Eternal Dream

The next day, Alisa woke up with an intense headache. It was the familiar room in the inn. The encounter with the worg still replayed itself in her head. She has almost died that night. She didn't believe her [Fireball] spell could have killed it, even if she used two at once. Right, it must have been the old wizard who saved her in the end. She touched her back and noticed that her clothes were torn. It seems like she needed to pay a visit to a tailor.

The next thing that got her attention was a notification from the system:

[Quest [Survive The Night II] has been completed]

[Reward: 5000 EXP]

She confirmed the message, and a bright yellow light covered her body. Another row of messages appeared.

[You have leveled up!]

[You have leveled up!]

[You have leveled up!]

She has leveled up for the first time since coming to this world. Although it was only her second day in the world. Right now, she was level 4, but thinking about the monsters lurking in the dark, it was far from enough. She needed to keep leveling as much as possible, as fast as possible. Looking at her EXP-bar, she still needed 2300 EXP to reach level 5. She should be able to accomplish it pretty fast by killing low-level monsters around the town.

Leveling up also brought her an increase in HP and MP and 15 Attribute Points. She put 10 Points in Intelligence and 5 in Wisdom.

Next, she looked at the new skill she acquired last night.

[Double Cast]

[Passive: You can cast two spells simultaneously.]

It was definitely a great skill. It enabled her to be on the offense and defense at the same time. She could also use it to boost her firepower and maybe even invent new spells if it is possible. She had a lot of testing in front of her. That is also the beauty of new things: making all kinds of exciting discoveries.

Alisa got out of bed and made her way downstairs, where River greeted her. "All fine and healthy again?" she asked concerned. When the old wizard brought Alisa in an unconscious state, she got really scared. "Yes, thank you," said Alisa. "Do you know what happened last night?"

"The old wizard brought you here. He said, he healed your wounds. I don't know much else about the whole affair," said River. "Some of our guests have been talking about the monsters roaming in the night. Worgs, was it? Terrible creatures! It seems like the old wizard saved your life last night, didn't he?"

"Yes, I think so. What exactly did the others say? Have there been more attacks?"

"From what I've heard, there seemed to be a handful of them hunting last night, preying after everyone they could find."

"Then, has something like that ever happened before in Ashenburgh?"

"No, never! I've been living here my whole life and I've never seen or heard about monsters attacking in the town before. Maybe outside...but inside?" River shook her head. "The guards have done a good job of protecting the walls so far.

"I see…" Monster appearing out of nowhere and attacking the citizens seemed odd. It might have been arranged by someone, thought Alisa.

"Anyway, enough of that for now! You must be starving by now! Do you want a meal, dear? " asked River.

"Yes, thank you. Give me something good," said Alisa.

"The best!" assured River with a smile.

After having her lunch, Alisa went to the Old Wizard Shop. The old wizard was sitting behind the counter, writing something down. "Hello," she said.

"Oh, hello there! How are you doing? I gather, there should be no problems with your injuries?" he said.

"Yes, I am completely fine. You saved me from the worg, didn't you? And you even healed my wounds. Thank you very much!" she said. "I haven't even asked you your name yet. I am Alisa Adderley, nice to meet you."

"No problem, no problem. You can just call me Rowen."

"Okay, Rowen then. How did you even know that I needed help, or where to find me?"

"Oh, my little friend here told me," he said.

"Little friend?"

"Yes, Inky, come on out now, no need to be shy," said Rowen and a little black bird jumped suddenly on his head. Alisa couldn't even see where it came from. "He is a smart little fella. Fast and nimble—also quite hard to see during the night or in dark places."

"And he told you about my predicament?"

"Precisely! It was by chance that he saw you being ambushed during one of his nightly strolls and he came to notify me at once," he said. "I rushed to your side as fast as I could, and I am glad to have made it. Although, it was a close call."

"Well then, thank you very much, Inky!" said Alisa and came to take a closer look at the bird. "What kind of bird is this?"

"It's called a shadow bird in our language. But don't let their size fool you, they possess quite an interesting set of abilities."

"He is so cute, though!" she said. "Can I pat him?"

"Well, what do you say, Inky? Can our little friend pat you?"

