As my dazed state improved, I studied the native.
White and gray ear-length hair, a sharp tidy beard of the same color complimented his features. Olive brown sun-kissed skin, wrinkled with years of hardships. The white eyebrows curved at the edges. His fit yet wide body spoke volumes.
The clothes were unfamiliar to me. It didn't seem royal or magical, more like a merchant's with leather details. He carried a large leather backpack.
"See anything you like, kid?"
"Excuse me, it's my first time meeting someone from another world."
He let out a burly laugh. "Haha! I'm just joking. Your name isn't 'kid', is it?"
"No sir. My name is Arild Dahl, I'm from Earth!"
"Ah, Earth… Never heard of it!"
We started walking towards the distant city.
…
"Kid, when did your people open this level? I've only been away for a short time, I haven't heard news of this."
Ignoring my new name… "I should be one of the first. At the very least, it is not common knowledge about how to enter yet."
"Common knowledge? Is it not the usual level 10 requirement?"
"Yes, but our world changed by the system yesterday. More should arrive soon."
"Hoh, one day? That's fast. You should be one of the stronger ones." Slight surprise showed on his face.
"Yes, I think so." Not wanting to boast too much. "Sir, what is your name?"
"Hmm? You can call me Duane."
"Then, Duane, excuse me for being forward, but can you tell me about this world?"
"What do you want to know?"
"How do I get more skill books?"
"Getting skill books isn't that hard. You can purchase them or kill monsters for random drops."
"That's all? Is it super rare or something?"
"No, it's not that rare. It's comprehending them that is the hard part!"
Comprehending?
Understanding my questioning gaze, Duane continued after a sigh. "Depending on your aptitude, sometimes you can not learn certain skills."
He kept explaining.
It turns out the way we gained skills on awakening differed from this world. Any random skill can drop from any monster. The only difference between monsters was the grade of skill. To learn the skill, you need understanding, pressing use didn't work on skill books here. Not only that, you could only have one skill under 50 proficiency in each rank. So amassing a bunch of skills without thoroughly learning them was not possible.
The next thing he told me pertained to a new function. Techniques! Something between skills and laws, it drained no mana. The system didn't create them, rather, others did. An understanding of practical application based on the creator. Hammering, mining, fighting and everything relied on an underlying technique.
Before I could ask how this level can be completed, we were cut off by a mob of monsters from the forest.
The hostile eyes made their intentions clear.
The monsters walked on two legs, their limbs thick and long compared to their chest. Covered by fur, their faces reminded me of an owl mixed with a bear. They blocked our path. Duane revealed the name of the monsters.
"Damn bowgers! Annoying critters…"
It's my chance to repay Duane for his help
"Stand back Duane! I'll take care of this!"
He stood in place; I got in front. Ready to take on these monsters, I equipped my short-sword, activating my lightning skill. Their bloodthirsty attitudes only strengthened as they ran at me.
I didn't hold back, reaching my fastest speed in a second, but something made me hesitate! My max speed only reached 20 meters a second. Somehow I've become weaker, unable to use my full power. Powerless to change the fact, I confronted the closest monster.
"Ahhh!"
Before I realized what happened, my body flew back faster than I approached! I tumbled as I hit the ground. An excruciating pain throbbed from my chest.
[STATUS]
- Health: 170/250 (25/min)
- Mana: 420/420 (42/min)
We're doomed!
"HA HA HA!" Duane laughed with his stomach.
"Kid, you have guts! But you are weaker than insects!"
I looked in confusion at Duane's back. A sword appeared in his hands as I saw him crouch just a little. Before I could say anything, an enormous white arc expanded from his body towards the bowgers.
Their advance stopped as their bodies collapsed to the ground, severed from the hip.
Confusion, embarrassment, and amazement flashed across my face.
This guy was strong!
I had assumed Duane was a run-of-the-mill merchant, a strong one at that. Even if people in this world are stronger, I couldn't even begin to understand what he did. My confidence plummeted. If Duane didn't show up, I might already be dead right now.
"Are you alright, kid?"
"I got badly damaged, but I will survive."
"Good! Then you don't need any healing. Use the pain of your wound as a lesson!"
"If—If you have any healing items, I will gladly take it!"
"No! Why waste such precious medicine when you're gonna heal naturally?"
I can't argue with that, but the pain stung so much. That attack I couldn't see coming broke through my stone skin as if paper!
"That skill you did. What was that?"
"That was no skill, just a normal slash, fitting for those weaklings!"
If they're weak, then what am I?!
"Is—is that something I can learn?" My eyes longing.
"As you are now, no! not a chance."
"I aspire to be as strong as you. What can I do?"
Duane seemed to be contemplating my words with a hand on his chin, eyes in thought.
"Hmmm, tell you what kid, I like your guts! If you can master the basic swordsmanship techniques, I will teach you!"
"Thank you so much master! I swear I will learn it as soon as—"
"App app app! I'm not your master! Prove to me you can learn the basics first. I don't have the time to teach just anyone."
"Ah, yes! where can I learn the technique?"
"You can find it in the city at certain stores or stalls."
"Thank you! Then, where in the city will I find you when I've learned it?"
"I don't live in the city! I live over there!" His finger pointed back in the direction we came from.
When I saw where his finger pointed, I gasped!
"You live in the sky!?"
"What? No! I live in that mountain range in that direction."
…
The mountain range was large, covered in forests. If I were to go there now… I trembled at the thought. Just the random monsters he referred to as insects could kill me. What would I find that far from the city?
"Then why are you going to the city, sir?"
"I'm selling some things, and I need to buy things too."
That seemed simple enough…
"This city, are we in the kingdom of Theele?"
"We're on the outskirts of the southern borders. This is a border city called 'Vinatus'."
Vinatus… My first otherworldly city!
We approached the gate to the city. Duane told me I could find all I needed within the city, as well as to not leave alone. He told me level 20 was the minimum before I should even think of traveling by myself.
I wanted to ask him so many more things, but he said any other person could answer me. We approached the gate guards, Duane showed them a badge. He said he would vouch for me, letting me into the city with a badge of my own.
The city streets sprawled with people! Stalls extended as far as the eye could see. Carriages and people made their way through the wide passages. Bright tan stones of varying colors made up the buildings. Signs hung from the walls, indicating shops and inns. The people were humans of varying colors, indiscernible from the people of earth. Disappointment showed on my face as I expected different beings.
Duane parted ways with me here. He recommended I find a place to stay and be cautious of the merchants in this town. I should keep my status as an outsider a secret for now.
I made my way to the nearest inn. I needed to find a place to spend the night.
"That will be 2 silver a night, sir!" the young lady behind the desk said.
I don't have any money!