Judicator Jane 2: A LitRPG Adventure, page 4
The whole situation was too strange for Jane. Standing up, she flexed her stat-enhanced muscles, luxuriating in the sensation of raw power. She was a Judicator and the leader of the demonic presence on Alur. Why should she have to deal with some flunkies? Who did this weird Lord think he was? And what was the fate of the people being taken away?
She turned to her new demon sidekick. With a playful smile, she asked, “What do you think, Eli’va? Want to come bust into some cranky old Lord’s castle?”
FIVE
BLOODSTONE CASTLE
The road to the castle led through the Luckless quarter, causing Jane to clench her teeth at the sight of the downtrodden people. Eli’va, however, paid them no mind and guided her directly through. Gradually, Jane was growing accustomed to the demon’s world perspective. They held a distinct disdain for weakness. The Netherrealm, as she understood it, was an unforgiving place to live. Only the most powerful prevailed, and they spared no thought for those unable to overcome the challenges of their homeworld. Vexmor had explained that Soul Binding was a provision given to their kind by the System. The reasons behind it remained unknown to him. Nevertheless, it enabled the weaker demons to survive by forming groups led by the strongest among them. The fact that he, as well as the entirety of the demonic horde in Alur, was now bound to Jane, a human, didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest. He just kept on managing the demons at the fortress without complaint.
As the buildings of Grandia receded from view, Jane finally gained a clear view of Lord Melkit’s residence. The castle stood on the quarter’s outskirts, distinct from the surrounding hovels and shanties. A massive moat stretched out, cutting a deep divide between the city and the castle’s entrance. Beyond it, a towering wall adorned with intricate decorations and embellishments stood. A wide dark wooden drawbridge nestled snugly between the walls, blocking any view inside. Looking upwards, she saw the structure climbing the mountainside ominously. Rather than being integrated into the mountain, it seemed to rest atop it. Supported by narrow pillars, it held an odd blend of architectural styles reminiscent of a Gothic castle. Its design almost appeared to defy the laws of physics.
There looked to be a stand or booth where attendants were waiting. Jane nervously took a breath and readied herself for what was to come. This kind of direct confrontation was unpleasant despite everything she had been through. Her Piercing Gaze skill hadn’t shown much of note about these men. They were just level 20 goons with sordid backstories. A small smile played on her lips. Perhaps a little intimidation was in order.
One of the men turned as he saw Eli’va approaching, still in human form. “Come to make a deal, have you? I’m sure we can reach an agreement that helps both of us out.” The greasy leer he gave her made Jane sick.
She turned to her demonic companion and commanded, “Eli’va, reveal yourself.”
The demoness’s human disguise instantly fell away, revealing something far more formidable. She now stood almost six-feet tall in her original form. A statuesque demon lined with menacing spikes and razor-sharp claws. Her opal white face, accentuated by solid black eyes, bestowed upon her a haunting allure, while a subtle glow emanated from the red gem embedded into her forehead. Her human form had been intimidating in its own way, but her current manifestation was exponentially more intense. It was both terrifying and captivating, making it difficult for Jane to look away.
The smile on the greasy man dropped instantly. He scrambled backward to his fellows, but he found that they had already fled. Dashing forward, Eli’va grabbed the man by the throat and raised him upwards. He struggled about, terror gripping him as he tried to breathe.
Jane quickly intervened. “Whoa, okay, put him down– I think he gets it.” That was a little too close to home for her.
“Hmph, very well.” Eli’va dropped the man haphazardly and crossed her arms.
Crawling to his knees, he tried to cough out a response, “Please… don’t hurt me!”
Kneeling down to face him, Jane probed, “Listen up, buddy. I don’t know who you’ve been dealing with up until now, but I’m going in to see Lord Melkit, like it or not. Now, lower that drawbridge. Unless you want me to give you to my associate here.” Jane felt some guilty excitement as she channeled her inner mob boss.
