Knights of the Ashes: A Post-Apocalyptic LitRPG (Ashen Realm Book 2), page 1
Knights of the Ashes 2
S.D. McKittrick
Copyright ©2024 by S.D. McKittrick
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact S.D. McKittrick.
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Book Cover by Muhammed Kaleem
Contents
Foreword
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Chapter 26
27. Chapter 27
28. Chapter 28
29. Chapter 29
30. Chapter 30
31. Chapter 31
32. Chapter 32
33. Chapter 33
34. Chapter 34
35. Chapter 35
36. Chapter 36
37. Chapter 37
38. Chapter 38
39. Chapter 39
40. Chapter 40
41. Chapter 41
42. Chapter 42
43. Chapter 43
44. Chapter 44
45. Chapter 45
46. Chapter 46
47. Chapter 47
48. Chapter 48
49. Chapter 49
50. Chapter 50
51. Chapter 51
52. Chapter 52
53. Chapter 53
54. Chapter 54
55. Chapter 55
56. Chapter 56
57. Chapter 57
58. Chapter 58
59. Chapter 59
60. Chapter 60
61. Chapter 61
62. Chapter 62
63. Chapter 63
64. Chapter 64
65. Chapter 65
66. Chapter 66
67. Chapter 67
68. Chapter 68
Afterword
About the Author
Also By
Foreword
I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that this series is harem free and will remain so. Although there might be joking from the girls, and hints at developing relationships; Ole will only ever have one love in the series.
Thank you for your time. I hope you enjoy the story.
Chapter 1
Looking over, I watch Riley’s eyes widen. Her mouth hangs open slightly as she reads over each line.
“Holy shit, Ole. I have so many questions.” The disbelief in her voice makes me smile.
Laughing, I leave my screen up. “Let’s start from the beginning.”
Ole
Attributes
Strength: 115
Dexterity: 120
Constitution: 133
Recovery: 131
Mind: 125
Intelligence: 142
Skills
Rapid Growth (Unique)
Shared Growth (Unique)
Mana Siphon (Unique)
Mana Absorption (Unique)
Adamant Skeleton (Unique)
Adamant Tissue (Unique)
Mana Sight: Level 10
Mend: Level 10
Regeneration: Level 10
Ultra Regeneration: Level 4
Throwing: Level 10
Multi-throw: Level 3
Improvised Armor Crafting: Level 10
Mana Infused Armor Crafting: Level 10
Armor Crafting:
Apprentice: Level 8
Journeyman: Level 2
Enchanting: Level 7
Improvised Weapon Crafting: Level 10
Improvised Tool Crafting: Level 10
Earth Magic: Level 10
Nature Magic: Level 10
Metal Magic: Level 4
Fire Magic: Level 10
Lightning Magic: Level 4
Water Magic: Level 10
Life Magic: Level 8
Sprinting: Level 10
Swordsmanship: Level 10
Dual Wield: Level 2
Polearm Mastery: Level 10
Spear mastery: Level 10
Pain Resistance: Level 10
Paralyze Resistance: Level 1
Acrobatics: Level 8
Stealth: Level 10
Shadow Stalking: Level 5
Speaking: Level 3
Listening: Level 4
Leadership: Level 5
Green Thumb: Level 5
Medic: Level 5
Reaching out, I pull Riley into my lap. “When I first entered the Ashen world, I didn’t have more than a couple of points in my attributes—as you know. It wasn’t until after Niel’s betrayal that I started building points.
“To be honest, the incident did more to make me ready for the Ashen than if I was left alone. The constitution and Mend skill came from him cutting out my eyes. Mana Sight is a little jarring, or it was at first, but I can still see the world.
“For example, you are a pretty pink color. It matches your strawberry scent.” Smiling, I brush a lock of hair away from her face.
“I don’t smell like strawberries…” she whispers as she cuddles into my shoulder.
Chuckling, I nod. “You do actually. I love how you smell.” Tilting up her chin, I bring our lips together in a tender kiss.
The slight deepening pink color to her cheeks tells me that she’s blushing as she stares longingly into my eyes.
Clearing her throat, she asks, “What is mana?”
Drumming my fingers on her leg, I start with the simple explanation. “It’s the energy in everything. Mana drifts through the air and is absorbed by all things. The buildings outside absorb the tinniest amounts. To be honest, I can’t see them all that well.
“Living things absorb more. Your attributes for example are products of the mana you’ve absorbed. The more you do something, the more you absorb. The burning trees and bushes fuel the never-ending fire by burning mana. The Ashen are packed full of mana, and that’s the mana I siphon.”
