1.14

You know how in books you come across the part where the main character is frozen in fear and your like pfffft that wouldn’t happen in real life. Well… Eric was really regretting his pffffting.

Before him was a cyclops. It was about twice his height. And thrice his width. Bare chested its muscles highlighted the inadequacies of the muscles he had admired less than 2 hours before. Its skin was a murky gold and no the gold skin wasn’t shiny. Then there was its face. Instead of 2 eyes, it had one on its forehead. Comparatively its eye took up three times the amount of facial space as his own. A bright violet color it drew the eye and seemed to signify power. The cyclops smiled at the sight of him and unlike the goblins the cyclops had normal shaped teeth that fit perfectly in its mouth. A nice clean white. That’s a good thing, right? In his hand his crappy iron sword wavered. Something within him simply knew that swinging his sword was a bad idea. The cyclops stepped casually towards him. Eric was still frozen to the spot. His eyes widened. He knew instantly that this creature could annihilate him. To fight meant death. Running would be stupid.

You know how in novels how the ogres and cyclopes tended to be strong but really slow. Allowing the main character to think up a clever plan to kill it. Well, this cyclops looked far too light on its feet.

Then suddenly it was before him.

 Stabbing the thing in the thigh seemed unwise. Expecting the cyclops’ hand to squash his head like a watermelon Eric closed his eyes and waited for his inevitable death. And waited… And waited… Then suddenly the cyclops spoke.

The first language it spoke in was entirely alien. Unlike the goblins tendancy towards grunts and growls the cyclops voice sounded incredibly deep but refined. Eric opened his eyes. His eyes latched onto the eye of the cyclops. Its eye flashed gold then once again the cyclops spoke.

“Salve potestis intelligere me?”

This time it sounded a lot closer to human. Eric didn’t pretend to speak any language other than English but at a guess it sounded latin. Noticing Eric’s reaction but lack of understanding the cyclops eye flashed a second time and it tried again. Then again. Then again. It spoke multiple languages. What sounded like French, German, some random Asian language and maybe Greek before it finally said:

“Hello, can you understand me?”

Eric started, “Yes, yes I can.”

“Would you like to join me for lunch?”

Eric’s eyes widened slightly, his fear filled mind coming to nasty conclusions. “Errr… umm, As long as I’m not on the menu.”

The cyclops simply laughed. A deep rumbling sounded which echoed throughout the apartment making it far more frightening than it would normally be. “Oh no you would taste terrible” With that said the cyclops casually walked deeper into the lounge before sitting on a sofa. Said sofa complained but managed to hold its occupant. Without anything better to do Eric followed a sat on an opposing sofa. Finally getting a chance to look around.

The room had been transformed into a weird combination of medieval and modern workshop. There were broken open fridges and televisions as if something had tried to work out how they worked. Contrasting the modern technology was a tanning rack which held what looked like the snake skin on the monster he had fought yesterday. The lengthy zebraesque snakeskin hung casually on the rack. The rest of the monster was nowhere to be seen. Then Eric saw the massive pot/cauldron hanging over the fire in the middle of the room. Internally raising his eyebrows. Well dinner was going to be interesting. A few minutes of silence passed. The cyclops had its eye closed and seemed to be thinking deep thoughts. Eric figured it was best to let it steer the direction of conversation. Keeping quiet he entertained himself by admiring his surroundings.

His musing was interrupted by the entrance of a giant… sheep. It was around as tall as he was and had a golden fleece. The fleece was obviously magical. It had a tendency to glow every few seconds. The sheep also gave off an aura of gentleness. It exuded harmlessness which was quite hard when Eric admired the sheer size of the animal. As if it was the most normal thing in the world said sheep walked over and plonked itself on the sofa next to him. Nodded a how do you do. Then began to drift off to sleep. Nothing would surprise me anymore.

Eric’s hand began to subconsciously stroke the sheeps woolen fleece. It was amazingly soft. He was stroking it for several moments before he began to feel pain. It started in his muscles then It burned straight through him. A cleansing fire. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Manly tears started to form at the corner of his eyes. Then it was over. And… he felt a lot better. He no longer felt as exhausted and weak as before. He was about to confirm his suspicions by bringing up the status page when the cyclops spoke. “You were hurt?” He never waited for Eric to answer. “The fleece has a few useful properties, the sheep… the sheep I tolerate.” The sheep in question snorted in answer. Seeing how conversation had finally started up Eric decided to keep it going.

