CAN I GET A REFUND ON THIS THING CALLED LIFE?

DAY ONE.

“Hey! Freak! Catch!”  

The sound of a heavy impact was heard as a tall, bulky boy of 15 years was taken to the ground, dropped back a well thrown brick to the back. He dropped with a low grunt of surprised shock, but made no other sound. The thrower, a tall girl with brown eyes, came over laughing as she lifted a second brick.

“Here! Let me help!”

She hit him in the back repeatedly with the red building material giggling like she was being tickled the entire beating. The boy didn’t move as it finally shattered over his spine and she proceeded to kick the proned boy in the ribs with malicious force. She finally stopped the vicious beating when she was hunched over panting from exertion. She had a very pleased with herself expression on her face as she spit on the fallen boy.

“Just kill yourself. No one wants you here. Everyone hates you. Seriously. Kill yourself.”

She walked off as the boy got back to his feet without a single sign of pain. he dusted himself off with a sigh. Another day in the life of me. Hoo-fuckin-ray. The boy walked through the front door of his high school where more jeers were thrown at him by every passing soul.

“Hey, ya fucking monster! Go die in a hole!”

“Ew, get away from me freak!”

“Hey! Sped fuck! Die!”

The boy just ignored them as usual. Bunch of braying hyenas. I wish THEY would die. He reached his second floor locker and looked at himself in the integrated mirror it had for some odd freakin reason. He sighed as he brushed his short cut black hair while his brown eyes shown with walls of steel to protect himself from the monsters he lived with. His face was clear and strong while his skin was slightly darker then the white skin norm of his new England home. His body was bulky from his arduous life and his outfit a thick hoodie and jeans with work boots. He got his bag he carried his school books in and went into the class.

“Naamani. You’re late again. One more time and it’s a class beating.”

The singled out boy just nodded and took his seat at the back of the class after brushing the tacks from it of course. He opened his book and passed the class watching the teacher do his job. I guess they failed the test yesterday. They JUST taught this lesson last week. He was taking the notes when a large book slammed into his head from the side.

“Freak. Answer the question.”

The boy ignored his attacker.

“35 sir.”

The teacher grumbled.

“Fucking smartassed freak. Hit em again Clark.”

the boy got a second, more vicious shot that slammed his head off the desk, and the class clapped.

“well done Clark. No homework for the class today. The freak gets three sheets.”

Not even acknowledging his savage hits the boy just looked at the whiteboard. The class ended and the boy got subjected to the class beating anyway. And he just laid there letting them break a three wooden rod over his back. They got bored after the third rod and went to class as the boy got off the floor.

“Tyler? Why haven’t you just killed yourself already?”

Tyler, the beaten boy, smirked at the exasperated teacher.

“It’ll take a helluva lot more then YOU people to break me. But by all means try. I’ll still be here.”

The teacher smirked at that.

“It seems you’ve just signed up for an afterschool session. Good for you. We proper members of society need to be amused.”

Tyler just walked back out and to his next class.  Idiots thing they can break me. Pff. Let them try. The tortured boy’s day went on like that until the bell rang and school was dismissed. Tyler left the grounds and was walking along the rising streets and falling roadways of his home town when a cop pulled over beside him.

“Hey! Fuckwad!”

Tyler got hit with the cop’s stungun and dropped as the volts of electricity tore through his body. The cop’s partner got out and hit him as well with his stungun while the first loaded a fresh charge into his. Tyler got hit a further four times before the cops drove off laughing. He got off the ground and kept moving. The tingling feeling from the stunguns leaving him nearly immediately. I guess they were behind schedule. He crossed the center bridge that led into his side of town and now had to dodge people trying to hit him, but NOT damage their cars. Tyler hid a smirk as one lady missed him, only to hit the fire hydrant he’d been standing in front of. He walked off as the fuming lady had to call her out of state insurance as she’s shattered her bumper. Tyler sighed as he walked up the long hill to his house. He could hear the fighting as his mother and stepfather were at it again over whether to just poison his food or kill him in his sleep. Tyler just walked into the house of screams, went up the stairs and shut the door to his room. He put the locks and chains in place before barricading the door with his bed. He then made a meal from canned foods he’d stockpiled for such occasions when he couldn’t trust their food. He then closed the door on his hidden crawlspace that was his ACTUAL room they never knew was there. Inside his only sanctuary he turned the small lantern he’d stolen from the outdoor shop and started reading from his favorite weaponry encyclopedia. He heard the door get forced open,

“Goddammit! That fucking thing went out the window again!”

