Atlas Rising a LitRPG gaming adventure Blake Severson (free books to read .txt) 📖

Blade Chase again. Skullcrusher struggled back to a knee and held his jaw tenderly with one hand. He never even saw the first attack as Atlas’ staff connected with his chest. The spinning staff then clipped his shoulder before the final blow hit him in the neck.

You dealt 12 HP damage to Skullcrusher with Blade Chase.

“You’re going to pay for that,” screeched Hercules and Atlas turned to see him cutting free from the last of the vines. With no time to waste, he activated Nurture again and began the spell cast. The last vine fell free and Hercules dashed forward. He can’t get to me before I finish this spell. Will just have to make sure I block his attack.

The assassin blurred in his vision as a slight haze covered his body and he sprung forward at tremendous speed. The distance between them narrowed in a heartbeat, and Atlas tried the same trick as last time. With blades heading for him, he closed his eyes and tried to cast the spell by memory.

Instead of the piercing pain he expected, a solid thump hit him in the chest and his spell fizzled. The built up magic backlashed into Atlas and it felt like his head would explode for a few moments.

Hercules dealt 3 HP damage to you with Kick.

Hercules interrupted your Nurture cast with Kick. Spell backlash dealt 4 damage to you.

Atlas opened his eyes and scrambled to deflect the incoming attack. He was slightly off and the assassin’s blades cut a shallow glancing blow. His staff knocked the follow up combo attack away, and he activated Counter. The image led his swing and Hercules whimpered as the staff hit his side.

Blade Chase followed, and the crunch of Hercules’ sternum sent a smile across Atlas’ face. Worthless PKers get what they deserve. The two follow up attacks cracked across his face and he fell to the ground.

Hercules dealt 3 HP damage to you with Double Slash. (Glancing)

You dealt 3 HP damage to Hercules with Counter.

You dealt 12 HP damage to Hercules with Blade Chase.

Hercules slowly rose back to his feet, and Atlas heard scuffling in the dirt behind him. He turned and watched as Skullcrusher broke through the last of the vines and stood straight. This is hopeless. I know Skullcrusher has 100 total health and Hercules’ max health is 80. I haven’t even taken half of either of their health yet and I’m below half.

“Let’s finish him, Skull. He can’t have much more health left. Attack at the same time. Doesn’t look like he can use his trickery on both of us at once.”

The warrior nodded, and they both ran at Atlas. He followed the images and deflected the assassin’s attack, but took the full force of the short sword. He stepped backward, but the second swing was already heading for him from each. Deflecting the warrior’s attack, the assassin’s blades punched into his side. Can’t let them complete a combo or they get the bonus damage.

Skullcrusher dealt 7 damage to you with Furious Rush. (Interrupted)

Hercules dealt 5 damage to you with Double Slash. (Interrupted)

The two turned smiles at each other seeing the damage they inflicted and charged in again. Atlas sighed. Well, if I’m going to die. I might as well get a little satisfaction out of it.

Both fighters launched their attacks again, but this time, Atlas focused on Hercules and deflected his attack. Ignoring the pain from Skullcrusher’s attack, he activated Heavy Counter and dropped his grip on the staff. The home-run swing caught the small assassin in the jaw and sent him flying. Not wanting to waste this moment of satisfaction, he followed the move with Blade Chase and grinned when the last attack landed a solid crack into his nose. The second combo attack of Skullcrusher landed as he closed the distance, and he winced at the pain.

You dealt 9 damage to Hercules with Heavy Counter.

You dealt 12 damage to Hercules with Blade Chase.

Skullcrusher dealt 14 damage to you with Furious Rush.

“For fuck’s sake, kill him already,” Hercules squealed through his hands as he rolled on the ground clutching his nose.

Atlas charged toward Skullcrusher while his buddy was down and activated his Double Slash. The first blow flew toward his face, and the clumsy warrior missed the block.

“You guys will win this fight, but I promise if we meet again, I’ll kill you both. You won’t be able to hide from me anywhere,” Atlas spat as he moved to his second swing.

The threat must’ve unnerved Skullcrusher because he froze on the second attack and took the hit directly to the stomach. The air burst from the warrior with an audible whoosh. He readied himself to attack again when a stabbing pain hit his back. Turning to see what happened, he saw the face of Hercules and watched his blades raise and fall again for the second attack. They slid into his back and the quick burst of pain turned into a dull ache as his body collapsed. His vision dimmed until nothing but blackness remained.

Hercules dealt 12 damage to you with Double Slash.

You died.

Chapter 9

Starting Over

The comfy lounge chair and large TV appeared to him again as the countdown timer for his respawn started. Instead of logging out, Atlas fumed for a few minutes at the fight.

I will get those guys back.

While waiting, Atlas played another classic game. Giant fighting frogs entertained him as he beat up bad guys. The timer finally counted to zero and his vision faded again. Atlas sat up in a rush and looked around.

You lost 208 experience because of your death. (35% of current level at level 5)

He groaned to himself as the fight came back to him. The starting clothes he arrived in greeted him when he looked at himself. The small table near the bed held two bags he recognized. His Woodworking Tool Bag and Leatherworking Tool Bag. They must stay with me since you need the skill to use them. Guess they