Ah yes, Isekai
A popular genre among us internet dwellers
For some a collection of interesting 'what if' stories about unexplored themes and questionable morals, and for others a way to cope with uninteresting lifestyles and a form of escapism to a place unfamiliar them but all too knowledgeable of.
Well guess WHAT!?
All it is more of the same thing now, only more DIFFICULT and FRUSTRATING!
And slow did I mention slow. So unbelievably slow and methodic you'd think you've been working at the same fast food place 20 fucking years, with the same interchangeable menu throughout the year that you could recite, spell, and number while being TORTURED for COMPANY SECRETS!
Anyway this story while entertaining isn't going to be very mainstream, and to PROVE that were starting off in the MIDDLE of the story. Let's see you figure this one out smartass!
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The morning sun straddled the mountainside slowly climbing to the peak, as if doomed to push a boulder up a hill only to start all over again for all eternity. And in away it is as this is not the first time that sun has attempted to crest that 'steep hill' and it most certainly won't be the last try to break its never ending cycle of perpetual motion. The rays of light it cast run rampant over the valley to not very fertile farmland to the rather medieval town occupying that land. The streets already active with stores open a few hours before everyone woke, to the early risers hoping to get first pickings, to the people that...probably work at those stores only to realize they slept in too late and are currently running to work. Yes sir it's a normal, peaceful morning on a normal, peaceful day.
*Knock* *Knock*
...
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
...
*Loud Ass Knocking Bordering On Forcing An Entry*
..."I'm up", came a rather gruff and tired male voice.
"I better not have to come back up here to wake you a second time, that would cost extra", replied an equally tried and gruff male voice. Maybe even slightly older?
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
"Nope I'm up", the man in the bed said with forced merit accompanied by an equally forced sit-up from his comfortable laying position.
Footsteps could easily be heard moving on the (apparently loud) wooden floor boards as it creaked proudly in the silence of the morning.
The man in the bed exhaled loudly and layed back down this time on his back and stared up aimlessly at the ceiling.
"...The things I do for...*yawn*...something or other"
He looked to his left from his position of the bed to left side of the room."I am so no looking forward to putting you on".
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Buckles could be heard strapping together in an attempt to hold this collection of metal I call armor together. Forgoing speed and going at an unmotivated pace to stall from getting up from this wooden stool. Unfortunately I ran out ways to procrastinate fast as I finished assembly of the cuirass so I aimed to finally stand tall in full. And by god this is the worst feeling in the nine realms. I feel so heavy in this thing and I'm not even technically done yet. I looked over at the side table next to bed and there sat a helm to finish the set. I reached over reluctantly and put the damned thing on my head, I swear this thing has given my claustrophobia at this point in my "career". I saunter heavily over to door with practiced ease, too many times have fallen over with this stuff on. A basic spear lay against the wall by the door so, I pick it up carry it (equip it lol) to left hand and open the door with my right, time to start this bitch of a day. I stand on the second floor of the 'Poison Oak' an inn at this castle town, as well as my temporary residence if one couldn't tell. I clop over to the stairway to my right and make my way down at an angle to avoid falling over (again), putting on armor first thing in the morning tends to throw off one's balance. When I finally make my way to the bottom you could see the rather empty sitting arrangement dew to a combination of earliness and lack of residence sleeping at the inn. I make my way through the tables and chairs close together, to close for a man in armor almost to spite me, and over to the main bar where the man who woke me stands wiping the counter.
"Ah your up, wish you stayed asleep so I could rangle more coin outta ya", This was followed by a tired laugh at his own expense as well as to wake himself.
"...No thanks", I reply back in the same tired tone I answered with a little earlier at my waking
"Well give me second with breakfast and you can be on your way today as well"
I respond by reaching slowly over to my coin pouch on hip and bring out two coins with fancy carvings on them and set them on the table
"...One's for the alarm", I slid the coins over to him, "And the other is for a fast breakfast"
"Yes sir", the innkeeper replied in much upbeat tone and after he scoped up the coins immediately went to the back to prepare the meal.
I pulled out a stool and tried to sit as comfortably as I could in this stuffy armor with my spear laying against the bar. Thankfully it turns out I won't sit here long as after a decent wait the man came back with my breakfast which is all but limited to meat stew and bread, wait a minute. Before I could say anything the man put a cup on the bar and poured some water into it before placing it alongside the rest of the meal.
"Enjoy your food...Sir Knight", as he said that last part he did a little bow and proceeded to laughed at his own joke.
"..haha...ha", came my tired replay as I went to eat my stew with the spartan like helm still sitting on my head, not taking it off even for a meal.
Today's gonna be fucking great.