“How the fuck does he do that? It’s not that smart!”

“WHY didn’t you get an abortion?”

“WHY can’t you kill it?”

The arguing over his worthless life went on as the door was slammed as they left. Tyler settled into the sleeping bag that was his bed and sighed.

“They won’t break me.”

THIS IS MY LIFE-WHAT THE HELL?

DAY 2.

TUESDAY.

The next morning Tyler opened his eyes....to find himself laying in a rundown alley between two wooden buildings. The teenager blinked at this as the sound of horses, wagons, a legion of voices of men and women and more beside reached his ears. A scent of sweet woodsmoke drifted into his nose while beneath his legs was a soft dirt floor. Utterly removed from his semi-comfy hideyhole in his house. Tyler rose from the spot leaning against the wall and found he'd been redressed in his denim jeans and tshirt and workboots. Only they were brand new and fitted to his lanky form which made him shrug. The teenager looked up at the narrow sliver of sky above his head just in time to see a gigantic flying ship flew over his head. The thing was easily 100 feet long with a set of spinning, glowing rings on the bottom that seemed to be what was keeping her aloft. Her hull was bristling with small square panels he KNEW were for cannons and on the prow of the massive craft was a large golden statue of a man leaning on a two handed sword. The top of the ship had oddly placed viewing decks one would expect over a cliffside, NOT on a sky faring vessel. The entire craft was a deep red, with shot of gold torn out of the sides while a large crest of a dragon being slain by the same sword wielding man on the prow statue was seen. Tyler gaped at the magnificent craft when he noticed a panel open near the keel of the ship, and a girl poke her head out of the confines of the interior. Tyler was jerked from his awe by the sight of another person and saw she was a beautiful girl with long, flowing golden hair and light skin. She seemed to notice him on the ground as she waved at the boy on the ground looking at her. He waved back and he saw her smile. She got hailed from within and was gone. The craft wasn’t alone in the sky either. Now with a clear head, Tyler could see smaller escort crafts in a rigid box shaped pattern around the hulking thing. These smaller craft resembling large birds with machineguns in their metal wings. They too, had rotating circles beneath them, but not to the extent of the main beast. Tyler whistled at this as the girl ducked back into the airship and the outworlder smirked as he realized. I just got isekaied.....cool. Sooooo, now what? Tyler looked behind him at the ground and spotted a small shoulder sling bag made from good leather. Opening the thing yielded a leather-bound notebook filled with sketches, drawings, and diagrams while another notebook had a faintly glowing symbol on the cover. Taking this the curious teenager opened the book and it read,

"Name the tale."

".....Tale of the Demon?"

The pages filled in with the words and lines of the teenager's handwritten story and he smiled in relief as his extensive portfolio was present. A small orb was found next with a black etched music note on it's surface. Tyler smiled as he poked it and found the thing contained his vast collection of music.

"Even has my anime and hentai collections. Alright."

