“Wow, that was harsh.”

I leapt up as the girl spoke to me. The first thing I noticed was my new location. The stuffy library had been left behind, replaced by a neat and orderly little room. Two lamps on either side lit the area, which allowed me to see the furniture. A covered plate and a mug had been left on the small table at the far end with a note propped up against the side. The bed I had rested on squeaked as I pushed myself up.

“What was that?” I whispered. Rose pouted at me as she leant against the wall. Despite how much my brain wanted to demand answers, my mouth just couldn't form the words. 

I didn’t want her to force me back into that dream again.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t expect the link to be so strong.” She frowned. “I don’t have any control over that. The goddess said your mental strength was strong, so maybe it’s your fault?”

“What the hell do you mean by ‘your fault’? Can't you explain it in a way I’d actually understand?” A flame of anger sprung up in my chest as I stared at her. She knew things I needed to know but she insisted on speaking in riddles.

“They must have mentioned guides, right? Well, I’m one of them.” The girl ignored my irritation flicked some imaginary dust from her shoulder. “I’m here as a backup in case someone loses theirs, but that should be impossible…”

“Guide, huh. And I just so happened to stumble upon you on my first day? How convenient for you.” I shook my head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Well, I did call out to you, a bit. You made quite the stir when you popped up earlier.” She stretched her arms above her head. “Normally those who move over arrive without announcing their arrival, but you were different. I didn’t know this was the main transfer point for this world. Your friends should pop up here whenever they cross over.”

“Yeah, right. What else can you tell me?” I folded my arms and stared at her. If she was a guide, now would be a good time to prove it.

“Well, you probably don’t know much about the world. Your class has been set, so that can’t change. You can gain levels, which will allow you to travel more freely. You won’t gain any direct power, but additional abilities and skills will be provided as you progress.” She spoke in a singsong voice, as though she had read her speech from a script. “Don’t assume a level doesn’t mean anything, though. If someone reaches a high rank, that is proof of their skill. You can only be carried up to a certain point.”

Her explanation cooled my temper a little. What she said made sense, in a weird sort of way. The guild had said I was a Supporter, a choice that I had no part of. The boost in power that would usually accompany a 'level up' also wasn't present. Maybe this world had other abilities at a higher level, such as passive increases to defence and the like, but that would come later. At the moment I was a weak nobody.

"Well, I say you're a Supporter... but you're technically not one yet. Normally, people don't gain skills until they pass level ten and choose their class. The fact you'll gain yours before that... nevermind, it'll work itself out eventually." She tossed the thought aside without a care. "You should gain some abilities at level five, that's when those without a class gain test abilities. Theirs are mostly so they can get used to using the skills, so they don't have much use in combat, but yours should be more useful. That would be a good aim for you."

I guess I'll get to access my Inventory at... wait, what did she just say?

"Wait, can't I change my class? I heard some bad things about being a Supporter, wouldn't I be better suited as a Warrior or something, seeing as I am alone here?"

"No can do, unfortunately. Once your class is decided, it can't be changed." Rose smiled at me, as though she was trying to lighten the blow. "Don't worry about it. Those that get transferred over usually gain some unique skills to make up for it, along with the fact they level much faster. Supporters mostly use effects that increase the statistics of others, like their strength or agility. Maybe your buffs will be powerful enough to make up for the lower base stats you have."

I still don't like the fact that the book made me pick it up. I can’t even trust my own instincts any more…

“We’re out of time. You slept for too long.” She pushed herself from the wall as she grumbled at me. “I'm pretty powerful, but I'm still reliant on the level of the one I merge with. At your level... I can only give you a little nudge. Give it a day to settle in. At least get to level five, things should make more sense at that point, and I'll be able to come out for a bit longer and answer your questions then. Maybe you can go to the forest, it has a higher density of mana, so that should speed up your levelling a bit, and it shouldn't be too dangerous if you're careful. I'll see you later.”

"So you're going to leave me alone again?"

"Not exactly. I saw that you met with Claire and the others." Rose glanced down, as though she was looking through the floor beneath our feet, before she glanced back at me. "I've heard a bit about her. If there is anyone you can trust in this town, it would be her."

