“Alright, RNJesus, here’s to hoping you haven’t forsaken me,” Owen said as he opened his MRE. Spilling the contents onto the table, he scanned it, hoping for his favorite. “Dammit, no luck this time.” Owen huffed in disappointment. “Oh well, at least I got these,” he said, waving a small plastic bag around. “Give it to the military to include matches with your food.” Walking over to the fireplace, Owen struck a match and placed it into the tinder. After blowing on it to coax the flame, the kindling caught, meaning the fire was alive and well now. Sitting back at the table, Owen decided to take stock. Just because it was his favorite meal doesn’t mean he shouldn’t double-check everything.
“SHIT!” Owen exclaimed while shooting up and slamming his hands onto the table. “I don’t have any fucking water!” As he began to pace and calm himself, Owen muttered, “Wait, people lived here, which means water should be nearby. Fucking think, Owen. Stupid. Stupid.” he muttered while smacking his forehead with his palm. “You saw the well when you searched the town. So shouldn’t that mean they have water bladders or whatever they’re called?” Owen began to look around the small house until he spotted a circular object hanging against the wall behind where he was seated. Sloshing it around, there was definitely liquid inside it.
“Huh, well, that’s something,” he said while further inspecting the object
Traveler’s Canteen: A rough oval-shaped metal container with a weak purification enchantment for water.
“Well fuck there’s enchantments…I wonder how that works. Does this just heat the water up? No, no, it says purification. So maybe some kinda cleanse, it has to be since it specifies water.” Owen mused as he took the canteen to the well. Heaving up a bucket, he peered into the bucket. “Damn getting kinda hard to see now that it’s later, but the water looks alright. Let’s just trust the magic, I guess.” Owen resolved as he placed the canteen into the bucket to fill it. Heading back to the home he’s borrowing, Owen sipped the water. Yup, it just tastes like water. Good job, magic. Arriving back, Owen fed the fire a few more planks he found before sitting back at the table.
“Alright, dumb part over, now to the good stuff. One Chili mac packaged meal, a poppy seed pound cake, and the best, jalapeno cheese spread. Also got some crackers, beef sticks, ugh, red twisty abominations. No matter how much hot sauce you give me Uncle Sam, nothing can make those taste good.” As Owen fussed, he poured some water into his heater and placed his meal in it. Leaning it up against the canteen definitely counted as a rock or something. While he was waiting, Owen munched on his pound cake.
“So much bullshit. So I died, did a favor for a cutie, showed up in some fucked up world, and now I’m sitting in some house belonging to someone I most likely just buried. Man, my luck must suck. Well, it showed up as a 1, so…fuck me, man. It is what it is.” He spoke under his breath. Finishing his meal, he gathered his trash and fed it to the fire. Storing the rest, he summoned his Inventory and noticed it was listed as Leftovers.
Status INVENTORY Armory Other Local Currency: 84 Copper Ration Ration Leftovers Letter from ???? Letter for "That Human" Letter from Kebechet Chisel Set
Willing his cheese spread, it appeared in his hand, but nothing changed on his screen. Willing all of the leftovers had them all appearing in his hand. “Now they’re gone, but why just leftovers?” he questioned as he stored them away. “I guess as long as I know what I want, it’s not an issue. Maybe this world just doesn’t know what to call them.” Owen shrugged as a thought occurred to him. “Wait, if their system is bad. Then they probably don’t have an Inventory. I’ll need to keep supplies and stuff on me so it doesn’t look like I’m just pulling things from thin air. Fuck it, I already took their canteen, might as well. Hey, if your still here, this is just to cover your burial and revenge.” Owen spoke out loud as he opened the small chest at the foot of the bed. Inside, he found a small burlap sack, some copper coins, and a small dagger.
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Iron Dagger: A simple iron dagger used for a variety of things
“Yeah, that will do just fine.” Storing the dagger, Owen scooped up the coins and placed them into the sack along with the mana stones. Exhausted from the long day, Owen tossed the remaining scraps of wood onto the fire and collapsed onto the bed. “Long ass day,” he spoke into the course covers, his eyes darting to the door before sweeping over the room before closing.
Crack! Owen’s eyes shot open, but he wasn’t in the room he fell asleep in. In a daze, he looked around; this place, these people, it felt so similar.
“McNeal, get your head out of your ass and do your job.” A strange shadowy figure yelled, “Where’s the covering fire, Neal.” Upon hearing a loud THUMP, Owen threw himself to the floor as something exploded a dozen yards away. “McNeal!” the voice screamed. Snapping to his senses, Owen looked around as he got into a kneeling position. The weird shadow people were nearby and wearing desert camo. He took in the dilapidated buildings surrounding them, with enormous mountains encompassing the background. He was holding his M4, and pulling the bolt showed it was condition 1. Owen looked over his cover and saw other shadowy figures yelling and pointing in his direction. Shouldering his weapon, Owen opened fire on the figure that seemed to be pointing. Three rounds later, he switched targets to the other visible enemy. Once both were down, his eyes scanned all the nearby windows and entryways. Seeing no movement, Owen lowered his weapon.
“Lance Corporal McNeal, what in the fuck is wrong with you.” as Owen turned to look at the voice, everything felt sideways as shadows exploded, blanketing everything.
“Lead vic is down.” a strange static voice rang out in the darkness. Owen opened his mouth to respond, but no sound came out. “Dammit, rear vic is down, it’s an ambush. Get out of the kill zone, NOW!” A voice rang out as an explosion rocked Owen. With the fire from it, the darkness receded, and he could take in what was happening. Sitting in the back of an MRAP, he knew what this was. This was the ambush that took so much from him.
“Third squad on me!” Owen yelled as he dropped the back door. He wasn’t in control anymore, Owen realized as the panic set in. Owen was a passenger in his own body as it moved automatically. Checking with his weapon as he exited the vehicle, Owen cleared the immediate area. “Take this building and push through; we’re heading for recovery point Bravo.” Issuing the order while he covered the opposite side of the street. With a smack on his shoulder, he started to move backward, but when he turned, another explosion rang out.
With a jolt, Owen’s eyes snapped open, and he shot up in the bed. Covered in sweat, Owen took ragged, deep breaths.
Skill gained: Basic Fear Resistance Skill evolved: Basic Fear Resistance >>> Fear Resistance Skill gained: Eagle Eye Skill increase: Eagle Eye Skill gained: Unyielding
“Another nightmare…” Owen trailed off, “Makes sense. Just cause I’m in a new place doesn’t mean I’ll get off that easy.” Getting off the bed, Owen made sure he had everything. Donning his armor and strapping the sword back on, Owen threw his new sack over his shoulder and got a beef stick from his Inventory. “Fuck it, next frog-fuck I see is gonna make a good punching bag. Who would have thought killing monsters was such a good outlet.” Owen opened the door and stepped out into the street. Seeing another familiar yet grim place, Owen clenched his teeth in frustration. “I have to be better.” He muttered, for no one other than himself. “I WILL be better,” Owen said as he glanced onto the horizon, taking in the strange suns rising into the sky. “I got another chance. Your not dead until you’re forgotten. I’ll make this world know who we are.” He said solemnly as he walked out of the town and unto something greater.