Thomas stirred awake, blinking at the ceiling above. This time, it wasn't the dark, jagged stone roof of his cave-home, but a clean wooden ceiling with elegant beams running across it. He shifted slightly and glanced at the window. The city spread out beyond the glass, bustling with life, its stone towers piercing the sky and streets teeming with people.
"Definitely a step up from the last place," he muttered, scratching his head. His last stay had been in a dingy little town where the best view was of a manure pile behind the stables.
Here though, the food was better—way better. He could still taste last night’s dinner on his tongue. Who knew dwarves could cook so damn well? He would've assumed they'd only be good at brewing ale and crafting things with anvils, but no, this dwarf innkeeper had a gift. He might have inhaled three plates.
With a yawn, Thomas rolled out of bed and threw on his tunic, stumbling toward the door. His hand paused on the knob for a moment as he debated turning on the stream. But nah, not yet. The chat could wait—he didn’t need an army of pixelated strangers spamming “Pog” the second he walked out the door. He could already picture them bombarding him with, “What’s the view like? Show us the breakfast! Start a fight with a guard!”
Yeah, no thanks.
As he stepped into the hallway, the familiar face of the dwarf innkeeper greeted him, broad grin already in place. “Mornin’, laddie! Sleep well, did ya? Heard ye snorin' like a damn thunderstorm up there.”
Thomas chuckled. “Morning, Thralgar. Yeah, slept like a log. That bed... I could get used to it."
"Good to hear! I’m guessin’ ye’ll be wantin’ breakfast then, eh? Got some sausage and eggs on the grill."
“Yeah, I’ll take a plate of whatever you’ve got cooking.” Thomas glanced down at his coin pouch as he fished out a few silvers, still enough to keep him covered for the next few days. He’d been making good coin lately from his quests, more than enough to splurge a little.
Thralgar grunted as he handed over the coins. “Ye’re startin’ to look like a regular here. Maybe I oughta name a dish after ya—‘The Thomas Special’. What’ll it be, laddie? Bread, meat, and... more meat?”
"Sounds like the perfect heart attack," Thomas smirked. "Make it happen."
The dwarf let out a booming laugh. “We’ll see about that. Go find a seat. Breakfast’ll be right up.”
Thomas nodded and made his way toward the common room, the scent of sizzling sausages already filling the air. The thought crossed his mind again to turn on the stream, to let his audience into his peaceful morning.
But then he sighed, deciding once more to hold off. For just a little longer, he wanted this moment to himself—the quiet of the morning, the smells of breakfast, and the satisfaction of knowing he wasn’t rushing off to fight goblins or dodge fireballs today.
Later, he thought. He’d deal with the chat later.
Thomas finished his breakfast with a satisfied sigh, pushing the empty plate away as he leaned back in his chair. Thralgar had outdone himself again—sausages crisped to perfection, eggs fluffy and buttery. He’d already promised the dwarf he’d be back for lunch, and given how the man beamed at that, Thomas figured his stomach was in for another culinary treat later.
But for now, it was time to get to work.
Standing up, Thomas stretched, rolling his shoulders and loosening up for whatever the day had in store. He grabbed his gear, slung his bag over his shoulder, and made his way to the door. As he passed by the innkeeper’s counter, he waved.
“Hey, Thralgar! I’ll be heading to the guild. Probably back for lunch if I’m not lost in the city.”
The dwarf gave him a toothy grin. “Aye, lad. Watch out for them market stalls on yer way. They’ll try to sell ya all manner of crap ye don’t need. And if ye find any weird plants, I know a recipe or two. Could make ye a nice stew.”
Thomas smirked. “I’ll keep that in mind. If I’m not back by lunch, send a search party.”
With that, he stepped out into the city streets. The capital was lively—carts and carriages rolling by, merchants shouting their wares, and people crowding the streets in their daily bustle. But Thomas’s mind was already on today’s plan. He needed to visit the guild and find a quest. Something simple, like a fetching-plants gig, sounded perfect. Low stakes, easy money, and the perfect excuse to explore the outskirts for possible spots to set up a base.
