Roh stepped closer to examine the unseen figure. Beneath a mound of coverings, an individual of human likeness lay in deep slumber, his complexion as pale as winter's first snow. His lips, a haunting shade of blue, contrasted sharply against his ashen skin. Underneath the cascading layers of blankets, drawn up to his chin, his short and stout silhouette was barely noticeable. His face was twisted into an expression of anguish, silently testifying to the unbearable pain he must be enduring. Beads of perspiration trickled down his skin, revealing his body's futile fight against an invisible enemy. The rhythm of his breath was labored and shallow, each gasp for air sounding like a whisper of desperation. It was undeniable - he was ensnared in the cruel grip of extreme discomfort.

The appalling sight and the overpowering stench left Roh reeling. He took a step back, his eyes blinking rapidly in shock. The muscles in his neck tightened, and his legs grew weak beneath him.

What on earth?

Catching sight of Roh’s concern and discomfort, the hermit dwarf piped up, “As I was just about to say, it just so happens I’m in need for someone to go fetch me a Wyvern Core as that seems to be the only thing that will rid this infernal Frigid Blight.” The recluse looked Roh directly in the eyes and as if reading his mind responded, “And don’t worry it’s not contagious to your Dragon-blood species.”

Letting out a huge breath as his muscles began to relax, Roh pulled up a stool and sat beside the hermit. “What is the Frigid Blight?”

"The root of our village's distrust for outsiders, it all comes back to this," the dwarf began, his tone heavy with the weight of a story too often retold. "This player right here," he gestured toward the ailing man, "he was a lot like ye - brimming with potential, but doubting his own worth. His quest, ye see, was to slay the Glacial Gorgon - a mythical beast notorious for spreading the Frigid Blight."

The dwarf let out a sigh, his eyes downcast. "But when he confronted the beast, he froze. Not from the beast's icy curse, mind ye, but out of sheer fear. The Gorgon, seeing its chance, struck him with the Frigid Blight."

The dwarf's gaze turned back to the unconscious human. "Ever since that day, I've been his keeper, trying my best to make him comfortable."

He then shifted his gaze back to Roh, a serious expression on his face. "Here's the kicker about this game - it's been designed with brutal realism in mind. Each player gets just one life, one character. And because of this permanent debuff," he gestured toward the human again, "he's unable to play. The game is tethered to your crypto wallet, all regulated with KYC - Know Your Customer laws. So, once a character is created, it's permanent. There's no do-over. That's his fate now."

The dwarf sighed heavily, running a calloused hand through his thick beard. "It's a harsh reality, ain't it? The developers were so hell-bent on creating a world as close to real as possible, they forgot that games are supposed to be fun, a break from reality. But here we are, bound by the rules they've set."

He turned to Roh, his gaze stern yet filled with a sorrow that hinted at the countless times he'd told this tale. "This game doesn't give ye second chances. If ye fall, if ye fail... that's it. There's no magical resurrection or retries. Your character, your progress, it all vanishes."

His words hung in the air, and Roh felt an icy knot tighten in his stomach. The risk was real, the danger tangible. He gulped, his throat dry as he tried to muster the strength to respond.

Before Roh could interject, the dwarf went on. "Yet, there's a way to save the lad. A Wyvern Core, when set upon the hearth, can bring him back. Aye, it's a perilous quest, and truth be told, no player has ever returned triumphant."

Roh's gaze shifted to the ashen figure lying on the bed, dread coursed through his veins, intertwining with the pulsating adrenaline of his own anxious anticipation. Self-doubt gnawed at him, intensifying the heavy sensation in his chest. He was no hero, he knew that much. He was just an ordinary guy, merely a novice at this game. He was stepping into a world filled with danger and uncertainty, with the knowledge that his every move might seal his fate just as it had the stranger's. He couldn't shake the chilling realization that this could have been him. This could still be him.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Well, after that glowing tale, who wouldn't want to take on a Wyvern?" Roh quipped with heavy sarcasm.

