"Welcome to my reality," her voice echoed softly through the spacious room, carrying a playful lilt that seemed to dance around the otherwise blank environment.

I blinked, trying to adjust to the sudden shift from the pod to this new reality. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice sounding strange in this new, virtual space.

The woman smiled, she had a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Name's Maya," she said, her tone was light and carefree. "I'm here to guide you through this tutorial. Think of me as your personal instructor in this strange new world."

Maya's demeanor was oddly comforting despite the surreal situation. "So, you're my guide?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around the transition.

"That's right," she replied with a wink. "I'll be showing you the ropes, helping you get a feel for this world. I know it's a lot to take in but stick with me, and you'll be a pro in no time."

Her casual confidence and the way she seemed to revel in the attention put me at ease, at least a little. "Alright, Maya. What's first on the agenda?"

Maya's smile broadened, a playful glint in her eyes. "Well handsome, you're in for quite the adventure," she said, her voice tinged with a flirtatious lilt. She tossed her auburn hair over her shoulder with a casual grace that seemed almost too perfect.

"Think of me as your personal guide to all things fun and fantastic in this realm."

She gestured around the now bustling cityscape. "So, where shall we start? The new bookshop has some ancient scrolls you might find interesting, and there's a stall selling rare herbs that can do everything from healing wounds to brewing strength potions." She leaned in a little closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And the seasonal festival in the main square is to die for. Dancing, music, delicious food...and maybe a few surprises."

Maya straightened up, giving you a radiant smile. "There's also a new resident in town with some intriguing stories. Whatever you choose, I'm here to make sure you have a blast and figure some shit out." She extended her hand, her demeanor infectious. "Ready to dive in?"

This threw me off guard a bit. “Um, sure, you aren't what I expected at all. Aren't I supposed to be learning about the system or something? Some kind of tutorial...” I asked.

Maya laughed, the sound light and melodic. "Oh, we'll get to all that, don't worry. But who says learning can't be fun?" She gave me a playful nudge. "VERTEX wants you to enjoy the experience as you learn. Think of this as your very own hands-on, interactive tutorial. We learn best when we're fully immersed and enjoying ourselves, right?”

She glanced around, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "We'll cover everything you need to know about the system and the world, but we'll do it while exploring and having a good time. For example, the bookshop can teach you about lore and history, while the herb stall can introduce you to potion-making and alchemy."

I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the decision she put before me. I hadn’t expected to have all these options. She seemed to sense my hesitation.

"Alright, Everett, let's get you started with something practical," Maya said, her tone confident and guiding. "Why don't we head over to the blacksmith? Learning about basic equipment and how to handle it is a crucial part of surviving here."

She pointed toward the blacksmith, who was hammering away at a glowing piece of metal. "His name is Bronn and he can show you how to use and maintain your weapons. It's essential knowledge for any adventurer. Follow me."

Maya led the way, weaving through the villagers with a grace that seemed effortless. As we approached the blacksmith's forge, the heat from the smelting metal washed over us like a warm blanket. The air was filled with the scent of burning coal and heated iron. Each clang of the hammer on the anvil resonated deeply, mingling with the distant chatter of the market and the occasional bray of a pack mule. The ground beneath our feet vibrated slightly with each pound, making the experience feel all the more real and immediate.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Bronn looked up from his work, his face covered in soot but his eyes sharp and friendly. "Well met, traveler," he greeted with a nod. "What can I do for you today?"

Maya turned to me, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Everett, why don't you introduce yourself and ask Bronn about the basics of weapon maintenance and handling?"

"Hi Bronn, I’m Everett.” I said. “I'm new here and I guess I need to figure out how to take care of my weapons even though I've been finding weapons just fine from killing monsters,"

Bronn chuckled, a deep, hearty sound that matched his robust frame. "Well, Everett, finding weapons is one thing, but knowing how to take care of them is another," he said, setting his hammer aside and wiping his hands on a rag.

He gestured to a nearby workbench cluttered with various tools and pieces of metal. "Why don't we start with the basics? First, let me show you how to properly clean and sharpen a blade. A dull sword is about as useful as a stick."

Maya watched with a smile, clearly pleased with my willingness to learn. "Bronn's one of the best," she said encouragingly. "Pay close attention, and you'll be well-equipped for whatever comes your way."

Bronn picked up a worn but sturdy sword from the bench. "This here is a standard longsword. I'll show you how to clean and maintain it. First, you need to remove any dirt and blood. For that, you'll use a bit of oil and a cloth." He demonstrated, carefully wiping down the blade until it shone.

"Next, sharpening," Bronn continued, grabbing a whetstone. "Always sharpen your blade before and after a fight. A sharp weapon can make the difference between life and death." He showed me the proper technique, moving the blade smoothly over the stone at the correct angle.

As Bronn moved to hand me the sword and whetstone, the problem of my missing hand presented itself. "Actually, Bronn, I only have one hand. So there isn’t much I can do with that whetstone," I said.

Bronn paused, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. "Can I ask what happened? Are you still a warrior?" he inquired gently, setting the whetstone down.

I nodded, feeling a mixture of pride and nostalgia. "I lost it defending my life in the arena," I explained. "I fought many battles, earned my scars, and yes, I'm still a warrior. I had some blacksmith friends back at the tournament who made me a custom shield that worked well even without the hand, but I had to trade it away when I left. Now I only have this basic axe and some simple armor."

Bronn listened intently, nodding in understanding. "A warrior's spirit indeed," he responded with a respectful tone. "It's not every day I meet someone with such a storied past. Let’s see what we can do with what you have now. The principles of care don’t change much, even if the equipment does."

Maya was nodding in agreement with him. “You almost sound like a knight from the stories.” She said. I don’t know why but that statement was weird to me and I looked at her then.

It was Bronn who moved next. He picked up the axe I had mentioned and examined it closely. "Well, let’s get this axe in top condition," He said, demonstrating how to clean and maintain the axe with the tools available. "Keeping your weapon sharp and ready is crucial, even more so when you’re relying on just one hand."

He moved on to discuss armor maintenance, giving tips on how to keep it in good condition with minimal effort. "Armor maintenance is mostly about keeping it clean and checking for damage regularly. I can show you some tricks to make it easier, considering your situation."

As Bronn shared his expertise, I felt a growing sense of confidence. The tools and methods might be simple, but they were empowering, giving me a sense of readiness I hadn’t fully expected to find here.

"Thanks, Bronn," I said as we wrapped up. "I appreciate you taking the time to help me adjust to these basics."

"Anytime, Everett. Warriors like you bring out the best in what we do here. Keep that axe sharp, and it’ll serve you as well as any fancy weapon," Bronn replied with a hearty slap on my back that nearly sent me stumbling.

Maya stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. "Alright, Everett, now that you've shown you can handle an axe, let's move on to the next part of your tutorial," she said.

“Sure thing, I already knew so much about blacksmithing from some friends of mine, but I still feel like I learned a good bit there. So thanks.” I said, and I meant it.

Maya's eyes twinkled with excitement. "No problem! How about we head to the library next? It's a great place to learn more about the System you've found yourself in. Plus, it's quieter there, but mysterious enough we may be able to get into a pinch of trouble still. She emphasized her last statement with a wink. I flushed a little at that, though I don’t know why. She beamed at that, “You are too much, Sir Everett.”