Otherlife Nightmares: The Selfless Hero Trilogy (16 page)

Awakening Naturals now felt like he was cruelly ripping away the innocence of their lives.

7:43pm Sovereign Earth time

11/09/43

Runner had managed to tear himself away from Ernsta and Brunhild. After Ernsta had been forced into her Awakening, her thought process had shifted radically.

She’d had the look of someone who had slammed up against a wall at full speed and was contemplating a second go.

As if sensing the distress in her sister, Brunhild took her in hand and vanished, effectively ending the conversation. Runner moved on. More work to do, always more work.

“Srit, I have one question for you,” Runner said. He was rapidly approaching the camp.

What is it?

“Nice response, by the way. Why does
Seduce
work better than
Persuade
? Starting to feel a bit like a man whoring gigolo here.” Frowning as he said it, Runner slipped between two wagons and made his way through the perimeter ring towards his companions. The column had stopped for the day and had set up for the night.

Persuade is only a one-time check against the logic of your statement towards what their AI believes to be in their best interest. Seduction is a much larger check and takes your Charisma as a multiplier into effect. Failing a Seduction check has a tendency to create an extreme negative response.

“I noticed with Ernsta. That also makes almost too much sense. Doesn’t seem to wear off either.”

Runner shook his head.
Seduce
would only get him so far. So far everything had been fairly bloodless.

In your own words, it’s a game. What did you expect? Your charisma is the highest in the database that I can find, though there are those who have invested some points. Nowhere near your amount however.

“Fine, you’re right,” grumbled Runner.

I know.

“Srit, you’re acting decidedly like Thana each time we speak. You talking to her on the side or something? Cheatin’ on me?”

Nope. I do follow her around now though. She is very wise.

Locating the campsite for his party wasn’t difficult once he determined where the map indicators were. He nodded to Nadine as she tended to a pot hung over a fire. The rest of the party stood perhaps forty paces from the fire in deep discussion.

His gut flipped over at the prospect of having his wandering heart revealed. Unable to sit still, he walked a quick circuit of the area and assigned it as a
Campsite.
Nothing to do further, he moved beside the crackling fire.

Flopping down onto a log, he closed his eyes and hung his head. He privately enjoyed the quiet moment and warmth of the fire. His mind wandered and started to gently unwind itself. There was so much left to do, and so little time.

“Eat. Then-n sleep, Runner,” Nadine whispered to him, placing a warm bowl in his hands. Not wanting to argue, he nodded his head. Quiet and solemn, he ate the meal, staring into the flames.

He didn’t remember giving his bowl to someone, but when he woke from his thoughts he found his hands empty. That and he was the only one awake still.

Two bedrolls had been laid out next to the fire. They both held their owners, who were fast asleep already. Hannah and Nadine no doubt. They tended to sleep near one another and away from the others.

Like skittish cats.

On the other side of the camp lay his own bedroll. Resting near the fire, it promised him a warm, good night’s rest.

Nearly atop his bedroll, however, rested another bedroll that curiously looked occupied. As he got closer to the layout, it appeared as if they had been pressed into one large bed.

Checking the last bedroll that lay a few feet beyond his own, he found a head of red hair, snoring deeply.

That left only…

“Thana?” Runner whispered, kneeling down at the foot of his bedroll. Dark black hair was the only indicator he could go by. That did put Hannah in the equation. He doubted that though.

No response.

Whispering in game did actually provide a low enough tone that few would hear beyond several feet.

Probably should test it to see if the divine can hear. Ah, perfect!

He moved forward on his knees and came to rest atop his bedroll. Leaning towards the occupant, he whispered again.

“Lady Death, is that you?”

The head shifted around as if waking, a face becoming discernible through the gloom. Thana’s brown eyes peered at him from over the rim of the fabric.

“Yes?”

He couldn’t see the smile behind the fabric, though he knew it was there all the same.

“What are you doing?”

“Sleeping. What does it look like?”

He managed to keep his response to a small grunt. As he opened his mouth to argue, Thana interrupted him.

“Unless you have something more productive to discuss, I’m going back to bed.”

“What? No, this is…ugh…fine,” sighed Runner. Pressing his fingertips to his temples, he closed his eyes. Everyone would have seen this before they went to sleep. That meant it was inevitable that the end would be drawing near. No reasonable woman wanted to be second place among four.

So be it.

A sense of acceptance washed through him, and he surrendered to it. He changed into a comfortable set of sleeping clothes with a set of mental commands. He then moved to the corner of the bedroll and grabbed the edge. Sleep would be welcome. If he could sleep.

His fingers clasped the fabric and went to pull it open, only to find it had been tied to Thana’s.

Frustration got the better of him. He yanked the top of the bedroll down, exposing Thana’s sleepwear in the process, and crawled in.

As his mind processed the very lacey sleepwear she was wearing, he settled into the warm blankets. Then Thana was there, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Did you meet with Lady Brunhild?”

“Yes. I’ve also met with, and acquired the aid of, Ernsta.”

“I see. You’ve forsaken us for a pair of goddesses then?”

“Hardly. I want a trio. Rike is next.”

Thana’s fingers pinched his side and twisted.

“Ow, for fu-ugh. No, Thana, I’m not replacing anyone. I admit I feel mildly dirty for the actions I took to get their assistance. Thankfully it took little more than honest flattery, but I’m not interested in them. I have enough problems between the four of you. I’d rather not add three more.”

“You could always join them, leave mortality behind.”

