“What do you think, Narry? See anything worthwhile?”

‘Narry? Who are you? What do you want?’

“This guy looks a bit shifty.”

‘Excuse me. Are you talking to me?’

“While socializing with the craftsfolk, our hero has managed to infuriate one of his fellow man. Hardly a loss, seeing as this particular carvers wares are subpar. Even by our hero’s standards.”

“Really? They look alright for the most part. Okay no, I see it now. Pretty half-assed stuff.”

‘You looking for fight? I’ll come fight you outside the campsite!’

“Hooh. look over there. Is that girl etching runes?”

“As our hero shoots towards another target, the surrounding people glance at our hero. The looks are composed of confusion, derision and laughter.

Not including the previously mentioned carver, which appears thoroughly enraged and baffled.”

‘Go away!’

“Eh?”

“With a wave of her hand, our hero is dismissed. No longer needed. How disposable. dispensable fodder. Not needed.”

“I get it! Damn!”

‘I said go away! I’m busy.’

“Okay.”

“With nonchalant acknowledgement our hero stands still and observes this peculiar person. Hidden behind rough and torn clothing. She continues to meticulously etch a medium sized rune.”

“Looks like a small bird. Is it a bird?”

‘Leave me alone!’

“Sure.

Actually, maybe a small lizard creature with wings. At least it reminds me of a lizard.”

‘It’s a Ler, now go away!’

“Hoh! A Ler?”

“Ler, descendant of the Farler. A landlocked leaping reptile. Their wings surprisingly detrimental for flight but provide immense stability, jumping height and air maneuverability.”

“Alright, sorry to bother you.

So many people. I thought crafting was supposed to be somewhat rare.”

“Of course it isn’t rare. Rare perhaps in comparison to the general population. But amongst those that seek power, it is all but required to pursue crafting of some sort.”

“Is that a mobile forge? Isn’t that a bit extravagant?”

“Copious of amount people have gathered and keep gathering. Many minding their own business and browsing goods on display.

Some hawking their wares but most focus on their tinkering. The largest majority of arrivals however, have already scattered across the wildlands. ”

“Is that a loom? What. And a tannery? How do they all have these small workstations?

No. Don’t say it. I get it. They have inventories like me. Of course.”

“Like a stumbling derelict finding the ground, so has our hero found an answers to a simple question. Magnificent problem solving. One can’t help but be in awe of such brilliance.”

“Thanks. But, I have to actually select a profession to get one of these workstations, right?”

“It is only due to the crowds combined noise that our hero manages to go unquestioned. Mumbling to himself in a public place.”

“Ah. Good point, should try to keep it to myself while around other people.

Alright. I’m going to take a look around, see if I find anything useful for hunting. What was it? Stone giants?

God damnit. Why giants? Why not stone dwarfs? Why not stone pygmies?

What are stone giants vulnerable to anyway?”

“In a crazed rave our hero quickly makes his way through the bazaar. Stopping only for a moment when his eyes catch something of interest.”

“None of these feel useful. Interesting stuff, eye-opening. But no upgrades.

That scepter looked interesting but he wouldn’t name a price and just asked me for an offer.

Is he selling or not? Why am I the one that has to offer something?

Whatever. I got to start the quest at some point. I wanted to find a party. But no one is on the same quest as me.”

“As the daylight burns, our hero reluctantly leaves the safety of camp sharpstone.”

‘Hey! It’s you!’

“Hmm? What, who?”

‘Bastard, don’t tell me you forgot me!’

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

“Oh! It’s the carver with the shinguards! Hey, man!”

‘Prepare yourself!’

“Woah there!”

“As the towering wooden pole comes crashing down, our hero leaps backwards. Narrowly escaping a vicious strike.”

“Hey! Hey! What the hell, man!”

‘Haaaaa! Try to dodge this one!’

“Under little Ji’s feet, a small near translucent water gather. His stability rises dramatically.”

“Easy there buddy! We can talk this through.”

“Strike after the strike is dodged. Both our hero and this unknown assailant have quickly exhausted their breath.”

“Friend.”

“With bated breath our hero continues to calm the situation.”

‘Slimey. Bastard.’

“As they stand face to face, hands on knees. One filled with fury and the other with confusion.”

“I’m sorry if I offended you in anyway! Why do you keep attacking me!?”

“Now both of these imbeciles have a look of doubt on their face.”

‘What do you mean? You were clearly challenging me. We, the Dane. Never back down from a challenge.’

“It didn’t challenge anyone!”

‘...’

“…”

“The stupidity is thick in the air. If one was so inclined, one might be able to slice it.”

“Look. Dane. Or whatever, I’m sorry if i challenged you. But I definitely didn’t mean to.”

‘You sure?’

“One hundred percent.”

‘What?’

“I mean, yes. I am sure.”

‘Well then.’

“Ye.”

‘Have a good day.’

“Huh?”

“And so. A bizarre fight between brilliant young men comes to an end. The crowd watching quickly disperses. Some spitting on the ground and some cursing under their breath.”

‘Tsch.’

‘What kind of fight was that?’

‘Who won?’

‘Hey, big guy! You can just leave! You didn't even hit him once’

‘What!? You want try me out, squirt!?’

‘Eh?’

“In the commotion, our hero saunders off into the distance.”

“That was crazy. How can he just attack me like that. So strange.

I’ve got to be more careful of people. Who knows what kind of weirdos are out there.”

“A few meters behind our hero a familiar figure can be seen.”

“Hm? What? Someone following me?

Hey! Why are you following me! I thought we settled this already.”

‘Who's following you!? I’m heading this way. Why are you standing in my way!?’

“What the hell.”

“With a powerful snort, the large sized Dane continues to walk passed our hero.”

