Chapter 3: Ocupational Hazard

The file looked straight out of those old detective movies, a beige envelope with red lettering in front, and various pages inside, though I could not read the alien looking language. "Wait, I forgot the auto translator, I installed only the Planetary Script to you." It was self explanatory what he meant since I could understand them so easily from the start. A tingling sensation quickly passed through my eyes, at least it wasn't that bad.

"Shit..." I braced myself for the possibly inevitable pain that normally comes after such words, though no it mocked me by not coming. So I took a look back at the folder. "Universe Helmut, Variation 3, thaumaturge based." There were more things at the cover but just looking at them made my head spin. Opening it there were the various papers, the ones at the forefront were maps, with the names of the kingdoms and their beliefs and laws, and biological data of the sapient species, two that made me into looking closer was a country of elves, there were many laws for the amount of people that lived there, like 10 laws per person, and there were 3278 elves living there. The other one was a country of dragons, like 6 limbed dragons though apparently it varied, some had 2, others 10, or 7, their laws were very simple though, the only reason they were a country is an unspoken agreement of nonaggression.

"The one you have to take a look closer is this one." They took about 5 pages out of the folder and handed it to me. "Your job will be to nurture a hero born within this small kingdom, worry not, you will be sent 22 years before they are born so that you may better understand what you'll have to teach them." Nurture a hero, this is one of that inspiration missions.

"Will I have to fight alongside them? Is there something more specific I have to teach them? and what does it mean for it to be thaumaturge based? I know it is something related to magic but not how. And how do I finish the mission?" I quickly shot my questions at them, I wanted to know all the answers but I might forget my questions halfway through.

"In order the answers are, no, magic and the weapon they prefer, even we can't predict everything about the future related to what they might like, it means that magic is prevalent but not all miracle, the higher and complicated the effects the more 'materials' need to be given, when the hero is trained the mission is completed, at that moment you can easily off yourself for the next mission, though I do not recommend that since going above and beyond what is required can make the God of that universe to give you some kind of reward. And seeing that your extra seed grows by eating I would recommend it to you."

"So this is like a Mentor Occupational Hazard. When I am not necessary anymore I can just 'die' to inspire the hero. The extra reward... what would I need to do to gain it?" That was the only question I had after all at the moment, everything else that I needed to learn about was inside the file, I briefly glanced at the 'last' pages, there were a lot of them, that is what I was calling the pages not pertaining to sapient creatures and countries.

"In this case it would be fighting against the demons, soul eating creatures. Don't die to them, I will not be able to save you, The M.O.H. that you said is very accurate to what they want, it is from... that site in your world... TV Tropes if I am right, I will try to use it to explain your next missions to you, as it seems you are aware of most of it. Regardless, you would be able to fake your death in those battles, that would be possibly the best away to exit, though I say again, DON'T DIE TO THE DEMONS." They were very loud at the end, as if to screwing their words into my skull.

"Yes, yes, I will do my best not to die to them." I said with my hands up in surrender. "Now... do I have to go now or can I finish this file?" They didn't respond, making a vague gesture to allow me to read it. The contents that came after the countries and sapients was firstly about creatures, many weird ones were there like a living cloud, or a magical mushroom lookalike, that one game me shudders, I pray that I may never encounter it, ever. The part that gave me the most important information was how one learned magic, Classes were the standard way, there was a very comprehensive system in place, the classes were not set from the beginning, they were grown out of someones needs, actions, and desires, having 10 levels at maximum, and fusing with others through a special method.

An example would be the sword mage, not a magical swordsman, but a mage that summons blades with different aspects and controlled them telepathically, that seemed interesting... I might take that idea for me... The mage used the 4 mystical energies in this world, and different mixtures would give different results, the energies are, Mana, Aura, Vitality, and Ether, I read that somewhere before, don't know where... regardless, the sword mage uses all four of them, Mana to control, Aura to give Shape, Vitality to make it easier to control, so that the toll on their mind is lessened, and Ether to change the aspect. "Do all universes use these four energies?" The question slipped through my lips, though I really wanted the answer now.

"No, most magically universes do, the one you came from doesn't have them, though now that that guy is there, it might change... but no, some only have 1 or 2, or 10, it all depends on the God that made it." It was like I expected, If there are many universes, there will be variations, and nothing in my own universe felt truly magical. I got back to the file now that I had my answer, I mentally marked the creatures and ideas I thought would be easy or good for my seed, for example Drakes, who have different breeds, given to the seed, could possibly result in different powers and possible item summons.

I knew what results I needed, and somewhat what needed to achieve them. "Where will you send me?" I expected the kingdom where the hero would be born, but I was wrong. They took a paper and presented it to me.

"The Mage Country, they call themselves The Federation of Magic, it is the best place to start since there are many people who fake their identities there, someone like you who will appear out of nothing can easily blend in, there is the guild there, go and register yourself, that is the first thing that will be necessary of you, since we can't just give you money so easily there."

