Upon arriving, I found myself in what appeared to be a medieval renaissance fair. Dozens of people bustled around me, speed walking as if it were the sole mode of transportation. Others engaged with vendors hawking food and beverages from various stalls. Scattered throughout the area, larger buildings attracted varying degrees of attention from the inhabitants, but their purposes eluded me.

Spotting an empty bench nearby, I claimed it as my own, seeking a moment to gather my thoughts and determine my next course of action. I needed to secure food, water, and shelter; those had to be my immediate priorities until I could better understand this world's inner workings.

A sudden realization washed over me: I was here, alone. If I were to fail, the consequences would fall solely on my shoulders. This thought proved strangely liberating; in this world, I bore no responsibility to anyone or anything but myself.

I knew I was different now, changed on a fundamental level. I missed my loved ones—my wife and children—but I had grieved for them as well. Having spent an eternity trapped in the void, my humanity seemed almost diminished. I recognized that had I awakened in this world immediately, I would have been panicked and distraught over losing my family, despite my death having been inevitable in my previous existence.

What did I want from this world? In all honesty, not much. My previous aspirations for success and wealth had been driven by the desire to provide for my wife and children. Without them, I would have been content with a simple life in a travel trailer, accompanied by Wi-Fi to play my games. Unlike the protagonists in the stories I had read, I had no grand quest or prompt to guide me. Even my interaction with that malevolent void god offered no direction; he merely "blessed" me and sent me here. It all seemed so bewildering and nonsensical.

As I continued to sit and ponder my situation, my thoughts turned to the potential jobs available in this medieval town. What kind of work could I find to sustain myself in this unfamiliar world?

A system prompt materialized before my eyes, as if responding to my unspoken query:

The town of Gridley has openings in the following positions:

1. Lumberjack: responsible for felling trees, cutting them into logs, and transporting them to designated areas.

2. Miner: tasked with extracting minerals and ores from the depths of the earth.

3. Guard: charged with maintaining law and order within the town and protecting its inhabitants.

4. Cook's Helper: assists the head cook in preparing and serving meals for the townsfolk.

5. Carpenter: skilled in the art of woodworking, crafting furniture and structures from wood.

The system then notified me: "Based on your current abilities and qualifications, you are only eligible for the Lumberjack and Miner positions."

I mentally selected the Lumberjack position, hoping that working outdoors would suit me better in this new world. However, I remained seated on the bench for another 15 to 20 minutes, observing my surroundings and the people bustling about the busy town. The townsfolk seemed to go about their daily routines with purpose, and the architecture was a blend of rustic and functional.

As I sat there, a short, bearded man caught my eye. It appeared as though he was staring directly at me, his gaze unwavering. Moments later, the man stomped towards me, his face contorted with anger. As he got closer, I realized he was a dwarf, and his features took on an even more distinct, hardened appearance.

Upon reaching me, the dwarf bellowed in a thick dwarven accent, "What are ya doin', ya daft lazy bastard?"

Taken aback by the dwarf's outburst, I stammered an apology. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offense. My name is Dylan. Is this your bench or something? Is it only for dwarves to sit on?"

The dwarf looked at me, shocked for a moment, as if he couldn't tell whether I was joking or genuinely clueless. Shaking his head, he finally addressed me, "You took the lumberjack job, did you not? Do you not want to do it, or are you of a simple mind, boy?"

I quickly responded, "Yes, I do want the job. I just don't understand how it works. I thought I could just head to the woods, chop trees down, and make money that way."

Again, the dwarf paused and stared at me, seemingly torn between considering me an idiot or believing I was messing with him. He asked suspiciously, "Did someone from the Miner's Guild put you up to this?"

"No," I assured him, my voice growing more serious. "I'm genuinely confused and new to this world. I'm just trying to make sense of everything and find my footing."

The dwarf laughed heartily and commented, "You can't be a day over 18! But that doesn't explain why you wouldn't understand a system prompt. Even wee babies get system prompts."

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I retorted, slightly annoyed, "First off, I'm 35, and I am quite literally new to this world."

The dwarf's expression turned to shock, and he quietly asked, "Are you an adventurer?"

"No," I replied, "I'm a demigod."

With that, the dwarf slapped me on the back, bursting into laughter again. "Clearly, you're a comedian! But don't you worry, I'll show you the ropes of lumberjacking, despite your mental shortcomings."

The dwarf extended his hand and introduced himself, "Name's Stonegorge. Now, grab your axe and follow me."

I panicked internally, realizing I didn't have an axe. But as the thought crossed my mind, a personal storage system appeared before me. Inside, I saw a few items, and most importantly, an axe. Mentally grabbing the axe, it materialized in my hand.

