Rick descended the stairs of the Inn realizing that the joyous voices of the gathered customers could no longer be heard. In fact, it was so quiet he thought that maybe the inn had closed early for some reason.

Thinking this he was perplexed to see that the dining area was still full with customers and they all seem to have disgusted looks fixed toward the back bar. Surveying the room to comprehend the situation an upraised arrogant voice could be heard from around the corner blocked by his line of sight.

Rick turned the corner to investigate the commotion. Near the end of the bar, Mia and her bartender a younger guy dressed in a work uniform stood in between Jessica and a scowling stranger.

The stranger a malicious looking man wearing a longsword and armor with a crest of a black snake on it suddenly erupted shouting slurred curses.

"I have had enough with that bitches mouth! Every time I approach her she has disrespected me!" [drunk guard]

" I told you before being from House Karn does not give you the right to touch me however you please. [Jessica]

"The way you talk and act are disgusting, I have made it clear many times that I want you to stay away from me." [Jessica]

"I have warned you about this before Gage I will not tolerate this behavior in my establishment." [Mia]

"I am the Captain of a noble house of this city! Tolerate my ass, if I want to take that bitch out of here none of you can stop me!" [Gage]

I heard enough, does this guy think he can just drag Jessica out of here and have his way with her?

Rick slowly crossed the room while the drunk Gage continued his tirade. The disturbed customers turned to watch as he approached the group near the bar.

"Hello, Jessica it seems this guy here is disturbing you." [Rick]

"Cedric!" Jessica called out surprised at his sudden appearance beside her.

"I came by after I closed my shop for a drink and to see if you had any problems renting a room." [Jessica]

He smiled thinking it was nice of her to go out of her way to check that he was settled in and found an available room to rent. Rick gently took her hand thanking her for all the help and being concerned for him.

"Please take a seat for a moment" he led her to a chair and had her sit down for him. [Rick]

"Who the hell are you! I'm not done with her yet, take your hands off her and get the hell out of here!" [Gabe]

Rick turned walking up to the drunk Gabe without a word until he was inches from him. He purposely stalked up on Gabe using his size to dwarf over him looking down at him with a face filled with fury.

Gabe even in his drunken anger seemed to suddenly grasp the situation facing him, forcing him to subconsciously step back. He'd often intimidate people with the threats using his employer's house name to get what he wanted. Most would not dare to stand up to him being he was backed by a noble.

The nobles of the city held allot of power and money it was not smart to get on their bad side. The common people knew if you angered a noble house they could make you vanish with a word. Visibly shook Gabe attempted to use this against Rick to scare him off.

"Do you have any idea who I am! I am the captain of the guard for HOUSE KARN!" He yelled out again repeating himself again to try and apply pressure on Rick to make him back down.

Switching his Aura on and directing all his rage into it. Rick furiously propelled it at Gabe as if to blow him off his feet.

When first he switched his aura on a white radiance surrounded him. Rick's aura then changed in an instant from a soft white glow to a bright glowing red that struck out and enclosed Gabe along with him.

Growling through clenched teeth as his aura of killing intent and rage smashed down on Gabe he responded.

"Now let me tell YOU who I am. I am a [Chosen] sent here by THE GODS! You really think I fear your house? If I die I will resurrect and keep coming back till I cut down you and the everyone in House Karn."

A look of horror spread across Gabe's face as Rick's words and aura seemed to crush him where he stood.

"Now if you so much as ever look at Jessica again" He then gave him a wicked smile and lightly laughed.

That laugh shook Gabe to his core, lowering his head he almost ran out the door to the cheers of the customers happy to see him go.

Rick turned to Mia.

"I apologize for the disturbance Mia I am quite sure you could have dealt with that trash but I couldn't hold back."

Mia's eyes narrowed as she smiled. "Oh, what makes you think I could handle him myself."

Rick laughing leaned in whispering to her " I was in the military of my world for years. I know a highly trained individual when I see them."

Excusing himself he walked over to Jessica with a wry smile. She watched him approach with a stunned look her brain trying to catch up to everything that just happened.

"Now that our friend is gone would you do me the honor of having dinner with me?" he said holding his hand out to her.

Jessica began laughing then thanked him for helping her with the idiot.

Reaching out she took his hand and they walked over to an empty table. He pulled her chair out allowing her to get settled and sat down across from her. Glad to see Gabe gone never to return the customers and staff returned to enjoying the evening.

