image [https://imgur.com/TCFY9xa.png]

Nina had forced herself to go to sleep by not allowing any thoughts of the future, past, or present into her mind. She imagined two rotating metal spheres inside a too small ring until she had drifted off. Admittedly the extremely comfy bed had helped. Now it was dawn and her eyes parted. She had gotten a skill last night, right as she had sat down on her bed.

[Charisma skill-False Heart]

Passive skill

You are capable of lying about YOURSELF with total honesty. Lies about YOURSELF are capable of bypassing [TRUTH] skills. Lies DOUBLE the effect of Charisma. If the target does not believe what you are saying, they will assume YOU still believe it entirely. This skill is capable of falsifying YOUR character sheet.

10% to Charisma Potency.

Nina was amused and intrigued by the ability. She surmised that her own desires would shape her skill set, and she would have to be careful about that. Possibly everyone in this world had unique skills, or maybe there was simply a massive skill pool. At first glance she was frustrated that this skill would neither help her survive an attack or let her kill more easily, but as she pondered it her eyes widened. Truth spells… gods. Yes, this was EXACTLY what she desired. What she needed. She let out a low laugh and relaxed.

She allowed herself to slowly look around the room. Her bed was spacious, clean, and an interesting blend of medieval and modern. She was certain that not even kings and queens in medieval Europe had access to 700 thread cotton sheets, no bugs, and some kind of air cycling device that looked just magical enough to “fit” into a world like this. The ceilings were tall and white washed wood planks, a plush embroidered rug covered the floor, and the whole room felt like the kind of place you would book in an expensive resort in some Swedish countryside. Well, a very rustic resort. With magical items.

Nina got out of bed and walked over to more closely inspect the device that had been keeping the room so cool and pleasant. It was up against the wall, made of wood and a smooth stone, and small intricately carved runes very faintly glowed along vents on one side. She could hear the gentle whooshing of air as it was drawn in, and on the other side it came out cool and pleasant. Nina rolled her eyes. She got it. This was the “buttering up” phase. Like being invited to sit at a Time Share meeting. The “Side of Good'' was likely not going to force her to fight for it, but simultaneously all other paths would be made to seem wildly inferior, and there would be a heavy dose of guilt as well. That was fine though, Nina was happy to take all they could offer and then prioritize her own needs, free and clear. Before going downstairs, and the serenade continued, she wanted to take stock.

She had made it to a Fantasy world. “The Continent”. Her whole adolescence had been turned towards this task, and she had succeeded. Oddly enough this felt easy to accept. Like flying on a plane, once you looked out the window for the first time and saw the clouds below, your brain just went “Ok” and then that was that. The book talked about grand adventures, levels, glory, treasure, and danger. She felt pretty confident in her path of Luck and Charisma, but she absolutely needed a meat shield or else the leveling would be painfully slow. Alternatively very powerful magical items seemed like they would work well. She wouldn’t kill Luka yet, as long as he behaved himself. There was simply too much of this world she did not know about, and getting greedy about having his items would almost definitely result in a more difficult time. If he got away then so be it, there would be other chumps. She smiled slowly. A whole world of people that believed in a moral binary, and she was on the side of “Good”. Incredible.

Nina went around the room inspecting it carefully. She wasn’t sure how “game-like” this thing was going to be, but very likely this would be a chance to get a few freebies. Sure enough there was a large beautifully made hardwood closet filled with outfits that looked to be her size. A tough yet flexible leather riding outfit, a shirt and long skirt made of thick cotton, chainmail, a small dagger, and a simple yellow sundress. She held up the sundress, smiling. It was very light and soft. Absolutely terrible for fighting in, hiking in, or doing much of anything other than walking and sitting in.

Nina came down the stairs slowly, her yellow skirt swishing around her legs, a delighted smile on her face. The dagger was in a small leather holster at her side, and she felt it actually enhanced the look of “lamb going to the slaughter”. Glancing up from under her lashes she spotted Luka sitting by the window, gazing out pensively. She sat down across from him, and beamed her full smile his way. He looked at her and a flash of pain flickered across his face. He was quite emotive, if you knew what to look for.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Ah, Samantha. How are you today?” Nina smiled and bobbed, then yawned while covering her mouth with one hand. “Yahhhnn…. Yeah! Sorry, I’m just… wow. This place is amazing! My room even had some kind of magical device in it? Do they have those everywhere?” Luka shook his head slowly. “This is a very special town. It is safe, has access to every comfort, and is designed to take the shock out of a Chosen’s first days in this world. The Continent has many dangers and the towns of our land do not have the wealth to spare for such devices. Still, I am glad it has let you enjoy your first night here.”