As we walked towards the town gate, Stonegorge casually interacted with a few passersby. Spotting another dwarf, he called out, "Hey, Flintbeard! Ye look like ye've been chewin' on rocks again!"

Flintbeard laughed heartily and shot back, "Aye, Stonegorge, and I reckon you've been using yer face to split logs!"

Stonegorge chuckled as we continued walking. He then caught sight of a passing dwarven woman and couldn't resist making a comment, "Darlin', I'd trade me sharpest axe for a chance to split yer log!"

The woman rolled her eyes and kept walking, but Stonegorge just grinned and led me onward. Upon reaching the entrance, we were stopped by two human guards who eyed us curiously.

The human guards, one tall and broad-shouldered with a neatly trimmed beard, the other slightly shorter and leaner with a clean-shaven face, looked at Stonegorge and asked, "Who's your new friend, Stonegorge?"

"Ah, this here is the mighty demigod Dylan, who's humbled himself by playing at being a lumberjack today!" Stonegorge quickly replied.

Both guards, named Hendrik and Lars, wore similar armor, the town guard's uniform. Polished metal breastplates adorned their chests, while chainmail protected their arms and legs. Each guard had a sheathed blade on their hip, and an almost palpable aura of strength emanated from them.

The guards laughed at Stonegorge's comment, with Hendrik teasing, "Does this one have some blight in his brain?" All three of them shared a good laugh.

Stonegorge then showed a medallion from around his neck, and the guards allowed us to pass without further delay. We stepped onto a cobblestone path that led away from the gate, with a vast, green forest about 200 yards ahead.

As we walked, Stonegorge explained, "We're headed to the lumber camp, and we'll be working there for the next five days. Your timing is perfect, lad, because we wouldn't be coming back to town until after the workweek is done."

I nodded, mentally preparing myself for the long days of labor ahead.

As we walked, I couldn't help but marvel at how different my body felt. I was stronger and healthier than I had ever been in my life. It took me a while to even realize that my once-diseased body was now in perfect condition. The thought of lumberjacking, something I would have dreaded in my previous life, now filled me with an almost eager anticipation.

"Stonegorge," I asked, puzzled. "Why do we have to be gone for a week when the forest is so close?"

He laughed heartily and explained, "Well, you see, lad, we go further into the forest, as it's a natural defense. Chopping down any of the nearby trees would be considered a crime. We need to preserve the beauty and safety of our town."

We walked for a good 10 miles, the journey taking up a significant portion of the day. Eventually, we arrived at the forestry hut, a simple yet sturdy structure nestled among the trees. The hut was made of solid logs, expertly notched and fitted together, with a sloping roof covered in thick wooden shingles. A small brick chimney protruded from one side, emitting a thin wisp of smoke, hinting at a warm fire inside. The windows were small but numerous, allowing for some natural light to filter into the cozy space. A sturdy wooden door, adorned with intricate carvings of leaves and forest creatures, welcomed us into our home for the week.

Throughout the night, I was plagued by nightmares that dragged me back into the darkness of the void. It felt like an icy hand had reached into my chest and gripped my heart. I was no longer in the safety of the forestry hut, but instead, floating aimlessly in that cold, empty space.

The void god's laughter echoed around me, a chilling and sinister sound that filled every crevice of the boundless darkness. The memory of drifting in the void for what felt like eons suffocated me. I was no longer myself, but a helpless, insignificant speck drowning in an ocean of despair.

Pain coursed through my very essence, the sensation of being burned and stabbed simultaneously causing my soul to scream out in torment. The void god's presence was inescapable, his malevolent laughter a relentless reminder of the horrors I had endured. Time twisted and warped, the endless nightmare consuming me as I relived the excruciating agony over and over again.

The dark, gritty reality of my time in the void threatened to break me once more, my sanity hanging by a thread as I struggled to escape the clutches of the nightmare that refused to release me.

A system prompt appeared before me, jarring me out of the nightmare.

"Though you may have been dreaming, you also may have been hanging in the balance, so close to not waking up or awakening as a broken shell trapped in the void, staring through lifeless eyes as the void god himself inhabits your body. But you didn't."

Increased mental resistance.

The words seemed to linger, a chilling reminder of the fine line I had walked between succumbing to the void and retaining my sanity. Despite the horrifying experience, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me, as I realized I had somehow managed to withstand the nightmarish ordeal.

The aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, rousing me from my thoughts. The scent of sizzling bacon, freshly baked bread, and eggs cooked to perfection tantalized my senses, making my stomach growl in anticipation. I followed the mouthwatering scent to the dining area, where Stonegorge greeted me warmly.