"Damn, were those beds comfy."

My night was pure bliss, and it was made even more impressive by the fact that I was a self-proclaimed insomniac (because I was seldom able to get a full night of restful sleep).

Now, fully conscious, I decided to observe the room I was dropped in, which seemed to be made entirely out of a single block of marble, given the lack of seams (even between wall and ceiling); it had a large square window on the back wall, covered by a pair of white curtains, that left a small amount of sunlight pass through (indicating that it was morning). The bed I was on had covers made of some sort of linen, while the pillow felt made of something akin to sponge, and the bed underneath was, yet again, made of the golden latex that was 'growing' out of the floor. The last piece of furniture in the room was a simple wooden chair, on which was folded a copy of the assemble I was using, excluding a new, black, hooded cloak, that I unearthed from beneath it all, after trying to get into the new fit.

"It would be pretty edgy to use a cloak, but I must admit it looks cool, with all the metal bits in it."

I was still pulling the 'shirt' over my head when I heard knocking on the door.

"Yes?" I cautiously ask.

"Oh, you’re awake! Can I come in?" asks a familiar voice from beyond the door, that I recognize as belonging to Undine.

"Sure", I question if the door had some sort of auto-lock, but since the [High Priestess] simply pushes the door open I get, instead, a knot in my stomach, about the fact that I slept in a new environment with the door open.

"Good morning" she says, and I return the greeting.

Her eyes fall on my discarded clothes and then looks back at me "I see you already changed, good! Those new clothes have a [Cleaning Enchantment] on them, with the cloak also having a [Temperature mitigation] one, meaning that you shouldn’t need a bath just yet; so you should be ready to go, right?"

I’m hit with the realization that I was so tired that not only I didn’t lock the door, but I also didn’t [Identify] the objects in the room before collapsing on the bed.

This could have been dangerous, and I promise myself to be more cautious in the future.

"Come on, let’s go get some breakfast."

I then realize that the knot in my stomach might have just been hunger.

* * *

It is interesting how eggs and cereals seem to be a staple for breakfast across the multiverse.

"Right? Who would have thought that the nutritional value would remain constant across the food groups?"

We were already done eating, which happened in a new building that looked to be designed like a high-grade buffet from Earth (very different from the previous dining room), and we were now being escorted to our next stop.

The corridor opened up, and we were suddenly in the open: no more was there a fake starry roof, no more were there columns, only smooth marble under our feet (even the golden lines of [Aether] were gone).

Us [Humans] were herded into a circle, while the [Priests] 'hugged' us with a half-moon made with their bodies.

A dais sprouted from under Undine’s feet, seamlessly from the marble ("that’s how she does that!?"); her center-placed, and now elevated, position naturally called for attention.

"We have reached the end of this journey together, and now you are presented with the options going forward" she starts with one of her rehearsed speeches.

"Is this what I think it is?"

The “freedom” you were whining about? Yes.

Not even [Buddy]’s usual barbs could distract me now: It was actually happening.

"You have many opportunities in front of you, and all you have to do is decide which suits you best" she leaves a moment of silence to let the fact settle in, "of course, we will help with any question you may have on your preferred future, and we will give you enough material to study to not embarrass yourself out there, regardless of the path you will take."

That’s good, maybe I can do what I wanted to do from the beginning.

I am still not sure about the validity of this plan.

"Too bad, I’m the pilot here."

After a few chosen words for me, [Tutorial] calms down, and makes it easier for me to pay attention outwards.

The blue beauty keeps going "of course, the first prospect available to you is to either join the staff of the [Water Temple], or search for a job in the [Water Citadel], which is the town surrounding us, where it will be easier for us to introduce and help you start a new, peaceful life."

"Not really for me, but I’m glad to know that the other [Humans] will have a chance to live peacefully, and get their feet under them (at least until they decide otherwise)."

"Behind me" starts Undine, and the [Priests] open up a path to show what was behind them, mainly what looked like a very long stairway, "are the steps to the [Temple], and at the end of these steps are convoys ready to take you to any of the surrounding cities, or one of the other possible destinations, that I have yet to talk about".

"Always good to have more options, but it still wasn’t what I was looking for."

"Then there are the [Academies], that are places for learning and experimenting, where you’ll most likely study about the [Nexus], and magic. Also, the right choice for you if you’d like a more intellectual [Job]."

"I’m very interested in learning about magic from professionals… but I’ll be damned before I sit down to study once more."

"There are still yet other options, for the more… adventurous of you" and with that, her gaze wanders between those that seem to inflate their chests (guess the [Pacify Enchantment] is completely gone now), but she ends up just looking straight at me.

"Ah, I guess I wasn’t as subtle as I thought."

You thought you were being subtle about it!?

"Shouldn’t you be able to see my thoughts? How can your opinion be fair?"

It is hazier now: I think when we both rested it cemented us as two separate beings.

