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Morning light filtered through the cracked window of his small room at The Iron Fang. The wooden ceiling above creaked as footsteps passed by outside. He had barely slept—his mind had been racing all night, processing everything that had happened since he arrived in this world.
The realization that he was in The World Beyond Gates still felt surreal, but the faint soreness in his muscles from yesterday's encounter with the beast made it undeniably real. This world wasn't just a story anymore. It was his reality.
Sitting up in the worn bed, he stared at the pendant he had bought from the market the day before. The Mana Conduit glowed faintly, casting a soft blue light over his hand. He hadn't used it yet, unsure of its full potential. In the novel, artifacts like this were rare and valuable, but they came with risks. Many of them were connected to the gate system in ways that weren't always obvious.
Slowly, he reminded himself. Rushing into things could get him killed. The key to survival in this world was preparation, careful observation, and gathering power discreetly.
He tucked the pendant away for now and stood, stretching his limbs. He needed to know more about Varian, the people here, and the gates. He couldn't rely solely on his memory of the novel. This world was diverging from the story, and the sooner he understood how, the better his chances of survival.
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Downstairs, the inn's common room was already bustling with activity. Hunters and mercenaries crowded around tables, sharing stories of recent gate excursions over breakfast. The atmosphere was a strange mix of camaraderie and tension. Everyone here was chasing the same thing: power, wealth, or survival. But beneath the laughter and banter, there was an underlying sense of danger. The gates didn't forgive mistakes, and everyone in this room had lost friends or comrades to the beasts that lurked inside them.
He quietly took a seat in the corner, ordering a simple meal from the innkeeper. As he ate, he listened, tuning into the conversations around him. Information was his best weapon right now, and these people would know the latest happenings in the area.
At a nearby table, a group of mercenaries were discussing the gate they had cleared the day before.
"Damn thing almost killed us," one of them grumbled, nursing a mug of ale. "Those stone-skinned beasts are getting more aggressive. We barely made it out with our lives."
Another nodded. "Something's changing. The beasts are becoming bolder, more coordinated. You hear about the team that went missing last week? Not a trace left of them."
The third mercenary, a woman with a scar running down her cheek, leaned in closer. "It's not just the beasts. There's talk that the gods are watching the gates more closely. Some say they've started testing us, weeding out the weak."
His heart skipped a beat at the mention of the gods. In the novel, the gods had always been mysterious, distant figures. They didn't interfere directly with the gates—at least, not until much later. If the gods were already taking an interest in the gates this early, it could change everything.
He took a slow sip of his drink, pretending not to listen, but his mind was already racing. The gates weren't just dangerous because of the beasts—they were also connected to the gods. And if the gods were watching… it meant they were also aware of him. His goal was to ascend to their level, but that journey had just begun.
First, I need to stay under the radar, he thought. The gods wouldn't care about a low-level wanderer like him—yet.
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After finishing his meal, he decided to explore the market again. The streets of Varian were lively, filled with traders, craftsmen, and hunters. People haggled over weapons, armor, and supplies, while others sold the spoils from their latest gate expeditions. It was a microcosm of the larger world outside the city walls, a place where survival depended on wit, strength, and a little bit of luck.
He passed by several stalls selling mana stones, their faint glow illuminating the faces of eager buyers. Mana stones were the lifeblood of this world, powering everything from simple tools to complex magic. In the novel, they were described as the "currency of power," and that description couldn't have been more accurate. The rich bought them in bulk, hoarding them for their private armies, while gate clearers risked their lives to collect even a handful.
His gaze shifted to a stall selling potions and pills, another critical resource in this world. Pills to boost strength, agility, mana regeneration—they were all here, though the prices were steep. The idea of buying one crossed his mind, but he knew better. Low-tier potions were often unreliable, sometimes laced with impurities that could cause more harm than good.
Still, he had enough copper to pick up some basic supplies. He bought a few essentials—a small pack of dried food, a basic healing potion, and a spare waterskin. These would be useful once he ventured into the gates again, but for now, he needed more than just supplies. He needed knowledge.
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The day passed slowly, but that suited him. He spent it wandering Varian's streets, observing, listening, and piecing together the world around him. The gates were more dangerous than he had anticipated. Beasts were growing stronger, the gods were watching, and something was shifting in the balance of power. It was a far cry from the early days of the novel, where gate exploration was still seen as an exciting, albeit risky, venture.
By late afternoon, he found himself near the city's central plaza, a large, open area where adventurers often gathered. A few notice boards stood at the far end, plastered with flyers offering bounties for specific beasts, requests for gate-clearing teams, and updates on missing persons.
One flyer caught his eye: "Seeking Team Members for Gate Exploration: Experience Required." The name at the bottom sent a jolt through him. Elara.
She's here. Relief flooded through him. If Elara was in Varian, then the timeline hadn't completely derailed yet. She was a key figure in the novel, one of the strongest gate clearers who would eventually play a major role in the story's later arcs. If he could align himself with her now, it could change everything.
He approached the notice board and carefully tore the flyer down, folding it into his pocket. He wouldn't rush into contacting her, though. Elara was cautious by nature, and she wouldn't trust a stranger with no reputation. He would need to build his own credibility first—prove that he wasn't just another wandering mercenary.
Patience, he reminded himself. His knowledge of the novel was his greatest asset, but it could also be his undoing if he acted recklessly. He had time. Elara would stay in Varian for a while, and during that time, he would prepare.
For now, he would keep a low profile, continue gathering information, and slowly, carefully, build his strength.
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End of Chapter 3
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In this chapter, we slowed the pacing, allowing the protagonist to gather information, observe the world, and make small but significant moves. He's laying the groundwork for his long-term plans while carefully considering his actions. He has found a key character, Elara, but isn't rushing into contact. Instead, he's focused on growing his strength and knowledge discreetly.