***Noth - Mortal World, Wilderland Township***

***Sharid***

“Your task for today is to walk into that city and practice the things I taught you, Sharid.” Nazareth gestures at the little town while standing next to me.

It is still early in the day and the sun was just beginning to rise when we arrived at the small hill outside the village.

“Make me proud.” He turns and looks up to me from knee-height with crossed arms.

“Yes, ~Master!~” I am so excited!

After a little more than a year of training under him, secluding myself on that mountain, I am finally able to return to civilisation! All the people I had contact with were travellers or bandits, so I got more than a little lonely.

I never had much interaction with strangers, but back at home I had at least my family and was able to watch others through the brothel's windows. During my time at the academy I had at least the company of other women, so spending a whole year in the wilderness was taxing, to say the least.

What can I say? I am simply a town-girl.

“Don't use your ability on me!” Nazareth snaps back angrily. “I am still a god and you are just a mortal! Don't forget that!”

“I am sorry, master! It wasn't intentional! I am just so excited!” I jump a little up and down to make my point.

“Don't think that I don't realize that you did it on purpose. Otherwise, I would have kept you in the woods – for everyone else's sake,” the gnome grumbles to himself, but I ignore him.

A soft bed! Real food and not the tasteless, charred pieces I end up with when I try to cook! A warm room, not a campfire which is too hot on one side and too cold on the other! No rocks which poke into my butt while I am sleeping! No snow! No nuts and mushrooms for breakfast!

“Pay attention! Do we have to train for another year? You do realize what will happen if you lose control?” Nazareth looks at me sharply, narrowing his eyes.

“Nooo, not another year of training! I will manage!” I quickly promise him, ready to say anything in order to go back to civilisation. If I have to, I would even hide the evidence of my slip-ups, should any happen. Which they won’t, because I will be extra careful!

It has been well over three months since I caused the last massacre among a group deserters from the neighbouring country’s military. They made a living out in the mountain passes while robbing random people who crossed their path.

“Absolute control! I won't fail! Please let me try,” I beg him and take a deep breath.

I tell myself to calm down and to remember the training: Breath in, breath out! Cool and calculating thoughts! Don't allow yourself to get carried away and keep your voice under control. Freeze your expression, Sharid, just as you have learned. No accidental arousing smile.

My thoughts are logical and cold. I have my body under control.

“Hmm.” Nazareth studies me with a calculating gaze. “Kay. Then let's try this. It's early morning, which means that you have a whole day to prove yourself. You walk down into that town and take care of your business. You are to play a normal adventurer, get that!?”

I nod.

“After you get yourself new clothing and have replaced the rags you are wearing right now, you buy supplies and entertain yourself until the evening. Visit some bar or another place where you have to mingle with people. Maybe you even manage to find a party of adventurers to quest with from now on,” He explains calmly. “I will stay here and watch over you from afar. In the evening, you come back and I will give you my judgement of how you performed. If you pass the test, you can go and do your thing while I drop in from time to time in order to give you pointers. Otherwise, it's the mountain again!” He points at the cold and icy peak of the cursed rock that was my home for the last year!

“I won't let you down!” I promise and turn to run towards the city. Freedom at last!

“Don't forget about your clothes!” Nazareth calls after me. “You look like something that was forgotten and gained a life of its own.”

I look down at myself and pull a face, realizing that Nazareth is right. A year in the mountains wasn't beneficial on my equipment, and what I managed to replace by looting the bodies of my hapless victims is far from pristine. I look like a lightly-dressed barbarian, dirty and feral! First stop is certainly a shop with clothes!

My feet carry me easily to the city’s gates, strengthened by a life of hardships.

“Stop! Barbarians and beggars aren't allowed in the city!” One of the two men guarding the gate steps into my path, barring me from entering the city.

One is large and muscled, while the other is more of an athlete. They are both dressed in light leather, meaning that they aren’t part of the military, but some local security force.

“I am sorry,” I blink innocently at him, trying to let out just a little bit of my charm, “but I was on a long journey and my cart had an accident. I had to trek all the way through the mountains. That's why I look like this. I am certainly no barbarian and no beggar! I have some valuable materials. Just give me the chance to sell them.” I try to reason with the two guards who are now blocking my way.

“Hell no! Fuck off! We know your kind! Surely you will sell your body to get money!” the second guard interferes, curling his lips. “We are a godly community and you won’t poison this village. Praise the holy lord, Belfor!”

What’s wrong with these people? Is that how men are treating women when they aren’t surrounded by a supernatural aura? I actually remember this Belfor. It’s the same god who was always giving my family trouble. How can such a prude religion actually spread?

