《The Choice is Not Yours》Chapter 3: Who am I?
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Night has fallen, and the people who were formerly walking on these streets, are now nowhere to be seen. Instead, they have settled inside the warmly lit shops, which shine like a beacon to those who still remain outside. If the golden lights are not enough to beckon the lonely, wandering souls indoors, it's the cheers of jovial laughter that will.
Bars and pubs are where people can enjoy themselves without any worries about what lies beyond the safety of the premises because people learn to eat and drink to live and forget.
But would they feel safe knowing a murderer is amongst them? Could I upset everyone’s evening with my wicked presence, just so I could have a meal? Maybe, I shouldn’t go inside. After all, I killed a man. Do I deserve to eat like any other human being?
The question is not if others can accept me as a murderer; it is if I can accept myself for doing what I needed to do. But, by the looks of my guilty conscious revealing itself in the form of excuses that are starving me both physically and mentally, I cannot answer my question. Nonetheless, I must eat.
I enter the nearest eatery and walk to the counter. I hear whispers from all sides growing hush and anxious, but I keep walking.
“What’ll be?” says a young woman wearing a brown apron.
“What food you serve?” I ask.
She slides a menu toward me. Then, she heeds another customer who sits down also.
It’s strange. These writings are not in my native language, yet I can read them. That reminds me, the sign at the front door reads “Silver Lion,” but how did I know that vague name corresponds to a place to eat, and not some other type of establishment?
Food comes first, so never mind that. I order a meat dish and a water.
After a few moments of waiting, I grow bored. I look over to the woman until she makes eye contact with me. “Is there any news from this country?” I question.
“Are you a traveler? Well, for the news, there are more bad than good. New types of monsters are being sighted all over the kingdom. Those creatures are built stronger and faster than ever before. Travelers should beware of the higher risk, and know that death will likely come to those who leave the city’s walls,” she speaks lowly.
I say nothing but glance at her to continue.
“Many infamous criminals are mobilizing ever since a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know for what reason they’ve returned to perform their heinous deeds after being dormant for so long. But, they seem here to stay, and now they’re stirring up trouble for the newly ordained emperor and empress,” she sighs softly.
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“What kind of criminals are they?” I question curiously.
“Oh, you know, arsonists, mass murderers, grand theft of the crown, terrorists who want to destroy the world...” she trails off.
“That last bit cannot be true,” I say in disbelief.
“Hehe, you got me,” she breaks out into a small smile but returns stoic as she continues.
“But who knows if that will happen again? After all, the "Last Contender War" ended a mere forty years ago,” she murmurs uneasily.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t,” I comment, going along with the flow of the conversation.
And that was the cue for our brief exchange to end. She heads off to wait on more orders from the other customers.
After finishing the meal, I pay the check and leave the pub. I walk around to find a place to stay for the night and soon I spot a sign that reads “Harte Inn.”
“Welcome to the Harte Inn. Do you wish to rent a room?” the man at the desk greets me as I enter.
“Yes, how much is a room per night?” I ask.
“It’s five silvers, breakfast included, which for tomorrow morning is a bowl of stew and a loaf of bread,” he answers easily.
Wordlessly, I hand him the silver, and he gives me a key.
Since the buildings on this street only reach an upward of two stories, it does not take long to find my room. Upon entering the quarters, my eyes zone onto the bed, and before I know it, I’m already fast asleep with clothes still on, along with the day’s fatigue.
--- --- ---
Thanks to a dreamless night, I wake up with the rising sun. Surprisingly, I did not get any nightmares. It should be convenient plot-wise that nightmares would be sent my way to spook me. Either that or a message, welcoming me to my new life from whoever put me into this world.
But, seeing as nothing happened in my sleep, maybe the unknown being is a benevolent soul who just decided to transfer me, free of charge. However, that reasoning is a bit far-fetched because people never do things without an aim. But then again, if they did want something from me in return for the chore of putting me here in the first place, they would have told me my purpose or main objective was, right from the beginning.
