Chapter 6

  Walking into the gate, there were no enemies around. Spending the rest of the day just healing himself while the notifications of the multiple poisons came and went and the countless notifications of his health fluctuating, he became nose blind after a couple of minutes from the horrible stench in the air. To his relief, when it was all said and done,

  Ding

  Resistance, Common, Novice 6 to 9

  Healing Touch, Common, Novice 3 to 7

  Cure Wounds, Common, Novice 4 to 8

  After that unpleasantness was over, he looked around and saw an inn to his right and a stable to his left, beyond which the haze was too thick to see through. The road was made of cobbled stone, which was cracked and worn. The inn looked out of place compared to the stable; it was pristine, as if time had not touched it. It was made of stone; the entrance was a solid, dark wooden door. Two large windows were situated on either side of the door, approximately 4 feet away from it. It was a three-story inn. On the other hand, the stable was a dilapidated wooden structure; the barn where the horses would stay had caved in, the building itself and the glass windows were broken out, and the door was missing. Summoning his cane sword, he walked to the inn and entered the door. A notification popped up:

  Ding

  You have entered a safe zone. Food, water, and other amenities will be provided here. All inns in the city are safe zones.

  Unsummoning the cane sword

  “Well, it’s been a pretty eventful day: take a shower, eat, then go to bed and explore the city tomorrow,” Theo thought.

  Looking around, there were multiple round tables with four chairs around them. They were all dark wood. The right side of the wall featured booths, also made of dark wood. The back wall featured a small stage polished to a deep, dark wood shine, and to the left was a staircase leading up. Light emanated from crystals bedded in the ceiling.

  The left wall featured a fully stocked bar, with three levels of shelves behind it holding multiple liquor bottles. Five barstools were positioned in front, and a polished granite slab and door at the back of the bar likely led to the kitchen. Heading to the bar, there was a small doorway that allowed you to lift up the countertop to enter and exit. As soon as he arrived at the bar, the kitchen door opened, and a stocky, translucent man with a beer belly, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, walked out. He had a bushy black beard and straggly black hair.

  “Good evening, customer. Your room, food, and bath have already been paid for, so enjoy your stay. Would you like a meal or a bath first, sir?” the ghost said.

  Using the Inspect skill

  Name?

  Level?

  Class?

  “I am not sure what that means,” Theo thought

  “The name is Theo. What is yours, sir?” Theo said.

  “Where are my manners? You may call me the Host. I work as a guide for the newly integrated. Normally, I manage the inn behind the scenes, but since not many people prefer this type of ambiance, I am the only one here who will assist you in the tutorial,” the Host said with a bow.

  “What kind of assistance can you provide?” Theo asked.

  “I can answer almost any question that revolves around the tutorial itself, and some Questions regarding outside of the tutorial,” the Host said.

  “I have two right off the bat. First off, what is a good way to use free stat points?” Theo inquired.

  “Good question. " Free stat points are used to shore up weaknesses and also specialize in a certain attribute,” the Host said, squinting at him. “Battle Healer, a legendary class, good choice,” the Host said.

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  “It says in my stat sheet that it is Common,” Theo stated.

  “True, there are two different rankings. The first one is how easy it is to get a class; if anyone can get it, it’s Common, and from there, the requirements you have to meet to get the class determine its rank. For classes and professions, the ranking is common, which is the weakest. From there, it progressed to uncommon, Rare, and Legendary, that is, for the mortal classes and the immortal pseudo-divine and Divine Classes. Then, skills are divided into the same categories, but all skills start at the same common rank and progress from there. There are three stages for each rank: novice, journeyman, and master. Once you pass the master, it will level up to the next rank. For example, a Sword Master at Common Master level 9 will rank up to Sword Master Uncommon Novice Level 1,” the Host said.

  “Thank you, that cleared it up for me.” And for my next question, why do you have question marks when I analyze you? Theo asked.

  With a belly-shaking laugh.

  “That’s because I am several grades above you in power,” the Host said with mirth in his voice.

  “Once again, thank you for the information.” With a yawn, Theo continued, “I’d like to take a bath, then eat, and then retire for the night.”

