Alpha Test Subject #3435: A Roguelike LitRPG Adventure (Chronicles of Alamor Book 1) Read online

  You chopped a giant rat! 5 Damage

  You defeated a giant rat! +2 Exp

  I braced the rats head with my foot and tugged the ax out of its head. It managed to smell even worse now that it was dead, and I quickly passed it by. The goat it had been eating was still in the middle of the path as well, another mess to avoid as I continued along the path, deeper into the forest.

  The initial pain in my leg didn’t last long, but a dull ache remained as I walked along the path. The HUD also remained steady at 8 HP, not gaining as I continued. I was a little curious about how to get it back up. If it only went down, there wouldn’t be much staying-power in the game. After a time, I came across a small path running off to one side. The forest appeared to thin out some down that path while getting thicker along the main one. My instinct was to continue along the main path, going where it was a little darker. That instinct wasn’t normal though, so I figured the game must want people to investigate this side path before venturing deeper into the woods.

  The path was short, ending at a clearing in almost no time. I could see a pond across the clearing, backed by the forest. To the right was a steep hill. A cave was near ground level, but the hill itself would be difficult, if not impossible, to climb. To the left, the forest grew very thick and dense, circling to the pond.

  I approached the cave, surprised to see a bundle of sticks topped with cloth near the entrance. This was obviously not trying for realism, an artifact of game mechanics or something. When I arrived at the entrance, I noticed a plaque above the opening. Upon closer inspection, the plaque read “Cave of Tranquility.” I suppose if it’s a regular hang-out someone may leave torches for convenience sake. I grabbed one of the sticks and took a closer look.

  Torch

  This torch will light your way, for a time. Be sure to bring a spare lest you get left in the dark! +1 Exp

  It wasn’t quite time to eat more, but I needed to clear some space. I downed two ears of corn, surprised to see my HP increase by 1 when I ate the second! I quickly ate another, rewarded with full HP once again. Eating the corn also freed up valuable space for me to grab a few torches.

  Next came lighting the torch. I got out the flint and steel and sat there. I only knew it was flint and steel because the game told me. I’d never used the stuff in my life. The only fire I’d been around was a campfire as a kid, and that was already burning by the time I got there. My parents had an old gas fireplace at their house, but they never used it. Fire, as important as it was too early humans, just wasn’t common anymore. I did know you could bang metal on stuff and get sparks, so I started there.

  I unwrapped the flint and steel from the black cloth they were wrapped in, setting the cloth aside. I leaned in close to the torch and started banging them together. A few sparks shot out in all directions, but it was very uncontrolled. I kept banging, trying different angles. I quickly realized the angle I hit directed the sparks, so I was able to send most of them towards the torch. Most of them went out before they even got to the torch, but a few hit it. The very top of the torch had black cloth, like the cloth wrapping the flint and steel. The sparks that landed there actually stuck around for a bit, but didn’t turn to fire. I thought way back to elementary school, trying to remember the fire safety info we learned back then. Stop, drop, and roll. That’s it! I needed to wave the glowing bit around to get it more air, move it from a spark to a fire.

  The first one I tried simply put it out faster. The second time I waved it slower, and it worked! After a few seconds of waving it the glow spread, slowly, and then flashed to a fire around the whole thing.

  “I made fire!”

  You have earned the skill Firestarter.

  Matches? We don’t need no stinkin’ matches! Like the cavemen of old, you will now start basic fires with flint and steel on the first try. +5 Exp

  Realizing I had screamed it out loud, I sheepishly looked around. Of course, who would care? I was the only one in here, right? I shook my head and returned to the task at hand.

  I had jumped up when I lit the torch. Trying to figure out how to hold a torch and an ax I noticed the torch somehow balanced itself on my shoulder, holding the torch’s fire away from me, outside my vision, and yet lighting the way. I could feel a little warmth from it, but it was not going to burn me. I smiled and started into the cave.

  You discovered a new location! +2 Exp

  Light filtering in the cave opening faded almost immediately once inside. There was plenty of room to stand and walk, almost as if people had fashioned it. Of course, with a name like “Cave of Tranquility” what else should I expect? I walked along the only passageway available, enjoying the rock formations as I went. The cave wandered back and forth with a downward slope. It was hard to tell for sure, but I felt like it was moving deeper into the woods. The air was cool and damp inside, softly drifting back to the entrance as I continued onward.

  Rounding a corner, I came to a fence spanning the tunnel. There was a sign to the left of a gate in the fence.

  Leave your light, move forward by faith and feeling alone.

  Below the sign was a spot to leave my torch. Not wanting to leave behind my only source of light I examined the gate, trying to discern another method of opening it. Unfortunately, I found nothing, not even a new descriptive message. With a sigh I placed my torch in the holder, the gate swinging open of its own volition when I did.

  I went through the gate, and the tunnel made an immediate S, curving first left than right. The light from the torch was left behind almost immediately. I was in total darkness. Normally, this wasn’t too big of a deal, but I could still smell the giant rat every few breaths. I clutched the ax in one hand while the other stayed on the cave wall. I was shuffling forward, not walking, at a snail’s pace; afraid of stumbling forward and twisting my ankle. After an eternity, that lasted all of 17 turns according to my HUD, the tunnel made another S, a soft blue glow gently making itself known as I went forward.