He looked around in panic, then quickly stammered out, “No, no I can’t do that! We just handle the front. No one goes inside the castle, no one!”
“Yeah, right. I saw your lackeys taking people from the Luckless quarter. That excuse isn’t going to fly this time,” she accused.
“We don’t go in! We deliver the townsfolk as requested, that’s all!” He was sweating, his eyes not leaving the intimidating demon next to Jane.
“Okay, so who are you meeting? Who takes the people into the castle?”
The man hesitated for a moment and Eli’va brandished her razor-sharp claws. “Yes, well– there is someone– Or something. Me and the boys, we don’t talk to it, we just send them across the bridge when it’s lowered.”
Jane interrogated him further, “And how often does that happen? How many innocent people have you sent in there without a second thought?!”
“It’s not always the same… could be days, could be a month or more. The next one is due in a week. That’s all I know, I swear it!” He put his head in his hands and began to sob.
Jane turned to face the castle, rubbing her chin in thought. Was there any way into this place aside from the drawbridge? It didn’t look like it. Walking up to the moat she peered down. A shiver ran down her spine. There was no water, it was just an endless abyss stretching down into darkness.
Well, a week? I guess that’s not too long to wait. Maybe I can do something to help these people myself in the meanwhile.
Jane nodded to Eli’va and the husk of a man was let go. She thought she heard Eli’va chuckle as he scampered off. Eli’va morphed back into her human form and walked up beside Jane.
“Do you still intend to enter?” Eli’va inquired.
Her eyes traced the intricate tangle of the castle snaking up the mountainside. Far in the distance, a glowing light from the main structure taunted her.
“Yeah, one way or the other, this mystery is getting solved.”
Jane walked through the streets towards the central part of Grandia, deep in thought. She had instructed Eli’va to take her things from the White Stag to the Chantel House, along with Mint. Dolly had already done more than enough for her and the boy, and it seemed a waste to leave the massive estate empty. She tried to convince herself that was the reason and not the lavish lifestyle it invited. However, Mint was bound to enjoy it, and she looked forward to seeing how he would react to everything.
The Dirthian Bank appeared in the distance. Jane’s gold was doing little good just sitting in a vault somewhere. She decided to put it to use while waiting for the days to pass. Stepping inside she got the same treatment as before, and was able to withdraw her nearly seven hundred gold without issue. On her way out, Solgor pulled her aside. The grizzly dwarf she had met on her first visit to the Dirthian Bankers Guild was just as she remembered, a smile evident under his bushy beard.
“Miss Jane, it is good to see you again. I worried for your safety after hearing of the momentous events from the outside.”
“Yup, no trouble here. Thanks for the thought.” She continued, “Say, have you heard of this Lord Melkit? No one knows anything about him. Does he have accounts with you guys?”
Solgor rubbed his beard. “Lord Melkit… No, I can’t say I have heard of him. You say he’s the city’s lord? Come with me, let’s see if there are any records on file.” He led Jane towards a back room lined with cabinets. Jane looked around as Solgor dug through a few of them. They had organized everything pretty well from the looks of it. She felt a pang of nostalgia as the room reminded her vaguely of how files were stored back on Earth.
“No, not here,” he murmured as he moved to another cabinet. “Maybe here? No, nothing.” Turning to Jane, he shook his head. “Doesn’t look like he’s a client. Are you sure that’s his name? I find it hard to believe a lord of the city wouldn’t have an account with us. Normally we don’t interact with local officials unless they have banking business.”
“Okay, thanks for checking at least,” she responded. There were no easy answers to be found here. She left with more questions than when she arrived. The Lord had money. Hadn’t she seen it being collected from the townsfolk the other day? Or were those men acting alone?
Frustration rankled her. This was just supposed to be a quick stop! Just setting up trade with the city and moving on. Getting entangled with the bizarre Lord hadn’t been part of her plans. Should she just accept the offer from his council and leave things as they were? Everyone else seemed to accept the status quo, why not her too? A memory came to her unbidden.
