“So, what were you and the captain talking about?” Asked Rica with a smile

Eric was amazed by how good it felt when she clasped his hand, openly and with pride, her other arm full of a cute little Ria, who was gazing so intently at her mom's boyfriend.

Or more specifically, his cheeks, her chubby little fingers reaching for them, Eric allowing her to feel what were now rather pearlescent tattoo-like ridges that were easy enough to cover, for all that they glittered prettily when he left his skin bare in the sunlight.

“The captain was just doing me a courtesy, in return for helping the wagon train," Eric explained. "Basically, she gave me a heads up to be careful in Freetown, and not attack orcish recruiters on sight. Because they’re a thing, as are recruiters for all the various factions fighting for territory in our world. All of them competing against each other, eager to carve a large a piece of Earth as their personal playground as they can.”

Rica winced. “Yeah, I think I’ll pass. I’d much rather level up by hunting on the plains, just like my ancestors did. Or maybe exploring and mastering the local dungeons or rifts with a group I trust. But I’ll only be daring delves that I’m pretty damn sure won’t leave my child an orphan. Slow and steady is the only way to play this game, since we’re all on Survival mode. Front-line soldier for any kind of faction is really not my thing. I was never into the PvP aspect of things as a gamer that much anyway.”

He chuckled. “Neither was I. Not like we have much of a choice, when assholes decide to team up with the bad guys. But at least we don’t have to get ourselves recruited. Captain Teila’s main point was not to get all hot under the collar and attack any orcish recruiters we see in the city.” He frowned thoughtfully. “And I might need a new last name.”

Rica’s eyes widened. “Wait, why?”

He smirked. “Sometimes discretion’s the better part of valor,” he said, before whispering in her hear. “And my mother’s someone I really, really want to avoid.”

His girlfriend… because he was pretty sure that’s what she was now, gazed at him for long moments. “Eric?”

“Yeah?”

He could almost see all the questions behind her gaze, but all she said was, “Are you alright?”

Eric grinned. “With you by my side? Hell yeah.”

She chuckled throatily, snuggling next to him. “Good. Because I feel the same.” She exchanged a nod and smile with a beaming Nelly, who animatedly discussing something with her father while a beaming Morgan was laughing at her jests and Eric was somehow sure the kid was going to turn out okay.

“So, what are your plans for Freetown?”

Eric quickly turned back around, catching the slight worry in her gaze quickly covered with a smile. He swallowed, gently squeezing her hand. “I thought first thing we could do was find a safe, secure place to stay. Maybe a high-end fortified hotel, if they have such a thing? Then, when your grandmother and baby girl are safe and secure, you and I go see what opportunities await. Oh, and of course, go shopping for magic wands, if Nelly is really interested in expanding her options that way… and me too,” he admitted with a smile and shrug.

Rica bit her lip, adjusting her sleepy daughter before gazing back up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “So, you’re um, serious about wanting to stick around with me?”

Eric answered the beautiful girl looking so intently at him the only way he could. With a kiss to soft warm lips, swallowing her gasp as he made it clear just how hard he was falling for her… before stepping back with a smile. “You know I am.”

She bit her lip, slowly nodding, and Eric pretended he didn’t see the moisture in her eyes. “Well good. Because you’re kind of growing on me too, Eric Argenti. I think we make a great team.”

Eric winked. “We do indeed… and Argenti?”

She nodded. “It’s Latin for Silver. So it’s both true to your name… and it’s discrete.

Eric smiled. “I love it.”

“Good.” Her grin matched his own. “Now eat up. Camp’s breaking in five minutes, and if all goes well, we’ll be in Freetown in time for dinner.”

Eric happily digged into the stew, and much to his surprise, the rest of their trip was as peaceful and bucolic as he could wish for, enjoying the feel of the sun on his cheeks and the fresh breeze rustling his fiery locks that little Ria enjoyed tugging when Eric whispered half-remembered fairy tales from his childhood, stories of valiant knights, sage wizards, mystical castles and lands as rich and lush as the fields they were passing at that very moment looked to be, filled with waist high grass, countless varieties of bright fragrant wildflowers, and just a few massive hunting cats, glaring their way.