Laying in the dirt beside the slingbag was a 2 foot shortsword complete with scabbard and belt. The teenager unsheathed the sword and found it to be pristine with a twin edge and die straight blade. Happy with this he hung it on his belt in easy reach and shouldered the slingbag. A small pouch was found that contained 3 gold coins and that was all. The teenager shrugged at this sum as he hung it inside his shirt and walked to the end of the alley for the street. As he did, he noted the masses of people passing on their various tasks and activities. And realized there were far more then just mundane humna wondering the streets. POintyeared elves, long tailed lamias, powerfully built centaurs with large hooves, barrel like dwarves, and more besides strode the slightly raised sidewalks of the main street alongside humans. And Tyler noted the snake-like lamias was given a wide berth due to their tails being close to 20 feet long in some cases. A little further beyond the sidewalk was a cobblestone street where horses and wagons clipclopped along in an oddly satisfying cavalcade of ropes and hooves. Men and women in armor were seen astride some of the majestic steeds and Tyler noted groups of these garbed people all sporting the same emblem on their breastplates. A pair intertwined branches guarded by thorns inlaid by gold. This emblem had the teenager tilting his head at it's meaning as a patrol of the armored guards came by...and a man with a redflanged helm happened to see the teenager by the alley and Tyler tilted his head curiously.....as the captain, Least I THINK he's a captain given the red and gold trim on his mail and helm, the captain nodded and returned to his patrol route. Tyler shrugged at this and looked down the street seeking a direction....and blinked at the sight he was treated to. For a GLORIOUS palace soared into the sky at the far end of the thoroughfare. This palace was a dsight to behold as every tower was constructed in a mirror of the other to such a degree, even the lines of the laid bricks lined up for an oddly hypnotic spectacle. And the color scheme was eyecatching as well. A pattern of red, gold, blue, green, and purple alternated with the cooresponding blocks and the pattern continued all the way to the tip of the tallest tower. Even the stained glass windows followed this odd design choice and resulted in a rather hard to look at construction. It also had a rather bizarre swept back profile as if it had been built in a pyramid style with each side sloped towards a singular focal point where a solitary tower soared to the apex of the palace. Tyler whistled at the immense building before he turned to look down the other direction and found the city just stretched on into the distance as far as he could see. That was when the observing teenager noticed the way the buildings were laid out. The closer to the palace they were, the taller and more grand their construction. Ebony, marble, highly polished granite, fancy woodwork, and more were on evidence with sealed gates and patrolling guards. The buildings directly across the street from the palace were the tallest aside from the place of ruling and every building before them were shorter by but a single floor. Resulting in a staggered pattern that had the awed teenager smirking inwardly. They built this city in stages, with overlapping fields of fire from the farther back buildings. If you place long reaching artillery on the tallest buildings, you can in essence create an untakable city. The pyramid theme is kinda intense though. The farther from the palace you got, the lower the quality became. Brickwork, lesser wood, makeshift homes, and even a section of abject poverty decorated the fringes and middling sections of the city. And that was as far as the teenager could see from his single obeservation point. The next thing he looked to was what the hell he was going to do for a meal ticket. Well. I've got a sword. No experience using it. I'm artistic, with no ability to MAKE my visions, and I'm stronger and far smarter then I look.....eh I'll see what I can find. The stranger in an even stranger land turned and walked away from the palace now, seeking a means or anything worth looking into. 

Tyler was also taking in this city in all it's fantasical majesty. And noted the layout of the streets was in a box pattern. If you were to look on the city from the sky, it would resemble a perfect square with wide white lines cut out at the perfect centers of each side, and corner. Every line intersecting with a rather scary percision at the palace to create a simplistic street layout. Each of the main streets also had a number of small offshoots connecting them to each other for ease of passage and Tyler found the intersections to run like clockwork. Crystals suspended from wires were enchanted to function like modern street lights for the multiple lanes of traffic and Tyler noted a pattern to the switching lights. Each lane got their own turn, while the others were prohibited from moving until their color came. And instead of a uniform green light for go, each of the ten different lanes of traffic got their own light. A move that had the used-to-modern-traffic-hellscapes teenager nodding approvingly. As for pedestrians, a seperate light entirely and set of rules was established. At each intersection was a painted set of lines not unlike a crosswalk. People looking to use this crosswalk had to push a button on a pole, again like at a crosswalk. However, they then had to wait until the next lanre change where a bright chrome clight shone across all crystals at the intersection and when it glowed, everything stopped to allow people to pass. A courteousy that made the outworlder nod as he crossed his third street. Each crossing was also spaced at a uniform distance of 500 yards to the dot. From a map of the city, there was close to 50,000 of these crossings, indicating a city of mindboggling proportions. Tyhler whistled at this as he walked, and took int eh various other sights. For shops offering everything from magical spells and magical items to more resturants then he could count to fullon brothels loaded to bursting with men and women of every build and even race decorated the many streets and sideways of this bustling fantasy metropolis. And it was then that Tyler passed by an outdoor stall where a nearly 8 foot tall man in a loincloth with a battleaxe nearly bigger the TYLER WAS strapped to his back was chatting with a VERY pretty girl with the ears and tail of a tortoise shell cat not even half the immense man's size...and Tyler noted him pas the smaller girl a few bronze colored coins for a section of rope.

