“Jenny! Dinner is ready!” Sara waved to the quickly approaching beast that leaped over the thin inlet stream separating their little island from the mainland. “How’s the food?” She turned to ask me.

“Delightful.” I managed between mouthfuls of some chicken dish she was cooking up. “Who’s Jenny?” I ask while watching a large wolf, similar to the one that guy rode, come charging over the sand like the wind.

“Who’s the guest?” Jenny asked in a bad mood while hoping off her equally upset mount. Her attitude changed once Sara handed her a bowl, before feeding her mount.

“A complete novice, who recently arrived, with no knowledge, and has major trust issues.” She listed off while petting the beast. “Oh and his Paldex is broken.” She added while sitting down next to Jenny with her own dinner.

“How’d that happen?” Jenny looked at me curiously.

“I was shot.” I held up the broken Paldex for her to examine, while I finished off my food.

“You said he was new, like new new?” Jenny turned and asked Sara.

“First time he was revived too.” Sara nodded while eating.

“I saw my first Pal yesterday as well, oh and I had some sort of corruption placed on me.” I added while I set my empty bowl down. “So, can you help me fix it?” I asked Jenny.

“Fine, I’ll fix it, but-!” She held up the Paldex and gave me a stern look. “You have to gather the materials yourself. Deal?” She held out the tablet for me to take.

“Deal. So how do I get these materials?” I agree while taking back the Paldex.

“Do you not have any tools?” Jenny looked at me strangely.

“All I have are these clot-” I started to pat my shirt, only to be met with skin. “Where’s my shirt?!” I shouted out while standing up. “What is this?” I grab at the strange cloth wrapped around my waist.

“You didn’t notice?” Jenny asked while Sara was trying to control her laughter besides her.

“I washed up here with just my shirt and shorts… Then I was shot, and now here. Is this hell?” I ask with doubt towards Jenny.

“Not even close. This is just the old Sanctuary turned Wildlife Preserve, but some kind of overpowered Pal did something here.” Jenny shook her head before taking a few more bites.

“So those ancient castles in the cliffs aren’t real?” I asked.

“Those ancient ruins are real. There was an ancient battle here, before the unification took hold.” Sara added, after calming herself down a bit. “Pals back in that era were fewer, but were basically living gods.” She said with wonder at the thought.

“Until the Deep attacked and the Pals joined with us humans, instead of enslaving us.” Jenny said while patting her wolf that let out a happy sound. “Unfortunately humans are a greedy bunch and betrayed our new allies. Which is where these islands come in.” She continued to eat her dinner.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“These islands are the remains of that battle, and it was only opened a few years ago to certain visitors. We happened to be university students on a study vacation here.” Sara pouted while collecting the finished dishes. “Then some giant Pal in the sky makes a giant tree appear, and now we can’t contact the outside for help.” She drops the dishes and they vanish from thin air in a flash of light.

“We’ve been stuck here for about a year now.” Jenny sighs as she frowns.

“At least you got lucky and became a Player.” Sara sat down and bumped her shoulder trying to cheer her up. “It could have been worse.” She sighed at her own bad luck.

“You could have been shot at multiple times until they actually get you.” I added into their conversation. “So, how can I help you fix my dex thingy here? And why is it so helpful?” I hold it out to Jenny to fix it.

“You really are new.” Jenny takes the tablet while shaking her head. “Honestly, it’s a bit refreshing.” She stands up and pulls out her own Paldex. “Let’s see now.” She uses her device to scan mine. After a short moment, a ping notifies her. “Mine out 10 Paldium and get me 1 small essence, and I can fix it.” She drops the tablet only for it to flash and vanish a moment later.

“Woah, what was that?” I point at the place where the tablet vanished from.

“The inventory? You don’t even know about that?” Sara jumps up with surprise.

“Can I do that too? Since I’m a Player?” I held my hand above the boulder I used for a seat, I clenched as if I was trying to lift it out of the very ground. All I got was a weird grunt sound and some laughter out of my hosts.

“Your Paldex is the tech that operates your inventory or grants it to packs and containers for those NPCs.” Jenny stood up and placed a hand on Sara’s shoulder. “Who are just people without a Paldex yet.” She said while staring at the girl. “A vital piece of survival tech. You can have our old one.” She makes a motion of opening something midair, before poking a selection.

“Give him the old tools to gather it too.” Sara poked her side with a smile.

“Alright, and a few berries to last the night.” Jenny rolled her eyes while selecting a few more objects. “Come back with the 10 Paldium and 1 Essence by tomorrow.” She made a simple tossing motion, and a small ball of light flew my way.

“Woah!” I caught a rough leather sack fitted with a few ropes. “How does it work?” I held up the bag, examining it.

“Just put it on, and think of “Equipping” for your tools. “Storage” to store items. “Check” to access your inventory with a thought.” Jenny taught me, as she stored all items on the beach.

“See you tomorrow, new guy!” Sara waved as she turned to walk away.

“We’ll meet you back here tomorrow, good luck.” Jenny turned and tossed a sphere into the air. The wolf appeared with a howl.

“Wait! What’s an essence?” I yelled at them. Jenny had gracefully mounted the large mount, while Sara took her hand to join her on the saddle.

“It’s the crystallization of a defeated Pal.” Jenny called back over her shoulder.

“Either you get lucky and find one, or make one!” Sara called out while waving from the front. With a whoosh the wolf speed after leaving an after imagine followed by a blast of air.

“How can that be so fast?!” I yelled while laughing as I got back up. I looped the bag around my shoulders and followed her instructions while closing my eyes. She gave me an ax, pickaxe, torch and…”Why a club?” I frowned when I opened my eyes as a wooden club manifested in my hands like magic.

“Rawr!” A challenging roar sounded from the beach full of Gobfin. A larger one, that was nearly my height, but easily twice my weight was looking my way. The Pal had more awareness and an intelligent look as he towered over the other smaller Gobfins. With a snort he turned away with a grunt as they all followed it away.

“That’s right, run, fear my mighty club!” I scream out while raising my club above my head, before feeling a bit childish and storing it away. “Not like it would have helped.” I equip myself with a pickaxe and start walking around. “So, what does this palladium stuff look like?”