At which point Eric would smile, gently hand Ria to her great grandmother, and with a nod to the girls smiling so brightly by his side, throw his javelins with ever increasing accuracy, his goal being killing as quickly and mercifully as possible. Because no animal should be judged for its nature, but in a kill or be killed world, Eric would have the humans come out on top, each and every time.

“Nice cast, Eric!” Nelly hooted. “Shit, I didn’t even see those Shadow Cats until you made the throw!”

Rica grinned. “He definitely has an eye for it. Doesn’t he?” She lifted to the tips of her toes. “Just you wait, I’ll make a Primal Hunter out of you yet,” she said with a teasing smile.

Eric returned her kiss with interest. “Only one game I’m interested in hunting right now.”

Nelly whistled. “Get a room, you two.” She then laughed at their too-intent gazes. “Come on, let’s claim our kills and make sure nothing else is trying to stalk us.” She then turned to the intently staring Javelineers looking their way from the rear wagons, whistled a code Eric’s interface could just barely interpret as circle and patrol, and within seconds, all ten warriors were spread out and patrolling.

Eric blinked. “Some discipline,” he said, genuinely impressed.

Nelly beamed. “That’s right. And since I’m riding with the alpha couple, I get to play point-girl.”

Eric frowned at that. “Alpha couple?”

His girl smirked. “Well, yeah. My Primal Hunter class’s extra points means I’m no one to fuck with, even at level 17. Besides the fact that I’m always working my ass off, hunting, or just trying to tier up my Hunter’s Throw node. Not that I have anything on your absurd string of title boons, and no, I don’t even want to know how strong you really are, lover. I might just get jealous. And I never did look good in any shade of red… or green envy.” She smirked, gently tousling his hair. “Strange, though. There’s just something about you that I would have pegged you for a natural blond.”

Eric grinned. “I was. Then shit happened and, well, hair and irises the color of flame. But I’m alive, so who gives a fuck?”

She nodded. “And strong enough to serve as the vanguard that ended the orc occupation, so you better believe your the alpha male.” She sighed and stretched as Nelly joined the others in their patrol, more than one javelineer nodding their way. “For at least a few more hours. Then we’re all just adventurers looking to find our place in Freetown, maybe join a guild.”

Eric blinked. “Guilds are a thing here?”

Rica turned, absentmindedly tying up her lush glossy hair while favoring him with a bemused smile. “You really don’t know?” She gave a bemused shake of her head. “Eric, were you not so damned powerful and clearly know what you’re doing… half the questions you ask me when we’re not… you know...” She flushed prettily, even with the bronze cast to her features, Eric thought with a fond smile. “I’d think you’ve been living under a rock, for the past six months.”

Eric’s smile became strained. “First month I was just surviving, classless, mostly in the sewers with my family, if you must know. Then major shit happened, and my sister helped drag me into a psychopathic pod that might or might not have been either healing me or trying to tear free my Essence gifts for god knows how many weeks or months I was in pseudo-hybernation, before I finally burst out of that death-trap of a pod, and managed to scrabble to safety before a swarm of rats could eat me.”

Rica winced. “Sounds like a rough way to wake up as an adventurer.”

“I know, right?” He then gave her a gentle squeeze. “I’m just glad the ending of this chapter of my life is so much sweeter than it otherwise might have been.”

Rica leaned against him, wrapping his arms around her while gazing fondly at her daughter sleeping in her grandmother’s arms. “I couldn’t agree more,” she said, before her eyes brightened with wonder.

“Eric, that’s Freetown. It must be!”

And Eric couldn’t help but agree as he heard the excited cheers of more than a few of his fellow caravaneers. All of them now gazing upon heavily fortified brownstone walls from which the rooftops of multiple colorful buildings could be seen peeking above the crenelations as the winding road led to a massive arched portcullis that even raised, sent shivers down Eric’s spine as they passed under the latticed grill of the vertically closing gate that could be sent crashing down upon them with it’s steel capped spikes like a guillotine, and Eric was somehow certain that even he would get mangled horribly if that grill crashed down upon them.

