《Different World with Save and Load: A Horror Story》


 Chapter 1 Truck

    The van was moving along at a steady pace, the mourning air coming though the open window was refreshing. I was sitting near the front with my three, if you could say, co-workers. Chad, I always laughed a little in my mind when I thought of his name, probably spent too much time on the Internet. Anyway, Chad was as usual speedily pumping his left leg up and down. The guy is probably still high from his little ¡°courage¡± pick-me-up.


    The van stops at our destination, and I hear the boss calmly instruct us from the front passenger side seat ¡°Alright, everyone check your supplies and safeties, I don¡¯t want any accidents while we¡¯re in there. Is that clear?¡± The guys grunt in response while checking the safeties on their guns and making sure they got all of the required supplies such as duck tape, cable ties, extra ammo, and other such things. I do as well; I don¡¯t want any accidents either. I don¡¯t want to have my pay lowered just because someone got shot and we had to pay someone off.


    ¡°Put on your masks, we got two minutes until the cops get here¡± and with that the van door opens and we rush into the bank. Chad kicks down the door with the same leg he was just exercising just a moment ago. Well I just he did stretch his muscles as it were.


    ¡°Everybody down, face the floor, hands behind your head and not a peep out of you. You move you get shot.¡± Boss is as articulate as always. There aren¡¯t many people at this time of day at the bank. There seems to be a young couple, probably still in college, an old guy with a walker, a mother with two kids, and a hobo for some reason. Well it looks like a hobo. I¡¯m not sure why security didn¡¯t kick him out. The security was persuaded to remove their guns with our slightly bigger guns and was down on the floor like the rest of them.


    Jake was currently collecting money from the cashiers. Around one minute has passed since we started this whole thing. I saw a guard reach for his ankles; I think he missed the instructions. I point my assault rifle at his head and pull the trigger.


    *ping* *ping* *ping*


    Three rounds later he is no longer reaching for his ankles, and will not be reaching for anything anymore. Boss yells, ¡°I already said that you move, you get shot. Which part did all of you not understand¡±! The kids start crying while lying next to their mother, at least they don¡¯t move.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The money gets collected into black duffle bags, each one of us five gets a bag and start heading towards the exit. No need to inform the people lying down that we are leaving, it¡¯ll give us more time this way. Or so the boss told us during the prep meeting. As I was turning I see the old guy get up, I thought that he wanted to go to the bathroom or something but the fucker pulls out a revolver from this back. As he lifts the gun in my direction I fell the hair raise on my body. I see Chad walking a short way away from me so I jump so that Chad is in between the old man and me.


    *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom*


    Well Chad got hit by two of the six bullets, one only grazed him, lucky that we all wore bulletproof vests. He will probably punch me in the face after all this, and make me give up a part of my cut. Well my life is worth more then his to me so I think it¡¯s a net gain. Chad gets blown quite a ways, like a sprinting bear tackled him. I¡¯m pretty sure I saw him cough out blood too.


    *cough* *cough* ¡°Fuck me, you bastard why did you hide behind me!¡± Said Chad while pulling out his sidearm and shooting the old man in the head. I¡¯m surprised he is able to get up at all, probably his special cocktail of very illegal substances. ¡°I swear if I piss blood after this I¡¯m taking your kidneys¡± Well my kidneys aren¡¯t anything too noteworthy, hell I even had to replace one due to a bullet wound. But he doesn¡¯t know that, still if he tries ill finish what the old man didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Hurry up, we are thirty seconds over the time limit, the cops will be here soon.¡±


    Boss is still as calm as always, I wonder when we¡¯ll hear him yell. When we get out of the bank the boss says, ¡°The pussy can ride shotgun, and I have to take a look at Chad¡¯s vest to make sure he doesn¡¯t die on our way to our rendezvous.¡± So I get to ride shotgun. We get in and start driving. Since we are late the boss tells the driver to speed up, I don¡¯t really think that¡¯s a good idea with being close to a robbed bank and all but I¡¯m not the boss.


    As we are racing down the highway, well not really racing more like going a bit faster, I see a truck coming down the opposite side. It is an armored transporter truck of all things. It is all grey, built like a tank, double tires in the front and probably the back too. The glass must be bulletproof too, I robbed a couple in my time, and if the drivers aren¡¯t stupid they are a pain to get into.


    Suddenly a bunch of teenagers run in front of our van, like the hell, why are they trying to kill themselves? I also see a fat middle-aged man jump out to try to push all three of them out of the way; I didn¡¯t think that a fat man could jump like that. Unluckily our driver panics and swerves out of the way, right in front of the ¡°saved¡± teenagers. They happened to be in between our slightly speeding van and the armored transporter.


    *Splat* *Crunch*


    The last thing I saw after being thrown out of the window was the fat guy lying on the street with a dumb look on his face. I would probably look the same. I mean he killed three kids by trying to save them. Then there was nothing. Wait, I think I heard the boss scream, it sounded very feminine. Who would have thought.

 Chapter 2 God

    I woke up. When I opened my eyes I saw darkness, it was not dark but above me was only darkness, no sky, no ceiling, no stars, and no moon, just nothing. I didn¡¯t feel any pain, and my body seemed fine from what I could feel. I sat up.


    When I sat up it was like I was behind a stage, to my right there were curtains. I could see the other said across from me there were also curtains. Though it was not dark the space between the two curtains had more light coming in, I could also hear voices. I got up, careful not to make too much noise. It was a habit from childhood that has served me well in my line of work, if you could call it work. As I inched closer to the opening of the stage I could hear voices. I stop near the end of the curtains and listen¡­


    *sob* *sob* *sob*


    Cried the girl.


    *pant* *pant* *pant*


    Heaved the boy.


    ¡°Who are you!?!?¡±


    Yelled the second boy.


    I didn¡¯t dare peak out around the curtain. Ignorance is bliss as they say.


    ¡°You all died.¡±


    The tone of the speaker was calm and matter of fact. Though I think I could detect a bit annoyance in it. It was not one of the three previous voices so I assumed that it was the voice of the person who the second boy yelled at.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡° I am god, and you are dead. Nothing will change the fact that you died but you can be alive again if you three comply with what I will ask of you.¡±


    I could hear the sharp intake of air from the kids. I myself just stifled it. I caught on to something that this ¡°god¡± said, a few something in fact. I felt that my best bet right now was to stay where I was. Information is power.


    ¡°Here are the contracts, sign with your blood and you will live again. Don¡¯t sign and well your dead, figure the rest out yourself.¡± I heard the swish of fabric as though the person gestured. I then heard a rumble as though a gate opened. I think I also heard the tinkle of water.


    Then there was the shuffling of papers and a few gasp. I got the picture that some signing of deals took place.


    ¡°Good choice children, now I won¡¯t make you do all this work without giving you any tools. You have one sentence to write out what you want to be able to do in your life. I won¡¯t make you a god, but godlike powers are not out of the question.¡±


    For the first time I hear one of the boys speak, pretty sure it was the second one. The one who yelled?


    ¡°Can it really be anything?¡±


    The person answered.


    ¡°It can be anything, but I get to decide how the your tool works. I have to balance everything don¡¯t I? Oh, you still have to use your blood, so careful with the run-on sentences.¡±


    Once more I hear the shuffling of papers. Now I can smell the blood in the air, they must be using quite a bit of it. They are probably at least 20 meters from me, finally the shuffling and scribbling stops. I wonder what they used to write.


    ¡°Excellent, now we are done. Go to the left hallway, the forty-second door on the left side is the one you want. Shoo.¡±


    I hear scampering and then opening and closing of a door, then nothing. Well not for long as the sound of the gate closing echoes out. Then it sounds like a lock clicking into place after a key is turned.


    ¡°Haah¡­¡±


    ¡°Such a pain in the ass, I just want to play my games in peace. I hate all this extra work.¡±


    I just heard something outrages coming from a self-proclaimed god.


    I hear footsteps going to the right side of the room, then a *poof*, then something like fiddling with cushions and a *click*.


    *tap* *tap* *tap*


    I hear a tapping noise. It seems this person is actually playing a game of some kind. Most likely on a tablet, since I don¡¯t hear a keyboard and you don¡¯t usually tap on a controller. The tapping is slow and pondering, like he is making a selection or picking a new piece of equipment. I wait until there is a long pause in his selection. Even if this person is not a god I don¡¯t want to anger it by interrupting in the middle of its pastime. Better wait until there is a loading section.


    There is a pause.


    There is no tapping.


    I level my breathing.


    I prepare myself for what¡¯s to come as I take a step towards the light.

 Chapter 3 Stage

    As I enter the light I finally see the room for the first time. I marvel at the scene, the floor and walls are made of marble. They make quite a sight, I would look more but then the stench hits me. The mix of blood and piss on the floor as well a lingering smell of rot. I retch and almost empty my stomach but it feels like I have nothing in me. Good thing too.


    I finally turn to my right to see a pure white couch. It looks as soft as clouds. With an old man sitting there poking at a tablet with his finger. His hair is trimmed, not short, not long, just right. A short beard, white suit, a black tie, black fingernails, white shoes, and round spectacles on his face. His eyes are a gold color. I almost want to steal them.


    I cough in my gloved fist, it seems I kept my black getup complete with sidearm and bulletproof vest. While hiding behind the stage I checked what I had on me, I still had my sidearm and my small arm in my boot. Black vest, black shirt, black gloves, black cargo pants with lots of pockets, black boots, a hunting knife strapped to my waist, two extra magazines for my sidearm, four magazines for my automatic rifle that I took off when getting into the van. Those are going to see a lot of use I think. The mask I used for the robbery is still oozing out my left vest strap where I shoved it in when getting into the van.


    The god takes his golden eyes off the tabled and glances in my direction, more like a reflex to the noise, not really expecting there to be anything or anyone there. He quickly turns back to his tablet. Then he looks in my direction again, this time with purpose. I don¡¯t sense anything from his gaze, no anger, no surprise, and no curiosity.


    ¡°Sign, what is a soul doing here? I already dealt with the refills today. Such a pain.¡±


    The god reaches into the top pocket of his suit above his heart and takes out a key. It is a simple looking key, pure black and a rhombus like loop and three jagged teeth on its end. The god throws the key in front of me.


    ¡°Could go though that gate at the end of this room, I just sat down to play my new game here.¡±


    I look down at the key. I reach down picking it up, and then I put in my pocket.


    ¡°No.¡±


    I said.


    The god looks at me like he doesn¡¯t understand. Then he waves his hand across me like he¡¯s swatting a fly. Nothing happens.


    He waves his hand again in another direction. Still nothing happens.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    He puts down the tablet he was stilling holding in his right hand and uses that hand to wave, right, left, right, left.


    Then there is silence.


    ¡°Sign, I¡¯m not getting up so what the hell do you want?¡±


    When I first got here I remember this person saying that ¡°you three¡±, I though that I was not supposed to be here. I figured if I am also dead might as well try to push this as far as it would go.


