A New Adventure

"HUFF, HUFF," Currently I was out back practicing with my stick. I say stick because I don't have the money for a good spear. This one I found after some hunting in the woods and got the carpenter to tell me how best to carve it. Took a bit but after some haggling and free labor I got a small carving knife and instructions on how to make it at least vaguely spear shaped. It probably won't kill anything but it's at least good for practice.

"Hey, Maggot, you finished your work yet!"

"Yeah, yeah, Steve, it's all done for the day."

"It better be, or I'll string your twirly but up and shove that stick up you till you're a spit roast." That is Steve. The man I met at the village outskirts. Turns out he's a retired adventurer too. He raises some pigs and goats and sells the meat and milk to Bertha. Every time he sees me he finds something to yell about. I got really mad about it the first couple times but realized that if I took it as training it wouldn't bother me. Well at least not as much. Plus if this is how most adventurers act I better get used to it; that and I think he's just jealous and has a crush on Bertha.

After you get past all the venom his insults are actually really useful. I first noticed it when he said that even a goblin could knock me over. It took some thinking, but I realized that I wasn't steady enough and if I took a good hit I'd be down and probably taken out. My memories helped out making sense of what he said of course. I originally wanted to try the Might Guy style workout until Steve yelled at me about wasting my time without falna. Apparently workouts can only really affect you once you get a falna and stats. Since that wouldn't work I tried going the technical route by perfecting my basics while trying out some moves from anime and manga on the side. With the stat boosts I could get it seemed possible. At least till I got yelled at for dancing like a monkey. All in all it made for some decent training.

"Hey go wash up before dinner." Bertha called from the backdoor.

"Sure thing, just give me a minute." I went over to the shower area for guests and propped my stick at the entrance. Nothing quite beats a good wash off after practice. As I splash myself off with a bucket I pause for a moment to see if I can get a good look at my relflection. I look a about five and a half foot with golden hair and a slender frame. The first time I saw my appearance I realized I look like the bad guy from Jackie Chan. Val something I think. I don't think he looked quite as good as me though. Having some decent muscle does wonders for your appearance. Still there is Shendu in the middle of my chest more lifelike than I think any artist could paint. I still haven't been able to figure out anything about him, it. I tried meditating and sticking things in the sockets but nothing seemed to work.

Drying off and going inside the inn I see a group of travelers sitting at a table. Bertha walks out the kitchen when she hears me come in then quick brings me out a plate at a separate table.

"Took you long enough. If your business took any longer the food would get cold." She gives me a wink and a smirk before sitting down across from me.

"Cough" "Um, Yeah I wasn't doing anything bad; just like letting the water run off me." My cheeks start burning. I've stayed here for over a month and despite daily jabs I still can't get over her teasing.

"Sure, the water, Just make sure you clean up any messes and its your job to fill the buckets."

"Huh" "Don't you remember I'm going with those adventurers tomorrow."

"Yeah, but I'm still gonna get my money's worth out of ya so until you leave your still doing chores."

"sigh" I may be grateful to Bertha for giving me a good start in this world, but the woman is a slave driver. The only reason I managed to make time in the afternoon is that the inn stays pretty empty most of the time. If I wasn't grateful for her help and needed her experience I probably would have tried a different town by now.

"So any big plans once you hit the city? Gonna join a big familia and conquer the dungeon?"

"Nah, nothing quite so big. I just want to get stronger. I've got questions that I want answered and secrets to keep so I need power. I think I'll try joining a small familia to get started and try to get tough enough to protect myself first. Maybe once I'm stronger I can join one of the big familias and see how far I can go." I'm worried about my tattoo and the Pan'ku box and a bigger familia might just steal the box or turn me into a lab rat, too dangerous. Yeah a small familia that needs me personally is best.

"Well there's a lot of small time gods out there so you'll have a lot to choose from, but be careful they're small for a reason." Right, Bertha's told me some horror stories about gods and their familias that really show how bad it can be. Going to have to be careful on who I pick. Luckily I should be able to get some idea on what they are like from their divinity. Apparently it affects their personality, in some cases severely, so that should help me avoid dark ones. Don't want to work for someone with divinities in death, murder, or torture no sir.

"Well since you've been such great company these past weeks let me get you you're going away present." With that she gets up and goes back into the kitchen. Shortly after she comes back with two big mugs of what I assume is alcohol.

"Here drink up! Best way to say goodbye is to get knock out drunk!" She thunks the drinks on the table and nearly spills the drinks.

"Well I won't pass up free drinks!" I take my glass and toast.

"To a new adventure!"

"Haha!" "Right to a new adventure, and a happy ending."