Tuck smirked, adding, "Oh, and did I forget to mention? There's a hefty reward waiting for anyone who manages to pull it off."

Roh's expression shifted instantly, his concerns momentarily pushed aside by a glint of insatiable desire in his eyes. "A reward, you say?" He leaned in, the idea of a lucrative prize fueling his ambition. If it's as bountiful as I imagine, that could be my ticket. Enough gold crypto tokens, and I'm not just a legend in this world, but a game-changer in the real one. Roh squared his shoulders, determination setting in his gaze. "Alright," he declared, "I'll do it!"

(Optional) Side Quest Accepted – A Favour for the Recluse

Reheat the hearth with a Wyvern Core

Objective: Hunt a Wyvern and retrieve its Wyvern Core

Location: Wyvern Heights

Recommended Level: ?

Conditions: None

Failure conditions: Failure to reheat the hearth with a Wyvern Core

Rewards:

Mystery Prize

1000XP

+200 reputation with Na’rok Village.

“Ah, now that’s a good lad. I’m extremely grateful to you. Believe you me, you won’t regret it! Plus it will help you gain favor with the locals so that they actually respond to you. True you could have

spawned somewhere warmer with lots of trade, resources, advanced discoveries and more trusting and helpful locals with a much larger population– ”

“Ok, I get it!” Roh interrupted. He hadn’t felt disappointed about his starting location until now. I should have paid for that damn gamepass to choose my starting location. I bet this is how they purposely punish those that don’t - spawn them in the shithole locations.

“What I’m getting at is that even though this land is so wild, there are far more civilized societies out there, believe it or not. But in the same breath, there are also many uncivilized inhabitants out there, so you are lucky you didn’t spawn near a clan or tribe, especially the cannibals!”

Well, the dwarf has a point. Things could have been far worse. In this game, most of the lands are untouched, untamed and unforgiving, so I’m actually pretty lucky.

"We may just be a humble village," said the dwarf, his voice deep and rich like the depths of the earth, “but I do possess something of great value." He leaned forward, eyes alight with mischief, and whispered, "A living tome of an enchanted bestiary, handed down from the great mages of old."

With a flourish, the dwarf drew forth a small pouch from his cloak and sprinkled a pinch of dust onto the floor. The air shimmered and rippled, and from thin air, a great tome appeared before them.

"Ah, let it not be said that I, the quest giver, did not do my duty by passing along this wondrous Bestiary to you, hunter. Your path is one of exploration, of delving into the mysteries of these lands and the colossal creatures that call them home. To be the greatest among hunters, you must know the land intimately, in both heart and flesh. Any knowledge you gather shall be recorded by magic, without need of specific request, but have no fear, the quest shall guide you, showing you the way. From this moment forward, you shall receive your next quest upon the completion of each one, unless of course your journey leads you to other wonders."

The dwarf presented Roh with the tome bound in leather, its cover etched with knotwork and the symbol of a great horned beast. “This arcane book,” the dwarf explained, “held the knowledge of every behemoth that roamed the land.”

"Now it appears empty but for one beast, added by me to serve as a guide," the dwarf rumbled, his voice deep like the earth. "For all other beasts you encounter, capture an image using earthy pigments like red and yellow ochre, then record details in charcoal. Here are enchanted pouches and vials to collect their traces."

"These traces will disintegrate and reappear in the tome's pages," the dwarf continued, handing over a small leather satchel. "The more beasts you capture and study, the more valuable the secrets unlocked within. Once unlocked they will magically appear on the pages revealing powerful knowledge."

Roh tucked all the items into his inventory. Feeling inspired by the very realistic and convincing encounter with the Dwarf, Roh felt compelled to respond to him with a heartfelt response. Thinking of something to say, Roh responded, "Erm....Ok Dwarf! I shall accept your noble quest. I won't stop there either until I become the greatest hunter the world has ever known." His eyes quickly looked towards the Dwarf for any sort of approval of his acceptance speech.

The dwarf's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Go forth, young hunter, and may the beasts reveal their secrets to you."