Carn slowly regained consciousness, and found himself in a hospital bed. His eyes gradually adjusted to the bright light as he watched a young nurse, with a gentle smile, replacing his IV bag. She had brown skin, smooth silver hair, and warm eyes. Through her hair, you could see the pointy tips of her ears.

"Hello Carn, how are you feeling?" she asked.

"A little sore, still. I'm sorry, I don't think I ever caught your name," Carn replied, with a slight wince.

"My name is Alicia Williams and I have been assigned as your personal nurse. Although I may be young, I promise I am very competent so please let me know if you need anything," Alicia said, with pride doing the pose from the ‘We Can Do It!’ poster.

Carn chuckled, "Wow a personal nurse Mr. Cho sure is generous, I have no doubt about your abilities. So, Ms. Williams, what time is it?"

Alicia glanced at the clock above Carn's bed, "It's 7 p.m. And, please, call me Alicia.'"

"Thank you for taking care of me, Alicia. I really appreciate it," Carn said, smiling warmly at her.

Alicia's cheeks reddened slightly, "I'm just doing my job, Carn. Making sure you feel better is what I'm here for."

It seems a question came to Alicia’s mind, “What caused you to be sent to the hospital, your injuries seemed very bad?”

Carn proceeded to recount the incident that occurred at the store, where the gate had broken. Alicia appeared shocked by the story.

“Wow it is crazy that you survived that,” her voice trailed off and she glanced at the clock, “Ah I gotta get going please let me know if you need anything and I’ll be here as soon as I can!” She scurried off clearly late for something.

Carn looked at the clock and saw that it was now 9:30 pm, the two had talked for quite a while and he realized it was almost time to re-enter God’s Paradise.

After falling asleep he awoke in front of the ruined house where he had fought with the goblins. In front of him, a screen was displayed that read:

- Finish the tutorial? -

-Yes- -No-

After selecting "yes," a bright flash enveloped Carn, transporting him to a new location. As his eyes adjusted, he saw rows of pews and an altar with a symbol resembling Saturn hanging behind it. The church appeared bustling with people praying and moving about.

A man, who seemed to be a priest, approached Carn. He wore green robes and a friendly expression. "Greetings, Mr. Otherworlder. Welcome to Sienna Village. May I please ask you to follow me for verification?"

The priest escorted Carn towards a back room, but before they could reach it, a robotic voice echoed in his mind. “Carn Roswal has placed in the top 100 in the tutorial rankings. The leaderboard will be updated." Carn assumed he was the only one who could hear the voice, but he noticed several people in the church stop and turn towards him.

"That must be him. The timing is spot on," a man in gleaming white armor whispered to those around him. Hushed conversations started spreading throughout the church, but before anyone could approach Carn, the priest ushered him into a back room.

Ignoring the previous whispers, the priest proceeded to ask Carn a question. "May I know your name, Mr. Otherworlder?"

"Carn Roswal," he replied.

The priest jotted down the information in a notebook. "And your class?"

"I'm a Ranger."

"Your age?"

"Nineteen," Carn responded.

"Excellent. That completes the verification process. You have been registered as an Otherworlder with a Sienna Village summoning point," the priest announced. He pointed at Carn and a small beam of light shot towards him, hitting his chest. "With this spell, you'll be able to use facilities in other Creationist churches as well."

"Thank you, sir," Carn said, bowing his head in gratitude.

"There are a few things you should be aware of," the priest began. "On the outskirts of town, there is a Ranger headquarters where you can receive some training. Also, if you say the word 'Menu' aloud, you can learn more about yourself. And when the time comes to enhance your strength, please visit any Creationist church, and we will assist you with the process."

"Thank you for your guidance," Carn said, feeling more prepared for the journey ahead.

As the priest opened the door, Carn stepped out of the room. A group of players had gathered around, but they refrained from crowding the door due to the presence of two massive knights in emerald armor with silver lining.

"Why is everyone gathered here? Is it unusual for a new player to arrive in this town?" Carn asked, scratching his head in confusion.

One of the knights, the one covered in white armor from head to toe from earlier, spoke up with a british accent. "Not at all. It's quite common, although you're older than most. We just wanted to know if you're Carn Roswal, the player that was mentioned in the world announcement."