But of course nothing happened, save Rica looking at him strangely as a man dressed in lamellar armor with a half-helm perched smartly on his head and a spear by his side quickly made his way over to them, a handful of no-nonsense crossbowmen casually walking by his side, all of them wielding weapons far heavier looking than the light fiberglass models Eric was used to.

“Welcome to Freetown. Representative of the Sylvan Alliance, is it?” The man held up what looked to be a missive, eyeing them all with his appraising gaze. “According to this, you have ten adventurers entering the city?”

“Thirteen,” Captain Teila said with a smile, nodding Eric’s way. “An additional pair of javelineers chose to come with us, and this young man was kind enough to assist us against highway bandits, and chose to tag along.” Words that earned a few eyeblinks, but no one said a word in dispute, the guard shrugging with a nod.

“Fair enough. Well, ladies and gents, I don’t know if this is your first time outside of orc Territory, which makes sense, as you all look to be spear chuckers. Anyway, the rules are simple. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like, provided you can pay your own way, and commit no crimes. If you assault anyone not in a formally challenged and accepted duel, the city administrators have the right to summarily kick you out. Any questions?”

Eric frowned, seeing more than a few furrowed brows at the declaration.

“But what if someone else attacks us?” Asked a young man whose name Eric had never caught.

The guard shrugged. “Then you’re free to defend yourself as you see fit.”

The youth nodded as if that answered that, promising to adhere to the rules add did half the mumbling passengers in the wagons, but Eric thought it still left an awful lot of wiggle room.

“What if you have assets or family in the city and someone claims you assaulted them when you hadn’t… how do you prove your case? And can you retrieve your assets and loved ones if you’re about to be summarily kicked out?” Eric asked.

The guard sighed. “So join a guild. They look after their own. Look, so long as you don’t go picking fights, I doubt you’ll have any problems. Now are there any other questions? No? Good.” He nodded. “Welcome to Freetown. If you’re looking for a nice place to rest your head for your first night in the city, Try Vella’s Inn, just down the main boulevard here. Best value for the coin in all of Freetown! Now, Captain Teila, if I could get you to sign this right here, we’ll move your wagons to the fifth lot...”

Eric frowned, because the bored-looking guard hadn’t really given him any assurance whatsoever, save the fact that he clearly thought Eric was worrying over nothing. But just because he was paranoid didn’t mean no one was out to get him, or at least make his life very uncomfortable. He all but counted on at least a few orcs coming for his head, name change or no. And that was to say nothing about whatever agents or assassins that the Confederate States might or might not be sending his way.

He shook his head. Had that assassin really been working for the CSA? Or had the orcs put a bounty on him and that guy had been just working freelance, whatever his original affiliations? Hell, for all he knew, every assassin that had come for him so far had been there to cash in on desperate orc bounties. Or perhaps not. He’d probably never know.

All he could do was play it safe, and take every threat seriously.

Fortunately, the exasperated guard hadn’t bothered forcing any oaths from Rica’s wagon at least, clearly thinking them harmless and eager to move things along and avoid any additional questions Eric might have, so at least he didn’t have to worry about oath breaking, should shit truly hit the fan.

He turned to Rica, sharing a moment’s unspoken communication before smiling Nelly’s way. “So, any objections to us hanging out for a bit longer?”

Nelly positively beamed at the suggestion. “Oh yes, lets! Between you and me, I find this place as intimidating as hell. I mean, it looks like a cross between a steam punk city and a Renaissance Fair. Frankly, I have no idea where I’m going or what I’m doing and I’d rather not get tricked, hustled, and robbed, or be sleeping out in the cold, within a few hours of getting here.”

Eric blinked at the unexpeced candor as Nelly’s father winced, before giving a hard nod of his own. “My daughter’s right. Right now, we have no idea what the hell we’re doing. If we could stick together a while longer, well, there’s strength in numbers… and friendships.”

Eric smiled warmly at the man’s hopeful gaze. “Perfect. You joining us, Morgan?”

The youth looked up with surprised eyes, not having completely masked his worry, or the fact that he still didn’t feel completely like he was a part of the group.

“Yes! Definitely!” He looked around, as if searching for something, before his eyes lit on Eric’s backpack. “Can I carry your things for you?”

