Trapped In Elysium: A Virtual Reality Nightmare-Chapter 33: Ambush

Liam tested the weight of the new longsword in his grip, giving it a few slow swings. It felt lighter but sharper, the balance perfect. His old sword, worn from battles and dulled at the edges, simply couldn’t compare. He turned to the shopkeeper.

"How much will you give me for this one?" Liam asked, holding up his old blade.

The shopkeeper examined it, running a finger along the blade. "Hmph. It’s seen better days, but it’s still serviceable. I’ll give you three gold for it."

"Four," Liam countered.

The shopkeeper smirked. "Three and a half."

Liam sighed and nodded, handing over the sword and accepting the few extra coins. He then secured his new weapon to his belt, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

Sophia adjusted the reinforced gauntlets on her hands, flexing her fingers. The metal plates along the knuckles felt solid, and she had no doubt they’d amplify the force behind her strikes. "I like these," she said. "They’re sturdy."

Eleanor had strapped on her own pair, rolling her wrists to test their flexibility. "Better than bare hands, that’s for sure," she agreed.

Marcus, on the other hand, was still admiring his battle-axe. He gave it a few practice swings, grinning like a kid with a new toy. "Oh yeah, this feels right."

Jason, meanwhile, tested his new crossbow, aiming it at a wooden post outside the shop. He didn’t fire, of course, but he nodded approvingly. "Much better than what I had before," he muttered.

Then, as if making a last-minute decision, he turned back to the shopkeeper and set down the axe he had taken from the orc they’d previously fought. "How much for this if I trade it in?"

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow. "Orc craftsmanship, huh? Not bad, but a bit rough." He considered for a moment. "Five gold."

Jason shook his head. "Seven."

The shopkeeper laughed. "You drive a hard bargain, my friend. Six."

Jason exhaled through his nose, then nodded. "Deal."

With the extra gold, he looked over the shop’s selection one last time before his eyes landed on something—an iron staff, but not just any ordinary staff. It had a golden tint to its metal, and ancient runes were engraved along its length. It looked both sturdy and mystical.

"What about this?" Jason asked, pointing at the staff.

The shopkeeper’s expression shifted slightly. "Ah... that’s a fine piece. It’s made of golden iron—stronger than steel but lighter. Those runes? Some say they enhance the wielder’s magic, but that depends on whether you know how to use it."

Jason picked it up, running his fingers over the runes. He didn’t know magic, but something about the staff called to him. "How much?"

"Eight gold."

Jason glanced at his remaining money, did a quick mental calculation, and handed over the coins. "I’ll take it."

With that, they gathered their new gear and left the shop, stepping back onto the bustling streets of the city.

Marcus stretched his arms. "Alright, time to earn back what we just spent."

Sophia smirked. "You mean time for you to drink away what you just spent."

"Hey, that’s offensive," Marcus said, clutching his chest dramatically. "I can be responsible when I need to be."

Liam shook his head. "Let’s just get to the eastern gate."

The group made their way through the city, the morning sun casting long shadows across the cobbled streets. The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread from nearby bakeries, and the distant sounds of blacksmiths hammering at their forges echoed through the alleys.

Eventually, they arrived at the eastern gate, where a merchant was waiting beside a large wooden cart filled with goods. The cart was covered with a sturdy cloth, and two well-fed horses stood harnessed at the front, pawing the ground.

The merchant, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and a fine green coat, looked them over as they approached. His sharp eyes took in their weapons and armor with interest.

"You must be the ones taking the escort mission," he said. His voice was calm but carried an air of authority. "I was expecting a competent group, but looking at you all... I have to ask—are you truly capable of nullifying any threats along the way?"

Marcus scoffed. "Nullifying? Buddy, we don’t just nullify threats—we send them crying back to whatever hellhole they crawled out of."

Eleanor crossed her arms. "What he means is, we’ve handled worse."

The merchant nodded slowly. "I see." His eyes flicked over their weapons, lingering slightly on Jason’s new staff. "Well, I suppose I’ll have to trust you. The road ahead is known for being plagued by bandits and, on occasion, beasts. If you do your job well, you’ll be paid handsomely."