    ¡°I want to live again.¡±


    ¡°Okay fine, take a door on either the left or right hallway, I don¡¯t care which one. You well be either reborn or transported to another world. Alive.¡±


    ¡°I want a power like you gave one of those other three.¡±


    The god looks at me askance, and then signs again.


    ¡°Fine Fine Fine, let me get a contract.¡±


    I interject.


    ¡°Sorry but I don¡¯t want a contract, especially one written in blood.¡±


    ¡°Fine, it will be faster that way anyway. What¡¯s your sentence since you know the rules?¡±


    ¡°I want to control time, the one thing everyone wants more of.¡±


    ¡°Okay fine but I get to decide how it works. Now get out of here so I can get back to my new toys.¡±


    Immediately after the god says this I feel different, it is hard to describe, like you grew a sixth or seventh sense as it were. I face the giant gate at end of the room. It is quite a bit taller then I, while I am six feet the gate is at least eight to nine feet in height. I see a big padlock. It is pure black like the key, a rhombus shape hanging down so its longer points are at the top and bottom. A chain comes from the padlock coiling twice around two shiny chrome handles. I go one step closer to that door, once I looked at it I could not help myself. The stench of moist rot gets thicker.


    I take two steps back and shudder, looking at the god from the corner of my eye. He is still sitting there now poking at his tablet again not paying any attention to me.


    I look to my left, toward the hallway the three before me went to. It seems to stretch on forever. I look to my right, towards the second hallway. It also seems to stretch on forever.


    Now that I think about it the god said I could either be reborn or transported. I feel like those two options represent the hallways. I go left I get reborn. I go right I get transported. I think I that I want to at least keep my weapons since he did say ¡°another world¡±.


    I start heading towards the right hallway. Once I pass into the hallway proper I see that the hallway is covered in doors. On my left there are doors, on my right there are doors. Doors as far as I can see ahead. The doors look the same when looked at one at a time, a pure white door on a pure white frame with a pure white doorknob. But if you look at the first door near the entrance to the hallway then at the farthest door at the end of the hallway that you can see, you can tell that the door is ever so slightly darker there. So I start walking.


    I don¡¯t know how long I walked but the doors are now a noticeable shade of grey, closer to steel. I keep walking, however now I am not sure. Why am I walking further in?


    As I walk the doors get ever so darker, now they are a shade of black, almost completely black like charcoal. I feel that if I swipe my finger on them I would end up with ashes on my hand. I keep walking.


    I stop. The doors are not a color anymore. They are just holes that suck in light. The floor walls and ceiling have stayed pure white, but the contrast just makes them seem that much darker.


    I turn to my right and grip the doorknob. The door opens by itself. Why did I choose this door again? I can¡¯t remember, it¡¯s been so long that I walked these hallways. I feel a heat coming from my pocket. I wonder if I had a heat pack, I don¡¯t think I needed one did I?


    The door shuts behind me as I walk though.


    The thing pokes at its tablet. The screen shows three people, two boys and one girl. The boy takes a swing at a cowering man with a sword. The girl loosens an arrow at a fleeing woman. The second boy conjures a fireball that sets an old man on fire. The tears keep flowing down their faces. But they keep killing because that is their purpose, their reason for living, and their contract.


    The thing pokes at its tablet, picking another target. This time it¡¯s a demon, next it¡¯s a human, next it¡¯s a bird, next it¡¯s a tree, next next next.


    ¡°I do love my games, I am going to need replacement lives soon.¡±

 Chapter 4 Meat

    I woke up. When I open my eyes I saw sky, a light blue sky, with clouds lazily drifting towards destinations unknown. I could smell the fresh mourning air. It energized me. Such clean air, I was never much for hiking or going to the countryside but I could now understand a little of why people spend so much time on those sorts of hobbies. When I focused my eyes the green trees came into view, tall and sturdy. Leaves the shape of rhombuses, I don¡¯t think I ever saw trees such as those before. Then a voice, a mechanical voice, an unfeeling voice broke me out of my contemplation.


    New lifeform detected, initializing entry protocol¡­


    Error, entry protocol failed, insufficient soul capacity¡­


    Attempting to initialize secondary entry protocol¡­


    Critical error, secondary entry protocol failed, insufficient soul capacity¡­


    Calculating¡­


    Initializing error correction protocol¡­


    Then I felt pain, like someone is trying to split my brain in twain. It pulsed just under my skin, first to the left, then to right, and then across going from my right eye to the left backside of my skull. It kept going for probably a minute or two but felt like this is all I ever felt in my life. Then it stopped.


    Error correction protocol successful¡­


    Attempting to initialize basic connection¡­


    Attempt successful.


    Lifeform classified as inorganic, name set as Leaf.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Loading physics data¡­


    01010111 01100101 01101001 01100111 01101000 01110100 00111010 00100000 00110001 00101110 00110111 00100000 01100111 01110010 01100001 01101101 01110011 00001101 00001010 01000011 01101111 01101100 01101111 01110010 00111010 00100000 01000111 01110010 01100101 01100101 01101110 00001101 00001010 01100110 01111000 01111000 00111010 00100000 00110010 00110111 00110110


    Loading complete.


    Imprinting data¡­


    Never mind, the previous time all I felt was pain. Now it felt like I was being branded all over my body with a hot iron. I felt my soul, if I could even feel that, sizzling.


    Imprinting successful, basic connection established.


    Entry into fairy database confirmed¡­


    Resuming background operation.


    The voice stopped. I¡¯m pretty sure I almost pissed myself. Luckily I lost most of the water to sweat from the first ¡°error correction¡±. Goddamn it, why did I pick that door. Now I¡¯m drenched and I can feel the cool breeze attempting to invade my bones. I wish someone would save me, fat chance of that happening though.


    <u>Command accepted, saving world state¡­</u>


    <u>Save complete.</u>


    Okay am I going crazy or did I just hear another voice. I sit up and swivel my head. I see nothing but trees around me. I seem to be in a small clearing in this forest.


    *achoo*


    Fuck, I need warmth. I¡¯m not going to die from a fucking cold in the middle of a random forest after coming back from the dead. I get my drenched and quickly cooling body off the grassy dirt. Shivering I look around. I need a fire, for that I need branches. I take my first step towards the shadowy forest.


    *growl*


    God I fucking hate dogs.


    Slowly I turn around and what greets me is not a dog in any sense of the word. Its fur gristles with mourning dew, the teeth reflect the mourning light as blood drips from them. It¡¯s a huge creature, at least as big as a horse. It¡¯s standing over a dead something, looking like a bear sized deer. I guess I got used to the blood smell while I met god. There is no overwhelming smell of piss and rot here so I guess the pain I felt covered up this beasts kill.


    The wolf eyes me, almost considering. It smacks its lips, or teeth I guess, a few times. Then it walks around its kill towards me. I guess I know the decision it came too. I see it tense its legs. I reach for my sidearm, steadily. Like I am trying to take out identification for a cop from my side pocket.


    Once I reach the gun I whip it out and fire blindly in the direction of the flying wolf.


    It seems I hit it since it veers off slightly, hitting my left arm instead of my throat. It bites down.


    ¡°ARRRGGGGGGGG¡­..¡±


    I can hear my bones being crushed from the inside of my body. This is almost as bad as that fucking ¡°error correction¡±. Fuck me. I need to re¡­


    The wolf flexes its jaws, like it¡¯s sawing though my arm, interrupting my thoughts.


    ¡°FUCKING MUTT¡± I scream as snot and tears run down my face. We are lying down on the floor of the forest now. The beasts paw on my chest. Pressing me down, trying to rip my arm off me.


    I try to think again.


    ¡­ load my gun. Fucking dog¡­


    <u>Command accepted, loading world state¡­</u>


    <u>Load complete.</u>


    I look up, I see sky, a light blue sky.

 Chapter 5 Luck

    I think. I don¡¯t feel any pain. I notice the smell of blood coming from behind me, and the soft chewing noises.


    What happened?


    Then I remember, I asked for time. At the time, in front of god, I thought I knew what I wanted. I wanted time. With time I could gain all that I wanted. I had the confidence, if only I had the time to do everything perfectly. I could have everything I ever wanted, and will ever want.


    I guess I understand now, the new voice. It was not that fucking ¡°error correcting¡± system or whatever. It was the tool I was given, the tool I asked for. That god sure loves his games.


    *crunch* *slurp*


    The wolf is still eating, blissfully unaware of me. Ignorance is bliss.


    I do so very much hate dogs. They smell. They make noise. They bring dirt everywhere. They lick everything in sign and piss on everything. This dog also wants to eat me. This does nothing to help my distaste for those creatures.


    Now think, how did I reverse time. I remember hearing the system, the second system. It said ¡°world save complete, world load complete¡± or something like that.


    I wonder if I did something to trigger those actions. It can¡¯t be that simple can it?


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    I think,


    Save.


    <u>Command accepted, saving world state¡­</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Save complete.</u>


    Okay it did work. Lets test it. I get up quickly. The wolf¡¯s ears perk up and he leers in my direction. Its fur is standing on its ends. It tenses its legs. I don¡¯t want to feel that pain again, that bone aching pain.


    I think,


    Load.


    <u>Command accepted, loading world state¡­</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Load complete.</u>


    I am lying on the ground again. I can still hear the wolf eating. I guess thinking the first command, even unintentionally activates the tool. Thinking the second command actives the second function of the tool. I wonder if there are more functions, but there is no time for that. I am still drenched and losing body heat in this wind. It is blowing past me towards the wolf. I guess I have another reason why I didn¡¯t notice that fucking mutt the first time. Why it didn¡¯t notice me first.


    I slowly reach towards my gun, like I am trying to pick my own pocket. Slowly, steadily I un-strap it, take it out, and point it towards the sound of chewing, behind my head while still laying down. I unlock the safety.


    I squeeze the trigger.


    *bang*


    I keep squeezing the trigger.


    *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* ¡­


    I keep squeezing the trigger until all I hear is clicking. There is no more chewing.


    I slowly get up and turn towards the place where the wolf should be. It looks like one of the bullets managed to go into its open mouth straight into the brain. It¡¯s lying on its left side on top of the deer, leaking brain fluid from its mouth, which is mixing with its blood and the blood of its kill. It has a total of two more holes in it, aside from the one that killed it. They are not leaking as much blood as I would have though. I walk closer to the creature.


    When I get closer I start to realize how huge is really it. The horse comparison still stands, but it¡¯s a lot different when you¡¯re right next to it and not fighting for your life. I press on the external wounds, a little blood comes out. It seems I got really lucky. The muscles are thick and firm. I think even if I unloaded my two other clips into it, it would have just shrugged it off.


    I take another look around the general area. There are only trees, and I don¡¯t see anything else of note in the distance. No mountains or rivers or any other landmarks.


    *achoo* *achoo*


    Goddamnit I am still cold. I really need to light a fire.


