Flash!
A bright holographic screen popped up in front of her and she let out a little high-pitched scream.
[Quest received!
Difficulty: Beginner
Details: The homeless people in Brasilia's central [Bus Station] are acting up and causing trouble. Find out who or what is responsible and deal with the situation as you judge fair. Your choice will define how differently aligned entities from the [Pantheon] view your conduct.
Clear condition: Locate and determine the cause for the beggar's outbreak. Appease their mood.
Reward: Common spell book, 500 experience, R$50,00.
Time frame: 24 hours.]
Emilia stared blankly at the message and felt rather guilty for being relieved. A life of adventure, mystery and magic, although dangerous and uncertain, was much better than living the routine she had been undergoing so far.
'R$50,00? So I'll even be able to get money!'
She got out of bed, picked up her backpack, noticing that the books inside it were the same as the day before, Algebra, Physics, and Geography. She looked through the contents and found the pouch containing the 7 dice, then she placed everything back inside.
'Should I even bother with school materials? They did provide me some bonus stats after all… Anyways, I'm gonna need some sort of weapon and I don't know how much the world has changed, so I'll follow my usual routine.'
After a quick shower, Emilia put on her school uniform, choosing a pair of baggy pants with a lot of pockets and tied her hair into a ponytail. Next, she brushed her teeth, tiptoed into the kitchen and grabbed a few apples, packing them into her bag. Then, she went into her father's office and found his swiss army knife, an excellent tool containing a lantern, can opener and corkscrew besides the usual blade. Finally, she took her wallet and phone in her bedroom and put them on her backpack.
'This is better than nothing…'
Feeling ready to leave, she took her house keys from a hook to the left of the front, took a deep breath, and slowly closed the door behind her. She walked to the bus stop a kilometer away from home and took the bus to Brasilia.
[…]
Upon arrival in Brasilia's [Bus Station], Emilia observed her surroundings.
'Seems like nothing has changed and I'm living the same day again.'
[Roll Perception!]
Already aware of how the dice worked, she took out the D20 and focused her mind.
'Perception roll.'
[1 - You fail to notice anything unusual in your surroundings.]
'I better be care…'
Whack! Emilia feels a sharp pain in her nape and her vision blurs, barely making out what her assailant spoke.
[…]
Chief Shirley was enjoying the best day of her life. She was the leader of the homeless persons in that Bus Station and her life had changed completely yesterday. She came across a pouch with weird dice, then started seeing glowing panels with messages that no one else could see. Later that day, a cloaked old man helped her understand how the [Adventure Campaign] worked and she distributed her stats and picked a class. She started using her newly granted powers instantly, soon becoming a leader.
Pouches of dice were popping up everywhere in Brasilia, many of them ended up in the hands of her subordinates. Once someone found them, she was able to see their name, [Profession] and [Race]. Now she oriented the other outcasts who had acquired a set of Mystical Shapes like her. The dice themselves were of no value to her, but acquiring power and wealth by controlling resources was her specialty. On top of all that, she had received a [Quest] that was giving her even more motivation to continue her activities.
"Harharharhaaaar! Chief, I found another player!"
A grimy man with [Ed, Half-Orc Thug level 0] on top of his head was dragging a schoolgirl in uniform and approaching Shirley with a big smile, proud of his achievement.
"Where is she from? Did you at least check which bus she came from before you knocked her out?"
Shirley crossed her arms, glancing at the man disapprovingly.
"Yeah m'am! From Luziânia!"
The man stopped and scratched his back.
"Alright, tie her up and put her with that other Luziânia guy right there!"
[…]
"Ouch!"
Emilia slowly opened her eyes and raised her head, with a pulsating pain on her nape. She couldn't move her arms and spotted her backpack a few meters in front of her. A man dressed in a famous fast-food chain's uniform was crying quietly beside her. She saw [Carlos, Human Artist level 0] hovering over his head.
'Well, now I know why they took me. Godammit… I knew rolling a [1] would be bad, but I didn't know its follow-up would come so fast. I've always had more time to think in games. Can I do rolls with my arms tied?'
The Mc Bobo's guy noticed Emilia moving and slowly turned towards her, looking desperate.
"They're going to kill us! I don't wanna die, I haven't even got married yet! You're a Witch! Can't you burn the ropes or something?"
"I'm sorry, unfortunately I haven't learned any spells yet. You see, I'm still a level 0 as well. But don't worry, I might be able to get us out."
Emilia closed her eyes and thought about her D20. The sapphire-colored die materialized in her right hand. She focused her thoughts on what she wanted to do. If reality worked like the game she knew and loved, this had a good chance of succeeding.
'I'll attempt to unmake these binds.'
[Roll a D20.]
[19 - You easily manage to loosen the knots and free yourself from the rope.]
Carlos watches with a gaped mouth the rope around Emilia magically uncoil.
"Wha-whaaaaat!"
"Shhhhhh! Be quiet!"
Emilia whispers, gesturing with her right index finger in front of her lips. She gets up, picks up her bag, and takes her father's swiss army knife, then cuts the rope, freeing Carlos.
"Let's go! We gotta move, fast!"
They break into a sprint, moving rapidly towards the crowds of people in the vicinity, alerting Ed.
"OOOOOOOII! Hang on a minute!"
Ed takes three steps towards them but gives up on the chase since it might draw unnecessary attention.
"Chief is gonna be angry."
Emilia leads Carlos up to a higher level using the escalators. They end up in a parking lot full of cars and crouch near a Van. Emilia is already considering a plan of action.
"Carlos, what's your highest [Stat]?"
"It's [Social Skills], 18. Why?"
'Perfect, I'll make him join my party and we'll do my [Quest] together.'
"If you want to survive from now on, I suggest you follow my lead."
"Hmmm… I guess?"
Brasilia's most famous group of [Adventurers] had just begun their epic [Adventure Campaign].