Nina kicked her feet gently under the table as she looked around. “Oh, Luka? I was thinking about this last night- but can everyone in this world speak English? That seems kind of odd to me.” Luka shook his head. “No. We speak and it is understood. Many different people from many different places come here. Listen carefully to the words, not the meaning, and you will see.” Nina paused, and then her eyes widened. “Oh. That’s… fascinating. I can’t believe I didn’t catch that.” Nina frowned cutely, suddenly in thought.

Luka glanced at her dress, his look of fatherly concern so thick that Nina had to stop herself from letting out an unpleasant chortle. Luka cleared his throat. “Samantha, I made sure the inn gave you a variety of outfits. Some are much more suited for ah, Adventure, than that one. Did they not appeal?” Nina smoothed out her dress with her hands. “Oh, this one just felt more me, you know? I thought the embroidery was beautiful, and I… I thought you’d like it…” She glanced away, a look of embarrassment coming onto her face. Luka shifted. “It’s… lovely. Well, for today anyway it is fine. I take all Chosen to face a bit more danger on their second day, as we wish you to level again, but I will be there and so all will be well.” Nina turned and smiled at him brilliantly. “Oh THANK you Luka! Thank you!” He nodded. “We have plenty of time to eat something, and then we will be on our way.” Nina smiled at him. “Oh I’m so excited!”. Luka’s eyes looked tired, but he smiled back.

The air outside was a fascinating mixture of summer warmth, with a lovely crisp autumnal breeze that occasionally blew through the town. Could she smell baking bread? Well that was possibly real as this was a town, but shouldn’t there be the smell of horse shit and open sewage from outhouses? But no, the air was so enjoyable to breathe she actually couldn’t help herself but take a few slow measured breaths. “Wow. This land really is beautiful.” Nina felt annoyed at herself. That had been an authentic statement. She had to be careful with those. Still, credit where credit was due. Luka looked at the forest beyond the town as they walked out through the archway. “Yes. For every horror, for every nightmare creature, there is also an equivalent beauty. Something worth protecting, no matter the cost.”

He looked at her. “Sadly it takes a hundred men a hundred days to build something of lasting beauty and worth. It only takes one man one hour to burn it down.” Nina looked up at him, her eyes glistening. “Wow Luka. That is SO true.” Luka closed his eyes, and nodded once. “We must always fight harder than the side of Evil. But our fight is fueled by something they can never have. Love… and hope.” Nina dug her fingernails into the palm of her hand. “So true… thank you.” Luka’s face had a small tired smile on it as they walked into the forest. “No, thank you Samantha. It is easy to forget why we fight, but occasionally… I am reminded.” Nina nodded, eyes wide. I may have to kill him sooner rather than later if this keeps up. She kept that thought very very small, letting her skirt swish as she walked.

“Luka, where are we going? Did you tie something else up…?” Nina’s voice quavered just a bit on that last word. Luka slowly shook his head. “We do go to kill, but this time it will not be against something that is defenseless. There is a tunnel system nearby that disgorges cave Goblins. Alone they are not enough to be a threat, but if many gather they can drag a traveler down and easily dispatch them.” Nina frowned. “Goblins… interesting. I was wondering if the monsters of this world would be ones I would recognize or not.” Luka glanced at her, an eyebrow raised. Nina smiled. “Hey, I’ve read fantasy books, and Goblins are featured quite often! Small, sharp toothed, um… and evil?” Luka looked forward again, the tall old growth trees soaring above them. “Yes. They do not have the evil hearts that more intelligent creatures develop, but they act as agents of chaos. Some Goblins are capable of communication, but many attack humans on sight. They have no respect for an individual's property, and will steal items and rations from people at night, no matter the side they fight for.” Nina looked at Luka, genuinely curious. “So, they aren’t evil exactly? And they don’t fight on the “side of Evil”? But we are still going to go kill them? I see.” Luka slowly nodded. “Heroes must gain strength. The great battles are far too fierce for early Chosen, so we must find lesser evils for them to face. Still, this is a deed worth doing.” Nina noted less conviction in his voice than earlier.

The forest rose up all around them, the canopy above letting in lances of morning light, the floor below plush with fallen leaves. After an hour of fairly easy walking Luka paused. “We are near the cave mouth. I would normally have you lead the way there, and I would act as backup, but I am a bit leery of doing so. It is important for you to be in some kind of danger in order to get more experience, however.” Nina puffed up her chest and strode in front of Luka. “I can do it! Let’s go!” She gripped her dagger's hilt, and taking it out immediately fumbled it onto the ground. She stooped to grab it and fumbled it again, cutting herself a small amount. Finally getting it under control she rose and looked at Luka bright eyed. “I am READY!”. Luka got that familiar pained expression on his face. “Let’s… go side by side.”