The abrupt transition left them disoriented. One moment they were enveloped by the familiar warmth of their home, the next they stood within a stark white room, devoid of any discernible features. No doors, no windows, just an endless expanse of white stretching in every direction. Elara, her eyes wide with apprehension, turned to Robert, her voice barely above a whisper. "Robert, is this... where we were supposed to go?

In a manner of speaking, child. Before I send you on, there are a few things you need to decide.

"Hello System, so what is it we need to decide?" Robert asked.

First, it is my understanding that you wish to retain the services of Hal. A rather quaint name, I must say. It took me a moment to decipher your intent, but I must confess, it elicited a certain... amusement.

"Yes, System," Robert confirmed, a hint of gratitude in his voice. "I would be honored to keep Hal with me, if that is permissible."

Granted. Next, we must address the matter of your arrival. Do you wish to remain together, or shall I deposit you in separate locations? Rest assured, you would still be on the same planet, but your initial destinations could differ.

Elara, her face etched with fear at the prospect of separation, instinctively clutched Robert's arm. "Please," she pleaded, her voice trembling, "don't leave me." Robert, his heart aching at her vulnerability, pulled her into a comforting embrace. "Fear not, dear girl," he murmured, his voice filled with reassurance. "We face this new world together. System, we will be arriving together, if you please."

Very well, A curious preference, but I shall honor your request. Finally, we must discuss your reward. You have performed a valuable service, and it is only fitting that you receive compensation beyond the agreed-upon terms. To that end, I have carefully considered what would best serve your needs. Young Elara, I bestow upon you the uncommon perk of Lesser Regeneration, to aid in your self-preservation. Furthermore, you shall receive the Learned Trait, increasing your skill growth by a modest two percent.

Elara, her face radiant with gratitude, expressed her thanks to the System for its generosity.

And for you, Robert, I grant you the passive ability Danger Sense. This will allow you to perceive potential threats within a hundred-foot radius. I also enhance your Identify skill by one Tier and offer you the choice of one additional skill: Armorcrafting or Tracking.

Robert pondered for a moment, weighing the potential benefits of each option. "Thank you for these gifts, System," he finally replied. "I believe Tracking will prove most useful in this new world."

Excellent choice, With that, our business is concluded. I wish you both good fortune in your future endeavors. Robert, when next we communicate, it will be time for your return to Earth.

As the System's voice faded, a new portal shimmered into existence, its swirling energy beckoning them forward. With a shared glance and a deep breath, Robert and Elara stepped through, the portal closing behind them as they vanished from the white room. They materialized on the grassy shoulder of a well-worn dirt road, the air filled with the sounds of birdsong and the scent of pine needles. A dense forest bordered one side of the road, while in the distance, the sun dipped towards the horizon, casting long shadows on the imposing walls of a small town. "Well," Robert said, surveying their surroundings, "I suppose heading towards the town seems like a logical first step. What do you think, Elara?" "A wise choice, I believe," Elara replied, her gaze following the setting sun. "And if we make haste, we might just reach those walls before nightfall."

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Stepping onto the well-worn dirt road, Robert and Elara began their trek towards the distant town. They soon discovered, however, that the path was more meandering than it initially appeared. What should have been a leisurely hour or two stretched into a three-hour journey as the road twisted and turned, following the contours of the gently rolling landscape. The sun, a fiery orb sinking towards the horizon, cast long shadows that danced and played tricks on their eyes, making the journey seem even longer. Finally, as twilight painted the sky in hues of purple and orange, they arrived at the imposing wooden gate that marked the entrance to Oakhaven. A lone guard, his youthful face etched with boredom, leaned against the gatepost, seemingly oblivious to their approach. At their appearance, however, he straightened with a jolt, his hand instinctively moving towards the sword at his hip. He stepped forward, blocking their path with an air of practiced authority. "State your names and purpose for entering Oakhaven," he demanded, his voice surprisingly strong despite his weary demeanor.