It was only his second day in the capital, after all, and yesterday had been a whirlwind of running errands. The whole reason he was even here was to deliver a letter from Ingrid—the no-nonsense guild receptionist from the last town—to the capital’s guildmaster. He’d done that, handing it off without much of a fuss, but he hadn’t properly introduced himself to the guildmaster. Probably should’ve, but the guy seemed busy, and Thomas wasn’t exactly in the mood for small talk.
Still, he figured he should probably go and make himself known today. Better to get a decent reputation with the higher-ups while he was in town, especially if he wanted to take more substantial quests in the future. Plus, the capital’s guild was much bigger than the small-town ones—there could be some useful connections here.
As he weaved through the streets, dodging market-goers and sidestepping a particularly aggressive chicken that seemed to have escaped its coop, Thomas thought back to the idea of an underground base. The city’s outskirts had shown some promise yesterday when he’d scouted around a bit, and a few areas seemed isolated enough to be discreet. Setting up a hidden base of operations could be invaluable, especially for storing gear, working on rune projects, or just having a safe place to retreat when things went south.
And hey, if he could multitask by gathering some rare plants while he scouted, all the better.
Reaching the massive stone structure that housed the capital’s Adventurer’s Guild, Thomas took a moment to take in the sight. It was larger than any guild hall he’d been in before, with towering columns and detailed carvings depicting adventurers battling monsters. The front courtyard was bustling with people—warriors in armor, mages with staffs glowing faintly, and rogues skulking about, probably looking for someone to pickpocket.
Steeling himself, Thomas walked inside.
The interior was just as impressive, with high ceilings and long rows of tables where adventurers sat, some checking quest boards, others sharing stories over drinks. He approached the front desk, where a receptionist—definitely more polished and professional-looking than Ingrid—was busy sorting through paperwork.
She glanced up as he approached. “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, I’m Thomas. I delivered a letter from Ingrid yesterday. It was for the guildmaster. Was wondering if I could speak with him, introduce myself properly.”
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “The guildmaster is busy, as always. But I’ll let him know you’ve arrived. In the meantime, you’re welcome to check the quest board.”
Thomas nodded, trying to play it cool. “Thanks. I’ll be around.”
He moved toward the quest board, scanning the available jobs. As expected, there were a few simple fetch quests listed—gathering herbs, hunting small creatures, delivering items to nearby villages. But there were also some higher-tier ones—investigating mysterious ruins, dealing with magical disturbances, escorting a merchant caravan.
He smiled to himself as he pulled one of the plant-gathering quests from the board. This one required fetching a batch of Moonshade flowers from the nearby forest, just a short trek outside the city walls. Easy enough. And it’d give him the chance to scope out some prime locations for that underground base he’d been daydreaming about.
Thomas took the quest slip to the receptionist. “I’ll take this one.”
She nodded, jotting down his name. “Good luck, Thomas. Just bring the flowers back here when you’re done.”
With the quest in hand and a plan forming in his mind, Thomas left the guild and made his way out of the city. The day was still young, and he had plenty of ground to cover.
Thomas made his way out of the city, passing through the gates and following the dirt path that led toward the hill and the forest beyond it. The morning air was crisp, the sky clear and blue, and for a moment, he found himself enjoying the peacefulness of it all. No crowds, no guild politics—just him, the wind, and the distant rustling of trees ahead.
As he reached the top of the hill, he stopped to catch his breath, turning around to take in the view behind him. The capital city stretched out like a grand tapestry—a maze of stone buildings, towers, and bustling streets, all framed by the distant mountains. It was a sight worth savoring, and for a moment, Thomas just stood there, taking it all in.
Then, a mischievous thought crossed his mind.
Smirking to himself, he activated his internet skill—a handy little perk of being in this weird fantasy-RPG world with a dash of digital magic. His HUD flickered into view, and with a few gestures, he framed the cityscape perfectly. A quick snap later, and the picture was saved, glowing in the corner of his vision.
