Chapter 6
The town of Yarrow looks very different to a modern town, nothing like what I was expecting. For one thing, there are no suburban areas. All the buildings are enclosed behind a wall which is around 6 feet thick, and 20 feet high. The entrance is a guarded gate, though I am not quite sure why the guards are there. Are they there to keep watch for monster attacks, check the ID of people entering or collect an entry fee? Or you never know, it might even be all three.
Seriously though, I need to check my ID card. It should be valid, but if it contains details I don’t know about then that is a warning sign for any guard. Like when my previous classmates tried to purchase alcohol with a forged driving license and couldn’t remember their supposed date of birth when the shopkeeper asked. And the penalty here is probably more stringent than on Earth. I mean, when you think of fantasy, you think medieval, right? And weren’t punishments back then something along the lines of ‘steal and get hand chopped off’, and other similar forms of justice.
Hmm… let me see…. Aha!
Ambrose Valier: Title (None)
Job (None): Level (0)
Crimes (None)
Well, it shows less than I expected, but it should be authentic. Even if it was created by this game system thing, so far everything I’ve purchased in that way has been proven viable. I have the clothes, food and money from the store to start out with, and the magic is also real. So why can’t something that powerful forge an ID? Especially since the tech level here seems pretty low, so unless they use magic in some way for verification I’m good. And even if magic is involved, can a gatekeeper’s magic overcome the power of whatever it is which brought me here…
“Oi, kid! Are you going to enter or just loiter around all day?”
Ah! A cursory look around reveals another lone traveler, but he looks elderly enough that calling him ‘kid’ simply wouldn’t make any sense.
“Sorry, it was a long journey and I’m a bit tired. I’d like to enter the town please…”
The guard’s shoulders relax slightly and the tense aura dissipates somewhat.
“Oh, this wouldn’t be your first time in the area lad?”
I nod in agreement, it’s hardly a secret when anyone who knows anything about the area could ask me a couple of questions and come to the same conclusion.
“Then you’ll have to pay the 10 Bey fee for the exit and entry pass, as well as provide valid ID.”
That seems to be standard. The coins I have in my inventory are worth 10 Bey each, and the couple entering a few minutes ago, had handed over two of the same. So it’s a legitimate fee, and not a scam.
“Here’s the money, and as for ID, will this do?”
I handed the relevant items to the guard on the left. Though I asked whether the ID would be suitable, it really was just supposed to be a polite nothing which would affirm my status as a harmless traveler. That being the case, the response I received from the guard on the right came as a surprise.
“Well the general identification card is a bit… The situation being what it is, we can only issue a restricted pass based on that alone.”
He then got smacked on the arm by the guard who received the ID, and a whispered conversation ensued.
“For goodness sake! The kid’s still a Level 0, how can he possibly be eligible for a guild card?”
“Well sorry for not being able to read your mind! You received the card, how could I have known he’s a Level 0? At his age as well… Is he some sort of minor nobility?”
“Of course not, look at his clothes. Even the lowest noble wouldn’t turn up looking like that and without an entourage to boot!”
Is this world in the renaissance era? I mean, historically speaking, that era was when guilds were at their peak – though since that was Europe and this is somewhere else entirely the technology levels and social demographics are not necessarily going to match up. Especially when magic is added into the mix. But the guilds must be at least somewhat important despite any inconsistencies, otherwise their ID wouldn’t be accepted by a gate guard. Oh, and what was up with a restricted pass…
“Erm, I’m sorry but that is my only identification.”
The guard on the left shot an ‘I-told-you-so’ look at his partner.
“But I would like to enter Yarrow regardless, since I’ve been travelling a fair while - so some properly cooked food would be nice.”
Guard on the right nods.
“Alright, but just so you know, the residency permit is for one week maximum when you have a restricted card. Also, you aren’t allowed to buy weapons, armor, magic items, medicines or potions, and any other non-food item purchases will have an additional 20% tax on top of the normal price.”
His eyes stray to the sword at my waist briefly.
“You can use personal possessions bought elsewhere, they can be repaired as well. But attempting to purchase a restricted item will result in a jail term at best.”
If that is the case I won’t be able to make my way as an adventurer. Not without risking my life by going out with only the clothes on my back and a simple blade. That doesn’t seem very fair, but I am hardly able to complain. All I can do is mentally make a note to get more official ID as soon as possible. The question is how? Ah, maybe if I…
“Are there any guilds in Yarrow which I could apply for membership with?”
“A fair few, but they all cost a silver to even be assessed as a potential member.”
The guard on the left interjects with a scoff.
“Can you imagine – a whole hundred Bey just for a chance at membership?! Count me out. Besides, I’ve never heard of a Level 0 ever getting accepted.”
