After the skirmish, our priority was to tend to the wounded. Thankfully, apart from one villager who lost his arm, the rest of the injuries were minor—bruises and cuts, but no fatalities. Manes had led the counter-charge brilliantly, inspiring everyone with his calm and commanding presence. It was clear to me that his time in the Imperial Army wasn’t just for show; he knew how to lead in battle.
We gathered around the fallen looters, and with grim efficiency, we looted the bodies. Manes took his lion's share, as was expected, and then handed me 24 denars for my part. Just as I pocketed the money, a strange sensation overcame me. Out of nowhere, a robotic, feminine voice whispered directly into my mind: “One-handed experience gained 5/10. Renown gained 0.5/50. Influence gained none.”
I froze in place, confused. After entering this world, I thought I didn’t have any of the usual "cheat" skills protagonists in these stories always seem to acquire. I assumed I was just here to survive on my wits and knowledge of the game. But this voice proved me wrong. I had some kind of game system that would help me track my progress, though I had no idea how to activate it or use it beyond these strange notifications.
The realization filled me with both excitement and curiosity. I felt a new sense of motivation—this system could be a powerful tool, and I was determined to figure out how it worked. I wondered what other hidden features might reveal themselves over time. However, before I could dive too deeply into my thoughts, I realized Manes was watching me.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice steady but concerned.
I shook myself out of my daze. “Yeah, it’s nothing,” I replied, though it was far from the truth. Explaining what had just happened would have been impossible. Manes gave me a long look, clearly unconvinced, but he let it drop. Soon, we were at the gates of Zeonica.
The city guards inspected us with sharp eyes, checking us over for weapons or anything suspicious. One of them caught sight of my sword and gave me a stern warning. “Don’t unsheath that sword in public unless you want to spend a night in the dungeons,” he said, glaring at me.
I nodded, not wanting any trouble. The paperwork was mostly handled by a guard using some kind of parchment, which I was expected to sign. Apart from one merchant all of the others in the group used their thumbprints as a signature, but I instinctively signed my name. I wasn’t prepared for the reaction. The others stared at me, their eyes wide.
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“You can read and write?” one of the merchants asked, his tone filled with awe.
“Uh… yeah,” I said, taken aback by how impressed they were. I’d never been praised for writing my name before. But when I glanced at the parchment, I realized something strange—I hadn’t written my name in English. Instead, the letters were in Latin, a language I shouldn’t have known.
Somehow, I knew different languages in this world, knowledge that wasn’t originally mine. It was unsettling, but also oddly reassuring. At least, in some ways, I wasn’t entirely out of my depth here.
Once we entered the city, I was immediately captivated. Zeonica was breathtaking, with its towering stone buildings and streets lined with bustling shops and merchants. The architecture reminded me of ancient Rome—the Empire’s influence was everywhere. It was far grander than anything I’d ever seen in real life, and for a moment, I stood in awe of the sight.
Our caravan stopped at an inn, where the rest of the escort group went off to drink, while the merchants headed to the market to sell their goods. I joined Manes for a drink, still trying to process everything that had happened. The beer they served was rough, crude, and nothing like the smooth, refined drinks I was used to. I almost gagged after the first sip—it tasted like something closer to horse piss than actual beer.
Manes chuckled at my reaction. “Takes some getting used to,” he said, slapping me on the back. “You thinking about joining the tournament tomorrow?”
My mind snapped back to the present. The tournament. I had almost forgotten about it. “Yeah,” I replied instinctively, then paused. “Wait, what format is it?”
I only knew that a tournament was happening, but I hadn’t learned anything beyond that. Manes raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my ignorance. “There are four formats. One is reserved for the Imperial Army, but the other three are open to the public. The first is a team fight, where you’ll fight alongside others. The second is a battle royale, every man for himself. The last is beast fights, though those aren’t for the faint of heart.”
The battle royale format caught my attention immediately. The reward was generous, and even though I was new to this world, I felt confident. In all the VR games I’d played, I could pull off complex moves without breaking a sweat, and with this body—this real, physical body—I felt like I could do even better. The tournament seemed like the perfect opportunity to test my skills and maybe even earn some renown.
After we finished our drinks, we headed to our rented beds for the night. I lay on the rough mattress, my mind racing. The tournament loomed in my thoughts, a mixture of excitement and dread filling me. Could I win it? Did I even stand a chance against seasoned fighters in this world?
I stared up at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the decision I had made. Tomorrow, I’d either prove myself or fail miserably. There was no middle ground.
As I drifted into an uneasy sleep, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this world—this game—was far more real than I ever imagined. The blood I had spilt, the fear I had felt, and the challenges I had faced were just the beginning.