"Thank'ee agin, Lessa. Me axe bin needin a rebind."

THe catgirl flicked her tail at the massive man as he strode away.

"Be seein nya, Bjorn! Do come back Neow!"

Tyler kept walking as he analyzed the 5 second encounter. Progressive currency system. Those were copper coins and he gave her ten for a 5 foot section of braided rope.....the rope was a centimeter thick and was to be used in a binding for his battleaxe. Indicating strength and the fact the big guy was familiar, suggests regular visitor. And that means her goods are trusted and/or of a quality. I have three gold coins, which lends to a sizable sum. Hm. Tyler then started peering at the various stalls and shops seeking to gauge how the economy functioned in his new world....and happened across a rather heated argument between two men at a stall selling weapons. Tyler stopped as his sharp eyes noticed a rather striking spearhead forged in the shape of an undulating serpent with even the scales of the serpent visible in the steel. Beside him was a slender human man pointing at a section of the blade on a dagger that was merely dusty while the stallkeeper, another human man, was smirking knowingly. The haggler tried again.

"Lookee here, agin, Fillis. That's tarnish in the steel! How can you, an honorable and true merchant, sell such a weakened weapon for 4 silver? To my eye, 1 silver be a right deal. Given the weapon's state."

The keeper chuckled.

"Laxa, we do this EVERY TIME you visit me stall or shop. The dagger is fresh from the grindstone. THAT spot you keep referring to, is a mere section of DUST from the SHELF I removed it from. 4 silver for such a blade IS a deal. And a right steal if I am being honest."

Laxa, however, merely flipped the dagger over to point to a darker section in the metal.

"If the dagger be as true as ye claim, why be there a spot of dark here in the grey?"

Fillis smirked.

"THAT is the result of the ebony in the blade's bedding. It serves to strengthen the entire piece. Now that I think of it, perhaps there IS something to your observance afteral."

Tyler smirked as he inspected the draw on a crossbow made of oak with iron fittings, well aware something was coming. Laxa smiled.

"At last you see reason. Do we have a deal for 1 silver?"

"Oh quite to the contray. THAt dagger, was SUPPOSED to be priced at 10 silver. But, due to my own ineptness, I misspriced it. In repayment for your efforts to ensure an honorable deal, a discount of 2 silver is granted. I DO thank you for your vigilance."

Laxa set the dagger down and walked away in defeat. Tyler chuckled at this defeat.

"Oh my GODS that is a CLASSIC."

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

The shopkeeper chuckled as he looked to the slender teenager.

"Oh it be a bit of a game for ole Laxa. He tries every day to get me, and never the same way twice! Now, ya seem to have a keen eye for wears, my young lad. Looking for anything in particular?"

TYler shrugged.

"More seeing if anything caught my eye with a HELLO THERE. I be new in the city you see."

"Ah. I do see indeed. If you be seeking lodging, there be a reputable tavern down on the fourth layer. Look for the yellow bricks and you'll be set straight."

TYler nodded as his mind commited the route to memory....

"And If I am in the search for WORK?"

The man chuckled at this attempt.

"THAt depends on what you can DO my young friend."

Tyler smiled as he indicated the shortsword on his belt.

"I'm pretty fair with a blade."

"Ah. The Adventurers Guild be by the third Mainway, laddee. Take that sideway there and keep on till you reach the end. Guild'll be RIGHT on the tip."

"Thanks a lot."

"Good on ye kid."

