A Handful of Demon: a litrpg harem fantasy by J Foster Ward

Author:J Foster Ward [Ward, J Foster]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evil Genius Society
Published: 2023-09-01T16:00:00+00:00

***

When they returned to the far side of the pit trap the strygs shot to their feet from where they’d been lounging and sticking fingers in various orifices.

“What’s im gotz?” one yelled.

“Pay up!” another laughed while more of the bandits grumbled. They’d obviously been betting on how many of them would die.

“Shut yer gawps! You there, pretty boy, toss me that shiny sticker!”

“Before I do, I better let you know this isn’t the treasure. It’s the key to get the real treasure.”

“Tell me where dat?”

“Oh no… if I tell you now you leave us here on this side of the pit and get the huge treasure all for yourself! No deal.”

The bandits grumbled but the boss had his men hold down the far side of the pit so Ryan and the imp could cross safely. That was part one of the plan done. Surrounded by the armed bandits, Ryan handed over the sword while they awed at the shiny blade. The boss slapped hands away from it and kept it sheathed through his belt.

“Now… where real treasure?”

There’s a cave nearby,” Ryan said. “And if you trade the sword to an old hag who lives there, she’ll give it to you.”

“That it?”

“No… you have to say a special password.”

“What dat?”

“You sly dog, you,” Ryan smiled at the stryg. “Trying to get me to give away the secret that keeps me alive, aren’t you? I’ll tell you what it is as soon as we get there. Then you let me go. Deal?”

The boss scowled as some of his men chuckled seeing him outsmarted. But he barked orders and had Ryan lead the way to the cave. As they went, the tiny Imp kept close to his side, forced to skip and run every three steps just to keep up, grumbling about his long legs.

As Ryan approached the mouth to the bear cave he slowed and carefully peered inside. No sign of Tilly’s mother.

“Dis is it?”

“This is the place,” Ryan nodded, stepping back.

“After yoos.”

“Go in? No way. You let me go—”

“Us go!” the imp spoke up.

“Whatever… and once I’m safe—”

“We’re safe…” Pimms piped up.

“Whatever… I yell the password at you.”

“Fuk dat! Yoos comin!” the stryg boss growled.

Ryan made a mental shrug. Oh well. Looks like he was going to see first hand what was going to happen next. With the bandits huddled behind him, weapons at the ready, he and Pimms slowly walked down into the cave, rounding the corner to see Tilly’s little home lit by a pair of candles, the rest of the place full of shadows.

“Now wut?” the stryg called.

“Now shout for the old lady,” Ryan said quietly so only the strygs could hear him. “And say you’ll trade the sword for Tilly.”

“What dat?”

“Tilly is the name for the treasure.”

The bandit thought it over then drew the sword, holding it over his head. The soft glow from the blade lit up a pool of light around them. “Old woman!” the stryg shouted. “We’re here for the treasure!”

Nothing.

“You didn’t say Tilly,” Ryan whispered.

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