He opened up his Discord app. It was weird being able to access it from another world, but hey, magic worked in mysterious ways. Most of the people in the group were probably his viewers back on Earth—at least, he thought they were. It wasn’t like he could meet them in person to confirm. For all he knew, some of them might be NPCs that somehow got added to the server. Either way, it didn’t matter. They were his community.
Thomas uploaded the picture with a caption: "Capital city view from the hilltop. Not bad, huh?"
Not a minute later, replies started pouring in.
GhostHunter21: "Yo, why aren't you streaming this??"
ZeldaFangirl89: "ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW, THOMAS? How could you leave us hanging?!"
NotAGoblin, swear: "Bro, I thought today was stream day! Did I miss something?!"
He could already imagine them sitting at their keyboards, annoyed but curious. They were probably expecting some epic monster fight or a dramatic quest reveal, and here he was, just... enjoying the view. Chuckling, he typed back.
"Just take it as a break, guys. A day off. I need to breathe too, y'know?" He added a cheeky grin emoji at the end for good measure.
More messages flooded in.
BoblinTheGreat: "Pfft, 'break'? The guy lives in a fantasy world and is taking a break. Classic."
InsertName: "Can’t believe we’re missing out on the action. I better see some loot pics later, man."
LichKingz: "This is why you’re my favorite. Not afraid to just chill out."
Thomas grinned to himself. The banter was familiar, grounding in a way. It made him feel connected to Earth, even though he was physically worlds apart. He leaned against a tree, watching the messages pile up with amusement.
If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
They’ll live, he thought. Sure, the chat could get a bit rowdy when they felt left out, but they knew he’d deliver eventually. Besides, if they were this worked up over a simple picture, just wait till they saw him fighting off a wyvern or building his underground base.
He pocketed his thoughts and set off down the other side of the hill, heading toward the forest. It was time to find those Moonshade flowers—and maybe, just maybe, scout out the perfect spot for his next project.
As he walked, his mind drifted to the idea of streaming later, maybe giving his viewers a taste of the exploration. But for now? He wanted to keep the peace to himself. The adventures could wait.
Thomas made his way into the forest, the sound of rustling leaves and birds overhead providing a natural soundtrack to his thoughts. His eyes scanned the trees and underbrush for any sign of the Moonshade flowers he needed for the quest. He had the description memorized—dark petals with a faint glow under the shade, usually found near water sources. But his mind kept drifting back to his grander goal.
He wasn’t just here for flowers. He was on the lookout for something far more exciting: a cave. Preferably one with hidden passageways, deep tunnels that could lead into the perfect underground fortress. The kind of place where he could set up shop, away from prying eyes. The forest had plenty of potential—it was quiet, isolated, and most importantly, no one would bother him out here. It was the ideal setting for the future base he’d been dreaming about.
Industrializing underground… He liked the sound of that. He could almost see it now—rooms filled with alchemy labs, storage for rare herbs and rune stones, maybe even a few automated magic defenses. Hell, he could even start crafting items down there. Dwarves weren’t the only ones who could forge things, right?
Thomas grinned to himself as he pushed through the underbrush, his boots crunching against the dirt and twigs beneath him. He felt like a kid planning his own secret lair. And why not? He was living in a world that was practically designed for it.
After wandering deeper into the forest, his luck turned. He spotted a small patch of flowers growing near a stream, their dark, velvety petals glowing faintly under the shade of a large oak tree. Moonshade flowers, just like the quest had described. He knelt down and carefully picked a few, making sure to leave enough behind for the next adventurer who might come looking. Quest objectives—check.
But now, the real hunt began. Standing up, he surveyed the forest around him. If there was a cave nearby, it wouldn’t be out in the open; it’d be hidden somewhere among the thick trees or rock formations. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a slight incline in the distance, a rocky outcrop jutting out from the ground.
