8. A New World

I sat at a table drinking water from a tankard and thinking. I was thinking about what the announcement meant. They had all died, every single person who had logged in to the game had died without even knowing it. Somehow their souls had been brought to this universe of myths and legends and they were still alive. A few of the others had come to the inn and they were all sitting at tables either crying into their drinks or so drunk that they didn't know where they were anymore. One thing that really showed that this was reality was the reactions of the bar tender and waitresses. They all looked at these people with compassion and a few had indifference written on their faces. They were real people, with real reactions to things happening around them.

I spent a few hours at the inn before I decided to leave and push my thoughts, which were getting darker by the minute, out of my mind. I could still access my character sheet and see my progress and that is what mattered at the moment. I knew that this was my new life so I decided to not think too hard about it and try to make the best of it. I was a cultivator and if the books and stories I had read were any indicator, I could grow immeasurably powerful if I was lucky enough and worked hard. So I decided that is what I would do, my resolve renewed I walked outside and made my way to the adventurer's guild, located in the main town square.

He pushed through the door and approached the long desk set near the back wall. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, how may I help you today?" The woman behind the desk smiled and asked as she looked me over.

"I would like to join the guild," I said simply, "I also have a few questions that I hope you might be able to answer." The receptionist pulled out some paperwork for me to fill out, it was basically the information that was on my character sheet. When I handed the papers back the woman's eyes widened a bit before she spoke.

"I assume that your questions pertain to the fact that you are a cultivator and where you might find someone to help you understand your awakening?" The woman gulped, swallowing dryly, before she continued, "I do know of a cultivator that can help you. Of course, it will be a dangerous journey. Though with your current strength it shouldn't be a problem for you." She proceeded to give me a map of the region I was in. I happily noted that there was no "Fog of War" on the map and I could see the entire thing. 'That's one good thing about all of this.' I thought to myself. He looked at the marked location 'The Spine Mountains, should be lots of opportunities to level up on the way.' I was thinking to myself when I heard a loud voice coming from behind me.

"You hearing this guys? This new comer happens to be a 'Cultivator' probably lied on his paperwork to get some recognition. Hahaha!" I turned around to see a mountain of a man laughing as he was loudly calling me out. 'Really one of these?' I sighed and began walking to the door, ignoring the man. 'Three, two, and one' I silently counted down to the classic, "Hey! Are you ignoring me punk?" line that was delivered precisely on time.

"No I'm not ignoring you. I just have no time for alpha male imbeciles who need to overcompensate by calling out the new people." I replied to the man's insult with his own.

"What did you just call me?"

"Ah I see your stupidity is mirrored in you vocabulary as well. That's to be expected." The man yelled out at me before rushing up to get in my face, my system let me know the man was level 18, ten levels higher than my actual level. But I wasn't worried about getting hurt at all. I knew these types, every game and real world had them. It didn't stop me from stopping in front of the guy and grinning at his beet red face. I put my hand on the hilt of my sword, looking into the man's eyes in front of me.

"Let me make this very simple for you," I said darkly, "If you get in my way, I will kill you. I will make a fool out of you in front of every witness here and I will get away with it because you initiated this confrontation." I glared at the man and let out some of my killing intent. My killing intent, coupled with the aura from my cultivation, was enough to cause the man to pause and shiver slightly.

"You know, on second thought, you're not worth the trouble," The man said, glaring at me, "I can tell you're stronger than you look, now that I get closer to you, so I'll let your insult slide this time."

"How gracious of you," I replied, still glaring at the man as he walked back to sit with his friends. "That statement goes for anyone here," I continued, looking at everyone in the guild hall, "I would much rather work with you all but if you want to get in my way, I will have no problem killing any of you to help me grow stronger."

There was an almost audible gulp from every person in the room as I let my aura spill out into the room. It was filled with my meager cultivation and an ample amount of killing intent. I withdrew the aura and continued on my way out the door, checking my map for interesting points I could visit on my way to the Spine Mountains. As I walked out the door, I stopped as a slim figure blocked my path to the street. When I looked up, I was staring at a beautiful woman standing in front of the doors, looking a bit distressed. She didn't seem to notice me at first.

"Hey, you know blocking the only exit to the building will make people run into you right?" I asked to get her attention. The woman started slightly and turned towards me, noticing me for the first time apparently.

"Oh I am so sorry sir, you see I am seeking help from the adventurer's guild but I do not have enough coin to pay their fee for service," The woman spoke with a beautifully rich voice, it sounded Irish or Scottish to me, "Oh my name is Valeria, do you happen to be an adventurer?"

I was stunned at how beautiful this woman was for a second before I gathered my wits, "I just joined the guild but I might be able to help you. What is the problem you need help with?"

Valeria smiled at me, her eyes running up and down as she examined my gear and bearing, "You could probably help me. You see sir, my sister went into the Spine Mountains about three weeks ago, looking for a lost vault of our people. She has not returned and I have received no word from her, I am worried about this and would be very grateful for your help in finding her. I will compensate you with as much as I am able and even accompany you in the journey if you will help me."

[New Quest!: Search for Valeria's sister in the Spine Mountains.]

[Valeria's sister has been lost in the Spine Mountains for three weeks. Help Valeria find her sister and this ancient vault of her people]

[Quest Level: S]

[Rewards: Valeria's trust, 500 gold, 2 levels, Rare Item Chest]

[Accept?: Yes/No]

I drooled at the rewards for the quest for a moment before accepting with a grin on my face. "I just so happen to be heading to the Spine Mountains for my own reasons. So it shouldn't be a problem for me to help you along the way. My name is Sam." I stuck out my hand to Valeria, shaking hers as she smiled brightly at me.

"I look forward to working with you, Sam." She said brightly.