My name is Mason Schwarz, I'm just your average youth fresh out of university. As a graduate majoring in business Informatics, I thought it would be rather easy to find a job, because you would think a capable IT guy that also knows the basics of personal and economic management would at least not really struggle to find a job. But no life just says: "Fuck you" and starts a whole pandemic and as if that weren't enough your country goes into a major economic crisis and you should be happy if you can keep your job, not to mention getting a job. So here I was stuck in a major pandemic, without income and afraid to go out in fear of the spreading virus. So how could it get worse from here?

Well one might think I died, and you would be correct in thinking so. HOWEVER, if you thought it was the virus that did me in or some burglar looking to get my stuff, well you are wrong. I died in what I believe was a mishappen VR Gear and an accident in the high energy physics laboratory nearby.

But I'm no expert and it could be a burglar that did me in while I was enjoying my virtual girlfriend. I just prefer thinking it was the lab, I'm imagining, that is nearby.

But hey we're not talking about how I died but what I'm currently in. Well currently I'm in a wooden hut and seem to have been heavily injured, most likely how I got this body, at least I'm assuming it isn't mine.

While I was monologuing to myself the door opened, and a tall, heavily built man comes in.

"Rise and shine dude, you were pretty roughed up, when I found you last night. What happened?" he said cheerfully while taking a seat right next to my bed.

"I don't know", I promptly reply, "where am I?", "Well this humble little hovel is called Spruce Village." he answers, "As the name already says we're living in a small spruce forest and almost everyone here but me is a lumberjack, I own the tavern, pretty much the only entertainment in this small village. The name's John, by the way."

"Well thank you for letting me stay here I'll make sure to properly repay you for helping me out."

"That's no issue but I must say your body is pretty good considering I only gave you a regeneration potion and that you are already awake, sitting and already talking so easily." the now identified tavern keep says happily.

"I don't know about that but thanks for the potion", I say while thinking 'WTF is a potion and what is this about a good body is he gonna sell me?'.

"Hey, no worries bud, if I was gonna sell you I'd have you drugged up till the next trader comes around, they are way easier to handle that way"

'HELP this guy is dangerous, the fuck 's he talking about? Does he do that stuff? is that normal in this world? Why didn't he do it to me?' I was seriously panicking now

"HAHAHA, you should see your face right now, it's literally telling me the questions you are having right now. No, I usually don't do slavery, but should you bring trouble to this village or are a wanted fugitive then, it's alright by me as some extra emerald never hurts but I have standards I never cross"

'Well, that is somewhat unsettling and good to hear at the same time'

"That's a relieve but please don't shock me like that."

"No issue but mind telling me your name?"

"Oh, my name is Mason Schwarz, thank you for having me."

"Nice to meet you Mason but mind if I ask how you got into the forest, the guys found you on the verge of dying and honestly your wounds don't look like they were caused by the wildlife."

'Oh, seems like this body was killed and then dumped in the forest, guess I'll just make up something'

"Well, I'm somewhat of a travelling merchant. I travel from village to village and offer my wares and services. I have a good head on my shoulders, you see. The last thing I remember is that I just left my last village and started my way to the river for easier transport. While about midway I stopped to clear the road of some light debris and after that everything goes fuzzy"

"Wow that's rough bud, there are quite a few merchants going to salmon town by boat so there often are a lot of bandits along the way. Did you not have any escorts?"

'Let's just say I hired some mercenaries, and that they betrayed me, I hope that works.'

"Of course, I hired a band of mercenaries but how should I have known that they occasionally work with some bandits when times are tough?"

"That's unusual but not unheard of, I'll leave you alone for now since you still need rest and I have to tidy up the hall downstairs"

"I can hel-" "NOPE you are going to stay in bed for at least another day and then we can continue talking about you helping me with the tavern."

"OK, thank you"

"Rest well and heal up so that you can start repaying me ASAP." Saying that he stands up and leaves the room.

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Next Chapter will be a system introduction