Titan: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 4) Jez Cajiao (top ten books of all time TXT) 📖

into our room, but apart from the boots, which were worn out but my only option at present, I left it all behind, carrying only my battered belt and naginata.

The rest of my weapons and gear had mainly been stashed in my various Bags of Holding now anyway, and I resolved to empty those as much as possible before this afternoon’s excursion.

Oracle landed deftly on my right shoulder, and I walked over to the door, tugging it open to reveal four Legionnaires waiting outside: Yen and Tang, along with two I didn’t yet know.

They all straightened reflexively, fists smashing to chests as I stepped out, and I returned the salute, before Yen spoke.

“Good morning, Jax. The delegates are on their way now. Prefect Romanus has set up a tent to hold the meeting; shall we go straight to it?” she asked crisply.

“Morning, Yen, everyone,” I said, looking at each of them with a smile. “Yeah, that sounds good. Lead the way, please.”

We set off at a fast walk, covering the distance to the gangplank and off the ship in only a few minutes’ time, and when I asked about the new route we’d taken, and noted how much faster it was, Yen was quick to explain.

“Augustus has been working the Golems hard,” she said, and I couldn’t help but smile at that, until Restun slipped in alongside me as we walked.

“Good morning, my lord.” he said, his tone full of respect, and I felt my butt pucker reflexively in fear.

“Morning, Centurion Primus,” I said, swallowing on a suddenly dry mouth. “Unfortunately, no time to train this morning; we’ve guests incoming.”

“I know,” he said simply. “I’m glad that you think it’s unfortunate, though, as it shows you know you need to continue with your training.” He carried on, pausing, and glancing at me as I nodded quickly. “And because you know it’s important, I know you’ll want to fit in an hour before you go into the Sunken City.” He smiled smoothly as he finished, deftly closing the jaws of the trap.

“I… uh…” I mumbled, before forcibly kick-starting my brain again. “I would, you know that, Primus, but I need to sort out my new armor, and my squad, as I’ve not selected a team yet, not fully. Maybe when I return…”

“So you’ve not chosen your escort yet?” he asked slowly, and I frantically cast about for a way to stop him from offering to join us.

“I… I… “ I said articulately, when Yen stepped in smoothly.

“You did say that you wouldn’t confirm the places in your team until today, Lord Jax, but it was filled within minutes by volunteers, both those who’d already fought by your side and those who hadn’t. How many did you decide on bringing in the end?” Yen asked, barely risking a meaningful glance.

“I… eight,” I said, frantically picking a number at random.

“Hmmm, good choice, too small to attract too much attention, but big enough to handle most things…” Restun murmured approvingly. “Who are you taking?”

We had walked down the gangplank, across the clearing, and were approaching the tent, when I saw some of my usual squad standing nearby, and I sighed in relief.

“Lydia, Arrin, Jian, Stephanos, and Miren, of course,” I said quickly, “that five, then Yen and Tang, if they want to come?” I offered, getting smiles and accepting nods from both. As I glanced around frantically, I saw the man I was looking for a few seconds later, getting ribbed by a few Legionnaires and giving as good as he got.

“And Grizz; he was assigned to me as a bodyguard, after all,” I practically jumped on the choice, then blinked and went on more calmly. “And Bane, and me? So… ten in total?”

“Hmmm…” Restun said slowly. “I thought you’d settled on eight?” He eyed me suspiciously and I quickly raised placating hands.

“I had, but that’s because I think of Bane in the same way I do Oracle; he’s a companion, not a member of the squad… if you understand.”

“Ah… I get it. A good bodyguard becomes a fixture in your life. I shall include him in some additional training, then, and make sure he is up to the task.” Restun nodded in satisfaction to himself, and I felt the low thrummm of Bane’s amusement cut off abruptly, making me smile suddenly, much wider and more evilly that I had before.

“That’s a great idea, Primus! In fact, I remember thinking last night, when I kept running past my squad, as they ate and drank, that maybe I should ask you to take over their training?” I agreed smoothly, eyeing Arrin, who was by far the weakest of the group, trying to charm a woman who appeared utterly unimpressed with him. That bastard had been hollering at me last night to go faster… I certainly remembered that.

“Hmmm, well, with your own training, I have made time in my schedule…” he explained hesitantly.

“I could cut back on some of my training… for their sake!” I slipped in hopefully, only to be met with an evil grin from him that made my heart plummet.

“Oh no, Lord Jax. You need every bit of that training… though perhaps I will simply fold your training and theirs together, doubling up on it, as it were. In fact, that’s a fantastic idea. They will join you in training, then! And after the physical side is done, you and I will continue to train alone, in Asha’tuun.”

“Fuck,” I muttered, reading the glimmer of triumph in his eyes. That wily bastard had planned this, I realized, and I’d fallen straight for it, slipping my entire personal squad in under his command for training, when previously they’d been outside of his reach. Not only that, now I was going to be getting at least as much training as before, if not more. Double fuck.

“Glad to hear you’re so enthusiastic,” he said, chuckling with unbridled amusement. “I’ll let you inform your squad. Oh, and Yen, Tang, and Grizz? I expect you to be there as