Tyler trotted down the road indicated by the stallrunner with a smile. I'll get a gig at the guild and put my formerly useless bladeskills and tricks to work. And I'll keep my Outworlder status on the DL. Since we ALL know how THAT works out. Tyler dodged people, human or otherwise, on the street as he headed down the sidestreet at an excited lope. Fifteen minutes later the would-be adventurer was faced by a three way intersection and spotted a squat building flying banners and covered in highly polished roundshields with throngs of people walking in and out. Tyler smiled as he walked over...and was stopped at the door by a chuckling elven man.

"Hold there, Sapling. If ya seek to put down roots here, that plot is where you seek."

TYler chuckled at the line of people standing in front of a grated booth with a chuckling woman inside.

"Of course."

So he got at the back as a well built centaur chuckled in front of him.

"I did the same meself on my approach."

"Classic. I'm Tyler."

"Wildorn Hoofbreaker. Of the WIldorn Clan."

Wildorn was an imposing specimen at 8 feet tall and close to 12 long. From the waist upwards the centaur had the torso of a heavily built human man with darker skin and piercing green eyes. His hair hung to the tip of his hoof in a glittering golden rope while from the waist DOWNWARD, he had the lower portion of a beautiful chestnut stallion. Tyler then noted the nearly 10 foot long spear resting in a special sling on the centaur's back.

"So how's it work at this Guild, Wildorn?"

The centaur chuckled in his deep baritone.

"I am not certain. They change their tests more often then a dwarf changes their pick."

"I 'eard that, Horsie."

"Sorry, I cannot hear ya down there."

Tyler chuckled at the goodnatured smirk on the face of a 3 foot tall man as he looked up at the towering centaur.

"Least doors don't fight back."

And so the war of words began with Tyler sitting back and enjoying the bullshit scene. The lien moved steadily enough until it was Wildorn's turn...and the attendant chuckled as she looked up at the massive centaur.

"1 gold fee to join the Guild please. This fee is used for the upkeep of the Hall and to assist in the meals for your Guildmates."

Wildorn passed the coin over and the attendant nodded as the towering stallion placed his hand on a stone slab.

"Okay. Here's your band. Your rank is green. The highest is gold. When you complete jobs and slay monsters the band will glow until it hits a vividly glowing color. When it does, return to the guild halls for your rank up. each rank is progressively harder to attain then the last. When you take a job, upon completion to are to return here for payment. we don't close our doors so feel free. any questions?"

"Loot?"

"You find it you keep it. we don't take a tax or levy."

"Anything else i should know?"

She tilted her head.

"The rules are simple. Honor in the hall. You do no have to like each other, but you WILL respect each other. Open your mouth, deal with the consquences. If you kill a monster int he wilds that had a bill on it and you not take the bill, you are NOT entitled tothe reward. Same time, if you killed a billed monster and the bill had already been claimed, again you are NOT entitled to the reward. The splitting will be overseen by an appointed guild represenative. You are entitled to duels between members. These are used to test mettle, spar, or settle a dispute with a finality. And they are witnessed by ALL present members of the guild. Are you with me so far?"

"Simple enough. that it?"

"Don't get fresh with the maids and serving girls. we got hammers aplenty."

"There it is! Alright. Thanks miss."

The attendant smiled as the centaur headed inside the hall without issue and Tyler stepped forward.

"Hiya!"

"I trust you heard."

"One gold, right?"

"Yup! And you're a Green!"

"Ha."

Tyler slid the coin over and the attendant smiled sweetly.

"And WATCH yourself, cutie! Some of the ladies are QUITE fond of the HANDSOME ones!"

"I dunno weither to be flattered or terrified."

"All depends on WHO takes an interest!"

"......Bit a BOTH, gotchya. Thanks a lot."

She smiled and the teenager walked in as the elf guard chuckled.

"Welcome to the Hall, rookie. Try not to die."

"Oh I don't plan on it."