So we will not be as “joined” as before, meaning that I understand what you are thinking simply because you are easy to read.

"Should you know how I think because you were originally meant to be a half-assed artificial copy of me? And on that note: I’m interested in seeing how your personality will evolve on its own, from now on."

I actually almost dread it, but I’m not going to think too hard about it.

"The first option would be to join the [Army], a force surmised of people from the 'Union of Races', specialized in fighting at the edge of civilization, and reclaiming the [Islands] that come during a [Transfer]: the [Human Island] is currently stabilizing its orbit at the edge of the currently defined [Nexus], but its passage into this dimension already bathed it with enough [Aether] to spawn a morbidly high amount of [Monsters]"

"Ooh, that sounds like fun! Just slinging [Spells] at unsuspecting [Monsters]."

"Of course, since none of you have any experience in [Monster-hunting], or fighting with magic in general, you will HAVE to go through a training regime of six months with the [Army], that will give you enough experience necessary in surviving the hostile environment that are the [unclaimed Islands]."

"Nope, I’m not going through “magical-boot camp” for 6 months, pass!"

And yet, many others seem interested in the prospect.

"And finally, you can also join the [Guilds] as an [Adventurer] into exterminating the local populace of [Monsters], or into clearing [Dungeons], which are dangerous space-time anomalies resembling small, anomalous, pocket-dimensions filled with [Monsters], traps, and magic-rich items and materials."

"HECK YES!!! I’m going to be a [Dungeon] diver, baby!

'Diver' isn’t the actual name?"

The proper name for the Job, for those properly specialized in doing it, is Delver.

"Neat."

"These too will require you to go through a training period, but it will last mere days, and will immediately allow you access to low-risk [Areas], and their relative [Quests]."

"[Areas] and [Quests]? Are we sure that this isn’t a simulation of an MMORPG?"

Those were not the actual words used, but your cultural interpretation translated it so.

"…If you say so."

:/

"Don’t you start again!"

"Now that the options have been listed to you, we will be open ourselves to questions, and we’ll be starting on handing out the default provisions: specified ones will be handed out only after you are sure of your decision, but I ask you to ponder them over properly, there is no strict time-requirement" and so, Undine finishes her speech, prompting a flurry of whispered, and aloud, questions being asked, and responded.

The option to join the [Army] was surprisingly popular: Maybe the prospect of 'reclaiming' the territory that was once ours appealed to the heart of those that normally got chosen to be [Transferred].

The second most popular option was for the [Academies], which… ok, that’s fair.

Many seemed also to wish to remain in the [Temple], either for [Priest]-hood, or for simply having more time to acclimate themselves, and then decide properly.

And it looked that just as many would like to start working on a profession in one of the cities, especially in the more fantasy-like ones: Potion brewing, Enchanting, Arcane crafting, and, surprisingly, Smithing.

Not many looked to be interested in exploring the [Wilderness] ("why was that a [System]’s term?"), or [Dungeons], which ended up being what surprised me the most: if you got isekaied you had to delve into [Dungeons]! It was a must!

Only you, and another handful of idiots, would consider doing something extremely dangerous for the sake of “fun”.

Also, the Wilderness is a region in the Nexus that is closer to the Aether Core, meaning it has a high density of ambient Aether itself, and is constantly swarmed by Monsters, making it impossible to establish any form of civilization.

Ergo: Wilderness.

"Well, it’s good to know about its existence, but I simply meant the untamed area between the cities.

And screw you! [Dungeons] are the peak of fantasy!"

I was jostled from my mental arguing when a leathery 'something' was gently pressed against my face.

I" guess that, even when 'minimized', the text boxes are still too distracting."

"Whu-?" I try to muffle through the object on my face.

Once it was clear that was paying attention once again, the object was removed from my face, and revealed itself in being a backpack, which was held by Undine.

"So, what will it be?" she asks.

"I saw how you looked at me, I know you have a pretty good guess already" this discussion was already getting awkward.

"You repeatedly asked about your 'freedom', like we were holding you hostage" that makes her send me a disapproving look, "so, you probably won’t be joining the [Army], nor the [Temple], nor any [Academies], only because you think they will be too restrictive; so that leaves you with either becoming a [Craftsman], or an [Adventurer]" she pegged me correctly right away.

"Ok, you got everything mostly right… and I must admit that exploring [Dungeons], and hunting rogue [Monsters], is very appealing to me, so that’s why I ultimately chose that. And not because I didn’t want to do an apprenticeship under anybody!" I admit my plans.

"And I already guessed as much: that’s why this bag already has the starting gear for a [Dungeon Delver], on top of normal starting provisions."

"Wait… you already packed what I would need? How did you know?" I ask.

"Well… once one starts paying attention, you become particularly easy to read. You’re terrible at masking your intentions" she responds, with her mouth pulled from one corner.

"Ouch."

"Ouch."

She gives me a subdued chuckle.