Damn, after paying the entrance fee I have 90 Bey left, talk about insufficient.
“Then, is there any way at all to make a living?”
“There’s always the odd-jobs board, I suppose… But the pay’s usually not that good. Bit of a risky source of income.”
After a few more words are exchanged my permit is finally finished, and I can enter. It’s getting dark, so for now I’ll find an Inn. I passed by a few on the main road, but since I wanted to save on travel expenses I wound up camping. The weather was decent so it wasn’t that bad an experience. It’s just that a bath and hot food would be amazing.
Wandering down the street I come across a large square with a tiled pool in the middle. Clean enough, but the lack of a fountain makes me wonder what purpose it serves... Decoration? Watering animals? Hopefully not a public toilet! On the outskirts there are a couple of stall-holders closing down for the night, though they are a minority. Most continue to hawk their wares. Quite a few of the snacks look tempting, as do a few of the items on display, but since I don’t know the market price I’ll pass. I did ask some travelers along the way what the cost of a room as a decent Inn would cost though. 10 Bey, per night and including three meals.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Though I do wonder why ten of the least valuable coins are enough to live on for a day in relative comfort. Is there some sort of barter system? Or do people buy in bulk? I don’t know, it just seems dreadfully illogical for a currency to be so high value. Well, I guess I’m lucky to have enough for an inn then, even if I can only stay and eat for 9 days with my current funds. Under other, more expected, circumstances I would have invested some of that in equipment to level up quicker. But no, I can buy nothing of any practical use. In combat, that is.
Would it be possible to buy a knife under the guise of needing kitchen utensils? No, too much of a risk. I could fall foul of the law. I really should ask someone about that... but who? I’m certainly not catching a random passer-by and quizzing them about the legality of knives while in a dark street. I’d call the police, or here it would be guards I guess, if someone did that to me. Just an automatic response, really, to a suspicious situation. Inn first. Ask later.
So, there are a total of three inns down this road. Full Flagon’s Five is the first one. It lives up to its name right now as well, the sound of drunken carousing is more than slightly audible from the doorway. So I’ll pass on that one. The fancy one’s name I don’t know, the sign which should let me know it is written with such an elaborate lettering that it’s a challenge to decipher it. The third one, Carp Inn looks a bit old, but in a comfortably worn-out style, not a dangerously derelict one. Doesn’t look dangerous at all, actually. A middle-aged woman is serving meals to a few remaining customers, with a man of similar age at the counter. At least I won’t feel as awkward asking for a room here. I’d feel pretty out of place at an inn full of wealthy people. I hate being on a budget to this extent.
Speaking to the innkeeper I find that there’s the choice of a shared room or a solo one, and with the shared one being basically half the price of the solo, it’s tempting to choose it. Then again stranger danger and all that. Not that I’m worried about pickpockets, the Inventory is probably one of the best anti-theft measures ever. Just what with all the paranoia on the journey here it has been hard to get a good night’s sleep. Being in a crowded room is likely to be counter-productive towards that goal. So at least for now I’ll go with the pricier option, I can always downgrade tomorrow if it really isn’t worth the extra.
A night’s stay in a private room with breakfast, lunch and dinner comes to 9 Bey. A bucket of warm water to wash in is an extra 1 Bey, or you can go to the bathhouse around the corner and have a hot shower for 6 Bey. But since it’s closed for the night, a bucket of hot water it is.
Hmm, the room itself is better than I expected. There’s a bed with blankets, table and chair set, and a lockable chest for valuables. The windows have shutters on the outside, no glass panes, though thick woolen curtains on the inside help keep the cold out. Oh, and there is a half of a candle in a holder. Though by the time I finish a quick wash to get the worst of the dirt off it is almost completely gone. Then, after taking my shoes off at long last, I force myself to stay awake long enough to store them and my sword safely away in the Inventory. Then my eyes begin to close, and my last thought before sleep is that it is so nice to have a warm bed… so very cozy.
Waking up the next morning is a chore. A thin mattress lacking modern technology may not be luxurious on earth, but when literal earth has been your bed for the past few days… yeah it is a definite improvement. Now, choices, choices. Do I go and have a proper bath? Or do I check out the odd jobs board first? No, first things first, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And while gulping down a bowl of rather bland, but piping hot, porridge the Landlady comes up to me.
“Good morning, sorry to bother but will you be requiring a packed lunch for your noon meal? And do you wish to reserve the room for the following night?”
She says it fairly briskly, though she smiles when giving me the small copper coin in change when I do pay to keep my current room. That just leaves the matter of the lunch?
“I was thinking of trying my hand at some of the odd jobs today, would you recommend a packed one?”