Eric grinned. “You can try. You might find it a bit heavy. But who am I to deny someone the chance to level up their Strength stat?”

Morgan grinned with relief, clearly wanting to feel useful. “Awesome! Okay I...” He swallowed, legs trembling under the weight. “What the fuck is in this thing?”

Eric smirked. “About 200 pounds. Shall we?”

He laughed at the boy’s game nod. “Tell you what. You try carrying it for just a block or two. Then we’ll trade. Sound fair?”

This earned a quick nod. “More than fair.” Nelly positively beamed. “You better listen to Eric, Morgan. Maybe if you’re really good, he’ll share all his delicious secrets about how he got so strong. Then you can share them with me!”

Morgan laughed as Eric helped him don the backpack without straining his back or knees, though his chuckle came out more like a wheeze. “Honestly, if he could just tell me how to survive those pods… I’d owe him for life.”

Eric smiled and shrugged. “Sorry, buddy. All I know for sure is that the death rate was astronomical in the one psychotic one we had back in Gilton. Maybe things are different here?”

He then turned to get his first good look at the grand buildings all around, captivated by the color, grandeur, and liberal use of bronze and varnished hardwood. He couldn’t help whistling in admiration, because everything from the colorful clash of attire the busy looking populace hurrying from building to building were wearing, to the lush gardens outside cozy looking cottages nestled right alongside tall buildings made of brass and bronze, and covered in at least a few cases with spinning gears and rotating cogs radiating what Eric was sure was arcane energies of sorts.

He couldn’t help but think that it really did look like a cross between a wealthy European town, Renaissance Italy, and the covers of his favorite Steampunk novels.

Eric also noted more than a few young men and women making their way across the thankfully spacious boulevard armed and armored in hauberks of mail with aketons worn underneath with arming swords and bucklers, rapiers, or sabers sheathed at their hips. All of them were radiating a certain intensity with a certain excited fire in their eyes that made it clear that they were adventurers, even if Eric’s Magesight wasn’t so clearly detecting the potency radiating from all of them. And not a one of them carried anything like a flintlock pistol, Eric noted, though he had no idea why.

He exchanged looks with Rica, presently holding her daughter who was giggling and pointing at all the colorful buildings, earning more than a few smiles from the people they were passing, many of whom were still wearing the clothes of their earlier lives, including corduroy shirts, bluejeans, and business suits. Which made Eric grin in turn, appreciating once more that people were still people, and most were kind with a soft spot for kids, just as it had been in the world so recently torn from all their grips as they tried to make peace with this new one, where all their futures were far more uncertain.

With that thought in mind, Eric whistled and waved at a youth who looked every inch the adventurer about town. And the way he drew his saber, his left hand radiating an odd field of energy Eric’s Arcane Perception pinged as an invisible shield spell of some sort, Eric had definitely guessed right. Though he wasn’t expecting the cold, hostile glare being sent his way.

Eric’s heart began to pound, bracing himself for trouble, recalling what the guard had said about how fights happened here. “You looking to challenge me?”

The youth’s eyes widened before he gaze at Eric like he was an idiot. “Dude, what the hell is wrong with you? Picking fights, with your wife and kid with you? What the hell happens when someone kills you?”

Eric winced, now raising both hands in apology. “Sorry, buddy. I was just trying to get your attention. I didn’t mean to offend you. I was going to ask you… look, never mind. Sorry I bothered you, alright? We won’t take up any more of your time.”

The youth gave Eric a final glare. “Word of advice. Don’t whistle. It’s how Goblins duel. And they use flintlocks.”

Eric blinked. “I haven’t seen anyone carrying anything besides swords.”

The youth smirked. “Wow. You spotted the obvious. It’s almost like the rest of us aren’t allowed to carry them. City guard didn’t tell you that bit, did they.”

Eric forced himself to laugh. “Yeah, you got me there.”

“Look, free advice. Join an adventuring guild to set you straight as soon as you can, and don’t go challenging people to duels.”

“Thank you for the tip,” Rica said with her brightest smile. “I don’t suppose you can recommend a good guild… or just the safest place to rest one’s head for the night?”

