especially because I realized that I owed my life to Nicholas' intervention. "I'm very sorry. How much do I owe you?"
"Just go," he waved my question away. "And steer clear of here. Next time they will impale you."
I nodded my understanding. I walked downstairs, crossed the common room under the villagers' heavy glares, walked out the door and headed for the village gate. You should never underestimate the dangers of Animosity.
I had no idea where I was supposed to go now. Agrion? Too dangerous. Not even because of my plummeted rep or the rumors — but what if this night's visit wasn't the last one? The sheer thought of it made my blood curdle.
So what now? Should I go and live in the forest?
I was approaching the village gate when I heard a voice behind me.
"Hey, wait!"
A stranger hurried after me — a townsman, judging by his clothes.
"What now?" I swung round, ready to face anything. "What do you want?"
"Take this," he shoved me a bulky bundle, then hurried to add, "It's a tent. You've been looking for one, right?"
"Dimian?"
He beamed. "That's me! You've saved my life, man. Take this as a token of my gratitude!"
"Thanks but-"
"Just take it! I don't give a damn about what they say in the village. I may keep a shop here for an occasional sale, but I'm a townie myself."
"So you're not worried about the demon, then?"
He grinned. "You're not a demon, are you? I was attacked by a wyvern too. Wasn't my fault, was it?"
"Thanks," I put the tent into my inventory.
"Life is more than just stuff. You should stay away from the local villages though. Rumors spread fast. You'd be surprised what you might learn about yourself. So go directly to the city. Have you got money?"
"Yeah, I have some."
"Then you should be all right, shouldn't you?" he gave me a friendly slap on the shoulder, than added conspiratorially, "This demon chick is quite a looker. I saw her when she was climbing that roof. I couldn't have resisted her myself, may the Gods of Light have mercy on my soul."
With this he walked off, leaving me all alone.
I turned round and headed for the woods, followed by the plaintive wailing of the petrified village dogs.
Chapter Four
The Crystal Sphere
In the vicinity of Agrion City
THE SOUND of horse hooves echoed through the night.
A road patrol rode toward me. The front rider reined in his steed. He had a lighted torch in one hand and a naked sword in the other.
"Are you from Hinterwood? What the hell happened there?"
"A fire," I said, staring at the crackling flames. "They've put it out already."
I was surprisingly calm. You'd think the sight of fire should have freaked me out, reminding me of Christa or even resulting in a full-blown phobia.
Nothing of the kind. It was as if I'd indeed had a bad dream, nothing more. How weird.
The guards headed for the village while I left the road and took a shortcut through the fields.
By the time I reached the nut grove by the ruins, dawn was already breaking. I found a small clearing, read the brief manual and began setting up the tent.
I'd chosen this place for several reasons. Firstly, I needed some space. I had to have a good think. Secondly, the sheer thought of sleeping in bed, however "comfortable", made me doubt the safety of the local inns, taverns, hotels and such.
Thirdly, I still had unfinished business to attend to. I had to study the ruins. Even though the energy boost I'd experienced there hadn't helped me to defeat the mantis, it still intrigued me.
This unusually calm, collected reasoning wasn't at all typical of me. I shrugged. The neuroimplant must have had some kind of stress blocking mechanism installed. This could be the only explanation of my sudden nerve.
The moon dominated the sky. Darkness lurked in the shadows. The forest was living its mysterious night life, filled with creeping and rustling, its tentative silence broken by animal screams. I couldn't yet tell them apart.
I drove the last tent peg into the ground.
Immediately a ten-foot safe zone formed around the tent, glowing a faint green. No mob would be able to trespass it while I was inside resting or meditating. At least that's what the tent manual said.
Players could enter provided they were part of my group. Otherwise, I'd have to send them an invitation to come in. This was how the Crystal Sphere worked. There were restrictions, too: the tent owner couldn't stay inside for longer than twenty-four hours.
You've set up a tent.
The tent has been activated.
Would you like to make it your respawn point?
Absolutely. I shifted my eyes, swiping Confirm.
I climbed inside the tent and took a look around. It was rather small and Spartan: a sleeping bag on the floor, a chest, and a little folding table next to the headrest with a small lamp perched on it. Everything a hiker might need. Nicholas' supplies would help me last a few days without venturing into towns or villages.
I had to spend some quality time farming mobs. I also needed to study the ruins. Then we'd see. I had no idea that by agreeing to have this wretched neuroimplant installed, the good old virtual world would turn into a deadly obstacle course.
The memory of Christa wriggled its way into my thoughts, stinging hard. I could feel emotions seething under the veneer of my composure, as if something wasn't letting them through. A wave of phantom pain surged over my body, turning the already-healed burns crimson.
What if Christa visited me again?
I gasped. My forehead erupted in sweat. I shouldn't be so angry with the neuroimplant developers: having a stress blocking mechanism was vital here. Still, in order to survive, I had to learn to handle any overbearing negative emotions, or at least tolerate them. Also, I shouldn't forget that this was still a game. I was supposed to follow its rules by leveling up, completing quests and acquiring new skills and abilities.
