I wake up a few days later in a beautiful room. I don't feel any pain, which is weird after what I remember going through. I get up off of my bed that has silk sheets and fleece blankets. I walk over to what appears to be a dresser with a mirror. I look in the mirror and I don't recognize the man starring back at me. I see short black hair, the iris of my eyes are silver, my ears are pointy like that of a wolf, and I have sharp fangs where my canines used to be on both the top and bottom row. I look down at my hands to see black claws.
"What did they do to me? I'm not even human anymore." I say out loud. I feel stronger though. I'm just glad I still have my mind. So, that proves I'm not a monster. I hope.
I walk out of the room and down the hall. I don't see a single person anywhere, but I do start to hear voices. I follow them until I walk into what looks like a dinning hall that is the size of two houses. Here, I see people everywhere sitting at tables, eating, and talking to each other. The first thing I notice about these people is, they also have fangs and claws. I'm starting to think Reaper is more than just a title. I don't recognize anyone so I just sit at a random seat and start eating. Food is all across the tables, so I can just help myself. After a few minutes, I am approached by a beautiful woman. Even with the silver eyes and fangs.
"Hello there, how are you adjusting?" She asks as she sits next to me.
"I have to be honest. It's strange to see everything in such vibrant light and hear everything so clearly. It's even more weird how I don't even need to train my body to be used to it. I know I haven't always been this alert, but it feels as though I have. Like I was born this way." I explain.
"That is good! You have bonded well with your new body. You are now an official Reaper. I apologize that we couldn't tell you every detail about the process. When we first started this organization, we did tell people and they freaked out so much that they either ended up dying, or just quitting. For this reason, monsters grew in numbers, and the world is even less safe. Eventually, we stopped telling people what would happen and now we have Reapers to hunt the monsters. This is the main hall. The castle in the center of Talvasia. Across the land, you will find smaller houses that connect to here. You will receive missions through your implant and also payment once you turn in your crystals." She explains.
"Wait, I don't get paid unless I turn in those Monster Cores?" I ask.
"That is correct. You should also know that it is illegal to sell those to merchants. And if you see any merchant selling these, then you must confiscate them, tell them that they can't sell them, and if they refuse to listen, then do what you have to. Arrest them or kill them. The cores are for Reapers and Reapers only to turn in for payment. We then use these to better equip Reapers. This isn't just a job. This is your life. You will spend the rest of your life on the road killing monsters. As a reaper, you will live longer than humans. You are allowed to buy land and property, but you won't spend a lot of time there. Unless of course you constantly have monsters on your own land, but your purpose is to travel, protecting humans. If you team up with another Reaper, then you must tell us, and we will split the payment." She explains.
"How long have you been this way?" I ask.
"For the past thirty years." She says.
"Thank you for the info. The majority of what I learn, I'm guessing will be on the road, learning as I gain experience fighting." I say.
"Yes. I can spend all year telling you everything about monsters, but until you live it, you won't truly know anything. After you leave here, you will say goodbye to your old life. The soldier that raised you and brought you in to us, is no more. If you see him again, it is only because he is in danger. We are your family now." She explains.
I leave the castle and start on my journey. I've never been in this part of Talvasia, so I have a huge learning curve. I walk for a few miles and get to a village.
"Excuse me, what is this village? I'm not from around here." I ask.
A woman looks at me and smiles. "Of course Sir, This is Rinekor. We are a small mining village. Stay as long as you would like! I suggest going to the Inn if you are looking for work." The woman says.
"May I ask, why are you being so polite to me? You don't know me?" I ask.
"You are clearly one of the heroes of our country. You're a Reaper. Your kind may not be liked everywhere, but most villages will welcome you. It's the least we can do, for all you do for us!" She says with joy.
I guess in a lot of areas, Reapers are common. I wish I grew up in a village instead of a hut by the Volcano, away from civilization. I'd know more about what I am and the monsters. Instead, I grew up learning the ways of the sword and bow against targets. Even my military training only could prepare me to fight against a man. I'm truly going into this life blind.
"Thank you very much. What is your name?" I ask.
"My name is Korset. If you stay here long enough, you may see me again. I run the potion shop." She says.
I nod smiling and walk away. I make my way to the Inn, which is five buildings from the entrance, and four huts to the left. Upon walking inside, I see that it isn't really busy. The village isn't that small, but it's not huge either. I walk up to the Inn Keeper.
"Excuse me Sir, I was wondering if you had any leads on a job." I ask.
His eyes go wide the moment he sees me. "Yes, of course! Thank you for coming here. To the west, we have been dealing with a vampire problem. I don't know how many there are, but last week, we had a visitor who had most of his blood drained. He told us about the issue, just before dying. We aren't rich enough to send word to the Reapers, but since you're here, could you kill the foul beasts?" He asks with an unsure expression.
"Yes, I will kill this thing for you. Do you know of a quicker way to the castle from there?" I ask.
"There is a lodge that is said to have a teleporter, but I can't confirm this. You understand." He says.
"Thank you." I say.
I start to walk away, but the man stops me. "Sir, aren't you going to accept the mission?" He asks.
"I'm confused. I thought I just did?" I say in confusion.
He chuckles. "You must be new. Here, swipe your hand over this." He instructs.
He shows me a weird device that is circular, and has lights around the sides. I walk up and wave my hand over it and it beeps, then I feel a vibration in my wrist.
"What the hell?" I ask.
I look at my hand and from my wrist, I see a message pop up.
Kill the vampire in the west of Rinekor.
"Do you see this?" I ask the man. He just shakes his head.
"I don't know how it works, I just know that this is what Reapers use to accept quests and pay for things." He explains.
I thank the man and while I walk down the road to the potion shop, I study this implant of mine. "What else can this do? I wonder what they didn't tell me." I say quietly.
Upon entering the shop, I see Korset. "Hey, it's me again." I say as I walk up to the counter.
"You know, I just realized that you never told me your name." She says with a sly smile.
"Of course, I apologize. How rude of me. My name is Nex. I'm hoping you can help me with this, I have these toxins in my satchel. I ran out of the purple one and was hoping you could tell me the name and possibly sell me more." I say.
She shows me her collection of toxins on a display and I notice the purple one. It has the name on it, which is, multiplying acid. "Huh, that explains a lot." I say quietly.
"This is fifty silver." She says.
"I'm sorry. I don't have enough." I say. I look at my implant and think of how to check how much money I have and almost immediately I see a screen pop up. One hundred gold.
I look at her. "Nevermind. It appears, that I do. Ill take three." I say with a smile.
After this, I start walking to the west.