Nathan awoke in a panic, fleeting thoughts of a nightmare still lingering at the edges of his mind. Opening his eyes, the world continued to be shrouded in darkness, prompting him to check if he had taken a head wound. Feeling weight pressing down on him, panic took over, and he flailed around instinctively.
His arms and legs refused to move though, and he increased his struggle until pain shot through his entire body, finally clearing his mind. Trying to take a deep breath, he choked as sand invaded his nose while barely any air filled his lungs.
Steeling his thoughts, Nathan lay completely still, breathing lightly while he assessed his situation. I’m buried under the sand. I’ve got some serious wounds, but if I can get free, I can use my potion of healing.
That thought sent another pulse of panic through his mind, but Nathan quickly felt for the dimensional ring still on his finger. The potion is safe.
The first thing Nathan did was gather as much saliva in his mouth as possible, waiting several minutes until his dehydrated body produced enough fluid. Finally, he spat it out, feeling it slide down his face. Despite the annoying sensation, he grinned. Now I know which way is up.
Wriggling his body, Nathan gradually dispersed the sand until he could move his arms, allowing him to slowly make his way upward.
It felt like swimming through molasses; his hands grasped uselessly at the sand, which offered no handholds. Meanwhile, he wriggled his body, each movement aggravating his injuries.
Gasping for air like a fish on land, Nathan barely managed to cling to consciousness, all the while unsure whether he made any progress at all.
He didn’t know how long the process took, but soon, muscles he hadn’t even known existed burned with exhaustion. He was certain he would be crying from the pain had there been any moisture left in his body.
Thrusting a hand upward, Nathan finally felt it break through the desert’s surface. Almost there. That storm must have buried me ten meters deep.
A moment later, his other hand emerged from the ground, allowing Nathan to heave his entire body upwards. Breathless, he collapsed on the sand as it cascaded down his form, his whole body screaming with pain and overexertion. His clothes were torn to shreds once again, though his new robe had already begun to mend itself.
Both of his legs were broken in multiple places, one bone jutting out of a particularly gruesome wound, and he could taste blood in his mouth—courtesy of one pierced organ or another.
But gazing up at the clear sky, he was simply relieved to have escaped with his life.
Grateful for his foresight, he retrieved his last healing potion from the dimensional ring and drank it greedily.
He lay there on the ground, staring into the sun as his limbs knit back together, wincing as one of his bones re-entered his leg. Rummaging through his pockets, Nathan retrieved a pack of cigarettes—battered and scratched, but still intact.
“My last one,” he whispered, lighting the cigarette and closing his eyes. Letting out a cloud of smoke, he began laughing until tears streamed down his face.
“Still alive,” he mumbled to himself.
He fell asleep right there on the desert floor, too exhausted to care about his vulnerable position.
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The land around Nathan had started to change almost a day ago, the sand giving way to stone as hardy plants sprouted from every crack. Looking around, Nathan realized, that for the first time all traces of the desert had vanished.
Now I just need to find a city. My boots are practically falling apart. With the ring, I can carry more supplies. That’ll make life a lot easier.
Spotting a river in the distance, he changed direction. Time to finally get rid of all this sand. Some of it’s stuck in places that should remain forever hidden from the world.
After that, it would be time to leave this floor behind—the secrets it held weren’t enough to entice him any longer.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
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In contrast to the town Nathan had visited on the first floor, this settlement was truly a village. Fewer than a hundred houses were scattered over a wide area, with farmland taking up much of the space between them.
Towering over everything was an enormous marble building, its two towers reaching toward the sky. Shaped like an 'L,' it could easily serve as a fortress just as well as the church it actually was.
So, that’s how such a small community survives out here, Nathan thought, noting the sturdy walls surrounding the church. Someone high up in the church must have settled here.
He walked alongside the farmland for a while, the inhabitants scrutinizing him but showing no sign of initiating conversation. Villages like this one tend to be hostile towards outsiders, but this feels stronger.
Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan saw a youth spot him and immediately run in the direction of the church.
Whoever runs this place knows I’m here now. I just hope I can buy what I need and leave before things get complicated. I’ve got a bad feeling, though—everyone’s way too suspicious of me.
