"So, can I ask you two some questions?"
Rune had finished his food, now deciding it best to learn more about the Raining Kingdom. Who better than two of the most well informed people in a fantasy environment?
"Go ahead kid."
"What would you like to know?"
Through a rough patch of questions, many common knowledge of this world, Rune began to connect the dots of his newfound home.
"So to the North is an undead kingdom, East is Elven, beastkin are South, then West is back towards the Raining Kingdom. Women are this world's powerhouses, but the Raining King is controlling the majority. And a summon can only take place every ten years, even longer if materials are tough to acquire. That about the gist of it?"
Though their eyes betrayed their confusion, both men nodded.
"So why did you all build up Serro? I hadn't quite gotten that."
Garren raised his hand to stop Lloyd.
"Kid, I'll only trouble you with my backstory. Don't ask this question to others, as they may just nip ya."
Garren sighed heavily, his face practically aging ten years.
"My wife and three daughters. They are my reason for building this town up. Many others have similar stories, or they just wanna support us. Lloyd here, this man just hates mind control."
Lloyd huffed a little, something unbefitting his appearance.
"Now, where do I start? I married young, I guess. Had three beautiful daughters. I was a happy man, living as the Guild Master over back in the castle town. Then we get the new king, was it six years ago? Bastard was no king in my eye. Just a power hungry mad man, with one brain in the wrong spot. Many women began to complain of headaches, or flat out throwing out their husbands and sons. This even led to countless deaths, as the women attacked. They lost control. My family grew fearful as my wife and eldest daughter could no longer hold out. They resisted so hard, their hearts gave out. Bringing fear into the younger two, they gave in. They became his pawns, quickly forcing me to leave."
Garren pinched the bridge of his nose, his face in a deep scowl.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked about something so devastating."
Lloyd pulled Rune's attention back.
"Is there more you wish to know?"
"Velvet. The princess. What's her deal?"
"Ah. His adopted daughter then. As powerful as they come, though no one knows why she isn't under his control."
Rune crossed his arms, leaning over the bar counter.
"Is she even human? I mean, she was practically ethereal when I met her."
"You met her?!"
Lloyd and Garren were shocked, their mouthed agape.
"Ah. Yea. I just so happened to before I was sent here. She wasn't necessarily kind, but she wasn't rude or condescending either. I feel bad for her."
"Pitying a princess. Not an everyday thing, huh kid?"
"So... where is everyone else?"
Garren waved him off.
"Lots of 'venturers running about. Others live in the houses connected to their shops n whatnot."
Rune could only nod in affirmation.
The three bonded over drinks before Rune finally made his way back up the stairs towards his room. As he grabbed the knob, a cold pulse began to fill him.
"The hell?"
Pulling the door open, the pulse became a sweat. Standing before Marisa, a hooded figure seemed to be eyeing her up and down. Before they realized, Rune was already upon them. His fist collided with their shoulder, putting them in a state of shock.
"You bastard. Leave her alone!"
The figure was quick, slipping through Rune's sloppy defense. With a quick swipe, he was lifted off the ground and sent tumbling onto his bed. His vision grew blurry as he saw the hooded figure heading for the window. The last he saw, was Marisa lunging forward. The figure then tumbling outside the inn.
Hours passed by before Rune's eyes flickered open. His blanket now covered his body, his shoes removed and placed by the door. The window was closed, even. His eyes wandered until they fell on Marisa, her hand lightly grasping his.
"Marisa?"
Pushing himself up, Rune wiped his eyes before looking back at Marisa.
"Was that just a dream?"
Without a response, Rune could only sigh. He pulled his hand out of hers, then swung his legs over the bed. Trying to distract himself, his face fully red, he began to talk at Marisa.
"We're gonna do a little bit of work today. We can, hopefully, level up in the experience dungeon. Now this ten time draw..."
The screen blipped to life, showing the free 10 draw Rune was still holding. His finger pressed down on the button, this time causing a notification to appear.
'A 10x draw can be watched in speed, or slow mode. The first draw will be in slow mode. Please accept your rewards one by one!'
Rune tapped the notification, causing it to give way to ten cards. Nine were blank, while one spun slowly before his eyes. The card turned silver.
