Shadow For Hire: Books 1-4 (A LitRPG Series) Read online

  Shadow For Hire

  Books 1-4

  by

  Adam Drake

  Copyright 2017 © Adam Drake

  Table of Contents

  Shadow Gambit

  -1-

  -2-

  -3-

  -4-

  -5-

  -6-

  -7-

  -8-

  -9-

  -10-

  -11-

  -12-

  -13-

  -14-

  -15-

  -16-

  -17-

  -18-

  -19-

  -20-

  Shadow Hunting

  -1-

  -2-

  -3-

  -4-

  -5-

  -6-

  -7-

  -8-

  -9-

  -10-

  -11-

  -12-

  -13-

  -14-

  -15-

  -16-

  -17-

  -18-

  Shadow Wars

  -1-

  -2-

  -3-

  -4-

  -5-

  -6-

  -7-

  -8-

  -9-

  -10-

  -11-

  -12-

  -13-

  -14-

  -15-

  -16-

  -17-

  -18-

  Shadow Blade

  -1-

  -2-

  -3-

  -4-

  -5-

  -6-

  -7-

  -8-

  -9-

  -10-

  -11-

  -12-

  -13-

  -14-

  -15-

  -16-

  Shadow Gambit

  An impossible quest for a legendary item.

  I love questing for loot.

  And the more difficult the quest, the greater the reward.

  So when I'm offered a chance to retrieve the ultimate treasure of all, I signed up.

  Yet no one warned me the task would be impossible. Against overwhelming odds I'm also expected to defeat an ancient evil - one with the power of a god.

  But you know what?

  Some loot is worth risking it all.

  CHAPTER ONE

  I clung to the cliff face for dear life as the enraged dragon circled overhead.

  Pressing my body hard against the rocky surface I did my best to keep from being noticed by the giant hunting lizard. Climbing maybe a specialty skill for my Shadow class, but it didn't hurt to be cautious. One slip and I'd plummet hundreds of feet down the cliff face into the molten lake below. An ignominious end to a rather stellar questing career - at least for this life.

  Thankfully, the dragon didn't look in my direction. Instead, it banked away, flapping great leathery wings to disappear into the dark smoky haze which spewed from the volcano. I breathed a sigh of relief and adjusted my hand-holds and feet. The giant lizard would be back that was for certain. Within my backpack was an egg I'd just swiped from its nest, and the creature would do everything to get it back.

  Craning my neck I looked upwards. The top of the cliff was still a fair distance away. Reaching it would be the only salvation I could hope for. Either that or be melted off the rock wall.

  Just getting to this spot had been a challenge. One which pushed my character to her limits. Granted, I was level 42, and had been faithfully cultivating my various skills up to this point. But this was a high level area, 45 and up. And the quest I was on was intended for group play, further compounding the risk.

  But hey, no risk, no reward. And I wanted the reward all to myself.

  Unconsciously, I wiped at a trickle of sweat on my temple being careful of my grip. The simulation suit I wore did a good job of making me feel like I was really perched above actual lava. Too good a job, in fact. With a few sub-vocal commands I instructed the suit to tone down the climate controls, and instantly I felt cooler. My avatar would not benefit within this virtual reality. She would sweat like a pig, regardless. But for me as the player could be allowed some comfort. A message appeared at the corner of my vision, asking if the temperature was adequate. I dismissed it and looked around for the dragon.

  Nothing but smoke and ash filled the sky. Delay would only bring failure and this quest I was on had been earmarked as 'Special'. If I failed my character would be heavily penalized. I resumed my ascent although it was slow going. Having climbed down this same cliff to get to the dragon's nest a short time ago, my avatar was feeling the strain. But I could not stop now and regenerate. Time for that after I reached the top.

  Climbing Skill increased! Level 7, 14%

  If ever there was a time for this skill to advance, this certainly was the time for it.

  Gripping an overhang, I attempted to pull myself over when my foot slipped. Panicked, I clasped at the rock face in desperation. The movement caused my pack to jostle open and the dragon egg within slipped out.

  You have dropped a Quest Item: 'Dragon's Egg'.

  I gasped and shot a hand out to grab it as the egg tumbled beneath me. Its slick golden surface did not help, but I barely snagged it with my fingers.

  You have acquired a Quest Item: 'Dragon's Egg'.

  From somewhere across the volcano the dragon shrieked.

  Uh-oh, I thought and risked a glance over my shoulder.

  The reptilian image of the flying beast emerged from the dark clouds heading straight at me. It was a fair distance away, but not for long.

  I looked from the approaching dragon to the egg in my hand. The creature sensed it. My pack shielded the egg from detection but exposing it gave the dragon a beacon to home in on.