“Bingo,” Thomas muttered, moving toward the rocks. The closer he got, the more certain he became—there was definitely something there. The rocks had shifted unnaturally, almost as if a portion of the land had caved in, forming an entrance.
As he approached, he saw it—a dark, jagged hole nestled at the base of the rocks. It wasn’t huge, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that it led underground.
"Perfect," Thomas whispered, his excitement growing. He crouched down and peered inside. The entrance sloped downward, and the air was cool and damp, the kind that suggested this tunnel went deep. Exactly what he needed.
Without hesitation, he stepped inside, the darkness swallowing him as he descended further. He flicked his wrist and conjured a small orb of light using a basic spell, illuminating the passage ahead. The walls were rough, uneven stone, but there was enough space to walk comfortably, and the air had that unmistakable earthy smell of a cave that hadn’t been disturbed in ages.
Thomas couldn’t help but grin. This was it. The start of something bigger. As he moved deeper into the cave, the tunnel began to branch off into smaller passageways, twisting and turning in different directions. Some of the paths were narrow, while others opened up into larger chambers. It was perfect. This cave had potential—lots of it.
His mind raced with ideas. He could set up his base here, right beneath the forest, hidden from everyone. He could hollow out some of these chambers, expand them into different rooms. Maybe one for crafting, another for magical research, a living space for when he needed to lay low. And of course, a vault—somewhere secure to store all the rare loot and artifacts he’d be gathering on his adventures.
The best part? The city wasn’t far. He could easily travel back and forth between here and the capital, all while keeping his underground hideout a secret. If he played his cards right, this place would be a fortress.
“Yeah,” Thomas muttered to himself, his voice echoing softly through the cave. “This’ll do just fine.”
He stood in one of the larger chambers, already picturing the future—walls reinforced with stone, shelves lined with potions and enchanted gear, maybe even a central control room with a few magical wards. He could industrialize this whole place, make it efficient, maybe even get some AI scripts running through his internet skill to automate some of the tedious tasks. Why stop at a base when he could build an entire underground empire?
For now, though, he had the groundwork. This cave was step one, and he had the time to build it out.
Grabbing a chunk of chalk from his pack, he marked the walls as he made his way back to the entrance. It’d be easy to get lost down here, but that was half the fun. With the flowers in hand, the cave secured, and a grand vision forming in his mind, Thomas stepped back into the sunlight.
He glanced at his phone, thinking about the stream again. Maybe he’d give the viewers a little teaser later—just a taste of what was coming.
But for now, it was time to head back to the guild and turn in the quest. Lunch with Thralgar was waiting, and he was starving again.
As Thomas strolled back to the guild, the familiar sounds of the capital buzzed around him—merchants shouting, carts creaking along the cobblestones, and the occasional chatter of passing adventurers. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow on the streets as he made his way to turn in the quest.
Inside the guild, the same polished receptionist greeted him with a nod, though she still wore that same, I-have-no-time-for-your-nonsense look. Thomas approached the counter, tossing the pouch of Moonshade flowers onto the desk.
“Here you go,” he said casually, leaning against the counter.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow as she inspected the flowers. “Well, you didn’t destroy anything or set the forest on fire, so I’ll call that a success.” She reached under the counter and handed him a single silver coin.
Thomas twirled the coin between his fingers, pocketing it with a grin. “One silver for some flowers and scouting a base location? I’d call that efficient.”
The receptionist rolled her eyes, clearly done with him, and waved him off. “Feel free to grab another quest from the board. Or don’t. Whatever keeps you occupied.”
“Pleasure as always,” Thomas quipped before heading out the door.
With the quest complete, he made his way back to the Wandering Wyvern Inn. As he walked through the streets, a familiar scent hit his nose—the mouthwatering aroma of Thralgar’s cooking. It was so strong that even from a distance, he could practically taste the roasted meats and spiced stews.
“Damn, anyone could navigate the city blindfolded just by following that smell,” Thomas muttered with a chuckle.