'Rare! Congrats, you have awakened the skill: Analyze.'
Slowly, the other nine cards did the same. Each card left a note before his eyes.
'Normal! Congrats, you have awakened the skill: Basic Magic Control!
Normal! Congrats, you have acquired the equipment: Rusty Spear!
Normal! Congrats, you have acquired the equipment: Chipped Sword!
Rare! Congrats, you have acquired the equipment: Small Shield!
Normal! Congrats, you have acquired the summon: Nameless Swordswoman x 5!
Normal! Congrats, you have acquired the summon: Nameless Priestess x 5!
Rare! Congrats, you have acquired the system interface: World Map!
Rare! Congrats, you have acquired the magic element: Fire!
Normal! Congrats, you have acquired the equipment: Old Leather Gloves!'
Rune grabbed the World Map card, tearing it immediately. The map suddenly formed on his screen, giving a view of Serro and the surrounding wilderness. Back towards the Raining Castle, Rune saw a massive forest. On the corner, a small stone was lit up on both sides of the forest.
"A warp gate? Must be how I got to Serro so quickly. I never noticed. Maybe teleporting doesn't make me sick?"
Rune looked at the three skill cards. Their info appeared before he even tore them.
'Analyze- Almost a necessity. Allows user to see in-depth information on various targets. Level difference will affect various bits of information.
Basic Magic Control- This skill allows the user to freely control the magic within and without, though minorly, their body. Allows magic to be more easily cast.
Fire- This magic element allows the user to cast fire spells. Greater control and affinity is required to use mass devastation magic. *Note for user. Must be level 15 to accept a second element. Think carefully.'
Rune tore all three.
'Congrats! You have learned the skill: Analyze.
Congrats! You have learned the skill: Basic Magic Control.
Congrats! You can now harness Fire magic! Proficiency: D.'
"I have an experience dungeon, plus I'm in a dangerous area. Magic might save my life."
The equipment cards were next. The sword, shield and spear weren't amazing, but Rune felt like he could work with them. The gloves were just small defense for hands. Tearing the cards caused a new notification.
'Congrats! You fully acquired your first piece of equipment from the gacha! Your inventory will now be unlocked. Starter inventory can hold an indefinite stack of 30 items.'
As a test, Rune immediately threw the new gear into his inventory. They appeared in the first four slots, though Rune pulled them back out.
"Hmm. This shield was the best piece. I'd rather not have Marisa stuck protecting me, but I think she's gonna need this."
Rune slipped his hand into the grip, testing the shield's weight.
'Congrats! Shield proficiency has been unlocked! Current rank: D.'
Rune wasn't expecting proficiency to unlock this way, but he tested the sword and spear as well.
'Congrats! Spear proficiency has been unlocked! Current rank: D.
Congrats! Sword proficiency has been unlocked! Current rank: D.'
"Why is it all D rank? I've never wielded a weapon in my life. Is it just so I don't get massacred by slimes?"
Rune stored the three items again. He kept the leather gloves on. For being called old, they felt rather new.
"The sword and shield can be hers. I'll support with Fire and the spear."
Deciding to test his fire magic, Rune began to concentrate on his surroundings. Ever since he used the Basic Magic Control, Rune could feel something almost coasting along in and out of his body. Deciding to grab hold of it, Rune could feel the magic begin to activate. Before long, a small fire sparked into life in his palm, just above the glove.
"It isn't burning me. That's a relief. I should put this out."
Releasing the magic, the flame was snuffed. It was easy enough with minor magic application, but actual combat use was another story.
Looking at the last two cards, Rune began to examine them.
'Nameless Swordswoman- A basic unit with little use. Will be summoned with a sword that vanishes upon death. Other uses may be found.
Nameless Priestess- A basic unit with weak healing. Will be summoned with a staff that vanishes upon death. Other uses may be found.'
"Fodder units? I'd rather not have someone die on me actually..."
Rune placed the five stacks into his inventory. Sure enough, the cards appeared with a x5 on their image.
Pulling the last silver card from his pocket, Rune looked towards Marisa.
"You ready for the exp dungeon?"