A five-year-old Jane walked next to her mother. Rain was pouring down, and she had been anxious to go home and watch TV. A woman and her child were huddled under a shop awning, trying to block the windy rain with a piece of cardboard. Jane saw people walking past them without a second glance as they tried to escape the weather.
Her mother approached the two of them and held out a hand. “Hey there, would you like to come with us? I cook a mean pot roast, and it’s just the two of us.”
The mother and child had ended up staying at Jane’s home for about a week. Later, her mother told her, It’s always easy to do nothing, Jane. Sometimes we need to remember why we’re living. Don’t waste the chances you have to make a difference.
Snapping her focus back to the present, Jane resolved to see this through. The circumstances were radically different, but the core of the matter was the same. She could do something about this, and so, she would.
SIX
SOCIAL ACTIVISM
Jane slapped her Dusty Bag, brimming with gold coins, onto the counter at the White Stag. She knew Dolly was a kind-hearted woman who lent a hand to those in need. If anyone could help her make a positive impact with her newfound wealth, it was her.
“Dolly, I’ve got way too much gold. I want to set up a place where the Luckless can come get something to eat. At no cost to them,” Jane spoke earnestly. “I don’t know much about this city, but you do. Can you help me?”
Dolly’s eyes widened as she peered into the bag, discovering the substantial pile of coins.
“Oh my, where did you come across such a sum?” She picked up a few coins for a closer examination. Jane had chosen a moment when the patrons had departed, leaving only her and Elara in the establishment.
“I found some things on my travels, but let’s not worry about that for now,” Jane explained further. “In my world when people are down on their luck, we try to take care of them. Or, well, some of us do at least. Sometimes the city will set up places where they can get help. I want to do the same thing here.”
“That’s a lovely thought, dear, but how does food help with their Luck?” Dolly asked as she began cleaning the counter.
“Well, it’s not about altering their Luck, exactly,” Jane replied, searching for the right words. “It’s more about giving them support to make their struggles easier to deal with.” She glanced at Elara, who wore a puzzled expression. “I’m not explaining this very well, am I?”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea!” Elara chimed in with enthusiasm. “Why, I wish I had something like that when I was on the streets.”
Dolly chuckled and nodded in agreement. “Very well, it’s your coin. I know a couple of dependable young men who can assist with this. They’re big strong fellows, so you needn’t worry about anyone taking advantage of them.”
The three of them conversed throughout the night, laying the groundwork for Jane’s plan. With everything in motion, she finally had the opportunity to make a difference. Jane strolled down the quiet street, savoring the serenity of the empty thoroughfare. Mint had accompanied Eli’va earlier in the day, leaving her to relish the solitude as she headed toward Chantel House. Feels good to be able to help people. What do you think, Mom? Am I doing the right thing here?
Jane began passing a dimly lit alley when a man emerged, followed by two others. They obstructed her path, and the leader signaled to his companions, prompting them to encircle her.
“What—hey! Wait a minute!” Jane’s heart raced as she tried to comprehend the situation. Who were these men? Had they been lying in wait for her? She cautiously backed up, raising her hands. “What do you want? I’m warning you. This won’t go the way you think.”
The leader produced a length of rope, starting to unwind it. “Grab her. Let’s make this quick,” he instructed his accomplices. A familiar anger welled up within Jane.
Not this time.
Her experiences in the forest had taught her to employ her Minor Judgement skill swiftly. Now, she directed it toward these potential kidnappers for defense. Swiftly assessing their details, she extended her arm in rapid succession.
“Rigby Under, I judge you to have a feeble heart!” The man became immobilized as an eerie chime resonated through the air. Red light surged into him, and he collapsed to the ground, screaming in agony.
Rigby Under (Level 33) has lost 19 Constitution!
You have received 100 experience!
100/12000
“Thom Balto, I judge you undeserving of movement!” The same sequence of events repeated itself, and he was sent to the ground as his limbs turned to rubber.
