Condition Evolution 3: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure Read online

  Condition

  Evolution

  Book Three

  By

  Kevin Sinclair

  Copyright © 2020 Kevin Sinclair

  All rights reserved

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and situations portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination.

  The Author has no medical experience whatsoever and is in no way offering dietary or health advice. Any situation herein, are purely of the authors imagination.

  All resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

  For more Information email:

  [email protected]

  First edition 2020

  Thanks

  Thanks first and foremost goes to my wife, who without her support, none of this would be possible. From being alpha reader and editor, to help with all aspects of this crazy journey we have embarked on.

  As always, I’d like to thank my children, Ewan, Lydia, William and Alexander, for providing constant interruptions and generally making a nuisance of themselves, but mainly for making me smile.

  To the Guildmasters, for all your help, support and friendship. Just a thoroughly fantastic group of people.

  To my beta readers, Steve Kenny, Jeff Walsh, Joe Jelliffe, Denny Johnson, Liam Johnson and James Auwaerter, for your time and amazing feedback.

  To my Editors, Lewis Packwood and Victoria Sinclair for your excellent work. Gaiusprimus for some amazing proofreading.

  And Eko for yet another amazing cover!

  CONTENTS

  C1 To Torax

  C2 Slow-Baked Potato

  C3 Brains or Brawn Shaun?

  C4 No Havok, No Problem.

  C5 Caught At Last

  C6 Friend in Deed

  C7 Brighten Up!

  C8 Hide and Seek

  C9 Best of both Worlds

  C10 Come out to Play

  C11 Pain in the Arus

  C12 When in Doubt, Delegate

  C13 Waiting Game

  C14 Shake it Up

  C15 Sharing is Caring

  C16 Six P’s

  C17 Alpha Team

  C18 Supply and Demand

  C19 Lovers Tiff

  C20 It was a Stupid Idea Anyway!

  …Incoming from Shaun…

  Kevin Sinclair

  The LitRPG Guildmasters

  LitRPG Guildmasters Titles:

  LitRPG Group

  C1

  To Torax

  As amazing and potentially lifesaving as the ship’s new folding drive was, it sure was disorientating.

  We re-materialized what felt like an instant later, but there was no way to be sure. We were all wiped out, laying slumped on the floor or in chairs.

  “Ember, what the fuck? That was the Thoth!” I shouted.

  “I heard, dumbass.”

  “Why the hell were they coming after us like that?”

  Elyek interjected. “If I had to guess, they had no idea you were here. They named me specifically. I am really sorry guys. I don't know what to do. I've been nothing but trouble to you.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. They would have mentioned us if they knew we were here,” Ember said.

  I shrugged. “I suppose they'd have no way of knowing we’re on the ship. You know, after they left you for dead and me stranded on a hostile planet. They wouldn’t exactly expect to find us halfway across the galaxy in a shit-hot spaceship, carrying a fugitive. But, more importantly,” I said, emphasizing the point with a shake of my index finger, “Fuck those guys. They didn't bloody well check either. If we do see them again, and they start shit, I'm gonna finish shit.”

  “Shaun, are you ok? You do remember they’re our people, yeah? You know, the ones you really want to save?” she said, then smirked, “Plus, saying ‘finish shit’ doesn’t sound nearly as cool as you think it does.”

  “I’ll tell you what, I'll leave Gus and Mick alive. Fuck it. I'll even lay off Astrid. But the rest of them…,” I paused in anger, “not one of them made any effort with me on that ship, even after everything that happened, and how I was brought into all of this. It’s the arseholes on Earth I want to save, not these tits.”

  Ember laughed hard. “Shaun, you really are just too fucking much. You know why no one approached you, right?”

  “Ignorant dicks?”

  “No. They were fucking terrified of you. I overheard loads of talk behind your back, and some people even asked about you to my face.”

  “Terrified of me? I hadn't even massacred an entire space town at that point.”

  “You hit level 40 in nine months in Anatoli. You transcended on your first day of proper consciousness and took me along for the ride. You were stranded on a supply station for two weeks, after only a week of leaving the game, then killed three Fystr. Ogun was like a child around you. Then you went, half dead, and took Havok from four very well respected, improved human warriors. Followed later by giving a good hiding to the self-styled Thor when he retaliated. All without a mark on you. Thor, or rather Rodger, was a genuinely feared member of both the Thoth and the Seshat,” she half shouted at me.

  “Really? I never realized any of that was a thing on the ship.”

  “That’s not even the half of it, you absolute moron. I can’t even remember some of the shit I heard whispered about you. Like, how you turned into a pro-bodybuilder in two weeks, or that you carried on your back a massive sentient axe that levitates by itself.”

  “You’re pretty fucking cool, Shaun,” Havok said into my mind.

  “I know dude, but now’s not the time for a fist pump,” I thought back, pushing a laugh through our link, then focused on Ember, who was waiting for a response.

  “Oh. I never really thought about it like that. But you helped with the Fystr on the supply station. You should be just as feared.”

  “Shaun, I'm your fucking sidekick. I'm like goddamn Robin over here. Oh, yeah, and you weren't exactly chatty to the people on the ship either.”