As he neared the inn, the scent only intensified, and his stomach growled in response. Sure enough, by the time he pushed open the door, the place was alive with activity. The clattering of mugs, boisterous laughter, and the sound of chairs scraping across the floor filled the air. The Wandering Wyvern was bustling, as usual, packed with adventurers, merchants, and even a few off-duty guards.
It wasn’t hard to see why. Thralgar’s cooking was legendary, and his beer? Even better. Thomas had to admit, the dwarf knew how to run an inn that people would fight to get into.
As Thomas entered, Thralgar spotted him from across the room, waving a large, meaty arm. “Oi! There he is! Our flower-pickin’ adventurer!” The dwarf grinned, his cheeks flushed from working near the heat of the kitchen. “I’ve got yer lunch ready, laddie. Beef stew with a side of freshly baked bread. None better in the city!”
Thomas made his way through the crowd, dodging an overenthusiastic adventurer who was waving his mug around as if reenacting a battle. When he reached the counter, Thralgar already had a steaming bowl of stew waiting for him. The rich scent of slow-cooked beef, carrots, and onions filled Thomas’s nostrils, making his stomach rumble even louder.
“Smells like heaven, as always,” Thomas said, taking a seat at the counter.
Thralgar beamed with pride. “Aye, I do what I can. But don’t get too comfortable. Ye’ll be needin’ some good energy if yer planning to build that secret base ye keep muttering about.” The dwarf winked, clearly having overheard one of Thomas’s musings from earlier.
Thomas chuckled. “You know, you could always help. I could use someone with your talents underground.”
Thralgar let out a hearty laugh. “Underground, ye say? That’s a dwarf’s natural habitat! But I’ll stick to cookin’ and brewin’. Besides, yer secret base wouldn’t be very secret with me drinkin’ and eatin’ through all yer supplies, eh?”
“Fair point,” Thomas grinned, digging into the stew. The flavors hit his taste buds like a well-timed critical hit, each bite warm and comforting, like a hug in food form. He swore Thralgar put some kind of magic in his cooking.
As he ate, the conversation around him flowed, a mix of adventurers sharing tales of daring quests and locals gossiping about city politics. Thomas felt a strange sense of ease here, like he belonged in this world—even if part of him was still tethered to Earth through his internet skill and Discord chats.
He took a sip of Thralgar’s famous beer, feeling the smooth, malty flavor wash over him. This was the life—a day of light adventuring, the beginnings of a secret base, and a hearty meal to top it all off. And yet, he knew that soon, his underground empire would need to take shape. There were big plans ahead, bigger than just picking flowers or scouting caves. But for now, he let himself enjoy the moment, savoring the simplicity of the day.
“Ye plannin’ on stayin’ in the city for long?” Thralgar asked, wiping his hands on a cloth as he cleaned the counter.
Thomas shrugged. “Not sure yet. Depends on how things go with the guild, I guess. Got a few more quests lined up, and I’ve got some work to do underground. But I’ll probably be around for a while.”
“Well, ye know where to find good food and better beer,” the dwarf said with a wink.
Thomas raised his mug in salute. “You’ve got that right.”
As he finished off his meal, Thomas felt the weight of the day’s tasks beginning to settle in. There was still so much to do—so much to build, to explore. But for now, in this crowded inn, with the smell of Thralgar’s cooking in the air and a belly full of stew, he allowed himself a rare moment of contentment.
Tomorrow, the base-building would begin in earnest. But today? Today was for good food, good beer, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing he was one step closer to making his vision a reality.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting warm oranges and purples across the sky, Thomas felt the world around him sway gently. He blinked at the vibrant colors, the warm light turning the bustling inn into a cozy haven filled with laughter and the clinking of mugs. But his focus drifted; his thoughts were muddled, tangled in the aftermath of Thralgar's potent beer.
