First Step in the new World

The lively atmosphere of the Guild of Explorers' hall was in full swing as the early afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting bright patterns across the room. James and Hegor had found seats at the bar, sharing a hearty meal and a drink. The warmth of the food and the camaraderie brought James a momentary sense of peace, but his mind was buzzing with questions he hadn't had the chance to ask earlier.

Hegor noticed his contemplative expression and chuckled. "What's on your mind, James? You look like you're about to start asking a hundred questions."

James smirked, taking a sip of his drink. "I guess I do have a lot to ask. You mentioned a labyrinth earlier—the one the explorers here delve into. What can you tell me about it?"

Hegor leaned back, crossing his arms as he considered the question. "Ah, the maze? That's what most people call it around here. Officially, it's a dungeon—a labyrinth or maze if you prefer. It appeared about two years ago, right at the edge of the northern forest, only 300 meters from the village. It's been a source of both fortune and trouble ever since."

James's curiosity was piqued. He had heard of dungeons in stories and games back in his own world, but this felt different—more real, more dangerous. "So, how does it work? Are the monsters different every time? Are there skeletons that can kill you in one hit?"1

Hegor shook his head. "Not exactly. There are no skeletons, but dungeons are strange. When one appears, it starts with forty floors. However, only the first ten are what we consider the 'rookie floors.' These are easier, meant for teams of explorers with a couple of years of experience. Beyond that, the difficulty ramps up. Every year, as long as people or animals die inside, the dungeon grows by about one floor. If there's a shortage of visitors, the dungeon spawns creatures outside to hunt and digest them, feeding its growth."

James's eyes widened in surprise. "So this maze should be about 42 floors deep by now? What's the record of the lowest floor reach by now?"

Hegor's expression turned more serious, a hint of passion showing in his eyes. "That's right. The current record for this maze is 24 floors. It's not the deepest, but it's still a long and dangerous journey for even the best teams. Most explorers bring plenty of food and water because it's easy to get lost inside. Each set of ten floors introduces new types of monsters, but the order changes with every dungeon, making it unpredictable. And every floor has a boss protecting it."

James leaned forward, both intrigued and wary. "What kind of monsters are we dealing with in this maze?"

Hegor grinned, pleased by James's interest. "For the first three floors, we've got what we call the rookie set. Here's the breakdown:

First Floor: You'll encounter the Blue Fox. They roam alone and attack with quick lunges, using their claws and teeth. They're fast but not too tough if you keep your guard up. Just evade their charges and slash back a couple of times, and they go down easily.

Second Floor: It gets trickier here. Monsters can sometimes appear in pairs. You'll still find Blue Foxes, but there's a 50% chance of encountering BloodWorms instead. These creatures are about the size of a medium-sized dog. They're slow and slither along the ground, but they're cunning. They spit a sticky thread that can trap you before they bite, and their bite is nasty. To defeat them, it's best to get behind them and strike while they're distracted by the smell of blood.

Third Floor: Blue Foxes appear less frequently here, about 20% of the time. The BloodWorms are joined by TrentSaplings, which make up the rest of the encounters. These creatures are thin and slow, but don't underestimate them. They lash out with vine-like branches that can strike from a surprising distance. A mage with fire spells can deal with them quickly, but if you're in a group, have someone defend while you hack away at it from behind the damage taker."

James nodded slowly, trying to picture each creature in his mind. "And what about the bosses? Are there bosses on every floor?"

Hegor took a swig of his drink before replying. "Yes, each floor has its own boss. The Blue Fox boss is called the Blue Flame. It's a larger fox, about the size of a big dog, with two tails that are wreathed in blue fire. It's agile and attacks with bites, claws, and its fiery tails. The second-floor boss is a FleshWorm. It's just a larger version of the BloodWorm, but its elongated size allows it to twist its body in all directions, making it harder to trap. For the third floor, we have the Trent. Unlike the TrentSaplings, the Trent is bulkier, covered in thick bark, and uses its massive branches like clubs. It's a formidable opponent that most rookie teams avoid unless they're confident in their skills."

James felt a chill run down his spine at the descriptions. He couldn't help but imagine the danger of facing such creatures, even with a team. "It sounds… intense. I'm not sure if I'm ready for that yet."

Hegor gave him a reassuring smile. "No one's pushing you to go in unprepared, or to go in at all. It's dangerous work, even for experienced explorers. You've already proven yourself against those bandits, but the maze is a different beast entirely. Take your time, learn about the creatures, and build up your skills. There's no shame in being cautious. If you have enough silver coins, you can buy a map of the floors and a guidebook on the maze's monsters from the guild."

