Chance stepped onto the bustling street, a stranger in a world that felt both familiar and alien. People's eyes followed her, their stares a tangible weight that prickled her skin. Ignoring the uncomfortable attention, she sought refuge in a quiet café, its name a gentle promise of respite. As she walked in, the aroma of coffee and baked goods enveloped her, a welcome distraction from the crowd.
Inside, she settled into a booth and addressed the voice only she could hear. "System, can you tell me more about your functions?" she thought, the question a silent whisper in her mind.
[Understood. By killing monsters or humans, you gain EXP and money to unlock more characters to gain their powers. The system also has a shop where you can buy skills, skins for your character as clothing, as well as weapons. The more EXP you earn, the more powerful your stats become.]
"Alright, thanks," she thought, just as a waiter appeared at her table.
"Miss, are you ready to order?" he asked.
"Uhm," she fumbled, not wanting to make a scene. "Yes."
"What will it be, ma'am?"
She grabbed the menu, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar dishes. "I'll get the soup with tea," she finally said, trying to sound confident.
"Of course," he said, bowing slightly before leaving.
A wave of dread washed over her. "Man, how will I even pay for this?" she sighed, already feeling the hot flush of embarrassment.
A few minutes later, the waiter returned with her order. "Here's your order, miss. I hope it's to your liking," he said with a polite bow.
"Weird," she thought as he left. She took a sip of the soup, and her face soured. It was bland, almost tasteless. The tea, however, was surprisingly good.
As she ate, she could hear the low murmur of conversations around her. "Wow, look at her," a woman whispered. "Is she a noble?" a man asked. The whispers grew, making her even more uncomfortable.
Once she finished, the waiter appeared again, his smile unwavering. "Was the food to your liking, miss?"
She decided to play the part of a discerning noble. "The soup is a bit tasteless, but the tea is good," she said, her voice smooth and even.
"We will fix the soup, miss, and don't worry about the payment. It's on the house," he said with the same smile.
A genuine grin touched her lips. "Why, thank you, sir. I might visit again, but I want the soup to be better next time."
"Of course," he said, bowing as she stood to leave. Her nerves were still shot, but she'd pulled it off.
"That was very lucky," she thought, sighing in relief. She walked out of the café, her mind still preoccupied, and accidentally took a wrong turn into a dark alleyway.
"Hey! Miss, can you spare us some coin?" a gruff man said, stepping out from the shadows with a few goons behind him. Verline's eyes darted around, spotting two more goons behind her, boxing her in.
"Mhm, so six people. That's doable," she thought, her anxiety replaced by a cold, calculating calm.
"Don't be like that, miss. Spare us some coin, and we'll let you go," the leader said, a predatory grin on his face.
"Back off," she said, her voice firm.
"Whoa, hold your horses, lady. We don't want something happening to your pretty face," he sneered, his tone darkening. The implication in his words was like a switch, igniting a spark of anger within her.
"So you're really not letting me go, huh?" she said, her hand reaching for her hip. As the goons moved forward to grab her, a flintlock pistol materialized in her hand. "Not so fast."
She flipped a coin into the air, took aim at one of the goons, and fired. The shot pierced through him, and he fell to the ground. Another shot rang out, dropping a second goon, followed by the sound of another coin flip and a third shot.
"There's one currency I'll spend," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "It's the shots I'll keep unloading till your face is filled with lead." She began to rapid-fire her weapon, a rain of lead tearing through the goons. The leader, however, was a step above his crew and managed to block her shots.
"Wait, are you a mage!?" he yelled, his eyes wide with shock. Verline's face turned serious.
"Heh, 3... 2... 1... DRAW!" she shouted, using three charges on a single shot. The projectile struck the man's chest, killing him instantly.
[100 EXP]
[100 EXP]
[100 EXP]
[100 EXP]
[100 EXP]
[100 EXP]
[150 EXP]
[ 50 GOLD COINS]
[ 50 GOLD COINS]
[ 50 GOLD COINS]
[ 50 GOLD COINS]
[ 50 GOLD COINS]
[ 50 GOLD COINS]
The system notified her of her earnings.
[Name: Chance
Lv:1 (750/1000)
HP: 100%
SP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Strength: 3
Perception: 3
Endurance: 3
Charisma: 7
Intelligence: 5
Agility: 3
Luck: 10
Gold coins: 350
Kills: 6]
"Mhm, need more EXP for the next level up," she thought, quickly looting the bodies. She shoved their money and weapons into her storage, a sense of urgency washing over her as she heard the distinct sound of heavy boots approaching. "I need to go," she whispered, and ran.
Chance's luck held as she emerged from the alley, her heart still thrumming with adrenaline. The city's sounds returned in a rush the clamor of voices, the clatter of horse-drawn carriages, the distant ringing of a bell. She found herself in front of a grand stone building, its doors open and spilling light onto the street. A steady stream of people flowed in and out, their clothing a mix of worn leather, polished armor, and colorful cloaks. Curiosity overriding her caution, she stepped inside.
A sudden hush fell over the crowd as she entered. Whispers rippled through the hall, a familiar chorus of murmurs and stares. She ignored them, her eyes fixed on the sight before her: a vast, bustling hall filled with adventurers of all shapes and sizes. At the far end, behind a long counter, a woman with a professional smile greeted a new arrival.
Chance walked with a determined stride toward the counter, her hand instinctively moving to adjust her sunglasses, though they were already perfectly in place.
"Hello, and welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. What can I do for you, miss?" the receptionist asked, her smile unwavering.
"Well, can you sign me up for the guild?" Chance replied, her voice steady despite the lingering nerves.
The receptionist's smile widened. "Of course. Just fill this out, and when you're done, please place your hands on this magical orb." She slid a form and a shimmering crystal orb across the counter.
"Of course," Chance said, taking the pen and quickly filling out the paperwork. She paused for a moment before placing her hand on the orb. A soft, blue light pulsed from the crystal, bathing her in a gentle glow.
"It's done now, miss. Here's your adventurer's card," the receptionist said, her voice full of warmth as she slid a small, silver card toward her.
"Thank you," Chance said, taking the card and tucking it safely into her pocket.
"what the f*ck just happened" she thought as she thought about the bizarre thing that happened with the guild today.