Inky chirped loudly, and Rowen nodded to her. Alisa happily patted Inky gently on his head and back. Alisa has always loved animals. She even had several pets at her home back on earth. The shadow bird closed its eyes and enjoyed her tender touch.

"It seems he is quite fond of you, hoho. Now, this isn't all you came here for, did you?" asked Rowen.

"Oh right, I've heard there have been more worgs attacking people last night," she said. "Have you heard anything about that?"

"Yes indeed, quite a few of them have been preying on the citizens of Ashenburgh last night. The guards had their hands full with them in other areas," he said. "I fear this isn't the last time that we'll see them, for some of them have made their escape successfully. Grim times seem to be ahead of us, best to prepare yourself now."

"Doesn't anybody know where they could have come from?"

"No, that's the scary part. Where did they come from? How many are still there? I've talked to the lord of Ashenburgh about it, but he is as clueless as we are."

"Do you think it's possible that someone might be behind the attack?"

"You mean a person is controlling these evil beasts? Unlikely, very unlikely! Although there are beastmasters and summoners, I have never heard of anybody controlling worgs before!" he stood up and paced around the shop in deep thought. "But we cannot just dismiss your words either. Hmm, there is still a lot of investigation to be done."

He stopped and looked at her. "But that is not something you should concern yourself with, right now. You should focus on your magic for now," he advised.

"Indeed, I was going to train after talking to you," she said. "Right, can you recommend me a good staff, please?"

"A staff? Well, of course, I can! That's exactly what I am here for, hoho," he said and went to pick out a staff for her. "Now, for someone of your level, these two should be just right."

Two different staves were presented in front of her.

[Blackwood Staff]

[Level: 4]

[Rank: Common]

[Description: A staff made of blackwood.]

[Damage: 10]

[Effect: INT +1]

[Bone Staff]

[Level: 4]

[Rank: Good]

[Description: A simple white staff made of the bone of an unknown animal.]

[Damage: 13]

[Effect: INT +1; Wis +1]

"Rowen, do you know what animal this Bone Staff is made of?" asked Alisa.

"To tell you the truth, I have no idea," he said. "But it's not bad, is it?"

"Yes, it's good. How much do you want for it?"

"1 silver coin is enough."

Alisa bought the Bone Staff and went to the alchemy shop across the street, called Magic in a Bottle, to buy some mana and HP-potions. Sunshine shone through the big windows, brightening the entire shop. Shelves stood packed with various herbs and plants, bottles filled with different colored liquids, and all kinds of ingredients used for alchemy concoction.

A young girl was sitting behind the counter, reading a book. She had blue hair, braided into a ponytail, and was wearing a green robe.

"Hello there, little lady," said Alisa. The young girl perked up her head and said, "I am no lady! I am a witch, like my ma!"

"Really? And what kind of witch are you then?"

"A good one! We make all kinds of potions and remedies. Everything you see here was made by us!" she said proudly.

"Wow, that is indeed great! I am Alisa and what is your name, little witch?"

"I am Sophie. What do you want to buy, Miss? My ma's potions are the best in town!"

"I am looking for some mana and HP-potions. What do you have in store?" asked Alisa with a smile.

"Big sis, you don't seem too strong, so I would recommend you the minor mana and health potions," said Sophie.

At this time, a middle-aged woman entered the store from one of the rooms in the back. "Now, don't be rude, Sophie!" she said and took a look at Alisa. "But her recommendation is correct. They are the best options at your level."

"It's okay, I am not offended. Then I am going to take three of each, please."

Alisa paid 60 silver coins for the potions and left the store. Next, she went to the tailor to have her clothes fixed. The damage done by the worg wasn't too bad, so they were still savable. Alisa considered buying a robe to raise her attributes, but low-level equipment didn't seem too appealing at that time. Furthermore, she would outlevel them soon enough anyway.

For her last stop, she went to see Gwyn, who was once again performing before that restaurant. Alisa tipped him with some coins and received a new buff this time: [A Wise Man's Tale: Wisdom raised by 10% for 1 hour].

Ready to face any challenge, she left the town and went into the forest near Ashenburgh.