Rick ordered the recommended steak with stuffed trout dinner for both of them and a bottle of wine. They ate dinner talking about family, friends. He told her about his future plans that he would buy land somewhere and develop a kingdom unlike any in this world. Telling her this was the reason he came to her world.

Jessica spoke of how she wished her shop would improve and that sales could be better. That this city was full of corruption making it difficult to run a business here. Everyone had their hand out she told him. Gangs wanted protection money or they would vandalize your store. Nobles restricted imports allowing the merchants who paid them enough to receive certain goods. She began to grow weary of the whole system.

He told her she was welcome to join him later when he secured an area and built up his town. He liked her and thought that having her open a shop in his future lands would help both of them. She seemed to show interest in the idea. Ensuring her he would build her a shop and help her make the move if she decided to.

After dinner, he insisted on walking her home the incident with Gabe had left him concerned for her. He paid for dinner and asked her where she lived on the way out. She lived just above her General Store so it was a close enjoyable walk in the cool night air.

He walked her to her door and waited for her to unlock it and wished her a good night. He turned to start back to the inn before he could Jessica called his name out. Turning back to answer he was met with her lips.

She wrapped her hands around his neck feeling a bit tipsy from the wine and gave him a long kiss.

Jessica's arm slid back to her side and she looked in his eyes.

"fufu I have wanted to do that since I first saw you. It was worth the wait" She reached up touched his cheek telling him that she would stop by again to visit soon.

Wow, that was unexpected but I am far from complaining about it.

On his way back to the inn he caught sight of the flashing notice icon that warned of unread messages. Opening them to see what he missed a window popped up.

New Sub-Skill Notice!

New sub-skill learned!

Aura: Intimidation Level 1 (beginner 0%)

A sub-skill of Aura used to deter threats in your circumference.

Higher levels increase Intimidation and circumference.

I really didn't think about this at the time when I used my aura on Gabe. I was just pissed and wanted to scare him off trying to project my anger into my aura upon him. It seems skills can be altered in some cases.

Hmm? Looks like I have another notice still.

New Title notice!

You saved the damsel in distress, then wined and dined her in true gentlemanly fashion.

You have been awarded the title: The White Knight

All members of the opposite sex will see you as a white knight in shining armor.

Fame Increased: +1000

Honor Increased: +500

Now displaying title: The White Knight

All awarded titles effects stack even if undisplayed!

A new title, I wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I guess I will find out the hard way.

When he made his way back to the inn the most customers had cleared out. A few still sat at the bar while the waitresses busied themselves cleaning and straightening up before heading home for the night.

Rick walked in heading for the stairs to his room. On his way across there, a few female customers and waitresses followed him with their eyes as he passed by.

Now I know what Mia feels when walking across a crowded room of men. I guess it is ok as long as they all don't start asking me to save them from one problem or another.

Back in the suite rick locked the door and unequipped his boots. He climbed into the bed then used his cartography skill. He felt all his mana instantly drain out of him leaving him feeling weak and tired.

Well, at least I am still conscious though I feel like hell now. If I log out for most of the night here I should regain a good amount of mana then. I'll wait until I log back in to check out the new map.

Disconnect!

When the capsule opened he stood up and went to the bathroom. Not in the mood to cook he put a couple slices of pizza in the microwave. Walking to the couch he sat down watching TV while he ate his pizza.

He put the plate and a dish detergent pack in the dishwasher and turned it on.

I don't feel like going to bed but I could lay down for about 3 hours then when I log back in it will be morning and I should have regened some of that mana back.

After 3 hours his alarm clock sounded off and he logged back in and started walking toward the central plaza.

Taking out the map he made last night to examine it he was quite impressed. He could make out the entire city that was located on a peninsula that reached out into the ocean. North of the city he saw a huge forest to the east a long chain of mountains. The cities west wall appeared to be close to the coastline and south of the city seemed to be vast plains that connected to the mainland.

I want to head to that craftsman area first thing that Jessica told me about. If I follow this street I should notice the shops close to the end.

Soon enough he started to spot some of the craftsman's shops. He kept a sharp eye out still needing to find some armor and check out the weapons shop. Reading the signs and looking at items displayed in the windows he heard a metal on metal sound get louder as he walked on.

That sounds like someone working on an anvil. If I follow the noise maybe I can find a blacksmith to teach me some skills.

Following the noise, until he came across a good size shop with a large covered outdoor work area with people hammering at anvils and loading smelting pots. They had a nice setup of numerous anvils a few good size smelting pots and couple large forge. A wall of hook pegs had tools of all sorts hanging neatly out of the way.

Alright, this looks like a good place to learn.

