"I want to thank you again for not making me wait to pick up the sword, apprentice Lucas. You have to understand how much this means for the safety of the town and the guardsmen. The heavy sense of responsibility we carry every day is only made bearable with the support of the town's people."
"Anytime, Mr. Hudson. I am sure my master will be relieved that you could get the equipment necessary to maintain the town's safety requirements. Every merchant counts on the security your team provides. No one wants to be accountable for placing anyone in danger."
"Well, I am personally glad to know that you can see the big picture, Lucas. When your master returns, I will personally stop by and praise your understanding to him."
Off the wooden porch that functioned as a sidewalk stood a small store called "Hammered Glory." While the wooden walls of the store did little to hide the store's age, the clean windows and small flower pots made what would have been seen as a ghost house into a store with a long history. A small sign hung from the porch roof by the front door showing the universally known image of an anvil to declare the shop a blacksmith. As the front door opens, an armored man can be seen exiting the building.
Mr. Hudson was covered with well-polished leather armor with metal plating attached. The sunlight reflected quite strongly if one was to focus on the metal plating or the receding hairline on his head. The sword in question was firmly attached to his side. Wrinkles were seen as light but visible on his face, placing Mr. Hudson as middle-aged with hair that was tinged with gray. A smile on his face expressed his current happiness to all. Following Mr. Hudson out the door was a young man wearing an apron.
Lucas was blessed with a height of six feet and long brown hair tied with a scrap of leather. The sun-tanned, slightly lean face bore a polite smile. While tall, no one would describe Lucas as a big fellow due to his light frame. Many would even question if Lucas had the muscles buried beneath his loose clothes to work at Hammered Glory. Lucas came to a stop just shy of leaving the building entirely.
"Thank you again for stopping by, Mr. Hudson. We enjoy supporting our town guards here at Hammered Glory," Lucas says with a bow.
Mr. Hudson acknowledged the bow with a head nod and walked down the street. Lucas stepped back inside the shop and closed the door. The smile quickly leaves his face as soon as the door is closed.
"Hearing my master is not here, he comes to the shop and claims the master promised to sell him his best sword for a single gold today," Lucas mutters as he walks to the bathroom. "Then, when I hesitate and show wanting to wait for my master returns, he threatens to report the store for harming the public good by denying to sell to guard members."
Lucas stops in front of the bathroom sink and looks at his reflection in the mirror. "What kind of mess did you create for me, Lucas?" Lucas says, addressing himself. As Lucas looks in the mirror, memories fly by. However, not all of these memories belong to Lucas. It's as if two different sets of memories were stuffed into his head.
The first set of memories belongs to a man named Matt, who worked retail on a planet called Earth. He worked part-time while attending college classes to become a computer programmer and dreamed of opening his own game studio. However, fate had a different future in store for Matt. One day, as Matt was getting off work late, he was suddenly hit by a flash of light followed by a large truck. In an instant, his dream and life were over. Yet, Fate was not done with Matt.
When Matt next opened his eyes, he found himself in the body of an orphan named Lucas in Hammered Glory, with a splitting headache. Before he could come to grips with this change, he heard a beating on the door and the arrival of Mr. Hudson, which took all his attention. Now, with Mr. Hudson taken care of, Matt could relax momentarily and react to the new second set of memories flashing before his eyes.
"I guess my name is now Lucas, and I am an orphan who's been living at Hammered Glory," Matt mutters while staring at himself in the mirror. "What are the chances of being an orphan in both lives?"
The pounding in his head is the only thing that seems to answer him. Matt shakes his head with his eyes closed and then slaps his cheeks. "Focus, Matt."
With renewed determination, Matt opens his eyes, ready to confront the reality of his new existence. He recalls that the Master of the shop is a highly skilled blacksmith named Barlet, who took him in four years ago out of pity. However, beneath the guise of an apprentice, Matt served as Barlet's errand boy, caretaker, and enabler of his drinking problem—a dark secret unseen by most. The meager rewards for his toil were merely a roof over his head and meager meals of subpar rice.
This arduous routine persisted until five nights ago when everything changed. After completing his usual chores and preparing to inquire about the evening meal, Lucas discovered Barlet's lifeless body on the floor, his hands clutching his chest. It was evident that Barlet had passed away hours earlier, and Lucas's world was instantly engulfed in panic.