  The S opened to a chamber the size of a small house. While the size itself wasn’t grandiose, the contents were spectacular. Glowing worms covered the walls and ceiling, crawling in small patterns like twinkling stars. There was a small stone couch in the middle of the room. I went and laid back on it, taking in the view as if seeing the Milky Way for the first time.

  As I lay there, I thought about my experience in the game so far. The whole giant rat and searing pain bit weren't great but other than that it wasn’t bad. Whatever game they were making with this could use some direction though. I felt a little lost with no defined goals. I guess survival, but was that it? I passed a few turns, watching the worms move around the ceiling in intricate patterns. Enough tranquility for one day, not that I have anywhere special to be. Hmm, I wonder how much time has passed in the real world?

  I got up and stretched, closing my eyes as a huge yawn escaped. I opened my eyes to nothing. Or did I open them? The dark was as absolute as the dark of the room where I first lay. I wasn’t laying though. I was standing. In complete darkness. In a cave. Next to a stone couch. Which direction was that in again? I felt a little bit of panic sneaking in. The only thing I could see was the HUD, and it stayed oriented to my head, not the world. I stooped down and slowly started feeling the air around me, trying to find the couch I’d just been laying on. I couldn’t feel anything within reach. I stood up and started to turn, losing my balance in the dark. Falling, I tried to twist my body, throwing out my hands and hoping to catch myself. When I met the ground, I lost my breath and struggled to take another, stunned and hazy for a few minutes.

  Glancing at the HUD, I saw some turns had passed while I lay there trying to recover. I hadn’t specifically tried to pass the time, just tried to get my bearings. There must be a stun effect that caused turns to pass without me willing it. Now I lay there with no idea how to find my way out of the cave. What caused the worms to stop glowing? How do I get them back? I waited until my food percentage dropped, and the worms still didn’t glow. Another
problem then manifested itself. I could look through my inventory, but I didn’t have the option to do anything with what was there, including eating. It must be the dark.

  I closed my eyes. “Get me the hell out of here.”

  Nothing.

  “Get me the hell out of here!”

  I passed some turns, thinking maybe it took one or two. Still nothing.

  “GET ME THE HELL OUT OF HERE!” By now I was fighting tears, desperately seeking salvation.

  Still, nothing happened. Panic set in, and the turn counter started to increase on its own. I didn’t see myself going anywhere, anytime soon.

  The dark pressed on me like a radiation shield. I couldn’t get out, and couldn’t see where to go. Panic threatened to overtake me with every breath. I started a breathing exercise, forcing myself to calm as I would in the real world. I noticed the movement counter slow as I gained control of myself

  With my emotions under control, I needed a plan. I pictured the space as it was when I first came in. The cave was small and had only one entrance. If I were to map the trip here from the gate, it was essentially a hallway with a room at the end. All I needed to do was find a wall and follow it in one direction. If I found the couch, I’d figure it out quickly from the corners. If I found a side-wall, then no matter which direction I went I would eventually find myself back at the gate.

  You have remained calm under pressure! +1 Int

  That could’ve been worse. Back in control of my situation, I started acting on my plan. I kept my hands out in front of my head while crawling along the floor like a snake. The surprise when I did feel the wall nearly sent me into a panic again. I immediately resumed my breathing exercise and pulled the rest of my body up to the wall. With both my hands and feet connecting I was able to make my way back towards the gate and the light from my precious torch.

  When a faint orange glow appeared ahead of me, I almost cried again. I was so happy to finally see something that I didn’t care what it was. Rounding the curve, I was able to pull myself up and stand, basking in the glow of my torch, faithfully waiting by the gate. When I pulled the torch down the gate closed, trapping me on the outside. I glanced down at myself, immediately glad for the overalls. That crawl would’ve decimated my skin and left me filthier than the rat I killed had I still been in rags.

  I wasn’t hungry, but the first thing I wanted to do was eat, making the best use of my food I could. I had to eat deeply into my reserves, but I managed to get back to the full feeling.

  The torch was much dimmer than when I had started, the flame surely getting down to the last few turns. I walked in nonchalantly, so I figured if I hurried I could make it out before losing my light again. I also hoped I would get enough warning to use the torch to light another one. Otherwise, it would be back to the ground with me. Deciding not to waste any more time I ran for the exit, getting winded part-way and needing to slow down.

  I made it to the entrance and stepped outside. I turned and looked back at the cave, glad to be out.

  You have entered the Cave of Tranquility and survived to tell the tale. +4 Exp

  I took a step away from the cave and was greeted with a warning.

  Your torch is almost out, find light or face the consequences.

  I tossed the torch down on the ground by the cave and grabbed a new one. What now?

  “Get me the hell out of here.” I didn’t really expect anything to happen. It was a long-shot, perhaps you couldn’t escape a tough situation just by logging out. I passed a couple of turns, and nothing happened. I sat down, a feeling of powerlessness washing over me.