“Another round!” Thralgar roared, his voice booming over the chatter as he filled Thomas’s mug once more. “We can’t let our esteemed guest go thirsty now, can we?” The dwarf’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
Thomas laughed, feeling a surge of warmth—not just from the alcohol but from the camaraderie swelling in the room. He had spent the evening sharing stories with the guildmaster and a handful of adventurers, the tales growing increasingly exaggerated as the drinks flowed. The guildmaster, a stout man with a bushy beard, recounted his glory days battling trolls, and Thomas found himself swept up in the revelry.
“Did I ever tell you about the time I took down a wyvern with nothing but my bare hands?” the guildmaster said, puffing out his chest. Thomas laughed heartily, but his own stories felt small in comparison. After all, he was just a guy who had been playing games and coding back on Earth.
Then came the moment where Thralgar, in a moment of apparent mercy or perhaps brotherly instinct, decided it was time to pull Thomas from the revelry. “Alright, lad! Time to get ye back to yer room before ye fall on yer arse!”
“Aw, c’mon, Thralgar! I can handle it!” Thomas protested, though it came out more like a drunken slur. He felt lightheaded but buoyed by the beer and the atmosphere. Thralgar was having none of it, wrapping a solid arm around Thomas’s shoulders and steering him toward the stairs.
As they climbed, Thomas began to ramble, his words spilling out in a mix of drunken confessions and half-formed thoughts. “You know, Thralgar,” he began, swaying slightly. “For the first time… I really feel like I have a family. Like, real people around me.” His voice was earnest, but the alcohol had loosened his tongue, turning his thoughts into a stream of consciousness.
“Back on Earth, I was just this home-based programmer, you know? I was an orphan,” he continued, his words tumbling out. “Adopted by some big company who wanted to raise me to be their next owner. Can you believe that? Like I was some sort of asset!”
Thralgar listened patiently, his expression softening as he helped Thomas into his room. The dwarf carefully eased him onto the bed, chuckling as Thomas flopped down, looking up at the ceiling with a dazed expression. “But I didn’t accept it! Nah, I wanted to make my own fate! I’m not just some… some puppet, right?”
Thomas’s eyes sparkled with passion, even in his drunken state. “I chose this life! I want to build my own empire, not be some pawn in their game!” He waved his arms dramatically, as if building his underground base right there in the air.
Thralgar leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a knowing smile on his face. “Ye’ve got spirit, lad. A lot of folks wouldn’t be brave enough to carve their own path. ‘Tis a good thing to stand up for what ye want.”
“Right?!” Thomas exclaimed, turning his head to look at Thralgar, his enthusiasm spilling over. “This… this place, this world—it’s not just a game anymore. It’s real. And I want to make something real here!”
“An’ ye will,” Thralgar replied, his voice steady. “But ye need to keep yer wits about ye, especially when ye drink. That way, ye can remember all yer great ideas come mornin’.”
Thomas laughed, the sound echoing in the room. “I’ll make it happen, Thralgar. I promise. Just… just you wait. One day, I’ll invite you to my underground empire, and we’ll drink better beer than this!”
Thralgar chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll hold ye to that. Now get some sleep, or ye’ll be no good for yer next adventure.”
As the dwarf turned to leave, Thomas felt a wave of gratitude wash over him, mixed with the remnants of the alcohol. “Thanks, Thralgar. For everything. Really. This feels like… like family. Like home.”
The dwarf paused, his expression softening. “Aye, lad. Family’s what ye make of it. Sleep well.”
With that, Thralgar left, closing the door behind him. Thomas lay back on the bed, the room spinning slightly as he stared at the ceiling. His mind raced with thoughts of his future, of the underground base, of the friendships he was beginning to forge.
For the first time in a long time, he felt hopeful. The world felt expansive, and the possibilities were endless. Maybe he wouldn’t just be an orphan raised for someone else’s plan. Maybe here, in this magical land, he could create his own story—one where he was in control.
With a satisfied sigh, he closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the evening and the comforting thought of family wash over him. Tomorrow would be a new day filled with new adventures. And for now, he drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face, dreaming of the underground empire he would one day build.