  Not that I could do anything about it now. Placing the egg back in the pack wouldn't stop it from zeroing in on me and blasting me off the wall. I looked below. The lava lake bubbled and hissed. Throwing it might be an option. The dragon would follow the egg downward until the treasure vanished into the lava. Then it would turn its rage on me. That wouldn't give me enough time to reach the cliff top. And besides, I wanted to keep the egg considering all the trouble this quest had given me.

  There was only one choice, and it wasn't the best.

  I placed the egg back into my pack and then, with a cringe, selected the 'Summon Companion' icon from the bottom corner of my vision.

  The next instant a ferret appeared on the edge of the overhang above me. He wore a pair of leather breeches over his fur, and a small blue jacket with the name 'Phlixx' embroidered across one breast pocket. Atop his head was a wide-brimmed hat with a white feather pinned to one side. His ears poked through a pair of holes in the brim.

  His wide eyes latched onto me. “My love! You have summoned me!” he hollered.

  I rolled my eyes and pulled myself up onto the overhang, my chest pressed against the rock. There was hardly any space to sit. “Phlixx, I need your help.”

  “You need me, my sweet?” The little ferret crooned as he scampered up the rock to get eye level with me. Climbing was one of his innate abilities, far superior to mine. Which was exactly what I needed.

  “Yes,” I said, and pulled my pack around to open it. The moment I did, and the egg was exposed, the dragon roared. This time much closer.

  Phlixx looked from the egg to the dragon coasting through the air toward us over the volcano. His huge eyes got even wider. “Dragon! A dragon!” In one of his tiny fists a little crossbow appeared. “I'll protect you, Honeybun! Even if it is with my last breath!”

  I was counting on that. Grabbing the egg, I turned Phlixx around so his back was to me. I
then jammed the golden egg into his own little pack.

  “A gift?” Asked Phlixx, with concern. “Now, of all times? Shouldn't we be fleeing?”

  As if to emphasize the suggestion, the dragon roared, again.

  Satisfied that the egg would not pop out, I turned Phlixx back around and looked into his big eyes. “I need you to climb.”

  “Climb?” His head whipped about in confusion, the hat's feather slapping my face.. “But where?”

  “Up!” I said and grabbed his small body with both hands. Then, with my legs gripping the overhang to not lose my balance, I placed Phlixx onto the rock face above me. “Get to the top as fast as you can!”

  Clinging to the rocks with ease, Phlixx gave me a mournful look. “You want me to leave you? Now, in your time of need?”

  “Go!” I commanded. “Or I will never speak to you again!”

  That did it. Phlixx blinked in recognition of my threat and bolted up the cliff wall. “I shall do as you bid, but only out of my love for you!”

  I watched as the little ferret zipped up with a speed I could never attain, no matter how many skill points I put into my climbing ability.

  Satisfied, I then twisted my torso around to look at the dragon. And it was as I thought. The dragon's attention was now on the egg in Phlixx's pack. Instead of flying at me, it had altered course to intercept my love-lorn companion.

  Pressing my stomach against the rocks to maintain my balance on the overhang, I extended a hand. A longbow appeared within my grip.

  “Okay,” I said. “Only going to have one shot at this.”

  The dragon had now flown up to the rock wall and slowed to a stop. Its huge wings flapping rapidly to keep level. The wind it generated buffeted me and Phlixx, who was now in full panic mode.

  “Begone, vile lizard! Or I will turn your hide into boots!” Phlixx cried, all the while never altering his climb.

  Careful of my precarious balance, I reached behind my shoulder to my quiver which was empty. I uttered a word, “Kezzan,” and a single arrow appeared within the quiver. I pulled it out. Its ebony surface shimmered with magical energy. A Rare Arrow of +12 damage (2-6 base), it was carved from the bone of a Greater Demon, and cost me dearly to get. But now I had to use it.

  Above me the dragon inhaled, a great and powerful noise as it filled its tremendous lungs. It would blast Phlixx off the wall with fire and probably take me and the entire cliff face with it.

  Sensing the end, Phlixx stopped his climbing and was now rapid firing his crossbow at the beast. The tiny bolts bounced harmlessly off its thick hide.

  With a steady grip I aimed at the only exposed part of the dragon's body I had a hope of piercing. One of its eyes.

  A chat request suddenly flashed at my lower vision. It was from Mudhoof, a fellow player and friend. Annoyed, I dismissed it and focused on the dragon.

  At the end of its inhalation, the dragon's eyes widened. This was it. It was going to exhale death upon us all.

  Using my Sure Shot ability, I fired.

  Sure Shot was one of the abilities selectable as a level 20 Thief once I moved into the Shadow Sub-Class. Sitting with 6 ability points out of a possible 10, Sure Shot granted any arrow I fired a +20 to Accuracy and a 45% removal of any target's chance to block. Coupled with the high damage of the arrow, it made for a potent combination. It wouldn't kill the dragon, even if I lucked out and got a critical hit, but it might do enough damage to drive it away.

  There was still a chance I'd completely miss which would mean a fast-track to the newbie zone.