    I look down at my empty gun. All those bullets, and I don¡¯t even know if I can get more of them in this world.


    Well I can control time, to a degree. Maybe if I try again¡­

 Chapter 6 Unappreciation

    This is going to take some planning. If I want to kill the wolf while using the least amount of resources possible I can¡¯t rely on luck. Even if I unload all of my ammunition at it, it could still survive. That lucky shot managed to hit a soft spot.


    *achoooo* *sniff*


    Goddamnit its still cold, I wish I sav¡­ stop thinking about that word. I wish I used the tool before that painful error correction.


    ¡°sign¡±


    Hah, I sound like that god now. Okay, when I use the tool again I should appear in the same position as the first two times. There are a couple of ways to minimize my resource expenditure.


    I could get up and aim. The wolf would probably manage to pounce on me again. But I don¡¯t want those sharp teeth anywhere near me again.


    I could fire one shot until it hits in the exact same place, using the tool every time I fail.


    I don¡¯t know how long that would take though. I wonder if there is a limit to the amount of times I can use my tool. Id rather not find out after missing the wolf.


    I look down at my empty gun. Is it worth it?


    Well I already died once. Squeezing everything I can out of this life is what I wanted when I asked for more time. I wanted more time, but I was given a way to perfect the time that I have. I suppose that its not a bad idea.


    Yeah lets do this.


    Load.


    ----


    It was not worth it. The amount of times I got bit all over my body was not worth the bullets I wanted to save. Also I still have to kill this mutt.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    *crunch* *slurp*


    I am already sick and tired of this munching mutt, at least it¡¯s not munching on me at the moment. I think I already tried at least sixty different times to kill it. I lost count after it almost bit my head off. I guess luck is a hard thing to get a hold of.


    Also I am still cold. Good thing that my body is also part of the time rewinding mechanism. It looks like it only affects my mind. Or soul. Not sure what¡¯s the difference. Otherwise I would have probably died from hypothermia or something.


    I lazily fire my gun towards the mutt, again, but this time I hear a whine. Then silence. Did I finally do it?


    I jump up and turn towards the mutt. It looks like I managed to hit him in the eye. Fuck yes.


    ¡°Woohoo!¡±


    I do a little jig. The only thing that makes me dance like this is usually gold, but I made an exception this time. After I calm down a little I think:


    Save


    Ignoring the voice in my head I start looking around for twigs to warm myself up. I hear a rustle behind me.


    *Crunch*


    There is that pain again. The fucking piece of shit mutt is still alive and has bit down on my left leg. I guess it was just stunned from taking a bullet to the fucking eye. I dropped the gun from the surprise. Okay calm down all you have to do is


    Load


    As soon as I am standing again I feel it on my left leg.


    *Crunch*


    Oh. I think I fucked up a little.


    Load


    As soon as I am standing again I try to turn towards the mutt.


    *Crunch*


    This time the pain is different. It bit my right leg. Progress?


    ----


    I am used to the pain now. I can¡¯t even guess how many times this mongrel has bitted me, probably between a couple a hundred and a couple thousand. I don¡¯t even scream or tear up anymore. I am still cold though, it¡¯s not cold enough to hurt, its just an annoyance that keeps pestering me.


    *Bang*


    *Crunch*


    Load


    I have been trying to blind fire behind me but I haven¡¯t gotten a third lucky shot yet. I did actually manage to ricochet a bullet off a rock and into my shoulder. At least that was a different kind of pain. My mind is becoming kind of hazy though. It¡¯s not like I want to sleep, or anything like that. Its more like my body should feel exhausted, but doesn¡¯t.


    *Bang*


    *Crunch*


    Load


    If I just took the bite then I know I have at least an eighty percent chance to kill this mongrel. But I don¡¯t want to, or more correctly can¡¯t afford to, be stranded in the middle of the woods, with a maimed leg.


    *Bang*


    Silence.


    Oh did I finally kill it. I turn around and observe the mongrel. Both of its eyes are gone and it¡¯s just staring at me with empty eye sockets oozing liquid and blood. I stare at it for a few minutes, mostly because I really can¡¯t think anymore, but more so because I can¡¯t believe lightning struck trice. I also don¡¯t want to be a chew toy any longer. So after making sure this fucking mongrel won¡¯t jump me again I lie down and just stop thinking. The last thing I think is,


    Save.


    I wake up shivering, its dark out, and three moons shining down from the sky. One is tinted yellow, one is tinted red, and one is¡­ what the hell is that?


    *achoo* *achoo* *achoo*


    My runny nose and painful headache interrupt my bewilderment at the, thing, in the sky. I can think about the giant eyeball looking down from the sky another time. First thing is first,


    Load.


    Okay, its daytime. I¡¯m still drenched in sweat. The good thing is that fucking mongrel is finally dead, forever now. Another good thing is that I only used up two bullets instead of the full clip. I¡¯ll count my belongings later. I need a fire.


    Wait, how do I make a fire? I knew I should have never quit smoking.

 Chapter 7 Housekeeping

    Chapter 7 Housekeeping


    After spending a few days, days holy shit, figuring out how to start a fire I finally managed to strip myself of my sweaty clothing and warm myself up. They make it seem so easy. Just rub a piece of wood on another piece of wood and poof you get a fire. Maybe I¡¯m just stupid.


    When I was nice and cozy sitting next to the fire it was around noon. Of course my savepoint is after I made the fire. I don¡¯t want to do that again. I took stock of my resources. I still had thirteen rounds in my first clip. My backup clip had fifteen rounds. I also have my hunting knife and four assault rifle magazines of thirty rounds. It really is too bad I left my rifle in the van.


    *growl*


    I whip around to look behind me, and I see nothing. My gun is still lying on the ground and I¡¯m in my underwear. If it is another fucking dog I will fucking¡­


    *growl*


    Well, it¡¯s my stomach. I guess ill have the wolf¡¯s leftovers.


    ----


    After my lunch I got to thinking that I still don¡¯t know where I am. After spending a few hours walking in four general directions while using my power to reset my location I find that I still don¡¯t know where I am. I guess this going to take a lot more work.


    After two days walking in directions, which I dubbed forward, right, left, and backwards, I finally found a road while going backwards. Of course it would the last direction I tried. It was a simple dirt road affair, recently used by the looks of it.


    I was beginning to fear this place is not civilized, but at least there are wheel tracks. No pavement though.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Once I found the road I used my power to get back to my little camp if you could even call it that. I cooked as much meat as I could carry. I cut some bark from the trees around me. It was surprisingly soft but didn¡¯t fall apart. I could cut long strips of it from the trees using my knife. I wove it into a makeshift bag, this took me a bit and the sun was starting to set. I guess ill have to camp here tonight, the road is about half a day¡¯s walk from here.


    I was getting thirsty at this point. I haven¡¯t been able to find any water in my little jaunt though the woods. I hope it rains soon, or at all. I made another bag, but this time I made it look like a bowl. I spread some of the sap on the crevices. I¡¯m hoping to use this to catch some rain.


    It was already dark. The three moons, or two moons and a thing, were already out. I was trying not to look at the eyeball, the glances I did take at it made it seem like its unfocused, not really looking at anything. Its still really creepy how it just hangs there.


    I stroke the fire, preparing to get some sleep. I buried the wolf and the rest of the uncooked deer. I don¡¯t want the blood drawing anything that¡¯s active at night in those woods. The wind has died down a little so I think I can get some sleep, however there is an incongruity to it. My body feels sleepy, my eyelids are drooping, my head is heavy and my body is sore. However my mind, my mind is as clear as day. It feels like I can keep going forever. I think that sleeping then reloading is not a good idea since it sets my mind apart from my body too much. I¡¯ll have to be more careful with any other side effects my power may have. I cozy up to the fire and fall asleep, the last thing I think is


    Save.


    ----


    I wake up to the first rays of sunlight shining off the glossy leaves. Right into my right eye, it feels like someone is trying to burn it out with a cigarette. That just reminds me of the hollowed out eyes of that damn mutt and wakes me right up. I hope I can wake up without that image In the future.


    I am really thirsty now and the sky does not look like it will be giving out any handouts today. I pack up my meat and my bowl and start walking towards that road I found. I hope I can at least get somewhere with water if not civilization.


    Once I reach the road I sit down and eat some of that cooked deer meat. It¡¯s still slightly juicy so it staves off my thirst for the time being. I still have enough food for a day or two. Since there is a road there should be someone to ask for help, or rob. I take some time to contemplate and decide that this is a good place to save.


    Which the system takes as its cue, this doesn¡¯t hinder me now, but really. It¡¯s like it¡¯s reading my thoughts. It¡¯s disturbing.


    I decide to go to the left first. After walking until it was dusk I still saw nothing. I reloaded, ignoring the voice as usual. Then I went to the right, at dusk I still saw nothing. I decided to go further since if I reload I still only have two directions to try. Once the Eyemoon, which I dubbed that thing as, peaked over the horizon I finally saw it, a speck of grey in the sea of green and brown. In my excitement I increased my pace even though my thirst was beginning to grow. As I drew closer I could finally, faintly, slightly, make it out.


    A wall.


    Civilization.

 Chapter 8 Town

    I reached the wall. It was dark, I was both tired and thirsty, but my excitement overrode those feelings. The two shining moon gave the wall a faint hue of yellow and red like a ripe grapefruit. The smooth wall, at least twenty feet tall, was a welcome sight to me. The road however stopped at the base of it. Once I looked closer, I notice a faint line on the wall. I rubbed it with my fingers. It was a faint crack. I felt around to the other side of the road. There was also a faint crack there. Both of them extended to the top of the wall high above me. I guessed it was some kind of gate or doorway. It would be logical to assume it was closed during the night, so I figured I would need to camp out tonight.


    I made my way back from where I came on the road. I didn¡¯t want to be found sleeping under the gate defenseless. Once I was a safe distance away as not to be seen right away I made my way left off the road. Once I could not see the road anymore I walked some more, then sat down. I make a small mark on the ground to not forget the direction of where the road is. I would have to spend more time looking for it again otherwise.


    I decided not to make a fire. My outfit is actually quite warm when it¡¯s not wet. I also think the wall is blocking the cold wind around here since there is no draft. I eat some more of my cooked deer. I hope can get some other food. Honestly I still don¡¯t know if there are people behind that wall, but the used road with wheel marks makes it quite likely. I think,


    Save.


    Then I drift off to dreamland.


    ----


    I wake up. I get up feeling tired as ever. I want to sleep on an actual bed. I now remember why I never camped even with the allure of clean air. I could hear talking, though I could not make out a word. Hmm.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    I check my body, then my surroundings. Looks like no one found me. It¡¯s time to enter civilization again. I make my way back toward the road using the mark I made yesterday. As I reach closer the voices stop, I wonder who was talking.


    Once I am closer to road I hide behind a tree, and think,


    Save.