  “I was the new kid. People should have been welcoming me,” I said petulantly, but I'd already lost this argument and I knew it.

  “Stop pouting, Shaun. It doesn't suit you.”

  “You really think I'm being too hard on them?”

  “Of course I do. If we see them again, we need to talk to them.” She turned quickly to Calegg and Elyek, “I'm never leaving you guys. It hasn’t been long, but we're family now. It's just, we at least need to get them off your trail, Elyek. They might even become allies.”

  Elyek nodded back solemnly. Calegg grinned his bastard head off at the affirmation of our strong bond.

  “Whatever,” I angrily waved away the conversation. “Let's focus on Torax. We need bodies, and if these guys are anything like Calegg, then they’re the bodies I want backing me up.”

  Calegg puffed his chest up at the compliment.

  Ember wasn’t happy with my conversation deflection. “I thought we’d have more time before our next death-defying adventure,” she replied, disappointed.

  “Don't whine, Ember. It doesn't suit you,” I snapped, still a little angry at the arrival of the Thoth, and that she seemed to defend them and berate me.

  In a truly impressive bit of telekinesis, she shot the boot off her foot straight at my face. Even more impressively, Havok deflected it.

&nbs
p; Calegg and Elyek looked on in amusement.

  I just smirked, which unfortunately sent Ember up a level of irritation. She quickly shot her other boot towards me with a lot more speed and intent.

  Havok sorted that shit out, this time cutting the boot in two.

  “Havok. Those were the only boots I have!” Ember shouted unhappily. She sulked a little more before talking to Havok again, “Sorry Havok, but he can be a dick at times.”

  Elyek and Calegg looked to each other, confused.

  “Have you never even spoken to Havok yet?” I asked, feeling like Havok was already part of the family after our chat a few planets ago. But they both shook their heads.

  “Havok, dude. These guys are family now. Can you see if you can introduce yourself?”

  “Anything for you, Shaun,” he said back almost lovingly. I felt like it should have creeped me out a little – how devoted he was to me – but it didn’t. I fucking loved my axe and second-best friend.

  I looked up to see expressions of mild surprise on Calegg’s and Elyek’s faces. Havok must already be talking to them.

  “It’s nice to finally talk to you, Havok,” Elyek said calmly.

  “How are you alive?” Calegg asked, alarm clearly written on his face.

  I hoped Havok wouldn’t tell him everything, but moments later Calegg exclaimed, “Over two million!” and my heart sank. Calegg now knew the true nature of Havok, and it was bloody and brutal. He looked over at me, and I just shrugged and smiled. He shrugged back, then said, “It’s great to meet you Havok. I hear you have had a lot to do with our success.”

  Havok obviously spoke back, but their conversation must have ended as Calegg turned back to one of his monitors and checked something.

  Elyek had already been busy with their monitor and turned to me and Ember, “It seems we have completely escaped our hunters, for now.”

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Ember said, looking up forlornly from her severed boot.

  “It is. How far away from Torax are we?” I asked.

  “Twenty-six hours, as planned. We are relatively dark to any scanners here, so we can remain stationary for a time if you need to take a moment to reflect,” Elyek said.

  “Might be nice,” Ember replied. “I did pretty much die. Again.”

  “Yes, I have to say, that was, without doubt, the most intense experience of my life, and I have spent that life acquiring difficult experiences. Your faith in Shaun is not misplaced and being part of this crew fills me with hope for the future,” Elyek said.

  “We feel the same having you with us, Elyek,” I replied, and I meant it. Having an invisible thief, assassin-type looking out for you was pretty cool.

  “I think we make a good team, too,” Ember said, casting the boot halves into a corner with an aggrieved look, “but can we discuss this over some quality bait from the canteen? I need to replenish my blood supplies.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. Let’s bounce,” I said, happy at the thought of food.

  As we walked, I reflected on how unbelievably amazing my life had become, despite being a desperate fight for survival most days. I mean, we had a top-class spaceship, plenty of spondoolies, the beginnings of a top-class crew, and I was the bloody captain.

  We all sat around a canteen table and dined on an eclectic range of dishes. Ember had a tiger prawn salad. I’d chosen a T-bone steak with half a chicken on a massive bed of spinach, covered in a creamy peppercorn sauce. Absolutely rocking low carbs and loving it. Calegg had some kind of meat with what looked like pasta. Alien, but pretty normal. I literally had no damn clue what Elyek was eating. It looked like it was still alive. A bowl of gloopy liquid with chunks of something in it, which I swear moved. If I ever got fat again, it wouldn't be from eating Veiletian food.

  We were all tucking in when Calegg blindsided us. “I know I was optimistic about my people earlier, but now we’re close, I'm actually shitting an irregularly shaped ore deposit here. I may have overplayed my hand. Part of me never thought we’d actually ever make it this far.”

  “What exactly do you mean, Calegg?” Ember asked with a little edge to her voice.

  Calegg put his hands up in a kind of submissive gesture. “There are people who would love to leave, don't get me wrong. The problem is that some on my planet work for the betterment of themselves, rather than of our people. Our world is filled with mining settlements, but the whole planet is ran from a central government. Not everyone in that government has our peoples’ best interests at heart,” Calegg said.

