[Author's Note: Sorry for the wait, I've been cooking with this one. Enjoy!]
Wow! This place really looks like the game world!
First thing's first. I must find the nearest town and register myself as an Adventurer.
I suppose I'll just follow this paved dirt road and pray I come across any signs of civilization.
For several minutes, I leisurely walked along the dirt road, admiring everything around me. Everything seems just so... How should I put this...
Nah, let's keep it simple, it's beautiful, that's what this place is, beautiful.
The sky is so blue with poofy clouds drifting lazily across the sky, like leaves on a gently rolling stream.
The view above my head isn't the only things catching my attention. The vast, rolling, lush green plains spreading out all over. The far off misty mountains standing proud and high into the heavens. All that's left is a fantasy city to complete this wonderful game-like feel.
Damn, I could enjoy this forever!
Screw it, it's been how long already? One hour? Two hours? Hell, only twenty minutes might've passed by, but I'm already bored.
It's exciting for the first five minutes when I'm witnessing everything for the first time, but it gets old fast. Where on earth's all he monster slaying, Dungeon diving and treasure-finding I've been promised!?!
Haaa...
No point in whining, I just gotta keep marching. Eventually, I'll stumble into a town, right?"
As I continue to aimlessly wander along the path for several more minutes, I notice something off to the distance.
Moving closer toward the mysterious object in my peripheral vision, its identity becomes clear and reveals itself to me.
A wooden wagon. The kind you'd see from one of those old-timey western cowboy and Indian movies.
Hmm...
Should I approach the cart, or should I continue along this path?
On one hand, I can ask for directions. On the other, they might try to attack me because of the get-up I'm wearing. On the third hand, it's completely empty, but who'd abandon a wagon in the middle of nowhere?
I have so many questions, so many problems, next to knowledge-
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! Thinking about all of this is driving me nuts! Like a squirrel stuck in a cage surrounded by a treasure trove of acorns it can't reach!
Damnit! Why couldn't that Maze Master teleport me closer to a settlement!?!
Screw it, at this rate it'll be night time before I reach any signs of civilization. Plus, even if the NPCs are wary of me
As I made my way closer and closer to the cart, I noticed something off.
From a distance, the cart looked completely fine, but as I go nearer. I can make out some odd features.
One of the wheels was missing entirely and was held up by a pile of dirt and stone.
Something seems off.
Anybody could tell something's off just by looking at it.
...
...
Seconds tick by as I ponder what to do.
Should I investigate or should I leave it alone.
Such a hard decision.
Hmm...
Nah, I'll go with option three.
Burn the cart down.
Time to put those Features into action.
Holding both hands out in front of me, I envision motes of flame shooting forth from my hands.
The next instance, concentrated balls of fire conjure into existence and whiz toward the wagon.
The dorty
"Hot! Hot! Hot!"
Several yelps ensue until half a dozen louts in shabby armor burst out through the tarp. One of them did the drop and roll after catching fire passing through the blazing wagon.
Ignoring the blazing tarp behind them, the man at the forefront of these ruffians barks out his demands, "Oi! Bird-face! Drop your valuables!"
Bandits right off the bat? Usually an Isekai adventure starts off with killing a few slimes or herb-gathering. Something low-level.
On the flip side, they should give more EXP than those weak mob monsters.
This is my first battle, I should be on guard. I'll apply Mage Armor and Blade Ward to myself first.
[Your Defense has been increased. You've gained temporary resistance to slashing, bludgeoning and piercing damage.]
Oh? Interesting, a screen just popped out of nowhere.
"What the hell did you do!?!"
Dangit, looks like they noticed my spells.
Ignoring the bandit's question, I hastily drew one of my katanas and activate Flame Blade. I haven't learned Focus Casting from my , so I have to keep one hand free to cast other spells.
'Fwoosh!'
Orange flames instantly light up, from the hilt to the tip of my swords.
One of the bandits panicked, "Shit! Boss! He's a mage! What do we do!?"