"That's me, but really, I'm no one special. I just got lucky," Carn replied, laughing awkwardly.

"Son, to be honest, it's impossible to make it into the top 100 based solely on luck," the armored man said, with the other players nodding their heads in agreement. "I mean, everyone above the age of 15 plays this game, so getting into the top 100 is crazy."

"Is that so?" Carn said, still unsure of what to say.

"Everyone wants to know what time you got and what place you ranked," the knight said.

Carn hesitated, feeling a little overwhelmed by all the attention he was receiving.

"If you tell us, I, Shaun Bradley of the Pillars of the Sun guild, will help you get started," the white knight promised, placing his hand over his chest.

"Alright, I guess it doesn't hurt to tell you. I think my time was 19 minutes and 37 seconds, and I placed 3rd," Carn revealed.

Upon hearing Carn's impressive time and ranking, the group of players around him began murmuring excitedly among themselves. Shaun Bradley looked particularly impressed.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Third place? That's no small feat," he said, grinning. "You've got some real talent, kid."

Carn felt a warm glow of pride fill his chest at the compliment, but he quickly pushed it aside.

"Thanks, but I still have a lot to learn," he said humbly.

"Well, you've come to the right place," Shaun replied. "Sienna Village is full of experienced players who are more than willing to share their knowledge with newbies like you. And as a member of Pillars of the Sun, I'd be happy to show you the ropes."

Carn felt a surge of excitement at the offer. He had heard of Pillars of the Sun before - they were one of the most respected guilds in the game, known for their skilled players and impressive feats. To be offered help from one of their players was a great benefit.

"I would love that," he said eagerly.

“Although I can’t give you any gear without the branch leaders permission I am more than willing to answer some questions and take you to your class house,” Shaun said, clapping Carn on the back, "You're going to be a force to be reckoned with, I can already tell."

Carn smiled, feeling a newfound sense of purpose. Though he had no specific goal in mind when he started playing the game, the attention he was receiving was pushing him to strive for more. He was determined to face any challenges the game had to offer in order to keep that attention and rise even higher in the rankings.

Shaun Bradley noticed the look of determination on Carn's face and grinned, "I like that spirit, Carn. If you want to climb higher in the rankings and become one of the top players, you'll need more than just luck."

"I'm willing to put in the work," Carn replied confidently.

"Good. The Pillars of the Sun guild can help you with that," Shaun said, placing a hand on Carn's shoulder. "We're always looking for strong players to join our ranks. With our training and resources, you could become one of the best."

Carn considered the offer. Joining a guild would mean more competition, but also more support and resources. It was a tempting prospect.

"I'll think about it," Carn said finally.

"Fair enough," Shaun said. "In the meantime, if you ever need any help or advice, feel free to reach out to me or any of the other members of the guild. We're here to support each other."

Carn followed Shaun out of the church, marveling at the diverse population of the city. Humans, humanoids, and monsters all coexisted in harmony, going about their daily lives. The aroma of fresh bread filled the air and Carn's stomach growled in response. Merchants lined the streets, peddling their wares to passersby.

Shaun turned to Carn, "We'll head to the Ranger headquarters first. It's on the outskirts of town, so we'll have to take a carriage."

Carn nodded, "Lead the way. Wait, how did you know I was a ranger?”

“The bow and dagger you have are typical gear for beginning rangers. A veteran like me should know these things," he said laughing.

As they walked through the bustling streets, Shaun pointed out various shops and landmarks. Carn couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder at the vibrant world around him.

As they walked through the crowded streets, Shaun continued to tell Carn more about the game.

"Sienna Village is just one of many settlements in this game. The world is huge and there are all kinds of quests and challenges to take on. And of course, there are other players to compete with and form alliances with."

Carn listened intently, taking in all the information as they weaved through the throngs of people. It was overwhelming, but he was excited for the adventure ahead.

As they approached the outskirts of the city, Shaun pointed towards a large building. "That's the Ranger headquarters. They'll give you some basic training and equipment to get you started."

Carn nodded, taking note of the building's location. He could see other players milling about, some practicing their archery and others sharpening swords.