Rick went inside and arranged lessons with the owner on basics to blacksmithing.The owner wasn't really interested in teaching him when he first inquired. Rick assured him that he would not use the skills he learned to operate a business in the city here. Then after seeing gold coins on his desk and telling him that he was a [Chosen], the owner came around to the idea.

They decided he would teach him enough to get his blacksmithing, smelting, forging, and polishing skills. The owner told him if he did not have the hammering skill yet he would acquire it just through blacksmithing.

The owner took his money for the lessons and walked Rick through all the basics. Appling real life skills of construction work with hand tools he learned the skills quickly.

One great thing about a game system you can learn some skills really quick but I bet raising them after a few levels they will slowly stagnate.

The Blacksmith teacher's shop mainly worked larger contract deals, it was not set up for the public sales with a showroom to view and purchase items. So before leaving Rick asked if he could recommend a place to buy armor and weapons. The owner had warmed up to Rick some and was pleased that he learned the skills by midday and offered to help him out.

They walked into the back warehouse which had some stock of extra weapons and armors from canceled deals or experimentations. Looking through the shelves and dust covered crates he found some decent items.

He purchased a plated chainmail cuirass, a set of iron greaves, gauntlets, iron shield and longsword. The owner also sold him a used blacksmith hammer, anvil, along with two pickaxes for next to nothing.

Loading up the large haul of items into his inventory he thanked his teacher for all his help then remembered he was forgetting something.

"Teacher I forgot one last thing where can I get a smelting pot from?" [Rick]

"Well they can be made with mold casting, though if you do not have one yet you can not smelt the iron for the casting"

"haha, reminds me of an old saying from my world (it takes money to make money)" [Rick]

The owner began rubbing is bearded chin in thought quietly repeating the saying.

"You need money to invest or buy products to make a profit, I like it" "It takes money to make money, I like it" [Teacher]

"Follow me I got something for you" [Teacher]

They weaved their way through the shop to exit the rear door. Behind the business, in a small enclosed yard, piles of ores, coal, sand, and charcoal stood stationed near the walls. Rick followed his teacher to a shed passing the piles. Walking inside his teacher pointed to a group of smelting pots turned to Rick smiling.

"Take your pick of them, you can take them all if you want no charge. We upgraded to a larger size a couple years back these just sit out here gathering dust now." [Teacher]

"I can have them for free? Thank you, this will help me out in the future when I start building my town."

"You're going to start a town! Make sure you keep me informed I like to see that sounds exciting" [Teacher]

"It will start small but we will bring in more people and [chosen] with some ideas from my world to make a kingdom one day" "I will keep you updated you will always be welcome to visit or open another shop there if you want"

Rick inspected the group of smelting pots and decided to take four of them that are in excellent condition still.They talked for awhile longer and promised to meet up again in the future and they parted ways for now.

Walking back toward the plaza once again Rick began reviewing his notices to pass the time.

New Child Skill Notice!

New Child Skill learned!

Hammering Level 1 (beginner 0%)

Hammering is a child skill of Carpentry and Blacksmithing.

Level increases allow for higher accuracy and endurance while hammering.

New Skill Notice!

New skill learned!

Blacksmithing level 1 (beginner 0%)

Blacksmithing allows you to create various items processing metals.

Level increases allow for higher quality items

New Skill Notice!

New skill learned!

Smelting Level 1 (beginner 0%)

Smelting allow you to process raw ore into ingots

Level increases allow for higher quality ingots

New Skill Notice!

New Skill learned!

Forging Level 1 (beginner 0%)

Forging allows you to create tools, weapons, armors from ingots

Level increases allow for higher quality items

Attribute Increases! Strength Increase: +5 Attribute Increases! Stamina Increases: +3

Very nice I even received some attributes, probably from swinging the hammer for hours.

Show Status!

Cedric Crownguard

Strength: 17 Level: 1 Stamina: 10 Health: 100 Vitality: 10 Mana: 50 Intelligence: 5 Piety: 125 Wisdom: 6 Fame: +1125 Agility: 5 Honor: +500 Charisma: 4 Alignment: + 500 (neutral) Leadership: 3 Satiety: 79 Luck: 3 Class: (none) Feudal Domain: 0 Race: Human Feudal Title: freeman Unused Points: 0 Titles: The White Knight

Time to grab a quick bite to eat and head over to the library and see if I can't increase my INT and WIS.

I can ask someone that works there if they know where I can learn spells or find spell books.

Rick bought a couple sandwiches from a food stall then continued on his way to study for the rest of the day.