More Than A Game (Epic LitRPG adventure)

Chapter 3, In the big world part 3

Soon, I got to the edge of the forest, the point that marked the end of the starting location. A dwarf had been planted there to make sure everything was clear, and he had a lazy warning for me, "Friend, this road will take you to Aegan, after which who knows where you'll follow it? But you won't be able to come back. If there's anything you still have left to do here, do it before you leave."

"I don't have anything here. I already did it all."

"If you say so," said the indifferent dwarf. "Good luck in Aegan."

The city had me speechless from the moment I entered. In fact, I stood stock-still after my first steps through the gate. I've already mentioned the backwater town in Noobland and how quiet and quaint it was—old people going about their business, children playing pranks on the cats...or beavers, I guess. Hushed tones, soft colors...

But Aegan was a big city that never sleeps—noise, hubbub, everyone running, everyone in a hurry.

Welcome to Aegan!

It is a city shrouded in centuries of legend, renowned for the power of its mighty kings, made famous by its great craftsmen, and built on the bravery of its warriors. The name "Aegan" reaches far back into the oldest annals of the Seven Kingdoms...

I was only too happy to read more about the city's fascinating history. It was built somewhere way back in the forgotten reaches of time, after which it became a fortress city. Later, it was a stronghold of the monarchy, and it was now a hero city.

"They have some good writers," I noted to myself. "A well-written text, easy to read, good presentation."

"Don't just stand there!" A voice behind me boomed, and I was shoved to the side. The voice happened to belong to a hefty dwarf by the name of Gnorin, and he had a following of six other dwarves behind him.

"Hurrying to find Snow White?" I asked in a needling tone.

"What, you need some teeth loosened?" Gnorin responded in the same bass voice.

"No, I'm good," I responded honestly. "I need them all."

"Then don't be a douchebag. Sorry if I shoved you too hard—I'm a dwarf, after all."

"I see that," I noted. "I'm not blind."

"Is there a tavern around here? Or a pub? Really, anywhere they sell beer," asked Gnorin. "Do you know of any?"

"How should I know? I just got here."

"All right, we'll follow our noses. Cheers."

And with that, the gang of dwarves headed down the central avenue leading away from the gate, one after another. Never fear, off to find beer.

"What's with everyone here?" I wondered. "Sadistic elves, alcoholic dwarves... It's like a bad fantasy novel."

I started down the same street, looking around me as I went. The city, of course, was beautifully drawn. The buildings, trees, monuments, inhabitants...everything looked real. If I hadn't known it was a bunch of code, I would have thought I was in some European city from the Middle Ages. And it was obviously huge. I came across empty corners, found alleys packed with players, saw a few squares littered with tents of some kind, noticed some temples, and even walked by a theater—or maybe a courthouse.

And so my wandering and wondering led me finally to a place whose name I could have guessed even without the marker: Market Square. It was pretty simple, really. What else could you call a place packed to the gills with everything you could think to buy? People milled around, noise filled the air, and I was jostled from side to side. Somebody was selling something, somebody was buying something, and everyone was talking, screaming, and bustling around all at once.

"I need a bow, Level 35 to 37! Rare or epic! I can pay!"

"I'm selling elixirs—health and mana! Concentration potions! Poisons discounted when you buy in bulk! Manufacturer warranty!"

"I cook with your ingredients! For free! Pay for me to eat the food with you!"

"Buy a sword, get a sheath free!"

"An eastern dagger, from Sind, sharp as a razor and as long as...your life, eh!"

"Spider eyes, fresh and gray! For crafting!"

"Fish! Fresh, still alive! Dead and dried as well! Fish!"

And stands, stands, and more stands all around, with flags, signs, and even banners. In short, it was a nice place, even a great place, though there was one problem—I had no money. And, judging by the cries I heard from the crowd packing the square, I wasn't the only one.

Just then, as if on cue, a little halfling scooted up to me, "Hey, man, give me 10 gold; I need them for a jacket," he gushed at me in one breath. "Everyone knows me; I'm good for it—I swear. I'll buy the jacket, go farm some loot, and give it back to you...with five extra!"

With that out of the way, he stood gazing at me and even urgently tugged on my hand.

I'll admit, it isn't easy to surprise me. I'm a journalist, and I even served in the army, so anyone or thing that can actually surprise me is worth at least my respect. "Ha!" I coughed. "Well, look at you. You're way too amateurish about this. Use your brain! Write a sign, 'Help needed for mental development, give money for logic tests.' There aren't any around here, so you can cut to the chase."

"Are you going to give me the money?" he asked impatiently, apparently without hearing a word I said.

"No," I answered simply, and he was off like the wind.

"Wow," was all I had to say.

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