Lorena woke to an unfamiliar silence. There was no traffic or sirens, just the sound of vendors quietly setting up for the morning market.
Her hand drifted to her chest, fingers pressing the spot where the spider had dug its fang into her. The hole was still gone. No pain, no scar, as if the whole thing had been a dream.
I'm still living the nightmare.
Lorena sighed as the reality of yesterday came rushing back.
She pushed the emotions away and focused on practicalities.
Her class choice of Rogue had come with four new abilities: Stealth, Vicious Stab, Precision Strike, and Gouge. The techs had called the Rogue class a builder/spender class, and looking at her new abilities that made sense.
Vicious Stab: Strike your target with your main hand weapon, generates 1 combo point
Lorena stopped reading the skill descriptions, a frown spreading across her face. The skill was red and an error message appeared when she hovered over it.
This skill requires a dagger or a sword to use. Cannot use [Rusty Pitchfork] with this ability.
How had she missed that detail? Lorena opened her armor page for the first time, something that should have happened before now but with the chaos of yesterday it had slipped.
shirt: Plain brown shirt, +0 armor
legs: Hand Stitched Canvas Pants, +25 armor
feet: Worn Leather Boots, +10 armor
Empty slots: head, neck, shoulders, back, chest, main hand, off hand, ranged weapon, hands, waist, ring 1, ring 2, trinket 1
Frustration grew with each entry in the Empty Slots list. No wonder she'd come so close to—
Something stirred in the back of her mind and she swallowed the thought. The armor could have been worse. Getting a weapon would still be her top priority, but new armor would be high on the list.
The market was alive and bustling despite it being only 9 AM. Lorena browsed the various stalls as she passed, most people selling foods and trade goods. The scent of grilled pumpkin filled the air, making her pause. Lorena had never smelt grilled pumpkin before, yet she knew not only what the smell was, but even that the pumpkin was under ripened.
I was a competent farmer, you know.
Right.
But before an argument could start a sign caught Lorena's attention, The Soot and Spark. It was carved into a large wooden plaque, a sword and shield on either side of the words.
The smell of oils and coal was immediate, followed by warmth; the furnace had clearly been on for several hours. There was a single entrance to the shop, and a door on the far wall that presumably led to the store room and workshop.
"Greetings traveler! I haven't seen you 'round here before. What can I do for ya?" a stout dwarf said as he hopped off a stool behind a large iron workbench.
Lorena had rehearsed for this and said her prepared line. "Just passing through. I need a weapon."
The dwarf put down his hammer and lumbered over toward her. "And where might a fine lass such as yourself be passing to?"
"The Southern Loche." She didn't want to give anyone any more information about her plans than was strictly necessary, so she had come up with a believable lie on the way over.
He took another step closer, his wiry mess of a beard scraping against her hip. "The Loche is a dangerous place for a lass like you."
Ren stirred in the back of their shared mind, apprehension spilling over.
Lorena took a step back. He wasn't a threat, but she always tried to maintain personal space.
"That's why I need a weapon."
The dwarf reached out and held the edge of her shirt. "Aye. I think maybe some armor is in order first. This doesn't do too much for you in the armor or the looks department."
You should leave. Now.
Now who's the paranoid one? I've dealt with pushy vendors before, it's fine.
Lorena kept her voice light, "I'd prefer to see a weapon, thanks. I need that more than—"
"Alright alright," the dwarf said, cutting her off. "Follow me and I'll show you the finest selection of weapons you ever did see."
He walked toward the door in the back of the shop and Lorena followed.
She felt a tug against her legs, barely noticeable but definitely there.
Don't.
It'll be fine.
Trust me. He's been staring at my chest the entire time.
So? He's distracted, that's better.
I've seen that look before. He's not distracted, he's debating.
Debating what?
What he can get away with.
She noted Ren's concern, but she'd be fine. Lorena followed the dwarf into the back room.
This is a mistake.
The supply room was cramped, towering shelves full of armor and various metalwork supplies.
The dwarf placed a wooden box on the workbench and opened it with a flourish. "Now I know you're wantin' a weapon. But let me just show you this first, then we'll get to the blades."
The dwarf stepped to the side and Lorena walked up to the workbench, her pulse thumping. Getting new equipment was one of her favorite parts of the job, and this would be her first piece in this new world.
She peered into the box and caught a glint of polished leather. It was smooth yet strong in her hands.
Then it unfurled, revealing its shape.
Item: [Leather Bikini]
Rarity: Low
Item Slot: Chest
+5 armor
Lorena's jaw rocked as she stared at the straps of leather in disbelief. Scantily clad women had been a prominent marketing point for the Aetheron Experiences, but she'd always assumed it was just that, marketing bullshit.
She set her jaw and tried to maintain an even tone, but anger pushed through. "What good is a bikini in combat?"
The dwarf's eyes lingered on the bikini, his voice dropping an octave.
"Aye, it'll look damn fine on you lass. Go on, have it a try."
Her stomach turned. This wasn't about armor, it wasn't even about making a sale.
Leave. Now. Before it's too late. Ren's voice was shaky and quick.
Lorena ignored Ren's pleas; she could salvage this.
"No. I asked to see weapons. Now show me something I can actually use or I'm leaving." Her voice had an edge, her anger evident.