    This will be my starting point for exploration. I don¡¯t want to end up in a situation that would force me to rely on luck again. I step out on to the path.


    ----


    That did not go as planned. As soon as I made it to end of the road I saw it. The gate was open. From what I could see the whole slab of whatever it was made of was first pulled into the wall then to the side. There should be a very strong mechanism to pull that amount of weight. There was what looked like guards standing out the gate. Three men, one was obviously in charge since his nose was way up in the sky. The other two were definitely lackeys. They stood on the left and right side of the gate why the boss was sitting on a comfortable looking chair behind a desk full of papers peaking out just behind the gate.


    The man was dressed in a dark robe, with a few badges on his left side. His hair was neatly trimmed, no beard or mustache. Quite young, I would put him in his early twenties. The two lackeys were wearing what looked to be like medieval armor, nothing fancy, the armor looked quite thin too, open-faced helmets, breastplate, shin-guard, and holding spears. The tips of the spears looked like the forest leaves, rhombuses with the longer end acting as the tip and the other buried in the shaft of the spear.


    As I got closer the guard they were eyeing me as a cop would a shifty looking person at a bank. The youth was still focused on his papers. Then the left lackey opened his mouth and said,


    ¡°emqpPAkmdF9V5Nt4IEJM9qXFNLHH3eclkOnTR3BwwcHnFlQs3bNcR7zMfaoYlwRq9JMEepgymqHrOGh3WscXyuhMzDm6at0IUwEljLzg3xPYoi1xTqh48nYjy+ErQ59f¡±


    The only thing I understood is that it was a question based on his tone of voice. After he repeated it once more he lowered his spear towards me. The youth finally lifted his head up and looked at me. There was a look of pity on his face. Not the kind of pity one would give a homeless man, but the look of pity one would give a bleeding bird that fell from its nest. On the third repeat of the question the second guard lowered his spear. I could kill all three of them and get into the town. But I don¡¯t know what kind of defenses they actually have. I don¡¯t want to get shot at by a machine gun or worse. So I decide to


    Load.


    I would need to plan and test this out slowly.

 Chapter 9 Magic

    I kept reading the class notes I brought to this assignment. I do hate getting up in the mourning¡¯s, and the professors always give too much for the reading tasks. I wonder why they send the Processor class magicians to guard duty. We usually just spend time researching and compiling data. I guess taking down information is one of our specialties but we are pretty useless in a fight. Gahh, I want to go back to bed¡­


    ¡°Mage Botis, I see a caravan coming towards the city.¡±


    Well I do like being called Mage. Technically being a Mage at twenty-two would put me in the smart category. Most people barely manage to reach Adept by forty. But I know from my professors that the rich families, with elf blood, can get to Arch-Mage by their day of adulthood. I suppose I should be happy with what I have.


    The caravan reached the guards by the time I finished my musings.


    ¡°Halt, state your business and your magician class.¡±


    The caravan halted, a few meters away from the guards. That is the general procedure to prevent Mentalists from influencing the outside guards, well not like it matters with those guards. Won¡¯t really help them with Materializer category magicians, but magic doesn¡¯t work within a Provided City anyway so at least ill be safe. The guards knew their duty. They had their chance to improve but failed. I leaned back in my chair. My job comes after the guards do theirs.


    The caravan leader got off the wagon.


    ¡°My name is Raum, I am a merchant. I mostly deal in jewels and gold. I am a Processor class magician. I request entry to the Provided City of Dreadwood.¡±


    The guards nod in agreement. Well there are no real problems with what the merchant said so far. Merchants usually take a Manipulator class or a Processor class. He didn¡¯t mention his school, but most Mentalists don¡¯t. His hired mercenary company is probably full of Materializers.


    The guards start using the status stone on each and every occupant. Checking for wanted criminals, forbidden school affiliations, spies, and other unwanted people. The guards are worked over by a trained Manipulator before taking their posts. Usually from a Hypnotism school, Brainwasher school, or a Mesmerizing school. The Charm schools usually don¡¯t do this kind of work since it¡¯s gender dependent and easy to undermine. The guards can¡¯t reveal the contents of the status stones to anyone, and they forget what they saw if it does not match the implanted criteria. Otherwise none of the Magicians would submit to this sort of search, my job is to simply record what the magicians tell me after this checkup. I¡¯m also supposed to watch for any Mentalists who try to overwrite the guards. But if there was a sufficiently skilled Mentalist who can influence the worked over guards I won¡¯t notice it anyway. I don¡¯t really see the point of this since they can say whatever they want without the status stone to keep them honest. But the higher ups like to keep a semblance of control over the whole thing so who am I to complain.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    About fifteen minutes later the guards finish pressing the status stone to every member of the caravan. They nod in my direction to signal that everything is fine. Guess its time to earn my course credits.


    As the caravan passes by the gate I record every magicians class. Most don¡¯t even stop before grunting out the class and rushing past. Some of the Materializers also gleefully chime out their school. Like I care, the form doesn¡¯t even have a space for a school, muscleheads, all of them.


    ¡° David, Materializer, Augumenter class, Fighter school.¡±


    ¡° Greg, Materializer, Augumenter class, Fighter school.¡±


    ¡° Reje, Materializer, Augumenter class, Monk school.¡±


    ¡° Yannik, Materializer, Elemental class, Fire school.¡±


    ¡° Jirric, Mentalist, Mutilator class.¡±


    ¡­


    There were a few interesting characters. The Mutilator was a rare sight for a caravan. I guess with jewels they expected bandits or some such. If his focus were pain or mind fracturing it would work on monsters too. Well depends on what they encounter. The other interesting one was a Transmitter. Those types usually charge an exorbitant sum and stay in one place. Typically they are employed as long distance communication officers in the army, large families, and guilds. There are the buffer type schools but its quite rare since the pay for the Telepath school is so much higher. I wish I had the aptitude for a Transmitter Class school. No, don¡¯t complain. You are a Mage.


    ¡°Ahem.¡±


    I try to cover up my dissatisfaction with my pay by coughing in my hand. The caravan has already passed and the guards don¡¯t hear me. I was hoping for a ¡°Are you alright sir Mage¡± or a ¡°Can we do anything to help sir Mage.¡±


    I am bored out of my skull.


    I return to reading my notes, can¡¯t slack off unless I want to end up like those guards, or worse.


    I hear the left guard. I don¡¯t even remember his name, speaking his spiel.


    Then I hear the same line. I lift my head to see a peculiar man. It¡¯s rare to see a single traveler in this part of the country, usually its well-armed caravans. There is nothing in the Bladewoods for the experienced magicians. They usually spend their time in the dungeons or exploring the edges of the know continent.


    *bang*


    The guard falls to the ground. There is blood leaking from his head. Goddamnit it¡¯s a Force Materializer! Okay okay calm down, breath.


    *hah* *hah* *hah*


    Okay magic won¡¯t work in a Provided City so I just have to run and get help from the patrol team. As I stand up,


    *bang*


    The other guard falls to the ground. Also bleeding at the head.


    I turn to run to the barracks when I hear,


    *bang*


    ¡°ARRGGGGG¡±


    I fall to the ground, bleeding from my left leg. The pain courses through my body. It burns. It burns.


    ¡°IT BURNS.¡±


    The man comes over to me slowly. Steadily. Like he¡¯s done this thousand¡¯s of times. I don¡¯t understand how he managed to use magic inside the city walls. It¡¯s unprecedented.


    He grabs me by collar and starts dragging me into the woods. The multitudes of trees cover up the last I see of the city walls. It¡¯s like he doesn¡¯t hear my whimpering and or cries for help. I wonder if I will survive this.


    I wish I were a Transmitter sitting in one of their high towers.

 Chapter 10 Friend

    I dragged my good friend Botis deeper into the woods. I had some time until the guards noticed and sent someone to find him. While we wait I could chat with him some more, I quite enjoyed our chats.


    *sob*


    Yeah this is about right, he should stop crying in a few minutes. Not like the trauma is permanent, mental or physical.


    I did want to make an elaborate plan, maybe wait for a caravan to pass by. Or rob someone. Scale the wall maybe. But there was one slight hiccup in my idea to plan this out.


    I drop Botis on the ground. Then I reach down, he flinches, and take his canteen. The boy only has water in it sadly.


    ¡°Ahhh¡±


    Finally, I swear if I took any longer I would have had to drink my own piss like in one of those movies.


    With my limited time I had decide that the brute force approach was the most expedient. Killing the lackeys, and taking the smart looking one to gain information. The language barrier was quite a pain at first, but eventually I started to understand some words. My immediate goal is to gain entry into the city without becoming a person of interest, or a wanted murderer. In my line of work it was never a good idea to be on any kind of list.


    ¡°Well Botis old friend, let¡¯s talk a little shall we?¡±


    I still use words from my language at times. But the general gist of the conversation should be able to get though. At least im pretty sure I¡¯m saying his name and the word friend right.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Botis was now looking at me with the eyes of a lamb. Gone was the pity that his look had. From what I gathered so far from our little chats there is magic in this world. I haven¡¯t actually seen Botis use any, even though it looks like he¡¯s a magician. He called me ¡°Arch-Mage¡± a few times. My guess is that¡¯s a title or a tier.


    Most of the previous times I spent pointing and having Botis say the name of what I was point to. Leaf, stone, tree, pants, no word for gun though. I also mimed some actions to see what the word for it was, like walking, or waving, and jumping. I wonder if seeing the man who shot and dragged you into the woods jumping up and down in front of you seemed funny? The syntax seems to be similar to my language. The words however seem somehow simplified. Almost like they were produced at the same time or following the same pattern. Well at least it¡¯s a bit easier to remember.


    ¡°Okay Botis, how do I get past the gate?¡±


    Botis looks at me blankly. The one downside to this method is that Botis here does not remember each subsequent visit. It takes a bit to get him to understand that I can¡¯t speak fluently. I try to rephrase my question so as to use words that I already learned.


    ¡°Botis, how I walk gate?¡±


    With a bit of miming added in for good measure I think I got the general idea across.


    ¡°uhh, you say you name, you reason, you class and ask entry to city.¡±


    Okay from what I managed to understand its simple enough. Though I¡¯ll need some explanation for reasons, classes, and the name of the city.


    ¡°City?¡±


    I said pointed towards the direction from where I dragged my good friend.


    ¡°Dreadwood.¡±


    If I understood the name right this world¡¯s naming sense is as bad as mine.


    ¡°Class?¡±


    I point to myself and say the second to last word I didn¡¯t quite understand.


    ¡°Materializer, Force?¡±


    I get a question as an answer. Huh I guess I count as a magician.


    ¡°Reason?¡±


    My last question is asked with a heavy tone to get him to tell me a good reason to enter the city.


    ¡°Uhhh, merchant, mercenary, lost, delegate, inspector, tax collector.¡±


    I understood the last one. Even though the word is foreign, Botis¡¯s face gets more contorted as he goes down the list. The last on this list should be a tax official of some sort. Some things never change.