Convinced that revealing his master's death would lead to dire consequences, Lucas found himself trapped between two unfavorable options. If the truth came to light, he feared losing the shelter he had in the shop and being forced back onto the streets, as someone else could claim the property. Neither of these outcomes appealed to Lucas, so he made the decision to secretly bury his master in the backyard near the coal pile. To maintain the facade of his master's absence, Lucas continued operating the shop, spreading word that his master had embarked on a trip.
Initially, Lucas managed to navigate the situation without any major complications. However, on the third day, a regular customer arrived to collect an order, only to discover that it hadn't been completed. The disappointed customer pressed Lucas for information about his master's return from the supposed trip and the status of the order. Caught off guard, Lucas stumbled through a vague response, uttering an uncertain "I don't know" that quickly spread among the shop's patrons. Soon, many customers arrived to pick up their orders, only to be met with the news that they would have to wait. It was at this moment that Lucas fell into a trap.
The frustrated customers relentlessly pressured Lucas, asserting that they deserved fee reductions due to the shop's failure to fulfill its obligations. Succumbing to the mounting pressure, Lucas reluctantly lowered the prices on the uncompleted orders. However, this concession failed to satisfy the customers who sensed an opportunity to exploit the situation. They began demanding cash reimbursements for the inconvenience of having to seek their orders elsewhere in Master Barlet's absence. Once again, Lucas bowed to their demands. By the end of the fourth day, Lucas, burdened with stress, retired to bed early, overwhelmed by the mounting pressure.
Unfortunately, the fifth day proved to be no better for Lucas. The customers continued to complain, expecting not only an apology but also some form of compensation to "make it up" to them. However, the challenges extended beyond the present month's issues. Lucas still faced the daunting task of fulfilling the tool requests and maintenance orders scheduled for the following month. And here lay the crux of the problem. Lucas was not a blacksmith, and his reserves of coins to reimburse customers were rapidly depleting.
"You had to pretend to care about the shop's reputation, or people would have questioned your lack of concern for your master's potential reaction upon his return," Matt whispers, his insight cutting to the heart of the matter. "Yet, here I am, having inherited your body the next morning, left to deal with this mess. It would have been considerate of you to clean up after yourself before departing, Lucas." Matt mutters as he exits the bathroom, making his way back to the store's front counter. Sighing, Matt resigns himself to his fate. "For better or worse, I suppose I am now Lucas, and this life's mess is mine to bear."
As Lucas surveyed the familiar surroundings of the store, a sense of tranquility washed over him, merging his two sets of memories into a unified whole. The initial strangeness of controlling a different body and height dissipated, replaced by a natural sense of familiarity with his dual lives. The once unfamiliar shop now felt like a true home to Lucas. He relished in the calmness that enveloped him until his stomach interrupted the moment with a growl, reminding him of his hunger.
Amused, Lucas chuckled and made his way down the hallway toward the kitchen. Though small, the shop's kitchen was well-equipped. It boasted a small fireplace for cooking, a couple of cabinets, and a modest table with a set of chairs, completing the room. However, Lucas, accustomed to more modern kitchens, found little appeal in the sight of a burnt, crusty black iron pot simmering over the embers. The idea of seeking lunch elsewhere quickly took hold, and Lucas grabbed his coin bag before locking the front shop door behind him.
As Lucas strolled along the road, his new memories guided him in the search for a place to satisfy his hunger. While there were several small food stalls dotting the street and a few modest taverns offering dinner options, Master Barlet had always insisted on getting his own dinner from the Drunken Squirrel, a popular establishment just two blocks away. Lucas knew how particular his master was about his supper. Since he had never earned coins before, he had yet to experience the offerings from the street vendors. Therefore, for his first meal in this new world, Lucas decided to trust his master's judgment and headed straight to the Drunken Squirrel, preferring to err on the side of caution.
The Drunken Squirrel was an imposing stone building situated on the corner. Its large, sturdy wooden doors were left partially open during business hours, allowing the tantalizing aroma of the meals within to waft out, enticing passersby. In the past, visiting this place had always been a chore for Lucas. He would have to wait as the owners prepared a meal, all the while tantalized by the scents of the food he couldn't partake in. It was almost a form of torture. However, the prospect of finally being able to fully enjoy himself today quickened Lucas's steps as he approached the entrance of the building.
