[Start your second life Y/N]
Yes!
I open my eyes and immediately pat myself down. It seems I am still in the same body I had when I died. Nothing seems to be missing.
When I touch my ribcage, I don't feel any pain, which is good, because I am pretty sure those thugs had kicked me until they shattered. I still have all of my teeth, even though I am sure a few were knocked out before I died.
Unlike my body, which has been healed, my clothing is a mess. It is covered with blood and has rips and dusty shoeprints on it. I try to rub myself down a little to remove it, but it makes little difference.
I remove my shirt to see if I can shake the dirt loose, and notice that the little paunch which had been growing there due to my frugal diet of instant noodles and hot dogs is non-existent. I am not by any means muscular, but I am in much better shape now than I was right before I died. It seems I have reincarnated in a body much healthier than my previous one.
I check my surroundings and see nothing but a dirt road and greenery. I could be anywhere right now, but the thought does cross my mind that this might not even be Earth anymore. I have no idea where I am or what I am supposed to do now.
For some reason, despite knowing that I died and ended up here, I am really not feeling all that panicked. I am completely zen about it. The only thing that seems to be affecting my emotions is my regret about helping out that drug-slinging best friend of mine.
Actually, I used to read enough manga and watch enough anime to know how this usually goes. So I call out 'Status', and I am quickly rewarded for my quick thinking.
[Name: ????]
[Race: Starless]
[Level: 1 XP:0/100]
[Main Class: Villager lvl 1]
[Sub-Classes:
1. -
2. - ]
[HP: 80/80]
[MP: 70/70]
[Strength: 10]
[Constitution: 8]
[Agility: 8]
[Intelligence: 10]
[Wisdom: 7]
[System Points: 0]
[Attribute Points: 0]
I have a status screen! Fantastic! I guess I get to select my own name. From now on, my name will be 'Alric Starforge'. I like that name, plus it seems to fit the theme of this starless race, which has appeared in my status screen.
[Name: Alric Starforge]
[Race: Starless]
When I focus on the [Starless Race], the screen opens up a little and provides me with an explanation.
[Race: Starless - A race of transmigrators that have been flung across time and space to start afresh in their destined lands. Starless race bonuses: 2 Attribute points upon level up. 2 System points upon level up. +2 to all attributes upon level up. x2 Exp gains. Starless beings have 1 Main class and 2 sub-classes.
I don't know whether these race bonuses are any good or not. I guess I will just have to ask around about it. Also, I am not human anymore. Well, what are you gonna do?
The part that stands out to me is the part about transmigration. It does not say reincarnation, so does that mean that my body was transported here and healed just before I died?
In that case, I would pay good money to see the looks on the faces of those thugs as I poofed out of existence in front of their eyes. Just the thought makes me chuckle.
My mood became a little lighter after entertaining myself with that image. I resolve to get a move on. The question is, where to?
I guess the direction doesn't really matter; I don't have a particular destination in mind, so I guess I will just follow the road until I reach somewhere inhabited.
After a good 30 minutes of walking down the dirt path, I come to a T-junction of sorts, and see a wooden stake with a board on it. Assuming this to be a signpost I walk over and inspect it.
Ironfield -->
I don't recognize the letters at first glance, but it quickly becomes understandable to me as I continue to stare. I guess a hidden bonus of my new race is language comprehension? Well, so far I can at least read, if I meet a person, we can test out verbal communication.
As it is the only place to appear on the signpost, I assume it to be the closest town, so I will make my way over there. I swivel on the balls of my feet and keep on marching down the road.
More signs of civilisation greet me as, after another 15 minutes of walking, I start to see some stone walls around what is most probably a field. I haven't seen a farmhouse or a barn of any kind, but I notice there is an old man dressed in clothing I could only describe as medieval farmer-esque, so I decide to try my luck.
'Hello there! Could you please tell me how much farther until Ironfield?'
The old man looks at me curiously, and I immediately worry that he hasn't understood a word I have said. My worries are quickly relieved when he shouts back. 'About 15 more miles down the road, young man.'
Excellent. It seems I can communicate through speech as well as read. I thank the old man and continue following the dirt track. It occurs to me that he was probably confused by my ragged, bloody clothing more than by my words.
As soon as I can find some money, I need to buy a new wardrobe. The ripped jeans and blood-stained blue cotton shirt I am wearing just won't cut it.
Continuing my journey, I pass by a few stone houses with nearby people using hoes to till the ground, and young children running with sticks in the fields. So far, so good.
Everything seems peaceful, despite the dirty looks I have been getting from everyone who notices the rags I am wearing. At least my shoes are still good.
As a frugal person, I would buy more expensive items if I thought they would last me long enough to save me money in the long run. My shoes were something I paid a lot for, but they made sense as an investment.
My shoes are my job-site work boots. They were made from high-quality materials and have a steel toe cap. I've had them for 5 years, but they don't show any signs of wear. If this is a medieval-style world, I am sure they will be better than anything else I could possibly get my hands on.
Having good shoes is a small mercy after everything that happened, but it is enough to lift my spirits.
After I can't see the stone houses anymore, I assume that I have safely passed through the little farming settlement and am on my way.
I continue down a small path lined with wooden fences and see what appears to be a wide dirt road around 30m in front of me. I assume that the path I am on connects up to the road, which in turn leads to Ironfield.
As I get closer, I can hear some kind of commotion, so I start to approach cautiously. Through a gap in the trees, I can see the figure of two men facing each other.
One is a little skinny and short, the other slightly taller but no less skinny. The taller one is standing in front of what appears to be a large cart of some kind. The pair are talking in raised voices, and I am just about close enough to hear what they are saying.
'Gimme all your coin!'
'Of course, of course, but please, let me keep 1 silver so I can enter Ironfield!'
Right, well, how fucking cliche is this? I am transmigrated to what seems to be a medieval world of some kind, with a levelling system, and the first day I am here, I just happen to come across a merchant getting robbed by a weak-looking bandit, who I now realize has some kind of knife in his hand.
I guess this isn't a new world, I was sucked into a game. It has to be. Well, whatever the case may be, count me the fuck out.
I already stuck my neck out for that bastard Derrick, and look where it got me, no way I am doing that again. I have no intention of being a hero and dying just when my second life started.
I turn on my heels and start to creep off the way I came as quietly as possible.
Ding!
[Compulsory Mission: Rescue the merchant from the mugger]
[Mission details: Drive away, capture or kill the mugger, saving the merchant.]
[Reward: 5 Attribute points]
[Penalty: System shutdown]
Fuuuuckkkk!!!