Robert, a disarming smile gracing his lips, replied with easy confidence, "I am Robert, and this is Elara. We seek lodging for the night. Can you direct us to an inn with available rooms?" The guard, his initial suspicion momentarily forgotten, scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well now," he mused, "the inn shouldn't be full at this time of year. Travelers are few and far between these days. Entry will cost you two coppers each." With a nonchalant shrug, Robert produced the required coins, and then inquired about the inn's location. "Simple enough," the guard replied, gesturing with a lazy sweep of his hand. "Follow this road straight through the gate. It leads to the town square. The inn's the only one in Oakhaven, so you can't miss it." With that, he retreated back to his post, his interest in them waning as quickly as it had arisen. He slumped back against the gatepost, resuming his vigil with an air of weary indifference.

Passing through the sturdy oak gates, Robert and Elara were greeted by a scene of surprising activity for such a small town. Lanterns cast a warm glow over the cobbled streets, illuminating bustling figures and lively conversations. As they made their way towards the town center, they encountered a steady stream of townsfolk – a farmer leading a laden donkey, a group of children chasing a stray dog, a pair of women engaged in animated gossip. Most greeted them with friendly smiles and nods, while a few, their faces etched with weariness or preoccupation, passed by with barely a glance. The heart of Oakhaven was a charming square, dominated by a towering oak tree whose branches reached towards the heavens like gnarled arms. Beneath its protective canopy stood a sturdy three-story building, its windows glowing invitingly in the deepening twilight. A weathered sign creaked gently above the doorway, proclaiming it to be "The Golden Oak."

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, they stepped into a cozy haven of warmth and light. The inn's common room was a welcoming space, its walls lined with rough-hewn timber and its floor worn smooth by countless footsteps. Robert's keen eye quickly assessed the layout: fifteen or so sturdy tables, each capable of accommodating seven people, occupied the main floor, while a long, inviting bar stretched along the back wall, its counter lined with stools. A set of stairs leading to the upper floor ascended from the left side of the room, and a closed door to the right presumably led to the kitchens. Two of the tables were occupied – one by a family enjoying a boisterous meal, the other by a group whose well-worn armor and assortment of weapons hinted at adventurous lives. Behind the bar stood a man who seemed the embodiment of a seasoned innkeeper. His weathered face and twinkling eyes spoke of countless tales and encounters, while his practiced hands meticulously polished a gleaming tankard. He exuded an air of quiet competence and welcoming hospitality, the perfect host for weary travelers seeking respite and refuge.

Approaching the bar with a weary but hopeful air, Robert addressed the innkeeper. "Good evening, sir. I am Robert, and this is my student and ward, Elara. We are travelers seeking lodging for a few nights. Would you have two rooms available? We would also be grateful for meals and, if possible, access to a bath." The innkeeper, his weathered face crinkling into a welcoming smile, replied, "Rooms we have aplenty, especially this time of year. It's the quiet season, you see. We offer comfortable lodgings with the option of dinner and breakfast, and indeed, a bathhouse is available for our guests." He paused, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Those extras do come at a slight additional cost, of course." "Of course," Robert acknowledged with a slight nod. "The rooms are a silver a night each" the innkeeper confirmed. "An extra twenty coppers per person, if you wish to include meals, and the bath, will be three coppers each." Robert, a shrewd negotiator, considered the offer for a moment. "We'd like the rooms for four nights," he proposed. "How about nine silver for the lot?" The innkeeper stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes assessing the travelers before him. After a brief pause, he declared, "Done! Welcome to the Golden Oak. I am Orin Thistlewood, at your service."

Robert expressed his gratitude and handed over the agreed-upon sum. "Much obliged," Orin replied, accepting the payment with a flourish. "Here are your keys. Your rooms are on the upper floor, the first two doors on the left. Dinner service has commenced, but you have two hours yet before the kitchen closes, so feel free to settle in first. If you desire a bath this evening, simply let me know, and I'll provide the key to the bathhouse. It's a single room, mind you, but enchanted to maintain pristine waters and a steady supply of fresh towels. Soap, however," he added with a wink, "is an additional luxury." Robert just laughed, "We have soap, I'm sure Elara would love to get a bath in before dinner. If possible I will bathe after." Taking the keys Robert and Elara headed up to check the rooms. Happy with what they saw, Robert handed her to key to the bathhouse and headed down to the great room while she bathed.