“The healing was a welcome surprise and I thank you for it.” The cyclops nodded amiably in return. “No thanks are needed, in truth I would be a poor host not to offer healing to a guest that needed it. Thankfully” nodding towards the sheep, “he noticed what I did not.” Eric smiled. “Well I would be a poor guest not to offer my name. Your sudden appearance may have caused me to lose my manners. The name is Eric.” The cyclops smiled, “I have been mighty curious as to your name Eric but it would have been a poor host that asks for which is not offered. My name is” Then the cyclops proceeded to say something incredibly indiscernible. Obviously in an alien language. Noticing Eric’s worried facial expression. The cyclops reiterated. Pausing in thought before saying: “Rondal call me Rondal”. Eric grinned pleased to have something he could say. He hadn’t wanted to be rude by speaking the previous incomprehensible gibberish. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Rondal. Conversation has been quite scarce in recent days.” Eric had no idea where all this fancy talk was coming from. Whether driven by nerves or fear Eric was for some reason striving to replicate the Rondal’s mode of speaking. The cyclops nodded his head in agreement before standing and wandering over to the pot over the fire. “Truly, you are the first sentient I have seen since my arrival. The near-sentients are not particularly conversation worthy.” “Near sentients?”, Eric asked curious. He assumed the cyclops spoke of the goblins but wanted confirmation. “The bjørn goblins, Rondal confirmed. Eric smiled slightly, “Yes, they weren’t particularly interested in conversation.” Rondal nodded knowingly, “They are a violent bunch, not all near-sentients are, but most goblin variants tend to be aggressive and subversive.” Rondal then placed a bowl of soup/stew/broth on his lap. It came with a wooden mat, so the heat wouldn’t burn his legs/hands. Conversation stopped as lunch began.

The broth was surprisingly tasty. The meat which Eric hoped and assumed was snake was as long as you didn’t think too hard, was quite good. There was silence while Eric ate his meal. Rondal had extremely good table manners minus the table. Which if you realize that his hands were far too large for the cutlery or the bowl, was really impressive. The cyclops finished three bowls by the time Eric finished his first. With a satisfied sigh Rondal retrieved Erics utensils and placed them on the kitchen counter. Full and refreshed Eric was beginning to feel like he was overstaying his welcome but felt that Rondal would have information he could use. Furthermore, conversation was quite scarce elsewhere. Before Eric could open dialogue Rondal beat him to the punch.

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“So, I feel like we could help each other. From what I can tell we have both been thrust into a new scenario. I have been transported to a new world and you have been introduced to the system.” Eric smiled in confirmation. Pleased, Rondal continued. “I feel like between us we could help fill in the others gaps.” Eric smiled then answered the unasked question feeling that it was a unique opportunity. “How about we take turns asking a question, you go first.” Rondal nodded his assent. Then asked, “What can you tell me about the city outside, do you have a map I could look at to get my bearings?” Eric thought for a moment before answering, “The city is called Seattle, I really can’t tell you what condition or the dangers because I don’t know myself as for a map. I think I have one in my apartment you can have or at the very least look at.” He was fairly certain that he had a map which showed the city somewhere. Somebody in the apartment block must have one… Eric wasn’t sure what to ask. There were a few questions he could ask but he didn’t want to sound like an idiot. There was something he really wanted to know though. “Magic. How does it work and how do I learn it?” Rondal seemed to gather his thoughts before answering. “Magic works in different ways depending on what you use to fuel the magic. Mostly it uses an ambient source to fuel spells based on the imagination and the will of the caster. The more talented the caster the less fuel needed to cast a spell.” Well that was helpful… “How about learning magic?” Rondal continued, “I personally have never learned magic. The magic I know is natural part of my race.” Seeing Eric’s look of disappointment Rondal hurried to continue. “However, although I have never learnt magic myself I know that it is possible to learn magic. To learn magic you need to learn how to manipulate mana and from there pathways open up. This can be purchased at the ‘Universal System Store’.” Store? Eric gazed at the cyclops curious and eventually Rondal took the hint. “The System Store is hard to explain but it is pretty much a store which everyone can access and place items on auction or sell in a market. All the different planets in the ‘System’ can access the store.” Eric struggled to rein in his excitement and frustration. Each answer simply sparked more questions and he had a hard time keeping from asking them out of turn. Speaking out of turn would be rude. Being rude isn’t something you are to people 3 times your size. Suddenly Rondal grinned and leaned forward nearly off the sofa. It was a disconcertingly childish expression on his ginormous face. Eric swallowed and tried to remind himself that his host was large. And muscled. And large. Stay focused. Rondal’s single eye twinkled in his excitement. “How does the metal box work?”, he asked. “The what?”, Eric confusedly asked in reply. Bouncing up from the sofa. Startling Eric and making him lean away from the towering giant. Only the calming influence of the golden fleece and Rondal’s childlike expression kept him from quivering where he sat. The cyclops bounded over to one of two harvested refrigerators. The outer metallic layer was ripped open revealing the technology within. Rondal turned to face him and in realization of what he meant Eric answered his question. “Oh that, it chills food.” Rondal shook his head, “No, I know what it does. I want to know how it works.” Eric sat quietly for a moment. How does he tell the over muscled man that he didn’t study as an electrician? Ah. “Electricity”, he answered with a relieved smile. The cyclops opened his mouth to ask another question but catches himself, mouth agape. Obviously frustrated the hulking giant sat casually on the disemboweled fridge and waved his hand indicating Eric should ask his next question. Feeling bad that he didn’t fully answer Rondal’s question Eric almost continued his explanation. Catching himself he realized that there are only so many things Rondal doesn’t know so obviously, he needs to tease him with information so that the question game will continue. Inwardly nodding he decided on his next question. “How do you access the store?”. Rondal looked at Eric in surprise but then suddenly his face altered as he came to a realization. “Right your only level 9, once you turn level 10 the system automatically informs you the closest location of the store. You simply think about the store and you know the direction.” He waved his hands casually towards one side of the room. “Its in that direction, not far.” With an eager expression once more Rondal asked the obvious question, “what is electricity?” Eric sighed inwardly, he had hated science in school and he was fairly certain Rondal would keep digging until Eric had parted with his dismal knowledge. Acknowledging Rondal’s curious nature Eric realized that there was a less painful way for him to part with his knowledge. Smiling at his own cleverness, knowing that he wouldn’t have to explain energy and charged particles to an alien. “It is quite difficult to explain but I happen to have a textbook which should explain many of your questions.” Hehe finally found a way to get rid of his high school Physics textbook. Rondal nodded eagerly in answer. Eric pondered on his next question, there really wasn’t much more he needed to know right this second. He also wanted to take advantage of his newly healed body to investigate the first floor. If he could reach level 10 all the better. Hmmm one last question, “How does the currency work for the universal store?” Rondal replied quickly, “100 copper equals 1 silver, 100 silver equals 1 gold, 100 gold equals platinum. Generally, goods at the auction costs silver while expensive stuff costs gold. Rarely is anything sold for platinum although it may be handy to know it exists.” Walking back over and sitting on the sofa once more Rondal leaned back and thought for a moment before speaking. “That’s all that comes to mind at the moment of course I will have questions in the future but at the moment I would be satisfied with the map and textbook.

