Alex's thoughts drifted as he considered his situation. The True Realm seemed so vivid and tangible that he almost forgot it wasn't his original world. But then, a question gnawed at him, how exactly was he supposed to get back?
"Does it mean that by sleeping here, I'll just wake up back home?" he wondered aloud, his voice barely a whisper in the quiet of his mind.
He frowned at the thought. "If that's the case, does it also mean I've officially given up the blessing of sleep forever? Like… I will hop back and forth every time I close my eyes."
Before he could sink too deep into his predicament, Kaela burst into laughter. She clutched her sides, doubling over with a gleeful snort that caught him off guard. Alex raised an eyebrow, half-confused, half-amused, as she struggled to catch her breath.
"Are… are you serious?" she wheezed, wiping a tear from her eye. "You think you'd lose sleep? That's your main worry about crossing realms?"
Alex's cheeks flushed. "Well, I mean… it's a fair question!" he protested, crossing his arms defensively. "Nobody said anything about how this is supposed to work."
Kaela finally straightened, still chuckling, and gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "You might be the first to worry about insomnia while traveling between worlds. I needed that laugh, though, so thanks."
Alex rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face.
Kaela chuckled one last time, shaking her head as she composed herself. "Alright, don't worry about that for now," she said with a smirk still playing at the corners of her lips. "Come on, we have bigger things to figure out. Especially about the next step. Follow me into town."
Alex nodded, trying to brush off his lingering embarrassment, and stepped beside her. As they walked, he couldn't help but let his gaze wander, taking in the scenery around him. It was… surreal.
The architecture reminded him of the historical eras he'd read about—the kind that blended elements of medieval grandeur with a hint of something that felt almost like the Renaissance period.
The buildings were grand, with stone facades and towering archways. Still, touches of intricate metalwork and sleek finishes hinted at something more advanced. It was like the best of two worlds; the old and the futuristic fused into a harmonious balance.
Along the cobblestone streets, people strolled in attire that matched the era. Yet, here and there, he spotted distinctly high-tech and magical items—a vendor checking a glowing tablet, streetlights casting a soft yet unnatural glow, and people exchanging translucent currency that seemed to flash with energy when they passed it between each other.
"Kind of a trip, isn't it?" Kaela remarked, noticing his awestruck expression.
"Yeah…" Alex replied, his voice trailing off as he watched a child dart past, holding a wooden toy that suddenly levitated in his hands. "It's like someone mashed up empires from the past with… sci-fi."
Kaela nodded a faint smile of understanding on her face. "That's exactly what the last person from Earth said, too. He described the True Realm as a mix of your past and future. But I've always wondered..." She turned to Alex, her expression curious. "What is Earth really like? How does it compare to here?"
Alex blinked, caught off guard by the question. He scratched his head, trying to think of the best explanation. "Earth? Well, it's… complicated. We have towering cities with skyscrapers that reach the clouds, and technology is everywhere—phones, computers, cars, planes."
He paused as if he was thinking something too deep, "Everything is interconnected, almost too much sometimes. But at the same time, there's a lot of division. Some places are developed and advanced, while others… not so much."
Kaela raised an eyebrow, her curiosity growing. "Skyscrapers? And these… phones and computers? What do they do?"
Alex chuckled, feeling the weight of her intense interest. "Uh, phones let you talk to anyone, anywhere in the world. Computers… they're like magic, I guess. You can store knowledge, create things, communicate, and even entertain yourself. Honestly, Earth's technology is kind of amazing when you think about it."
"Oh, we have those things for communication, but ours use magic, and I believe we have the same thing as computers. I'll show you later. Still, I feel like Earth is more interesting," said Kaela.
Alex's expression grew more serious. "Yeah, but it's not perfect. There's a lot of inequality, conflict, and… well, people aren't always great at using that technology for the right reasons."
Kaela tilted her head, her lips curving into a thoughtful smile. "Sounds like Earth has its own balance of light and shadow, just like the True Realm. Maybe that's why people like you keep ending up here. You're used to navigating contradictions."