Tyler walked inside and was nearly immediately greeted by a dull roar of chaos from the rough men and women all throwing back drinks, yelling, fighting or unwinding from an adventure. The floor of the hall was made from pure white sand for whatever reason while a series of 10 foot by ten foot by 20 foot deep fighting pits dotted the hall with trestle style tables threated between them. Most of the pits were occupied with brawls of all kinds taking place and bets being thrown out thick and fast on winners and losers. On the far left wall hung a grand poster board decorated by several thousand posters offering all manner of bounty, job and hunt for those seeking it. The far RIGHT had a selection of booths with weary looking warriors handing in completed jobs, heads or people for some bounty. Directly in front of the teenager, the back wall was merely a collection of tables set away from the rabble. These being clearly meant for those seeking a little extra peace and quiet. Tyler turned on his heel and went right over to the job board where he noted several other adventurers lifting their bands to the board. A dull glow of whatever their color was was seen and all bills at that level and below were highlighted. Tyler held his hand up and a mass of green highlighted bills were seen. But only where his band hovered. Whenever he moved, the glowing bills would follow while others went out. THAT struck him as a neat trick as he inspected the offerings. Delivery Jobs, running messages, hunts for animals like rabbits or raccoons, hm. Not much for those of actual skill or experience. He stopped at one bill now. Hm. This one is to deal with a few unwanted slimes on a property. Oh wow. Will even guide me to the location with a magical path. THAT'S a neat trick. Reward is....2 silver for the task. Tyler took the bill down and noted several other bills become marked with a checkered outline that seemed to indicate work in the same area. Oh now that's convienent. Okay. This one is a Runner Job, this one here a mail run, and this last one is to help chop a tree down. ALl told, 2 silver total payout. Tyler took the bills down and headed over to the booth situated beside it...and the elf on duty smiled.

"Well. Didn't know there were adventurers left as handsome as YOU are kid."

The teenager chuckled as he slid the bills over.

"I think I'm going to like this town."

"I know I do!"

"Ha. So how many a day can I do?"

"As many as you like! Well, so long as you do your jobs WELL that is."

"I'll be sure to. See ya later."

"Oh you are ADORABLE!"

Tyler headed out with a chuckle along the highlighted path only he could see. His bills had been folded into his pocket as the Adventurer found himself in a more modest section of the city lined by brickwork and cobblestone buildings. The highlighted path split at an intersection in three directions and Tyler followed the one marked by a ball that indicated the slimes. he reached his destination quickly enough and was met by a chuckling man in overalls.

"Bout time ya guild got round to it! They be out front laddee. Pop em an be done with it."

"I LIKE popping things!"

"Ha."

The man let the adventurer into the backyard where five balls of blue slime were seen bouncing off every object they came into contact with and Tyler chuckled as he pulled his shortsword.

"Start at the bottom indeed."

He walked over to each ball and poked it with the swordpoint, and it evaporated into mist there and then. The man tipped hbis hat when the last one was gone.

"Thankee laddee. An I see yer question. If I did it meself, YOU'D be outta job. And we wouldn't have a guild."

"Makes sense."

Tyler nodded as the completed job's path retracted into the bill and a large checkmark appeared indicating completion. The Adventurer headed off to the next task which was chopping an old tree down....and this one was in an old orchard attended by a elven couple. The man chuckled as he tossed the worker a woodaxe.

"It be there, Sapling. Try not to damage the REST of the wood?"

"Sure thing."

Tyler walked over to the half-rotted apple tree and cut a deep V into the wood. Once the V was halfway through the trunk, Tyler took a spot opposite the cut for a second at a tangent. This one didn't go as deep before a loud crack was heard and the 30 foot tall apple tree crashed to the ground in a rather neat gap of the orchard....and the elven man chuckled.

"Well cut, Sapling. Well cut indeed. I'll take it from here."

"Sure thing."

Tyler returned the axe and headed to his next job which was a Letter Delivery. THIS one involved him approaching a gated manor where he used a ringlet to knock on the metal. A well suited butler appeared with a slight bow.

"Who shall I tell Lord Beria is calling?"

"I'm here about a letter?"

Tyler passed the bill over and the man nodded.