    The last part, or the first part of the answer I should give is my name. Uhhh, right I¡¯ll think about that later. Giving my real name to be put on a list is a not a habit I have.


    I hear sounds coming from the direction of the town. Heavy foot steps crunching leaves and twigs. I think its time for the next cycle.


    ¡°Well I will see you later buddy.¡±


    Load.


    ----


    I am standing behind the tree again. Out of sight of the road. The thirst comes back. I need to get into that town. I am tired, I did take a few naps to clear my mind but the repetition is starting to grind on me. How many times did I reload, ten, twenty, two hundred, two thousand? At least I had a friend to talk to. Yes Botis, my good friend.


    I should go and try to enter the city now. I am sick of those trees.


    Lets go see him again,


    my good friend Botis.

 Chapter 11 Purpose

    As I walked towards the gate I thought about how I should behave to get past it. With what little of the language I learned from my good friend Botis I should somehow or other make it past, I hope.


    As I near the grey walls I see the guards standing on either side. I stop once both of them focus on me.


    ¡°Halt, state your business and Magician category.¡±


    Well I think that was the gist of what the man said. I remain standing and sort out my thought as I state:


    ¡°I am a mercenary, a Materializer, Force class.¡±


    The guard lifts an eyebrow at me. Uh I think I forgot something.


    Well he comes closer to me anyway. I guess not saying my name is not a red flag for people, or at least mercenaries. He stabs the spear he was holding into the ground to the side of him, within easy reach. I see him pull out a grey colored stone. Its about palm sized, round, without any blemishes on its matte surface. It looks too perfect to be made by hand.


    The guard stops in front of me, then presses the stone to my chest. I suppose it is a bit rude, but I am curios what the meaning of this gesture is. Is it some kind of greeting? Does the stone detect sickness?


    Oh now there is a look of confusion on the guards face. He scratches his head with his free right hand. Or more like his helmet.


    ¡°Well Leaf, I can understand why you would not like to announce yourself with that kind of name.¡±


    The guard said while taking a look at my ears. What leaf? I think I just got called a leaf. The hell.


    ¡°However even if you don¡¯t have any Elven blood left in you it is still quite rude.¡±


    Why is a random guard lecturing me?


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The guard takes the stone with his right hand and removes it from in front of my chest. I see a glazed look in his eyes. Then he proceeds to look at his left hand, then right hand. Having finished that he takes his spear and returns to stand at his previous spot without paying any attention to me. Now I am being ignored. I supposed since I haven¡¯t had the spears pointed at me I can proceed in?


    As I got closer I noticed Botis looking at me with inquiry. It¡¯s a new sight, his face not covered in snot and tears. I guess he looks quite good. Ah right, I have to say something to him, uh.


    ¡°My name is Leaf, Materializer, Force.¡±


    I think I just heard a snort. Also why do people keep looking at my ears? They don¡¯t look any different from theirs? Seeing as he stopped paying attention to me I think I¡¯m free to enter. This is making me want to have another chat with him. But I have water to drink, food to eat. So I just keep walking, making a mental note to have a chat with Botis again, this time one he won¡¯t forget. I mean what are friends for if not for correcting their friend¡¯s manners.


    ----


    As I kept walking down the street I can¡¯t help but feel disappointed. The road is dirt, the houses are wood, the people are¡­ wait, why are all of the people pretty? I can¡¯t see a single ugly person, not even a mean looking one. The clothing is pretty drab, but man its like everyone here is a supermodel. I suddenly feel very insecure. On the other hand, the women look simply stunning. I¡¯m going to have some fun later I think.


    But really, this town, the walls looked like poured concrete but everything else is made mostly of wood. Tough I do think I¡¯m starting to see a tower in the distance. How big is this badly made town?


    I step into an alley between two houses. I think this Is a good spot.


    Save.


    Now I don¡¯t have to go back to those woods. Wait, what did I say my name was. Uhh, right. Well I guess ill go by Leaf for now. I suppose it fits, this place is called something-woods. I had worse pseudonyms.


    I stop a passerby and enquire as to where I can get something to drink. The man points to a slightly bigger wooden house next to the main street. I nod then go towards it.


    The sign above it gives me no information since I can¡¯t read this language. I guess it is some kind of business since it at least has a sign. When I go though the door I¡¯m hit with the smell of alcohol. I guess this is a bar.


    Tidy looking place, a bunch of tables with chairs, and a counter at the far end. There are a few man sitting drinking on them. I think they are wearing the same undershirts as the guards, so off-duty guards then?


    I sit at the counter and give a motion of drinking. I think I look reputable, or at least with money since the barkeep gives me a big jug like mug that has something in it. I smell it. I guess I can drink it, if it doesn¡¯t agree with me I can always reload.


    I take a gulp.


    ¡°Ahhhhh.¡±


    That¡¯s the stuff. I think,


    Save.


    I¡¯m not going back to that thirsty state. I sip on my drink. While randomly listening to the off-duty guard¡¯s conversations I overhear a snippet that really wakes me up.


    ¡°So I heard that the Godking has conquered Egrana and is going to add the nobles to his Golden Throne of Bones.¡±


    ¡°Really, how big is it now. I heard that he adds the nobles of every country that doesn¡¯t surrender to it. The pile must be huge, at least two stories.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The country of Grearhiel is between the capital and us. It will take a long time until the Godkings armies reach us.¡±


    I didn¡¯t catch every word, well most of the words, but two of the words I understood right away. Golden Throne.


    A Throne made of pure gold. Little do my coworkers know but I kept all the gold I stole. I just loved how it looked, how it felt, its weight in my hands. But never did I think to make a Throne out of my gold.


    I must have it.


    I must.


    I found what I have been searching for, my purpose in life. With my mind hazy from liquor I thought.


    I will have this Golden Throne.


    It will be mine.

 Chapter 12 Throne

    I strode down the hall of the palace. Today is a joyous occasion, for the twenty-eighth legion has conquered the blasphemous country of Egrana for The One True God. The One True God had given them a chance to surrender of their own free will, however they dared to ignore this blessing. For this they will be punished in accordance with The One True Gods will.


    ¡°Good mourning Archbishop Pithius.¡±


    ¡°Good mourning Magus Aiwin. I heard you were preparing for the Strucia offensive? Are you here to attend the Gods Judgement?¡±


    ¡°I would be blessed to be in the presence of the One True God of Magic, however I must attend to the deployment of the troops. So unfortunately I will not be able to see the Throne grow today. Good day Archbishop.¡±


    It does irk me that those Elven Mages only recognize the One True God as a God of Magic, The One True God¡¯s grace extends far past that.


    I arrive before the opulent doors of the Throne Room. The One True God¡¯s palace is a marvel of Dwarven engineering combined with the enchanting of the Elves. But the Throne room is a palace onto itself. I pause before the thick enchanted-steel doors. They are carved with the stories and legends of the One True God¡¯s legacy, the slaying of the Dragonking, the conquest of one of the three Elven Kingdoms, the routing of the rogue Lich in his youth. My faith is strengthened every time I stand before those magnificent doors.


    The doors open, the light blinds me temporarily. As I enter the room I finally see it, the Golden Throne of Bones, the throne of The One True God.


    I remember hearing that the Dwarven masons who built the throne room were flabbergasted at the size that The One True God request. The height of the ceiling, the width of the room, the thickness of the columns, everything is built to be able to fit a giant in it. Not one of those measly Hill Giants, but a true Giant from the sagas. This room is big enough to accommodate enough of them to raze a country.


    But the Dwarven masons understood after the war for conquest started, over a hundred years ago. This room had a purpose, a purpose to show the known continent what happens to those who go against the will of The One True God.


    In the center of the room it stood, over thirty meters from the ground, a Throne of pure gold without a single blemish. It needed no gems or finery. The shine coming off of the gold cast by the grand-smiths of Thul Garom and enchanted by the oldest Magicians of Thelvanor needs nothing else, however the whole reason why the Throne was so high and the need for the huge room was underneath it, the mountain of golden bones.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    I reached my pre-assigned post, on the left of the throne, three spots from it to be exact. The One True God has left the capital to personally deal with some trifling mortal resistance in the Dwarven Kingdom of Norntirm. It would not do to interrupt the quest of The One True God.


    Since this is a matter of the law, the one is charge of this Judgment is not I, but Gweyr Zinpeiros. The still presiding holder of law, I don¡¯t always see eye to eye with her. I believe the blasphemers should be hanged for any act of disrespect towards The One True God. However the law dictates that unless proven guilty they cannot be touched. The One True God is truly merciful.


    Ah, here are the blasphemers to be tried. The royal family of Egrana will be tried in the Throne room, and the rest of the nobles of Egrana will follow their sentence. Due to the amount of nobles only the royal family¡¯s trail will be conducted in the throne room. I hear the melodious voice of Gweyr, Elves truly are a beautiful race. Especially the women, I can¡¯t wait until we bring The One True God¡¯s grace to the rest of the Elven Kingdoms.


    ¡°King Fredrich, you have gone against the command of the Godking and have refused to surrender peacefully. Due to your heinous act you have driven the mortals under you to their death under the Godkings blade. As all sentient beings are the Godkings subjects, therefore you are guilty of incited suicide. Do you have anything to say for yourself?¡±


    You could hear a pin drop in the room. Of course the royal family was first stripped of any useful information by Manipulators then had their minds destroyed by Mutilators. Can¡¯t have an outburst in the presence of The One True God.


    ¡°Since there are no objections I, Gweyr Zinpeiros, holder of the Godkings Law, pronounce you guilty. You shall be punished in accordance with the Godkings will, to serve as an example for those who would senselessly kill his subjects.¡±


    The Fleshmancers got to work. The Materializer category, Natural class mages are a common breed. However the Fleshmancer School is one of the scarier specializations. They can manipulate the bodies of others. Of course if the opponent were a high level magician it would do no good. That¡¯s why the Mutilators first destroy their wills to resist.


    The bodies of all the members of the royal family where hoisted up into a standing position, arms spread, mouth open, looking up towards the ceiling. All thirteen members will be worked over simultaneously. The Throne Room guards walked up to them to prep them. Starting at the fingers, one by one, until the last toe they snipped the ends of the fingers off. This is one of the simpler ways to expedite the process.


    The Fleshmancers cast their spell at the same time. Bonedrain, a specialized version of Bonemelt, the bone melts inside the body and bubbles forth from every orifice. The tips of the fingers are removed to allow the bone to drain faster. It is an extremely painful process, but the blasphemers can¡¯t scream. The Fleshmancers Muscle Bulge, Tendon Stretch and Skin Shrink hold all of their muscles, tendons, and skin in place. The few Ice Mages are in charge of keeping their bodies temperatures constant until the gold cools enough. Though the Mutilators destroyed their wills, the pain processes were left intact, truly well trained subjects of The One True God.


