Blood Berserker - [ A Litrpg Apocalypse]

Nathan watched the big oaf lead the rest of his squad out of the cathedral, the reluctance apparent in the man's step. But the rogue did not defy the order of his lady, and soon enough the double doors opened and closed, leaving Nathan alone with who was supposed to be his opposite number—the leader of a Faction in her own right, Lady Piper.

"So, Nathan Orion. Lord of Blood Rock... which is where exactly?" Piper said as she descended down the steps of the dais.

"On an island," Nathan said dryly.

"An island... where?"

"An island far away."

Nathan wasn't some naive teenager who'd drop all his cards on the table just because his opponent had a pretty face; no, he'd play the game like a pro. It was a resolution which was turning out to be harder than he'd imagined. She'd completely stepped off the dais, circling Nathan the way a shark circled its prey. Her eyes took in every detail of his body, which in turn made the berserker feel a little self-conscious, especially since he was half-naked.

"Well then, keep your stronghold's location to yourself," she said after coming to a stop. "I need something else, something much more important than that from you."

Jasmine.

She smelled like jasmine, and the scent wafting up from her was making him go crazy. Her face was making it a little too difficult for him to focus on their actual conversation, considering the fact that she was actually really pretty. She had hazel eyes with midnight-colored hair and a sharp jaw—like a goth girl in a princess dress, weird but yet so captivating.

"What might that be?" Nathan asked.

"I'll start easy since you're cute," she said. "What exactly are you, Nathan Orion, a self-proclaimed lord, doing so far away from home?"

"Looking for connections," he replied dryly.

"What connections do you need—food? Manpower... information?"

"Information, although the rest would be appreciated."

"Hmm, so a Lord left his stronghold to find information...?"

"Yes."

"And you claim that you're not a spy."

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Ye—wait, what?" Nathan asked, flustered by the unexpected question.

"Forget about it," she sighed. "I'll give you whatever information we have available, but before that I have to ask... what do I receive in return?"

Shit.

To be honest, Nathan had totally been relying on the goodwill of other humans. He'd been hoping that humans would be willing to help other humans they meet for free—just like he had with Ciara and her squad. The look in Piper's eyes spoke of someone who was clearly expecting something in return.

"Coins."

"You have my attention, Nathan Orion. Shoot your questions my way," Piper winked.

What's up with all this sexual tension... sheesh.

"For one, I'm new to the area and was wondering if there was anything or anyone I have to worry about?" Nathan asked.

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"Good question. It'll cost you five thousand coins for each answer. Can you pay that?"

"Yes."

"Hmmm, interesting. Anyways, aside from me, you have the Silver Bull, Lord Tamil, and Lady Asphalt to worry about—oh, and Lord Sparrow," she said. "Although Lord Sparrow doesn't go for small fries, so you should be good... for now."

Lord Sparrow.

Nathan's head felt as though it was on fire. The words had thrown his entire thought process into disarray. He had no idea how things worked in this apocalypse, but he was very certain that the universe liked to play stupid games with him, and one of them was having a random seductress of a lady name-drop the alias of his mentor and former underworld boss.

It might be him.

He wasn't sure, but he highly doubted that someone as ruthless as Sparrow would not thrive in the new world order that the apocalypse had brought with it. The Berserker's mentor in the affairs of the underworld was by far the most ruthless and relentless person he'd ever met. The demon in human skin could do anything to retain power, and if it really was his Sparrow, then Nathan would have to lay low until he found out more about Sparrow's Faction.

"Can you describe him?"

"Who?"

"Lord Sparrow."

"Uhm, there isn't much to say. No one has any information on what the man looks like. My spies haven't been able to gain any reasonable intel on that wildcard."

Wildcard.

For some reason, that word resonated deep in Nathan's being, almost as though he'd gotten a crucial piece of information. Without context to make head or tails of the feeling, Nathan simply let it dissipate as he began to focus on his current issue. What Piper said just made alarm bells go off in his head.

The no-description thing was one of Sparrow's most impressive tactics. What people feared more than anything else in the world was the unknown—a fact that Sparrow capitalized on. Very rarely did he show his face, and more often than not, his face was usually the last one that most people saw after glancing his way.

"Like I said, don't be so worried. Sparrow doesn't go for small fries," Piper said. "You look a little pale. Would you like some water?"

"No thank you," Nathan said dismissively.

His mind was still trying to wrap around the fact that he was currently on the same island as Sparrow. He wasn't sure if it was his Sparrow, but until he was hundred percent sure that it wasn't, he'd keep it at the back of his mind that Sparrow was close by.

He'd have to keep his guard up, especially since they hadn't parted on the best of terms. Nathan had, against all odds, paid his way out of the underground mafia, much to the displeasure of the mafia king—Sparrow. If it had been anyone else, they probably would've been found dead the next day, dues paid or not, but Nathan had been allowed to live undisturbed by others as Sparrow had taken a liking to him. The Berserker had pushed his goodwill as soon as he could, which understandably had pissed off Sparrow.

The mafia king hadn't felt the need to intimidate Nathan into rejoining the mafia, but now that Nathan was way stronger, he had a feeling that things were going to be different. If Sparrow got a whiff of the fact that Nathan was alive and well, he highly doubted that the mafia king would resist the urge to pay Nathan a visit. And after Sparrow analyzed Nathan, the Berserker was pretty sure Sparrow would try to bring him under his fold or would kill Nathan if he refused to join up.

Well, he'd try.

Nathan wasn't unnecessarily hyping himself up with the belief that he'd be a threat to almost everyone on earth. He was by far more advanced than ruthless killing machines like Pirlo. He wasn't sure what exactly he was supposed to do within the next few days, but he knew he had to be on guard.

"Thanks. Anything else I should know?" he asked.

"I'm single," Piper said, batting her eyelids.

"Any important information I should have?" Nathan said exasperatedly.

"I can't believe this. What the heck is happening with the gentlemen of the world?" She pouted. "And no, there's nothing else you have to know."

"Fantastic."

At least Nathan didn't have to keep up with this charade for much longer. Whatever was going on with Lady Piper was certainly none of his business, and to be honest, he definitely wasn't going to be attracted in any way by a lady throwing herself at him. Heck, he was even wary of getting in bed with someone like that, and so he kept his hands to himself.

"So, I'm sure you want to spend the night here, or do you guys want to leave immediately?" she asked.

Good question. Nathan half wondered if it was the seductive way she'd said it or the fact that he actually wanted to explore the town that made him pause to consider it, but at the end of the day, he'd paused to consider it.

"Sure, we'll spend the night here. So about the coins?" Nathan said.

"Don't worry about it," Piper said dismissively. "I'm pretty sure you'll find other ways to make it up to me."

Damn, that was way too smooth.

"Uh huh," Nathan said skeptically.

"Oh well, I suppose it's time to reunite you with your friends since we're done here," Piper purred. "Follow me... if you dare."