A New Beginning
1421 Words
Nael followed the winding path, the cool air of the forest filling his lungs. The weight of his new reality settled in, a strange mix of disbelief and morbid curiosity. He was in his favorite game, armed with the most unpredictable of all Arcana. "The Fool."
He continued walking, the path becoming more defined as he got closer to the stream. The sound of running water grew louder, a soothing rhythm in the silent forest.
Soon enough, he saw a glimmer of light through the trees—the sun reflecting off the surface of a small, clear river.
He knelt by the bank, cupping his hands and taking a long, refreshing drink. The water was crisp and cool.
As he looked into his reflection, he saw the face of a young man he recognized, yet didn't.
His own face, but younger, with a strange glint in his eyes that wasn't there before. A glint of something unknown, something wild.
He felt the Fool's power humming beneath his skin, a restless energy waiting to be unleashed.
He stood up, looking at the path ahead. It followed the river's course, a clear signpost. He knew this route from countless hours of gameplay. He just had to keep walking downstream, and he would reach the first village, a place called "Axell".
Axell was a peaceful village nestled between the Lost Woods and the Silverpeak Mountains. It was the hub for new players, a place to buy basic gear, get their first quests, and meet other adventurers.
Nael's memories of the village were filled with the familiar sights of wooden houses, a small general store, and the cheerful chatter of other players. But this was real now. The people wouldn't be players, but actual villagers with their own lives.
As he walked, a rustling sound came from the bushes. Nael instinctively braced himself, his heart pounding. In the game, this would be the perfect spot for a low-level monster ambush.
A Slime, a Goblin, or maybe a Forest Spider. He held his breath, his hands balled into fists, ready to run.
A small creature with large, curious eyes and a long, bushy tail peeked out from the leaves. It was a Fuzzytail, a harmless, raccoon-like animal. It squeaked, tilted its head, and then scurried away.
Nael let out a slow, relieved breath, a nervous laugh escaping his lips.
"Right,"
he muttered to himself.
"This isn't just a game anymore. The monsters aren't just 'monsters'."
He continued his journey, the stream always by his side. The path widened, and the trees thinned out, replaced by small, neatly tilled fields. In the distance, he saw the faint outline of thatched roofs and a plume of smoke rising from a chimney. Axell.
A wave of emotions hit him. Fear, excitement, and a sense of overwhelming responsibility. The journey had begun. He was "The Fool" in a world he thought he knew, and his destiny was a blank slate waiting to be filled. He wasn't a tanker anymore. He was the most unpredictable variable in a world on the brink of chaos.
# # #
At the village gate, a burly man with a thick beard leaned back in the shade of a tree. His wrinkled face looked tired, but his sharp eyes scanned each visitor.
It was Sir Reonald, the captain of the village guard, an NPC Nael had known for giving him introductory quests.
However, this time, something was different. Sir Reonald looked older, more real. The wrinkles on his face felt like the carvings of countless experiences and battles. His beard looked shaggy, not just a polygon texture in a game.
"Hey, kid. I've never seen you before,"
Sir Reonald said, his voice deep and raspy. He eyed Nael suspiciously.
"Where are you from?"
Nael swallowed. He knew he had to be careful with his answer. If he said he was from another world, it would sound crazy. He had to improvise.
"I... I'm lost,"
Nael replied, his voice trembling slightly.
"I just woke up in the middle of the forest. I don't remember anything about how I got there."
Sir Reonald frowned, his eyes narrowing.
"Amnesia, huh? It's been happening a lot lately. The forest has a way of robbing memories."
He nodded slowly, as if accepting Nael's reasoning.
"I am Sir Reonald, captain of the guard here. You are safe in this village. But be careful, there are many things out there that cannot be explained."
He looked at Nael with a deeper gaze.
"And I don't know why, but there's something about you... You radiate the aura of Arcana."
Nael's heart skipped a beat. He tried hard not to show any reaction. How could Sir Reonald know? Was this fate? Or just pure coincidence?
"You mean... the Legendary Arcana card?"
Nael tried to sound clueless.
"It's an old legend. Arcana that chooses unexpected people. I once met the Saintess who owned The High Priestess in the past, and she was only a child at the time,"
Sir Reonald replied, his eyes looking dreamy for a moment.
"Those chosen by him have a different destiny. They are strangers who will bring a great destiny, whether for good or for destruction, and somehow I feel the same feeling when I see you."
Nael was stunned. His intention to keep his Arcana a secret was shattered in the presence of this NPC. He tried to formulate words to change the subject.
"So... is there anything I can do here? I need a place to stay,"
Nael asked, changing the subject.
"Go to the inn, child," Sir Reonald said, pointing with his thumb to a two-story building in the center of the village.
"There are side jobs you can do there. And don't forget, be careful. This world is different from what you imagine."
Nael nodded, then hurried off, his thoughts racing. Sir Reonald, the NPC who was supposed to only give quests, seemed to have a much deeper knowledge of Arcana. Did every NPC in this world have real consciousness?
As Nael walked through the village's main street, he passed a blacksmith's shop. Hammers pounded on steel, and the smell of burning charcoal filled the air. He saw a muscular blacksmith with kind eyes. Nael recognized this NPC, too:
Gunber, the village blacksmith. Nael hadn't intended to speak to him, but Gunber seemed to notice him and nodded slowly.
"Strange man," Gunber whispered, but Nael could hear him clearly, and the words made Nael feel uneasy.
He hurried to the inn, what should have been his safest place right now. When he opened the door, the smell of food and burning wood greeted him.
The inn was full of people chatting, laughing, and drinking. Some looked like adventurers, carrying swords and backpacks.
Nael saw a middle-aged woman with a friendly smile standing behind the counter. Nael knew her: Mrs. Elora.
"Welcome, son,"
Mrs. Elora said, cleaning a glass with a rag.
"You look exhausted. Need a place to rest?"
"Yes," Nael replied.
"Is there any work I can do to pay for the lodging?"
Miss Elora smiled wider.
"Of course. In this world, you don't get anything for free, son. Many adventurers come to do small tasks. You could help clean the warehouse, deliver goods, or kill some small monsters outside the village."
Nael didn't expect to find work so quickly. However, he had to start somewhere. He needed money to buy clothes and basic equipment. As Nael was contemplating his work,
"Then please help clean the warehouse," Miss Elora said to Nael.
"Good," Nael said.
"The warehouse is in the back. Be careful, there are some big rats inside."
Nael nodded, then walked to the back door. As he stepped out, he could feel the stares of several people in the room.
Nael entered a dark warehouse, filled with piles of boxes and sacks. He knew this quest was just a tutorial. However, he wasn't going to underestimate it. He could sense something different.
There was a chill in the air, as if something ominous was waiting for him. He stepped forward, and from behind the pile of sacks, a black shadow darted toward him.
It wasn't just any rat. It was a Gutter Rat, a ferocious, dog-sized monster with sharp teeth and glowing red eyes.
Nael panicked. He had no weapon! He jumped back, avoiding the rat's bite.
The Gutter Rat roared, and three more emerged from the darkness, surrounding Nael.
This wasn't like a tutorial in a game! This was far more dangerous!
- Writer