Thankful, Eric was glad the question game was over. Although there was obviously tons of information he needed to know its not likely that he needed it right this second or that Rondal would have the information. He needed to focus on his current situation. As such it would be good if he could get out and start exploring the first level. At Eric’s pensive expression and sudden shift in body language. Rondal smiled knowlingly. “You want to get out and gain some experience don’t you. Seeing how low leveled you are its not surprising.” Surprised Eric didn’t really know what to say. He didn’t really want to confess to being a bloodthirsty monster. He settled for playing the low-level card. “Its hard, I’ve only had these status messages for a little while and I’ve faced danger after danger. I know that to continue to survive I must become stronger.” Rondal nodded sadly, “Indeed it is cruel world out there. Even I am not safe in this new environment. You get out and fight but first…” The cyclops suddenly reached over and plucked Eric’s sword up from beside the sofa. Feeling its edge, the cyclops nodded its head. “You’re sword is shit.” Murmuring Rondal continued, “such poor craftsmanship, looted from the goblins I assume.” Eric nodded affirmation. Then he watched in awe as Rondal worked magic.

Starting at the handle of the sword, the cyclops’ hands began to glow and he began stroking the sword. With each stroke along the blade, excess molten iron began to fall off. Using only his hands he began to shape the iron into a true sword shape. Once finished there was a small puddle of iron burning into the floor. The sword itself looked far better than it did prior. Although, it wasn’t in his hand Eric assumed that the annoying weight on the sword would be gone. The new shape looked a little more elegant. Not fantastic but a noticeable difference was there. Finished Eric and Rondal both examined the sword. Rondal nodded his head as he returned it to Eric. “Still crap but better than before. Not much I can do without tools and such crude ore.”

Feeling that the conversation was reaching his conclusion Eric rose from the sofa. Given the golden fleece one last stroke. He began to walk escorted by Rondal towards the door. “Eric I hope you come visit again soon. Even if only for the conversation. I would also appreciate if you can inform me about any monsters you slay.” Waving his hands at the snake skin Rondal continued. “Once I am properly equipped I will be more than happy to reimburse you with weapons or armor. Actually while I’m on the topic… wait nevermind. Come back when you’re level 10 would you. I have a task I need help with.” Eric smiled up at the cyclops. “I will definitely be visiting again soon. You probably know a lot about the universe that I don’t. I could probably help with information on the city and world. For now, goodbye. I’ll pop round with the map and book tomorrow morning. I’ll bring breakfast.”  Smiling slightly in amusement and relief Eric left the cyclops behind. Experience here he comes.