The initial portion of the trip went off without any problems. My mind drifted, absorbing the novelty of my surroundings. It felt strange to be in a world as realistic and vivid as the one I had only ever seen on a screen in my previous existence. Seeing the difference between the game I used to play and the reality I now face was unnerving. I was now a part of this living, breathing world, which was more than simply a game. I pushed the discomfort aside and followed the group.

  The distant buzz of insects broke the stillness, adding to the setting's sense of realism.

  After a few hours, Mannes, the caravan's leader, demanded that they stop. He instructed us to take a break and eat lunch, as we were near a river. He assigned me the task of accompanying him to the river to collect water. I chose to strike up a conversation as we strolled. His motions were deliberate, calm, and accurate, giving the impression that he was an experienced guy. He was respected for his presence.

  "How long have you been in charge of caravans, Mannes?" In an attempt to break the silence, I asked.

  He answered drearily, "I've been doing this for a while now. However, I was a member of the Imperial Army prior to this. I belonged to the Menavliaton".

  A Menavliaton? Leading troops into combat as an officer was a distinguished position. I couldn't resist asking questions. "Why quit such a significant role? Officers receive numerous benefits from the empire. It must have been difficult for you to leave them."

  Mannes' visage hardened, and he became silent at my question. For a short while, the only sounds were the distant chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of the grass beneath our boots. I chose not to pursue it further, realizing I might have touched on a delicate subject. When we got to the riverbed, I got down on my knees to fill the bucket with water. I saw my reflection in the water as I was doing it—black eyes, dark hair. I realized that my appearance made me more like the people of the Empire.

  It was safer to pretend to be an Imperial citizen for the time being. Despite its disintegration, the Empire continued to control almost 40% of Calradia, and its religion and culture predominated in many areas. There was a significant deal of discrimination here, and being an outsider could easily lead to trouble. For this reason, I chose the name Augustus, inspired by the first Roman emperor, when I arrived in this world. The name and my appearance helped me stay out of trouble.

  We went back to the group after filling the buckets. Mannes didn't say anything, and I appreciated that. He carried his burdens, and in this society, it was frequently necessary to keep them to yourself in order to survive. When we got back, we ate a simple dinner of bread, dried meat, and river water. As we got ready to continue travelling toward Zeonica, the sun was starting to set, laying long shadows across the terrain.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  I felt a sense of relief when the city appeared in the distance. Although the trip had been calm thus far, I had a persistent hunch that the tranquillity wouldn't last. My intuition was right. A group of looters emerged from the bushes just as the sun was setting, their tattered clothing and irrational faces revealing their desperate intentions. There were roughly eight looters, armed with rudimentary weapons such as clubs, axes, and stones.

  I was filled with panic. I reached for my blade out of reflex, my heart pounding. This was the first true test of my ability to survive in this world. This was distinct from the numerous adversaries I had faced in the game before. These folks were more than just computer pixels. They were real, and failure had real repercussions.

  Mannes' voice broke through the confusion as he yelled commands. Create a straight line! They're outnumbered, so go for them!

  The others, who were more experienced than I was, lined up. With my mind racing with adrenaline and anxiety, I followed suit. The looters threw stones at us as we advanced. One just missed my head as it went by. Another kicked up dust as it struck the ground near my feet. I paused for a moment, the situation's realism overwhelming me. Mannes's yell jolted me out of my reverie.

  "Pay attention! As he led the charge, he shouted, "Keep going!" with his sword up.

  I took a deep breath and tightened my hold on my sword's hilt. We swiftly got closer, and before I knew it, I was standing right in front of one of the looters. He carried a rough wooden club and was a hefty man. His eyes were crazed and desperate. He made a broad, careless arc toward my head and swung at me. The collision jarred my arms as I raised my sword to intercept the attack.

  Out of instinct, I deflected his blow and moved forward, bringing my blade down on his neck as if time had paused. With terrible ease, the sword entered his flesh, causing blood to spurt forth and stain my garment red. As I freed my sword, he gurgled and fell to the ground. For a moment, I gazed at the body lying at my feet, frozen in place.

  The realization of what I'd just done hit me hard. I had killed a real, breathing human, not a faceless NPC or a bandit in a video game. My hands shook, and the surroundings briefly became hazy. This actually happened. I was no longer playing a game.

  However, there was no time to think about it. I could hear the shouts of anguish, the grunts of exertion, and the clashing of weapons as the combat continued all around me. Mannes had already dispatched two of the looters, while the remaining caravan guards dealt with the others. The skirmish was over practically as soon as it started. The looters were disorganized and ill-prepared; they could not compete with us.

  When everything was finished, we stood among the bodies, breathing heavily and covered in blood, but we were still alive. As the thrill wore off, fatigue took over. Mannes approached me with a sad expression. He only put a hand on my shoulder and murmured, "You did well."

  Even though I didn't think I did well, I nodded. My conscience still weighed heavy from the kill. But I had just paid my first price for surviving in this world.