Chapter 5 - Safehouse

As Matthew strolled through the enchanting streets of Verbindung City, the evening unfolded its charm. The sun dipped behind the skyline, casting a warm glow on the cobblestone road. A melody escaped Matthew's lips, blending with the lively atmosphere.

🎶"...., you know how I feel,

Wind gently passing by,

you know how I feel.

It's a fresh start, it's a brand new day, it's a different life ...."🎶

The city came alive and the scent of fresh baked goods and rich coffee embraced him. Quaint Café tables spill onto the sidewalks, creating a lively atmosphere.

Colorful street performers add a whimsical touch to the evening, with a juggler attempting to balance more objects than seems humanly possible. Laughter and the clinking of glasses echo from the cozy beer gardens. Verbindung, where even the pigeons seem to waltz!

🎶" .....And I'm feeling good"🎶 

Hungry now, Matthew's joyous stroll came to a pause. '*Sigh* No money. Also, I don't think that's a currency I know,' he mused, observing a customer tipping a waiter.

As he continued, passing under a gateway with unfamiliar writing, a question struck him. 'Hey, Quirk, shouldn't you give me a language package or something?'

[ Sir will unlock the essentials after the 'Starter Package' ]

"Oh! Alright then," Matthew nodded to himself, resuming his song.

🎶" .....And I'm feeling - "

Matthew was now walking through a mixed-use neighborhood, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. However, his singing halted as he arrived at his destination, standing before a detached garage in a small compound. 

'Is this the place?' Matthew wondered

Matthew glanced at the map to confirm he was at the right spot. Satisfied, he approached the garage shutter and tugged at it, but it remained firmly locked. 'Is there another entrance, like a backdoor, perhaps?' he thought. 

He then circled around to the back of the garage. In the small backyard there was a small outhouse 'Must be the bathroom' Matthew thought.

There was indeed a door to the garage in the back. He tried to open it and it swung open easily. He opened the door and walked in but it was really dark inside, you could barely see anything.

Fortunately, Matthew was resourceful enough and found the main switch near the door on the wall and he turned it on -

As the lights came on, revealing the converted garage, Matthew couldn't help but feel a warm buzz of familiarity. The cozy corner instantly caught his eye, adorned with a large red hammock gently swaying beneath the soft glow of Christmas lights.

A mini-fridge nestled nearby held the promise of chilled refreshments, while a single-burner stove and compact cabinets formed a makeshift kitchenette on the far side.

In the center, a snug couch beckoned with mismatched pillows, creating an inviting spot around a petite coffee desk. A modest television perched in front, ready to entertain.

On the door-side wall, beside the entrance, a small Murphy desk stood adorned with scattered documents and a trusty notebook. A few dainty drawers hosted essentials, and a vintage late 2000s MacBook added a touch of nostalgia.

Not forgetting the practicalities, air conditioner and heater units flanked the walls, promising comfort in any season. In this cleverly transformed space, every nook and cranny told a story, making it a haven that felt like home.

Apparently you could not see the garage shutter from the inside, it was just for show. The inside walls were all lined with chic red bricked walls.

Suddenly, a familiar chime went off in Matthew's head.

[ Quest Complete : Tutorial Quest #1 ]

[ Generating Rewards..... ]

[ Obtained Safehouse : Converted Garage Safehouse. It will be marked permanently on the map ]

[ Obtained Package : Starter Package. Opening.... ]

╔═════════════════════════════╗

║ - Starter Package - 

╠═════════════════════════════╣

║ => 10000 (10k) ALP untraceable cash 

║ => Untraceable Communication Device 

║ => Memoir : Alpencia 

║ 

║ The contents can be found at your 

║ work desk. 

║ 

║ - Confirm - 

╚═════════════════════════════╝

[ New Quest : Tutorial Quest #2 ]

Matthew was slightly surprised by the direct spawning of objects in the world instead of a conventional inventory. 'No inventory, huh? Makes sense; pulling tons of things out of thin air seems a bit unrealistic,' he mused. Nonetheless, he appreciated the simplicity.

Approaching the work desk, he discovered a file titled 'Memoir: Alpencia.' The name hinted at the country he was currently in. Snooping around, he found an envelope filled with cash, unfamiliar except for the denomination and the name 'Alpena.'

"So, 100 bills of 100 denominations make 10,000 Alpena. I guess that's the currency here."

Continuing his search, he uncovered a Nokia 6650 Fold, a rather outdated phone. Matthew chuckled, realizing the MacBook and the phone were both relics from the past.

"Hey, Quirk, why are you giving me old stuff?"

[ To clarify, Earth #1951844 was created a bit over a decade after your previous world ]

[ Quirk has no intention of giving Sir 'old stuff'. This is considered the latest tech according to this world's timeline, as it's still the year 2009 ]

Matthew was surprised but quickly adapted. 'A decade in the past, huh?' Then a realization struck him. "But I guess my future knowledge won't work here because the history of this world is different. As per my knowledge, Alpencia did not exist in my previous world, right, Quirk?"

[ Yes, Sir. The events, history, geography, culture, etc., of this world are very different from your previous one. You'll learn more about this world through memoirs ]

Matthew nodded, slightly exited by what this new earth has to offer. He then moved on to opening the 'Tutorial Quest #2'. 

╔═══════════════════════════╗

║ - Tutorial Quest #2 - 

╠═══════════════════════════╣

║ As you came to this world, body and 

║ soul, there is no previous record of 

║ your existence in this world. So you 

║ need to forge a new identity for 

║ yourself. 

║ 

║ As you currently have no connections 

║ in this world, the System will provide 

║ you one. 

║ 

║ Task: Meet the master forger 'Sophie 

║ Muller' in the Nightclub 'Riviera 

║ Stellata' and convince her to forge 

║ an identity for you. 

║ 

║ As soon as you start the quest you will

║ get: 

║ => Mindset Awakening 

║ => Alpencian Language Package 

║ => 'Riviera Stellata' marked on map 

║ 

║ Quest Rewards: 

║ => 10000 ALP 

║ => Unlock Status 

║ 

║ - Start - 

║ - Back to Main Window - 

╚═══════════════════════════╝