“There are laws against scum like you in our town! No entry! Try it at the next city!” The first guard affirms, actually shoving me away from the gate while totally ignoring another group of travellers.

Bastards! Who do they think they are? And what if I am a barbarian or a beggar? Does that make me less human? So I am not even allowed entry to the town!?

I decide to take off the gloves and clear my throat. “~Ahem, I would really appreciate it if you two would make an exception for me. Who knows? If you show up at the inn this evening, I may have a little surprise for you two.~”

“Ah...” The guards’ expressions change, their eyes turning glassy with desire.

“S- sure go ahead.” Guard Two steps aside and I stroll past them while waving my hips.

“W- we will be waiting!” Guard One calls after me. “Take the inn on Maine-Street. We will be waiting there!”

“Kukukuku,” I chuckle silently to myself.

This was way too easy! Maybe those abilities of mine aren't so bad after all? They were around my little finger in no time at all.

I make my path through the city until I arrive at an expensive-looking shop for clothes.

“This one looks exquisite!” I tell myself, entering the shop. “Hello? I need a full set of clothes!”

A snobbish looking vendor turns around to greet me, his face distorting in disgust as his eyes lock onto me. “This shop doesn't have charity handouts! Leave or I call the city guard! Beggars are thrown out of the city without questions! By Belfor, why haven’t they already thrown you out of town?”

Wha!? Another one? What's wrong with this place!?

Is it normal to be treated like this if you are an average person? “Ah, I am no beggar! I am an adventurer and had a hard time alone in the mountains! I can pay! Here look.” I point at the storage ring which I looted some time ago and materialize a nut-sized golden nugget onto his desk.

“Where did you steal that! Now I will call the guard for sure!” The vendor tries to get past me, shoving me to the side.

That actually causes me to pop a vein on my forehead and I let loose. “~Aaahn, you can't be so cold and cruel to a young lady who only tells the truth! I am sure you can sell two of your best sets of clothes to me.~”

The vendor stops in his tracks and turns around, his eyes shimmering with anticipation. “Please follow me, miss! I am sorry that I was so rude to you. I am certain that we can make some kind of deal?”

“Oh, I am certain that Belfor will bless you for your kind understanding.” I smile at the man, trying my best not to give in to the feeling of absolute disgust which I am beginning to develop for this town.

Twenty minutes later, after choosing his best and probably most valuable outfits, I am ready to depart.

“How much does this cost? I will pay in gold nuggets,” I ask with my storage ring packed to the brim with clothes, leaving me certain that I won’t have to worry about my attire for the next year. I wasn’t particularly picky in what I took, as long as the label was pricey.

That and I had to be quick, making sure that my wardrobe is up to standard with a prim adventuring set of turquoise linen, spelled with magical resistance and weather-defying glyphs.

“Fifty-two gold nuggets for the outfits will be enough, miss. You look gorgeous!” The vendor smiles at me.

That's thievery! Fifty-two nuggets? His whole shop isn’t worth more than twenty! No wonder this shop looks so nice, given the overcharge!

Sadly for him, I am not particularly inclined to play nice. “~You are sure that you couldn't make a little exception for me? If you give me the real price, I may have a little surprise for you at the inn tonight!~” What was the name? I wet my lips. “~I was told that the one at Maine-Street is nice.~”

To make sure that he gets the point, I bend forward a little pushing my arms together in order to emphasize my assets.

The vendor loosens a bit at my words. “S- Sure! That would be- bee-” His eyes stay stuck to my bosom as I smile at him.

“One gold nugget!” I suggest before he can get his faculties back under control.

He only nods, so I give him his payment, practically robbing him of half of his inventory.

Then I turn and walk past him out of the shop, not sparing the befuddled cultist a second glance.

Well, that's done. What next? Hmm. I will have to get the dirt off of me! Best to take a room at the inn for that!

After asking a few people who look at me with strange expressions, I finally arrive at the town’s inn.

Is it a problem that I still had to ask twelve people in order to find an inn that was in plain sight of the gate which I came through?

Whatever! As long as I have someone to ask, my sense of direction isn’t a problem!

Crossing the street quickly, I enter the inn and get greeted by a fat, old barkeeper, or should have been at least. If he hadn’t been so busy hitting a servant.

The poor girl on the floor has bruises all over her and the fat geezer is actually using a wooden stick!

Incensed, I raise a finger to gain his attention. “~Hellooooo? Mister? I would like your best room with a bath! And fast!~”

The barkeeper snaps to attention at my voice. “Of course! The servant will lead you to your room. Payment is in advance!”

