I have some money

I looked at my Inventory and found a footlocker. It was a standard issue footlocker, steel painted olive drab green, with a padlock. I removed from my inventory and placed it on the floor in my room.

'At least its familiar.'

It had my name and service number on it as well.

'It can't be!'

I was really excited, what would be in there? Not a footlocker only has clothes and personal items. But it would be beneficial if it also had the few bundles of money I had stashed away in there, as well as my cigars and whiskey.

Upon opening the footlocker there was a golden glow.

'How Pulp Fiction'

As the glow faded the contents of the footlocker Became visible. It had my original 1065 Utility Uniform. Dark green shirt, pants and undershirt. A boonie hat and a helmet. It also had the 21st century uniform as well. It was all black everything which I found unusual, but free-cool-shit is free-cool-shit so I'm not complaining. The helmet had NVGs attached to it but unlike what I was used to or what I'd seen this was basically a welders' screen that came down.

I also had my usual weapons! Admin, you beautiful bastard, thank you! The load-out was pretty simple. A M14 with a M7 bayonet, 8 magazines of ammunition. A Colt 1911 with 4 magazines. And a machete. Along with my training spear and shield I was good to go. But wait there's more!

I had money. Money money money money money.

It was V2,000,000. I wasn't rich but not flat broke either. I could afford to travel and stay in an inn. I wouldn't have to rough it. I also had the ability to buy information from the chat group Shop so I know what I'm getting into. But I'll hold of on that for now. I have a map of where Orario is and the time it will take for me to get there. With my rifle and pistol I can easily hunt whatever shows up on my map.

'Note to self, get an IFF system for my map, don't want to go around killing normal-ish people.'

I'll head out tomorrow morning.

****5 days later****

I'm on my way to Orario, should only take me a couple days. I've found out a few things over my travels.

Firstly, killing animals with my rifle will deplete my ammo reserves. But killing a monster with them gives me more ammo.

Secondly, grenades are wonderful at taking out a goblin tribe. I need to get a grenade launcher. Either under barrel or separate.

Thirdly, I need to upgrade my M14. Free float the barrel, put on a rail and get an adjustable zoom sight on it. I also need to do something about the sound. A suppressor just won't work. The super sonic crack will make it entirely useless. More over it reduces the effective range. Beyond 600-700 yards there's no indication that a shot was taken. I can sail rounds past a target's head all day long. But I'm engaging within 400 yards. So there's that.

Fourthly, monsters are attracted to noise. So if you kill them fast enough they won't be able to communicate the fact that the loud noises usually end up in them getting killed. Goblins are pretty easy. I kept up with my spear training on squads of 2-5 goblins anything more and use my pistol. My rifle is best for long range engagement and some stronger monsters, like white apes and big lizards which I found out are infant dragons.

The fifth point I discovered is, every hostile I kill, my abilities and funds increase. The increase in my abilities was gradual. I'm able to travel and hunt monsters for a longer period of time. As for funds. I'm now sitting on V2,679,652. And about V280,000 in monster cores and drops. So I have some money.

The sixth point is, I can buy information and upgrades to my chat group interface. My map weapon and condition of equipment is all available on a fighter pilot style HUD. I have a general knowledge of what I can expect in this world and what I can do to get stronger so I don't hold back the other members of the group.

Finally, I can buy and learn item crafting and enchanting! So excited to make a magical rifle that weighs next to nothing. Makes very little noise and is effective past 2000 yards. Or a light weight minigun. The joys and wonders of magic. Also there is healing magic. Very important to learn. And Golemancy. I have the possibility of making a squad of golems that function like my squads used to. I will ask the others if they have any insights on the matter.

It will take me a few days to get to Orario. I need to keep the entry fee separately. Don't want to draw attention at the gates. That's how you get robbed.

*****At the gates of Orario*****

It took longer than expected but I'm finally here. It's late morning 08:37. There was a huge ass tower in the middle of the city. Honestly looked like a dildo for a fat hooker. But when in Rome…

The other members of the group were very interested in the monsters and my hunting/fighting style. Bang, Whitebeard, Makarov, and Zeno were surprised by my mastery of firearms. Master Roshi, and Genryusai weren't too bothered about my tactics. Genryusai requested a monster core to study. I gave him a bag full of monster cores, which made him a bit more proactive in giving me tips and advice. Madara was very interested in the weapons and tactics. Upon further discussion it was decided that he use them as a trump card. A suppressed .45 is more effective than a loud AK in his situation. He offered a trade, he teaches me Taijustsu and I teach him how to handle firearms and tactics. It's like making friends in the park when I was a kid.