Seeing that I'm free to do whatever, I'll go with the flow of random events. I did just that yesterday, and I even made some progress in settling into this new life thanks to those blue boxes. I take the coins out of my pocket. Last night, the man told me that ten coppers are worth one silver, and a hundred silvers are worth one gold. When I showed him my badge, he begged me to let him go.
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“I am not wanted by the Adventurer’s Guild, so why did they send you?!”
So, I am an adventurer in this world. How convenient. I have to thank the man for the information he gave me. Well, I let him go, along with his other arm in one piece.
--- --- ---
I arrive at the Adventurer’s Guild. It’s a mid-size two-story building, and compared to the other buildings on this street, the Guild building is a bit larger than the others, but not so much as to make more than a slight difference.
I enter and walk up to the teller.
“How can I help you?” the lady at the desk greets me.
“Do you have any jobs available?” I ask.
“Opening jobs at this guild, or do you mean quests?” she inquires quizzically.
“Quests,” I swiftly correct myself.
“Show me your badge,” she states a matter of factually.
I hand her the badge, and she places it on a magic circle. Immediately, the magic circle glows with a light blue color, and a screen pops up, which it hovers above the badge.
“Since you’re a copper rank, the only quest you can accept is "Wolf Extermination" requested by C.J.,” her eyes skim over the screen. “The adventurers will slay fifteen wolves at Genry Cave and they must bring back the left paws belonging to the wolves as proof. An additional note left by the issuer of the quest states that whoever takes up this quest can keep the rest of the slain wolves, on top of the 50 silvers reward,” she finishes.
“How can I move up a rank?” I ask, already bored with this tedious task.
She looks at me with shock written all over her face.
“Is there something wrong?” I say, genuinely concerned about the possibility that I blew my cover and revealed myself as a person who does not belong.
“... No, it’s just that according to your records, you have well enough credits to be in steel ranking but you have never upgraded your rank.”
Weird. Maybe the badge was already equipped with credits by the time I came into this world?
--- --- ---
I am currently on the main street. Stuffed in my pockets are wrapped up chunks of various dried meats. With food taken care of, the only other thing I need is a bigger weapon. The knife in my pocket is not going to cut it.
. .
. . .
“Get out,” a burly man blocking the doorway to a Blacksmith’s shop says. He grabs an axe from the display window and makes a show of power by raising it above his head in a striking position.
I say nothing and turn away to find another shop that is hopefully more welcoming.
. .
. . .
Only the word "Leave" resounds in my head as I step outside the second Blacksmith's shop. So, what the fuck is going on? What I thought was a simple task, appears not so elementary anymore. Maybe the reason I can’t get what I want is due to my incompetence. Or perhaps, it could be someone else's fault that is preventing me from reaching my goal. Either way, I'm allowed to be frustrated, can't I?
Question the next shop owner.
That’s right; if I want answers, then all I have to do is ask. I look around for another Blacksmith’s shop. It takes me a while, but eventually, I find one tucked in the back ends of the main street. From the outside, I could see a boy behind the counter. He looks like a pushover; this is perfect.
I wait for my breathing to return to normal, and walk through the shop’s door.
He notices me quickly, and his demeanor shifts into that of a no-bullshit attitude. “I am not allowed to sell any weapons to you. Please leave,” the boy sternly speaks.
“Why? Is it because I’m a girl,” I say coming to my conclusion.
“No, now leave,” he says flatly.
“I am not leaving until you answer me,” my voice rises with noticeable anger in my tone.
“Leave. Now,” his voice also grows irritated.
In a flash, I reach over the counter and grab his apron. I lift him off the ground with one hand, while my other hand closes into a fist, raised and ready to strike. “Talk, or else I'll beat you black and blue,” I seethe, too frustrated at this outcome.
He sneers at me, now that he’s hanging at my face level. “I don’t sell to the likes of team killers.”