Frowning, she touches her chest before meeting my gaze. “And you can see this mana, inside of me?”
“Yes. I can see your attributes growing. I can see how many skills you have. There are slots all over your body for skills. Well over a thousand slots. That tells me just how many possible skills someone could get.”
Touching my chest, she says, “This is a lot to take in. Can I use mana?”
Shrugging, I lay back on the bed and pull Riley down with me. “I’m not sure. I can try and teach you to feel for it, but it’ll be up to you to learn. It’s not going to be easy.”
“I want to learn.” Twirling her finger around my chest, she nestles closer to me, still afraid that I’m going to disappear.
“I have to teach the crafters how to tap into mana. You can be part of those lessons. I can’t promise that everyone will learn however.”
With a small nod, she says, “Just the opportunity is enough.” Pausing she adds, “How do you have so many skills?”
Tapping my chin, I think over her question. “It may look like I have plenty of skills, but most of them aren’t that helpful.”
“What do you mean?”
“Take my weapon mastery skills for instance. They help by giving me knowledge on how to better use my weapon, but there’s a downside. Without proper training, I can’t bring out their full potential. Just because they are maxed out, that doesn’t mean I’m an amazing fighter. Everything has been self-taught, and skills will only take me so far.
“That’s why I use magic most of the time. My spells are simple and effective. My melee weapon is used for smaller problems but isn’t quite as effective as the destructive force of my magic.”
“Don’t your attributes help?” Riley asks.
Sighing, I shake my head. “If I’m against a lower attributed person, I can make up the difference with brute force. But I mostly fight gold ranked Ashen that are as strong, or stronger than me.
“Needless to say. A low-level person or Ashen wouldn’t be able to hurt me that easily, but it’s still possible. While an equal leveled Ashen can smash me and toss me to the side. Even with my pain resistance, getting bones broken is still jarring. Just like how you have poison resistance and can still be poisoned. It doesn’t eliminate the effect completely.”
Riley nods along, understanding everything so far. “But what about Mind and Intelligence?”
“They work hand in hand. Just like all the other attributes. The biggest differences that I
“Mind also works to increase awareness. All types of awareness. But like I said, the return is small. I’m able to determine my direction without relying on outside sources. I can sense when an Ashen is nearby. Things like that.”
“That doesn’t make sense. I thought attributes were supposed to always keep making you stronger?”
Shaking my head, I start to explain, “Yes and no. If a ninety-attribute person went up against me they would lose quickly. They wouldn’t be able to hurt me because my skin is just too tough. They would be able to bruise me still. But even if my attributes were barely over one hundred, I would have the same outcome.”
Groaning, I run a hand through my hair. “What I’m trying to say is that after I passed one hundred, the returns shrunk. I’ll continue to get stronger, but the body can only get so fast, and so strong. We have limits, even if our attributes continue to increase.”
“That sucks,” Riley states bluntly.
“It does,” I laugh. “But despite that small problem, I am still strong enough to take on many of the gold ranked Ashen. And at this point, increasing my attributes even more is a pipe dream. I’ll be lucky to get even a few points over the next year.”
“What I’m hearing is that I’ll be able to catch up to you,” Riley smirks.
“We need to make you new gear,” I say, changing subjects.
“I just got this gear.”
Frowning, I explain. “If you are coming with me into the Ashen world, then you are going to be heavily equipped. I’m going to push your gear to the attribute limit of where you are.”
Sighing, she agrees, “I did just get a large bump thanks to our bond.”
“Lover’s Bond, right?” I ask.
Pulling up the skill description, she sends me the information.
Lover’s Bond-Your heart knows who you truly belong with. No matter where you are. No matter how far apart the world takes you. You will know where your partner is. After bonding with your partner, assume a share of their attributes. Percentage is based off how closely you have joined with your partner. (To set bond, connect with your partner in an intimate way.)
“Now that we are bonded, I’ll always know where you are. I also get twenty percent of your attributes. Which nearly doubled mine,” she explains.
“I wonder how your attribute gain will work now?” I question.
“We’ll just have to test it out. But I can probably do a red portal now.” Shrugging, she slips her leg over my waist. “Can I take off your clothes?”
Grabbing her hips, I let out a laugh. “You can wait until after we talk. This is the first time that we’ve really been alone. Don’t you want to know anything?”
“I want to know how you taste,” she purrs.