Alex chuckled softly at her insight, though her words left him pondering. It was strange to think of Earth and the True Realm as reflections of each other, each with their own blend of progress and struggle.
As Alex followed Kaela through the bustling streets of Avarra, the lively chatter of the townspeople filled the air. Merchants called out their wares, children darted between stalls, and the aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with the metallic tang of a nearby blacksmith's forge.
Yet, amidst the vibrant hum of activity, Alex began to pick up snippets of conversations that carried a darker undertone.
"Those damn bandits," one merchant muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he loaded a cart with sacks of grain. "We can't get anything through the trade routes without losing half the shipment."
Another voice, rough and weary, chimed in from a nearby stall. "It's worse than that now. They've started demanding 'protection fees.' They'll burn the whole caravan if we don't pay up."
A woman, standing nearby with a basket of goods, added her frustration. "The Medira Empire doesn't care about us out here. They're too focused on their grand cities to deal with our problems."
The words struck Alex, and he slowed his pace, furrowing his brow. The townsfolk's picture was clear—a community struggling to survive under the weight of unchecked chaos. He glanced at Kaela, who was walking a few steps ahead, seemingly absorbed in her thoughts.
Before he could say anything, a soft chime echoed in his mind, and the familiar glowing notification appeared before him.
=====
[New Mission Received]
Mission: Take Down the Bandits
Objective: Eliminate the bandits terrorizing the trade routes near Avarra, bring peace to the town, and restore safe passage for merchants.
Details: The bandits have been extorting and attacking the people of Avarra, disrupting trade and leaving the town vulnerable. Locate their hideout and eliminate their leader to scatter the group.
Rewards:
1. 3,000 EXP
2. 1,500 Coins
3. Item: Beginner's Leadership Pendant (Multiply Charisma by 2 when worn)
=====
Alex's eyes widened slightly as he read the mission's description. The task seemed daunting—eliminating a group of bandits wasn't exactly a small feat, especially for someone still learning to navigate this strange world.
"What's with the look?" Kaela asked, suddenly noticing the shift in his expression.
Alex hesitated, then glanced at the townsfolk. "Do you hear them? They're talking about bandits causing trouble for the trade routes."
Kaela's gaze followed his, her expression hardening as she caught fragments of the conversations around them. "I've heard rumors about that. It's been a problem for a while now."
Alex nodded, his voice quieter but thoughtful. "What can we do to help the townspeople?" he asked, his gaze shifting back to the weary faces of merchants and villagers around them.
Kaela raised an eyebrow, studying him carefully. "Helping with the bandits isn't exactly a small task," she said, her tone cautious. "Are you sure you're ready to take on something like this?"
Alex hesitated, the weight of the mission pressing on him. His thoughts raced, but he kept his resolve firm. "I'm not sure," he admitted honestly, "but seeing what these people are going through... we can't ignore it, can we? If the rulers of the Medira Empire won't step in, then someone has to."
Kaela regarded him for a long moment before a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You're starting to sound like someone who actually cares about this place," she said. "That's a good start. But if you're serious about taking on bandits, you'll need a plan—and backup."
"Backup?" Alex repeated, his brows furrowing.
Kaela nodded, gesturing toward the heart of the town. "There's a mercenary guild not far from here. Finding someone who knows the area or has experience dealing with them might be worth it if we're going after bandits. And..." She let her gaze travel down to his simple tunic and boots, her lips curling into a teasing smirk. "You'll need better gear. I doubt those clothes will intimidate anyone."
Alex chuckled despite the tension, though the weight of the situation was still heavy in his mind. "Alright," he said, his voice steady. "Let's figure this out."
Kaela gestured for him to follow, and they moved through the streets of Avarra together, the hum of the bustling town surrounding them. For Alex, the mission wasn't just about the bandits anymore—it was a step toward understanding his role in this world.