Nathan continued at a leisurely pace, unwilling to make a scene before even leaving the farms behind, until he reached the village’s centre—a dirt road surrounded by an inn and half a dozen shops.
Any villagers who saw him immediately fled, and he could feel their stares from the windows, his feet itching to turn around and leave. I’ll be gone in an hour. What could a bunch of villagers do to me anyway?
Spotting a building labelled 'The Adventurer’s Shop', Nathan entered, finding shelves cluttered with various wares.
He saw mass-produced magi-tech devices, simple potions, a plethora of cheap weapons and armour, and everything one might need to survive in the wilderness. Who’s buying all this stuff in a village? This inventory belongs in a big city, not out here.
Seeing no one behind the counter, he browsed the shelves for a while, picking out goods that caught his eye.
Uncommon Item: Sturdy Boots
Boots made by a skilled cobbler, their soles infused with an alchemical tincture that guarantees sure steps even on treacherous terrain and drastically increases durability. Crafted from Flamedancer Lizard leather, they are resistant to high temperatures.
Uncommon Item: Instant Tent
A boon for every traveller, this tent uses advanced magi-tech to assemble and disassemble itself in moments. It is inlaid with enchantments of temperature control and concealment, ensuring restful nights.
Uncommon Item: Bottomless Flask
This mana-glass flask was etched by a competent enchanter, drawing on environmental energy to continuously fill itself with fresh water.
Common Consumable: Bloodrot Poison
This tincture, brewed by a master herbalist, is stored in a porcelain bottle to preserve its potency. When injected into the bloodstream, it slows blood circulation, eventually leading to a heart attack.
Pleased with his selection, Nathan approached the counter, finding a bell and ringing it. I hope the shopkeeper will trade for my monster parts. Worst case, I can just steal what I need and take off, judging from the full shelves it would barely be noticeable.
Immediately, a grandmotherly voice called from the back of the store. “Coming, dearie. Just give me a moment to get to my feet.”
Nathan hummed in acknowledgment, idly playing with the bottomless flask as he waited.
Barely a minute later, a kind-looking woman appeared, leaning heavily on a cane and wearing a big smile. “Now, which one of you brats decided to play hunter again?” she asked, not seeing Nathan at first.
But the moment she noticed him, her entire demeanour changed. Her smile vanished, replaced by an icy frown, and she straightened up, no longer leaning on her cane.
“You’re not from around here.”
Nathan smiled despite the open hostility, keeping his tone respectful. “Indeed, I’m not. I’ve travelled far and just crossed the Mirage Expanse. I hoped to restock and perhaps spend the night before continuing my journey.” I am definitely not spending the night here. Something is seriously off, he thought.
The woman glared at him, her voice dripping with hostility. “We don’t need strangers here, much less their coin. I won’t sell you anything, so you best get out before I call the lord paladin.”
Nathan was speechless, torn between leaving to find another village or pressing on. But before he could decide, the door to the shop opened.
Turning, he saw three men—grizzled with age but still muscular and scarred. They moved with a trained grace and clearly kept their eyes on the surroundings. Those guys know how to fight, Nathan realised.
All three of the men wore simple iron chains around their necks, miniature daggers hanging from them. The daggers too, were without decoration, but Nathan did not doubt for a moment that their edges were sharp. He knew well that those were no simple ornaments – only one group in the tower would ever carry such chains and in their hands every piece of metal became a weapon.
What are three paladins of the god of war doing in a backwater village like this? His hand instinctively reached for his spear as he used Identify.
Human – Paladin of Khuenar [13]
Seeing their leader's level, Nathan immediately abandoned any thought of a fight. He raised his hands in a placating gesture, forcing a smile. “What can I do for you, fine gentlemen?”
The lead paladin surveyed the situation before speaking. His nose had clearly been broken multiple times and he seemed to walk with a limp. Probably retired then, Nathan realised.
“The lord has summoned you. Best follow along quietly. And for your sake, I hope you haven’t stolen anything, stranger.”
He gestured to his companions, and they closed in, surrounding Nathan on all sides.