“I’m so confused.”

“In a daze our hero watches his previous challenger walk passed me. Few moments pass before another set of footsteps can be heard.”

‘Ugh.’

“Ugh?”

‘Don’t talk to me’

“Who's talking to who!?”

“A figure wrapped in tattered clothing, near no discernible features beside deep white-tinted eyes. How coincidental. Is this not the rune etcher?”

“What the hell is going on? Why is everyone so rude. This is totally different to Tio.

I miss Tio.”

“After learning the hard truths of this world our hero sulks. Meeting with the young lords and ladies of this world has left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.”

“Damnit! Now it’s going to look like I’m the one following them.”

“And so, our hero begins to stalk his victims.”

“I’m not stalking anyone.”

“The large, well sculpted body of his challenger still on his mind.”

“What?”

“His devious intentions are easy to divine. His eyes also rest on the mysterious lady. Who knows what dark thoughts are swirling in that mind his? One can’t help but feel a slight repulsion.”

“I’m ignoring you.”

“Embracing his deviancy, despite slight reluctance, he quickly makes way to stalk the two unsuspecting victims. Are his motive simply revenge or is there something sinister afoot?”

“Shush, you. I’m not, not going to go towards my quest location.

Whatever.”

“And so. The trek begins. The journey should take longer than a day. And with the large influx of people, the wildlands have become lively. Even now we hear the cries of combat in the distance.”

“I’m not helping them if they have trouble fighting something.

I’m definitely not helping.”

“With every step, the safety of the camp gets further out of reach. And so does the daylight wither. The surrounding turn brown and green. The grey stones surrounding camp sharpstone start to diminish.”

“Now that you mention it. It was a bit gloomy. Almost no grass over there.

Plenty of greyish plants and trees but very little green.

But if this grasslands we are heading into gets any thicker.

Anyway. Who knows what kind of beasts are out here?”

“If one were to look at the wildlands from a bird’s eye view. One would see the adventures scattered in every direction except towards the forest our hero was teleported to.”

“Really? That seems strange. No one got a quest that lead in there?

It’s for the best. A hive of bugs is way to scary. No way anyone could fight them all.

One unlucky move and you’re finished!”

“It would appear our hero’s destination is at a border of a terrain shift. Where the grasslands, mountains and valleys meet.”

“Are we talking big mountains? Not that I’m against hiking.

Actually, getting a new overview of the surroundings would be nice.

Is that the mountains? Looks like a large hill”

“In the distance the first of the mountainscape can be seen. The mirage is deceitful, masking the true grandeur of the landscape behind.”

“Hoh.”

“Just ahead we can hear a man bellow.”

“Bellow? What.

Haha! That brute met something? Let’s check it out!”

“Our hero sprints towards the commotion. Quickly we see a wrapped up figure, silently observing something nearby.”

“Hey! Is he fighting? What is it?”

‘Don’t talk to me.’

“Oh. It’s big. Know what it is?”

‘Get away.’

“Noway. What the hell. They’re just walking in circles.”

“The two rather large creatures. One a stick wielding brute, the other a towering boulder of a being.”

‘Bring it! Huh! Hah!’

‘Hraaaar!?’

‘Oh!? Big mouth! Let’s see you back it up!’

‘Kaahh!’

“Is he talking to that thing?”

‘I’m leaving.’

“Hey!

Ah. She’s going.”

“The ground slowly gets flatten as the two challengers continue to strife in circles. Occasionally one unleashes an attack, the other defends.”

“Well this is just boring. What kind of fight is this?

Hey, giant. Need help?”

‘Stay out of this! Huaaah!’

“Well, whatever then.

I’m leaving! Good luck!”

“Before long our hero is confronted with yet another strange situation.”

“What is she doing?”

“Unbeknownst to our hero, a fight is already underway! Hidden in the flora is a creature, that specializes in ambushing. It has somehow been discovered. But won’t back down.”

“I can’t see anything. Over there?

Hey, need help?”

‘...’

“No?”

“Not a move is made. The standstill continues. And just as our hero let’s out a breath, intending to ignore the situation. Our wrapped stranger slings her hand forward.”

‘...’

“Fabric shoots towards the unassuming greenery.”

‘Got it.’

“Got what? What?”

“Dragged out of its hiding place. The creature writhes, trying to escape its bonds. The grass like creature squirms for a minute.”

‘Ha-.’

“A low yelp escapes someone before the creature comes to a full stop. It’s final breath taken.”

“What? What kind of fights are these? Where is the action!

Where are the spells.

Hey! What was that? Did you throw clothes on it? How does that work?”

‘Don’t talk to me! Leave me alone!’

“Pah. Alright. Whatever. What is that though?”

“The insect. A creature with myriad of limbs. However only one poses any threat. Used to deliver its toxins. And while said toxin may incapacitate most, our hero would perhaps only feel a bit fatigued.”

“Ohh. Interesting.

Hey, how did you know it was there?”

‘It moved.’

“Ohh.”

‘Go away.’

“Ah.”

“While our hero continues onward. The wrapped rune etcher proceeds to salvage any crafting material available.”

“I wonder if that big guy is okay. That girl can clearly handle herself. But that big guy.

I’m not so sure about him.

I wonder if they got any cool loot.”

“As the daylight continues to burn, so does our hero continue to make his way towards his destination.”

“At least it’s warm.”

“This time of year, on this side of the world. Everlasting warmth blankets these wildlands. The twilight will allow for clear sighting even during the dead of night.”

“It’s still eerie. you know. The night. Even if it isn’t cold.

Also. it’s hard to make things out in the dark, even if i can still see far.”

“The most dangerous are the nocturnal predators. One should keep one's wits about them at all times.”