  Everyone started asking questions at the same time, so I captained the shit out of the situation. “Calegg, you’re talking bollocks, mate. There’s something you need to tell us, so just tell us straight. Now come on man, what’s the score?”

  Everyone seemed to agree with my assessment of Calegg’s avoidance tactic, and let me have my moment. Calegg looked like a deer in the headlights, then finally spoke, “My father is the head of trading on Torax. He’s in charge of all shipments on and off the planet.”

  “That’s brilliant,” I exclaimed. “He can help us get people away then.”

  “I had a huge falling out with him, and that’s why I left Torax. He is, how do you describe it… a complete prick. We do not get on, yet unfortunately, anything we do on the planet will have to go through him.”

  “Right. That’s not great. Can you make it up with him?” Ember asked.

  “I’ll try, I promise,” Calegg said, although we could all clearly see the tension in him as he made that promise. He didn’t believe he could deliver on it.

  “You’ll do fine, I know it,” Ember said, while Elyek patted him on the back.

  “Let’s get down there. I don’t think hanging on will help Calegg’s confidence any. How soon 'til we can land?” I asked.

  Calegg sighed, “We can be there in an hour. We’ve jumped close. And seriously, this ship.” He smiled a little with pride, patting the table.

  “Well, the Thoth turning up as bounty hunters changes things, too. I want to… sorry we need to get some support. Uprising Inc. needs a crew, yesterday.”

  “Okay, Shaun. We’re going,” Calegg said, getting up from the table, “but I'm making no promises.”

  “I will take us to Torax and watch over the bridge. You should all get tidied up and prepared,” Elyek said. “Plus, you won't need me on this trip. I can rest when you all go down to Torax.”

  “Yeah, we could do with cleaning up. Hopefully, this excursion will be less intense,” I laughed.

  “I’ll stay with you, Elyek. I’m still fresh and I can help talk us past the barrier force,” Calegg added.

  “Thank you, Calegg. That would be appreciated,” Elyek replied.

  Ember and I slunk off to our room to get cleaned up for whatever awaited us on Torax.

  After we showered and jumped into bed, Ember started chatting, “Hey, Shaun. Have you checked your stats lately? We must have got some gains for that last week. We might even be up for the hundred party.”

  “Okay. Together?”

  “Definitely, mine first.”

  I nodded happily, “Sure, Ember. Let's do it.” I went to her Interface Room. She was waiting already.

  Name: Ember Davison

  Age: 25 GY

  Transcendence Level: 100

  Strength: 81/1000

  Agility: 110/1000

  Speed: 100/1000

  Intelligence: 40/1000

  Constitution: 116/1000

  Wisdom: 51/1000

  Mental Resilience: 205/1000

  Mental Clarity: 45%

  Potential: 83%

  “Woo-hoo! I did it! Now let’s have a peek at yours.”

  “Yeah, sure. How has your Clarity gone up? I'm sure it was only like, 38 or something last time we looked.”

  “Unlike you, Shaun, I occasionally visit my Mindscape and do a bit of work on it. A practice you should start adopting quickly. Now come on, let's go see how you’re doing,” she said, and we both scooted over to
my Mindscape.

  Name: Shaun Sutherland

  Age: 29 GY

  Transcendence Level: 99

  Strength: 203/1000

  Agility: 74/1000

  Speed: 108/1000

  Intelligence: 46/1000

  Constitution: 200/1000

  Wisdom: 7/1000

  Mental Resilience: 60/1000

  Mental Clarity: 20%

  Potential: 99%

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. How’s that even possible?” she said, totally astonished.

  “Hell, if I know. I did do quite a bit. Maybe it was the bare-knuckle beating I took, or maybe Havok helped me level.”

  “I'm glad you’ve had a good jump, Shaun. It means we’re that little bit safer doesn't it?” she said, curling into my armpit. It seemed like she was about to go off to sleep when she suddenly jumped up like a mad-woman.

  “What! What's wrong?” I shouted, panicking.

  “My boot! I need to put it together, and hopefully it will self-repair, or I’m fucked. I’ll have to hop everywhere.”

  I laughed, then rolled over. “Night, Ember.”

  C2

  Slow-Baked Potato

  Torax met with my expectations. Because of Calegg’s fire-based abilities, I figured red and orange colors, and very rugged. Anywhere a race of fire-wielding, horned people came from was bound to look mildly hellscapey.

  We watched the planet through the front screen of the landing craft. Ember stood next to me, leaning against my side. Arriving at new planet wasn’t likely to get old anytime soon for us two intergalactic noobs, and luckily Ember’s boot had repaired itself, so she was my friend for the approach.

  We left the Uprising in orbit because we were unanimous in our agreement that being caught on the ground with her would be the pinnacle of stupidity, considering how many people we’d pissed off. We left Elyek near the space station, which contained a number of Galactic Empire soldiers. Their purpose was to act as a kind of police force, checking incoming and outgoing traffic. Generally, the Torax were not permitted to leave their planet. They could only leave under specific circumstances, although I wasn’t sure what all of those were.