I took the papers pertaining the country, there was a variety of humanoids and not discrimination at a country level, only personal, racism never truly ends I see. Though there were mostly Humans, Half-Elves, and Dwarves, the rest are only 10%. "Okay you can send me." As soon as I finished it I could see a light enveloping me... "Hey what about clothes!?!" They shrugged as if it wasn't their problem, Goddamn I was gonna be naked upon arrival wouldn't I?

The light show continued for a long time, Not an hour but somewhere closer to 40 to 50 minutes, until it ended, And all I could see was forest.

[External entity detected.]

[System assisted expungi... System interrupted,
E.E. has been given access to the system.]

[System has begun Inspection, please wait...]

[System fully integrated,
Congratulations, you have gained the A.C. title: Universal Visitor,
You will be able to feel those that are also not from here,
You will be able to know where your future protegee is when they are born,
Note: please don't forget your mission, from God ;)]

I did not expect that, I stood in place for a while reading the last message, though there were more that I did not open right now, these ones opened by themselves, I knew that they knew about me, but I did not expect that they would give me something at arrival, and that second one, was the system trying to expunge me? regardless that title would give me a way to track the hero to their location upon birth, though I will wait a few years before appearing in front of them.

I looked around, there were a lot of trees, and they seemed old, very old the one that was directly behind me was thicker than a giant sequoia, I was not naked thankfully, though my clothes were different, I had a white long sleeved shirt, with a black leather vest atop, and black pants of a material I could not identify,with deep pockets, it was at that moment I realized, I did not know which direction to go to.

[Quest received: Civilization,
Find the city,
Reward: 10 coins,
Addendum: sorry, this was the closest I could put you close to a city,
Just go in this direction.]

I would need to learn the prices and know how much 10 coins was worth, I was confused as to which direction they meant when a tug could be felt from me, so I started to follow it, it sometimes changed directions, I was confused but followed it. until the trees were sparse and young, various birds singed around, though I could not identify any of them. I continued forward as the tugging got weaker, maybe it was saying that from here it was easier to get to the city, or something, until the tugging dissipated and I could see red, wait not red, blood, and three people, one with a sword, a bow, and what I could only describe as a scout, they had a backpack and googles on their head, that's when it clicked a halfling, he was small and had big feet, hands and ears. they were looking the other way when the scout boy suddenly turned in my direction, alerting the others, who quickly prepared their weapons, until they looked at me and relaxed.

"Goddamn man, what are you doing here." The Sword-guy asked me, it took me sometime to formulate an answer, it was a sloppy one as well, but it worked.

"I just came here." It only worked as it was a code used to say that one was abandoning their past, and wanted nothing to do with it anymore, that got me a few weird looks from the archer, but before he asked anything the Sword-guy stopped her and whispered her something. That got a nod out of her and a pitying look towards me.

"Come on." the Sword-guy waved at me to get closer. "We already found what we came here for, we can lead you to the city. You do have 5 coin toll right?" I was about to say no, but I remembered the quest reward.

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"Yes, I do." I got to them, and they turned and went to the direction I was going already, why would God lead me to a group and not directly to the city? The answer was given as we got to the gate of the city, there wasn't much to say, there was a wall, not that tall, made of rocks, probably through magic forming.

"That a straggler?" The guard asked as the quest completed itself, dropping coins in my pockets, Gus, the Sword-guy, nodded. "You going to show them to the guild?" Another nod. "Okay, hey you, do you have the toll?" I already knew how much it was so without saying anything I payed him the five coins. "Okay you good to go, just so you know it is 5 coins to register at the guild, don't get the exam, it is not worth it for someone like you." I felt offended at his words, even though I knew it to be true, the exam was a way for someone strong to skip grades. And I was firmly at wood right now. So I nodded and went past the gate, being met with a medieval city, though it was not as smelly as expected. I could see that the central road was huge, with buildings at either side, getting better as it went further inside. Gus said nothing and let me gawk at the architecture present.

"Here." Gus pulled my attention as they pointed towards a particular building that had much more of a presence then the others, as we went inside it felt like I passed through a bubble as the noise could be heard, wood against metal, voices, shouts from drunken people, the latter was much more quiet then the other, possibly a variation of the previous quiet field, Stub, the halfling went to a stall with a very huge and low table to do something, Gus had pulled me to a different one that read registration, contrary to popular belief it was a man manning the counter, they looked over their glasses at Gus with a questioning look before looking at me and giving a nod of understanding, I gave the man 5 coins before anything, becoming penniless.

Gus left me there to do something else, the guild employee talked to me then. "You are here for registration and not to reissue your card right?" I nodded since I had nothing to add. "Okay, just... fill these and I will give your card, just drop your blood at it with this needle and you will be set. Worry not, this is registration and any possible links with other cards that were lost will not be made." The forms were simple, name, occupation, possible experience and age, filling it I gave it back, they put it into a contraption at the ground, though, I only knew because it made some noise, and gave me a card that looked like wood. "Do I need to explain how it works to you or not?" The question did not came as condescending, many refugees never participated at the guilds, I had only briefly looked over it at the time, so I needed it, nodding they continued.