Thom Balto (Level 35) has lost 28 Agility!
You have received 100 experience!
200/12000
Fixing her gaze on the last man who stood in shock, she called out, “Nieter Elontis, unveil your hidden truths!” Activating her skill, Trials of Justice, the world around them froze, its vibrant colors fading into shades of gray. With a wave of her hand, she transported the terrified man to the familiar circular platform surrounded by swirling seas. Faceless figures in black and white materialized around him, staring down in silent judgment.
Jane ascended, her transformation into a steel-winged angel complete. With sword and scale in hand, she wasted no time commencing her inquisition.
“NIETER ELONTIS, WHY ARE YOU HERE?”
Nieter spun around frantically, searching for any possible escape as crashing waves and ominous thunder surrounded him. When he turned back, his eyes locked with Jane’s, and he crumbled under her relentless gaze. “We were sent to capture Jane King! The woman who can alter people’s stat points!” The weight of judgment pressed down on him from all sides, demanding a better explanation.
“My... my uncle sent me! Lord Tygal Elontis. I had to prove myself– it was meant to be a straightforward task, a quick snatch and grab!” Nieter stammered in response.
Jane felt increasingly at home in this realm with each use of the skill. She leaped down, landing with a thunderous impact in front of the petrified man. Glaring down at him, she continued her interrogation.
“AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS ‘SIMPLE JOB’?”
“It wasn’t right! I won’t do it again, I swear! I was just following orders!” Nieter pleaded, raising his hands in supplication. An apology? Was that all it took to pardon an attempted abduction of a young woman? Jane turned her attention to the scales in anticipation of their verdict. After a moment, a piercing shriek resounded out, cutting through the air and forcing Nieter to clap his hands to his ears. The scales had tipped toward the side of darkness, locked in place.
It appeared that Nieter was merely a henchman for some distant lord, blindly obeying orders. However, as far as Jane was concerned, that was no excuse. He had chosen to take on this job, and now he would face the consequences.
Jane sifted through the numerous possibilities at her disposal. Some were too horrifying to consider, regardless of what he had done. Turning his skin inside out? What the heck is that? she thought.
One thing remained evident: Nieter was not a virtuous man. Jane sensed that he had committed far worse deeds in the past and would continue to do so if given the opportunity. He needed to be prevented from causing harm in the future. Making her decision, she drove her sword into the ground. The clouds parted, revealing a black night sky. The faceless onlookers turned their attention to her, and with determination, she delivered her verdict.
“NIETER ELONTIS, I FIND YOU GUILTY.”
The scene dissolved, and Jane found herself once more in the city street. She steadied herself and noticed that her Mana hadn’t been fully depleted this time. Her elevated Wisdom stat now allowed her to bear the burden of a single use of the Trials of Justice skill while still maintaining her composure.
The men she had previously passed judgment on lay twitching on either side of her. They were still alive at least. Nieter sank to his knees, and Jane observed the System message that confirmed her actions.
Nieter Elontis’ class has changed to Cleaner (Common)!
Nieter Elontis has lost 32 levels!
You have received 7500 experience!
7700/12000
Jane surveyed her surroundings but found no sign of any guards. Well, they’re no longer a threat, she thought. As she walked past the would-be kidnapper, she cast him a meaningful glance and issued a reminder, “I did warn you, Nieter.”
When she awoke the following day, the events of the previous night had already slipped from her mind. She had arrived at Chantel House, instructed Eli’va to inform the city guards about the men she had encountered, and then promptly flopped into her bed. Now the morning sun streamed in, its warmth coaxing a small cry of delight from her. Though the cozy blankets tugged at her, she mustered the will to rise.
“Jesus!” she exclaimed. Just a few feet away stood a young girl, looking down at her.
“Good morning, Lady Jane,” the girl greeted with a polite curtsey. “I hope you had a restful sleep. Would you like assistance with dressing?”