    Once all of the bone is removed it is the Smiths turn. The ceremonial Dwarven smiths pour molten gold into the open mouths. The tips of the fingers and toes are reattached temporarily to stop the gold from flowing out. To access the upper area of the skull they make a small hole in the highest point to allow more gold into the hollow area.


    At this point the Judgment is finished. They will be moved to the special dwarven forges underneath the throne room. The heat from the molten gold will fade and they will starve to death in a cold dark room. Once their bodies have decomposed the smiths will extract the cast gold bones and separate them for enchanting. Then they will be added to the Golden Throne of The One True God. To serve as a warning and an example to those who do not heed the One True Gods pleadings. Thou salt not raise their blade against their savior.


    Before my grandfathers time the One True God has ruled, and so he shall rule forever more.

 Chapter 13 Drink

    I woke up with a blinding headache. I never was one for drinking much, but the simple thirst drove me. As I raised my head from the counter I saw the bartender looking right as me.


    ¡°Pay up.¡±


    How I hate that phrase. That phrase that parts me from my hard earned gold.


    Then I remember that I don¡¯t have my wallet on me.


    Then I remember that even if I had my wallet on me it probably would not have helped me. In my hanged over state I briefly consider just shooting the person demanding payment. However that would be a lot more trouble than it¡¯s worth I imagine.


    Load.


    I am sitting back at the counter with a sipped on mug of something. I am going to call it beer because it tastes just as pissy.


    Well that took care of the immediate problem. But I will still need to pay eventually. I take another look around the bar while sipping on my glass. Well it¡¯s not that bad of a situation. At least my hangover is gone. All I need to do is acquire some money.


    As I listen to the off duty guards gossip about that marvelous golden throne I decide that having them pay for my drink would do. I pick my mug walk over to their table.


    ¡°Good afternoon gentleman, I was curious about that Throne you were talking about?¡±


    The guards stop talking and all look over to me as one. By the silence I think I did or said something wrong. After a few seconds of pure silence I chicken out.


    Load.


    Okay that did not work as I expected. I believe I was at least understandable in my speech. I guess I need more practice. Plan B it is then.


    After sitting and sipping on my mug for around twenty minutes, I was trying to think of something, I hear the door open and footsteps hit the floor. As I turn around I see two men walk in to the bar. They look pretty average from my point of view, looks to be some kind of leather armor, short cut hair, a few thin scars on their faces. They eye me wearily. Right I should do something about my clothing, I do stand out, just a bit.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    They approach the counter, at least a hand length away from me. Tch, here I was hoping the fish would just jump into my net.


    ¡°Barkeep, two mugs of your best drink!¡±


    One of the two yells at the barkeep. The drinking guards seem to ignore them, probably a typical scene around here. I observe them some more. I see a pouch hanging on the side of the one closest to me. Luckily they sat on my left and the pouch is on the right side of the rightmost man. As the barkeep hands them their drinks I settle down to wait. It would be easier when they¡¯re slightly out of it.


    ¡°Greg why do think the boss came to this Provided Town in the first place?¡±


    ¡°I dunno man, were are just hired hands an¡¯ all. Maybe the Arch-Mage of this Towns Magician Society wanted some gold or jewels for his girl?¡±


    ¡°Pfft, like an Arch-Mage would need gold or jewels to get a women. Listen mate we¡¯re only Adepts and we can lord over a small town in the middle of nowhere like gods. An Arch-Mage would just need to snap their fingers and half the women in this Provided Town would be at their knees. The other half would be dragged by their husbands, willing or unwilling.¡±


    ¡°Gulp, hah. Then I don¡¯t know why Raum would bring a caravan into the middle of nowhere. It takes at least a month worth of time to get here from the closest free city.¡±


    ¡°Them processor magicians really are a strange lot. Must have fried their brains with their maths.¡±


    Hmm so the closest free city is a month walk from here. I wonder what¡¯s the difference between it and this town. I guess ill gather some information here for now, I don¡¯t really look forward to sleeping in the woods again.


    After about an hour of blabbering about inconsequential things I decided that the two brutes should have had enough to drink.


    Save.


    In case I fail. I never was too good at pick pocketing, always preferred to show a knife and take the wallet. Somehow I doubt the other group of patrons would let that slide here, nothing worse then a cop, other then a drunk cop.


    I get up and walk in an arc toward the door, making sure I pass by the side of the blabbering man. I think this one was called David or some such. As I reach for his loosely hanging pouch I see a hand grasp my wrist. When I look up a see an angry expression on David¡¯s face. I¡¯m worse then I remember. I don¡¯t need to stay and feel the aftermath.


    Load.


    I attempt to grab the pouch again, this time keeping an eye on where David is looking. However when I do grab it he turns to face me yet again.


    Load.


    Hmm I think I know what the problem is. When I grab the pouch it tugs his belt. I bet he is sensitive to that, not his first time losing money. The pouch is attached to the belt with a tightly tied cord that loops around the belt and holds the pouch closed. Using a knife would be the quick and easy approach but I doubt pulling a weapon in a bar is a good idea. I guess ill just try to brute force it.


    Grab.


    Load.


    Grab.


    Load.


    Eventually I manage to snag it after about thirty tries. I learned that I should look forward. Lift the pouch up slightly when the man leans to the other side. Timing it so the man does not notice the decrease in weight. Then I used two of my fingers to pull the rope loose and hide the pouch in one of my front pockets on my vest.


    I walk a bit more, when I notice that the man does not notice his missing pouch I think,


    Save.


    Now on to the hard part, I do hate parting with money.


    ¡°How much?¡±


    The bartender turns to me, lifting an eyebrow. I guess the price is pretty consistent for this short of establishment.


    ¡°Two coppers mercenary.¡±


    I rummage around in my pocket, well in the pouch that is in my pocket. Finding the smallest coins I can I get two of them and throw them in the direction of the bartender. The man takes them and returns to his business.


    Load.


    I don¡¯t want to appear too conspicuous. This time I just take the coins without stupid questions.


    ¡°Hey barkeep.¡±


    As he turns to me he catches the coins I threw. He nods and returns to his business.


    I walk past the still drinking guards and go out into the street. As the door closes behind me I think about what I should do.


    Well any good heist starts with information.

 Chapter 14 Equipment

    As I walked out of the bar I looked to both sides. I decided to go further into the city following the straight dirt road from the gate. Looking at my watch it said two o¡¯clock. I haven¡¯t had a chance to check if the time matches my old world but by looking at the sun it should.


    I quickly walked deeper into the city. Don¡¯t want the drunken fool realizing anything right now. I would hate to have to do all that all over again. After walking for about five minutes I turned right and right again. I ended up on a small street surrounded by houses. Looking around the area seemed quiet, people going about their daily life I suppose. The houses are made of wood, no higher then two stories. They are built in a line akin to the classical suburban structure, though the road is too small for cars. I suppose a cart of some sort would fit in, going in one direction only though.


    I pick two houses and made my way towards the alley in-between. Making sure there were no nearby people I leaned on a wall.


    ¡°Hahhhh¡­¡±


    I didn¡¯t quite realize how on edge I was. I suppose it hasn¡¯t really been more then three days since I died. It just feels so much longer, almost like it¡¯s been a matter of months. I can¡¯t really remember all the repeated times, they blur together after a while.


    Well taking stock of myself it¡¯s not so bad. I am armed, only twenty-eight usable bullets left though, I also have a knife. I can speak enough that it doesn¡¯t pose that much of a problem, though I still need a lot of work on that. More importantly now I have some money. Speaking of money, I pull out the pouch from my front pocket.


    *clink* *clink* *clink* *clink*


    The coins jingle merrily as I spill them out on the ground in front of me. Looking at the shiny metal disks there are three distinct colors. Hoh, one of them is gold. This brute was pretty rich I assume. There are thirty more copper colored coins and three silver colored ones. Based on the beer costing two copper coins I think I struck it rich right now. Quickly stuffing the coins back in my pocket I bury the pouch next the base of the house. Keeping your victims wallet is usually a bad idea.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    I get up and look around again. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary, there is also no sound of anyone chasing me.


    Save.


    I decide to see what is at the center of this city. Based on the amount of houses I have seen so far it is quite big. I return back the main road and head in the direction opposite the gate.


    Eventually I reach what I deem to be the center of the city. There it stands in all its glory. I am not sure what exactly the purpose of it is, but it looks quite important. The building style is old, like a castle, but clean, similar to the walls that surround the town. There is a tower not quite in the center of it, more to left. The size would match that of a large library if I were pressed to compare it. The big sign on top of the entrance says something, looks very important. I really need to learn to read.


    Surround the important looking building is a plaza like place with it in the middle. There are many people milling around, however they keep their distance from the important building. I see signs on the tops of entrances on the outside ring of the plaza. I think the plaza stretches around the important building. The buildings are probably businesses. I guess this would be a good place for a strip mall.


    People do occasionally glace at me here. I need to buy something more inconspicuous. I look around until a find a store that looks like it sells clothing. The sign on top has something that looks like a shirt so I guess it¡¯s not a bad bet.


    I open the door.


    *Ding* *Ding*


    A little bell announces my visit. I did guess right. There are a couple of people around looking at the clothes and a man behind a counter. I quite like the protection of my vest so I think I¡¯ll try to find a cloak of some sort. I saw some people wearing them outside so I hope it will help me blend in.


    I walk around the store until I find a rack full of capes and cloaks. Rummaging though them I find one that¡¯s a dark green color. It is quite big and thick with a hood. After trying it on I can tell that it would cover most of my front as well if I keep my arms down. There are no armholes but I think it will do for now. I take it to the counter with the man.


    ¡°How much for this?¡±


    I ask and tug on the cloak that I am wearing.


    ¡°That one will be two silver.¡±


    I hand the man two silver and turn to leave.


    ¡°Pshhh.¡±


    ¡°Oi you know you got ripped off right? You can buy the same thing down at the Sewed Buckle across plaza on the other side of the Magician Society.¡±


    I turn around to see a woman glaring at the man behind the counter. Short red hair, leather armor, a sword at her nicely rounded hip, and a mean looking scowl.


    ¡°I just stated the price, it was his prerogative to barter you know.¡±


    From what I understood I had to drive the price down. But honestly I just needed something to wear on top of my outfit. I have better things to do.


    ¡°Thanks for your help, but I am in a hurry so ill just take this loss.¡±


    She looks at me quizzically. I guess I really need to work on my speech. So many things to do, so much time to spend.


    ¡°Fine, I was just trying to help. Hmph.¡±


    She walks quickly out of the store. Well whatever. I take one last look around the store, nothing else I that need in here. I wonder if they have guns here or at least a crossbow. I know my next stop.

 Chapter 15 Groundhogging

    I woke up. I got out of my soft bed and proceeded to do my mourning ritual. Ignoring my old black outfit I put on a pair of clean brown pants and a soft white shirt. This is my usual outfit nowadays. As I descend down the stairs of the Grey Boar Inn, Lola greets me. The proprietress has a thick build, over forty by my guess. Though with how pretty people here look I can¡¯t tell. I really should ask her age one of those days.