"Ah. Very good. Here and do please make haste. Your destination is the Offices of Madame Vivor. Your Paths have been highlighted."

"On it."

Tyler took off at a light trot with the red-sealed letter in a flatter pocket. A halfsmile on hbis face as he followed the path through the sector of the city....before he came to a multistory manor encased in three full balconies. Dozens of half naked men and women leaned on the various railings while others offered love and lust to all and sundry as Tyler approached the frontdoor...and a naked foxgirl came up giggling.

"Well aren't YOU cute? MAdame Vivor is in her office. Third tier second door on your left, Sweetie!"

"Thanks a lot, Foxy."

"Awww! YOU come back and FUCK ME!"

"Ohhhhh I'll be back sooner or later, Foxy."

She giggled into her vivid red foxtail as the adventurer walked inside.

"Oh I am going to RUIN him!"

Tyler chuckled as he walked inside...and was immediately greeted by a heavy, sweet scent of exotic perfume. Men and women, spent or otherwise, threaded in and out of ironbound doors with their various partners and some pairings had the teenager tilting his head. For example, a 9 foot tall centaur man......and a 3 foot tall DWARVEN WOMAN. THAT one had Tyler doing a mildly confused doubletake as a giggling catgirl strutted by.

"I don't get it either! But they LOVE it!"

"Huh. Honestly that's now the weirdest thing I've ever heard of."

"Teehee! YOU'RE going to be POP.U.LAR!"

Tyler chuckled at that purr as he headed up the ornate staircase to the third floor...and found the door to the Madame's office. Which wasn't hard as a large golden MV decorated the ironbound thing as he tapped a firm knuckle.

"Letter for the MAdame!"

A sultry chuckle was heard inside.

"How refreshing. A handsome yound lad with PROPER manners. Enter."

TYler walked inside and was met by a seductively smiling woman dressed in seethrough silks behind a mahogny desk. She 6 feet tall with a rail thin frame. Her skin was porceilan smooth and milky white with a healty shine to it while her eyes were vivid red. Her hair was a beautifully luscious mane of jade that hung to her bare feet in a thick curtain. Her bust was gigantic and seemed about to make her thin, gauze-like top explode from their glory. She smiled while flicking a long cigerate into a tray as the impressed adventurer approached. Her voice a piece of silky smooth velvet.

"You wear your thoughts on your face. Adorable."

Tyler chuckled as he slid the letter over.

"Delivery."

"Ah. Yes. Lord Beria's weekly request. And you're EARLY too. I can't REMEMBER the last time I had a delivery anything but late."

Tyler chuckled at this one.

"Like arriving late is a bad thing in certain cases."

Vivor chuckled and it sent a soft shiver down the teenager's spine.

"Only if I enjoyed the journey, PROPERLY. I find the destination is rather DULL, if the way to it, is lackluster."

"I'd say it's a good thing to be picky....buuuut you'd lose out on business."

That made her smirk.

"Are YOU picky?"

"Wanna find out?"

She laughed at THAT instant interest.

"Oh you are ADORABLE! And I know RIGHT NOW a few girls to keep AWAY FROM YOU. They'd EAT YOU ALIVE. Or kidnap you. Or both."

"......."

"Oh? Is that DEPRAVITY I detect?"

Tyler chuckled himself now at her mildly amused eyebrow lift.

"I've been a few places."

"I can tell. Good. Do come visit me again soon, ADVENTURER."

"It's a definite eventually."

"Adorable. You are released."

The teenager headed out and Vivor smiled coyly once the door shut.

"Poor kid. I MIGHT have to claim him myself."

Tyler walked out of the brothel with a chuckle as he pulled the next bill.

"I am going to have some fun in THERE. Alright next gimmick."

He headed off to his last job, which was another delivery. Only this one had him running a small package to a customer. Which went off without a hitch and the teenager returned to the guild. He got in line for one of the Turn-in booths and slid the bills over to the attendant when his turn arose.

"Oh top marks too. Good. 4 silver for these."

