The continuous falling snow bit harder as we crossed into the outskirts of a village. I huddled into Geralt's chest, not out of fear but because it was the only warmth I had for the last few miles. After we left the tiny village Geralt found me in, the blanket wasn't thick enough to keep my tiny body warm. Geralt didn't speak the entire time.
As I stared at him in the moonlight, I noticed. He was a bit younger than the version I remembered from the games and books. He also looked like Henry Cavill from the TV show. This is weird, I have to admit, but I wasn't going to complain. I liked Cavill as Geralt, just not how the show was made.
We passed by shuttered homes. Firelight flickering weakly behind closed windows. People were peeking through their windows and doors. But no one opened them. The few people walking the streets only stared.
Some at Geralt with fear in their eyes. A few looked at me in a mix of confusion and curiosity. I wasn't surprised by their gazes at me. A half-elf with brown skin, white hair, and golden eyes. No doubt I look exotic to them. If their xenophobia for non-humans didn't outright make them hate me on site.
I tried to lift his head, which was still aching and cold. "Where are we going?" I asked Geralt
Geralt's voice rumbled low. " To an Inn. Unless you want to sleep outside in the cold?"
I shivered, then spoke. "No, thank you."
"So you're really Geralt of Rivia?" I said.
Geralt gave me a brief look of suspicion. "How do you know that title? You said you don't remember anything except. Your name and age. Remember."
I tensed up. Damn it, he's right, I did say that. Think, Jasen. What can I say that is believable enough? I can't let anyone know you're not from this world. I would sound too crazy, and who knows what they would do to me?
"When I heard your name, that title popped in my head." I cleared my throat, trying to sound smaller.
Geralt looked at me for a moment, but didn't say anything. "Good. Sounds like your memory is starting to come back. Or you're lying about the whole thing. Why you are, I don't know, but that's your business."
I was surprised he actually said that. It really shows how neutral he wants to stay. To think will help a random naked kid he found in the street. And when he knows I'm hiding something, he will still help me.
I need to make sure not to push my lies or secrets too far. Geralt is helping me, but that doesn't mean he trusts me. I need him to survive.
I need to try and change the subject. "You killed that monster back there and saved me. Thank you." I said sincerely.
'Don't thank me, kid, I was doing my job. You were just lucky I happened to get there when I did."
I nodded. "But still you saved me, so thank you. Are you a monster hunter?"
"I'm a Witcher." He said coldly.
"What's a Witcher?" I asked. Even though I knew what it was.
"A professionally trained monster hunter. Since childhood, we have been trained in art of hunting and subduing monsters. Then, if you survive the years of hellish training. You will undergo mutations, and if you survive that. You become a Witcher."
Ok, so the same type of lore as the books and games. After that, we then continued to ride in silence. We then reached an inn. The sign above the door creaked in the wind. The Thorn and Mare, painted in faded green. Geralt placed the roach in the nearby stable. Then he opened the door quietly.
A thick-armed innkeeper blinked at the sight of us entering. "A Witcher, and an exotic-looking half-elf. I didn't know the Witchers took elves into their ranks. Or maybe he's your bastard spawn." The innkeeper said, gesturing to his head. Meaning our matching hair color.
"No found him half-dead in the alley a village over. " Geralt said simply. "We need a room for the night. Got any?"
The innkeeper then opened his mouth. "Yeah, I got a few. Sixteen crowns for both of you."
Geralt reached into his bag and placed the coins on the counter. The innkeeper nodded his head and gestured for us to follow him.
Within minutes, I found myself in a small room by the hearth. Still wrapped in the wool blanket, warming myself by the fire.
Geralt was leaning against a wall, watching me. "I've got questions," the Witcher said flatly. "What are you gonna do now, kid? I can't keep watching you forever."
Ahh, here we go. I knew this was going to happen. Just wish I could have slept before making any decisions." You mean, what am I going to do since I don't have any family? Or anyone to take care of me?
Geralt only nodded. "I could take you and find an orphanage that can take you in."
No way in hell. I don't want to end up in an orphanage. I would probably end up struggling just to eat. Plus next to no education there. My future options for survival would be limited. I definitely need to go with Geralt and become a Witcher.
That's my only good option right now. Even though the training and the trial of grasses could kill me. With that option, at least I have a fighting chance. Plus, with this system, I believe my chances of living are higher. Who knows what rewards I could get with these quests?
Geralt narrowed his eyes, studying me again. "You're not normal even for an elf."
I figured I knew what he meant, but I need him to confirm it. "What do you mean by ' not a normal elf?"