Madara live streamed himself fighting someone named Hashirama to prove his qualifications and to show off a little bit. Holy fuck! How am I supposed to learn that? And more importantly this motherfucker doesn't need guns. He needs therapy.

Not to be outdone. The others also streamed themselves kicking ass. Genryusai burnt some 50-60 giant ass monsters to cinders in seconds. Makarov just became a giant and punched an island full of dark wizards. Zeno decapitated a room full of fuckwits with his bare hands. Whitebeard caused a fucking tsunami. Master Roshi displayed his mastery while training his students Yamcha and Krillin. That was enlightening. Bang fought off some low level morons. Odin…well he just smote a bunch of ice giants.

Suffice to say, I feel useless. Master Roshi, tried to cheer me up by saying, "the weak have a unique perspective, they fight to survive, morals and values hold no meaning to the ones fighting to live." I mean it helped a bit, but did he have to point out the fact that I can't compete with any of them so blatantly. Asshole.

Whatever, I'm next to enter the gates. The guard calls me up, and proceeds to question me. I tell him it's my first time in this city. I pay my fee and get my pass for 14 days. I had my spear and shield strapped to my back, and no one gave a damn. Which honestly I didn't think to put in my inventory before, but that oversight might of saved me from extra questioning.

There were fully armed people entering and leaving the city. It was more unusual for people to be unarmed. They were 'armed' in the sense a child is 'armed with a butter knife. But after watching the rest of the group pull some next level fuckery, I'm not going to take them lightly.

What I found odd was that the women who were adventurers were either properly kitted out or wearing next to nothing. I mean getting to look at a nice pair of tits is welcome, but doesn't it get in the way of fighting monsters and whatever. Maybe they're the hired help. Hell in Korea and Vietnam I know a lot Marines hired to local women to carry their kit and warm their beds. But they aren't treated like shit so I'm guessing they are genuine adventurers.

'Don't think to much Cassius, it'll just hurt your brain.'

Once inside the city proper I enlarged my map that was in the top left of my vision. It was lit up like a Christmas tree. A lot of white dots moving about, and a few red dots maintaining their distance.

'Not even 10 minutes and I already have a target on my back, just great.'

I moved towards the dil-tower. The head office for the guild is located nearby.

I walked along the streets to my destination. I noticed the standard of living for those closest to the tower was higher than those further away from it. I will require a map of this city in order to navigate the social structure and know which areas I can afford and which areas to avoid.

I found the guild office easily enough. Just observing the flow of traffic led me to it quickly. I sat and waited on one of the sofas. Observation, Preparation, Execution. I saw several counters. Adventurers selling cores and drops, buying information and supplies. Some registering for the first time and some updating their records. I carefully watched for about an hour. I'd seen enough to figure out several guild services and procedures. I joined the shortest line available.

When my turn came I was greeted by a busty red-head dog…wolf…canine eared girl. She had the expression of someone with years of customer service experience, complete indifference.

"Good morning, I am Rose Fannett, how can I help you."

"Good morning Ms. Fannett. I would like to register as an adventurer and would also like information on the process of dungeon diving."

"I can certainly help with that, are you in any familia?"

"No ma'am, just entered to city today."

"I see, well I would recommend you join a familia before doing any dungeon diving. It is also advised that you get some basic armour and weapons, before heading into the dungeon. Your shield and spear look like they've seen better days."

"Thank you for the advice. I wanted to inquire about the services offered by the guild, and if I should register now, or later when I am a member of a familia?"

Rose: 'Finally someone with a working brain!'

"It would be best to register once you are a member of a familia. The initial file will be complete and you will have certain privileges within the city, such as not having to pay a fee every two weeks.

To figure out which familia you would like to join there is a book I can lend you, but it must remain in the guild. As for services.

The guild offers a wide variety of services, we provide basic equipment for an affordable price. Weapons, armour and potions. Information regarding each floor of the first 18 levels is free, and available upon request. We also buy monster cores and drop items. Ingredients if you happen to come across any. And we offer an advisor for new adventurers such as yourself."

"Thank you for your time and help, where can I study the book of familias?"

"Booth 23, it's yours for 4 hours, there's paper and quill in there for you to make notes. And before I forget, here is a handbook of the first 18 floors. You won't be allowed to enter the dungeon without an adventurer license, so please choose which familia you with to join very carefully. I'll have a list of basic equipment sent over as well." She smiled a bit as she said that.

"Thank you, I shall return this book once I'm done. Have a nice day ma'am." I replied cordially. And walked away.

I headed over to one of the booths on the left side of the building. And proceeded to figure out which familia and god would be best for me. I wanted to craft cool things and fight in the dungeon. I need a familia that has both or has connections. Let the search begin.