Her lips purse in thought.
“Well depends, if you’re going out of town then most will take lunch with them, saves going back and forth and wasting time. On the other hand, if you’re working within the town walls you might want to take advantage of the hot lunch we serve. Both options are good quality though.”
As if she cannot emphasize the standard of meals enough, there is a firm nod at the end of the sentence.
“Erm, I think I’ll go with a packed lunch today. And would you mind giving me directions to the odd jobs board? I only arrived here yesterday.”
“Take a right turn when you exit the inn, first left and then straight ahead to the tiled square. The boards by the statue of a gryphon. It’s big and ugly, can’t really miss it. Packed lunches can be picked up from the kitchen for the next hour. Now, if you’ll excuse me I have other customers to attend to.”
And just like that she bustles off, brisk manner once again on. Time to find the kitchens then. Which is fairly simple, since it’s has a sign on the door with an image of a saucepan. I can’t read the words under it though. Well, I assume they are words, they could have been an attempt at abstract art or the worst handwritten English that ever existed, but I’m pretty sure they’re this world's words. Which are not English and which I therefore do not understand. Guess language comprehension doesn’t cover literacy. Joy.
Still, I picked up my lunch, some sort of wrap containing meat and salad, and headed out. The street was quite crowded, with people flocking in and out of shops, gathering around stalls and occasionally sitting on a bench to chat. It was easy to get through. Don't underestimate the crowd navigating skills of a regular user of the London Underground! This place was nowhere near as jam packed. Though Yarrow is a town, not a city, so maybe I am being a bit unfair in my gloating.
Taking the left turn revealed several huge statues, one at each corner of the square. A unicorn, a phoenix, some sort of fish monster which has so many teeth that it is kind of freaking me out, and yes, a gryphon. Surrounded by an even denser crowd than on the street. Challenge accepted! Although... once I get to the odd jobs board there is an issue. How am I supposed to know what is being asked without being able to read and write. Is it going to be that big of a hindrance? I had thought, given how just about every shop I passed by had a image indicating their wares in addition to writing, that literacy was quite low.
But then... I don't get it? I was able to read my ID card after all. Granted, it didn’t say much, but since the guards at the gate understood. Maybe because it came from the system thing and so the Gamer Perk was applicable? Maybe...
Oops, almost lost my place in the crowd. It seems like everyone is fighting for the best jobs. It's a bit of a push to get forward and reach the center, and my low physical stats don't help in the slightest. But I made it. And I must say, 'Odd-Jobs Board' really is a bit of an understatement. There are several boards, presumably with different types of jobs, and once you have accepted a slip you go to a ring of desks to have your job confirmed. Isn't this just like an unofficial adventurers guild? Well I think that is what's going on. I reach out for a slip on one of the less crowded boards, just to take a look. At least I meant to just take a look.
Quest: Collect 5 Fire Drake Heartstrings
Location: Ruben Sands
Reward: 100 Bey per Heartstring
Do You Wish To Accept This Quest?
No thanks! And the prompt goes away... well, promptly. Bad puns aside, it seems like I don't have to worry quite so much about literacy if this Questing System will tell me what the task is. Though I think I'll choose a less difficult task, Fire Drakes sound tough. Probably why so few people are gathered at this end. Safety first is a really good mantra. Anyway, in the end I accept a job which is somewhat safe.
Quest: Collect Shasha Grass (Minimum 10) (Minimum Quality: Normal)
Location: Goblin Forest 4
Reward: 1 Bey per Normal Quality, 2 Bey per Good Quality, 3 Bey per High Quality
Do You Wish To Accept This Quest?
Just in case the paper slip vanishes I do not accept the quest until after it is stamped at the desk. The man behind the counter then gestures impatiently.
"The temporary transfer gate is that way."
"Temporary transfer?"
"Well how else do you expect to get to... err... Goblin Forest 4? That place is over 40 miles away!"
"So I teleport there? How do I get back?"
"Rookie. That's why it's called temporary. You'll be called back automatically after 6 hours over there, no matter what."
"Does it cost a lot?"
"Is today the day for idiots or something? Since it will deplete your mana to work there is no cost. Now move along and let me process the next person."
Scary face. And he was almost growling that last sentence. Hence why I am already in the queue to enter what looks like an old gate. Guess it can't be that ordinary if everyone vanishes someplace else after stepping through. While waiting and wondering how it actually works, I accept the quest. Almost forgot about it. It shines in response and a mini-map appears. Not in the corner of my eye, nor in front of me, my vision is unimpeded. But it is somehow not distracting me at all, even though I know it is showing where I am, along with an arrow pointing to my objective.
Now for the teleport itself...