Stepping into the tavern, Lucas found himself in a spacious main room with a wooden floor. The room housed eight tables with chairs and a dozen booths along the right wall. A small stage platform with stairs adorned the far wall, although Lucas had never witnessed it being used. On the left wall stood the bar counter, complete with stools for those seeking only drinks or wishing to avoid sitting at a table alone. Behind the counter stood John Harford, a seasoned brewkeeper and the owner of the Drunken Squirrel.
"Howdy, Lucas!" John greeted with his trademark wide smile, his voice carrying across the room. "It's been nearly half a week since I last saw you, lad. I was beginning to think your master had found another cook who could meet his picky expectations. Is it today's special to go like usual?"
In the past, this kind of greeting would have sent Lucas into a panic. The regulars in the establishment had already acknowledged him with nods of recognition before returning to their meals. Being the center of attention would have made Lucas stumble over his words. However, drawing on his combined life experiences, Lucas could now easily discern that John's boisterous manner was simply part of the ambiance of the place. He replied calmly, free from any anxiety.
"Good evening, Master John. I would like today's special, but I think I'll have it here instead of taking it to go."
The brief look of surprise on John's face quickly transformed into a relaxed smile. "Sure, Lucas. Come, have a seat at the bar, and I'll have Amber bring you a plate."
As Lucas settled onto a barstool, John walked down and whispered something through a small window. Moments later, the door beside the window opened, revealing Amber holding a tray with a couple of plates. As she made her way down the bar, she made eye contact with Lucas and offered a warm smile.
"Hi, Lucas. Here's today's special: roasted stew with a honey roll."
Lucas eagerly delved into his meal as Amber returned to the kitchen. While he was still adjusting to this new world, there was no doubt in his mind that this food was the most exquisite meal he had ever tasted, surpassing anything from either of his previous lives. As Lucas neared the end of his meal, he began to pay closer attention to the conversations happening around him.
"So, William, I hear congratulations are in order in the Wood household?" Master John inquired as he wiped down some glasses.
"Hahaha, that's right, John." A familiar man Lucas always sees at the Drunken Squirrel turned from his meal with a proud smile. "My boy just had his system awakened this week. We are planning on going to the temple tomorrow to check his status and path. The boy has always wanted to be one of those legendary adventurers, but I figure he is more suited for woodworking myself."
"Well, no matter what his path turns up being, let him know I wish him nothing but the best!"
Lucas was trying to keep up with the conversation, but all the talk of path and status didn't make much sense off-hand. Confused, Lucas started going through old Lucas's memories. Once he began assembling the dots, he was shocked at missing such a massive piece of crucial knowledge.
Every person in this world had a game-like system. Around the time a person reaches sixteen years of age, the person would awaken the ability to use their system. The person would have skills that would level up, the ability to gain more strength or stamina by increasing his level, and would have a path to follow. From old Lucas's memories, this path was like a blessing or direction that people followed on what jobs they would work in the future. It was kind of like a class system from old role-playing games.
However, the most startling knowledge is that Lucas didn't have a system like everyone else. This knowledge made everything that Lucas suffered suddenly make sense. In the past, Lucas couldn't take on jobs requiring skills that level up over time without a system. Not being able to maintain steady work without anyone finding out about his system-less status explained why he lived on the streets before Master Barlet took him in and why he put up with the life he had at Hammered Glory.
As Lucas was dealing with this sudden kraken size issue, he saw Master John heading over to his seat.
"I hope you enjoyed the meal, Lucas. I tried to tell that old hardhead master of yours that the food will always taste better here fresh than eating it cold back at the smithy." Master John stated while placing the empty bowl and plate on a tray to be cleaned later. "With the order being today's special, the standard price is five coppers, as always."
"You are certainly right, Master John. Although I have to say the food is always good no matter the temperature when I get it. However, I enjoyed the great atmosphere and will be back."
Master John smiled his wide natural smile once again. "You're welcome anytime, Lucas, but drop the master bit. It's just John to friends."
Lucas smiled and, with a nod, left the Drunken Squirrel to head back to the shop. Now the only thing he had to figure out was a way to get a system that everyone else had.