Skeletons dressed in ragged clothes cover the field everywhere. Some of them have bows, while others are holding maces. I don’t want to startle the creatures; if I do, I can start the countdown for the minutes I have to live. I get closer to them at a slow pace, all the while my heart beating a wild rhythm in my chest.

The creatures move from one place to another, completely ignoring me. I expect them to make the first move, but that doesn’t happen. I contemplate hitting one of them without having any sign that I’m in the proximity of the beings I have to slay. If I’m in a game-like world or a dream, then I will be killing a monster. It’s no harm, no foul.

I get close to one of the skeletons holding a mace to hit it with all my strength. As soon as I attack, the creature starts hitting me back. Each blow feels like a direct hit to my chest. Nothing stops me from landing my strokes. I keep going until my breathing becomes erratic, and my lungs feel as if they’re about to explode.

I get close to calling it quits, but I land one more blow. The creature falls to the ground, only to vanish into thin air shortly after. It’s as if it has never been there. In front of my very eyes, another skeleton takes shape.

Surprisingly, I feel invigorated and powerful, so I raise my sword to attack another creature. This time, I choose one holding a bow. As soon as I hit it, the creature raises its bow to shoot an arrow. I hit the skeleton twice before the projectile reaches me. Pain flourishes in my shoulder. I don’t have time to check the damage as I land the final blow to kill the archer before it can shoot at me again.

I collapse to the ground to catch my breath. The pain in my shoulder dissipates. Until it disappears completely, I have time to analyze the situation. The way I see it, it’s faster and almost effortless to kill creatures that are holding a bow rather than those with a mace. There’s one drawback to that, though. The pain inflicted by the arrow is ten times more intense than any hit I’ve received with the head of the mace. If I find a way of coping with that, I will finish faster by killing archers.

I jump back to my feet and choose the next creature to attack. I see one with its back turned, and I start hitting it. Three strikes later, the archer is dead, and it didn’t even turn back toward me to counterattack. If what I’m guessing is true, then I’ll complete the task in no time. I run to the next skeleton and position myself behind it. Four strikes later, the creature falls to the ground, and I didn’t sustain any hits. I do a bit of running between my targets to get the position I can take advantage of and kill them one by one. I should have collected the necklaces as proof, but I realize that a little too late.

The sun has long set. With its pale glow, the moon now provides enough light to let me search for what I need. I’ve been hunting pretty much in the same area, so I start looking for the required necklaces. I find them with a little effort, align them one by one on my arm, and then head back to the village.

I find the strength to run up the stairs. When I reach the guards, I’m panting and trying to catch my breath. They’re in the same spot, so I guess they haven’t moved. They don’t even blink as I walk in. There’s no light in the village, except for the torches still burning on the pillars. I guess there’s enough light for me to make my way to Raglin. When I get there, the place is empty.

Damn. I’ve worked for nothing.

I sigh and turn around. I have to find a place to stay for the night. If I don’t, then I could sleep in the village square, under the sky. I turn toward the inn. When I reach for the door to open it, I don’t get the chance to touch the doorknob. The door opens from the inside, but an older man blocks my path. I can’t tell his age, but he sure seems like he managed to survive a few centuries in this world. He’s frowning at me, his face dark and full of wrinkles.

I expect him to grumble. He manages to surprise me when he says. “You must be the boy Raglin sent on an errand. Come on in.” He makes a gesture with his head as if to invite me in. Then he moves aside so I can enter the inn.

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I take a step. “How do you know?”

He shrugs. “We don’t get many new people around here.”

I slip past him and go inside. I don’t know what to expect, so the empty room leaves me dumbfounded. There are only two people here. The old man is guarding the door and the woman standing behind the wooden counter. She ignores me, focused on rubbing the plate with a cloth.

The rustic room illuminated by torches and candles has several tables and chairs scattered around. I head to the nearest chair and crash on it. I let my head back until the top rail touches me. I close my eyes and sigh as I finally get the chance to relax for a few seconds. I can almost feel the weariness seeping through my pores.

When I open my eyes, the old man is standing beside me. I must be exhausted since I didn’t even hear him step toward me.

“Where’s my reward?”

Without saying a word, he throws a worn-out pouch on the table in front of me. I grab it, pull at the strings, and without looking inside, I empty it on the table. Five minuscule items land on wood. Minutes go by as I stare at them. Hysterical laughter bubbles up until it resonates in the room.

I wipe away tears of mirth and then look at the old man. “Are you serious? I have to kill monsters, and Raglin is giving me trinkets as a reward?”

Two rings, two earrings, and a necklace made from a material I’m unable to identify gleam weakly in the dim light. They look frail to break if I handle them too roughly.

The old man gives me a feeble smile and a shrug. “It’s what Raglin said to give you.” He pulls a chair and sits down on the other side of the table, then mutters: “Ungrateful younglings these days...”

Part of me doesn’t want to disappoint the old coot. “I guess I’ll keep them.” I don’t tell him that it’s only for a while, most likely until I find out if they’re worth any coin. If they are, then I could get something useful instead.

He nods. “Good. Good. If you’re up to it, I can send you on an errand also. I’ll make sure to give you a small reward when you complete it.”

I open my mouth to refuse the offer.

No, thank you. I’ve had more than enough.

Words don’t get the chance to come out, as the old man rushes to add, “It’ll help you get stronger in mind and body.”

Something he said or the way he said it makes me quirk my eyebrows. “What would I have to do?”

“Kill some creatures, nothing more.”

Of course. Why did I expect anything else?

“Fine. I’ll do it in the morning. I’m dead beat.”

He nods, then rummages through his pockets, only to come up with a small piece of papyrus. “Read the incantation on this to get you straight to the creatures. Otherwise, it’s a long road to get there.” He puts the scroll on the table.

“Thanks,” I say. “Is there anywhere I could crash for the night?” I don’t want to get my hopes up, but a bed would be nice. As weary as I am, I could sleep anywhere.

“It’s an inn. There are beds here. I’m sure Greta can show you to a room.”

I shake my head in refusal. “Though I’m overwhelmed by your generous offer, I have no means to pay you.”

I almost miss the shrug coming from the old man as if it doesn’t matter whether I pay or not. “Don’t worry. You’re not imposing. As I said, there are plenty of rooms.”

I make a mental note to repay him and Greta for their generosity any way I can. Throughout the day, I start believing that my current situation is my nightmare. What I used to dream every night pales in comparison with the harsh reality. Stranded in this God-forsaken village, almost naked and without any means to obtain food, water, and shelter, I’m on the verge of giving up. The generosity of these people makes everything bearable.

“Follow me,” Greta says in a melodious voice.

I pick up the scroll and the trinkets from the table.

I walk behind her as she shows me to my room. The only source of light in the dark halls comes from the two candles she’s holding. I wait near the door while she places a candle on the nightstand. She takes the other with her when she leaves. In the dim light, I can barely distinguish what’s in the room. The bed grabs my attention.

I ignore how sticky my skin feels and how dirty I am and lie on the bed. I hide under the heavy covers. Soon, warmth starts engulfing me. I hadn’t even realized until now that I was feeling cold.

I become warmer still, my eyelids are heavier, and I drift off to sleep. My last conscious thought is that I will wake up in my apartment in my bed.