Liam nodded. "We understand. How far is the journey?"

"Three days," the merchant replied. "We’ll be stopping at a small outpost on the second night, but the first night will be spent in the wilderness. I hope you’re prepared for that."

Sophia adjusted her bow. "We’ve camped in worse places."

The merchant gave a small chuckle. "Very well. If you’re ready, we leave immediately."

Liam turned to the others. "Everyone good to go?"

Marcus cracked his knuckles. "Ready to break some skulls if needed."

Eleanor nodded. "Let’s get moving."

Jason twirled his staff, clearly still getting used to it. "I’ll take that as a yes."

The merchant gestured to the side of the cart, where five horses stood tethered, saddled, and ready. "I arranged mounts for you," he said. "Figured you’d be more effective keeping up if you weren’t on foot."

Marcus whistled. "Now that’s more like it."

The group untied the horses and mounted up. Liam’s horse was a sleek black stallion with a powerful build, while Sophia’s was a lean chestnut mare that moved with a certain grace. Eleanor’s was a dappled gray with sharp, alert eyes, Jason had a sturdy brown horse with a white blaze on its forehead, and Marcus—perhaps fittingly—got a muscular dark bay that snorted and stamped its hooves as if ready for a fight.

Once they were all settled, they rode into position, forming a protective perimeter around the cart. Liam took the lead at the front, keeping his eyes on the road ahead, while Sophia and Eleanor flanked the sides, their bows at the ready. Jason stayed slightly behind, his crossbow within reach, and Marcus brought up the rear, gripping his axe with a grin that suggested he was hoping for some action.

The merchant flicked the reins, and the cart lurched forward. The road stretched out before them, winding through rolling fields and patches of dense woodland. The morning sun shone bright, casting long shadows, and for now, at least, the journey seemed peaceful.

But Liam knew better than to trust the calm.

If bandits or beasts were waiting for them, it was only a matter of time.

As they rode through the dense woodland, the group found themselves in a rare moment of ease, their laughter echoing between the towering trees. The thick canopy overhead cast dappled shadows along the path, but the tension of their journey momentarily faded as Liam began recounting a past experience.

He spoke with animated gestures, his tone shifting between amusement and exaggeration, drawing the others into the story. Sophia leaned in slightly, her interest piqued, while Eleanor smirked knowingly, already anticipating some ridiculous twist. Jason and Marcus, ever eager for a good laugh, listened intently, their expressions expectant.

The way Liam spoke—his eyes gleaming with mischief, his voice fluctuating between mock seriousness and suppressed laughter—made it impossible not to be entertained. Every pause, every smirk, every dramatic reenactment of his own actions only added to the humor.

Liam sat tall on his horse, a smug grin spreading across his face as he recalled the memory. "For real, I tell you," he began, his voice filled with amusement. "She was acting all high and mighty, blowing air into her hot coffee like some kind of queen. And then—" he snickered, "her fingers slipped, and the whole damn thing spilled all over her big tits!"

Sophia burst into laughter, holding her stomach, while Eleanor smirked with mild amusement. Marcus and Jason, however, nearly doubled over on their horses, howling like drunken fools.

"You should’ve seen her, man," Liam continued, his grin widening. "She completely forgot I was there—just grabbed a napkin and started dabbing at her chest in a panic. And let me tell you, that coffee did its job. Her tits turned red, and—"

Marcus slapped his thigh, wheezing between laughs. "Holy shit, dude! If I was there, I would’ve grabbed them, you know, to help her out!" He waggled his eyebrows. "You gotta be a gentleman, right?"

Jason nearly choked on his laughter, wiping a tear from his eye. "Damn right, man! That’s just being considerate!"

Sophia rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. "You guys are so dumb."

Liam grinned and shook his head before continuing. "Trust me, those were some perfect tits. I was almost drool—"

Before he could finish, a sharp whistle cut through the air. His instincts flared. Without thinking, he jerked his right arm up—just in time for an arrow to bury itself deep into his forearm.

Pain exploded through his arm, but it was the least of his worries. His eyes snapped forward, scanning the dense woodland ahead. The laughter and chatter died instantly as realization dawned upon the group.

"Ambush!" Liam barked.