"Bit late of you to notice, Sherlock. How else did you think I set the wagon on fire."
"This changes nothing! Spread out and surr- GAH!"
The bandit barking out orders, I'll call him the Bandit Boss for simplicity's sake, drops to his knees as my searing hot katana sliced through his right leg like tofu.
"That's one."
Catching them by surprise by my sudden attack, I seize the opportunity to down another. My blade made quick work of him slicing him across the abdomen, blood gushes out as my katana slices his belly open. Poor sap didn't know what hit him as he drops to the floor with guts spilling out.
"There's two."
With a third of their numbers already gone, the bandits finally react.
"You'll pay for this!"
Half of the remaining thugs rush toward me, weapons drawn.
Allow them to come close before I raise a hand and cast a spell.
Instead of a Firebolt, I cast a Flamethrower? Burning Hands sounds like a buff spell giving the caster flaming fists, but it's not what the spell does. Anyway, the name doesn't matter,
I hold out my hand and conjure forth a wide fan-shaped blast of scorching flame in front of me, setting the bandits alight.
""AAAAAAAAAHHHH!""
The pair futilely drop and roll on the ground in an attempt to put out the fire, but it was due to late. The moment they got hit directly by the flames, their flesh became more cooked than flame-grilled barbecue.
"That's three and four."
One of the thugs about to join in the charge with his comrades took one look at the charred corpses of his comrades and threw away his weapon. He pulls out a crossbow slung across his back, preparing to take aim.
In the brief moments the bandit took to switch weapons, a bolt of fire struck him alight.
"AAAAHHH!"
The man also did a drop and roll. Unlike his two buddies, this guy manages to put out the flames, but has some nasty burns covering his body.
After putting out the fires, the man looks like he's about to spew a curse, before he can get a word out. My katana skewers his chest. After giving it a good twist before pulling out. The half-burned bandit drops to the ground like the rest of his buddies.
"And five."
I remember there's six, where is the last one?"
My intuition told me to look back.
Looking behind me, I see the last bandit. The moment he met my gaze, he drops his weapon and runs away screaming.
I nonchalantly raise my hand and cast Eldritch Blast.
A bolt of dark energy crackled and burst forth from my hands.
The spell sped through the air and struck the last bandit dead in the back.
"AAH!"
The ruffian gave a cry before falling down, with his organs and wreckeded spine exposed.
Damn, I love that spell, I can't wait to max it out in the future.
With my first battle over, I take a moment to survey my surroundings. A burning pyre of a wagon, corpses and viscera.
I love this game already!
After taking a moment to calm down myself down from the adrenaline rush and re-arrange my thoughts.
I take another look around the carnage I caused and thought to myself while looking at the bodies.
Hunh, I half expected to throw up after killing these guys. Most of those self-insert protagonists would break down and cry about how they don't want to take other people's lives, even if the people they kill are irredeemable dipshits. What a bunch of pansies.
Then again, this is all just virtual reality. I guess it makes sense, and they're also bandits, they probably committed all sorts of crimes. No one really cares if one of them dies right? Or is it just my coping mechanism kicking in?
That aside. I feel like I missed something.
I turn look around and catch sight of the bandit leader crawling on the ground with his arms.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Please! Spare me! I surrender! I'll do anything you ask! I can give you gold! I-If you spar me, I can take you to our hideout where we keep our gold!"
Oh, I should think up of a cool line sealing his fate!
Something like...
"Did you show any mercy to your victims?"
The leader of the surviving bandits trembled and looked away from my eyes.
"I thought so."
Sheathing one of my katanas, I grip the other one with both hands
It might be a little bit late to say this, but I think he said something about gold didn't he?
Wait, gold?
...
Damnit! I should've tortured him a little before I killed him! And I'm still lost with no clue of where I am!
Ugggggh! Whatever, let me see if one of these bastards had a map on him.
I loot the bodies of the fresh corpses of the bandits. I didn't take any gear since most of it is cruddy and inferior to the current gear I have. Even if I try selling it to a merchant, I reckon they'd only go for a few coppers at best.