"Your golden eyes are unnatural. Even for elves. Can't say brown skin individuals are common around here. And your ears..." He pointed. "Rounded, but slightly pointed at the tip. So you're a half-elf. Just so you know, not many orphanages take your kind. I could try and find another elf, or a tribe of them who would be willing to take you in."
That option would be a little bit better. That doesn't mean I will survive. If anything, I will be with a group of oppressed elves. Or I'm part of the Scoia'tael. The second one isn't bad, but with my looks. I will be noticed anywhere I go once my face gets around. Plus, I will be spending most of my time in either caves or in the wilderness fighting soldiers. No thanks to either.
Then I looked at Geralt."What about becoming a Witcher?" I said.
That made him straighten, adjusting the worn wolf medallion around his neck. "I wouldn't recommend that. It's not like fairy tales of a knight saving the princess and becoming a king. Training to be a Witcher is deadly, remember what I told you earlier? And once you make this decision, there's no going back ever. Even if you wanted to."
I understood what he meant. The trial of grasses mutates you permanently, if you survive it, that is. It will make you stronger and faster. It will let you live a longer life in your prime. But seeing an old Witcher in that profession is rare. They all pretty much die fighting monsters. That's why Vesemir is a true legend. An old man in a profession where you die young.
Another downside is that you lose the ability to have children. Which is not a concern for me right now. But people will treat you like a freak. I'm used to that from my old world. I was a black American man in my past life. It's just that in this world, some people won't hide their hate for me. But this time, they hate me for being an elf.
Overall, being a Witcher is still the better choice in the long wrong.
"I understand, but those other choices don't sound like choices to me. They sound more like ultimatums. If I die, I die. I'm not saying I'm throwing my life away. I'm just choosing how I live it.
Geralt looked at me. His face said he didn't expect me to say something like that. "That was well said. Look, I won't stop you if that's your choice. Just know it won't be easy."
I nodded. "I understand, but my answer won't change."
"Okay, fine then, I will take you with me. We will be heading back north to Kaer Morhen. It will be a few days away from here. So do what I say, when I say it. Got it?"
"Yes, Geralt," I said. Then I heard a chime again. Then the system window appeared in front of me:
[New Quest Received!]
" Path to Witcher" :Objective: Travel with Geralt to Kaer Morhen.
Rewards: +1 Random Stat Point. 1 Common Equipment Chest.
Codex Entry: Kaer Morhen
Penalty: Missed opportunity. The chance to be a wolf school Witcher will be permanently lost.
[Accept/Decline]
Alright, another quest. How are these quests generated? But I can figure that out later. I selected "Accept". Then the system window disappeared. After that, Geralt and I called it a night.
The next morning, I woke up to a system notification...
Quest: "Rebirth in the Snow" – Complete]
Rewards Granted: 1 Rare Equipment Chest, Codex Unlocked: Monster Biology.
Nice. I decided to look through the system. I found the inventory tab. It looked like a classic RPG menu in every last detail. I found the equipment chest in it. So I decided to open it up. Then I received another notification:
Chest Opened
["Hunter's Edge" – Dagger of the Forgotten Realms]
Rarity: Rare
Effect: Backstab: +50% bonus damage when attacking unaware or flanked enemies.
[Codex Upgrade: "Monster Biology"]
Unlocks detailed entries for the following monsters: Katakana
Includes information on: Known weaknesses, Vital organs, Hunting patterns, and Ingredients harvested after being killed
[Consumable: Potion of Minor Vitality (x1)]
Type: Healing Potion
Effect: Restores 50% health over 10 seconds.
System Message: These items have been added to your Inventory. Inventory can be accessed mentally.
Codex will auto-update with each new monster Cain encounters or defeats.
Nice, these were some good items. Not to mention whenever I encounter a monster, or kill it. I will receive information on it. This can save me in a lot of fights. I especially come across a monster I have never encountered before.
After checking my rewards, Geralt woke up and we set out on the road. The sun wasn't even out yet, but he said we had a long road ahead of us. Especially if it starts snowing.
A few hours. The snow fell harder as we rode on the road. Geralt was in front, and I was tucked in the blanket behind him. My eyes were wide as I saw the wilderness open around us.
My mind was racing. I don't know how I ended up here or why. But I have a second chance. And for some reason, a RPG system like I'm in some Isekai anime. I don't know what the future holds for me, but I need to be prepared. This world is not forgiving, and something tells me that hasn't changed for me.
Not to mention, I have elder blood in me. I would like to know how that is possible. But right now, I need to worry more about the Wild Hunt and the White Frost. But those are concerns for later.
First things first. Go with Geralt to Kaer Morhen. And survive the trial of grasses and become a Witcher.