Tyler took the coins and headed back to the job board and held his bracelet up. Only to be presented with more jobs in that same area...and he smiled as he took down another 7 delivery jobs. Which totaled out to be 5 silver for the lot. These jobs went off without any issues and Tyler noted the green glow of his band had increased by a noticable amount. The Attendant chuckled as he slid the next 7 delivery bills over.

"When that dull jade green glow turns topaz in color, you'll have upgraded to the next rank. You'll need to have one of the Attendants trigger it after verification though so be aware."

"MAkes sense."

"And all these will pay out an extra 5 silver."

"I'll be back."

So he was. Tyler completed his delivery jobs and noted the sun just passing the high noon position in the sky as he took down 14 bills for the same area. THIS amount made the attendant chuckle.

"YOU came here to WORK. Good kid. These'll pay 11 silver."

"Thanks a lot miss."

When he returned, the hungry adventurer sat beside one of the fighting pits and a giggling foxgirl came up all bounce and fluff.

"What can I get you, CUTIE?!"

TYler chuckled as he got a vension sandwich and a refreshing mug of cold fantasy iced tea for 1 silver. As he had lunch the Adventurer watched as a pair of men dropped into the fighting pits wielding longswords...and one had anger on his face as he hefted his blade.

"YOU will DIE for sleepign with my WIFE YOU CUCKHOLDING BASTARD!"

His opponent, however, merely chuckled as he leaned over his blade.

"If ya didn't have the member of a wee boy, she might not have sought out a REAL man!"

Tyler chuckled at that one as the fight got underway.

"Classic."

Blood flew from the cuckholder's neck as the outraged husband removed his head with a skillful twist while Tyler finished his meal and headed back to the board. Here he crossed his arms inspecting the glowing offerings. I'd like something of a challange.....and looks like i won't get one until I hit the next rank. Alrighty then! This time he took down 20 runner jobs and the attendant chuckled as he slid them before her.

"Eager to climb the ranks are ya?"

"I'd like something of a challange."

"Ya got fire kid. GOOD. Keep at it....and these'll give ya 21 silver."

"Alright."

The work went without issue and the attendant smiled as Tyler held his bright green glowing band up.

"It has to turn clear. You're about....3 quarters of the way there."

"I'll hit it tomorrow then. Makes sense."

"Be warned! After green is teal! and to reach BLUE, the rank AFTER teal, you need DOUBLE the amount of Teal Jobs then ya did Green!"

"Ha. Makes sense. So where's a decent inn for a guy with 2 gold 45 silver?"

She giggled.

"There's a place done the street. Your Path'll guide you."

"Thanks a lot miss.....See ya toMORROW!"

"Oh you're adorable."

Tyler headed out with a whistle along the bright blue magical path as the sun sank to the horizon. He found the inn without issue and went inside to be faced with a rowdy tavern filled with men and women unwinding from the workday. a burly matron 7 feet tall with corded arms and leathery skin was working the bar as the Adventurer approached. She smirked as he sat at her bar. Her voice a hearty bark.

"Well, aren't YOU a cutie? Ha. Lookin for a ROOM kid?"

"That was the plan. Any open?"

THe matron smirked thinner.

"There be a few. 5 silver a NIGHT. Meals cost 2 silver and up. Drinks 50 copper and up. HArrass the girls....and YOU an ME will get to know each other. Any QUESTIONS kid?"

"NOPE."

"GOOD. So how long?"

"Hmmm we'll start at three."

"UPFRONT."

Tyler slid the 15 silver to the lady and she nodded with a key.

"Good answer. So. What'll it be?"

He got a meat sandwich and mug of ale for 2 silver, 50 silver. Behind him the atmosphere had a decidedly jovial feel to it as the Adventurer's meal vanished. He then headed up to the room on the second floor and found it even looked out over the street via a window. Tyler smiled as he set his shortsword down and stuffed his day's coin into his pocket before settling down on the surprisingly comfy bed with a groan. He smiled around the pain in his back from the mattress and relaxed.

"Day one of my glorious adventure in the bag. I'll hit teal tomorrow and see about some hunting trips."