The dwarf scowled. "Don't be talkin' to me that way, lass. Now try on the armor. You need a chest piece. I'm doin' you a favor."
"No. Show me a weapon."
Fucking leave! Ren's voice boomed in her mind so loud Lorena physically winced.
The dwarf stepped in front of her, blocking the exit. "That's not a very ladylike way of speakin' to me. I don't appreciate your disrespect." His lips split into a devilish grin.
Lorena's muscles twitched, begging for her to let them take over and handle this prick. She used Identify,
Gilmour, Dwarf, Level 56 Warrior
Frustration bloomed as she took in his level. Even if she did manage to land a hit, it would just cause more trouble. Farm girls didn't go around fighting pushy salesmen forty-six levels higher than them. No, violence wasn't an option.
Lorena focused on relaxing her shoulders and leaned her hip against the workbench, projecting calm.
"I'd like to leave now."
Gilmour snarled. "I think we're past that point, lass. You need to learn a lesson."
Lorena glanced at a breastplate next to her and saw in the reflection a corridor between the shelves. Maybe if she ran—
"Gilmour? What are you doing back there?" a woman said from the front of the shop.
He rolled his eyes but stayed between Lorena and the door.
"Just tryin' to make a sale."
The woman's voice returned with a clear tone of disgust. "I saw that girl walk in here five minutes ago. Where is she?"
Gilmour scowled. "Aye, just showin' her a selection of armor."
"Get out here. Now." Her tone left no room for discussion.
Gilmour bared his teeth, then turned and walked out of the back room.
"Why are you always comin' in here and tryin' to ruin my business like this?"
Lorena slipped out of the back room and quickly made her way toward the front of the shop, her eyes connecting with the woman's. Jade, from the other day. Her expression shifted from understanding to intense anger.
Lorena weaved her way through the displays and out the door, the fresh air not doing much to calm her down. She turned a corner and paused against the wall of the shop, heart pounding.
Ren's voice came screaming.
When I say run, you run. What is wrong with you?
I thought I had it handled.
You can't handle anything. You're pathetic, just like I thought. You nearly got us killed again. Twice in two days.
Lorena growled. How was any of this her fault? Gilmour was the creep.
Because a woman would have known better. I knew better. But you're arrogant, reckless.
She wanted to ignore Ren, but she forced herself to reflect. Every moment had something to learn from, that was a lesson that had been ingrained in her from the very beginning of her career.
Every interaction from the last five minutes played back in her mind, now in a new light. Her risk calculation was off, again. This new body brought benefits, but clearly it had drawbacks she hadn't considered. Add to that the System which flipped every combat assessment on its head, and a significant adjustment was in order.
"You okay?"
Lorena jumped, fists raised before she could even process the voice. Jade stood a few feet back, giving her space.
"I'm fine." Lorena's voice came out flat. Professional. The mask she'd worn her entire career now firmly back in place.
"Let me guess," Jade said, lips pressed thin. "Leather Bikini?"
Lorena's jaw tightened.
Jade's expression hardened. "Gilmour's a piece of shit. Most of us know better than to go in alone."
The words stung, reaffirming what Ren had tried to warn her of.
Jade's face softened and she added in a quiet voice. "I should have warned you, I'm sorry."
An apology. That was unexpected. Lorena lowered her fists, hands still clenched by her sides.
She stared at Jade, trying to get a better read on her. Where had she come from? It seemed awfully convenient that the Priest just happened to see Lorena walk into the shop, then decided to confront Gilmour.
"Why?" The word came out before she could stop it.
"Why what?"
"Why were you there? Why are you helping me?"
Jade blinked, then something shifted in her eyes. Not anger, but something else. Exhaustion maybe.
"I don't have any money if that's what you're after," Lorena added.
"Right." Jade's voice went flat. "Because saving someone's life means I want something."
She shook her head. "I was in the market, minding my own business, when I saw the woman I saved from the brink of death yesterday. The one without enough sense to avoid a dangerous forest was now stumbling into the lion's den. I didn't want to save you for a second time, but Veythra is a merciful Goddess, so I intervened."
Her eyes blazed with anger. "You're welcome, by the way."
Jade went to turn and words strained against Lorena's throat
Just apologize. She'll understand.
Lorena let Ren's words out. They felt foreign on her tongue, "I'm sorry."
Jade looked at her, face still hard.
"I'm… I'm not used to people helping me. Thank you."
Jade's expression softened slightly, but her shoulders were still tense.
"It's fine. If you need armor, go see Henry. He can set you up with some professions that should help."
"Henry, like the person I'm renting a room from?"
"Yes, that Henry. He's a profession trainer. His shop is three doors down."
Jade left, quickly finding a vendor to mingle with.
Lorena made her way down the street, but she could feel Ren stirring, anxiety palpable.
What's wrong?
Please don't do this. You can find another way. I'll help you find the money for new gear.
Don't do what? She asked as she approached Henry's shop, a simple signpost reading "Henry's Profession Training" out front.
I spent years—Farming was my whole life. Go back to the farm. I have some valuable trinkets, in a box under my bed.
She ignored Ren. There wasn't time for that, and even if there was she couldn't rely on the savings of a poor farmer. Skills were the key to survival.
"Lorena! What brings you in today?"
"I need to learn a profession."
Ren fought for control, but her legs kept walking.