    ¡°Good mourning Lola. Could I get the usual today as well?¡±


    ¡°The usual?¡±


    I do keep forgetting the time difference. This is technically only the third day I am staying here.


    ¡°Just some of the porridge and sausage breakfast.¡±


    ¡°Oh why didn¡¯t you say so? It¡¯ll be right out dearie.¡±


    ¡°Ill take it out on the porch please.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡±


    As I leave the Inn the fresh mourning air hits me. The birds are chirping exactly the same as always. I take a seat at one of the tables provided for the guests. This Inn costs me eighty copper a night but I consider it a good price for a years worth of rent.


    I feel a lot better now that I have set times for everything I do. The first day almost drove me mad because things kept repeating in a disorganized manner. It has been a year since I came to this town. But only a week has passed. I speak fluently now, no more of those quizzical looks.


    I hear the door open.


    ¡°Here is your breakfast.¡±


    Lola is as prompt as ever. The smell of fried sausage is quite enticing. As I eat my breakfast I think of today¡¯s cycle. I already learned to read proficiently. I guess I could go to the Mage School and listen to the some classes. I haven¡¯t heard all of today¡¯s lectures yet so that¡¯s not a bad idea. I try to remember the categorization of magic in this world.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Mentalists


    Manipulators, Mutilators, Dominators, Processors, Transmitters, Hivers.


    Materializers


    Elementals, Naturals, Augmenters, Forcers, Enhancers, Spiritualists.


    I haven¡¯t actually seen any magic being done since it does not work in a Provided City. Apparently the walls are a natural occurrence that provides a magic negation area around them. The Magician Society builds their town headquarters in the middle of town since the area negation does not reach there. The few times I went there it was quite empty. I guess this town is not considered a hub of activity.


    *burp*


    Breakfast was great as usual. I guess I¡¯ll head to the Mage School. The school is welcoming, or does not care, if people listen in to their classes. They teach the basics such as math, reading, writing, and sciences. The sciences are quite lacking, basic things such that wood burns when lit on fire, or that water freezes when it¡¯s cold. I am more interested in listening to the magic related courses anyway.


    I take the same route I always take when heading to the school. I pass by the Mage College on the way. The guards watch me as I pass by. I did shoot my way in once but the instructors were not very co-operative in passing on their knowledge.


    I rub my left arm at the memory. Getting stabbed by a spear was quite a different feeling compared to being chewed on. The metal was cold, but the skin burned like I touched a stovetop.


    I arrive just in time for the start of classes. There are a few adults in the classes, but I think I might be near the top of the age range. The children range from ten to eighteen depending on the class. From what I understood you aren¡¯t limited by age but only by your understanding for each class. So the smarter you are, the higher the class. You still have to pass tests and such to graduate but on the whole the students seem strangely motivated.


    Lets see I haven¡¯t been here before. Lets go in. Since I¡¯m just sitting in I¡¯m not required to take tests or anything. I take a seat at the back of the room on a bench.


    ¡°Hello class today we will be discussing the relationship of fairies to magic casting.¡±


    Hmm well I knew the basics, but I haven¡¯t heard anything about fairies yet. Interesting.


    ¡°Teacher aren¡¯t fairies just a myth?¡±


    ¡°No Kyle, just because you can¡¯t see something doesn¡¯t mean it does not exist. The misconception comes from the Mentalist side of magic. You see even though everyone treats magic as just magic there are two distinct forms of it in our world.¡±


    Yeah yeah, I already know this from the beginner classes. The rest of the class seems to be bored out of their mind too.


    ¡°Ahem, since you all should already know this I¡¯ll skip the nitty gritty details and come back on topic. Only the Materializer sides of magic users interact with fairies. In actuality all of their magic is done by asking the fairies for help.¡±


    ----


    After an hour or so of lecturing I didn¡¯t get any more useful information out of the class. Most of it was speculation about where the fairies come from, or how to stay on their good side. None of it was substantial.


    I left the school when the class was over. I guess its time to get to work.


    I walked towards the main plaza. Earlier in the week I overheard some mercenaries talking about how a merchant caravan was planning to leave for a Free City. I think It was called Keenahil or something. Apparently Free Cities are not magic free zones. Honestly I have been starting to get bored after spending a year here. Nothing ever happens, its like the whole purpose of this place is to educate.


    For the purpose of leaving I decided that I needed more capital. I haven¡¯t managed to find a bank or anything like that here. I have a suspicion that the Magic Society has control of the money but I haven¡¯t seen anyone go from there to the shops or back, just a constant stream of students and guards going in and out.


    Well I guess I¡¯ll just have to hit the next best place. The stores. I have been planning this for the better part of two months. The caravan leaves tomorrow and I¡¯ll hitch a ride.


    With all the gold I can carry.

 Chapter 16 Bloodletting

    The night was quiet. Almost too quiet, there was no one on the streets. Well it works for me.


    I put on some cheap black clothing I bought earlier today. I also bought another cloak. This one is a dark shade of blue, almost black. Sadly I couldn¡¯t find a mask in this town. Luckily I still had my old one. I put on my rubbery orange tanned mask. The yellow hair and the wide beaming smile with bleached teeth make it all the more horrifying in the moonlight.


    Save.


    I make my way towards the Hemmed Shirt, the shop where I bought my first cloak. The guy owes me anyway so I¡¯m just taking interest right now, interest. Technically I already robbed all the stores in this town. However I haven¡¯t done a full run though of them all at the same time yet.


    I quietly picked the lock on the back door of the shop. I am not really good at the subtle arts of stealing, but I had nothing but time to practice lock picking. Using two pieces of thin metal the door opened.


    I sneaked my way inside the store. I have been here before during my practice runs so I went straight towards the lock box. It was hidden beneath some loose floorboards near the stairs going up to the second floor. I pulled back the wood and took out the small metal box. After some more picking at the lock it was finally open.


    Behold, the shiny glow of gold.


    There were about thirty-odd gold coins in there with sixty silver coins and a lot of bronze. I took all of it. That¡¯s what he gets for overcharging me.


    I left the house after putting the box back inside its hiding place. Continuing on in a circle around the plaza I robbed all the stores. When I reached the Sewed Buckle I found it had over a hundred gold coins. I guess a reputation of good prices is good for business.


    One of the last stores was the simplest one to rob. The place was called The Rebound Book. I spent quite a bit of time here practicing to read. The owner was a grouchy old man who charges way too much for everything. The place mostly sold books meant for the Magic School. The Mage College had its own library and bookstore. It also had better security.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    The reason it was so simple to rob is because it had a combination lock safe. After I entered the house I moved toward the safe near the counter. After I entered the nine-nine-five-seven combination it opened. I only had to try out combinations until it opened and then remember the correct one. I do wish I started from nine-nine-nine-nine¡­


    After swiping the six hundred or so gold and a similar amount of silver I closed the safe back up. This place does not deal in bronze coins.


    The centerpiece of this operation is definitely the jewelry store. It is not a regular store of the area either. The same caravan that I plan to leave with apparently deals in precious jewels and metals. They rented the vacant storefront to set up shop for the following week. I would take the jewels but since I plan to travel with this exact caravan I plan to only take the loose gold coin. If they found some gold coin on me its not too bad. If they found their own jewels that would be a fun discussion.


    The store is a bit weird. I didn¡¯t plan to rob it since there are usually a few thugs posted outside, even during the night. But today it seems strangely empty so I think I¡¯ll give it a shot.


    *Clink* *Clink* *Clink*


    Why would the guards be out tonight? There was a lot of noise, it all started from the Magician Society building. I peeked around the corner of the building I was behind. The guards left the building with purpose and spread out around the town. They went down the streets and even into the shops.


    They had torches to light their way and their spears in the other hand.


    The dancing flames were in synch as the guard¡¯s steps hit the dirt. I watched as they continued to come out of the building and spread like a slow moving red tide. They would go in one house, then after a while they would come out. The only difference was their spear tips. When they went inside the house the spears were clean, they reflected the dancing flame of their torches. But when they came out the spear tips were red, dripping a vicious liquid on the dark ground.


    Then the screaming started.


    It was a few screams at first. Then more joined in like they were trying to bolster their forces. As the amount of screams increased it became a symphony of pain. The guards continued marching and taking. They took the live right out of the houses. They make no sounds and have no emotions on their faces, like this was just routine work. I was moving back towards my inn now. When I looked back I saw an orange glow in the sky above the Magician Society. The guards started setting the houses on fire once the screaming reached a level of a banshee wail.


    People were beginning to leave their houses, looking towards he orange glow. The confused faces, with fear mixed in, were wondering where the guards were. Where were their protectors?


    I passed by the Grey Boar Inn. I don¡¯t think there is a reason to go in. I feel bad for the proprietress. I did live there for over a year. However I want to live. I start sprinting towards the wall, towards the gate, towards the exit. My heart is pumping, my vision is becoming hazy, and the screaming is pressing on my eardrums. I started to smell the burning wood and also a smell akin to bacon.


    As I reach the gate I stop. The gate is closed. There are no handles, there are no leavers, and there are no mechanisms to move the slab of stone.


    I stand in confusion for a few minutes. After I forcefully calm myself down I remember that I can still leave.


    Load.


    There is no screaming, there is no smoke, nor is there the burning smell of flesh. Thank God.


    I look outside the window, ah its already dark.


    *Slam*


    I ignore the protests of the other guests as I forcefully open the door and run down the stairs. I run outside and sprint towards the Gate.


    The Gate is closed.

 Chapter 17 Maw

    Load.


    Okay I am in deep shit again. Deeper shit. Bloody shit.


    I looked down at my trembling hands. Sure I killed before, lots of people even. But never like this. I killed those that got in my way, those that impeded my goals. I killed with a purpose. This was a systematic massacre of all living beings, a culling. You cull animals, not people.


    ¡°Fuuuu¡­¡±


    I calmed down somewhat. Then I began to think, how to get out of this bloody shit.


    I thought back to magic. I wish I could just magic this all away. However besides the inability to use magic inside the town, I myself could not use magic. When I visited my good friend Botis to show him how to treat his elders I inquired about how he uses magic. Sufficient to say I am unable to view this Status Window. Apparently I just have to think and poof, I would understand everything. After he finished laughting at my inability to use the status window I had to demonstrate why he shouldn¡¯t laugh at his elders.


    *Sign*


    That train of thought was demoralizing. Well I guess my first priority to get more information. The Magician Society is where the guards came from.


    However the center of town is the only place magic works. I only went in there amicably to see what was inside. I haven¡¯t forced my way in deeper before since I was afraid what this magic would do to me. From the school classes I learned that there are fireballs and such. However I am much more concerned about the mind related magic¡­


    Well I guess I could try entering calmly again. I can bluff something about going there in the middle of the night.