  But in the next moment the dragon shrieked in agony, and reared back, the demon arrow jutting out of its left eye. The beast, confused and in pain, blasted fire upwards toward the sky. Phlixx and I cringed, half expecting the dragon to direct its gout of death in our direction.

  Instead, the dragon turned away with a roar.

  Phlixx cheered and shook a fist at the retreating dragon. “That'll teach you to mess with my love!”

  With trepidation, I watched as the injured dragon vanished into the distant smoke. If it decided that our encounter wasn't over just yet, there'd be little I could do other than pray.

  Yet, the high level beast must of thought enough was enough, and it didn't reappear.

  Relieved, I resumed climbing. No sense sitting around in case the dragon came back. When I finally pulled myself over the lip of the cliff edge, I found Phlixx standing on a boulder, hands on his little hips, like a miniature musketeer, looking proud.

  “Did I do good?” he asked eagerly. The long white feather in his hat fluttering in the hot wind which rushed over the volcano.

  I laughed. “You did superb, Phlixx. Thank you.” I reached down and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. That's not the first time he'd saved my Shadow butt from a reroll and I doubt it would be the last. When presented with the quest to obtain Phlixx as a companion, I wasn't thrilled with the prospect, even indifferent. I liked playing solo most of the time, and relying on anyone, whether it was other players or game controlled companions and pets didn't sit will with me.

  But now I know how valuable this little ferret had become. It would suck when it came time to upgrade to a better companion. “Now, the egg please.”

  “Of course!” He said, beaming and pulled the egg out of his pack with both hands and hoisted it up to me. “What will we do now? Defeat another dragon?”

  I looked at the glittering egg which reflected my avatar's face across its gold surface. “No more dragons. Not for a while.” The amount of pain and suffering I'd endured to obtain this little item had been considerable. Initially, it appeared to be a simple Fetch quest mysteriously marked as special, but quickly morphed into a multi-part ordeal I didn't want to repeat.

  “We need to get out of here and back to the the travel gate.”

  We walked in the direction of the base camp, where I had entered this adventure zone to finish the golden egg quest. I wouldn't feel safe until I was within that protected area. Out here, I was a fatal statistic waiting to happen.

  I slipped the egg back into the shielded protection of my pack while keeping an eye on the murky sky above. “Then we'll find out if this thing was worth almost having to reroll a new character for.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Simply getting back to base camp was another dangerous ordeal entirely.

  I picked my way down the sloping side of the volcano, avoiding steaming crevices and vents which belched hot ash. All the while I kept an eye on the cloudy sky.

  Only on one occasion did I feel the need to hide behind a huge rock as a loud screeching echoed from every direction. Phlixx shivered dramatically as he clutched at my shoulder. But when a vengeful dragon did not making a fiery appearance, I continued on.

  I followed the same route I'd taken to get here mindful of any monster respawns that were overdue to pop. I'd previously killed a slew of Crag Spiders who's ambushing tactics involved launching themselves from dark crevices and immobilizing their targets with paralyzing venom. Fun times.

  Also, I tangled with a small group of Dark Elf Scavengers. Nasty mobs. They favored ranged attacks with barbed spears and an annoying boomerang type weapon. Thankfully, I liked range attacks too, and matched up with my Shadow ability, I'd made short work of them. Great xp, too.

  But as I backtracked, none of these monsters had respawned, and I was happy for the break in fighting. Hopefully, the final leg to the travel gate would be equally uneventful.

  At the furthest edge of the volcano the terrain opened to a series of hills covered with the remnants of a forest. Blackened trees smoldered and what little vegetation existed was buried under mounds of ash.

  Now I grew more cautious. The relative open area of the volcano gave me a clear view of anyone approaching. But here in the burned out forest things got to be close quarters. I was in a player versus player area. A PvP zone. Another player could come along and attack me with impunity. If I died, they would have access to all the items in my inventory; weapo
ns, gold, the contents of my backpack and the golden egg. I'd worked hard for the egg and had no intention of giving it up to anyone without a fight.

  A path led the way through the blackened trees toward the base camp. As the main artery to the quest area of the volcano, it was from the camp's direction I was likely to run into other players.

  I didn't enter the forest right away. Instead, a sidestepped under a darkened rocky pile of boulders and used my Shadow Ability.

  This caused my avatar to quickly disappear, effectively fading out of existence, along with Phlixx who was perched on my shoulder. I wasn't completely invisible. If someone was looking directly at me, I'd appear as a pilar of water. I'd heard it described as the 'Predator Effect', a reference to some ancient movie I'd never bothered to watch. Too busy playing MMOs, I guess.

  This effect was greatly enhanced by shadows, or dark places, making my avatar vanish completely. An eye icon appeared at the edge of my vision. Its opacity indicated how detectable my Shadow was, and currently the eye image was nearly gone. Good.