However, I did find some other useful items. Such as a small pouch of silvers and a small bag of red potions. They're likely health potions, definitely gonna want those. Then again, it could be poison.
Potions and silvers aren't all I found, inside
Eh, whatever, Reborns are resistant to poison anyways, I'll cross the bridge when I get there.
I tie the pouch of silvers to my belt and empty out the slightly dirty bag of potions into my own clean hip pouch. I take the time to cut off the heads of all the bandits before storing the heads in the emptied bag. There's probably a bounty on these guys. Considering how weak they are, the price on their heads isn't going to be worth much, both literally and figurately.
Before I forget, I should check to see how I'm holding up.
"Display my health and mana!"
...
I half-expected a blue screen to pop up, now I feel so stupid for yelling out loud. At least there aren't any witnesses.
Oh never mind a screen did appear.
I take a peek at the screen and my eyes widen with shock.
Two familiar short bars, one red and one blue
What the heck!?! More than three-quarters of my Mana are gone!?!
I know Dual Casting drains a lot of mana, but this is ridiculous! Especially when you consider half the spells I cast are low-cost Cants! How long did the battle take? Less than a minute I think. Sheesh, 75% of my mana drained for a few Cants. Oh, I almost forgot about the Mage Armor.
Come to think of it, I haven't even been hit once. Guess the Mage Armor's been useless for this little skirmish. Then again, better to be safe then sorry.
I already wasted enough time and energy on these chumps. I better hit the road and find a safe place to rest. You never know what sort of things might crawl out of their hi
Using a stained and frayed map I looted off the Bandit Boss' corpse. I attempt to
Well, I somehow did it. Before me within my sights is a sprawling city of grandeur. High walls, a large citadel and countless clean buildings of medieval fantasy design ripped straight out of a novel.
As I enter the front gates, a pair of heavily armed guards cross their halberds, preventing me from continuing any further.
One of them demands, "Halt! Identify yourself!"
Yeesh, what's with the sudden hostility. I get they're gate guards, but isn't this attitude a little to harsh toward travelers?
Oh, right. I'm dressed in a suspicious Plague Doctor outfit and carrying a suspiciously bloody bag.
I should give a friendly and inconspicuous greeting to ease their suspicions, "Greetings, I am but a wandering soul who seeks employment and a little adventure."
The same guard who ordered me to halt replies, "Well, you've come to the right place. The Frontier is a place of danger and opportunity. Before we can let you in, we ask you let us check what is in your bag."
"By all means, go ahead, please note that it may be a little stomach-churning."
The other guard cautiously walked up to me, taking the cloth sack I offered out.
After taking a peek into the bag, the man jumped back in fright, dropping the sack and causing the heads to tumble out.
"What in the Holy Light's name is this!?! You better have a good reason as to why you're carrying these heads around, or it's to the dungeons with you!"
Before, I could explain I've been attacked by bandits, his partner saved me the effort, "Hold it Rick, I recognize one of them, they're members of the Marauders. They have a bounty of ten silvers for each of their heads."
"Does that mean I am allowed to enter?"
"We don't have any definite proof, so we'll let you off the hook for now. If I catch you try anything funny, you can be sure I'll put you behind bars.
On another note, if you want to travel, I suggest you register at the Adventurer's Guild as soon as possible. Your registration can serve as your ID and allow you access to public facilities.
As long as you don't disturb the peace, we don't really care about your identity. The Frontier's a place where all sorts of queer folk gather.
However, I can't say the same about other places. There's been a whole string of troublesome events going on in other parts of the country, so most places upped security. They aren't going to be as lenient as us."
"Thank you very much, do you mind if I enquire about where I may find the guild?"
"Head straight down the main road and you'll reach the city square, that's where it is. It's one of the largest facilities in the city, you can't miss it."
"Thanks. By the way, will guys take these heads or do I have to go to the guild?"
"You can hand them over to us. The quest was issued by the City Guard anyway, we'll pay you upfront."