The youth frowned, then his gaze melted as he took in the sight of a young mother with her child in her arms. “Okay, sure. A minute of my time. There’s decent accommodations all over. Most inns here have that going for them, if you got any coin at all, and there’s fort-like security and amenities that almost make you feel like you’re back home.” He smirked. “Almost. But that costs some serious coin. But you won’t get safer. Not unless your guild’s wealthy and you’re an inner member. And to be perfectly honest, you probably won’t need it. Crime here’s pretty fucking minimal. The rifraff tends to avoid adventurers, and even the rogue classers stationed here know better than to shit in their back yard.”

Rica smiled. “Thank you for the advice. My name’s Erica.”

The youth furrowed his brow. “Names Fred. And you said Erica… not Eric?”

Eric kept his face deadpan, even as his heart hammered away while Rica calmly shook her head. “Nope. There’s definitely an ‘a’ at the end. On account of the fact that I’m a girl. Just like my daughter,” she said with a teasing smile.

Fred snorted. “Obviously. Anyway, Dillon’s Dish is great at catering to new adventurers, food’s whatever exotic critter someone hunted down that day, and the rooms are solid. Cripply’s is even nicer, if you got silver to burn, and miss the taste of sizzling steaks. But if you’re serious about security, got gold in your pockets, and want the best quality shit you’ll find anywhere in Freetown, go Blue.”

Rica blinked. “Sorry… blue?”

“Blue,” the youth said back. “Blue Guild, Blue Corp, Blue Faction. They’re pretty flexible, at least in English. Basically, they’re a major economic development and trade consortium, and they and the Goblins squabble for exclusive fiduciary, trade, and real estate rights all the time.” He shrugged. “Here on Earth, they actually fight it out. Just with coins, not swords. Anyway, Goblins have the upper hand here on Earth. Or at least, all the banking goes through them. But Blue Corp offers all sorts of services and whatever resources or equipment allowed through the trade embargoes put in place with ‘new world status.’”

Eric nodded. “Gotta keep the natives in line until you’ve successfully colonized them and destroyed their culture. Only then will they be allowed to have ‘all the nice things.’”

Fred blinked, then burst out in laughter. “You know what? Yeah, that’s pretty much it.” He flashed a cold smile. “But they gotta at least pretend to play fair. So we have full access to pods, and the ability to get classes. But as far as learning the secrets to opening up elite classes, powers, or abilities?” He sighed and shook his head. “Not a chance in hell. The good news is, opportunities for rare classes sometimes pop up when you clear certain dungeons, or if you push yourself hard enough. Only drawback is, if you push yourself too hard without friends to back you up, you’re basically dead.”

He peered at Eric thoughtfully, then grinned. “You’re infusing your core, aren’t you?”

Eric blinked at that. “How could you tell?”

Fred smirked. “I’m a Runesword. Which means my Arcane Perception is better than most, and my guild believes that saturating your core is the key to getting ahead in this new world… or, at least, locking in a better than average class.”

His gaze then flickered over a patiently smiling Rica, and a much less patient-looking Nelly and her family. Eric was genuinely surprised to find the man slipping a card in his hand, before shaking Eric in a powerful grip he instinctively matched.

Before realizing that maybe he shouldn’t have.

Fred flashed a genuine smile. “And you’re strong. Much stronger than any level 9 or 10 has a right to be.” He nodded thoughtfully. “I think you just might have potential...”

“Jack,” Rica quickly said. “And we’re all about the safest, most comfortable rooms we can find in town.”

“Jack. If you manage to get your core to 20%, come find us.” He stared at Eric for a few seconds longer before nodding to himself. “Hell, if you’re serious about seeing just how far you can go… come find us anyway. We’re three blocks that way,” he said, pointing to a serious of increasingly grand buildings to the east. “And Dillon’s Dish is just a block to your left. But where you want to go is north, if you’re serious about enjoying the most secure, luxurious, and upscale inn you can find in this city. Just ask for the entrance to the Blue Quarter. Anyone can point the way.”

With a final wave he was off, Eric exchanging a look with the girl by his side.