“Hmph,” grumped Runner. A shrug of his shoulder and he extricated his arm from under Thana. Then he stupidly wrapped it around her. “I’m already immortal. Besides, call me hypocritical, since it is, I wouldn’t want to share them with their followers.”

Thana said nothing more. And sleep took Runner before he could think of anything else to say.

6:00am Sovereign Earth time

11/10/43

Runner was awakened for a planning meeting before dawn. He managed to untangle himself from Thana and depart without waking her or the others. There would be a ticking time bomb waiting for him on his return, he was sure.

A reprieve only. He knew there would be a reckoning. So he welcomed the planning meeting. Distractions were few and far between lately.

He was escorted to an enormous tent that held a large circular table, on which sat a map of the surrounding lands. Breakfast was along the side tables.

Filling out the tent entirely was a host of noble ladies, commanders, and knights. They spent some time telling him their names, but he didn’t remember a one. Names didn’t matter.

Breakfast mattered. The scent called out to him, demanded his attention even.

It smelled heavenly.

While he filled up with sausages that were ranked “perfect” on quality, they nattered on about titles and accomplishments. Rather than interrupt their self-congratulations, he ate.

Upon finishing said breakfast, Runner clapped his hands together. Conversation died away, and all turned to him.

“First things first. All you lovely noble ladies. I’m afraid you’re auditioning for the wrong part. All the principal roles have already been filled and even the extras have been cast. If your intention was me, sorry to disappoint,” Runner apologized with a flip of a negligent hand.

Their desires openly exposed—exposed and then completely doused—the women stared at him with cold painted faces.

Runner paid them no mind and stood. He tapped a spot on the map. It was located ahead of the army and the listing had it named as “Highpass Crossing.”

“This Highpass Crossing. We’ll be heading there. I know it’s full of bandits. It’s just what we need. It’ll only cost us a day to crush it. It’ll also give everyone a chance to give me an idea of their capabilities. Perhaps you’ll even change my mind on what to do with you all,” he muttered, almost to himself.

His plans at this time left a mildly bitter flavor in his mouth. Awakening them, from the noble ladies down to the teamsters, felt like the only valid solution to get them where he wanted them.

He had taken the liberty of checking the Wiki on Highpass Crossing while eating his breakfast, so his plans were already in motion.

Not only was it an open dungeon, it had been listed as a raid dungeon. A truly fortuitous chance for him to test out his new soldiers.

“So! I need—”

The tent flap flared open and admitted five newcomers.

Lining up before him were a Centaur, Goblin, Elf, Orc, and Beastman. They ranged in level from thirteen to nineteen. Not caring one whit for them individually, he looked for the leader amongst them.

Interesting.

“My name is Isabelle. This is my mercenary band,” said the Elf as she stepped forward, almost as if in response to his eyes searching through those arrayed before him.

Standing about five foot nine, she had the lissome build that people were so fond of for elves. Pale blonde hair left long and green eyes finished the cliche. Elegant features carved from wasted fantasies gave her a wistful beauty. No one could deny that she was attractive. Runner dismissed her looks from his mind violently.

“Right then. You’re hired. Specialty?”

Isabelle looked surprised. Apparently her expectation was not to be hired up front.

“Ah, frontline combat, my lord…?” inquired the beautiful Elf.

Scoffing with a smirk, he shook his head.

“No lord here, Isabelle. Runner, Runner Norwood.” Casting an eye over the group, he could definitely see potential as a blitzkrieg force.

“Good timing. Come stand next to me, Isabelle. Your cadre can wait outside for the moment. We’ll discuss the details and your contract after this meeting as well as options. Now,” he said, turning his attention to the table once more, “I’d like a demonstration of the abilities of this army. To do this, please put together ten groups of five people each. Each must be a self-contained unit that best shows off what you’re capable of as a combined force.”

Setting his left hand on Isabelle’s shoulder, he held up his right hand. Four of the fingers came up on his right hand.

“I expect you to be able to fight a group of four monsters at the same time. Please send out scouts to find suitable groups. This needs to be done by noon so we have time to plan.”

Isabelle squirmed under the weight of his hand. Everyone else in the room stared at him like he had lost his mind.

“You’re dismissed. Please make several messengers ready for me and a scribe,” he commanded. Flicking his fingers at them, he waited.

Eventually the tent emptied, leaving him alone with the mercenary captain.

Sitting back in his chair, he released Isabelle and gestured to the chair opposite him.

“My services are for sale, I am not,” Isabelle said, refusing to take the seat.

“Hm? And? I wasn’t aware I asked you to warm my bed. You certainly rock the sexy Elf angle, but I don’t care. Sit or be gone. Your choice, just be swift about it.” Runner raised his eyebrows at the Elf. Time was wasting. “Things to do. I might actually get to design plans for building a fort in the next few weeks, and those things don’t just design themselves, ya know.”

Isabelle hesitated a moment longer before taking a seat.

“Fan-fucking-tastic. Thank you. Price?”

“A gold per quarter.”

“First. How did an Elf end up here? You’re rather far from home. Wrong continent entirely according to the Wiki. Let alone your band of merry men.”

Wrinkling her nose, Isabelle looked like she’d bitten into a rotten apple.

“Wiki? I’m unsure of that term. As far as my reasons for being here”—she hesitated a moment—“I killed someone. They were guilty of a crime and deemed innocent because of their connections. I ended the problem. Hypocritically, I was banished by those who had opposed the innocence of the man instead of executed.”