Exploring the new world(chapter 38)
previus in chapter 37
As the last of the hyenas fell, Adam let out a sigh of relief. He gathered their bodies, tucking them away for later disposal. "Well, that was unexpected," he muttered to himself, wiping sweat from his brow. Taking a moment to catch his breath, Adam turned his attention to the dagger in his hand. "The knife that brought me here just by being stabbed and removing it," he mused, his mind racing with possibilities. With a sense of caution, he sheathed the dagger at his waist, deciding it was best to keep it close.
With the forest behind him, Adam ventured forward, eventually coming upon a large city in the distance. The sight took his breath away, his mouth agape in awe. Tall stone walls surrounded the city, with grand gates that seemed to welcome travelers from afar as long as they paid a toll, and adam well, it wasn't difficult for him to pickpocket some of the travelers, not most of the travelers entered the city, some stayed outside, setting up camps, tents, and shops.
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outside the city, Adam found himself amidst a bustling scene. Carts filled with goods passed by, merchants calling out their wares. The sound of chatter and laughter filled the air, mingling with the clatter of hooves on cobblestones.
Adam stood at the city gates, his eyes wide as he took in the sights and sounds of this new world. "I should really keep my mouth shut," he said to himself with a chuckle, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation at the adventures that awaited him within the city walls.
Adam stood stunned, mouth agape, as he followed a long line of creatures unlike any he had ever seen. They ranged from humans dressed in medieval attire to towering, green-skinned, tusked beings he assumed were orcs. A small, white-haired woman the size of a toddler walked beside a 7-foot-tall, grey-skinned, muscle-bound creature. Adam's eyes widened as he took in the sight of humanoid lizards, goblins, a humanoid cat or tabaxi as he would later find out, and a half-elf woman. They whispered among themselves, casting curious glances at Adam.
"Probably some country bumpkin. Humans are sometimes weird," one of them muttered. Adam paid no mind to the stares or whispers; his world was already bizarre enough. What truly astonished him was the fact that everyone here used magic, often intertwined with technology. Their devices weren't as advanced as those in his world, but the fusion of magic and machinery was fascinating.
"This really is a fantasy world, huh? Although I can't understand their language, it shouldn't be so hard since all creatures must have a common language they speak, given the variety of cultures and creatures here," Adam mused to himself. He observed as each creature took a small leather pouch, likely a satchel, and paid with mostly gold coins at the gate guarded by formidable-looking figures.
"Oh, so it's a toll, huh? Well, I don't have any gold to pay with," Adam thought, scratching his head. His first instinct was to summon a magic string, but he hesitated. "Better not. I don't know who can use magic or see magic here. Plus, the pouches seem to be enchanted. Who knows if there are sealing spells or something," he reasoned.
As he contemplated his next move, Adam suddenly felt a shove from behind. His reflexes kicked in, and he easily balanced himself before turning to see the tall, grey-skinned giant glaring down at him. The giant muttered something Adam couldn't understand, but his aggressive posture was clear.
"Ah, so you want to pick on the country pumpkin, eh?" Adam said with an amused smirk, which seemed to enrage the giant. The giant lunged with a punch, but Adam sidestepped gracefully, using mana string to trip the giant by entangling his legs. In one fluid motion, Adam summoned his mana sword, pressing it against the giant's neck, his smirk never leaving his face.
Unbeknownst to the giant, Adam also used the mana string to deftly lift the gold coins from the giant's pocket as he though, "well, never mind," he threw the caution out of the window. The giant's eyes widened in surprise and anger as Adam held him at swordpoint. Adam heard one of the guards at the gate shouting in a language he didn't understand.
After releasing the giant, Adam vanished into the crowded streets, blending in like a seasoned pickpocket. He then donned his wooden mask to sneak further into the city. He didn't want to risk being detected as an invisible being, especially with the diverse range of creatures present.
Instead of using the main entrance, Adam followed the group the giant was a part of, eventually arriving at a hidden entrance that led to a dock. The city was situated on the ocean, and what caught Adam's eye was a flying ship coming into dock.
"Holy...," Adam breathed, visible now in an alleyway as he watched the majestic wooden ship glide in. "I HAVE GOT TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE THAT," he yelled to himself, the sorcerer and aspiring engineer in him fascinated by the ingenuity of the flying vessel.
Adam stood at the edge of the city, gazing out at the sights before him. To say he was astonished would be an understatement. Everywhere he looked, there was a stark contrast to his world. Different races mingled in the streets, their attire ranging from medieval to steampunk, all infused with magical elements. The air was filled with a blend of scents, from the strange fruits being sold at market stalls to the musty aroma of magical artifacts. Even small, non-humanoid creatures were on display for sale.
"This is amazing," Adam muttered to himself, taking in the vibrant scene around him. As he wandered through the bustling market, he couldn't help but marvel at the diversity of this fantasy world. His eyes landed on a particular establishment with a lively atmosphere. People entered in groups or alone, some stumbling out later looking quite intoxicated.
"A bar, huh?" Adam thought curiously, deciding to make use of his invisibility to slip inside unnoticed. The interior revealed itself as a multifaceted establishment, serving as a bar, a diner, and a place where groups of hunters gathered to sell their loot.
"Hmm, interesting," Adam observed, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling place. After a brief exploration, he quietly left, realizing the need to learn the language of this new world as soon as possible.
"Looks like I need to learn the language of these people as soon as possible," he sighed, withdrawing the dagger that had brought him here. Holding it in his hand, he contemplated his options.
"Hmm, I currently have two choices," Adam muttered, turning the dagger over in his palm. "The first option is to send this dagger into the pearl, keeping it safe from loss or theft. The downside is that unless I fully repair the pearl, I won't have access to it."
Turning the dagger to the side, he continued, "The second option is to keep it on my person, ensuring access to it at all times. However, there's the risk of it being stolen or pickpocketed, potentially trapping me here for a long time."
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A/N Well, ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome Adam to the world of D&D, a world full of wonders and worries, a world of monsters and mayhem, and a world that will allow me (as the DM) to pit Adam against abominations and, if he's lucky, encounter a bunch of elves, orc women, mermaids, dragons, and such. But knowing me, there won't be any lemons involved; instead, Adam will either take advantage of this world or be at its mercy.