"Thanks again."
With heads relieved and a pouch sixty silvers heavier, I enter the city.
Woah! The guard wasn't kidding when he said it's large!
The thing is massive! Five stories tall with a green tiled roof, brick walls and spot-clean windows. This place screams government-managed facility.
I excitedly dash up the stairs, eager to see what lies beyond. through one of the massive double doors, easily twice my height. I barely took a step inside
Gosh! This is so exciting! I can't believe I'm in a real Adventurer's Guild!
I could've until voice brought me out of my stupor, "Excuse me, I haven't see around before. What brings you to the Guild?"
Turning around, I find myself face-to-face with a brunette girl around my age dressed in a sharp suit and white beret. In her arms are several folders with the edges of documents peaking out.
Quite interesting for a fantasy game to add such modern styles. Probably something to do with the content update.
What was I doing again, right, I need to sign up as an Adventurer. This office girl looks like she can help, "Hello, are you a worker here?"
The office girl nods, "Yes, I'm one of the clerks."
"Perfect! I wish to register as an Adventurer, can you help with that?"
"Certainly, please follow me."
I follow the clerk to the counters where several other people in suits scribble away at papers or try to solve the problems of their clients, most of whom are Adventurers.
The clerk led me to one of the empty counters. After opening up the swing door off to the side, she goes behind and proceeds the files in her hands into several cabinets behind the counters. With skill and familiarity of a pro whose been in their post for years, she archives everything within a matter of seconds.
Once she made sure no files were misplaced, she turns her attention to me, "First off, I'll ask some questions, it won't be anything personal, but I'd appreciate it if your answers are honest. Each booth has a lie detecting artifact installed so I'll know if you lie, and you'll make yourself look bad if you do lie."
A lie detecting artifact? I wonder if she's bluffing.
"No problem."
The clerk took out a pen and paper, then she begins, "First question, what is your country of origin?"
"Japan."
A look of confusion forms on the clerk's face, "Jam Pan?"
"No, Japan."
"Where is that?"
"It's a country in the far East."
"You're from the Eastern Continent?"
"I was born in the East, but my parents sent me abroad due to complicated family matters."
"Ah, sorry, I won't pry anymore then. Next question, do you have a criminal record? If not not, have ever engaged in any criminal activity?"
"Nope."
Well, technically I did overthrew a few countries and destroyed some, as well as a couple of other things that can be constituted as a war crime by the Jeneva Documents, but that's in the Table-Top version of MnM not in the VRMMORPG version.
"Alright, please place your hand on this tablet."
The receptionist placed a smooth, blank, grey stone tablet the size of a closed laptop on the counter.
I did as she instructed and put one of my hands on the tablet. Upon contact, the tablet shone before fading.
"You can remove your hand."
I obey and when I withdrew my hand, I notice scribblings I'm quite sure weren't there previously. Amongst the words I could make out Warlock, Luck and a few others. Seems like my
My thoughts are proven correct as the clerk exclaims, "Eh!? A Multiclasser!? With five different Classes? Well, compared to some others we have here, this isn't the strangest thing I've seen. Wait one moment please."
The receptionist disappeared behind the counter momentarily before coming back with a card.
"Here's your Adventurer's card. You're now officially an F-rank adventurer! As an F-rank adventurer, you can accept F-rank quests like killing slimes or herb-gathering.
Adventurers also accept quests posted by citizens and other organizations, such as escorting a merchant convoy or collecting a certain item.
The most you can handle from these groups are search and retrieval of miscellaneous items within the city.
If you wish to obtain, you must complete thirty F-rank requests, half of which must be monster subjugation missions at the minimum. You'll also need to be assessed by one of our instructors who'll judge if you're fit for promotion.
Do you have any other questions?"
"Yes, do you have any recommendations for trustworthy inns?"
"I do have a few, but the first to come to mind would be the Explorer's Bounty. It's popular amongst adventurers. Room accommodation is affordable, hygiene is good and the staff are decent people. The only downside would be their expensive meal prices, but it's compensated by the dishes' quality and deliciousness.