I drop a raw diamond into his waiting hand, which makes his eyes pop out.

The greedy bastard is probably thinking that I just gave him significant overpay, but I am getting so angry at the people in this village that a single diamond will be of no condolence to him once I am done with this place.

I am sure he doesn't even think about giving me exchange money!

The servant quickly gets to her feet, bowing to me, then quickly hiking up the stairway next to the inn’s entrance.

I follow, allowing the servant girl to lead me upstairs and to my room where she arranges me a nice hot bath in a bathtub. I finally relax, sinking into the water after getting undressed.

But before the girl leaves the room, I stop her. “Does he hit you often?”

“N- n- no! The owner just uses his fists in cases of serious failure!” The girl bows down to me. “I wasn’t fast enough with doing the dishes, and so an important customer had to wait.”

“Tell me the truth. You have too many bruises for me to believe that.” I won't let her go like that. “Stay here and tell me some things about this town. I noticed that there seems to be a significant religious movement. Belfor was mentioned at least three times since I passed the gate and I am somewhat familiar with his faith.”

The faith of Belfor was one of the major religions in my home town, and its followers are all arrogant pricks. They look down on and harass anyone who is weaker or not as wealthy as them. I believe their priests are actually propagating ass-holery in their ceremonies. Otherwise, I can’t explain myself how good townfolk can become as snobby and brainwashed as the followers of Belfor.

“E- everyday miss, it doesn't matter if I make a mistake or not. He just likes it to hurt others,” the woman explains. “But I can't just leave. If I lose this job, they will throw me out of the town and that’s worse than being unemployed!” she girl looks at the floor. “The followers of Belfor came into this town a year ago and took over one of the moon-goddesses churches. Their faith quickly spread throughout the whole town afterwards. Those who didn’t want to convert were practically arm-wrestled into it.”

I frown. Back at home, the Belforists were always a little pushy, but it is news that they are also becoming aggressive in spreading their religion. I just hope that my family is safe.

Thoughtfully rubbing my storage ring, I retrieve one of my moneybags. It is filled to the brim with gold nuggets, but after a year on the road and looting robbers, I have more than enough capital. Without hesitation, I throw the bag to the girl and she barely catches it.

“Take that and get out of town. Take the first safe carriage today and find someone to give you a good education! Don't be here by this evening.” I wave at her with a dismissive gesture.

The girl looks into the bag with round eyes. For a moment, I fear that she would refuse, but thankfully, she proves to have some common sense by not turning down free loot. “Thank you, miss! Thank you so much!” She leaves the room with tears in her eyes, not looking back.

At least she is smart enough to instantly take a chance if it is given to her.

I continue to enjoy my bath for a while, freeing myself of all the dirt and grime.

Then I set out to get supplies and have a decent dinner, this time unimpeded by Belfor’s followers. With new clothes and a clean appearance, there is nothing they can take offence at.

After a long day of strolling through the town and affirming my first impression of the townsfolk, I eat some good food, mingling with other people while gathering information. Unfortunately, I find no group of adventurers to hook up with.

On my way back to the inn, I get stopped at the market. A noble-looking guy with guards at his side blocks my path. It is already in the evening and the sun is starting to disappear behind the horizon.

“I am sorry to interrupt your business, miss, but I heard that a very rich adventurer entered the town, paying for everything with valuable diamonds and gold as if they were copper coins. So, I asked myself if you would be interested in a little deal?”

By the gods, what is it now? How is it possible for a town to be packed full of bastards and assholes? Have they already driven out all the decent folk? “And you are?”

“I am the governor of this wonderful town. It's thanks to me that this city is free of filth! So, about our business. I want to know where you got all those riches from. If the source of those diamonds and gold becomes known to us, it will increase the wealth of this entire region and the followers of Belfor!” The feisty bastard tries to take my hand and kiss it but I pull it out of his grip.

I glance around, noticing that his men are surrounding us. “That doesn't sound like there is much for me in it? And what makes you think that the source of my wealth would be of any interest to you?”

“Because most of the nuggets you paid with were unrefined. I think you found them close to this town. Maybe I could send a few workers in order to help you mine it? It would be much faster and you wouldn't have to dirty your own hands.”

Well, that’s what I get for throwing around some pretty gems which I found in the mountain’s rivers.

I grin at the smart bastard who is apparently the main reason for the state of this town. “Ohh, You are right! How about we talk about this while eating dinner at the inn? I wouldn't be able to carry ~all that stuff~ by myself anyway.”

The eyes of the governor sparkle while he offers me his hand and I link arms with him. Hoh! I didn't even need much of my ability for this!