“I’m thinking we want to check out this Blue Corp.”

Rica grinned. “With what that boy let slip? Hell yes. Security all the way.”

Eric solemnly nodded. Because it might have been a coincidence. But if his name caught Fred’s notice so quickly… he couldn’t help but worry that maybe he was in someone’s cross-hairs even now.

Of course, it was always minutely possible that this supposed best hotel was itself a setup, though that would require a degree of planning and forethought trhat Eric shuddered to think about. Because at that point it wouldn’t be about finding a decent place to say, but fleeing for their lives… and was it really fair for him to get involved with anyone when he might be putting them in that kind of danger?

He winced, realizing he had a lot to consider. But for right now… no reason not to check out this Blue Quarter, which he had high hopes for, as Alice had already clued him in on its perks weeks ago, and use his Social Perception boon to the utmost. Of course, the only reason why he wasn’t fleeing right now was because Fred’s vibe had been on the up and up, as busy as he clearly was.

Nelly, however, didn’t look impressed. “Of course he’ll pitch the most expensive places here. I say we trust our eyes, and just pick whatever place gives us good vibes.”

Eric smirked. Not exactly methodical, but that method was pretty much the go to for everyone the world over. “Sure, let’s just play it by ear.”

And so they did, soon finding themselves with a beautiful view of the lake nearby, Eric and his friends eating a delicious repast of roasted pheasant, buttery corn, and a hearty stew of meat and potatoes he carefully asked no questions regarding the origin of, happy to say it was one of the best meals he had had since the apocalypse, earning pleased nods and smiles all around.

“Damn right!” Nelly squealed, before looking sadly at their top floor suite of multiple adjoined rooms and a dining area all to themselves. “Even if we’re paying four silver eagles for this, it’s wonderful to enjoy paradise for a single night, at least.”

Eric nodded, the balcony dining alone with a view of the lake tinged with the crimson of sunset was indeed a glorious sight. In terms of credits, each of the smaller silver coins, or talons, was roughly worth around 10 credits, and the larger silver eagles were worth 100. In the roughest sense, he could think of credits like dollar bills, though dollar bills were of course worthless now, and some things were far more dear in price than they would have been in the old world, and other things, like a decent sword, considerably cheaper.

And the suits certainly weren’t cheap, especially after having checked out a few hotels which could more accurately have been called dives, complete with the sound of rats and the chitter of cockroaches. But for a single silver talon, they were certainly serviceable enough, and a hell of a lot more comfortable than catnapping in the tunnels. In truth, Eric wouldn’t have thought twice about making use of any place with a half decent door he could shove his bed in front of, especially if there was a back way out. But seeing as he was now responsible for a small handful of people… no reason not to splurge on security, comfort, and happy memories.

Especially since it was well within his means.

Eric turned to smile at Rica’s grandmother. “How’s the stew, Mrs. Lightfoot?”

She positively beamed. “Most delightful meal I’ve had since judgment day.”

This earned a table full of chuckles and nods. “Well then, here’s to a toast! To health, happiness, and the success of all our adventuring endeavors!” He said, raising a cup full of mead, which was readily abundant absolutely everywhere now, or so it seemed. It probably didn’t hurt that it was a favorite drink of Elves and Dwarves both, another eye-opener Eric heard from a pair of laughing adventurers in their cups, earlier that day while window shopping.

They all cheered and drunk, little Ria happily joining in with a glass of fresh goat’s milk, and Eric put all worries and excitement for the future on hold, happy just to enjoy a golden moment with new friends and a beautiful girl by his side, before they all retired for the night, even if Mrs. Lightfoot had given the pair of them a too knowing look before taking a sleepy Ria to the room she had claimed as her own, while a suddenly shy Rica clasped his hand and smiled. “Come over here. I want to show you something.”

In very short order she showed him something wondrous and sweet indeed, both of them fresh and clean after savoring just some of the hotel’s amenities before savoring paradise slowly, tenderly in each other’s arms. Hours later they drifted off to sleep on cool cotton sheets, sharing the sweetest embrace, and Eric felt more at peace, more whole, than he had over the countless weeks struggling so fiercely just to stay alive.