I do have to warn you though, if you want to book a room there, you should go straight away. Otherwise all the rooms will be snatched up by other adventurers."
"Alright, thanks for the information."
"You're welcome. I hope to be seeing you around."
"Likewise."
Alrighty, let's go find ourselves an inn to rest at for the night.
Oh, before I forget, I ask the clerk, "Do you mind sharing your name?"
"It's Miranda."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ren, have a good night."
"Likewise."
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Night fell upon a city surrounded by vast fertile plains. The commonfolk scurried back to their warm homes and family. Artisans and shopkeepers closed up shop for the day. Workers clocked out, stretching their cramped limbs as they exit the offices and workhouses.
Everyone
Except for a certain group of people.
Adventurers.
Inside one particular bar with a sign , adventurers party and let loose.
Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Beastmen, Halflings, people of various races and backgrounds mingle and make merry.
Flagons clang together an empty within seconds, dishes
In a corner of the room, a troupe of minstrels and bards strike up a tune, several adventurers get up and dance to their jig.
A few tipsy and brave souls make moves on their interests.
A truly beautiful sight until the tavern door opens and a person steps in.
The bar falls silent at the appearance of this strange figure, dressed in clothes of ominous black and a sinister plague mask. It's as though the reaper has come to claim a soul.
A group of three red-faced adventurers who clearly had a little too much to drink stagger toward the plague doctor.
"Oi! You there, Freak!"
The plague doctor looked at the trio and pointed a finger at himself, puzzled.
"Yeah! I'm talking to you Bird-Face!"
"Get the hell out of this bar! You're clearly some cultist!"
The drunk stumbles forward and brings his fist back, intending to punch the sinister man in black.
Despite being drunk, the man's arm shot at the plague doctor with the finesse of a professional boxer.
To the people's amazement, the plague-masked man sidesteps the drunk and delivers a fist to his solar plexus and a follows it up with a jab to the throat. Making the drunk kneel in pain and let loose floodgates of putrid vomit.
Agitated by how quickly the mysterious newcomer downed his friend, one of the other two drunks angrily yell, "You'll pay for that!"
The second drunk rushes toward him on unsteady legs, taking advantage of this. The black-robed man simply hooks the drunk's leg and sends him crashing to the ground.
The remaining drunk, mentally impeded by alcohol, made the same brash decision as the second drunk and rushed at the creepy plague doctor.
Instead of using another martial arts technique, the plague doctor just grabs the wobbly drunk and slams him to the ground.
With all drunks down, the black robed man took his time drawing out a curved one-edged sword from the folds of his robes. Freshly dried blood could be seen coating it. The sight of it sent chills down the onlookers' spines, making them imagine all sorts of dark stories this man has.
As the drunks got back on their feet, they become scared at the sight of the plague-masked man holding his bloody weapon.
The mysterious man spoke, "You guys started the fight first, so I think I'm well within my rights to use 'lethal' self-defense."
""Hiiiii!""
The trio of drunks who tried to pick on the new-comer, scrabble to their feet and try to dash out the door to escape this madman.
The next moment, an axe flew right past the drunk's head and lodged itself into the wall.
"Oi, you think you can just leave without paying the bill?"
A burly bearded man in his fifties, wearing an off-putting frilly pink apron strode over to the drunks quivering in fear, menacingly cracking his knuckles.
""Eeeee! We're sorry!'" The drunks kowtow in apology to the innkeeper and throw all their money down on the ground before finally dashing out.
After picking up his axe and the money, the innkeeper turns his attention to the silent new arrival.
"Sorry about those guys, they've been picking on others for a long time. Meant to kick him out sooner or later, but I always but it off since they spend a lot here. As an apology, consider tonight's suite to be on the house."
The innkeeper lightly tossed a key to the Plague Doctor, who caught it mid-air with his gloved hand.
"Emira will show you to your room. Oi! Emira! Get over here!"