"The ranks goes from wood, bronze, iron, steel, gold, mithril, to orichalcum. the ranks are increased through contribution to the guild through the quests given, though at higher ranks it changes, you can only get quests of your rank, and only in groups can you get of a rank higher. that is all you need to know at the moment. the price for an inn varies, though we do rent rooms, I recommend somewhere else to sleep, the night owl is a good one, but pricey, so if you don't have anymore money the black rose will be better, being 10 coins per night with a meal. it is bad but most start there. There is also the library the public section is subsidized by us so you can read the books there for free, just don't steal any of them."

They somehow knew I had no more money, though I did look poor right now, I nodded and went to the bulletin board. I had to do something for money, the library came after.

***

It has been 5 weeks, I had to do some odd jobs, many were just hauling lumber from the forester to another place, there were no herb gathering quests at my rank, when I asked why, the answer was that they were grown indoors, and that only herbs that were difficult to grow had gathering requests, but the places they grow in are hazardous, or filled with monsters. So I essentially became a delivery boy, and now have direct requests, apparently someone who is efficient in hauling objects is very desirable, I even got a bit more of mass and did not have to stay at Black Rose for long, when I changed inns they said that Blue Rose was the best one next. So the owner of both of them is the same, the guy owns from cheap to luxury inns in this town, and most people go to one of them, regardless, the food is good for the price.

I earned a class even, Hauler, it gives me more strength per level, though I do not have a number, to be more exact I did not open my status page, I wanted to only do so when I got a magical class, but through my reading at the library, it became apparent that it would take a long time since I was not learning from another mage.

So I opened it even if I did not want to.

[Name: Hunter,
Level: 4,
Classes:
Hauler Lv. 4
Stats:
Strength: 12, Magic: 2
Willpower: 10, Vitality: 11.]

[Titles:
Universal Visitor, Possessor of the Glutton Seed Of Shadows, Agent of Fate, The Hauler.]

I hadn't expected the last one, it came to me at the end of the 3rd week, the Hauler class was a very basic one, it simply made me more aware of my center of balance, and increased my grip strength, and it leveled very quickly, which really means that it is a very basic class.

I have finally ranked up, I was a Bronze rank, when it happened the card just changed colors and texture, it really wasn't wood, so I was going to see the hunting requests I could do, Wood was a rank that existed as a way for kids to make money and train.

In the morning the sun rudely once again invaded through the cracks on the curtains. "I one day will find out how properly close this thing." I grumbled as I put my feet to the ground, I had the sword I could finally buy resting on the chair that came with the room, though I never sat in it, grabbing it by the hilt and fastened the scabbard on my belt.

When I entered the guild, the feeling of vertigo due to the sudden change of noise no longer happened, the bulletin board was divided between ranks, though there was not place for the highest two. As I got to the bronze one, I had already greeted some of the many people calling me Hauler, looking back, maybe they are the reason I got the title, there were some people already looking through, they were younger then me, 18 to 20, I initially gave them no mind, but their fidgeting told me that they were new to bronze as well, and most likely they were not accustomed to fighting, even I had to train with the sword I got. After a few seconds I made my decision. "Hey, want to do a joint quest?"

Most groups were truly formed at this rank, so it was normal to ask them, My appearance was only a few years older then theirs, the two looked over, and seemed to be in contemplation for a few seconds, the first one to agree was the halfling. "Yes, I don't have confidence in killing even a horned rabbit." Horned rabbits were weak, like really weak, but their horns are very hard and difficult to break, many got killed due to overconfidence, though this one had the opposite problem.

"Okay." The Half-Elf responded with only a single word. there wasn't much I could asses from the two of them without seeing they fight, I looked over the board to search something easy, there was the Horned Rabbits, but if we were to go together I don't want to force anyone to do anything to dangerous.

"Here." I took one that I was confident in doing in a group, the Half-Elf looked over and nodded, but when the halfling took a look over they went pale. "No, no, a charging boar, no they ram everything that moves."

"Look, if it was that bad it wouldn't be a bronze rank quest, the farm that requested confirms that it is only one, and if we ask we can possibly make a trap to make it fall, then we kill it. It would be harder if the quest asked for materials." The halfling continue scowling for a few minutes, but relented when realized that it made sense.

"Okay, let's do this." The halfling went to a table and got a backpack, it wasn't big, but it seems that he has a crafter class, or something similar. "By the way, I'm Stone, The Tinkerer. and you two?"

I thought they knew each other, apparently no. "Hunter, The Hauler." It is normal to use one of your titles as a second name around here.

"Zuckar, the Guard." So now I knew somewhat what type of thing he does, the tank of this group then, and he took it without any one saying anything, his shield was the teardrop kind, though he had a sword, just not in his dominant hand.

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