Jim's PoV

The other night's encounter with the intruder troubled Jim. He was obviously not there looking for stuff to steal. It smacked of corporate espionage. Looking sadly at his home he figured it was time to go back to a hotel. It sucked. He just got back home!

He was really intrigued about the power of the punch he just threw. Jim was more than sure drinking those Greater Sources in the other world had some effect on his body, but what he just displayed was an order of magnitude greater than what he expected.

If he had thrown one of those punches at the robbers at the pawn shop, he doubted they would still be alive. But what was different? Was it because one eye was still 'looking' in the other world? It was something that he would need to look into, this had potential. Making a mental note to check it out later, he began gathering the essentials.

Jim packed the usual stuff along with his computer things. Thinking for a second he tried to recall if there was anything in his house that had information on what he could do. He didn't think so. Shrugging he went off to his car. Not too much time later he was sitting in yet another hotel.

Before he left to the other world he sent Charlotte a brief text saying "Someone broke into my house. Probably looking for information on where the potions come from. I don't think I like this Mr. Montgomery fellow."

After that he had a moment of brilliance. He dragged his phone over to his in game inventory and smiled when he saw "Jim's Phone x 1."

He was totally going to get some selfies. Maybe just some in game shots too? He was ready to have his adventure. Should be fun! Looking at his computer he shrugged and tossed that in his inventory as well. Sitting down he logged into the game world.

Davis' PoV

Davis was looking at his sister skeptically when she showed up with Maria. As soon as Forrest got him word that Jim arrived, he had started gathering everyone up,

Arching an eyebrow he asked "What's going on Gwen?"

Gwen said quietly "We are coming."

The wolf named Fluffy had just arrived with Forrest when Maria bolted away and started playing with the large pup. Davis looked back at Gwen and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

Gwen said apologetically "Maria wanted to come."

In a lower voice she said "I think she was planning to run away. Maria was heartbroken when she first heard Jim was leaving. The wolves you know."

Davis said "And then she asked to go and you said ok? Really?"

Affronted, she said "Of course not! I said no. But.. but then I peeked in on her a bit later and saw her packing a bag."

Flatly Davis said "It's going to be dangerous Gwen."

She nodded and said "Davis, the only way I was going to stop her was if I tied her up. I just... I can't do it."

Davis sighed and said "Those dogs should keep her safe, just stick next to her. Have you been practicing at all these past years?"

Gwen rolled her eyes and then a flame appeared on her palm. She said crossly "I used this everyday. Although my practice more runs along the lines of keeping the same temperature. It works wonders for cooking!"

Davis laughed and said "Really? All this time you used your fire magic for cooking?"

With a devious smile Gwen said "Why do you think my food always tastes better?"

Davis wasn't too sure about this development, but at least they would be eating good on the road. He felt like overall this was a terrible idea. But if Gwen wasn't going to stop Maria from running away, then it seemed like the practical choice. Having a fire mage and a healer on the road would be nice.

Then his mind drifted to something else. If it looked like King's End was doomed, he could try to hide the pair somewhere that would be safer. Davis would just need to make sure that his family was hidden before he negotiated with a representative from Jacksberg.

Not much long after everyone was gathered, the party of Jim, Davis, Forrest, Gwen, Maria, Scarlet, Princess, Fluffy and the two prisoners started making their way out of town.

***

Scarlet's PoV

God she hated wearing these dorky hoods. But Forrest insisted until she got out of town. The ugly brown robe and cowl made her look like a monk. She hated monks with their ever so judgemental eyes.

Scarlet looked back and noticed they could not see the town anymore and she took off the dingy brown robe. Glancing down at her formerly beautiful dress that was blackened and falling apart, she wondered how much DKP she earned. Then she started to run to Jim and said with a big smile "I did the job! You were not disturbed! What do I get?"

The group paused and she looked at Jim with her best doe eyes. In the corner of her eye she noticed that the prisoner pair had ducked behind some foliage and looked to be in conversation. She would need to keep an eye on them. Jim looked at her in thought and then started waving his hand around and then started pointing to people. He seemed a bit confused.

Jim asked the group "Wonder how this works. Looks like I need your permission to get you into the party?"

There was a pause and a bit more hand waving. Then Jim said "Can you all say 'accept invite?'" Slowly everyone started to say the phrase except for the two prisoners who were out of earshot, but still visible. Jim threw up his hands in celebration and said "Yes! It worked! You are all on my party screen now!"

That was probably good for her. What new toys would she get?

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Then Jim said "For you, let's get some more defensive stuff. Sorry but once I trust you a little more, maybe I'll give you some offensive gear. First, everyone is going to get these travel boots. They make you walk faster."

Scarlet was shocked how the new boots just appeared on her feet. Her old half charred shoes had just disappeared and were replaced by these new ones. All because she had said some words to give him permission? The magic was truly marvelous. Not only that but she felt lighter. Was this because of the walking enchantment?

Jim continued saying, "Then for you Scarlet I'll give you this leather set that has solid defense and a massive dodge bonus. Also do you really want another Reflect dagger? I have another dagger that deals similar damage but is enchanted with Parry. Would you like that one instead?"

Thinking about it for a second she said "Having two Reflect daggers is probably overkill. I'll take the Parry one!"

Jim started waving his hands around and then for some reason she felt a lot cooler all of the sudden. She looked down again and her old charred clothes were gone. In its place was crimson leather, a bit darker red than her namesake.

It fit and she loved it! Scarlet tried to contain her excitement at having an entire set of enchanted gear, but she failed. Almost hopping foot to foot she visibly grinned as she moved around in her new set of armor.

Glancing over to Forrest, she could see he liked it too. The armor fit very snug to her body. He seemed mesmerized by her chest. She crouched down to where his eyes were looking at and their gazes met. Then he went red as a tomato. She giggled.

