The black space filled with stars greets me as I open my eyes. I float and don't feel anything, my body is rendered black and genderless like a void that surrounds me.

The ambient noise of quiet jazz fills my ears as I take a look at the surroundings. It truly feels real, to see our galaxy from far above, to see stars align, it's like I could grasp the galaxy as a whole. But I couldn't spend all my time looking at my home screen. The limitation that was forced on me was a constant presence at the back of my mind.

I snap my fingers and the screen opens before me.

Want to resume the latest session in the World of Change?

I pick yes and the environment starts to change. Stars start dying one by one, Milky Way that served as the source of light begins to slowly extinguish. Soon all galaxy becomes nothing more than a blank canvas.

The screen pops up before me, with a change of ambiance. Loud folk music invades my ears as I look at the environment change from a galaxy to a forest. I see red leaves still laying in the meadow, where I died yesterday. I raise my hands and see skin crawl and replace the dark. Soon my body fully changes to my in-game avatar.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF CHANGE!

WANT TO RESPAWN AT THE PREFERED LOCATION?

Y/N

My surroundings change again, from a forest to an inn. I respawned at my room, the one I rented for a week. I sigh and fall to the bed, I need to grind again. The room itself is small, with only a bed and a cupboard, not even a mirror to fix my hair.

Frowning, I stand up and go towards the cupboard where I kept a set of supplies in case of emergency. Keeping some equipment in reserve was a lesson I learned fast when I died and was forced to buy clothes barefoot, wearing only shorts and a shirt.

The first thing is armor, the leather set I've been grinding for a week is gone. My murderer most likely looted it. My second set of armor is just a set of clothes with leather bracers and boots. Shit, it's a second time I start almost anew. At least I have a second cloak to cover myself.

The second thing is my weapon, the bow that was given to me by my guild is gone. The only weapon I have now is a short dagger. I trace my finger around its edge. Need to sharpen it.

Third thing, supplies. I take the loaf of bread and take a bite, a little rusty but will do. I shake the flask of water, half-filled, which will be enough for a day.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Fourth thing, documents. My guild membership card and passport indicating that I am a citizen of the city and thus eligible to do quests.

And the last thing money. I open the pouch and wince seeing only copper. I thought I left some silver when I departed for a hunt, it breaks my plans a little but I hope the guild will help me.

I put on the clothes and what leather armor I have. Frowning I place my dagger on the back of my boot, noting to myself to buy a belt. Then I put the cloak on and spin. Nothing dangles, nothing interferes with moves, perfect. Then my stomach groans. I guess a little lunch before going out is acceptable.

----

The inn is almost deserted, with a rare pair of NPCs talking with each other in the back. If I chose a word for the inn, I would certainly pick... what was the word again. Ah, I remembered, homely that was the word. A sound of fire cracking on the wood, the smell of fresh bread and roasted vegetables, an ideal choice for the cliche fantasy inn. A shame I can't afford to buy anything off the menu.

I quietly munch on my stale bread on the dark corner of the inn, keeping my head low with my hood on. I need every bit of copper I can save but I will die of shame if someone sees me eating only bread. Thank god that the game doesn't require eating much, especially for a race I chose.

As if hearing my thoughts the pair of NPCs go near me, their steps are hazy and unfocused, a pair of drunks. I stop munching and don't move, making myself as unremarkable as possible, but I guess the act itself was suspicious. One of the drunks stops right before my corner and turns to me. He smiles with missing teeth as he takes off his hat, "Oh-ho! Ya min'd if I and my frien' o'er here join your table mister?"

I can only nod as they don't even wait for my answer. They sit uncomfortably close, sandwiching me from the sides as I wince at the smell.

One of the drunks puts his bottle on the table, and says, "Ere, 'rink for our frien'ship stranger!"

I shake my head and decline. The drunk smiles again, "Don't be shy stranga, this is the fines beer in town."

They push on even further, their shoulders start to grate mine as I feel their faces get even closer. This is getting bad, I need to leave immediately.

"Tis rude for frien's to cover their faces, don't cha think so Karl?"

"Ya right Josh, show us your face frien', don't be shy!"

I try to stand up and leave the table but one of the drunks stops me, he is surprisingly strong. As I struggle to free myself from his grip another drunk lowers my hood.

Seeing my face and ears he exclaims as he crosses himself, "Fookin hell! An 'onest to god elf in 'ere! A pretty one too!"

"Sorry for our rude behavior milady," he says and lowers his hat to his chest. But I could see a strange shine in his eyes. I didn't like that in the slightest.

I try to keep my face blank the drunkard still keeps my hand in his grip, "I am fine, just release me please."

He snorts and burps, "Oh, a polite elf! Never heard of that! All of them look at us good folk like we are just shit under their noses."

I could only watch as he brings his face closer to me, his mustache almost touching my lips. His warm breath reaches my skin, "But you are not like aren't cha?"

"I can assure you I don't-" I try to say but he interrupts me.

"Then kiss me, girl," he says and tries to move even closer to me, but I manage to push him.

"What!?

"If you don't see as shit then kiss me, surely a young maiden can spare a kiss to an old man!" He tries to get closer to me again, but I push him again. I reach for my dagger in my boots, ready to draw it.

"Release me at once!" I shout and gather the attention of the innkeeper, he stands up from his chair and runs to us.

Seeing this the drunk finally lets me go, and spits in the ground, "You are just like other elves then, ha! Go then, don't bother talkin to us."

I would be lying to say I was not angry or scared, but I knew it was not the time to show it. Fuck the NPCs and developers that made them this sleazy. I take the remaining bread and leave the inn.