I told you!

Still, this was a pleasant surprise, and I wasted no time in opening the unexpectedly heavy bag, to check on its content.

A lot of books (like a real lot), from 'the basics on foraging, and guide to edible plants' to 'common room types in Dungeons'; A smaller bag with what seemed like dried rations (like jerky and biscuits), and a canteen (that, once [Identified], said it was [Enchanted] with [Condensate Water]); a small knife, made of steel, with a wooden handle (carved to look like a river twisted down its length); a couple of meters of rope; and what looked like an orange compass, but [Identify] said differently:

Name:

Guide to the Hearth

Owner:

Darwin Dulcet

Type:

Constructed Artifact

Rank:

Rare

"An [Artifact]? For me!? What’s an [Artifact], and what does it do?" I felt like a kid at Christmas, being this excited, but I couldn’t control myself: it said it was mine.

"[Artifact] are special [Constructs] that have functions defying what a normal [Enchanter] should be able to do. That one, in particular, will always show you the way to the last place you rested at, one where you felt safe. It will work anywhere and will guide you around obstacles, without making you run into walls, and removing the need for you to rely on [Mapping]. Consider it as remuneration from the [Temple], for the disaster with Jeoff, so you don’t owe us anything" she says with a bright smile.

"A remuneration that you provided you mean." But I couldn’t bring myself to burst her bubble, so I simply replied "thank you, I really appreciate it, and know that Jeoff is water under the bridge by now".

"You’re welcome, and I’m glad to hear it… And was that a water-based pun?" She first gives a satisfied nod, but it then morphs into an amused raised eyebrow.

"Not on purpose, but now I wish it was."

We stare at each other in the eyes for a while, in complete silence (at least, if you ignore the constant buzzing of chatting from around us), until I get self-conscious about my eyes and divert my gaze, which earns a smirk from her.

"So… I guess this is goodbye?" I say, unsure of how to not make it awkward.

"Regrettably, it would seem so" her expression becomes melancholic, but still gentle "I ask of you only to promise me to not close yourself to others in the future: a lonely heart is a sad heart, after all, everybody needs at least a friend around".

"I swear I won’t be a loner" I mock-roll my eyes, which makes her giggle, "at least, not more than I already am" and at that, her smile blossom once more.

"You could make an effort to be better, but I guess this is a start" She adopts a snobby attitude.

"Don’t push it, woman!" I warn her, failing at hiding my smile.

We both chuckle at our growing antics, which helps in dispelling some of the tension.

"Not to get sappy… But it was nice that you were the first person that I met, and then bonded with, in this new world: it really helped that you were so… patient, with me" I say the words that she deserved to hear.

"Trust me, I too am happy about having met such a… 'colorful' [Human]; but you did test my patience, a couple of times" she finishes with a little jab.

"And here we go with the teasing: it’s almost like you [Priests] are trained in it!" another thing that I’ve been meaning to say.

"Not really, it just comes naturally to me" 'ah, her feral grin is back' "but enough beating around the bush, this is a goodbye, so: Goodbye" and with that, she extends a hand towards me.

I go for the 'arm-shake' "yes, sorry. Goodb-huff" and I was pulled into a hug.

A hug that, by the way, thanks to our height difference, made her chest rest on top of my head.

After one last squeeze I was released, and I immediately started looking fatly at her.

"Sorry, you always looked so huggable that I had to do it at least once" she justifies herself.

I’m ready to rebuke her, but just deflate on the spot "it’s fine. At least if it’s with you it’s fine: Not going to refuse a hug from a pretty lady", and I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

She guffaws loudly, attracting the attention of those surrounding us.

"Oh, [Mother], don’t get lecherous on me now, it really doesn’t fit you!" she manages to say, amidst the laughing.

"What can I say?" I shrug, "I’m still a man, you know?"

"Come on, get going now! The first convoy for the [Guilds] will leave in an hour, so you better set out quickly if you want to find a decent place to sit. Your caravan is the one with the least wagons, since we were instructed that not many would choose it" she pulls me by an arm, and drags me in front of the stairway.

"Ok, ok, I’m going!" I reply, but I let her tug me along.

> with that she gives me a gentle push and starts waving.

"You don’t even know how right you are with that statement."

"Goodbye Undine, and good luck" I give a half-hearted wave and turn around, starting to walk towards the shortest line of wagons I can see.

I"t’s a beautiful city here: so many picturesque buildings, so many colorful sights… maybe I could stay-"

You will not have an “attack of bleeding heart” on me, and do something you’ll regret.

Get a move on.

I cast one last look back, noticing that some humans are starting to go to their respective caravans, and I share one last smile with Undine (who got flustered at getting caught still looking at me).

I pull on the hood of the cloak, to protect myself from the glare of the multiple suns, and set out towards my new destination.

And wherever it might be, I know it will lead to the true beginning of a new start.

The start of my adventure.