    I redress myself in my old world clothing. Stuffing the mask in-between the strap holding my bulletproof vest on I put on my dark green cloak.


    The streets are quiet again. This time I am not sneaking but calmly walking towards the very important building. As I reach the doors I clench my hands, wondering what I will find behind them.


    *Knock* *Knock*The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The metal knocker wills the silence night to wake.


    *Shuffle* *Shuffle*


    The door opens. The light from the inside brightens the dreary night. It was a man in a robe, a dark robe. Similar to one the one my good friend wears, but a different design.


    ¡°What do you want? You know it¡¯s the middle of the night right?¡±


    He scans me from side to side trying to determine what I am up to. Now what should I say?


    ¡°Uhh, I am here to meet Arch-Mage Luvon.¡±


    I managed to find out the name of the towns mayor, or more like overlord in my stay. I think this should get my past the door.


    ¡°Oh really, Arch-Mage Luvon did not mention that he was expecting visitors tonight, it is quite weird since we spoke at length.¡±


    ¡°Well it was only a small matter pertaining to some deliveries he needed to be made.¡±


    ¡°Alright come in, the Arch-Mage is currently pre-occupied so I would that you wait in the lobby for now.¡±


    *Creak*


    The man opened the door fully. There was nothing strange in the lobby of the Magician Society from what I could see. It was still a few hours before the guards would emerge from here.


    I entered the lobby calmly. At least I tried to give that impression.


    *Creak*


    The door closed behind me. The man walked past me brushing against my side.


    ¡°Excuse me. Oh yes I did not catch your name, mercenary?¡±


    ¡°I go by Leaf.¡±


    He peaks at my ears. I learned from my time in this town that only truly old elven lineages use simple natural names. Such as Tree, Twig, Stone, Grass, etc. The new blood, mostly mixed with humans and some other sub-races, use fancier ones. There is apparently quite a beautiful man in the Mage College called Merellien Ilistinan, a lot less simple. This is important because the more pure the elven blood in you the more likely you are to be to use Spiritual Magic. I haven¡¯t been able to find out what Spiritual Magic is, but sufficient to say that the teachers spoke of it with blazing eyes. Especially the Materializer general class, the old man was practically trying to drown the students in spittle.


    ¡°I see. Mister Leaf I will let the Arch-Mage know that you have arrived.¡±


    I sat down at one of the cushy chairs in the lounge. The man left shortly after, going up the stairs. I took another look around the place. It was well decorated, more akin to a castle then a building. A few coffee tables with cushy chairs interposed by carpets. The walls were a bleak grey, with glowing gems hanging from the ceiling. Enchanted quartz stones, or fake magic stones by another name. Much cheaper the real deal, whatever that is.


    There is a counter with no one behind at the far end of the room beside the stairs going up. I also see a fancy board with nothing on it but some small holes. From what I heard mercenaries can more to the Society to get work contracts. But this being a Provided City in the middle of nowhere there is a lack of work for such people.


    After waiting for a few minutes I decided to explore. I feel like I¡¯m missing something but I want to get as much exploring done as possible. When the man comes back I reload and come back again. By doing it this I should be able to safely gather more information, it¡¯s foolproof.


    I get up and head toward the counter. The door to the left of it should lead somewhere interesting. I grab the handle and turn. The door opens quite easily. I go past and close it behind me. There is a hallway. I see some stairs going down at the end of them. Bad things always happen in the basement, or start from the basement.


    I reach the bottom of the stairs. It is a small room, most likely for storage. I see barrels and crates lying around. However there is another door. The path to it seems to be recently cleaned. the barrels are pushed to the side. The floor underneath where the barrel is scuffed like they were moved before, many times. I tug at the handle and this one is locked.


    I turn around to take another look at the room.


    I see a man squatting behind a crate looking right at me. He is dressed in black with a knife in his hand.


    I stare at him, he stares back at me. Why isn¡¯t he reacting to me? Maybe I should just shoot him?


    I glare at him and reach for my gun. I see shock in his eyes, like a startled bird. I pull out my gun from my holster¡­


    Then there is pain at the back of my head. Then nothing.

 Chapter 18 Voices

    ¡°GAH¡±


    My head, I think it¡¯s creaking. I don¡¯t remember drinking that much yesterday?


    Strange, my hands seem to be tied.


    I slowly open my eyes. As I lift my head I see that I am in a room. Sitting in a chair. Tied to a chair.


    ¡°Ow, ow, ow, ow¡­¡±


    I feel liquid dripping off the back of my head onto my neck.


    I focus, I see a man standing on the other side of the room, observing me. The way he looks at me feels like he is looking at a particularly interesting animal, something that has two heads and a tail growing on its arm. With a side-glance I see that there more people in the room, at least three that I can see from my location. Well this would be a lot worse if I couldn¡¯t reload. However they seem to want to question me, I guess not everything is different in this world. Well maybe the rope instead of duct tape.


    ¡°So Mr.. Leaf? You are quite an interesting conundrum.¡±


    I hear the man speak. He looks unremarkable. Short brown hair, slightly dark skin akin to a tan, not too high, or too short, cleanly dressed and shaved. He is wearing simple leather armor, the kind that¡¯s not cheap but not expensive either. In a word, average. Except the eyes, at first glace they look brown, but the more you look the redder they become with slight specs of gold, like rubies glittering under the yellow tinted moon of this world.


    ¡°First you see past the active concealment of my shadows. Then you resist all forms of mental probing, while unconscious mind you. I have heard of Arch-Mage Manipulators putting up passive mental blocks on themselves sure. But right after the status stone works on you, giving only your name, Leaf.¡±


    The man steps aside to reveal a table behind him. On it my stuff is spread out. My gun, extra magazines, knife, and other tools I have. The man picks up my gun.


    ¡°But this, most of all, is why I haven¡¯t just killed you yet. For you see my God has given the command that us mortals shall find the ability to surpass magic using fire and steel. Anyone who is able to create such a device shall be rewarded nobility status without any other requirements.¡±


    The man keeps turning my gun in his hands, almost enjoying the sensation of the smooth and cold metal on his skin.


    ¡°Sure the dwarven smiths have been able to create something resembling that description. However compared to this¡­.¡±


    *Bang*


    *Thud*


    One of the people standing behind me falls. As I try to reconcile the pain in my left ear to the pain of my skull the man continues his monologue.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°¡­ they are nothing but children¡¯s toys.¡±


    ¡°So in light of this discovery I decided that your questioning is more important then my current mission.¡±


    I try to struggle a bit to see where it gets me.


    ¡°Oh you won¡¯t be able to do anything so you can stop moving around. Were are in the city proper so magic is useless here.¡±


    His expression changes for the first time. It is a grin. It is a grin of contentment, of a man who has been allowed to do a job that he is talented in and enjoys doing, pure happiness and bliss.


    ¡°Even though I am only an Adept I still lead this little unit of mine. Do you know why? Because my God recognizes talent unlike these barbarians.¡±


    He gestured around, with both of his hands including the gun. Waving as though to cover the whole of this town with his hands.


    ¡°They only care about your magic aptitude. This city disgusts me.¡±


    ¡°It is a gift from my God that I am able to use my talent to destroy these Mage ranches.¡±


    He puts the gun down. Leaning over behind the desk he takes out a bag, a simple brown bag with two straps. He puts the bag flat on the table. Undoing the straps it unfolds like a rolled up newspaper. I can see some shiny tools on it, scalpels, needles, and others.


    ¡°For you see I am very good at asking questions. Without bypassing the mental blocks, without breaking your personality, without memory alteration, I simply ask questions and people answer me without the influence of magic.¡±


    ¡°It is not an important skill, since even a Journeyman magician can glean information from a simple probe.¡±


    The man pauses. The smile on his face grows wider.


    ¡°However my God has found a use for someone like me. He personally told me that my skill is needed.¡±


    ¡°You should ask your questions in a Provided Town. In a Provided town even a Magus would answer you.¡±


    ¡°Those words changed my life, they gave me purpose.¡±


    The man points at me with his scalpel.


    ¡°The reason I told you all of this is simple. I care not weather you answer truthfully or falsely. For I simply want to ask my questions, for I enjoy the process.¡±


    I finally decide I might as well open my mouth. Since I don¡¯t plan to let that knife come any closer to me.


    ¡°What is your name?¡±


    The man blinks.


    ¡°Ah, yes. I should introduce myself. I guess it won¡¯t matter since you aren¡¯t leaving this room.¡±


    ¡°My name is Raum Abolidge, a specialist serving the Godking¡¯s Shade Division. Now lets me ask you a question¡­¡±


    As I see the blade coming closer to my skin I think,


    Load.


    ----


    I sit down on my bed, back in my room at the Grey Boar Inn. There is no longer any pain. I should feel fine. There is not a scratch on me.


    But my hands tremble.


    That smile, a pure smile of joy. I got lucky, again. Lucky that I only got knocked out, lucky that I woke up with all my skin intact, lucky that his magic didn¡¯t work on me for some reason.


    Why didn¡¯t that magic work on me? As far as I know only if a magician is of a significantly higher tier then you will mental magic just not work. I don¡¯t even know any magic. Raum had no reason to lie to a dead man.


    Also that ¡®shadow¡¯ of his seemed surprised when I saw him. Almost like I wasn¡¯t supposed to see him.


    Add in the fact that I can¡¯t open my status window, whatever that is.


    I think there is something interfering with magic used on me. When I think back on it, back when I first woke up, back when I was in excruciating pain¡­


    *Shiver*


    ¡­I heard two voices, the voice that gave the painful error, a slightly robotic voice, and the voice I constantly ignore, the slightly feminine voice.


    Load.


    <u>Command accepted, loading world state¡­</u>


    <u> </u>


    <u>Load complete.</u>


    Now that I am standing again I mull over this development. I just assumed that both were the same voice. The robotic voice spoke in English after all. I just assumed that after the error correction the voice changed.


    But it seems to me that there are two distinct voices here.


    One that is native to this world, the one that governs status and magic.


    One that is mine, and lets me alter time.


    It seems my power has provided me with, if not nullification then at least a form of resistance, to magic. I haven¡¯t actually been hit with any long-range magic nor have I seen any one cast it on me. However from this last excursion it seems that the system I use and this worlds system is different.


    This also explains why I can¡¯t bring out my status.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Raum said that he used a status stone on me. It must be similar to the one the guards used on me when I entered the city. If I steal one and use it on myself I should be able to see my status.


    ¡°Huuu¡­¡±


    I really have been too relaxed this past year. Sure I learned the language. Sure learned about magic.


    But I completely ignored my inability to use magic. Like this power would be enough to prosper.


    In my old world I would be akin to a god.


    But in this world I got hit in the head by a cudgel and almost got skinned by a torturer working for the Godking. Honestly I though the title of Godking was just preening but I ignored the existence of magic. What if he is a literal God King?


    One problem at a time, first deal with murder-guards.