After a short walk, we arrive at the inn and go inside. I soon see a few familiar faces while the drunkards undress me with their eyes. What's wrong with them! The sun isn't even completely down and this place already reeks like a barrel of beer!

I find the innkeeper behind his bar, looking very stressed with drops of sweat running down his forehead while he serves alcohol to the people. It seems like the servant girl followed my advice and made a run for it.

Serves him right!

The governor leads me towards a table and places himself on a chair, but I remain standing, having no intentions of joining him.

“~Actually! I like really strong men!~” I address the whole inn. “~If you could prove to me your worthiness, I could show you heaven!~”

There is a second of complete silence before the whole inn, visited mainly by men, explodes in a flurry of fists and thrown chairs! Tables get smashed while the participants of the brawl try to beat each other into bloody lumps of flesh. It doesn’t take long before knives and other weapons join the equation.

Humming and satisfied of having done a good deed, I skip through the middle of it all, dancing over and past corpses and screaming guests. On my way to the exit, I pass the bar and ‘accidentally’ knock over one of the candle-holders which decorate the table. Grabbing one of the bottles of alcohol, I make sure that it is the real stuff by taking a sip, spitting the burning liquid into a screaming man’s face.

Assured that it is a bottle of high percentage I let it slip, allowing the glass to smash onto the table with the toppled candle.

The bottle breaks and the table including the wooden flooring go up in flames.

“Oops! That was totally an accident!” A wide grin steals itself onto my face as I exit the inn and leave the town in measured steps. Ah! The world is becoming a little brighter day by day! I feel like I am in control of my life for the first time! And I can use my powers for good!

A few minutes of walking take me outside the town, back to the foot of the hill where I parted with Nazareth in the morning. I climb my way up the small hill where I find him sitting on a small rock.

He is bent over with his elbows jacked on his knees while he covers his face with both hands, looking like he is mourning something.

“Hi, Master! I did well, didn't I? That was the best day of my life!” I call out to him with a cheerful voice, waving while I approach.

“Then... What's THAT!” Not looking up, he points towards the city behind me.

I turn around.

It's getting dark, but the city is bathed in the bright light of flames. The inn is ablaze and the flames are high enough to show me the silhouettes of people who are running left and right, apparently trying to save the neighbouring buildings. I guess there is no hope for the inn, nor for their efforts. As I watch, the roof of a neighbouring house catches fire thanks to one the countless little embers which are drifting through the night’s sky.

That city is a goner.

“That was... an ~accident!~” I chirp without the slightest hint of remorse in my voice.

The little gnome covers his face again and starts mumbling. “I honestly don't know if I should reward you for your control, or punish you for it!”

“Nyaaa! Master! Not the mountain again! Please teach me somewhere else!” I drop to my knees and bow to the little gnome who saved me from my personal hell. “I only used my ability to punish the bad people!”

The little gnome jumps from his rock and sighs. “I hope I didn't create a monster. Get up and listen to my last piece of advice!”

I straighten! “Last piece!? You won't teach me anymore!?”

“I can't help you any further. You know all the techniques and meditations to get a grip on your powers. Train them and perfect your skills. You don't need me for that.” Nazareth scratches his chin while looking at the rising moon, the scene somehow tarnished by the burning town beneath us.

“The last piece of advice I give you concerns something completely different. Something nobody can help you with! It is also how you will become a god!” The gnome looks into my eyes with a grin on his face.

I am frozen. “A god!?”

“Yes. You have the potential. That's for sure.” He nods.

“I have?” I ask and Nazareth nods. “How? Will I be able to meet that pervert god and give him a beating?”

Nazareth tilts his head. “Yes. Most likely you will meet him if you manage it, but I doubt that you will be able to beat him. After all, he wiped the floor with you the last time.”

“Last time?” I arch my eyebrow.

“You want to hear the method or not!?” Nazareth grumbles.

I bow down again, knowing that what the deity doesn’t want to tell, he doesn’t tell. There is no point in irritating him.

“Yes, master! Please enlighten me!”

“Look up!” The gnome starts wandering left and right in front of me. “First, forget your body! Forget your flesh! What makes you a god is here!” He points to his head. “And here!” Then he places his palm on his heart. “Find the one thing you really love! The one thing you are good at! And then perfect that skill! Refine it to heights above your mortal body. Being a god is a state of the mind! By reaching heights beyond the flesh you will acquire access to unbelievable power.” He folds his hands before his chest. “Open your mind. That's something you can only do on your own. Nobody can help you with it. Find yourself!”

Then my master is suddenly gone, disappeared in a flash of lightning, leaving me alone on the little hill.