Walking out into the market square that was busing with activity, Astaria breaths in the fresh air, feeling more at ease than yesterday. Instantly recognising where she was, she thanked her good fortune that Gerald had led her to such a convenient inn that is located right next to where she needs to be.
Looking around, market stalls line the outside of the large square, thrumming with activity as the locals go about their daily business. The majority of these stalls are filled with food, local handicrafts, and clothes.
In the center of the square is a large fountain featuring a statue of a knight, mounted upon a rearing steed, his lance pointed to the sky.
Checking the time on the system, she can see that it is now 10:13am, and so makes her way towards the fountain, the previously planned meeting spot with the rest of the combat group.
As she walks closer, the nervous lump that had formed in her stomach grows with every step from the anxiety over meeting her friends given her current situation. A part of her wishes that nobody was waiting, however her hopes are dashed as she arrives before the statue and hears a voice call out from her right.
"Chester… is that you?"
Hearing her old name called out, she turns around to see a tall man with slightly messy black hair, wearing a long black coat over a white shirt and breastplate. His boots are covered with metal plates while his black trousers are left exposed. A bow can be seen slung over his shoulder while a quiver hangs from the right side of his belt.
Feeling the anxiety once again grow, Astaria speaks, her voice low with slight embarrassment.
"Yeah… kind of awkward, huh?"
Shaking his head, Ben answers her greeting.
"No kidding. Your luck must be completely fucked with all the crazy stuff that's happened to you recently."
Sighing, Astaria raises a question to Ben, curious to find out what else he now knows.
"Well, I guess you're not wrong. I assume you spoke to Fortuna since you were able to recognise me?"
Raising his hands in exasperation he explains.
"Yeah man, that completely threw me off. I was speaking to that guide lady till she suddenly stopped moving and that goddess descended all dramatic like. She said that since I already knew that you had come back to the past she would skip explaining that, saying that because of the time travel your body and soul needed to be changed or something. Some crazy god stuff, that's all I understood from her brief explanation."
Shaking his head, he continues his explanation.
"Anyway, she told me that I should continue with the plans we had and that I would know when it was you since you had been turned into an earth shatteringly beautiful girl. I won't lie, I cracked up listening to that but seems she was not joking around. Dude, it must really suck."
"You have no idea, I was in complete shock, and ended up just moving on without thinking about it too much. By the time I got to do some grinding, I ended up going kinda berserk remembering some horrific things from the Upheaval and spent 6 straight hours slaughtering goblins till I was exhausted."
Walking up to Astaria, Ben gives her a supportive hug. Remembering back, the only times when Ben had given her a hug was when she had really needed it, like when her parents had passed away. To her, this hug means a lot as she knows Ben can see how shaken she is, making her quite emotional while letting out a few tears at how blessed she is to have such a friend.
"Hey man, sounds like this whole thing got to you pretty bad. But you know I got your back, so give me a holla whenever you need to vent."
After a short moment Ben pulls away, seeing the few tears on her face. Hearing a whistle from one of the onlookers who was paying attention to the beautiful girl hugging a guy, Ben shoots the guy a sharp glare before looking back.
"Hey man, I never knew you were this easy to get some tears from, you good?"
Quickly wiping her eyes while feeling quite pathetic that she let tears out after becoming sentimental, she replies.
"Sorry, I guess it's a mixture of relief and reassurance. I guess I felt a bit lonely, but knowing you are the same as ever took a weight off my shoulders. Plus, I guess the new body is having somewhat of an effect on me."
Sighing, Ben looks her in the eye.
"Hey, you remember what I said back then, we're brothers, you have had my back through my own shit. And from what few things you told me about what happened in the future, that never changed. What kind of guy would I be if I got all weird with you over some fuckery the gods sent your way?"
Wiping a few more tears away, Astaria tries to calm the welling grateful emotions in her heart.
Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, Ben asks.
"So, what's next? The others have already gone on ahead, are we going straight to catch up with them?"
Shaking her head, Astaria explains.
"Not just yet, I first need to register at the guild, sell some drops, and get myself some better gear and a horse."
Nodding while thinking, Ben points towards the guild.
"Ah, that's right, you mentioned you were exhausted last night. Right, let's get going then."
Starting to walk to the other side of the square where the guild is located while gaining attention from the people nearby, they continue to talk.
"Oh, I need to add you and message the other guys… here."
Remembering this, Ben opens up the menus and looks at the name tag above Astaria's head.
"… and done, you get that?"
Seeing the notification, she accepts Ben's request.
"Yes, all good." She replied with an ok gesture.
Seeing her name, Ben comments.
"Astaria huh? Yeah, definitely suits your beautiful new looks. You're going to cause a lot of chaos in other guy's hearts, you know."
Holding her forehead with her right hand she sighs.
"Ugh, I would prefer if you didn't remind me. Seems the gods changed me into a beautiful woman in hopes of getting some entertainment."
With a scrunched face Ben comments in displeasure.
"Damn, that's messed up. I guess Fortuna told you? She didn't give the impression she would mention such things."
Laughing, Astaria responds while rolling her eyes.
"The goddess of luck is not fickle; she is just an airhead."
Scoffing a laugh, Ben shakes his head.
"Well, that explains a lot. Guess I should complain about that time I was trying to get a tank drop from loot boxes last year. Like I spent over £200 and got nothing!"
Hearing Ben's complaints Astaria quips.
"Heh, that's because you were praying to RNJesus."
Laughing, Ben opens the door to the guild as they arrive. Glancing around, the guild looks the same as she remembers, resembling a typical fantasy guild. There was a restaurant and bar to one side of the main reception and the notice boards to the other.
Walking up to a free receptionist, Astaria gives a greeting.
"Excuse me, but may I register?"
With a smile, the receptionist lightly bows.
"Oh? Another new adventurer? There are quite a few appearing these days. Are you one of the Immortal Warriors?"
Astaria nods in affirmation.
"Yes, I am."
Pulling out a piece of paper ready to start the application, the receptionist asks a question.
"I see, I assume you will want me to explain how the guild works?"
Expecting the question, Astaria smiles.
"It's alright, I already know the gist. Adventures take on requests and get paid for the trouble. Requests vary from killing goblins to finding cats. The more you contribute and the higher your level rises, the higher your guild rank. That should be everything right?"
Raising one eyebrow, the receptionist leans forward slightly.
"Oh, that was so concise! Yes, you are perfectly correct. There are penalties for failed requests, and there are also requests made to specific adventures. The guild will give rewards for handing in any proofs of subjugation and purchase any items and treasures you may wish to sell."
Nodding at the ease of this registration, the receptionist puts a glowing white orb on the desk.
"Do I need to explain this to you?" The receptionist asks with a raised eyebrow.
With a slight chuckle, Astaria replies with a cheeky smile.
"Not at all"
Placing her hand on the crystal, her basic information pops up on a screen above the crystal ball.
[Astaria]
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Race: ???
Class: Mage
Lv 10
Seeing the information pop up, the receptionist exclaims.
"Wow, Lv 10 already?! I heard you Immortal Warriors arrived only yesterday?"
Quite surprised herself by the revelation since she had not bothered to check her status yet, Astaria spoke with a contemplative expression.
"It would seem so. I sort of went and massacred a bunch of goblins yesterday. I killed…"
Pausing to check her inventory, she reveals the staggering number.
"A total of 350. Hmm, I did not think I killed that many."