The late summer sun kissed the horizon when Ian finally found the cave from which he originally arrived in this world. Finding it proved more difficult than he initially anticipated. His ears rang due to the number of lame jokes Gaelan cracked over the past few hours. “You know, you probably should have marked the entrance since there aren’t any …

The cooing of roosters woke Ian just before sunrise. Although he knew about them before, today was the first time the noisy creatures actually woke him up. Considering he lived in the city his whole life, the boisterous animals surprised him. Forcing himself to sit up, he groaned due to his sore muscles. The previous night, while waiting for his …

After the first lesson with Aria, Ian realized learning Common would be easier than he initially anticipated, especially since he could follow Aria’s teaching without breaking a sweat. Every once in a while she would get distracted and follow bunny trails, but for the most part, it went surprisingly well. Since Aria needed to go to the Visitor Center around …

The same old high-pitched ringtone startled Ian from his sleep. At first, he kept his eyes screwed shut due to the annoyingly bright light filtering through the window above his bed. Even so, he shut off the alarm out of habit. Eh? I never leave my blinds open… Ian thought. Oh, right, I’m in someone else’s home. Realizing he lay …

When the middle-aged man returned, Ian had only finished checking out a few of the items in the smithy. Not much time had passed, right? Without a doubt, this old guy was beyond fast. “I’m back. Thanks for waiting,” the man said. In his right hand, he held a piece of yellowish paper. “No problem,” Ian replied, his hazel-colored eyes …

Walking at a brisk pace, Ian made good time on the way to the last smithy mentioned by Aria, though not without bumping into a few people in the most crowded areas. However, due to a long day of constantly traveling on cobblestone road while weighed down by a fifteen-kilogram backpack, his feet burned with soreness. As a result, he …

A vast ocean of darkness spread out as far as the eye could see. Absurd levels of pressure condensed against his skin. Wading through proved incredibly difficult. One step here, one step there, yet not getting anywhere. Where was this place? Surely, he would find no living thing in this place. Simply existing there filled him with dread. In spite …

When Ian stepped outside, his spirits sank upon realizing night had already fallen. The streetlights illuminated the area with pure white light. A few people walked to and fro. However, he found himself in a quandary. Where should he make camp? Of course, he could walk back inside in order to ask Aria where the best place to camp would …

Is she asking for money? Ian pondered. After all, he had never heard of shillings until now. On top of that, the guard, Sam, told him information would be free. Apparently, the dilemma showed on his face since the woman inquired, “Do you not have money?” Her voice sounded confused and her face asked why a person would walk around …

“Haaah… glad that’s done and over with,” Ian muttered while sporting an exasperated expression. That blasted landlord raised the late fee again because of the neighbor who never paid on time. Finishing the process wasted a good hour of adventuring time. Unfortunately, letting go of the apartment could be disastrous since a portal now resided there. No, his portal resided …