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Dungeons Are Bad Business
Vee Vales has been kicked out of his home and directed to make his own way in the world. Along with his friend Alforde Armorsoul, Vee travels to the city of Oar's Crest. Once a prosperous and well-to-do city, Oar's Crest has fallen into depression and disrepair. After finding a strange stone that takes up residence in a tattered top hat and introduces itself as Reginald, Vee and Alforde decide to open a dungeon in Oar's Crest to revitalize the city and, more importantly, make some fleurs. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] Author's Note: Dungeons are Bad Business (DABB) is a slow burn slice-of-life dungeon core litRPG citybuilder that's focused on the day to day experience of running a dungeon. There will be some action, but it won't be the focus of the story and Vee and his friends will usually overcome their problems with their minds and their pocketbooks instead of their weapons. Since I'm participating in the writeathon, I will probably be uploading chapters almost daily for the duration of the event. Thanks for reading!
8 100The Anime Trope System : Stone vs. the Viper, a LitRPG. [WEB NOVEL SUSPENDED.]
By the will of unknown deities, Clyde is swiped from Earth and tossed into an anime world. He’s the declared the Stone aka main character. One day, he must kill the Viper, the antagonist. Too bad things aren’t exactly as black and white as that. The Stone is something much more… This world and its inhabitants are real. It’s another dimension with a lot to explore. This is the story of a young man’s evolution from college boy of Earth to godhood and beyond. The challenges stand ahead of him: demons, monster girls, crazy yanderes, even a girl with maxed charisma. He never thought he’d ever see a magical girl… A story of comedy, action, and going from weak to completely unstoppable. He is the system disruptor… In a world where tropes are present, anime girls falling in love so easily, and city-wide issues intertwining with the main mission, Clyde must level up power and his mentality, RPG-style. He can no longer be that earthling. He will learn… whether he likes it or not. Someone who breaks systems…Feared by the gods… ~A lover of character development... -----WARNING: Episode 7 and beyond will intensify in sexual content, sexual humor, sexual/sex scenes, + references may ramp up a lot. You have been warned. (This is humor and mature content. FICTION. Anything that an adventurer-type do is risky. This is not for the faintest of hearts.) (There are also Monster Girl Quest/Encyclopedia references and sex scenes in here. Once again, fair warning.) Additional tags: [ Satire, Adult, Mature audiences only, Monster girls from the monster girl encyclopedia enemy types mostly in volume 1.] NOTICE AS OF FEB 2019: Web novel hiatus indefinitely due to Amazon policy, people translating my shit and charging money for it, posting this on other sites without my permission. Please join discord and/or Facebook page for updates. Patreon will continue to get chapters as normal. Thank you truly for understanding! This is my livelihood and I don't want to lose it. ----- This series will cotninue on--a fun tribute to anime of all forms and satire--so much fun to write. Feel free to let it be that safety net in your library. Author note: get in now before you're left behind. I'm planning to be around for years xD. [See Amazon for edited versions + further continuations. See Facebook page or patreon for updates. And welcome to Team Stone.] Inspiration: PERSONA. Mob Psycho 100., Dragon Ball Z, Anime in general, anime waifus, anime waifu monster girls and MGE, The Land LitRPG audiobook. ---------- Advanced chapters and special bonuses now on: Patreon.com/syr456 Discord channel: https://discord.gg/t2qVaAR or cQMPSJG ^if you have any questions, concerns or vents, this would be the best place to reach me. Or if you're bored, want to increase the numbers, etc xD. MANGA can be found here: (https://Animetropesystem.net) Anime 3-minute OP and series are still TBA. There is a studio that will be contacted. Artwork can be found on Discord: Official Artwork channel. Facebook page: Syr456. Patreon. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Series timeline: -Professionally edited version of the works can be found on Amazon. Audiobooks can be found on Audible, released as the narrator in line with the narrator's schedule and Audible's.Reborn editions = old versions edited by the editor and converted to the new format. Volumes 12 and beyond began in the new format. It's a free update if you already own it. Volume 1-20 = season 1 on amazon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bonus: Volume 2's description: The story continues, following the events of its predecessor. In the anime world, Satovia, Clyde still battles the anime tropes, but no longer dances at the fingertips of the watchers. However, his friends have real issues, problems that intertwine with his own mission. Casting away selfishness, he finds himself awakening his real power. The Anime Trope System volume 2 brings with it, humor, anime tropes and… yanderes, references, perverseness, and a lot of character development. So, let’s level up and accidentally capture the hearts of anime girls while at it… ----------- Volume 3's description. The Anime Trope System is back in a 3rd action-packed, humor-packed, adventure in Satovia. Clyde’s next threat comes in the form of a classmate. While her descent occurs, the young man must deal with hornets (the monster girl kind), prepare to meet up with vampires, and even depose Alice’s father, the demon lord, once and for all.December’s volume will make you wish to be a part of Clyde’s party. His evolution from college boy to leader still has a way to go. But…how long will the gods stand by while a new rival rapidly grows.?----------- Volume 4's description. It's festival time! All would be perfect, fun, competitive. Well, try telling the vampires not to crash the damn party.January's volume arrives, a fourth book containing Clyde and his amazing party, humor and ass-kicking, happy and sad moments.While Clyde continues to strengthen himself so that he wouldn't die to the Viper, figures and organizations begin to move in the background. Join again to accidentally capture more anime girl hearts and combat those tropes... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5's description: Ah, peace! Exams, a tiny break from the fighting, relaxation. Yeah, right. First of all, who left a certain potion in the fridge! Second, what will it take to get some common sense into the team ninja’s head. Clyde would like to know. Third, it is time to face a threat that has lurked in the city since volume 1…Clyde and his party is back in February’s issue, ready to dish out some fun in Satovia. Welcome to the fifth volume—and more anime shenanigans… --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 6: A questline mentioned in the very early volumes has finally pulled Clyde's interest. Niyoto. However, it isn't some side quest or filler. In this city, things will get very interesting. From being introduced to a quite frightening faction that claim to fight for the good of humanity, crazy cultists, a demon lord with a rather...different personality, the sixth volume comes in strong.Clyde and his party is back in March's issue to take a step toward the ultimate goal of being strong enough to defeat the Viper.And the anime tropes continue to show themselves. Do you believe in the heart of the cards? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 9: stakes incredibly high, very intense! A dark volume. Can the team bounce through this?
8 300A Nation of Riflemen
Adrian, Nick and Ron inexplicably found themselves in an alien world with no known way of coming back. The land, the Baimux continent had just come out of a decades long war. Deserters turned bandits wait in ambush near roads, monsters roam the forests in hunt for prey, and Kings rule what’s left of their small kingdoms with an iron fist casting a distrustful eye towards any outsiders. Traces of strange magic are found in the abandoned zone and new devastating weapons are being found finding their ways into the hands of the commoners. With the technical expertise of a modern day professional, a survivalist’s mindset, and a truckbed full of guns and ammunition, their presence in this alien land would shake the foundations of the established society as they build their own.
8 292The Undead King’s Chronicle
The hero, sage and saintess after saving the world from the threat of the demon king are betrayed by their party members, their nations and the their gods.Two years after their deaths and strange things begin to happen, the sudden increase in demons,entire armies vanishing,important people dying left and right. This was only just the beginning as the dead do not stay silent for too long.
8 170The Legend of Fanaura : Journey
Finding out the truth about her reason to be a Fanaura, made her rage. But to whom she pointed the anger to? When the Goddess that had made her become a Fanaura has disappeared along with all her Zanjs. She must bring the Goddesses back, not just for the sake of the world but also for her own benefit. With that goal in mind, she decided to go on a JOURNEY to save the world. Even if that's mean she has to do it with a group of people from her past. Her past friends, her past foe, and once her worst nightmare. ---- This is the second book of The legend of Fanaura. If you haven't read the first book, please read it first ^^ so you won't be confused. Thank you.
8 205DILF 》fp jones
"I bet I can fuck all the dilfs in this town before I leave.""How many times? Because I'm sure you've fucked FP Jones more than enough."
8 152