A blond girl with curly hair and a cheery permanent smile on her face, in contrast to her boss' look of annoyance, hops over.
"This way! Come with me, sir! I'll show you to your room!"
The Plague Doctor simply nods and follows the excitable young waitress upstairs.
Despite the Plague Doctor already out of sight, the bar remains silent until the innkeeper bellows out, "What are you louts starin' at? Get back to chugging those pints!"
The bar came back to life with adventurers carousing at the command of the innkeeper.
All memories of the Plague Doctor are soon forgotten with a couple shots of beer and several hours of raucous singing and dancing.
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I wonder if I nailed my entrance. I was opting for the dark, broody, mysterious guy who's hiding plenty of power. Except I don't have much power. Thank goodness those ruffians were drunk as a skunk. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to nail such a perfect entrance!
On another note, they're definitely gonna want revenge after what happened tonight.
Meh, nothing I can do about it now. I'll cross the bridge when I get there.
Before long, the blonde waitress, Emira, brought me to my room.
"Here we are sir! Your room for the night! I hope you enjoy your stay!"
"Thank you very much."
What a nice girl, totally different from those drunk bastards.
The waitress smile widens, "If you are truly grateful, you wouldn't mind parting with some coins would you?"
Forget what I said! She's a conniving, money-grubbing opportunist!
Despite these feelings I begrudgingly take out a few silvers and hand it over to the waitress. Compared to everyone asides from Miranda, she's the only one who seems to be genuinely nice to me in the city. The guards think I'm a cultist. The clerk is secretly hates me but doesn't express it due to her training. Even the innkeeper. I bet he only offered me a free room to save face for the commotion those drunks caused.
The moment I took out a couple silvers, the waitress' face turns beet red as though I confessed to her or something, "Geez are you trying to buy me for the night?"
"What!? No!"
"Haha! Just kidding! Here, take these back."
The waitress, gave back all my coins except for one which she slipped into her apron pocket.
"I'll only be taking this much, have a good night!"
"Yeah, you to, I guess."
The girl skips away, humming a tune to herself as she goes back downstairs to resume her work.
What a personality that girl has.
I mentally wave off her behavior and enter my room. Nothing to fancy nor shabby, a nice bed with clean sheets, a drawer, a tall wardrobe, a mirror, two chairs and a round table. Only bit of decor is a white flower in a vase placed on top of the drawer.
I chuck my belongings into the wardrobe and place my katanas by the bedside. After putting everything away, I plop myself down on one of the chairs, mentally exhausted by today's events.
First, I ruin a fun campaign of MnM with my friends. Then they understandably ditch me after I caused too much collateral damage to a village. Some god-like fellow calling himself the Maze Master teleports me to a fantasy world which may or may not be a game. Finally everyone treats me as though I'm a cultist.
Sheesh what a crazy order of events.
It sounds like something straight out of a badly written light novel.
Out of all these events, my mind kept wondering back to one specific moment. The words one of the drunk adventurers pout.
'Get the hell out of this bar! You're clearly some cultist!'
Sheesh, how discriminatory is this world? Just because I'm dressed like a plague doctor doesn't mean I'm evil! Heck! Plague Doctors were reputable physicians during the Black Death! For medieval Europe at least.
As I'm mulling over the discrimination I've been through upon arriving at this city, a familiar blue screen appears with an unexpected message.
"Hm?"
[Your Patron has taken notice of you.]
Eh? Say what? My Patron? The Curseblade Patron?
What exactly do they want?
[Your Patron is amused by your appearance.]
Amused!?! I'll have you know I look cool and edgy as hell! And how are they even able to see what I look like!?!
[Your Patron takes a closer look at your status.
Your Patron is intrigued by your condition.]
Oi! Some privacy please!
[Your Patron turns their attention elsewhere and leaves.]
What a weirdo. They just left as quickly as they came.
Meh, let's not dwell on that, I'm mentally worn out. Time to catch some z's.
Without taking off my clothes or gear, I plop down on the bed and slowly sunk into the sweet embrace of the realm of dreams.