  Frank: Average Human

  Str:5

  Dex:5

  Con:5

  Int:6

  Wis:5

  Luck:5

  HP:10 (10)

  SP:0 (0)

  Food:100% (29/50)

  Turn:751

  Exp:25

  Lvl:0

  Weapon:

  Dull Old Rusty Ax

  Slow, 5-8

  Armor:

  Dirty Farmer’s Overalls

  0

  Equipment:

  2 carrots, 2 cucumbers, 2 heads of lettuce, 3 ears of corn, flint & steel, 3 torches

  Silver: 0

  Skills:

  Firestarter (1)

  Magic:

  Four

  I couldn’t get out. Exit exited the game interface, not the game. Help still did nothing. My exit phrase was failing. At least there would be a recording of that when I got back. Unfortunately, some of the papers I signed probably prevented me from getting any bonus for being stuck in here longer than I wanted. How long did they say the trial would be each day? 4 hours? 5? I didn’t know, and even if I did, I had no idea what that meant for time here.

  I figured I had three choices. I could go back to the garden and eat until they took me out of the game. I could try to die as quickly as possible, hoping that would take me out of the game. I could move forward, trying to succeed as much as possible until my time for the day was up, and they took me out of the game.

  I looked down at my leg, remembering the pain from the rat’s scratch. Death is not an option. Besides, what if I just start back by the garden again? While there were times in my life sitting around eating seemed like a good option, it didn’t appeal to me here. The only option that made sense to me was to go forward, deeper into the forest and whatever may lie beyond.

  The decision made, I got up. I was about to head to the main path when I remembered all the food I had to eat in the cave. I looked around the clearing again, trying to find anything that might work to replenish my stores. Nothing stood out to me. Not wanting to give up so easily I strode to the edge of the pond and looked more closely at the area.

  The pond was teeming with life. I could make out some small fish below the surface but had no way to catch them. I started looking at the plants near the water but realized I had no idea what I was looking for. It was then I noticed a turtle basking in the sun nearby. Turtles are slow and have a built-in pot for cooking. I figured there was no way to go wrong here. I slowly crept up on it, pouncing when I came close enough. I snatched it from the rock and held it up to admire my catch.

  You caught a turtle! +1 Exp

  It pulled its head and legs inside the shell, closing in an effort to stay alive. I tucked it away, wondering how long it would stay alive in my inventory. I looked around for more turtles, but couldn’t find any.

  I started back towards the main path, gathering some dry grass from the clearing as I went. I’d need to start a fire to cook the turtle at some point. Along the way I also kept my eyes open for any dry twigs and branches, hoping to get enough for a decent fire when the time came.

  I arrived on the main path and turned to go deeper into the forest. My ax was at the ready, and the turtle was on my mind for dinner later. It was still daylight, though I wasn’t sure that meant anything. It didn’t get darker in the sense of time passing as I went, the forest itself just got denser. The path got a little narrower but was still a well-defined path. It reminded me of well-kept state forest trails near my parent’s place. I was just thinking the only thing missing was regular trail signs when one came into view around a bend. Granted, it wasn’t exactly the same, but it was quite the coincidence. I stopped to check it out.

  System Problems. Exit unavailable until further notice.

  I blinked and shook my head, looking down again and seeing the same message. I guess they know I tried to get out. Dr. Jefferson had said everything in here was also being recorded. Why can’t they just pull the plug though? Unable to do much with the message I looked at the sign itself. It was dry wood and might work very well for a fire. Hefting the ax, I made short work of the sign, creating a nice small pile of firewood in no time.

  You have earned the skill Ax Wielder.

  You can chop wood faster and will not get fatigued while chopping. Keep working at it, and one day you too can learn to hit living things! +5 Exp, +
1 Str

  I may not know what I’m doing, but I seem to be getting better at it. I started back down the path thinking a clearing to break up the monotony soon would be nice. Instead, I found another rat.

  This rat came out of the forest not far in front of me and was gunning for me from the start. I stopped as soon as it appeared and assessed the situation. This time I knew what to expect, the rat would swipe at me as soon as I was in range. Unfortunately, I had to be in range to hit it with the ax. Gauging the distance, I had only one turn before it was in range. I worried if I closed the distance it would get a free attack on me, so I decided to wait a turn, letting it get closer to me.

  I wasn’t disappointed as the rat lunged towards me, stopping just short of striking at me. I slammed the ax down as hard as I could, hoping to crush its skull in one hit this time. At the same time, I watched for the return attack, thinking if I paid attention I may have a better chance of it missing my leg.

  You chopped a giant rat! 8 Damage

  My diligence paid off, the rat missing me by mere inches. I yanked the ax, more easily this time, while backing away to avoid another attack. This time the rat lunged at me, trying to bite. It seemed to slip on something during the attack though, so I immediately took advantage of the opening.

  You chopped a giant rat! 5 Damage

  You defeated a giant rat! +2 Exp

  Ha! Guess I can already hit living things. I skirted the rat, not wanting to touch the smelly pile of dead meat. The path continued winding on, no end in sight. I had no idea where the path went, or what might lay along the way. I just knew that I had nowhere else to go, and apparently no way to get out for now.