Trust someone I've just met for no reason? She'll have to do more than get me out of an awkward conversation for that.

“What do you mean, ‘a little nudge’?” I tossed aside her suggestion, but before I could get an answer to my new question the girl’s form blurred. It was as though she had been a drawn image on a screen, wiped from existence by an invisible eraser. As she vanished new information rushed into my brain to fill in the cracks. Nothing about the world, specifically, but something rushed into my mind like water for several seconds.

My brain didn’t enjoy the new experience. It wasn’t as painful as my last so-called ‘link’, but it was by no means a comfortable experience. After several minutes, the hazy fog in my mind lifted, which allowed me to clearly decide what to do next.

She had given me an understanding of the basic mechanics of the world. People gained levels, passed things called ‘advancement tests’ to gain increases in their abilities and power as their class went up by a tier. As someone who had transferred over, the increases I gained per test would be significant. I should be able to fight someone a tier above me at worst.

So, level five to gain more details, level ten to become more powerful.

The only issue was my class. Supporters were based around group play, at least for those who were born on this world. The other base classes were more focused on personal power. Warriors were the frontline in any battle, Practitioners could use magical attacks whilst Adventurers were flexible fighters who could focus on quick melee strikes or ranged combat. For me, it would be different. If the stories I had read or the shows I had seen were anything to go by, I would gain enough strength to stand on my own before too long. That wasn’t a definite thing, but the information Rose had provided backed up the assumption.

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The issue was 

The slimes aren't too hard to beat, and Rose said the forest would help me level up faster. I only have a bit more than a week, I can't be overly cautious. I guess the mana density is higher there?

The information Rose had provided included a summary of the world. Different areas had more or less mana overall, which made it easier to level and use abilities, but also attracted dangerous monsters. The forest would be a good balance for the current me, so I set it as my goal on Rose’s suggestion.

Instinctively, I walked across the room to the table and picked up the note. As my eyes flicked across it, I remembered I couldn’t read the script they used. Before it was tossed away, a peculiar detail stopped me in my tracks.

It was written in a language I could understand.

Had someone figured out my identity? Maybe it was a threat, or a warning of some kind. As I read the contents of the note, my paranoia settled slightly. It was from the receptionist. From what she had written, I had appeared in the Guild and collapsed, after which they had to give me treatment to make sure I wasn't injured. The bill was noted at the bottom, though I didn’t know what the number meant specifically. It could have been a pittance or a ransom and I wouldn’t have known the difference.

Rose mentioned ‘a little nudge’... Did she also give me the ability to read? Why?

It was helpful, sure, but information on my new home was a higher priority right now. The power to read was a long term gain, but a short term increase in my understanding would be preferable. After she had given me the basic information, my next goal would be to gain enough levels to summon her again. I glanced at the table and saw another object, which made me back away several steps.

It was the dull red book from the library.

The book seemed docile. It didn’t nag or pull at my mind to pick it up, but that didn’t give me much confidence. I moved back to the bed, pulled one of the pillowcases off and went back to the table. After I had wrapped the book in the rough material, lest I accidentally touch its cover with my bare hands, I gently put it back down on the table.

Maybe someone could inspect it and explain what was going on?

I lifted the cover from the plate and saw what had been left for me. A set of bread and cheese awaited me, matched by a mug filled with a dull white liquid. It looked like watery milk. Pangs of hunger squeezed my stomach as I looked at the meal. I decided to ignore my imagination, as it suggested the food was yet another trap.

The bread was tough, sturdier than a block of wood. I ground against my teeth several times before I spat it back onto the plate. The chunk of flaky cheese was easier on the tongue, if a bit stale. I guessed the meal had been left for me a decent time ago, which led me to believe I had been unconscious for several hours at least. If the girl had been more straightforward with her answers, I would’ve known for sure. but it wasn’t like I could ask an invisible ghost the time.

That would be crazy.