  The Host directed Theo to the bathroom, so he headed to the second floor. The room featured a bronze-colored metal tub, a tiled floor, wooden paneling on the walls, and a crystal embedded in the top of the ceiling for lighting. Theo took a relaxing bath. After he was done, Theo felt nice and clean, changing into spare clothes that he had from his backpack. Heading back down to the first floor, he found a stew, a mug of beer, and a small loaf of bread waiting for him at the bar. Slicing a piece of bread from the loaf and using it to dip into the stew, he was also given a wooden spoon as a utensil. Theo devoured the meal; it was pretty delicious. With heavy, lidded eyes, the Host directed him to the third floor, where his room was located. Dragging himself to the third floor, he didn’t realize how exhausted he was until he was in a safe place. Closing and locking the door, he threw himself on the bed, and within seconds, he was out. Waking up, it took him a second to remember where he was. The bed was queen-size on the back wall, and there was a dresser and a desk on the right side of the room facing the door. Dark wood paneling lined the walls, and a crystal chandelier was suspended from the ceiling. Theo got out of bed and headed towards the dresser. Opening the dresser were many clothes, all of which were brown woolen pants and shirts. At the bottom were four pairs of sturdy black boots. Putting on a clean pair of woolen trousers and a shirt and wearing black boots, Theo also found a hamper at the bottom of the dresser next to the boots.

  Theo thought, “Not the best color, but it will do.”

  He grabbed his dirty clothes from his backpack, put them in the hamper, and left his backpack on the desk. On the other side of the dresser was a full-length mirror. Looking in the mirror,

  “I look like a peasant.” Theo thought

  Then he put on his armor.

  Exiting the room, there were six doors on the third floor, three on either side of the hallway. The hallway had a plain wooden floor and wooden walls. Heading down the stairs, he heard,

  “Good morning, Theo,” the Host said.

  “Good morning, Host. What’s for breakfast today?” Theo said as he walked towards the bar and sat on a bar stool.

  “Weak beer, eggs, a slice of ham, and bread,” the Host said.

  “Sounds good,” Theo said.

  Theo asked a question after he was done eating.

  “So, what can you tell me about the integration of my universe and the tutorial, and anything else you're able to share about the multiverse?” Theo asked.

  “What do you know about the multiverse?” the Host asked.

  “Not much; consider me ignorant,” Theo said with a smile.

  “All right, then, it is the 113th era, which means that your universe is the 113th universe that has been integrated into the multiverse.” The system encourages individuals to grow and develop in their own unique way, for the reason behind it. You'll have to ask the system yourself. Normally, tutorials are provided for a couple of reasons: to train the newly integrated on how to defend themselves, acquire a craft to support themselves in the multiverse, or attract a patron from one of the gods or factions in the universe if they possess exceptional talents. This is not so much for you in this case, as it's closed, and only the system is monitoring, which is probably the best thing for you, since this is not a typical solo tutorial, as you might suspect. That is as much as I can say about how this place functions in that aspect. The tutorial consists of three parts. The Common district is the outer rim of the city. A wall then divides the Common district from the merchant and noble district, which is the second layer. The third layer, which is divided by another wall, is the castle district. For the enemies within, I am not permitted to say. Sorry. The Common district is divided into four quadrants: slums, residential, market, and entertainment. As for the others, I cannot say what they are. We are currently at the main entrance of the city. On the left will be the slum district, and on the right will be the market. Do not go to the wall for the gate to the next level until you’re ready; there will be a champion,” the Host said

  Ding, updating the objectives

  Objectives: survive two months; 26 days remaining.

  Sub-objectives:

  Defeat the Common District Guardian: 0 of 1

  Defeat the merchant/noble District Guardian: 0 of 1

  Defeat the castle District Guardian: 0 of 1

  “Well, it’s good to know, at least,” Theo thought.

  “Thank you for the information. I suppose it’s time for me to explore, hone my skills, and become stronger,” Theo said.

  Have a good day, Theo, and I look forward to seeing you when you return. One more thing: the bane of undead is healing magic,” the Host said.

  “Thank you for that tidbit, and see you when I get back,” Theo said.

  And with that, Theo left and headed right to the market.