Having said their goodbyes to Bonetta, Grimmy and Alice started making their way to the Green Luna. Alice suddenly stopped. “Ughhh… it’s bothering me too much.”
“Oh, do not worry, Alice, you will see Bonetta again. I am sure of it.”
“No that’s not it… I really do not like how this red satchel looks. I must get something to match it. A belt? Yes! A belt would be perfect.” Alice switched directions and headed to Fawny’s store.
After what seemed hours to Grimmy, but was only about 45 minutes, they exited Fawny’s store and finally headed to Green Luna.
“I love my belt! plus you said it’s pretty badass right?” Alice asked Grimmy.
“Yes, it’s a good addition to your current set.”
Medic’s Belt – Belt made from red mushroom rat leather. Does not provide any physical or magical resistances. Belt slightly improves potency of healing spells. Belt has a series of compartments and loops to store medic tools and potions. This belt is enchanted to protect tools and potions stored within from accidental damage.
“I don’t love the fact that it’s made from rat leather, but no one will notice unless they use identify on it, right?” said Alice, trying to convince herself. Alice did not want people to know she was wearing a rat as a belt. That would be embarrassing, but it was the only red belt Fawny had in her store so there was nothing she could do.
They finally made it to Green Luna and walked straight to the dining area, taking a seat at the nearest empty table they could find.
“Hi Alice! You are back,” said Luna as she approached the table.
“Hi Luna! I am, and we are starving!”
“Oh, and I see you got yourself a familiar. Good job, girl! Oh, and that new outfit is marvelous, dear, that red rat leather belt really brings everything together doesn’t it.”
Alice slumped on her chair disheartened and said, “Yes… it does.”
Alice and Grimmy ordered their food, and they started going through the three quests that Grimmy had picked up for them.
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“Hey Grimmy, before we begin, let us not mention my death boon again, okay? It is my understanding that identify won’t reveal that information and it seems dangerous to be telling people about it. Bonetta was nice, but others might not be.”
“You should be proud to have that boon, Alice; it has been millennia since Lord Death has given a boon you know. You should wear it proudly on your sleeve and let the world know about it.”
“Maybe when I’m stronger, Grimmy. For now I’d like to avoid people wanting to kill me or imprison me.”
“As you wish, Alice. I don’t agree with you, but it will be done.” Grimmy pulled up the quests again and continued, “Alright, here is the plan tomorrow. The first quest is simple; it is a delivery quest. We will have to deliver some ingredients to a nearby city called Ruby City. It is about half a day away from here on foot. On our way there, we will fight a few monsters here and there to get you some levels, but we will specifically be hunting for dire wolves. We need to kill ten of those to complete our second quest. They have been disturbing the trade route between Ambar and Ruby City. Lastly, near Ruby City, there have been complaints of bandit activity, so after we turn in the delivery quest, we will go and take care of them. By the end of the day, you should be around level 15.”
“That seems like an extra-long day,” responded Alice with a worried look on her face.
“Do not worry, Alice, with your healing spells and my vast knowledge, we will get this done without breaking a sweat. First…”
Grimmy went on and on about the strategy he had developed. Alice tuned out after the first couple of minutes. Luna brought the food, and they ate it in seconds. After about 20 minutes, Grimmy finally finished his monologue. “And that’s how we will get it done.”
“Great…” said Alice. “It is getting late; we should go to sleep.”
“That is a great idea, Alice, we will need all the rest we can get.”
They made their way to their room. When they entered, they found a queen-size bed on one side of the wall and a desk on the other. “Pretty standard layout, I guess. The queen-size bed is better than the twin I was expecting, so can’t complain,” thought Alice.
Grimmy snapped his fingers and created a miniature bed in the shape of a coffin. The bed’s size suited him perfectly.
“A little cliché with the coffin bed don’t you think, Grimmy?”
“Clichés exists for a reason, Alice. I like to sleep in coffin-shaped beds, and I will not apologize for it.”
Alice threw herself onto the bed. “Fine… good night, Grimmy... Thank you for your help today.”
“No problem, Alice, that’s why I’m here.”
As both tried to go to sleep, Alice remembered her mental to-do list.
“Alright, let’s see how far I got today?”
Find a place to stay tonight.
“Check.”
Figure out the currency system of this world.
“Check.”
Unlock class.
“Check.”
Find a new outfit.
“Check.”
Find a way to get more money.
“Check.”
Find a way home.
Alice stayed silent for a moment. She realized that even though she had technically found a way, it would take her centuries, if not millennia, to get to S-grade. Realization kicked in. She was in another world. All her loved ones were gone. Her friends were gone. Would she ever see Tim again? Would she ever hear his voice again? Would Tim remarry? Would Tim forget about her? Would she forget about Tim?
All these questions started appearing in her head, and all her worries and all the feelings she had been able to push aside, came rushing in faster than when the paramedics would bring someone to the ER. Alice’s eyes started to water. Tim, her geeky, soft mannered, handsome, splendid husband was gone. Her body was filled with regret. Regret of not taking more days off from the hospital to be with Tim. Regret of not trying harder to enjoy the things Tim enjoyed. What Alice wouldn’t do to play one of those silly games with Tim now?
Grimmy was awakened by crying sounds. His gaze finally met the person responsible for waking him up and asked, “Alice, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Grimmy, go to sleep,” said Alice, still crying.
Grimmy did not respond.
The next thing Alice felt was Grimmy’s cold bony head near her arms. Alice grasped him tight and started crying uncontrollably, much louder than before. Grimmy stayed silent and pressed his arms against her until Alice finally ran out of tears and fell asleep.