I wish I could roll my eyes…
“Down girl,” I joke. “I thought there was something Marie said that you needed from me?”
Letting out an annoyed sigh, she sits up and straddles my waist. “You have a stealth skill that I need for a job. I see it in your list. Shadow Stalking. What is it?”
My eyebrows rise as she lists the skill. “I can blend into the shadows seamlessly. It’s a skill that drains stamina while active. I learned it by hiding from Ahsen all the time.”
“You did not hide all the time,” she laughs.
My face falls as I recall the five years that I was trapped in the Ashen world.
When she notices, she frowns. “I’m sorry, Ole…”
“It’s fine,” I whisper.
Brushing her hair back, she lets the soft strawberry scent drift down to me. I struggle not to pull her towards me while she shifts around. Worry is written across her face as she hesitates to ask her next question.
“What is it?” I ask first.
“It’s just… How am I going to learn the skill. I need it for a job.”
“This is one of the jobs that led to you having the Assassination skill?” I question.
Wincing, she continues to frown while nodding. “Yeah…”
“I’m going to have to think on it. We might have to train you with Ashen around. I’m not sure though.”
Pulling away, she climbs off my lap and moves to a chair near the wall. “I’m sorry I have that skill,” she whispers.
Sitting up, I shake my head. “I’m not angry.”
“I maxed out the skill, Ole. I’ve killed dozens of people.”
Frowning, I try to reassure her. “You did it to survive. Besides, now I know we have someone that can help with espionage. You have some valuable skills for my team.”
Looking up, she lets a slight hint of a smile show. “I do?”
Patting the spot beside me, I say, “Yes. Now why don’t you come back over here?”
“I’ll come back over if I can take my clothes off.” Pulling at the collar of her shirt, she watches me, waiting for me to say yes.
I finally give in. “Fine. But we still have more to talk about.”
Giggling, she jumps up and pulls her shirt over her head. Turning around, she teases me by slowly inching her pants down. She knows what I like, and she’s been waiting years for me to react to her again.
Inhaling sharply, I savor the moment. My pants suddenly feel tighter as she pulls hers down, underwear and all. Slipping off her bra last, she saunters over to my side.
“Can I help you with anything?” she purrs.
Gulping, I nod. “I can think of a few things.”
Smirking, she grabs my shirt and inches it up. “My husband, the mighty Ashen slayer is nervous to bond with his wife. How am I going to remedy that?”
Chuckling, I lift my arms for her. “Take things slow?” I suggest.
Pulling my shirt off the rest of the way, she straddles my waist before pushing her chest into mine. “The restrictions are gone, Ole. We can finally be together.”
“You’re going to get pregnant right away, aren’t you,” I joke.
“I took something to prevent pregnancy. I’m safe for tonight.” Reaching down, she grabs the drawstring to my pants. “I can feel you, Ole. Can’t I?”
I give her a single, slow nod.
Smiling, she starts pulling the tie loose and inching my pants down. “I’ve waited years, Ole. Tonight, I’m locking the door.”
Chuckling, I watch her climb off me and remove my pants the rest of the way. Now that I’m free, she enjoys the sight of my readiness. But before she begins, she moves to the door, and secures the lock.
“We can talk more in the morning. Right now, I want you scooting up on that bed.”
Nodding, I listen quickly. Scooting myself up to the pillow, I feel myself drawn to Riley in a way that I haven’t felt in years. This is what I survived for. I survived for Riley. I survived for the life we are going to have together.
Five years of hell. All of it coming together for this perfect night. She’s right, we can talk more in the morning. She deserves my full attention.
As she climbs onto the bed, I can smell her arousal. I’m more than ready. She’s more than ready. And I just have to wonder if we are going to get any sleep tonight.
Chapter 2
My vision comes back to me as Riley shifts against my naked chest. The sight of her pink skin pressing onto me is the perfect way to wake up. And after only a few hours of sleep, I’m more than ready for the day to start.
I watch Riley sleep for a few more minutes, braced in my arms. Reaching up, I gently move a few strands of hair away from her mouth as she starts to yawn. Slowly she wiggles her hips before arching her back and pressing into me.
“Good morning,” she whispers.
Leaning in, I whisper back, “Was it like you imagined?”
Pressing her butt into me, she nods. “It was more than I ever imagined. Now what would it take to get you ready for another round?”
Shaking my head, I scoot away. “We can have another go tonight. We never finished talking last night.”
Pouting, she grabs the blankets and pulls them up to her chest as she covers up from the chilly air. “What more is there to talk about?”