As Scarlet was feeling how the leather bent and moved, Jim continued to hand out gear. Davis got some heavy plate armor, a short sword and a shield. Of course all of it was enchanted. The plate armor was enchanted to make it lighter, the sword with an increased parry chance like her new dagger, and the shield with an increased to block chance.

Forrest got a set of green leather armor with camouflage bonuses with an enchanted bow with a bonus to accuracy. He was also given a quiver. Jim said he suspected the quiver might automatically refill with arrows, but that he wasn't sure.

Scarlet had red armor, Forrest had green armor, and Davis' shield had an embellished D on the front of it. Was this some sort of humor? Did he really have so much enchanted gear that he could play word games with how he equipped them?

She was still on a bit of a high at being armed so well. If this gear was trash that he would just give away for free, what was the good stuff like? If she could get this man to ally with her and her city-state, his wealth alone might secure their victory among the three city-states.

Jim then looked at Maria and Gwen and asked "What do you two want? I can just give you something defensive if you're not planning on fighting."

Maria immediately asked "Do you have anything that would help a healer?"

Jim blinked and said "Sure! Just one second. These will increase your mana pool and increase your healing."

After some more hand waving Maria was wearing a cute white robe and had an intricately carved white staff.

Then Jim said "That is so Kawaii! I need a picture!"

Jim pulled out some kind of flat black rock and said "Here! Pose like this and smile!"

Curious Scarlet walked up behind Jim and was surprised to see that the rock had a window that was showing what was in front of it. Was this a scrying pool? Don't those need water to work? What kind of magic was this?

As Scarlet was inspecting the object, she watched as Jim coached Maria into holding two fingers into a 'V' shape while smiling and winking. Then the black rock made a weird noise and it flashed a light briefly on the girl. A few seconds later he said "That was great, thanks!"

Then she watched Jim manipulate the picture and was fascinated. Scarlet had seen paintings before but this was nothing like that. Not only did it seem like a perfect recreation but he could make the picture bigger or smaller. Scarlet marveled at the display of magic. This kind of sorcery would be so helpful when making reports.

Finally Jim turned to Gwen and asked "What can I get for you?"

Shyly Gwen said "I have a fire spell. Do you have anything that can help?"

Jim shouted "Yes! My party rocks! I got a tank, healer, hunter, mage and assassin! Awesome party composition!"

Doing hand motions in the air she heard Jim mutter under his breath "More damage or attacks an additional target?"

Talking in a normal voice he said "Oh wow the text changed. This will give you additional mana and it says it will increase the area of your magic attacks."

The Gwen woman didn't seem to know what to say to that. But a few hand waves later she was sporting a menacing black staff and a flowing black dress. She even had a pointed black cap.

Scarlet was still close to Jim and she heard him mumble "Mahou Shoujo..."

Jim started using the magical rock again. Scarlet was annoyed! Why didn't he use the magical rock on her! Plus there was no mirror around, she wanted to see how she looked too!

Scarlet went up to Gwen and pulled her into a hug while smiling towards the magical rock.

Gwen tensed up but Scarlet paid her no mind. Then Jim dreamily said "This is perfect! I know just the site to post this! It's going to get so many views!"

Scarlet had no idea what that was, but looking over at Forrest she saw him now peeking behind Jim. As he realized what was happening a look of jealousy appeared on his face. Good, good. Always had to keep them chasing.

A couple seconds later Gwen started struggling from her grip and said "What? What are you doing?"

After Jim was done using the spell she ran around to take a look at the little scrying pool. Damn, she was looking good! After she was satisfied, Jim walked up and showed Gwen the power of the black rock. Gwen murmured "Wow... how is that possible?"

Jim cheerily said "Magic!"

Scarlet rolled her eyes. Obviously that was what it was.

Then Jim said "Oh right, I almost forgot something. Let me hand out some potions just in case."

Braced this time, Scarlet controlled her astonishment as Jim started handing out Full Healing and Full Mana Potions. Forrest and Davis got three healing ones, Gwen and Maria got three mana ones, and finally Jim came to her. He pulled out 3 Full Healing Potions but she quickly said "Can I have the mana ones instead? I have a damage buffing skill that costs a lot of mana."

Shrugging, Jim handed her 3 Full Mana Potions instead. Full Healing Potions were rare, but saying Full Mana Potions were super rare was an understatement. The last known use of one was over 10 years ago.

Needless to say their value was well over 15 times what a Full Healing Potion would cost. It seemed every time Jim waved his hand a priceless artifact fell out. And the thing was these country bumpkins had no idea of the value of what they had been given.

For example if she remembered her lectures correctly the main ingredient for the Full Mana Potion was from the mighty desert Wyrm. There were records in the past of sending hundreds of soldiers to try to bring one of them down.

With the current tension between the three city-states, no one would dare send out such a large expedition. At a glance it would be hard to know how valuable their new equipment was. However one look from anyone with some affluence and they would know after seeing that deep blue glow from a Full Mana Potion at what a valuable treasure they had just seen. And the bumpkins had no idea.

She knew he claimed to be from another world, but she tried to come up with a logical explanation for his actions. Scarlet knew that with the infestation of that creature in the caves near King's End, that it had effectively cut them off from a large part of humanity. Jim had been the last person in 100 years to be able to cross to this section of humanity, or at least that's what the gossip said.

Then a scary thought crossed her mind. If the rest of the world could see them, would they consider them bumpkins like she considered the people of King's End? Was she just a big fish in a small pond? She would have to mull over it later.

As she was lost in thought Jim walked up to the former prisoners and said "Here, take these boots so you can keep up."

After passing out the last of the loot Jim pronounced "Lets go! The adventure starts now!"