After the meal was finished, bread notwithstanding, I walked out into the corridor. Not a single person came into view as I crept down the staircase and out into the Guildhall, which cleared up any confusion about where Rose had taken me. The hall was mostly empty, besides a few individuals who nursed their cups in the corner. The receptionist looked up at me, her eyes bright as she waved for me to approach.

“Good to see you up and about. Are you OK now?” She passed me a small piece of paper, similar to a business card but much sturdier. “Here’s your guild card. It was finished while you slept upstairs.”

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine.” I looked at the door longingly as I took the card. “Thanks for the help.”

“I’ve seen worse, so it’s no problem. I’m just glad the curse didn’t last too long.” The receptionist glanced at the stairs. “You’re up early. Do you want to wait for Claire and the others before you head out?”

“No thanks. I did have a question, though.” I leaned close to the receptionist, my voice dropped to a whisper. “Can you tell me the date, please?”

“It’s the first day of the tenth month.” The receptionist stared at me, her eyes narrow as she responded. “Are you sure you’re OK?”

“I’ll be fine, thanks.” I smiled at her and left the building. The goddess had mentioned the tenth day and I had arrived here just before the month began. That left me nine days at best to prepare.

I didn’t want to ask what she meant by ‘the curse’ as she most likely believed I had been drunk, or worse. Scattered bits of information jumped out as I walked through the city. A quick glance at my card revealed a few details, but most of the fields were blank. Maybe I would have to fill them out myself?

Name: Rook. I guess that Claire and the others had passed it on in my absence. It would do for now.

Class: Supporter. It didn’t bode too well for my personal strength, but I would have to make the best of it. Soon, I would gain enough power that it wouldn't matter anymore.

Level: Two. I knew it was a low number. Rose had confirmed a higher level didn’t mean you would automatically win a fight, but it did open up more options and acted as proof of someone's experience.

The skills section was blank. Rose had been right about that, so it wasn't a stretch to think she had told the truth gaining skills at level five. It had taken one slime queen to level up, so I should be able to get the next three levels before the day ended. 

Level Five, then I can ask a few more questions. No time to waste.

I saw the gate at the end of the street, manned by a pair of guards who checked those that wished to depart. Each one showed the guards a small card, likely the one provided by the guild, before they were allowed to leave. Before I could queue up, a small hand tugged on my sleeve.

“Hey, you’re gonna go fight again?”

It was Robbie. He grinned up at me as he pulled me towards a stall by the side of the road, behind which I saw the girl from day before. She frowned at the boy before she turned to me with an apologetic look.

“Sorry about him. Robbie, you can’t force people to shop here.”

“It’s OK, he’s a good guy. Claire told me so.” Robbie patted his chest. “You worry too much, Karen.”

“Claire said so? I guess that’s OK. She has good instincts. You still need to be more polite.” Karen gave the boy a quick flick to his forehead before she turned back to me. “You’re planning to head out, right? Need some supplies?”

“Uh, kinda.” I looked at the contents of the cart. “I don’t have any money right now, though. Maybe later?”

“Oh, right. Take this.” She tossed a small bag over the counter as she grinned at me. “If Claire trusts you, then I guess I can help you out a bit. No refunds.”

I caught the bag with the tips of my fingers. Whatever it contained had some heft to it, but I couldn’t tell what it was from the shapes. Several loose objects jumbled around as I bounced it on my hand.

“Thanks.” I tied to my waist. At first, I had planned to carry it, but that would leave me with only one arm to defend myself. The others in the queue had similar bags tied to their waists, so I mirrored them as it was an effective method to keep my hands free. Claire's name seemed like a key to peoples trust. I didn’t know what I had done to make her believe in me, but I thanked her for it nonetheless.

The queue had disappeared as I spoke to Karen, which let me walk to the guards without a wait. I was allowed the pass through the gate after they had scanned my card. Their gazes shook slightly as they caught sight of my class before they gave me an odd look. From their reactions, I could tell it was rare to see Supporter as solo operators. The gate slammed closed behind me as I stepped out into the fields but, before I could move on, a voice shouted out from beside me.

“Oh, hello again. You off to defeat another slime queen?”