"Thanks for showing me around, Shaun. I really appreciate it," Carn said, feeling grateful for the knight's help.

Shaun clapped him on the back, “No problem friend. We all start somewhere. If you're interested in joining the guild, feel free to get in touch with me after training. I'm confident that the branch guild leader would be pleased to have you."

Carn flashed a grin and replied, "I might just take you up on that offer."

The knight in the helmet extended his hand, and Carn reciprocated with a firm shake before going their separate ways.

The Ranger headquarters was located just outside of the village, nestled within a dense forest. The building itself is a tall wooden structure with a sloping roof made of thatched leaves. The entrance was flanked by two massive wooden doors carved with intricate designs of trees and animals. Surrounding the building are training grounds, where rangers can be seen practicing with bows, shortswords, daggers, and magic. The air was filled with the sounds of nature, with birds chirping and leaves rustling in the wind. The headquarters blended seamlessly with the natural surroundings, giving the impression that it is a part of the forest itself.

As Carn entered the Ranger headquarters, he found himself in a spacious hall filled with various training equipment, weapons, and armors. The walls were adorned with maps of different regions and creatures of the game. There were several other players scattered around the hall, some practicing their skills, while others were discussing strategies and techniques.

To his left, there was a large bulletin board with notices and requests for missions and quests. A few players were gathered around it, reading through the postings and discussing their plans. On the right side, there was a counter where a couple of Ranger officials were attending to the needs of the players, answering their queries and offering advice.

Towards the end of the hall, there was a door leading to a training arena. The sound of clanging metal and battle cries could be heard from behind it. A few players were peeking through the window on the door, watching the ongoing training sessions with keen interest.

As Carn took in the sights and sounds of the Ranger headquarters, he could feel his excitement building up, knowing that he had a lot to learn and explore in this new world.

Behind a wooden desk sat a elf who appeared to be in his forties, his long pointed ears and scarred arms lending him an imposing air. He gestured for Carn to approach.

"Welcome to the Ranger headquarters, newcomer. I am Captain Rourke. How may I assist you?" he spoke in a deep voice.

Carn gave a slight bow and responded, "Pleased to meet you, Captain. I was told to come here for ranger training."

"You've come to the right place," the Captain replied, then continued with a practiced tone, "Would you prefer expedited, standard, or full training?"

Carn inquired about the differences between the options.

"Expedited training lasts three days and covers the basics of being a ranger. Normal training lasts five days and includes guidance on specialization. Full training lasts a week and will help you improve yourself as a ranger," the Captain explained.

After considering his options, Carn decided on full training as he had no pressing obligations. "I'll go for the full training," he declared.

"Excellent choice. We have a teacher on standby. Can you begin right away?" the Captain asked with evident approval.

Carn replied with enthusiasm, "Right now works for me."

Captain Rourke picked up a walkie-talkie and spoke into it, “Can you send in the ranger teacher for a full training session with our newcomer?”

Within minutes, a tall and lean woman entered the room, clad in forest green ranger gear. Her eyes sparkled with an intensity that made Carn feel a little uneasy, but he knew he was in good hands.

“Hello there,” she said with a warm smile. “I’m Ranger Kiera, and I’ll be your teacher for the next week.”

“Nice to meet you,” Carn said, returning the smile.

“Let’s get started then,” Ranger Kiera said as she led Carn to a training room.

In the vast training arena, there were several obstructions scattered around the place. Some logs had to be jumped over, some ropes had to be climbed, and a few targets had to be hit with a bow and arrow. Moreover, swinging logs and pressurized water were near the obstructions. Ranger Kiera expounded on every exercise, then demonstrated it for Carn to follow. Kiera was extremely skillful at dodging, making it appear easy, which gave Carn a false sense of security.

The training proved to be much more difficult than Carn had expected. He struggled to hit the targets and was repeatedly hit by the swinging logs, causing him to get drenched. Kiera was a great help, guiding him when he stumbled and offering advice on how to improve.

After several failed attempts, Carn finally managed to complete the obstacle course without getting knocked over or soaked, hitting all the targets along the way. A pleasant ding echoed in his ear as he approached Kiera.