James appreciated the advice, but his curiosity wasn't fully satisfied. "What about other jobs? I get the sense that there's more to this world than just explorers and fighters. What kinds of jobs are there? I've been thinking about becoming a Merchant—it sounds interesting."

Hegor's eyes lit up. "That's a good question! There are countless jobs here—more than I can list off the top of my head. Everyone starts as a 'Civilian,' but from there, it depends on what you do and the skills you develop. For example, spending time in the labyrinth can unlock the job of 'Explorer.' Combat experience can lead to jobs like 'Warrior,' and specializing further can unlock jobs like 'Swordsman,' 'Axeman,' 'Spearman,' or even 'Hammerer.' As for me I've cumulated experience, and become a Knight. On the other hand, if you prefer trading, farming, or crafting, you could become a Merchant, a Blacksmith, or a Farmer."

James leaned back, considering the possibilities. "A Merchant, huh? That sounds interesting. I've always liked the idea of running a shop or dealing in rare items."

Hegor chuckled. "A fine choice, but don't be fooled—it's not as easy as it sounds. Merchants here need to know the value of items, negotiate well, travel far for deals, and most importantly, have the capital to get started. It's a job that requires both wits and guts. But it can be very rewarding, especially if you find rare goods from the labyrinth. Items and ingredients from inside are highly sought after, and a skilled Merchant can make a small fortune."

James's eyes sparkled with interest, but he also felt a pang of uncertainty. "It all sounds incredible, but… I'm not sure if I'm ready to choose a path yet. Everything feels so new, and there's so much I don't understand. It's like I want to do everything."

Hegor placed a reassuring hand on James's shoulder. "Take your time. No one's forcing you to decide right now. You've got a lot to learn, and it's okay to be cautious. This world is vast, and there are countless paths you can take. Explore a bit, ask questions, and you'll find your way soon enough."

James nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. He still had a lot to figure out, but at least now he had a better understanding of the labyrinth and the jobs he could pursue. For now, though, he decided to stay away from the maze. It sounded far too dangerous, and he knew he wasn't ready for that kind of risk—not yet.

"Thanks, Hegor," James said quietly, lifting his glass in a small toast. "For the advice and for everything else today."

Hegor grinned, clinking his glass against James's. "Anytime, kid. Now, enjoy your meal. You've earned it. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll see your name on the board as a top explorer, or even a successful Merchant. The choice is yours."

James smiled, feeling a small flicker of excitement for what the future might hold. For now, he would take things one step at a time.

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As they finished their meal, Hegor pushed his empty mug away and stretched his arms. "Well, that hit the spot. Now, today is my day off, and I was thinking…" He leaned closer to James with a grin. "How about I take you to meet the merchant I entrusted the bandits' equipment to? They're fair and won't try to cheat you—at least not while I'm around."

James raised an eyebrow, curious. "Sure, why not? It'll be good to get a sense of the kind of deals merchants make around here."

Hegor chuckled, slapping James on the back as they stood up from the bar. "That's the spirit! Come on, the merchant's place is just down the street."

As they walked through the bustling market street, James's attention kept drifting back to the strange, glitching interface of his Regalite. He had seen the words Appraisal - Ex listed under his benefits, but he hadn't tried using it yet. He knew he needed to be cautious—there was no telling what kind of attention it might draw if people realized he had a skill like that.

Without making it obvious, James began testing the skill on random objects as they strolled past various market stalls. He focused on a shiny apple at one stall and whispered, "Appraisal."

A faint shimmer crossed his vision, and a small holographic display popped up, glitching slightly before stabilizing:

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It$m: Fr$sh Red @pple

Qual!ty: Com/mon

Cond!t!on: R!pe, r$ady to $at

Valu$: 3 Co?per Coins

Eff$ct: N0ne

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James's eyes widened in surprise. So this is what it does? He kept his face neutral, not wanting to draw Hegor's attention as they continued walking. He tried again on a piece of fabric hanging at the next stall:

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It$m: L!nen Cl0th

Qual!ty: C--ommon

Cond!t!on: N$w

Valu$: 8 Copp/er Coins

Eff$ct: None

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The information was simple but incredibly useful. He realized that with this skill, he could easily determine the value and quality of items without needing a merchant's expertise. He felt a spark of excitement—this could be the key to making a living in this world, whether he chose the path of an adventurer or a merchant.

As they neared their destination, Hegor glanced over at James, noticing the thoughtful look on his face. "What's on your mind, kid?"

James hesitated, then gave a casual shrug. "Just taking it all in. There's so much to learn here."

Hegor nodded approvingly. "You've got a good head on your shoulders. Keep that curiosity—it'll serve you well."

He continued testing the Appraisal skill, scanning random objects—a fruit stand, a blacksmith's hammer, a stray dog—and the details flashed before his eyes in a glitchy but readable format.

However, it wasn't until he glanced toward a passing cart that he received information he wasn't expecting:

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N@me: Of@lia

R@ce: Elf

J%ob: Villager Lv 6

Unlocke%d Jobs: N0ne

Ski%lls: Non$, (Locked)

Condition: Malnourished, Mana Depletion, Mana Sickness

St@tus: E&sl@ved(owner: /), Emotionally Distressed

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James stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the elf girl sitting silently in a small, barred cage on the back of the cart. Her green eyes were dull as she too were looking at him, and she seemed resigned to her fate. She look completely worn out, wearing her tattered rags. James felt a pang of sympathy as he took in the sight, the words Status: Enslaved ringing in his mind.

"Hegor," James called out, gesturing toward the cart. "What's going on there?"

Hegor followed James's gaze and let out a sigh. "Ah, that's a slave merchant's cart. They come through the town now and then. My guy probably contacted him to take on the slave we rescued from the bandits. He's likely heading out to sell his stock at the mines. See the merchant over there? He's a regular. But it seems even he didn't want that elf."

James frowned. "A slave merchant? And what about the fact she's an elf?"

Hegor nodded, a look of distaste crossing his face. "Elves don't sell well these days. Most people don't want the trouble. They're seen as difficult to manage—always getting sick, often dying before they turn 30. Their kind is either hated or ignored wherever you go. That merchant is probably hoping to offload her at a mine for manual labor. It's the best profit he can get. Since nobody want to deal with it, now if you..."

Intrigued and a bit disturbed by what he was seeing and hearing, James approached the cart, while ignoring the next part of Hegor's phrase. The merchant, a thin, shrewd-looking man with a crooked smile, noticed James's interest and stepped forward.

"Ah, good day, sir," the merchant greeted with a nod. "Admiring the stock, are you? I was just about to head out. This one," he gestured toward Ofelia, "isn't worth much. I'm taking her to a mining operation up north. They'll pay a small price, at least."

James's eyes narrowed slightly. "How much would you get for her at the mine?"

The merchant rubbed his chin, clearly trying to gauge James's interest. "For an elf like her? Not much, maybe 2 gold coins at best. They're hard to sell, you know. Most buyers don't want to deal with the hassle. I've had her in my stock for two days now, and no one's shown any interest here."

Hegor, who had joined James by the cart, watched the interaction carefully. He seemed to sense James's unease. "James," Hegor said in a low voice, "buying a slave isn't something to take lightly. Even if she's cheap, you need to consider what it means."

James didn't respond immediately. He looked back at Ofelia, who had locked eyes with him since a moment ago. There was a flicker of something in her gaze—hope, perhaps, or maybe just desperation. It was enough to make him hesitate, the weight of the decision pressing down on him.

He took a deep breath, turning back to the merchant. "And if I were to buy her here and now? How much would you ask?"

The merchant's smile widened, sensing a potential deal. "Well now, since you're interested, I could let her go for, say, 2 gold coins. That's a fair price, considering the trouble she's caused me."

James glanced at Hegor, who seemed to be studying his face closely. "Are you sure about this?" Hegor asked quietly. "You've only just arrived here. Do you really want to get involved with this?"

James nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm sure. I'll buy her."

Hegor raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. James pulled out the 2 gold coins and handed them to the merchant, who quickly pocketed them with a satisfied grin.

"Pleasure doing business with you," the merchant said. He handed over a small iron key and pointed to a metal plate on the cart. "Place your bracelet on this plate to complete the ownership transfer."

James did as instructed. A faint hum resonated as his Regalite synced with the plate, and a notification briefly flashed on his interface:

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Error: Ownership Transfer Failed - Data Corrupted

Retrying... Successful Transfer - Partial Data Loss

New Status: Ofelia - Ensl@ved, Ow/ner: J@mes Bl&ackwell

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The cage door creaked open, and while returning the key to the merchant, James took a step back, watching as Ofelia stepped out hesitantly. She glanced up at him, her expression uncertain.

"Master…" she whispered, lowering her gaze.

"Call me James," he corrected, his voice softer. He wasn't used to being called Master, and it left an uncomfortable feeling in his chest. 

Hegor sighed, clapping James on the shoulder. "Well, kid, you've made your first purchase in this world. Let's hope you know what you're doing."

James nodded, his eyes lingering on Ofelia. He wasn't entirely sure why he had done it, but something inside him couldn't leave her behind. For better or worse, he had made his choice.

"Let's go," he said quietly, leading the way as Ofelia followed behind him.